Author: Nikken

What is the Foundation for Vitality?

Published on by Nikken

What’s the first thing you think of when it comes to vitality? What do you think provides you with that feel-good sense of being able to take on the world? Is it a healthy heart or a great set of lungs? Is it your clarity of mind?

It may be surprising to know that your digestive system plays a crucial role in how you feel! The microorganisms that live in your gut contribute to a balanced (or unbalanced) microbiome. When it’s balanced, nutrient absorption is working at optimal levels and the key to energy production. In other words, a digestive system that is breaking down food very well, is enabling the body to extract and absorb as many nutrients as possible, resulting in high energy levels.

The “feel good” neurotransmitter is serotonin, and it is vital to the connection between gut health and whole body energy, since about 95% of the body’s serotonin is produced in the gut. A healthy gut produces ample amounts of serotonin, which helps mood and sleep, two essential factors for maintaining high energy levels.1

Proteins, fats and carbohydrates are all essential for energy production. Even if you eat balanced whole foods, if your digestive system is not functioning well, these nutrients cannot be absorbed efficiently. If your body does not absorb enough nutrients, you may feel tired, lethargic or have an overall feeling of fatigue.

What you eat plays a significant role in gut health and energy levels. Professional athletes adhere to a strict diet regimen because it directly impacts their performance. The same holds true for all of us—a poor diet that is high in processed foods with added sugars and unhealthy fats will disrupt the balance of gut bacteria. By choosing whole foods rich in fiber, you can actually create a healthy and balanced gut, which in turn produces high levels of energy that help you to feel good every day.

Eating naturally colorful foods, mostly found in fruit and vegetables, helps provide a broad range of nutrients that include antioxidants. Since fiber is so important for a healthy gut, incorporate whole grains, such as brown rice, quinoa and oats. Fiber will help you stay regular, another important aspect of gut health. Include lean proteins found in fish, poultry and legumes, as they will help you maintain muscle mass and energy levels.

Probiotics and prebiotics are found in fermented foods and are known to promote balance in the gut. If you like the taste of yogurt, sauerkraut, kimchi or garlic and onions, you can incorporate them into your daily food regimen. You can also supplement with Golden Gut Formula, an advanced, integrated nutrient source uniquely designed to support gut health. It not only helps to balance the microbiota in the gut, it provides prebiotic support to help the probiotics work more efficiently and to deter bad bacteria from growing. Always remember to drink lots of PiMag® water to stay hydrated, knowing that water helps digestion!

Good nutrition is key to gut health, but physical activity is also important. Regular exercise helps maintain digestive health and support gut motility. You don’t have to be a high-performing athlete to achieve an improved gut: simply choose an activity you can do consistently—whether it’s walking, biking, swimming, yoga, Pilates or chair exercises—your gut will feel the difference and your overall energy levels will improve, so that you can experience vitality—the essence of feeling good every day—and the empowered living lifestyle.

1 https://greaterorlandogi.com/2025/01/13/how-digestive-health-affects-your-energy-levels/

Creating Mindful Eating Habits

Published on by Nikken

Today’s fast-paced society offers an abundance of food choices. In addition to the food that is grown—vegetables, fruits, grains—seafood from the oceans, farmed livestock and poultry—there is a huge variety of processed food as well as ready-to-eat snacks full of added salt, fat and sugar. Distractions have also shifted our attention away from the actual act of eating and instead toward televisions, computers, and smartphones.1

Mindful eating is a form of meditation. How do you meditate while eating? By slowing down and paying attention to the food you eat and doing so with appreciation and intention. In this way, every meal becomes a practice in awareness of what you’re eating, why you’re eating and how eating it makes you feel—which supports your ability to differentiate between physical and emotional hunger. In other words, mindful eating habits help you eat when you are actually hungry, not when you are bored or want something to do.

Mindful eating isn’t about dieting or restrictions. It’s about being fully conscious of choosing what you’re eating and appreciating it. If you are scrolling on the phone or watching TV, you are not savoring and honoring the food. Honor may seem a lofty term when applied to eating, but mindful eating includes being aware of where your food came from and honoring the long journey it took to get on your plate. By honoring the food, you are practicing gratitude, an emotion that promotes joy and sharing.

