Subscribe to Our Newsletter for a Chance to Win a Natural Wellness Backpack!
Institute for Natural Medicine logo
Donate

Natural Ways to Support Men’s Wellness

Written by Institute for Natural Medicine Staff
  • Last Updated October 8, 2025

In this article:

Adopting multiple healthy lifestyle habits in midlife is associated with a substantially longer disease-free life expectancy, with several studies showing gains measured in years rather than months. Five specific choices are consistently linked to these benefits:1Li Y, Schoufour J, Wang DD, et al. Healthy lifestyle and life expectancy free of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes: prospective cohort study. BMJ. 2020 Jan 8;368:l6669. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.l6669

  1. Not smoking
  2. Maintaining a healthy body weight
  3. Getting at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity each day
  4. Limiting alcohol intake
  5. Eating a balanced, nutrient-rich diet

On the flip side, neglecting these habits, skipping regular health screenings, and delaying treatment can contribute to higher mortality rates for men, who are more likely than women to die from heart disease, diabetes, accidents, and cancer. About half of U.S. men skip annual checkups.2National Center for Health Statistics. Health, United States, 2016: With Chartbook on Long-Term Trends in Health. Hyattsville, MD. 2017. Accessed August 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/hus/hus16.pdf#015

Among the top health concerns for men are heart disease, prostate cancer, sexual dysfunction, diabetes, pain relief, and depression.

With heart disease, prevention is paramount

Heart disease continues to be the top health threat for men, but many risk factors can be identified and modified long before they lead to serious illness. High blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, excess weight, smoking, stress, and poor dietary habits all have a role in cardiovascular health. By monitoring key markers, encouraging regular physical activity, and adopting heart-healthy eating habits, men can significantly reduce their risk. Preventive screenings, stress management, and building sustainable lifestyle routines are powerful tools not only for lowering the likelihood of heart disease but also for enhancing overall energy and long-term well-being.

Catching prostate cancer early

Although prostate cancer affects about one in eight men (one in six for Black men), early detection significantly improves outcomes. Seven known factors influence disease risk:

  1. African American heritage
  2. Age
  3. Family history of prostate cancer
  4. Obesity
  5. Exposure to certain chemicals
  6. Diet and lifestyle
  7. Elevated testosterone

Studies show that prevention and lifestyle modifications can reduce the onset and severity of prostate cancer.3Anand P, Kunnumakkara AB, Sundaram C, et al. Cancer is a preventable disease that requires major lifestyle changes. Pharm Res. 2008 Sep;25(9):2097-116. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11095-008-9661-9,4Carmody J, Olendzki B, Reed G, Andersen V, Rosenzweig P. A dietary intervention for recurrent prostate cancer after definitive primary treatment: results of a randomized pilot trial. Urology. 2008 Dec;72(6):1324-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.urology.2008.01.015 Naturopathic approaches support conventional treatment by mitigating certain side effects.5Wong V, Liu AY, Zhou SL. Dr. Stephen J. Freedland: treating prostate cancer-a healthy lifestyle is what matters! Transl Androl Urol. 2018 Mar;7(Suppl 1):S144-S146. https://doi.org/10.21037/tau.2018.01.08

Sexual dysfunction

Sexual dysfunction, particularly difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection, may signal underlying health issues:

  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Diabetes6Defeudis G, Mazzilli R, Tenuta M, et al. Erectile dysfunction and diabetes: a melting pot of circumstances and treatments. Diabetes Metab Res Rev. 2022 Feb;38(2):e3494. https://doi.org/10.1002/dmrr.3494
  • Poor circulation
  • Endocrine disorders
  • Mental or behavioral health conditions7Malhi GS, Bell E. Questions in psychiatry (QuiP): psychological basis for sexual dysfunction in psychiatry. Bipolar Disord. 2022 Dec;24(8):830-833. https://doi.org/10.1111/bdi.13273

Some medications (antidepressants, antihistamines, antihypertensives) and alcohol or drug use may also contribute.8Valeiro C, Matos C, Scholl J, van Hunsel F. Drug-induced sexual dysfunction: an analysis of reports to a national pharmacovigilance database. Drug Saf. 2022 Jun;45(6):639-650. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40264-022-01174-3 A whole-body approach to better sexual health incorporates diet, exercise, botanical medicine, and natural supplements.

Reversing diabetes

Diabetes is one of the most significant health challenges facing men in the United States, contributing to serious complications such as heart disease, kidney problems, vision loss, and reduced quality of life. Through personalized strategies, naturopathic care can help men improve blood sugar control, prevent complications, and in some cases even reverse disease progression.9Lemieux I. Reversing type 2 diabetes: the time for lifestyle medicine has come! Nutrients. 2020 Jul 3;12(7):1974. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12071974

Rx–free pain solutions

Self-treatment for chronic pain from injuries, arthritis, fibromyalgia, and other issues doesn’t address the root cause. NDs create personalized, non-opioid pain management plans that address inflammation, helping men regain mobility and comfort.

