Men have taken natural, herbal supplements to stay healthy, physically and mentally. These substances are believed to be safer and more efficient than traditional medications; they are believed to enhance energy, stimulate muscle growth, and boost libido. But as in the case of former NBA player Lamar Odom, overuse of these supplements can lead to catastrophic results. This essay analyzes Odom’s story and talks about what every guy in the world can learn from him.
Odom became famous as a basketball player, going on to win two championships with the Los Angeles Lakers. But in 2015, his life went downhill when he collapsed in a Nevada brothel. They would soon learn that Odom had a history of strokes and heart attacks, a fact that doctors blamed on the prescription overuse of herbal sex enhancers. The event provided a window into one of the growing concerns for men – the reliance on natural, herbal supplements.
Probably the primary reason men prefer these supplements is that they are perceived to be natural and therefore safer than traditional medicine. What we need to understand is that just because something is natural doesn’t mean it is harmless. Many herbal supplements are not FDA-regulated and thus are not subjected to the same stringent scrutiny as drugs. Such lack of regulation can result in the inclusion of dangerous ingredients and incorrect doses in these supplements.
In addition, supplement brands’ marketing campaigns often feed into culture’s norms and fears of masculinity and viability. We constantly bombard men with messages that they must be ripped, healthy and sexually aggressive. This expectation can push people to overdo the supplements in hopes of meeting these unrealistic benchmarks. But as Odom’s story demonstrates, perfection can have deadly consequences.
One problem with over-consumption of natural, herbal supplements is that men don’t seek the advice of their physicians before using them. They might be unwilling to discuss erectile dysfunction or low libido with their doctor and, therefore, may resort to supplements as a cure-all. But this is dangerous because certain supplements can react with prescription medications or worsen existing medical conditions. It is recommended that men consult with their doctor before taking any new supplements.
Beyond physical health concerns, the over-consumption of natural, herbal supplements is also detrimental to mental health. The quest for the perfect body or performance breeds body dysmorphic disorder, anxiety and depression. It is easy for men to become fixated on how they look and perform, and use supplements to attain these impossible expectations. That can be a drag on their well-being.
What should all men take away from Odom, then?
1. The importance of resilience
Resilience is one of the most important lessons any guy can pick up from Odom Lamar. There are so many challenges that Lamar has faced throughout his career both on and off the court. He battled drug addiction, death, and even an almost-fatal overdose. But he never let these setbacks define him. He just kept going and getting better every time. That’s a lesson every guy should learn – that whatever you are going through, you have the power and strength to conquer any obstacle.
2. The value of family
We should learn the importance of family, too, from Odom Lamar. Though he was famous and successful, he’s never taken anything away from his family. This is evident in his close relationship with his kids and former wife Khloe Kardashian. Lamar never failed to maintain a bond with his family, even in the face of personal hardship. And it’s something every guy needs to understand – family should be priority #1 no matter how busy or successful you get.
3. The power of forgiveness
Lamar’s feud with Khloe Kardashian is a no-no in the media. Despite their split, Lamar has never said a bad word about Khloe or even gotten to know her well. That reflects the force of forgiveness and how it can restore and recover from an injury. Every man should follow Lamar’s lead and learn that forgiveness does not make one weak, but strong and mature.
4. The importance of self-care
We guys take our health for granted and take everything over ourselves. But Odom Lamar has also shown us the power of taking care of ourselves. Immediately after his near-fatal overdose, Lamar took steps to address his physical and mental wellbeing. He began to focus on exercise, therapy and other self-care, which made him more resilient. That’s a life lesson every man should know – that we need to look after ourselves first in order to live a good and balanced life.
5. The impact of giving back
Third, the impact of giving is evident in Odom Lamar’s charitable endeavors. Even in the face of such hardship, Lamar was always doing charitable work, either through his own foundation or other charities. He knows how to give back to society and leverage his platform for good. What this really proves is for every guy to take into consideration that, no matter how successful and rich you are, you need to be able to make a difference in other people’s lives with that platform.
Conclusion:
To sum it up, the fawning over use of natural, herbal supplements is an on-going issue for men. Only Odom’s anecdote can teach us what it is to seek perfection via supplements. This should make men realize that these supplements are not magic pills and they need to be very careful with them. They should learn how to lead a healthy life and have some way to get professional help on health-related issues.
