Healthy Men, Healthy Hearts

June is Men’s Health Month, and while there are many topics to address, the #1 killer for American men–heart disease–seems to merit our full attention. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 4 men have some form of heart disease. And–over time–your risk increases. The average age for an initial heart attack for men is 65 and 70 for women. According to the American Heart Association, risk factors for heart disease include:

• Increasing age
• Male gender
• Family history and race
• Smoking
• High blood cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• Physical inactivity
• Obesity and overweight
• Diabetes

Naturally, you can’t control every risk factor, but for the majority of them, daily lifestyle decisions have tremendous influence. Are you willing to do what it takes to slash your odds? If so, you may be pleasantly surprised to know that some of life’s great pleasures also protect your heart. Imagine if you will a day that begins with a healthy protein shake, followed by a game of tennis or a nature hike.

As evening approaches, envision yourself being served an al fresco dinner of grilled wild salmon with a teriyaki-ginger glaze over wild rice pilaf, a salad of mixed organic greens, raspberries and toasted almonds, and a side of roasted asparagus with lemon-caper vinaigrette, all accompanied by a glass of award-winning Pinot Noir. Now, is this a hardship you can bear?

The trick to outsmarting heart disease is living the new good life, which is a departure from the old paradigm glamorizing marbled steaks, cigars and Port. Your new lifestyle is also free of poor quality fast/junk food, because you–and your heart–deserve better.

Along with your active lifestyle and menu of fresh, whole foods, lean protein and unprocessed grains, add some heart protective supplements to your daily multi–vitamin/mineral formula such as fish oil, antioxidants, and homocysteine-busting B-complex, and you may well defy a disease to which far too many others unnecessarily succumb. Your heart is in your hands. Handle it with care.