Are Men Really Hooked on Looks? :: Health and Disease

> Health and Disease > Men's Health Issues

Are Men Really Hooked on Looks?
by author Sandra Tonn, RHN

Beauty has long been linked with health. For centuries our genes have driven us to seek out a good-looking mate to increase our chances of producing healthy offspring.

Psychologists tell us that it’s in a woman’s nature to attract men with beauty. Women have a limited amount of opportunity to reproduce–only 30-odd years (with time out for nine-month pregnancy cycles)–compared to a man’s ability to reproduce for 60 or more years.

Despite 100 years of feminism and the fact that we hope to have evolved beyond living simply to survive and reproduce, beauty is a multi-billion dollar industry. In addition, it now appears that men are also becoming hooked on their own looks.

Men’s health magazines feature headlines such as “Look Thinner–Instantly!”, “Get Back in Shape!”, and “15 Foods That Fight Fat!” as top-selling concerns for men. After decades of challenging women to match the unrealistic portrayals of glossy models smeared all over magazines, bus shelters, billboards, and television, now marketing and media are showing men how they should look, and men are opening their wallets to buy health and beauty.

Men around the world spend $13.5 billion a year on cosmetic products–not only shampoos and hair gel, but body sprays, hair dyes, and moisturizers. In fact, hair colour is as popular with boys and young men as it is with the aging baby boomers. According to a recent US Market for Teen and Tween Grooming Products Report, by 2008 males between the ages of eight and 18 will represent a potential market of $2.8 billion to the health and beauty care industry.

The most recent report of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons states that more than 8.7 million cosmetic surgery procedures were performed in 2003–up 32 percent over the 2002 numbers. Nose jobs were the most popular surgical procedure among men, followed by eyelid surgery and liposuction. Men can also buy a firmer jaw line, and while women line up for breast implants, men seek pectoral implants. A 2004 article on the website Beautyworlds: The Culture of Beauty beautyworlds.com states that 38 percent of men are now dissatisfied with the size of their chests; 34 percent of women are dissatisfied with their breasts.

Aside from the risks of unnecessary surgery and the dangers of irritants, toxins, bleaches, peroxides, solvents, and other chemicals in beauty products and practices, the simple reality is that true health and beauty cannot be purchased. There are many men and women–beautiful by industry standards–who struggle with both their physical and emotional health.

While Men’s Health magazine (February 2005) reports that 37 percent of men want more “booty calls” (one-night stands), and there are an ever-increasing number of shiny men worldwide, I like to believe that most men are wiser and healthier than this. Congratulations to those who understand and appreciate that real health and beauty come naturally.

Sandra Tonn, RHN, is a registered holistic nutritionist, freelance writer, and natural health educator based in Vancouver, BC. sandratonn.com.

Source: alive #272, June 2005

Put Your Best Foot Forward
Oh, my aching feet! To ease your foot problems, you may want to try one of the many natural foot care products on the market or whip up a home remedy. Shoes that are too tight can cause a callus. This lumpy accumulation of cells isn't unbearable, unless it develops a hard core and becomes a corn.

Get Rid of the Orange Peel Look
Cellulite is described as a fat accumulation on the thighs and hips. It usually causes a dimpled effect and even extremely slim women aren't immune to it. Most naturopaths know that the whole picture is more complex than just a fat accumulation: cellulite is also a toxin accumulation.

Handcrafted Aftershaves
We use aftershaves because they smell good and are beneficial to the skin. However, commercial brands often contain harsh chemicals and synthetic perfumes. They can't compete with the wholesome fragrance and healing properties of natural ingredients.

Tender Lovin' Tootsies
Your feet have 26 small bones with 200 ligaments and 20 muscle.

Real Men Eat Vegetables
"Broccoli? No thanks," said my dinner guest when I offered him a bowl full of crisp steamed vegetables. "I'm a meat-and-potato man!" As if to proudly underscore his statement, he rubbed his rounded belly.

Medical Phallicies
Circumcision was once considered a minor, harmless procedure mainly of religious or cultural importance for some group.

The Holistic Gym Bag
In order to have a truly holistic approach to getting in shape at the gym, you'll need a gym bag that's in tip top shape as well. With these natural toiletry items and remedies, you will be ready to kick some butt.

Perfume
Think about the last time you felt nauseous or had a headache for no apparent reason. Could it have been from the perfume you smelled in the elevator? Or from walking down the detergent aisle at your grocery store? These reactions are your body's way of telling you something is wrong with the air you're breathing.

Top 10 Health Tips for Men
When it comes to health care, we men are like ostriches. We bury our heads in the sand. We are much less likely than women to visit our doctors regularly, take symptoms seriously and live a healthful lifestyle.

Taking Care of Our Men
He pays close attention to the size of his bankbook, ensures his car gets a regular checkup, and cleans his stereo system meticulously. Yet, when it comes to taking action on his own health, he is notorious for ignoring health complaints, and takes preventive steps only as a last resort.

Fathers-Live Longer to Enjoy Your Children and Grandchildren
So this month when we honour our fathers - fathers themselves must honour their bodies so they may live long and be healthy. Start today! Take a multivitamin with minerals that contains calcium, zinc, and selenium.

Choosing Alternative Prostate Cancer Treatment
Twenty-five men who declined conventional prostate cancer treatment in order to use alternative treatments are taking part in a three-year Health Canada study.