How can you practice and develop mindful eating habits? Here are a few tips:2

•          Ponder: Before you eat, ask yourself, “Am I really hungry?” Sometimes we think we want to eat something, not because we’re hungry, but simply to enjoy the pleasure that the food brings. Ask yourself if you need nourishment in the form of food or something else?

•          Appraise: Look at the food that is in front of you. How does it smell? Do you really want it? Is it more or less than what you need? Be aware of how the food affects your body and how you feel.

•          Slow: Slow down. Pause between bites. Do not get distracted. Really chew your food and taste it. Slowing down can help your brain catch up with your stomach.

•          Savor: Really enjoy your food. How does the texture feel in your mouth? Can you discern the different flavors? Savor and appreciate the taste of each bite. Engaging as many senses as you can by noticing colors, smells, sounds, textures, and flavors.

•          Stop: Stop when you’re full. Cleaning your plate isn’t necessary, even if that’s what you were taught by your parents. By noticing when you’re full and stopping may help you avoid unnecessary calories and indigestion. This is known as paying attention to your hunger cues.

By changing the way you think about food, you may be able to replace negative feelings associated with eating with awareness, improved self-control, and positive emotions.3 Mindful eating is part of smart nutrition—a key component of empowered living.

1 https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/mindful-eating-guide

2, 3 https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/mental-health-and-wellbeing/mindful-eating-savor-the-flavor

Celebrating 25 Years of PiMag® Water Technology

Published on by Nikken

PiMag® water technology is based on the discovery of Japanese scientists in the 1970s. They found that water from an isolated hillside had a remarkable effect on plant life in that area. Searching for the cause of such abundant growth, they unearthed magnetite and calcium in the hillside. Moreover, the water flowed over silicates, the same material that naturally forms crystals. This clean, naturally alkaline water contains beneficial minerals.

PiMag® water products are designed to convert tap water into spring-like naturally-sourced water that is ionized and alkaline. That means PiMag® water is in the pH range of 8.5-9.5, which helps reduce excess acidity in the body. Ionized water has antioxidant properties, which may help offset the oxidizing effect of some negative elements in the contemporary diet and polluted environment. The decreased oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) helps to slow down cellular damage. In addition, the use of magnetic technology in the PiMag® filtration process helps to improve hydration and absorption.

Multi-stage filtration in the PiMag Waterfall® helps to reduce bacteria and contaminants. The four processes are: 1. Prefiltering for sediments 2. Filtering for heavy metals 3. Adding trace minerals via the mineral stones and 4. Declustering by magnets in the tap to prevent molecular clumping, making the water more absorbable.

In a natural environment, spring water is filtered, purified and filled with minerals that are essential for maintaining optimal functions in our body. Mimicking this natural composition generates an exceptional source of the ideal water that every cell in our body needs for smart hydration. The PiMag® water systems exemplify biomimicry, from its magnetic filtration to its alkalinity and the mineral stones that are added to the PiMag Waterfall® system. Advanced ionic filtration is achieved by embedding nanoparticles of copper metal into the activated charcoal in the filter column. When harmful microbes interact with the copper metal, it triggers the production of copper ions, which are doubly charged positive ions that are effective at destroying the unwanted bacteria.

We generally think of exposure to toxins in water by drinking from impure sources; however, we also absorb contaminants through the pores of our skin. Each time we bathe or shower, our skin is absorbing both the cleansing parts of water as well as the impurities. The PiMag® Shower Filter addresses this by helping to reduce chlorine exposure, odors, iron oxide, dirt and sediments. The shower filter contains copper and zinc to neutralize chlorine—when free chlorine comes in contact with the filtration media, it is changed into water-soluble chloride, which is not only harmless but also helps prevent drying out of hair and skin.

