Men's Health is a broad topic. Unfortunately, mainstream media will have you believe that the health of a man funnels down to 3 Quick Fixes:
1. Physical fitness (Muscles/abs) 2. Sexual function (Size matters) 3. Bank account (No broke boy$)
"Just take these, and you're good, bro."
"Just do this one thing, and you don't need to worry about anything else."
So they Say.
There are probably more I can list, but these 3 really sum it up. They all have something in common too: It's all about the perception of a man; how he looks to the external viewers; how accepted he is; how much attention the ladies give him; what he can provide. However, these 3 things (though important) do not always detail the internal shape of the man. They simply CAN NOT be used as the sole standard of men's health. Oftentimes, they patch up other potential underlying issues and do not address the root causes of chronic disease and sickness.
Truth #1
We can have abs, perform well sexually, have no financial problems whatsoever,
AND STILL be at high risk for chronic disease.
According to the CDC, chronic diseases are described as
"Conditions that last 1 year or more and require ongoing medical attention or limit activities of daily living or both."
Nice muscles, a large penis, & financial blessing do not account for the fact that men's rates of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, etc. are through-the-roof. You will find that among many reputable sources, heart disease has been the leading killer of men for years now. The stats are pretty staggering. Diabetes, lung cancer, and unintentional injury are other factors that plague men according to these articles by Harvard Health https://www.health.harvard.edu/topics/mens-health and Web MD
https://www.webmd.com/men/features/6-top-health-threats-men. The pressure that we men face to be successful, fit, & financially stable sometimes causes us to neglect our bodies, the one vessel that needs to be in good health in order for us to sustain success. It's like cheating on a test but never doing the work to learn the information. Yes, you'll make it for now. But sooner or later, your true colors will be exposed and rob you of long-term glory.
Truth #2 We can't change our family history, genetic makeup, or environment,
but we CAN change our lifestyle.
Although family, genetic and environmental factors play a role, let's be real, our LIFESTYLE is where we tend to fall short. Lifestyle factors like stress, smoking/drinking, sleep, physical activity, and dietary patterns impact how we perform in everyday life. As a Dietitian, it is my duty to educate and help you set systems to make food choices that support healthy body organs more automatic. I take pride in making tough nutrition concepts more digestible and easy to follow. In my work, I've worked with men who understand the importance of a high-quality nutritious diet. I have also worked with men who believe that they can out-perform a low-quality diet.
By low-quality diet, I mean:
High in - sugar
- saturated fats
- alcohol
Low in - water/nutrients
- fruits/veggies
- whole grains
- lean proteins
By out-perform I mean:
AlI have to do is
- Lift weights/ run - Have lots of sex
- Smoke weed
- Eat more protein
- Take supplements
If you think that you don't have to change your lifestyle for long-term sustainable health, please think again. For example, exercise is 100% a good thing. But don't think you can eat whatever you want and then just "work it off." It's only a matter of time before something happens to force you to change. Why not just capitalize on taking that initiative now? Why not BE PROACTIVE while you can now?
Truth #3 "In-shape is Internal, not only external"
When I say "in shape," I don't only mean physical shape, but I mean lab markers like normal
Hemoglobin A1C (diabetes risk),
Lipid Panel (heart health/risk),
Testosterone levels,
Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) levels,
AST/ ALT (liver function)
and more.
You may feel that you are "too manly" to eat foods proven to be beneficial for your health. You may feel that you are strong and nothing can happen to you. That's risky thinking when nearly 50% of American men in 2019 had some sort of heart disease according to this CDC article: https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/men.htm. Physical activity is great, but an athletic build alone won't save you from chronic disease. Money won't save you from getting sick. How "large" you are won't save you when your lab levels are out-of-control. Instead of looking at your health from the outside in, look at your health from the inside-out This means: Start with what's good for your heart and other internal organs then gravitate to things like your lean-muscle mass & overall physique.
Truth #4
A man who eats a balanced nutritious diet is a man who will be physically fit, perform well sexually, and make more money.
There is no shortcut to this. We see hundreds of men's health pills on the market boasting a wide array of solutions to a man's health. I've even seen and heard people say things like "You don't have to change what you eat, just take this." I assure you, this is not the way to go. When you eat better, you'll decrease your risk of chronic disease. When you do this, you feel better. When you feel better, you'll perform better. When you perform better, you'll live longer. When you live longer, you'll even make more money. Again, nutrition isn't the ONLY lifestyle factor to consider, but it is a major one! That leads me to say this: There is no men's health quick fix! Sorry if you thought there was.
But the good news is this: You can always start with nutrition.
Take Action!
Ask yourself these questions: 1. What is my attitude towards fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins? 2. Do I drink water as my primary beverage?
3. Am I always looking for quick fixes to replace better eating?
If you feel that you don't have direction on what you should eat or how you should eat it, please seek help from a Registered Dietitian like myself. Here are some general recommendations for you from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: https://www.eatright.org/health/wellness/healthy-aging/healthy-eating-for-men.
Working with a Registered Dietitian can help assure that you are receiving the most credible evidence-based personalized nutrition recommendations. Drop a comment below and let me know how you felt about this article and what you would like to learn about in the future.
Blessings in good health,
Gregory Lafortune, MS, RDN, LD
Great article, Greg!