Positive Men’s Health Habits to Consider During Healthy Aging Month

As the fall season approaches, one thing to keep in mind is that September is national Healthy Aging Month, an annual health observance designed to focus national attention on the positive aspects of growing older. Topics discussed during Healthy Aging Month include healthy lifestyle activities, eating habits and a generally positive outlook on life. Read below about healthy aging tips specifically for men from the board-certified experts at Men’s Medical Institute.

The number one key for healthy male aging is maintaining a healthy lifestyle. It cannot be emphasized enough how important eating well and staying active are for overall health.  The benefits of eating a healthy, balanced diet include the reduced risk of cancer, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and a multitude of other chronic conditions. These benefits are shared with the results of an active lifestyle, which promotes overall bodily health, reduces the risk of chronic conditions and disabilities and also improves mental health, lowering the risk for dementia by 60 percent.

Unfortunately, most American men fall short when it comes to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends 150 minutes of moderate physical activity and muscle strengthening exercises per week, but less than one-third of American adults meet that recommendation. It may be difficult to work that amount of physical activity into a busy work week, but the CDC recommends doing a variety of activities such as walking, biking, yard work, swimming and leisure sports which are enjoyable and can easily fit into a routine.

With a national average obesity rate of 36 percent in adults, it is clear that improvements need to be made in the area of nutrition. Some simple guidelines for a manageable healthy diet include increasing the intake of Omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, plenty of water, whole grains, protein and calcium. These all have many benefits; for example, more fiber in a diet helps with colon function and reduces the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer.

While men should be health-conscious year-round, Healthy Aging Month in September provides an opportunity to reconsider those little habits and routines that can make a big overall difference in the long run. Growing old is a natural process that can be enjoyed and savored as long as it is approached with the right knowledge and attitude.

Dr. Stephen Benz is co-founder and President of Men’s Medical Institute, the first health care organization in St. Louis exclusively dedicated to the treatment of low testosterone in men.  Dr. Benz has more than 25 years of experience as a board certified orthopedic surgeon working intimately with bone, muscle development and metabolism specifically related to testosterone use.