Men, It’s Time to Prioritize Your Health
Men, we need to talk about our health. The statistics on men’s health in America are alarming. For adult males over 18, 14% still smoke, and another 10% use vape or chew tobacco. Additionally, 30% admit to having five or more alcoholic drinks in one day within the past year. Only 28% meet federal exercise guidelines, while two-thirds are overweight, and 42% are obese. If your waist measures 40 inches or more, it’s time to take notice. Men tend to ignore symptoms and visit the doctor less frequently than women. It’s crucial to take personal responsibility for our health.
We understand the causes of many degenerative diseases, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, dementia, and autoimmune conditions like Covid-19 and rheumatoid arthritis. This knowledge enables us to care for ourselves in ways that can reduce the severity and even prevent these conditions. While obesity itself isn’t the direct cause of severe Covid-19 or dementia, the toxins and lifestyle factors that contribute to obesity are. Pesticides, herbicides, artificial sweeteners, and food colorings are inflammatory and damage the beneficial bacteria in our guts, triggering illnesses. Exposure to these substances is directly related to the development of diabetes, obesity, Parkinson’s disease, and heart disease. Sometimes, exposure is unavoidable, as seen in Vietnam veterans who were sprayed with Agent Orange, an herbicide that causes heart disease. Many are disabled due to Agent Orange, which is still sprayed on American farm crops today.
Optimal health begins with an inner journey. Stress reduction is crucial. Meditation is an excellent way to manage stress, and exercise can help dispel depression and even reverse type 2 diabetes. Aim for 150 minutes of aerobic activity, like walking, each week—just over 20 minutes daily. A clean diet is foundational for great health. Eat whole foods, cook from scratch, and choose organic when possible. Follow guides like the Dirty Dozen/Clean Fifteen. Aim for a diet that’s 80% plant-based and 20% animal-based, similar to the Blue Zone diet known for promoting longevity. Include oily fish like salmon and sardines, grass-finished beef, and pastured poultry and eggs. Take a multivitamin, vitamin D, and fish oil if you don’t eat fish. Eat fermented foods for gut health and seaweed for iodine and minerals. Limit alcohol to no more than two ounces in one day and six ounces in one week, and eliminate nicotine completely. Stay hydrated with clean, filtered water, and prioritize sleep to allow your body to recover and repair.
At Functional Medicine Florida, my team and I specialize in functional testing to help identify risks for illness before a formal diagnosis, especially if you’re experiencing vague symptoms that might be dismissed even if your labs appear normal. We assess your toxin levels, sugar and insulin metabolism, and internal damage from toxins and free radicals. With this comprehensive evaluation, we can create targeted, advanced nutritional therapies, provide intravenous nutrition, and offer medications such as hormone replacement. Our personalized approach aims to promote vibrant energy and joy for living, helping you achieve optimal health and well-being.