PiMag® water technology is designed for smart hydration. In addition, PiMag® water systems are made with recyclable and biodegradable materials to help reduce plastic waste. Plastic takes 400 years to degrade and about eight million metric tons ends up in the oceans each year!1 Due to the pandemic years, more single-use packaging was used than ever, adding to the plastic waste.2

PiMag® water technology is a great way to obtain smart hydration and smart cleansing, but it is also a helpful way to help decrease plastic waste on planet Earth. Nikken proudly celebrates 25 years of PiMag® water technology!

1 https://www.dw.com/en/there-are-83-billion-tons-of-plastic-in-the-world/a-39765670

2 https://www.forbes.com/sites/larrylight/2021/01/04/2021-the-year-of-the-package/?sh=2198c4654cd1

Prebiotics and Probiotics Work in Synergy for Gut Health

Published on by Nikken

Everyone’s gut is semi-permeable, which means the gut allows some liquids or gases to pass through. The mucous lining of human intestines is designed to absorb water and nutrients into the bloodstream. The intestinal lining is supposed to act as a barrier to bacteria and other infectious particles inside the gut, but if the barrier does not function properly, it can allow toxins into the bloodstream.

The gut barrier function is a multi-layer system made up of a physical barrier which prevents bacteria from adhering to the intestines, and a deep functional barrier that is able to discriminate between pathogens and harmless microorganisms that may actually be beneficial. Made up of three main components—Biological barrier, immune barrier and mechanical barrier—the barriers allow essential nutrients and fluids to be absorbed while preventing harmful substances from entering the bloodstream.

Probiotics and prebiotics are two parts of food that may support gut health. Probiotics are specific living microorganisms, most often bacteria or yeast that help the body digest food or help with symptoms of certain illnesses. They are naturally found in fermented foods such as yogurt and sauerkraut.1

Probiotic supplements add to the existing supply of friendly microbes in the body. They function to fight off the less friendly or toxic microbes while also supporting the body’s immunity against infections. When working properly, probiotic supplements can help restore an imbalance or a deficit of beneficial microbes in the gut.

Prebiotics are parts of food the body doesn’t digest but that may be used by microorganisms. Prebiotics mainly are in high-fiber foods,2 which enhance the probiotics by promoting the growth of good bacteria and inhibiting the growth of harmful bacteria. In a nutshell, prebiotics augment the good work that probiotics do. When mixed, probiotics and prebiotics are called synbiotics.

The introduction of healthy bacteria to your gut may lead to some benefits, including better digestion, improved absorption of nutrients, reduced inflammation, and an increased balance between good and bad bacteria.3 On the other hand, when prebiotics help boost the growth of good bacteria, it can lead to different health benefits, such as decreasing constipation, keeping the gut lining healthy and helping with calcium absorption.4

Some tips for empowered living through smart nutrition that promotes a balanced microbiome include:

•          Maintaining a fiber-rich diet. The more types of food you eat, the more diverse your microbiome becomes. A well-rounded diet can help feed all the different species of bacteria in your GI tract.5 Try to incorporate high-fiber fruits and vegetables, such as raspberries, artichokes, beans and whole grains.

•          Sleep well. Stress levels skyrocket when you don’t get enough sleep. Stress affects the gut and the brain in negative ways, so establish a set bedtime routine and stick to it as well as you can.

•          Studies suggest that regular exercise can affect gut health in good ways, as movement promote healthy digestion and may even help increase the amount of beneficial microbes in your gut! You don’t need to run a marathon to achieve noticeable effects—even a leisurely walk daily can produce positive changes to your gut health.

•          Whether you like listening to calming music, playing an instrument, meditating or doing yoga, just choose what soothes you and do it on a regular basis. Why? Because it will prevent your stress levels from rising. High stress levels disturb gut health. Many of the microbes in your intestines can impact brain function, and too much stress threatens the balance of your microbiome,6 so prevention is best!