Grumpy, Lumpy, Men Syndrome
Remember what it was like to be a teenager? That lean, muscular physique never seemed to gain an ounce of fat no matter how much you ate (or drank). Do you now find yourself patting your belly more then you pat your dog? If so, you could well be experiencing a loss of your male hormone - testosterone.

Prostate Problems
During a man's lifetime, his prostate will undergo changes that can eventually lead to health challenge.

Solving Prostate Problems
Surprisingly, benign enlargement of the prostate is so frequent that it affects 10 percent of men under 40 and 80 percent of men age 80 and olde.

Helping Men Live Longer
The differences between the sexes go a lot deeper than what you see on the outside. To put it bluntly, men are engineered from birth to be much more susceptible-at any given age-to fatal disorders like heart attacks and, ultimately, to death at a younger age than their more shapely counterparts. So which is the real weaker sex, macho man?

Pamper Your Piggies
Are your feet still hibernating and sweating it out in winter boots? Summer is just around the corner, so give those tootsies a kick-start on the sandal season with a rejuvenating pedicure.

Help Yourself Soothe Your Soles
Your pretty painted toenails match your new spring sandals, but the rear view of your foot doesn't look so appealing. Footwear can be serious fun for many women, but dry cracked heels may spoil the joy. Those discoloured and dry heels can be unsightly, uncomfortable, and even painful.

Change of Heart
There is a natural alternative to bypass surgery that is safe, effective, non-invasive, and almost side effect free. It's called chelation therapy and is an alternative worth considering.

Taming the Hunk Within
Now it appears that, increasingly, men are taking responsibility for not only their own health and fitness but also the health and fitness of their families.

Prostate Health
Most men know little about the prostate gland, only that it can be the source of serious health problems and the reason behind unpleasant physical exams. Prostate cancer is the number one cancer threat to adult males; it will affect approximately one in seven men in their lifetime. Prevention is the best medicine.

Natural Prostate Protection
The prostate is just a little thing. But the healthy functioning of this small, doughnut-shaped muscular gland sure can make a big impact on a guy's life. Just ask any man over the age of 50.

Health Perspective
Why do some men wait until calamity strikes before they take their health seriously? "Men are from Mars, women are from Venus" has become the mantra of modern-day gender relations. The popular consensus seems to be that we should celebrate, not lament, our differences. All well and good.

Get to Know a Spa

Beautiful Foods

For a Picture-Perfect Smile, Eat Raisins.

Male Beauty Trap

A Cynic's No Picnic
"More doctors smoke Camels than any other cigarette! proclaims the vintage ad, in boldface type. "Based upon three nationally known independent research organizations.

Midriff Miracle
What does an 80-year-old woman have between her breasts that a 20-year-old woman doesn't? Answer: Her navel.

Men Taking Charge
A news poll appearing on ABC in May 2007 found that 78 percent of men over the age of 50 only go to see a doctor after being urged by their wife, daughter, or female friend.

Old Men
Close your eyes and ask yourself: how old do I feel? Many of us feel older than we should, but that might change in the not-too-distant future.

Preventing Prostate Problems
With over half of men past age 50 experiencing prostate enlargement, it's no surprise that treatments for conditions causing this problem have improved considerably within the last several years.

Men's Health Trio
There are undeniable differences between the sexes that cannot be ignored. Men have their own unique set of health issues to consider, and it's only recently that issues such as erectile dysfunction have been openly discussed.

Greening My Face
I have a confession to make: I wear a lot of makeup. There are few personal-care products that I don't own, and when a new one comes along, chances are I'm buying it.

Prostate Problems
Are you aware that September 14 to 20 marks Prostate Awareness Week in Canada? If not, you're not alone.

Lacking Libido
A healthy libido or sex drive is a normal part of being human. While it is not uncommon to go through periods when sexual desire declines or wanes, libido problems become self-evident when these low periods recur and lead to personal stress and interpersonal problems.

Going Green One Step at a Time
Every day we;re bombarded with more gloomy news about the sagging economy and the threats to our environment. We're all focused on protecting our financial well-being, but we want to do this without compromising our green principles.

Defending Against Men’s Cancer
According to the National Population Health Survey, men are far less likely than women to consider overall health, weight, and disease prevention.

Testing, Testing
Naturopathic doctors (NDs) use naturopathic and conventional diagnostic tools when treating patients. As primary care practitioners, they perform physical exams, Pap smears, and diagnostic lab tests and refer patients to specialists as required.

10 questions he won't ask
alive has compiled 10 questions men often have about their health—but are rarely eager to ask. Get the facts for yourself from our experts who offer their best strategies for natural prevention and treatment.

Man Up
Not long ago men who gave their appearance more than cursory consideration were considered sissies. But now great-looking skin is the new sexy, and real men are taking a second look at skin care.

Men’s health matters
Dr. Larry Goldenberg is a man on a mission: to add 10 quality years to men’s lives. The co-director of the Men’s Health Initiative of BC (aboutmen.ca) points out some startling facts: all over the world, men die on average four to five years earlier than women.

Supplement Sunday
The third Sunday of June marks one of those arbitrary days of acknowledgement. It creates a frenzy of stereotypical gift shopping for someone who insists all they want is to be surrounded by their loved ones for a backyard barbecue.