Healthy Aging Tips Every Man Should Know

Following a healthy lifestyle is important for all of us, and the general advice for healthy living applies to men and women equally. As we age, however, gender may play a larger role in the health issues we experience, and how we address them. If you are a man, consider this information or pass it on to a male loved one!

Lose the extra pounds. Research shows that, among men who are overweight to any degree, losing 5 to 10% of your body weight can significantly improve your health. Stored body fat acts as an endocrine-system organ, producing hormones that can promote inflammation, diabetes, osteoarthritis and heart-related health issues. Reduce your daily calories by 25 percent per day; start exercising regularly; eat an anti-inflammatory diet; and practice stress-management techniques.

Keep your prostate healthy: Prostatitis – inflammation of the prostate – can be a painful problem at any age, and the risk of prostate cancer increases about 10 percent per decade beginning at age 60. Get regular checkups, follow a healthy diet, get regular exercise and consume lycopene-rich foods, such as tomatoes and watermelon, to help reduce prostate risks.

Stay flexible. Men’s joints can become less flexible with age, and this inflexibility can lead to falls, a major cause of disability for older people. Flexibility and balance training should be integral parts of your daily fitness routine – try practicing yoga or tai chi to help improve balance and flexibility, and make it a point to incorporate gentle stretching into your daily fitness routine, which can help maintain a full range of motion.

Source: Dr. Andrew Weil