Try our Golden Gut Formula to support your gut health. Our special formula delivers both pre- and probiotics, and thanks to our innovative three-layer encapsulation technology, the beneficial bacteria are protected from stomach acid, ensuring they reach your intestines where they’re needed most. Our effervescent formula dissolves rapidly in liquid, bypassing the typical breakdown process of capsules and tablets, ensuring that the vital nutrients and probiotics are readily available to your gut, for maximum effectiveness.

1, 2 https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/expert-answers/probiotics/faq-20058065

3, 4, 5, 6 https://www.healthpartners.com/blog/prebiotic-and-probiotic/

The Water-Gut Connection

Published on by Nikken

Water is critical for the smooth operations of various bodily functions. These functions include temperature regulation, the transport and distribution of nutrients and the elimination of waste and toxins. Water is also one of the primary ingredients for healthy digestion. In other words, hydration and efficient digestion make perfect partners.

Water is required for digestion, acting as a lubricant that facilitates the movement of food along the digestive tract. From the moment food enters the mouth, saliva, which is primarily water, begins to break down complex carbohydrates. As the food travels through the digestive system, it needs adequate water to maintain the right consistency for smooth movement. In the stomach, water combines with stomach acids to help break down proteins and aid in the digestive process. Water helps prevent constipation and promotes regular bowel movements.1 In a nutshell, the digestive processes that require water include the following2:

• Saliva production—Saliva is primarily water and contains enzymes that begin the digestion of carbohydrates in the mouth.

• Gastric juices—Water is the main component of the gastric juices that in the stomach that help break down food.

• Enzyme function–Many digestive enzymes require a watery environment to efficiently break down food.

Proper hydration is essential for optimal nutrient absorption in the digestive system, since water moves the nutrients from the digestive tract into the bloodstream. When well hydrated, the body can efficiently absorb vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients.3

Digestive disorders occur when the body is dehydrated. This is because when the body doesn’t have enough water, it takes whatever water is available for critical functions such as maintaining blood pressure and supporting vital organs.4 When this happens, the digestive system may not receive enough water, leading to constipation and other discomforts.

To keep your gut healthy, remember to drink water throughout the day. The more active you are, the more water you will need to stay adequately hydrated. Caffeine and alcohol act as diuretics, so be mindful of fluid loss and dehydration and increase the volume of water you drink to help compensate. Since many fruits and vegetables are full of water, incorporate them into your daily regimen and obtain not only the benefits of hydration but also essential vitamins and minerals. Watermelon, cucumbers, oranges and berries are examples of produce abundant in water and vitamins.

Some simple daily habits for healthy digestion are:

• Starting your day with a glass of water. This helps kickstart your metabolism and the digestive system first thing in the morning,
• Drink water consistently throughout the day. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty, because by then you are probably already somewhat dehydrated. Keep a water bottle with you as a reminder to drink!

• Drink water before, during and after exercise. Physical activity of any sort can lead to fluid loss, and staying hydrated helps support your muscles and digestive system.

Remember, for the entire month of this July, you receive 20% off select filter replacements. That includes filters for our PiMag Waterfall® that helps you hydrate with alkaline water inspired by nature.

1 https://bgapc.com/hydration-and-digestion-gut-health/

2, 3, 4 https://patialaheart.com/blog/the-link-between-dehydration-and-digestion-how-water-affects-your-gut-health/

Why is PiMag® Water Better for Hydration?

Published on by Nikken

Water is a basic nutrient of the human body and critical to human life, yet between 65-75% of us are typically dehydrated, because it’s often overlooked and also because the thirst mechanism can be suppressed or misinterpreted.

Dehydration occurs when our body loses more water than is taken in. It can also affect our body’s mineral salt or electrolyte balance. We lose approximately 68 to 101 fluid ounces (two to three liters) of water a day through every day basic functions such as breathing, perspiring and eliminating waste. 

The human body is composed of about 66 percent water. Our bones are composed of 22 percent water, muscles are 76 percent and blood is 83 percent. Lungs are 90 percent, and our brains are actually 95 percent water. Is it any wonder that water and hydration play such a critical role in a total wellness lifestyle?

