Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, July 13, 1993 TAG: 9309220305
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Neil Chethik
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
VITA-MEN: We all know we're supposed to eat our vegetables. But studies show that, generally, men don't. At least not enough of them. So how can men ensure that they get enough of the basic nutrients they need?
The writers at Men's Health magazine have put together a list of daily vitamin and mineral supplements that they believe are particularly valuable for men. These can help ward off the diseases men are most prone to, and even raise our sperm counts.
Start with a multivitamin, one that provides 100 percent of the recommended daily minimum of all the basics: vitamins A, C, D, E and K, as well as the B vitamins. It should also contain 100 percent of the potassium, magnesium, selenium and zinc recommended by the government, and at least 100 micrograms of chromium.
But don't stop there, the magazine says. Recent studies suggest that heart disease - the most common killer of men - may be thwarted by consistent extra doses of vitamin C (250 to 1000 milligrams), vitamin E (14 I.U.), beta-carotene (15 to 30 milligrams), chromium (50 to 200 micrograms) and selenium (70 to 200 micrograms).
Of course, pills are no substitute for real food. To get all the nutrients and fiber they need, men should eat at least three vegetables and two fruits every day. When it comes to dining, the magazine editors say: ``Think less like a man and more like a rabbit.''
\ CLOSER LOOK: Most men don't pay that much attention to their skin - and it may be killing them.
A recent Boston University study found that one reason men have a higher death rate than women from skin cancer is because they're not as good at discovering the disease themselves. Skin cancer, or melanoma, is usually curable when detected in its early stages.
The study by Dr. Howard Koh, published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, found that 66 percent of women who had skin cancer discovered their own cancerous lesions while only 42 percent of men did. For men, 23 percent of skin-cancer lesions were found by a spouse; for women, that figure was just 2 percent.
Koh said he doesn't know why there are such differences, but surmises that men are simply less conscious about their skin than women.
Melanoma lesions are irregularly shaped blemishes, often at least a quarter-inch in diameter, that usually contain shades of tan, brown and black, sometimes with touches of red, white or blue. They often grow or change in size and shape.
\ STARTING LATE: You're never too old to get off the couch. A new study shows that middle-aged and older men can add almost a year to their lives by taking up tennis, swimming, brisk walking or some other moderately vigorous activity.
And they'll probably feel better during that extra time too. People who exercise on a regular basis tend to have fewer chronic diseases.
The study was conducted by Dr. Ralph Paffenbarger of the University of California, and published recently in the New England Journal of Medicine. It looked at 10,000 male Harvard graduates between the ages of 45 and 84.
By following the men through many years, researchers found that those who began exercising after 45 added an average 10 months to their lives. Even those who didn't start moving until age 65 lived as much as 6 additional months.
\ MAKING THE LINKS: If you needed another excuse to put off having a vasectomy, the Journal of the American Medical Association has offered one up.
The journal recently published two studies that suggest that a vasectomy - an operation that cuts the tiny tubes that carry sperm from the testicles - may increase a man's risk of prostate cancer by up to 66 percent.
Prostate cancer is the second leading cancer killer in men (behind lung cancer), striking about one in 11 men.
The link between vasectomies and prostate cancer is not conclusive; previous studies found no association. But doctors are telling men who have had vasectomies to get an annual rectal exam and PSA blood test, both of which can help detect prostate cancer. All men age 50 to 70 already are urged to have the annual tests.
Doctors also suggest that men planning to have a vasectomy should weigh its benefits with the possible risks cited in the new studies. About 450,000 American men get vasectomies each year.
\ MEN-TION
``Consumption of snuff and chewing tobacco has almost tripled since 1972, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Young men and teen-age boys are the biggest consumers. ... Smokeless tobacco increases the risk of mouth and throat cancer, tooth and gum disease, and nicotine addiction.''
Source: University of California at Berkeley Wellness Letter, July 1993
\ MALE CALL
Men and women: Studies show that men are less likely to go to the doctor than women. Why do you think this is the case? Are men just being good health-care consumers, or are we taking unnecessary risks with our lives?
\ Send responses, questions and comments about men to ``The Men's Column, in care of the Features Department, Roanoke Times & World-News, P.O. Box 2491, Roanoke, Va. 24010-2491.
by CNB