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Friday, April 19, 2024
Tags Posts tagged with "healthy eating"

healthy eating

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The testicles, or balls, are oval-shaped glands that form part of the male anatomy. They sit inside a thin sack of skin called the scrotum. As a person ages, the scrotum loses elasticity, and the skin starts to sag. Certain medical conditions can also cause the skin to appear saggy.

Skin loses its elasticity over time as a person gets older, and the effects of gravity start to become more noticeable everywhere on the body, including the testicles.

Some treatments can help keep the scrotum from sagging too much, although there is no way to prevent or treat the issue completely. Sagging testicles, which people often refer to as saggy balls, are usually not a cause for concern. However, if they appear with other symptoms, such as pain on one side of the balls or in the prostate, a person should see a doctor.

In this article, we look at the possible causes of sagging testicles, as well as treatment options and when to see a doctor.

What is normal?

The testicles hang inside the scrotum, or scrotal sac. The looseness of the skin around the testicles varies among individuals, and in many people, it is naturally fairly loose. The scrotum helps protect the testicles and provides some impact resistance.

The scrotum also moves in response to heat to protect the delicate testicles and sperm inside. In doing so, it helps keep the sperm viable by preventing them from becoming too warm or too cold.

In cold weather, the skin tightens up as the cremaster muscle pulls the testicles toward the body to keep them warm. In hot conditions, the skin loosens to prevent the testicles from overheating. The looser skin allows the balls to hang away from the warm body and encourages airflow around the scrotum to keep the area cool.

As such, even in younger people, the testicles will typically sag a bit. A person will generally notice this once they start producing sperm during puberty.

As a person ages, the testicles will generally sag much more. The process may not be noticeable at first, but by the age of 50 years, most people will notice a drastic difference in how much their balls sag.

Causes

Sagging testicles are a completely normal part of the aging process. A study from 2014 verifies the decrease in skin mechanical properties with aging. The skin loses collagen with age, causing the layers of the skin to stretch more.

While this applies to the skin everywhere on the body, it may be more noticeable in certain areas, such as the face and testicles. The scrotum and testicles already hang away from the body, so more stretchy skin and the efforts of gravity can lead to the effect appearing more drastic.

Other times, sagging testicles may be the result of an underlying issue, such as a varicocele. A varicocele occurs when a vein near the testicles swells up. This swelling can cause an increased blood flow to the testicles, which heats them. The body then responds by dropping the testicles lower to prevent them from getting too hot.

According to a study in the Asian Journal of Andrology, varicoceles appear in up to 15% of males and may have an association with infertility.

Varicoceles may make a person feel as though their testicles are moving or squirming, and they may also notice pain in the area. Anyone experiencing these symptoms alongside sagging testicles should see a doctor. Sometimes, a person will not experience any other symptoms and will not notice that they have the issue.

Treatments

Although age-related sagging in the scrotum is normal, some people may be uncomfortable with its appearance or find that it gets in the way of their daily life — for example, by making it easy to sit accidentally on the testicles. Surgery is the only sure way to resolve the issue, but people can also try a range of nonsurgical methods, including those below.

Exercises

There are several different exercises that people claim can prevent or treat sagging testicles, although there is no scientific evidence to prove that they work. Still, many people perform exercises to help them work out the muscles in this area of the body.

Some people say that they feel better when doing these exercises, perhaps because they feel as though they are being proactive. Even if they are ineffective, testicle exercises are unlikely to harm the testicles or make the sagging any worse.

Two exercises that some people use are Kegels and testicular holding:

Kegel exercises

Doing basic Kegels, by finding and activating the pubococcygeal (PC) muscles, may help some people support their penis and testicle health in general. The PC muscles are the muscles that a person uses to hold back their urine stream.

The basic Kegel exercise involves contracting the muscles as though trying to cut off the urine stream. As this exercise activates the PC muscles, it may improve the strength of the pelvic floor and help with some issues in the testicles, prostate, and penis.

Testicular holding

Testicular holding is similar to weight training the testicles. Holding the testicles in one hand and pulling downward activates the PC muscles. Doing this for 5 minutes each day may activate the PC muscles more strongly than simple Kegels.

Keeping the skin healthy

As much of the sagging in the testicles is due to aging skin, it may help to keep the skin as youthful as possible.

The American Academy of Dermatology recommend several ways to protect and care for the skin, including:

  • avoiding sun exposure
  • quitting smoking
  • drinking less alcohol
  • maintaining a healthy weight
  • eating a balanced diet

These tips may help improve skin health in general, which may slow the progress of saggy testicles.

Surgery

Some surgical options are available to treat overly sagging testicles. These are largely for people who dislike how their testicles look. These treatments may also help in cases where the person has problems that arise from their saggy testicles, such as accidentally sitting on their testicles too often.

In these cases, a procedure called a scrotoplasty may help keep the scrotum from hanging down as far. During a scrotoplasty, the surgeon will carefully remove extra skin from the scrotum to let the testicles rest higher up toward the body.

