Scroll through almost any magazine and you
will see images of thin, fit women gracing the pages. These are often
accompanied by tips on how women can lose weight and look and feel their very
best. But, reality check: Health is not just for the fairer sex. As a man, you
have an obligation to yourself and to your family to be your healthiest best.
Here are a few tips on how.
Know
Your Prostate
Let’s get the most uncomfortable topic out of
the way. Prostate health is exclusive to men. If you are not familiar with the
term, your prostate, according to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, is a gland
that sits between the base of your penis just above the testes. While it
does not have to function for you to be healthy, particularly as you age, if
you are still in your child-making years, you want it to be as fit as possible.
Diet and exercise are the keys here, and most doctors recommend loading up on
antioxidants, which come from fruits and vegetables, and eating more foods that
contain fatty acids.
Watch
What You Eat
More than just eating for prostate health, it
pays to pay attention to what you put into your body for other reasons.
Everything you eat or drink goes straight to your gut, which is kind of like
your body’s central command station. There is a world inside of you known as a
microbiome, which is where your body’s good bacteria and viruses live.
These organisms play a role in immunity, emotional health, and systemic
inflammation. For better health, give them what they need to survive. This is
probiotics, which come
from foods like carrots, tomatoes, and sweet potatoes.
Exercise
It’s common knowledge, but it is worth
reiterating that exercise is crucial for men. It doesn’t matter the type of
fitness program you participate in — what matters is that get your heart rate
up and keep your body in motion. Need more motivation? Men who exercise reduce their risk of premature
death by about 15 percent. Talk to your doctor before beginning a new routine;
even if you currently strength train, cardiovascular exercises are vastly
different, and your doctor will want to ensure that you are healthy enough for
the physical strain.
Know
Your Insurance
Speaking of doctors, you are less likely to
visit your primary care physician unless you have great insurance. If you don’t
already have a top-notch plan, ask your company about their next Open Enrollment Period. Or, if you
are already on Medicare, switch to Medicare Advantage. Plans from companies
such as Aetna
offer many of the same benefits as Original Medicare, but you may have access
to more providers depending on your network. You’ll almost certainly have
extended benefits that include hearing, dental, and vision care.
Make a
Date with Your Dentist
Even if you don’t have dental insurance, your
oral health should never be ignored. Visit your dentist at least twice each
year to make sure your mouth is as healthy as the rest of your body.
Unfortunately, as Jenny Green of Colgate explains, men are more likely than women to
experience oral infections, gum disease, and decay. But these issues may be
avoided simply by sitting in the chair for a cleaning and exam every six
months.
Whether you are the man of the house or a lone
bachelor seeking his future bride, your health matters. Remember, it’s not
manly to skip a visit with your doctor, it’s irresponsible. So, take care of
you, and you’ll enjoy a longer and healthier life.
Image via Pexels
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