Men's Sexual Health Expert and Medical Talk Show Host Dr. Ridwan Shabsigh, MD Discusses Health News and Offers Healthcare Advice

NEW YORK, Dec. 21, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- As men age, many health issues come to the forefront including depression, erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, prostate enlargement (Benign Prostate Hyperplasia), metabolic syndrome, testosterone deficiency, prostate, kidney or bladder cancer, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, loss of muscle mass and vitality. "Sometimes these conditions can cluster, whereby patients will suffer from many of these conditions at once, resulting in numerous multiple health issues and requiring many medications," said Dr. Ridwan Shabsigh, an online men's health talk show host and director of the Division of Urology at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, "What concerns me the most is how often this is occurring in younger and younger men."

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101221/NY20940)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently published the following facts on men's health":

• 12% ages 18 and older are considered in "fair" or "poor" health
• 34% ages 18 and older participate in leisure-time physical activity regularly
• 32% ages 20 and older are obese
• 31% ages 20 and older have hypertension (high blood pressure)

The weight gain that happens to men as they age, usually due to overeating and a lack of exercise, is also known as "mass of inflammation." Many health changes happen as a result of this inflammation including depression, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, prostate enlargement and reduced vitality. "Medication can help but not fix the problem, which is corrected by simply doing what we already know is best for us: good nutrition and exercise," said Dr. Ridwan, who discusses this and other topics on his online medical advice show, The Dr. Ridwan Show, seen at www.drridwan.com.

The best diet for men is fish, lean animal proteins, vegetables, fruits, sweet potatoes, and nuts. Avoid sugary, processed foods, refined oils and grains, and fatty meats. Supplements like omega-3 fish oil, and vitamin D, are also helpful in reducing chronic inflammation. "Supplemental magnesium is recommended at 400 mg per day, while fish oil is advised at 1,000-3,000 mg of EPA/DHA per day," said Dr. Ridwan, "4,000 IU per day of Vitamin D is necessary to maintain proper blood levels." Vitamin D is also obtained via adequate sun exposure. "As always, it's best to talk to your doctor, especially if you are on medication, which may interact with nutritional supplements," advised Ridwan.

According to the October 2010 issue of Harvard Men's Health Watch, sodium found in salt and hidden in processed foods is responsible for more than 100,000 American deaths a year - approximately three times more than prostate cancer. Sodium intake causes a rise in blood pressure, leading to increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Reducing sodium intake improves the flexibility of blood vessels and protects the heart and the kidneys by reducing urinary albumin loss. It also lowers the risk of kidney stones by cutting the amount of calcium in the urine. Sodium intake should be limited to 2,300 milligrams (mg) per day - 1,500 mg for those with high blood pressure, middle-aged and older men, and African American men," said Dr. Ridwan.

This leads us to a five-year study, reported by HealthDay that showed increased effectiveness for high blood pressure medications that are taken at night instead of in the morning. During sleep, blood pressure drops 10 to 20 percent in healthy people. "Hypertension sufferers don't experience this dip and are more susceptible to heart attack and stroke," said Dr. Ridwan. Information on these and other men's healthcare topics can be found on Dr. Ridwan's online men's health talk show, The Dr. Ridwan Show, at www.drridwan.com.

Contact:

Dr. Ridwan Shabsigh,

The Dr. Ridwan Show - Ask The Doctor - Health Information

718-283-7746

SOURCE Dr. Ridwan Shabsigh