Smart Hydration is the practice of enhancing the quality of water to improve mineral absorption, while maintaining optimal pH levels and overall well-being. Our bodies function best when properly hydrated. Inspired by the need to hydrate wherever we are and the desire to help decrease single-use plastic waste, PiMag® water is like naturally alkaline spring water.

PiMag water is based on a discovery in the 1970s by Japanese scientists. Water from an isolated hillside was having a remarkable effect on the growth of local plant life. They studied the environment and found magnetite and calcium in the hillside. Also, the water flowed over silicates, which naturally formed crystals. Replicating the Earth’s magnetic field in natural surroundings where spring water is found, PiMag® water not only purifies but also contains neodymium magnets, the strongest in the family of rare earth magnets.

PiMag water products are designed to convert tap water into spring-like naturally-sourced water that is ionized and alkaline. PiMag watertechnology uses a multi-stage filtration system based on natural materials to purify water by helping to reduce bacteria and contaminants without chemicals.

Spring water is rich in magnesium, potassium, calcium, sodium and other trace minerals. In the PiMag Waterfall®, the addition of mineral stones imbued with copper ions, replicates what is found in natural spring water. Magnetic technology and ceramic elements help improve hydration and absorption. And, PiMag technology is incorporated into our shower systems to help remove chlorine and other contaminants.

Drinking PiMag® water not only helps us to maintain good hydration and therefore, overall well-being, it also helps planet Earth—when we drink filtered water from a PiMag Waterfall®, we decrease and hopefully can eliminate our reliance on single-use plastic-bottled water.

Now through the end of the month, get select PiMag® replacement filters at 20% off! Drink to your health and the health of our planet!

Source: https://www.sagora.com/making-mental-health-a-priority-hydration/

Make Water Your Drink of Choice and Feel Good Every Day

Published on by Nikken

When it comes to beverages, there are a lot of choices available. Some choices have plenty of sugars, saturated fat, sodium, artificial color and flavorings—none of which is beneficial, and much of it with unwanted calories.

Water, on the other hand, is the perfect drink of choice! It quenches thirst efficiently, has no empty calories and is crucial for maintaining health. Physically, water helps to keep body temperature regulated, to lubricate and cushion the joints, to protect the spinal cord and other sensitive tissues and to process waste through urination, perspiration and bowel movements.1

With the exception of breastmilk for newborns, water is the best drink for children and continues to be the best drink through adulthood and into old age. In fact, keeping the elderly hydrated with water is one of the keys to healthy longevity.

Eating nutritious food and drinking water come naturally to the entire animal kingdom, with the exception of humans, as we have the technology to create “unnatural” foods and beverages. To help get back to healthy roots—such as those of our non-technological ancestors—and to choose water more often, here are a few tips:2

  • Drink water that is hot or cold, depending on your preference.
  • Drink water with meals.
  • Ask for water with your food when eating out.
  • Carry a reusable water bottle when you are out.
  • Try a fruit and herb infused water or carbonated water.
  • Hydrate with water during and after physical activity or playing sports.
  • Keep a pitcher of water in the fridge or on the table for easy access.

When you choose water instead of sugar-sweetened beverages, you are helping with weight management. Substituting water for just one 20-ounce sugar-sweetened soda will save 240 calories.

Drink water and feel good every day, not just physically but in knowing you made the right choice! Role model it for the kids—remember it’s healthier to eat a piece of fruit than to drink juice. Drink water and eat the fruit for a win-win! It’s all part of empowered living. 

1 https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/make_water_your_beverage_of_choice

2 https://food-guide.canada.ca/en/healthy-eating-recommendations/make-water-your-drink-of-choice/

Different Strokes for Different Folks: Exercise and Sports Around the Globe

Published on by Nikken

Throughout history, people have exercised, consciously or unconsciously. As hunters and gatherers, our ancestors walked or ran to search for food. They didn’t need to exercise in the contemporary sense, because survival depended on constant physical activity. As civilizations developed, sports were invented.