Depression: addressing men’s mental health

Signs of depression in men may differ from those in women.10Salk RH, Hyde JS, Abramson LY. Gender differences in depression in representative national samples: Meta-analyses of diagnoses and symptoms. Psychol Bull. 2017 Aug;143(8):783-822. https://doi.org/10.1037/bul0000102 Naturopathic approaches combine behavioral therapy, nutrition, exercise, herbal medicine, and nutraceuticals. NDs may also coordinate with mental healthcare providers or manage pharmaceuticals where authorized, providing comprehensive, individualized care.

Strong, fit, & thriving

Focusing on prevention, healthy habits, natural therapies, and personalized care can help men recover faster, boost well-being, and enjoy longer, healthier lives. Small, consistent steps toward healthier choices today can have a lasting impact for years to come.

Footnotes

  • 1
    Li Y, Schoufour J, Wang DD, et al. Healthy lifestyle and life expectancy free of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes: prospective cohort study. BMJ. 2020 Jan 8;368:l6669. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.l6669
  • 2
    National Center for Health Statistics. Health, United States, 2016: With Chartbook on Long-Term Trends in Health. Hyattsville, MD. 2017. Accessed August 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/hus/hus16.pdf#015
  • 3
    Anand P, Kunnumakkara AB, Sundaram C, et al. Cancer is a preventable disease that requires major lifestyle changes. Pharm Res. 2008 Sep;25(9):2097-116. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11095-008-9661-9
  • 4
    Carmody J, Olendzki B, Reed G, Andersen V, Rosenzweig P. A dietary intervention for recurrent prostate cancer after definitive primary treatment: results of a randomized pilot trial. Urology. 2008 Dec;72(6):1324-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.urology.2008.01.015
  • 5
    Wong V, Liu AY, Zhou SL. Dr. Stephen J. Freedland: treating prostate cancer-a healthy lifestyle is what matters! Transl Androl Urol. 2018 Mar;7(Suppl 1):S144-S146. https://doi.org/10.21037/tau.2018.01.08
  • 6
    Defeudis G, Mazzilli R, Tenuta M, et al. Erectile dysfunction and diabetes: a melting pot of circumstances and treatments. Diabetes Metab Res Rev. 2022 Feb;38(2):e3494. https://doi.org/10.1002/dmrr.3494
  • 7
    Malhi GS, Bell E. Questions in psychiatry (QuiP): psychological basis for sexual dysfunction in psychiatry. Bipolar Disord. 2022 Dec;24(8):830-833. https://doi.org/10.1111/bdi.13273
  • 8
    Valeiro C, Matos C, Scholl J, van Hunsel F. Drug-induced sexual dysfunction: an analysis of reports to a national pharmacovigilance database. Drug Saf. 2022 Jun;45(6):639-650. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40264-022-01174-3
  • 9
    Lemieux I. Reversing type 2 diabetes: the time for lifestyle medicine has come! Nutrients. 2020 Jul 3;12(7):1974. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12071974
  • 10
    Salk RH, Hyde JS, Abramson LY. Gender differences in depression in representative national samples: Meta-analyses of diagnoses and symptoms. Psychol Bull. 2017 Aug;143(8):783-822. https://doi.org/10.1037/bul0000102

This article is provided by

The Institute for Natural Medicine, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. INM’s mission is to transform health care in the United States by increasing public awareness of natural medicine and access to naturopathic doctors. Naturopathic medicine, with its person-centered principles and practices, has the potential to reverse the tide of chronic illness overwhelming healthcare systems and to empower people to achieve and maintain optimal lifelong health. INM strives to fulfil this mission through the following initiatives:

  • Education – Reveal the unique benefits and outcomes of evidence-based natural medicine
  • Access – Connect patients to licensed naturopathic doctors
  • Research – Expand quality research on this complex and comprehensive system of medicine

About The Author(s)

Writer

Institute for Natural Medicine Staff

Our dedicated content team of professional staff writers represents decades of experience covering essential natural health topics in an accessible, evidence-based, and engaging way. Guided by a shared passion for holistic well-being, each and every one of our writers strives to empower our readers to take charge of their health.

Supported by a rigorous fact-checking and medical editing process from licensed naturopathic doctors that examines the latest in peer-reviewed research, our team brings their in-depth knowledge of natural health practices into every piece of content we produce. We strive to be the gold standard for evidence-based natural medicine, providing trustworthy information and inspiring narratives to help you live your best health, naturally.

Explore Lifestyle & Men's Health Articles

Explore