For Men Only

Gone are the days when men could eat junk food, spend all day on the couch, and not take care of themselves. Diet, exercise, and lifestyle choices can increase wellness. Here are 10 easy ways to make it happen.

1 Go Plant-based

Three thousand farmed animals are killed every second. If that’s not enough to make you consider giving up meat, there are the health benefits, including sustained weight loss, lower cholesterol, improved blood sugar, plummeting rates of cancer, and off-the-map low blood pressure. In a nutshell, old-fashioned well-being. So, guys, let’s suck it up and gather instead of hunt. Focus on proteins that are easier to digest such as fish, eggs, tempeh, sprouts, and seeds. Eat vegetables such as broccoli, kale, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and bok choy. You’ll feel energized instead of exhausted.

2 Get Your Heart Rate Up

In an article in the New York Times entitled “How Exercise Keeps Us Young,” Gretchen Reynolds discussed a study where scientists put men who cycle regularly through a battery of physical and cognitive tests. The result? “As it turned out, the cyclists did not show their age. On almost all measures, their physical functioning remained fairly stable across the decades and was much closer to that of young adults than of people their age.” Another piece in the New England Journal of Medicine called “Muscling in on Depression” by Andrew Harkin, PhD, noted that exercise metabolizes a harmful stress chemical called kynurenine and prevents it from crossing the brain-blood barrier. And that’s before endorphins-which put you in an even better mood-kick in.

3 Sleep

It heals and rejuvenates, and according to the journal SLEEP, it boosts antibody levels and immune cells, repairs tissue, and restores us on a very deep level.

4 Guzzle Water

Drink half your body weight in ounces of purified water daily. Yes, you read that right. According to WebMD’s, Kathleen M. Zelman, MPH, it clears up your skin, energizes muscles, balances bodily fluids, helps control calories, and sustains the kidneys. So, thirst for power or love, but if you’re actually thirsty-and most of us are chronically dehydrated-reach for water. One strategy: if you drink less caffeine (which makes you crash) you’ll have more room for water.

5 Fortify Over 40

While you’re at it, wash down some high-quality supplements. Nutrition consultant Andrew Orvis of Rainbow Acres in Culver City, Calif., says, “Nutritional and herbal supplements buy your body an insurance program against the toxins we’re exposed to every day.” Concerned about your prostate? Pumpkin is excellent, but the amount you’d have to eat would turn your skin orange. You need concentrations of nutrients that allow your body to sustain, repair, and rebuild everything from your hair and skin to your internal organs-even if you don’t always eat the perfect diet. Don’t forget to rotate brands and the actual supplements themselves.

6 Have More Sex

This is not a misprint. Science says that the more sex you have, the longer you’ll live. In a paper entitled “Sex and Death: Are They Related?” George Davey Smith, a professor of clinical epidemiology and his colleagues, found in a study of 918 men aged 45-59 that, “Mortality risk was 50 percent lower in the group with high orgasmic frequency.” So, try to pencil in some lovemaking on your calendar. It’s great for your health. (And need we mention the numerous other benefits?)

7 Groom

Clip those unruly eyebrows. Nose-hair is not a turn-on. And take care of your skin. Use facial toner, a high-quality moisturizer, and a weekly scrub. If you’re playing a round of golf or tennis, pack an SPF of 30 or above to block both UVA and UVB rays. When it comes to hair, short hair makes you look younger. Balding? Trimmed facial hair balances that beautiful face.

8 White-out

Avoid processed white foods, such as sugar, white flour, refined breads, and crackers. Sugar eats away collagen and elastin, proteins that make your skin look young. Desserts make you bloat. Instead, try gluten-free grains such as brown rice, buckwheat, amaranth, and quinoa. They’re surprisingly delicious and easy to sub in for your traditional favorites. And the same goes for snacks. Turn on the game and have a buckwheat pizza, fresh bell pepper slices, or a smoothie while you’re screaming at the TV. Your body will thank you.

9 Meditate

Sit comfortably, and leave your eyes open but loosely focused. “Follow” your breath. As long as you’re alive, your breath is going in and out-you don’t have to do anything to make it happen. Just observe it, and when you notice you’ve been thinking, just dub it “thinking” and go back to the breath. This cuts the swarm of nonstop thoughts in your head. It throws a different light on everyday problems, rests you, and gives you new strength and perspective.

10 Nurture your emotional side

Laugh. Preferably at yourself. Things are not always going to go the way you want. Realize you can fight another day. Use your words. It’s important for men to share their feelings. Too often, we want to act out emotions or just push them away. Be grateful. Write a gratitude list in the morning that acknowledges all the good things in your life. Ask for help. If not from a loving universe, then friends and family. Create. Whether art or business-make something of value for others. That will help you create your life.

The Fab 15: What Men’s Bodies Need

1. A plant-based protein in your juices, smoothies, or yogurt. It promotes muscle function, weight-loss, and energy. Try rice or hemp protein. Pea protein has a closer amino acid profile to our actual muscles. Meat and eggs, while whole proteins, are hard to break down and
   are also acidic, causing inflammation.
2. An anti-inflammatory supplement with herbs such as rosemary, turmeric, ginger, holy basil, and green tea. Some experts say inflammation is the source of all disease.
3. DHEA, a hormone produced by the adrenal glands, is thought to be a master hormone that helps make other hormones. It can help you look and feel better.
4. Prostate support. Look for saw palmetto, stinging nettle root extract, pumpkin seed oil, and lycopene (which also improves fertility).
5. A green superfood. It supports the organs and the immune system, detoxifies, cleanses, and provides you with phytonutrients, antioxidants, and chlorophyll.
6. An oxygen nutrient that will energize you by providing oxygen, hydrogen, and minerals. Put it in your water. It has a lemony taste.
7. A whole-food men’s multivitamin.
8. Probiotics. For good bacteria in the gut that help the body process and assimilate nutrients. Supports the immune system through villi in the intestinal tract.
9. Fish oils lubricate joints and skin, and improve blood circulation. Omega-3s nourish cells.
10. Cordyceps CS-4: improves stamina, energy, and endurance. In traditional Chinese medicine, mushroom extracts are thought to balance and strengthen the body’s internal systems.
11. A joint formula. A blend of glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM complex, in capsule form, is best.
12. Supplements for the brain. They naturally boost neurotransmitters and optimize cognition.
13. A liver supplement. The liver is the Britta filter of the blood. All toxins meet there.
14. Silica keeps collagen from breaking down and naturally makes your skin look younger.
15. Testosterone support. Improves muscle growth, energy, fat-loss, and sleep. Improves mood.

DreamBrands MDrive helps to increase strength, muscle mass, and energy with testosterone-boosting nutrients, including cordyceps, maca, and ginseng.

Lumina Health Products Cell Food is a unique oxygen supplement with a blend of ionic minerals, electrolytes, enzymes, and amino acids. Add to water.

Mushroom Wisdom Super Cordyceps uses CS-4, a high-quality, concentrated form of the mushroom. Maitake is added for immune benefits.

Nature‘s Way Alive! Men‘s Multi Max Potency is a whole foods-based multi with green foods, 1,000 IU of vitamin D, enzymes, and nutrients for heart health.

New Chapter Prostate 5LX is one of the most popular prostate blends around. Nettle, pumpkin seed oil, ginger, saw palmetto, and other nutrients make up the formula.