What are the preventive health products for men?

First of all, let’s get it out of the way. “Health products” and “drugs” are two completely independent regulatory categories. There is no so-called “health drug” at all, and there are no products that are suitable for all men and can prevent various men’s health problems. Those “miraculous drugs for men” on the market that claim to be able to prevent prostate disease, improve sexual function, and replenish energy at the same time are 99% IQ tax, and many even have illegally added banned ingredients, which may cause harm to the body.

I just received a doctor from a 28-year-old Internet operator a while ago. Because he has been sitting for a long time and working overtime, he always felt that he was going to have prostate problems. He bought three boxes of the product called "Imported Men's Health Tablets" through live streaming. Within two months of taking it, he started having headaches and urinating blood. He was sent to the emergency room for a check-up. His blood pressure soared to 160, and his liver function was also abnormal. Later, when he checked the health products, he discovered that they contained large doses of sildenafil and diuretics in violation of regulations. It was completely mixed with prohibited ingredients and sold as health products.

Too many people in the clinic usually ask if there are any preventive medicines that can be taken in advance. To be honest, healthy men do not need to take any additional medicine or health care products for prevention. A normal balanced diet, regular work and rest, not sitting for too long, smoking less and drinking less are more effective than taking any supplements. If there is really a corresponding high risk, such as weak sperm motility detected during pregnancy preparation, the doctor may prescribe drugs such as L-carnitine and Coenzyme Q10 to adjust. Middle-aged and elderly men with a family history of prostatic hyperplasia and slight urination problems may also use low-dose finasteride to delay the progression of hyperplasia after a doctor's evaluation. However, these are prescription drugs for clear indications and must not be bought as daily health supplements by yourself, otherwise they are likely to suffer side effects.

As for common men’s health products such as lycopene and zinc and selenium tablets that everyone often asks about, there is still controversy in the academic community: some small sample studies have shown that appropriate supplementation of zinc and selenium for men during pregnancy can indeed improve sperm motility to a certain extent. However, there are also many clinical data showing that the trace elements in the seafood, fruits and vegetables, and nuts that healthy men eat daily are enough to meet their needs. Additional supplements may cause excessive nutrients and increase the metabolic burden on the body. I usually tell patients that if you only eat takeout, rarely eat fruits and vegetables, and rarely touch seafood, it’s okay to buy a regular brand of supplement, but don’t expect that eating this can prevent prostatitis and improve sexual function. If you really feel uncomfortable, you still have to go to the hospital for examination first, and don’t rely on health supplements. There are also maca and oyster peptides that have been very popular in the past few years. Now many large-scale studies have confirmed that their effects are almost the same as placebos. Many people feel that they are "useful" after taking them. To put it bluntly, they are just psychological effects.

To be honest, men’s health prevention really doesn’t have that many bells and whistles. It’s just like keeping a car, driving it gently and maintaining it regularly, no matter how many expensive fuel additives you add, it will be more effective than if you stay up until two or three o’clock every day and drink a lot, even if you take health supplements as a meal, it will be useless.