Chronic stress is an underlying contributing factor to many men-specific health problems. These include decreased sex hormones (testosterone), decreased sexual desire, negatively impacted reproduction, and muscle weakness.[i]
Excess amounts of cortisol can affect the normal biochemical functioning of the male reproductive system, including testosterone production, resulting in a decline in sex drive/libido and can cause erectile dysfunction or impotence. Chronic stress can also negatively impact sperm production and maturation. Stress hormones cause catabolism of muscle proteins, thereby decreasing muscle strength and interfering with its quality and function.[ii]
Stress-Busting Ingredients
Ashwagandha (Sensoril® from Kerry, KSM-66® from KSM-66®)- Research shows that ashwagandha decreases daily stress and significantly decreases serum cortisol levels.[iii]
Holy Basil (Holixer® from Natural Remedies)- A 100-member study with Holixer showed a significant reduction in perceived stress (perceived stress scale) (38%) and hair cortisol levels (66%) when compared to the placebo group. Hair cortisol levels are an indicator of stress over an extended period. Holixer also showed its effects (within 10 minutes) during acute stress.[iv]
Saffron (Affron® from Pharmactive Biotech)- Affron® is a patented and clinically substantiated ingredient of saffron (Crocus sativus). Studies show:
- Alleviating occasional stress, frustration, and tension in adults[v]
- Helped children (12-16 years of age) maintain a positive mood and alleviate occasional stress, frustration, and tension.[vi]
Kanna (Zembrin® from PLT Health Solutions)- study showed its direct effect on the amygdala (the brain’s stress center) within 2 hours post-consumption, which provides benefits of decreasing stress and increasing calmness.[viii]
Formulating for Muscle Health
Creatine- Many studies showed that creatine supplementation increases strength, lean mass, and muscle morphology. The supplementation of creatine in the elderly also positively affected muscle mass and performance.[ix]
HMB- β-Hydroxy β-methyl butyrate (HMB) is produced by leucine metabolism in the body and has been identified to attenuate sarcopenia by promoting the protein synthesis pathway and suppressing the breakdown of proteins.[x]
Leucine- Leucine content may be a key factor in promoting the muscle protein synthesis response. The recent hypothesis that leucine triggers muscle protein synthesis appears to be accurate. However, more than leucine is needed. According to a systematic review, protein supplements rich in leucine can improve markers of sarcopenia, regardless of physical activity. However, leucine supplementation alone and no exercise did not improve sarcopenia.[xi]
Protein/Collagen Peptides/BCCAs/Amino Acids- Pick your favorite protein or source of amino acids or peptides. The body uses these nutrients as the building blocks for muscle formation (muscle protein synthesis).[xii]
Formulating Male Sexual Health
Fertility
CoQ10/Ubiquinol (from Kaneka)- The qualitative analysis of available studies has shown that supplementation with CoQ10, alone or in combination with other antioxidant molecules, benefits seminal quality, especially regarding sperm motility. Indirect indications derive from improving the seminal fluid’s antioxidant capacity and spermatozoa’s chromatin integrity.[xiii]
Lycopene- Various lycopene supplementation studies conducted on humans and animals have shown promising results in alleviating male infertility—lipid peroxidation and DNA damage were decreased. At the same time, sperm count, viability, and general immunity were increased.[xiv]
Selenium- Selenium supplementation in sub-fertile men with low selenium status can improve sperm motility and the chance of successful conception.[xv]
Libido and More
Damiana (as Liboost from Pharmactive Biotech)- Liboost helps men by increasing circulation (essential to get blood flow to the penis to get an erection), helps relax the smooth muscles necessary for improved sexual response, and helps balance testosterone levels.
Fenugreek (as Testofen® from Gencor Pacific)- Testofen® studies show it helps support healthy testosterone levels, promotes sexual desire and vitality, and reduces recovery time following sexual activity.[xvi]
Cocoa bean and Pomegranate peel (as Tesnor™ from Gencor Pacific)- Tesnor is unique because it blends two botanicals (cocoa bean and pomegranate peel). Studies with Tesnor show it helps increase testosterone levels, improve physiological aspects of libido, increase sexual arousal and orgasm, and increase sexual function.[xvii]
Tribulus- Improves sexual desire and intercourse satisfaction and increases levels of testosterone, luteinizing hormone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and dihydrotestosterone).[xviii]
Putting a Bow on Stress and Men’s Health
Stress should be considered if you want to address the many underlying contributing factors to male-specific health concerns. For decades, we have used ingredients that directly impact those concerns without looking deeper into other related risk factors. This is obvious when we examine stress and its physiological and biological contributions to specific male health concerns. Adding an ingredient for stress, along with other ingredients for muscle health, sexual health, etc., will bring the consumer closer to achieving their desired health outcomes.