Surgery works to treat saggy balls, but the results are not permanent. The effect is likely to wear off over time as the skin continues to stretch with age.

In the case of a varicocele, a surgical procedure called a varicocelectomy treats the underlying issue by tying off the swollen veins. The symptoms should go away as the area heals, and this may have a positive effect on the sperm.

Other methods

There is no miracle cure for sagging testicles. People may come across other methods — such as only wearing tight briefs and avoiding sex or masturbation — on internet forums and by word of mouth, but these are not effective methods.

Other sources claim that lotions, creams, hormones, or supplements can help. Although they are probably harmless to most people, there is no evidence that these methods will work.

When to see a doctor

People who notice troubling symptoms, such as pain in their groin or prostate, should see a doctor. Anyone who wants to discuss cosmetic surgery should talk to a doctor about a referral to a trusted cosmetic surgeon.

Summary

The majority of the time, sagging testicles are a normal part of the aging process. The testicles naturally sag, even at a young age, to protect the sperm inside and keep them viable.

Anyone worried about saggy balls or other associated symptoms should contact a doctor for a diagnosis. In some cases, there may be an underlying issue to treat. In others, cosmetic surgery may help a person feel better.

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While the old adage “you are what you eat” is only partially true you are also what your genetics predisposes you to be what we put into our bodies clearly does have an impact on our health and overall well-being. And while some diets may promise a magic bullet to healthier aging, there are a few basic food rules that we really shouldn’t stray from.

Here are five super foods that you should be having every day:

1) Water.
Our bodies need water to live. Water flushes toxins out of our vital organs and carries nutrients to our cells. We lose water every day — literally through sweat and tears — and we must replenish it. But just how much water we need is a point of discussion. The old standard bearer of 8 eight-ounce glasses of water a day may not be today’s most popular wisdom. The Mayo Clinic says: For your body to function properly, you must replenish its water supply by consuming beverages and foods that contain water. An adequate intake for men is roughly three liters (about 13 cups) of total beverages a day; for women, it’s 2.2 liters (about 9 cups) of total beverages a day. Drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of fluid a day — not necessarily water because all fluids count toward the daily total. But water, it’s still the purest, isn’t it?

2) Green vegetables.
Yes, kale is the new superfood on everyone’s table. But as one friend recently observed as he turned his nose up at the offer of a kale shake, “Wasn’t that the stuff that was the decoration on salad bars a few years ago?” One and the same, indeed. Kale is low in calories and high in calcium, vitamins A, C, and K. It’s also high in antioxidants, all of which makes it the current sweetheart veggie. For those who have tried it 100 different ways and still think it belongs as a salad bar decoration, we say there is always spinach, swiss chard, broccoli and asparagus. Don’t make excuses when it comes to eating your veggies.

3) Fresh, not highly processed.
There are processed foods and then there are processed foods. Minimally processed foods — like bagged spinach, cut vegetables and roasted nuts — are often just pre-prepped for convenience. At the other end of the processing spectrum are frozen and pre-made meals like microwaveable dinners and frozen pizza. Read the labels, and if you can’t pronounce some of the ingredients, think twice about eating them. Most canned vegetables, soups and sauces are preserved by adding sodium. And while we need some sodium each day, consuming more than the dietary guidelines can contribute to hypertension — high blood pressure. Best to stick with fresh, and read labels carefully.

4) Nuts.
As the joke goes, don’t go nuts with nuts. But in moderation (and assuming no allergies), nuts can be a healthy addition to any diet. They contain polyphenols, which keeps your heart healthy. Let’s face it, nuts need some good PR. For years they were seen as salty, high calorie and fatty and you were most likely to find them in the supermarket aisle with the chips and snack foods. Now, nutritionists say certain nuts deserve an honored spot in every healthy eater’s kitchen. They are loaded in protein, fiber, healthy monounsaturated fats and antioxidants. Studies have shown that nuts have powerful cholesterol-lowering effects.

WebMD.com reports that the benefits of certain nuts were clear enough for the FDA in 2003 to issue a “qualified health claim” for peanuts and certain tree nuts — almonds, hazelnuts, pecans, some pine nuts, pistachios, and walnuts. That status allows some nuts and foods made with them to carry this claim: “Eating a diet that includes one ounce of nuts daily can reduce your risk of heart disease.”

5) Flaxseed. 
Flaxseed is one of the most powerful plant foods on the planet, rich in plant-based Omega-3s. There’s some evidence it may help reduce your risk of heart disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes. In the 8th Century, King Charlemagne believed so strongly in the health benefits of flaxseed that he passed laws requiring his subjects to consume it, says WebMD.com.

Although flaxseed contains all sorts of healthy components, the main ones are Omega-3 essential fatty acids, fiber, and lignans for their antioxidant qualities.

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People ignored good and healthy eating in the past and instead concentrated their efforts on treating illnesses and diseases. This has been found to be counterproductive as it is cheaper to prevent a disease than to treat it.

