Special nutrients that optimize male function: the health benefits of nucleic acids, antioxidants, enzymes, and zinc.

In order to prevent modern diseases such as hypertension, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, and diabetes caused by obesity, men often only pay attention to reducing fat and cholesterol and increasing protein, while neglecting the most important nutrients, such as nucleic acids, B vitamins, folic acid, zinc, antioxidants, and enzymes.

Nucleic acid is a high-molecular-weight compound and a core substance governing life activities. It is the basis of protein synthesis and provides genetic information, playing a crucial role in major life activities such as human growth, development, reproduction, and heredity. A deficiency in this substance can accelerate aging and lead to various diseases. American medical scientist Davis stated, "Eating more foods rich in nucleic acids can help you stay young and live longer. Nucleic acid is an important substance related to human health, vitality, and youth." Foods rich in nucleic acids include beef, horse meat, animal liver, heart, and kidneys, sardines, salmon, shrimp, clams, oysters, poultry, lentils, spinach, mushrooms, oats, onions, asparagus, nuts, wheat germ, radishes, and beets. Experts recommend eating seafood once a week, animal liver once a week, and beef and beans once or twice a week; eating bamboo shoots, carrots, onions, oats, spinach, and cabbage daily, and drinking five cups of tea or fruit juice to ensure adequate nucleic acid supply.

Antioxidants. Numerous studies suggest that antioxidants, particularly vitamin E, can prevent free radicals from damaging blood vessel walls, thus preventing cholesterol buildup and helping to combat heart disease and sudden death. Whole grains (especially wheat germ), nuts, and vegetable oils almost all contain vitamin E. Vegetables and fruits are also rich in antioxidants, especially citrus fruits, dark green vegetables, and orange-yellow fruits and vegetables; regular consumption of these has anti-aging and anti-cancer effects.

Vitamin B. Vitamin B6 and folic acid are hard-to-obtain B vitamins that help break down excess cysteine. An excess of this amino acid is a risk factor for heart disease. Vitamin B6 is found in chicken, fish, whole grains, and legumes. Folic acid is abundant in leafy green vegetables, orange juice, legumes, and fortified cereals. Vitamin B6 is crucial in fat metabolism. Other vitamins are generally not prone to deficiency.

Enzymes. Digestive capacity declines after middle age due to a decrease in the secretion of various digestive enzymes such as amylase, protease, and lipase. Catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) can effectively eliminate free radicals produced during metabolism. Free radicals can damage the structure of human cells, causing vital proteins, ribonucleic acid (DNA), and deoxyribonucleic acid (RNA) to lose their activity, potentially leading to cardiovascular disease, dementia, cancer, cataracts, and arthritis. Foods rich in enzymes include shiitake mushrooms, yams, ginger, green beans, leeks, garlic, green peppers, eggplant, ginkgo, gynostemma pentaphyllum, maifanite, radishes, pumpkin, papaya, lettuce, pineapple, hawthorn, royal jelly, and jujubes. Enzymes are heat-sensitive and are best eaten raw whenever possible.

Zinc. This mineral element is an active component of enzymes throughout the body. Statistics show that over 200 enzymes in the human body, as well as neurotransmitters-the brain's chemical signaling system-require zinc. Like copper, zinc is concentrated in the hippocampus of the brain, playing a crucial role in maintaining cell integrity, cell proliferation, gene regulation, nucleic acid metabolism, and immune function. However, men often neglect zinc. Recent dietary surveys indicate that less than one-third of men meet their zinc requirements. Foods rich in zinc include seafood (oysters, shellfish, and fish), lean meat, whole grains, and legumes. Regular zinc supplementation also helps maintain vigorous sexual function.

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