Fatherly Love

Learn the common and lesser known men’s health risks… and how to prevent them:

Heart disease. While it’s the # 1 killer of men and women, men are more susceptible earlier in life. To lower your risk, test your cholesterol every 5 years starting at age 25. Ask for the C-reactive protein test, which identifies inflammation. Monitor blood pressure and kick the nicotine habit if you smoke. Increase your physical activity to at least 30 minutes/day, and bump up your intake of produce.

Prostate cancer. Generally slow in progression, this cancer may require less invasive screening than once thought. If you’re high risk, talk to your doctor about regular digital rectal exams and PSA (prostate-specific antigen) tests for early detection. Otherwise, your best bet is a diet low in saturated fat and high in omega-3 fatty acids, which may minimize your chance of developing the disease. Other studies suggest green tea, soy products, and legumes lower risk.

Depression/suicide. Once considered more prevalent in women, evidence shows that men may be just as prone. Financial and job-related stresses can increase vulnerability, as can deficiencies in vitamins like B6 and B12. Bust the blues with exercise, which stimulates natural mood enhancers like endorphins; load up on nuts, whole grains, and leafy greens to boost depression-fighting serotonin.