It’s no secret that women take better take of their health than men do. We can learn a lot from women, and we have. Women take preventative care seriously, as opposed to most men who will only visit their doctor when something hurts or seems wrong.
Helping men live longer, healthier lives is my passion. Through the years, I have realized that if you want to get something done, ask a woman to do it—because we men sometimes need a kick in the pants when it comes to our health. Here is your jump-start guide to get him seriously and simply working on his health.
Boost His Immune System
The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, they say. Here are some foods to boost his immunity:
- Oats and barley: The fiber in these grains has antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, helping to promote healing.
- Yogurt: Probiotics are his friend.
- Nuts: Vitamin E found in nuts is a powerful antioxidant. They also contain riboflavin and niacin, which will help him bounce back from stressful moments.
- Citrus: Vitamin C is a great benefit, but these fruits are also packed with flavonoids, a natural chemical that stimulates the immune system.
- Cinnamon: This versatile spice is a known antiviral, anti-fungal, and antibacterial powerhouse.
- Meat, seeds, and lentils: Beef, lamb, sesame and pumpkin seeds, and lentils are good sources of zinc. Immune cells like white blood cells need zinc to function.
Foods to Urge Him to Try
Dark Chocolate. More antioxidants are always a good thing. Even further, a new study sponsored by Hershey Chocolate showed that eating dark chocolate keeps you alert and focused. It also helps lower blood pressure, increase blood flow in the body, and reduce stress. Sign him up.
Red Wine. Red wine contains antioxidants that help prevent heart disease, protecting arteries and blood vessels. It also contains resveratrol, which may activate genes that slow cellular aging.
Chia Seeds. Packed with omega-3 fatty acids, iron, protein, vitamin B12, calcium, and potassium, what’s not to love? High in stress-busting ingredients like magnesium, potassium, B vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids, these tiny seeds really pack a nutritional punch.
Turmeric. Spice up his life with this orangey-yellow tuber. This spice gives curry its characteristic yellow color and has the ability to soothe skin disorders, calm the nervous system, and potentially fight cancer because of its powerful anti-inflammatory effects.
Research on curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, also shows the spice might suppress fat-tissue growth. Lab studies show it can suppress the transformation, proliferation, and invasion of cancerous cells for a wide array of cancers.
Buy Him a Gym Membership
At the very least, buy him a new pair of sneakers. Ensuring that he exercises 30 minutes each day will naturally help boost testosterone levels; improve blood flow, stamina, and flexibility; and can increase sexual desire and satisfaction.
Exercise is not just to keep him fit; it actually can help him live longer and fight chronic disease. Two recent significant studies showed that men who exercise just 30 minutes per day decreased their risk of dying early by 40 percent.
Another study showed that men who exercise lower their risk of developing age-related high cholesterol. Bottom line: Exercise is great for him. Bonus: Exercise boosts his libido, keeping energy high and weight at bay. It also helps combat erectile dysfunction, which I think we can all agree is a beautiful thing.
Ensure He Gets Enough Vitamins
Of course, it’s important that he consult with his doctor before taking any vitamins, but is he getting enough of the essential nutrients? These are the five vitamins he needs every day:
- Vitamin D for strong muscles and fighting male menopause
- Folate for protecting his heart
- Vitamin B12 for keeping a healthy nervous system
- Vitamin A for his vision and a strong immune system
- Vitamin C for healthy aging
Help Him Fight Cancer
When it comes to cancer, you need to remember one word—inflammation. This condition is one of the main factors that promotes the development of cancer. As part of a robust prevention plan, make him aware of these cancer-fighting foods (which are also great for you.)
Grapes contain resveratrol, which has strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Studies have shown it may prevent the type of damage that triggers the cancer process and development in cells.
Green tea contains flavonoids, which are known for their antioxidant effects. Antioxidants help protect his cells from free radicals. One flavonoid in green tea in particular, called kaempferol, has been shown to have strong, protective effects against cancer.
Tomatoes contain lycopene, which is his new best friend. Lycopene is the chemical that gives tomato pigment its rich color. Eating tomatoes reduces the risk of several types of cancer, including prostate cancer. Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant, and it’s mostly released when tomatoes are cooked or pureed.
Berries, in particular blueberries, are also full of antioxidants, which naturally help fight the process in the body that creates free radicals and damages cells. Black raspberries are also a great choice.
Get Him Screened
Not to end on a low note, but the fact is men live an average of five years less than women. More men suffer and die from chronic illnesses and are more likely to have cancer.
Women are the perfect advocates to educate men about the importance of prevention and screening when it comes to their health since they’re extra precautionary when it comes to their own.
Here’s a screening guide to help you (and him) get started. By educating yourself on the importance of having your man get tested, taking preventative measures such as improving his diet and being open to discussing treatment options if necessary, I believe we can really make an impact on men’s health
Dr. David Samadi is the chairman of the Urology Department and chief of robotic surgery at Lenox Hill Hospital. He is a medical correspondent for the Fox News Channel’s Medical A-Team. Learn more at RoboticOncology.com and visit Dr. Samadi’s blog: SamadiMD.com. Follow him on Twitter and Facebook.