Now that we all are becoming more enlightened as to the reasons why we should pay more attention to what we eat, we need to do the best within our strength to achieve a state of positive health by investing on good food, no matter what it would cost to do so.

But what actually constitutes a good food? What types of foods should we or should we not eat?

Top 5 Foods You Should Be Eating Daily For a Healthy Living

  1. Green Beans

Green beans is a proteinous and high-fiber food, which is highly recommended because of its ability to prevent weight gain and also help you lose weight without dieting. Increasing one’s intake of green beans helps in losing weight. If you increase your fiber by 8 grams for every 1,000 calories you take, you will lose about 4½ pounds in the long run.

But should we recommend green beans only because it helps you in losing weight? No, of course! These peas have several health gains which you should benefit from. Studies have shown that green beans can cut the risk of diabetes, obesity and heart disease, including death rates.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Nutrient Database, one cup of canned snap green beans has: 2.6 grams of fiber, 28 calories, 1.94 grams of sugar, 5.66 grams of carbohydrate, 0.55 grams of fat, and 1.42 grams of protein. It equally has some quantities of magnesium, potassium, calcium, Vitamin A, folate, phosphorus, iron, riboflavin, thiamin, and vitamin K.

Research by the Oregon State University shows that green beans contain chlorophyll, which is capable of blocking the carcinogenic impacts of heterocyclic amines produced when meats are grilled at a high temperature.

If you have never given green beans a thought, this should really interest you. Research conducted by the Harvard Medical School showed that green beans have the ability to promote fertility in women due to its rich iron content.

A cup of green beans gives you about 10 percent of folic acid and 6 percent of the iron your body needs. Since these are both needed for a viable pregnancy to be sustained, eating green beans remains a good source of getting them.

  1. Spinach

Spinach is one of the plants that can easily give you  omega-3 fatty acids and folate, which play a significant role in preventing stroke, heart diseases, and osteoporosis. In addition, folate helps to improve blood supply to the hindmost parts of the body, thereby assisting in guarding you against sexual problems that are related to age.

Besides, spinach contains lutein, a compound that plays a role in preventing the degeneration of muscles; hence it is referred to as the muscle builder. Lutein is equally believed to assist in sex drive. Taking a cup of fresh spinach or half a cup cooked daily would help to do the magic for your body.

Similarly, a recent study showed that “women with hair loss have considerably lower vitamin D2 and iron levels than age-matched controls. Spinach is equally perfect for fighting hair loss because it’s rich in iron and high in vitamin C, which helps in iron absorption.

You may not be lucky enough to have spinach in your area. In that case, alternatives you can take include romaine lettuce, kale, and bok choy.

  1. Tomatoes

We have seen how useful spinach is. Another highly useful vegetable our body needs is the tomato. They are used in different sauces at home. From stew to salads, fried eggs, sandwiches, and other dishes, tomato plays a role in giving them their palatable tastes.

But that is not why we really need lots of tomatoes in our daily meals. Red tomatoes (which are the preferred ones) contain a lot of antioxidant lycopene, which plays a role in reducing cancers of the prostate, bladder, stomach, and skin. Moreover, lycopene lessens the risk of coronary artery disease.

Processed tomatoes also contain high amounts of lycopene, which the body can easily absorb whether from the fresh or processed sources. A glass of tomato juice or 22 mg of lycopene daily is enough to take care of your body needs. If tomatoes are hard to get in your location, you can get lycopene also from pink grapefruit, guava, Japanese persimmon, Red watermelon, and papaya.

  1. Eggs

Eggs are known to contain high-quality animal proteins as well minerals and vitamins. Eggs contain almost everything needed to make a balanced diet. They easily fill you up and stop you from eating those junk foods that hardly have anything beneficial to add to your body.

Just an egg or two in the morning taken with whole grain toast or fresh fruit is enough to provide your body all it needs to kick start the day and keep going.

An egg has vitamin A, vitamin B2, B6, and B12, vitamin D, vitamin K, calcium, folate, zinc, phosphorus, selenium, essential fatty acids, protein, and other trace nutrients. This is why doctors and nutritionists recommend that a child should have at least an egg a day.

One other thing about egg is that it contains biotin and B vitamins that assist in minimizing hair loss. Since egg contains high-quality proteins, it plays a role in helping the hair to grow faster and healthier.

  1. Oats

Oats have a high level of soluble fiber, which helps in reducing the incidence of heart disease. They are approved by the FDA because of their numerous health benefits. Oats have plenty carbohydrates, but the fibers ensure that the sugars are released slowly, thereby reducing the possibility of developing diabetes.

Half a cup serving of oats contains 10 grams of protein, which helps in delivering energy that’s friendly to the muscles.

Similarly, Oats are rich in fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, iron, and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), and zinc which help to stimulate hair growth, making it healthy and thick.

You don’t have oats in your area? Don’t worry! You can get its same benefits from wild rice, quinoa, and flaxseed.

Conclusion

If you really want to enjoy a healthy life, you need to eat good foods daily. Money alone or drugs cannot give you guaranteed health, only the practice of eating super foods or quality diets can.

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