Harvard’s HEALTHbeat publication says it is wise for men in midlife to approach their situation like making good investments. One needs to acknowledge the factors he can control and those he can’t.
Age and Family History are two factors over which you have no control. As you age there is a certain deterioration that occurs. Shared genes explain some of your risks, but lifestyles, the food you eat and your physical activity play a major role.
“The factors you can control make a big difference in directing your health. Here are some of the most important things to consider as you look at the health investments you want to make going forward.
“• Whether you smoke. About one in four American men smokes cigarettes, pipes, or some other form of tobacco. If you are one of them, kicking the habit is the single most important thing you can do to improve your health.”
I feel strongly about the dangers of smoking. Check out my page How bad is smoking? For details.
“• What you eat. Choosing and following a healthy diet is an excellent way to reduce your chances of getting a number of life-threatening illnesses, including heart disease, diabetes, and some of the most common cancers.
• How much you move. Get active, live longer. Not only that, but live better. Study after study has linked greater amounts of physical activity to improved mood, better blood sugar control, reduced risk of heart disease, and other benefits.”
You can get the full story from Harvard at Men’s Health Fifty and Forward.
As we get older our ‘margin of error’ decreases. Publications like this one can literally be lifesavers. It is worth checking out.
Tony
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