Some of you may rock a ‘stache during November in support of Movember, men’s health awareness month. But, don’t forget to care for yourself during the other 11 months of the year! We’ve compiled some tips and tidbits to help you talk up the topic of men’s health.
Eat, for wellness
While we may lose our hair, visual acuity, and the kids to college in later years, there’s no reason we have to lose our vitality.
Food affects our mood and energy levels, so carefully consider your diet. Choose real food over convenience foods that contain high levels of sodium, dyes, artificial sweeteners, and enriched flours.
To maintain balance at a cellular level, try eating with the seasons. Squash, potatoes, and sweet potatoes will warm you up this winter because they are carbohydrate-rich and take longer to digest. If you are running hot, or in the summer months, consume cooling foods like melons, zucchinis, peppers, and leafy greens.
Also, don’t default to deprivation as a weight maintenance strategy. Registered Holistic Nutritionist Lisa Kilgour says a willpower-centric diet often leads to overindulgence instead of the enjoyment of a variety of foods in moderation.
“If you want bread or potatoes-eat bread or potatoes. But if you want a cookie mid-afternoon it is probably because you’ve had a blood sugar crash, and an apple might bring you back into balance. Take a moment to consider what your body wants and what it needs.”
See your doctor
Dr. Chris Spooner, B.Sc., N.D., says men don’t tend to think about their health until they are 50 or 55 and the penny drops with depression, chronic fatigue, joint aches and pains, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or colorectal and prostate cancers.
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure so have a digital rectal exam (DRE) and commit to regular blood work to monitor your testosterone, glucose, and cholesterol levels.
He also encourages men to get educated about the risks and benefits of biopsy, radiation, and hormone treatments for prostate tumours, and discuss prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing with their doctor.
“I had a patient in his 50s who received a surprise and crushing diagnosis of a prostate tumour metastasized to the bone. He was never told about PSA testing; it was just never done, and he didn’t know it existed.”
Incorporate yoga, massage
Preventative maintenance measures lead to long-lasting health, so consider incorporating alternative healthcare options into your routine.
Chiropractic Doctor Elliot Lysyk favours yoga and whole body movements that take us through a range of motion in support of joint health. Massage is also great for both mental and physical health as it promotes relaxation while moving acid out of the muscles and supporting lymph drainage.
Lysyk adds proper spine alignment early in life can not only prevent but even reverse conditions like arthritis and osteoporosis. “X-rays show postural patterns that can predict arthritis. Even with a really strong core you may still have a vertebral misalignment grinding away, so it is important to deal with the spine’s alignment, as well as surrounding tissues.”
Top 5 Supplements for Men’s Health
- Multivitamin: Taking a daily whole food based multivitamin and mineral is your insurance policy for maintaining good health.
- Omega 3: Increased intake of omega 3 improves cardiovascular function, mental health, digestion, and joint health.
- Fibre: A daily intake of at least 30 grams of fibre is recommended for optimal digestion and detoxification.
- Probiotics: 85% of your immune system lives in the digestive tract. Probiotics help boost good bacteria, therefore boosting immunity and nutrient absorption.
- Prostate Formula: Prevention is key! Men over the age of 35 should consider including a basic prostate care formula.
