While not quite as catchy as National Condom Week, February is also American Heart Month. This year the focus is on promoting greater awareness of heart disease among women (since heart disease is commonly thought of as a "man's issue"), but there's no question that men can benefit from improved heart health. After all, according to the American Heart Association, coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death in America. And unfortunately, many men don't even realize they are experiencing a heart attack until it is much too late.

Know what to be aware of and act fast. Signs of a heart attack include:

• Pressure, pain or discomfort in the chest area
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea and dizziness
• Pain in other areas of the body such as arms, back, or neck

If you experience any of these symptoms, contact emergency services right away.

Acting quickly can improve your chances of surviving a heart attack, but the best course of action is to prevent heart disease before it begins. This means eating a diet rich in heart-healthy foods like fish, whole-grains and fruits and vegetables, getting regular medical checkups, exercising and complementing your nutrition with a reliable daily supplement. MenScience Omega 3 Supplement Formula contains a pharmaceutical-grade source of Omega-3 EPA/DHA fatty acids, which may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease in men. For more information about Omega 3's benefits, check out the article Heart Protection for Men with Omega-3 Fatty Acids.

February is officially American Heart Month...let's work to make this American Heart Year.

Labels: cardiovascular disease, heart disease, men's health, mens health, menscience, omega 3

It looks like an urban legend might be true...sort of. Everyone's heard the one about how cell phones can give you cancer, but a new study reveals that cell phone usage might actually be affecting the way people sleep.

In a study conducted by Karolinska Institute and Uppsala University in Sweden and Wayne State University in Michigan, USA, scientists have found that participants exposed to the same level of radiation emitted by cell phones an hour before going to sleep caused many of them to take longer to reach a deeper level of sleep and spend less time there. This in turn lead to less satisfying, unhealthier sleep.

One scientist believes this inability to get to sleep faster is caused by radiation activating a part of the brain which causes people to become alert. By activating this area, it takes longer for men to relax and prep for sleep.

While studies are still being conducted on the effect of cell phones on men's health, there's no denying that irregular sleep can cause a multitude of health problems. For guidelines from MenScience on how to get a good night's sleep, read our article here.

And what's a good rule of thumb? Don't talk on your phone an hour before heading off to dreamland.

Labels: cell phones, lack of sleep, men's health, mens health, menscience, sleep, sleep apnea, sleep disorder

In this blog, I've often discussed how health and grooming can go hand in hand. But now, according to an article on Fox News, they're more connected than you think. You could soon be getting more than a trim from your barber. In light of the growing numbers of African-American men being diagnosed with high blood pressure, obesity and prostate problems, many barber shops are now offering health screenings to their clientele.

From the article: "...barber shops and beauty parlors are weaving health screenings, information about diseases and advice about diet and exercise into their routine coiffing and cutting."

Barber shops have often been seen as one of the most comfortable settings for men to get together and discuss different things (sometimes issues not even discussed with their doctor). With hospitals and medical agencies providing some attendants outside in vans and inside shops to help answer questions and screen problems, African-American men might be getting a valuable chance to improve their health in a unique way.

Do you think the barber shop could be the next step to better health? Or should problems strictly be discussed and screened in medical offices?

Labels: african-american men, barbers, black men, blood pressure, hair care, men's grooming, men's health, mens health, obesity, prostate problems

There's been a lot of talk lately about the threat of bacteria to men's bodies and with good cause: more and more cases of bacteria-related deaths, such as those caused by staph infections and MRSA bacteria, are surfacing every day. To make matters even tricker, some strains of bacteria are becoming resistant to antibiotics due to overuse and over-prescription.

So how to stay healthy? Simple: keep your skin clean, wounds covered and your hands to yourself!

1. Wash your body regularly with an antibacterial body wash. This will immediately kill bacteria you accumulate through the day or after working out.

2. Wash hands frequently using hot water and an antibacterial cleanser, especially before meals. Be sure to wash them for at least 15 seconds and rub them vigorously to make sure all containments are rinsed away.

3. Using an antibacterial gel can also cut down on bacteria for times when you can't get to a sink, but keep in mind they should not be relied on for regular cleansing.

4. Completely cover all cuts, sores, scrapes and open wounds with clean bandages.

5. When working out at a gym, be sure to wipe down all equipment with a clean towel before use, even if it does not appear to be sweaty.

6. Don't share towels, razors or any other items which come in direct contact with skin.

7. Reduce the spread of bacteria by washing workout clothes and towels with hot water as soon as possible after use, and drying them completely. Never reuse socks, clothes or towels from a previous day's workout.

8. Boost your immune system by taking a nutritional supplement that contains antioxidants such as Vitamin C. This will help improve your chances of warding off a possible infection.

Labels: antioxidants, bacteria, men's fitness, men's health, men's nutrition, men's skin care, mens health, mrsa, sickness, staph