References:
[i] Yaribeygi H, Panahi Y, Sahraei H, Johnston TP, Sahebkar A. The impact of stress on body function: A review. EXCLI J. 2017;16:1057-1072. Published 2017 July 21. doi:10.17179/excli2017-480
[ii] Yaribeygi H, Panahi Y, Sahraei H, Johnston TP, Sahebkar A. The impact of stress on body function: A review. EXCLI J. 2017;16:1057-1072. Published 2017 July 21. doi:10.17179/excli2017-480
[iii] Auddy B, Hazra J, Mitra A, Abedon B, Ghosal S, A Standardized Withania Somnifera Extract Significantly Reduces Stress-Related Parameters in Chronically Stressed Humans: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study ,JANA Vol. 11, No. 1, 2008 50-56
[iv] Lopresti AL, “A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial investigating the effects of an Ocimum tenuiflorum (Holy Basil) extract (Holixer™) on stress, mood, and sleep in adults experiencing stress” Frontiers in Nutrition 2022 DOI
10.3389/fnut.2022.965130
[v] Kell G, Rao A, Beccaria G, Clayton P, Inarejos-García AM, Prodanov M. affron® a novel saffron extract (Crocus sativus L.) improves mood in healthy adults over four weeks in a double-blind, parallel, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Complement Ther Med. 2017 Aug;33:58-64. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2017.06.001. Epub 2017 Jun 13. PMID: 28735826.
[vi] Lopresti AL, Drummond PD, Inarejos-García AM, Prodanov M. affron®, a standardized extract from saffron (Crocus sativus L.) for the treatment of youth anxiety and depressive symptoms: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. J Affect Disord. 2018 May;232:349-357. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2018.02.070. Epub 2018 Feb 26. PMID: 29510352.
[vii] Lopresti AL, Smith SJ. The Effects of a Saffron Extract (affron®) on Menopausal Symptoms in Women during Perimenopause: A Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study. J Menopausal Med. 2021;27:e8. https://doi.org/10.6118/jmm.21002
[viii] Terburg D, Syal S, Rosenberger LA, Heany S, Phillips N, Gericke N, Stein DJ, van Honk J. Acute effects of Sceletium tortuosum (Zembrin), a dual 5-HT reuptake and PDE4 inhibitor, in the human amygdala and its connection to the hypothalamus. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2013 Dec;38(13):2708-16. doi: 10.1038/npp.2013.183. Epub 2013 Aug
[ix] Jang YJ. The Effects of Protein and Supplements on Sarcopenia in Human Clinical Studies: How Older Adults Should Consume Protein and Supplements. J Microbiol Biotechnol. 2023 Feb 28;33(2):143-150. doi: 10.4014/jmb.2210.10014. Epub 2022 Oct 31. PMID: 36474318; PMCID: PMC9998208.
[x] Oktaviana J, Zanker J, Vogrin S, Duque G. The Effect of beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) on sarcopenia and functional frailty in older persons: A systematic review. J. Nutr. Health Aging. 2019;23:145–150. doi: 10.1007/s12603-018-1153-y
[xi] Liu S, Zhang L, Li S. Advances in nutritional supplementation for sarcopenia management. Front Nutr. 2023 Jul 10;10:1189522. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2023.1189522. PMID: 37492597; PMCID: PMC10365293.
[xii] Jang YJ. The Effects of Protein and Supplements on Sarcopenia in Human Clinical Studies: How Older Adults Should Consume Protein and Supplements. J Microbiol Biotechnol. 2023 Feb 28;33(2):143-150. doi: 10.4014/jmb.2210.10014. Epub 2022 Oct 31. PMID: 36474318; PMCID: PMC9998208.
[xiii] Salvio G, Cutini M, Ciarloni A, Giovannini L, Perrone M, Balercia G. Coenzyme Q10 and Male Infertility: A Systematic Review. Antioxidants (Basel). 2021 May 30;10(6):874. doi: 10.3390/antiox10060874. PMID: 34070761; PMCID: PMC8226917.
[xiv] Durairajanayagam D, Agarwal A, Ong C, Prashast P. Lycopene and male infertility. Asian J Androl. 2014 May-Jun;16(3):420-5. doi: 10.4103/1008-682X.126384. PMID: 24675655; PMCID: PMC4023371.
[xv] Scott R, MacPherson A, Yates RW, Hussain B, Dixon J. The effect of oral selenium supplementation on human sperm motility. Br J Urol. 1998 Jul;82(1):76-80. doi: 10.1046/j.1464-410x.1998.00683.x. PMID: 9698665.
[xvi] Rao, Amanda, et al. “Testofen, a specialised Trigonella foenum-graecum seed extract reduces age-related symptoms of androgen decrease, increases testosterone levels and improves sexual function in healthy aging males in a double-blind randomised clinical study.” The Aging Male 19.2 (2016): 134-142.
[xvii] Steels, E., Rao, A. and Vitetta, L., 2011. Physiological Aspects of Male Libido Enhanced by Standardized Trigonella foenum-graecum Extract and Mineral Formulation. Phytotherapy Research, Vol. 25, 1294–1300. doi: 10.1002/ptr.3360
[xviii] Postigo S, Lima SM, Yamada SS, dos Reis BF, da Silva GM, Aoki T. Assessment of the Effects of Tribulus Terrestris on Sexual Function of Menopausal Women. Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2016 Mar;38(3):140-6. doi: 10.1055/s-0036-1571472. Epub 2016 Feb 22. PMID: 26902700; PMCID: PMC10309463.