The Greeks started the Olympics and focused mostly on wrestling. Enter the Romans who transformed activities of war into sport—throwing spears and javelins, hand-to-hand combat and sword fighting, later also known as fencing.

Navigate to the East, and the Japanese were developing sword play of their own in the form of Kendo with bamboo (shinkai) swords and wrestling in the form of sumo. Perhaps due to the prevalence of Buddhism in China and Shintoism in Japan, martial arts came to be in the forms of karate, Chinese kung fu, tai chi, wing chun and jiu-jitsu. Wing chun is a kung fu style notably founded by a Buddhist nun from the Shaolin Temple, and Manchu warriors learned to ice skate in order to reach their enemies, later transforming it to a sport!

Into the Americas, the Aztecs, Incas and Mayans played ball sports. “Pok-a-Tok” was played by Mayans not only for fun, but as a way to settle conflicts between warring factions, with losers suffering the fate of death. Apparently, Pok-a-Tok is a difficult mix of soccer and basketball! In contrast to playing for life and death, the Native American Tarahumara people were ancient marathoners who could run 200 miles at a time! They would likely best today’s extreme athletes!

North American sports largely came from European influences, and as witnessed by the addition of new events in current Olympics, exercise has truly evolved over time. For example, skateboarding originated in California by surfers who wanted to do something on land that felt like being on the waves. It debuted as an event at the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.

Whether you choose the slow gracefulness of tai chi or a team sport such as soccer, rugby, volleyball or basketball, the key is to keep moving. Take a look at the special Olympics and the wheelchair athletes from around the world for inspiration—choose a physical activity and do it consistently to feel good every day.

Nikken has many products that support physical activities, whether you’re a weekend warrior or a committed athlete. Right now, there’s still time, through the end of this month, to take advantage of free ground shipping, as long as you are a Registered Customer with Nikken and your single order is at least $185 USD /$259 CAD before tax and shipping costs!

Sources:

http://en.chinaculture.org/library/2013-11/22/content_496741.htm

https://www.amatravel.ca/articles/pok-a-tok-ancient-mayan-sport

A History of Physical Activity

How Does Exercise Enhance Gut Health?

Published on by Nikken

We know that eating a healthy diet contributes to optimal gut health. Now clinical nutritionists and gastroenterologists are finding definitive proof that exercise can support gut health, too. The combination of healthy diet and exercise reigns supreme, but the discovery that exercise plays such a big role in gut physiology may help many couch potatoes to get moving!

“Exercise is one of the most powerful ways you can boost your gut microbiome. Your digestive tract is a muscle, and moving your body is good for all muscles, gut included. When we are physically inactive, the muscles in our gut also become less active. Over time, they lose their natural coordination and strength,” explains gastroenterologist Christine Lee, MD.1

Regular exercise helps the gut find its ideal digestive pace. Each gut has its natural rhythm that keeps things moving. If it’s too fast, you might get the runs. If it’s too slow, you might be constipated, bloated or nauseated. Exercise helps the gut stay “just right” in terms of gut motility, that is, the movement within the gut.

During movement, especially exercise of a cardiovascular nature, the heart pumps harder in order to deliver blood and oxygen to the muscles. Part of that extra blood and oxygen goes straight to the gut. In other words, exercise improves circulation in the whole body, and that includes the gut, which helps the digestive tract work better to maintain the right balance of healthy bacteria.2

Gut muscles react to exercise the same way our visible outer muscles do. Biceps, quadriceps and abdominals visibly get more toned with regular exercise. What you don’t see are the internal gut muscles getting more toned. Even though not visibly more toned, improved regularity is proof that your exercise is paying off by helping waste process out of the body more effectively so your gut simply feels good every day.

Different types of exercise are being researched for their impact on the gut microbiome. There is evidence that low intensity exercise can help reduce the amount of time it takes food to travel through the digestive tract and be successfully pushed out as waste. This is important because this allows the gut microbiome to perform multiple functions effectively, including converting non-digestive parts of food into energy.3

In contrast, higher intensity exercise allows more oxygen to reach the brain and bloodstream. The brain and the gut are connected by the vagus nerve, as well as through molecules secreted into the bloodstream from the gut microbes and immune cells that travel from the gut to the rest of the body.4 The brain and gut are therefore in constant communication and regular periods of high intensity exercise enhance that interaction.

There’s no better time than the summer months to start or add to your exercise regimen. And, regular exercise helps the body crave healthy foods; healthy foods fuel your body for better performance during exercise!

Nikken launched Golden Gut Formula, loaded with both pre- and probiotics, so you not only help increase your beneficial bacteria but you’re nourishing them so they can multiply more rapidly. Adding Golden Gut Formula to a healthy diet and exercising daily may help accelerate your ongoing quest for empowered living! 

1, 2 https://health.clevelandclinic.org/gut-health-workout#:~:text=Your%20metabolism%20is%20your%20body’s,%2C%E2%80%9D%20explains%20Dr.%20Lee.

3 https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/new-microbiome-research-reveals-exercise-may-impact-gut

4 https://med.stanford.edu/news/insights/2025/03/gut-brain-connection-long-covid-anxiety-parkinsons.html#:~:text=Through%20direct%20signals%20from%20the,tracts%20are%20in%20constant%20communication.

Did You Know Fatherhood Transforms Men’s Bodies?

Published on by Nikken

Motherhood transforms women’s bodies in obvious ways, but did you know men’s bodies evolve when they become fathers? Men’s physical changes are not necessarily apparent to the human eye. Instead, they morph internally. The two main changes are hormonally and cerebrally.

The hormonal change is mainly a drop in testosterone, the male sex hormone. The drop is the male body’s way of preparing for the new role of fatherhood. According to scientists, men with lower testosterone are much more sensitive towards children. They are also more empathetic and motivated to take care of their children.1 One example given by researchers is that of different reactions to a baby crying. They found that men with lower testosterone levels, particularly fathers, are anxious when hearing a baby cry; whereas men with high testosterone levels react with irritation. By the same token, fathers exhibit more patience with daily activities, such as waiting for a parking spot.

Cerebral changes that come with fatherhood also enhance parenting abilities. The outer brain of fathers shows increases in areas that impact planning, focusing and problem-solving. Areas of the brain related to nurturing and risk detection are also activated—which is nature’s way of empowering fathers to know when their babies are safe.2 Dads become more sensitive to others’ pain, which equates to being more empathetic, especially when it comes to children.3

Women are often attributed with having naturally maternal instincts. Women are said to know instinctively what to do with babies, having gone through pregnancy, childbirth and when possible, breastfeeding. Men, on the other hand, are said to “learn” how to be a father. The biological changes that fathers undergo prove that they have naturally paternal feelings that parallel mothers’ maternal instincts. In other words, dads are gifted by nature just as moms are. The difference is that because society doesn’t proclaim it, dads need to be aware of their biological transformation, trust in it, and be confident enough to rely on their nature-given instincts.

There is even a male counterpart to post-partum depression, traditionally attributed only to new mothers. Studies show that one in 10 men experience mental health difficulties in the first six months after a baby arrives.4 This is due partly to the new dad’s expectations of himself to know the right things to do at the right times. It’s a form of self-stress. In addition, the new schedule can create chaos—no time to eat, sleep or exercise as both new parents focus on the baby. These changes in lifestyle patterns impact not only the new mom, but also the new dad. So, new fathers need to be aware of their own mental and emotional states as well as their partners’.

Childrearing experts agree that the fastest way to bond with new babies is to start interacting with them right away. Mothers who breastfeed have a distinct advantage but fathers can dive right in by participating in diaper changing, bathing, bottle-feeding and soon, playing. Talking to babies, feeding them, walking them, learning their milestones and cheering them on—it’s all part of both motherhood and fatherhood.

Nikken wishes all dads a very Happy Father’s Day this coming Sunday!

1, 2, 3 https://www.bbc.co.uk/tiny-happy-people/articles/zvnhjsg

4 https://www.bbc.co.uk/tiny-happy-people/articles/zb7svk7