Men may seem stronger than women, but they are often more vulnerable to illness at critical moments. A World Health Organization epidemiological survey shows that men's hearts are more fragile than women's, and Chinese men are more than twice as likely to suffer from cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases as women. Frequent socializing makes men highly susceptible to various hepatitis viruses, and drinking culture brings irreversible liver damage. Coupled with prostate problems, this poses a significant threat to men's health. However, men often appear rather indifferent to their own health. In a survey, 80% of seriously ill Chinese men admitted that repeatedly pushing their bodies to the limit was due to long-term neglect of minor health issues. Below are eight lines of defense to build for men's health.
First Line of Defense: After age 40, avoid fatty meat.
Americans call cardiovascular disease a "man's disease." They have found that men in their forties and fifties who are pot-bellied and smokers often "carry" a diagnosis for cardiovascular disease. Medical experts from the National University of Ireland suggest that to reduce this phenomenon, women must manage their husbands' diets, help them quit smoking, and create a heart-healthy recipe. Men's love for meat and fried foods, and their preference for animal fats, can lead to excessive lipids accumulating in the blood vessels, causing arteriosclerosis and blood clots. To control men's diets, encourage them to eat more fish, soy products, nuts, oats, and garlic, all of which are "natural enemies" of cardiovascular disease. Additionally, they should reduce salt intake, eat more fruit, and after age 40, avoid animal offal and fatty meat.
Second Line of Defense: Carry a bottle of emergency medication.
In cases of sudden death caused by cardiovascular disease, the proportion of men is much higher than that of women. For obese, smoking, and long-term fatigued or stressed men, a cardiac event could strike suddenly while playing sports, bathing, in a meeting, or even eating. Therefore, men over 40, especially those with high-risk factors for heart disease, should carry emergency medication as a form of "insurance" for their hearts. For example, keep a bottle of nitroglycerin in a bag or pocket, and also have a bottle in places where they frequently stay, such as beside the bed, in the study, office, or bathroom. If a situation occurs, immediately place a tablet under the tongue to dissolve. If the pain is not significantly relieved after taking it, it could be a heart attack, and immediate hospitalization is necessary.
Third Line of Defense: Drink less strong tea when dining out.
Some say, "Men get stomach ulcers for two reasons: either their boss angers them or their wife angers them." While a joke, it is true that to have a healthy digestive system, one must reduce negative emotions like anger, tension, and anxiety. Furthermore, the delicate stomach should not be overstimulated by food. When men are out socializing, it's best for their wives to remind them: drink less strong tea, hard liquor, and coffee, and eat less raw, cold, and spicy food to reduce stomach acid secretion. Men with stomach problems should also smoke less, as nicotine can irritate the gastric mucosa and cause gastric dysfunction.
Fourth Line of Defense: Drink some millet porridge in the morning and evening.
Men suffer from stomach diseases, especially gastric ulcers and stomach cancer, at a higher rate than women. To help them protect their stomachs, "three parts treatment and seven parts maintenance" is most important. Teach men a "mantra for stomach health": eat eight parts full at regular mealtimes, include plenty of vegetables and fruits, eat more white meat instead of red meat, and drink some millet porridge in the morning and evening. Additionally, chewing slowly and eating soft, well-cooked, and finely processed foods can reduce the "workload" on the digestive system. However, glutinous rice is hard to digest and should be eaten in moderation. People with digestive ulcers should not drink too much milk.
Fifth Line of Defense: Eat only eight parts full at each meal.
After annual company physicals, many men see the words "fatty liver" on their reports. Surveys show that one in four men in their thirties and forties in China have fatty liver. Fatty liver is mostly caused by alcoholism and nutritional excess. As men's careers grow and they attend more banquets, their waistlines expand, "feeding" a fatty liver. There is no "magic pill" for prevention; the key is to eat only seven or eight parts full at each meal, especially dinner—never overeat. It's not just about eating less red meat, fried foods, and sweets, and drinking less alcohol. Staple foods should also be limited, as buns and rice can also be converted into fat and stored in the liver.
Sixth Line of Defense: Jog three to five times a week.
"Walking Mom" Chen Yurou managed to get rid of her severe fatty liver by walking 10 kilometers every day. This experience can be a lesson for many men. The most effective way to prevent and treat fatty liver is through exercise. Start with a small amount of exercise and gradually increase it, with each session lasting at least 20 minutes, three to five times a week. Middle-aged, overweight men can exercise five to seven times a week. For men, the most convenient and economical methods are: moderate-speed walking at about 120 steps per minute, jogging around the community garden, doing dozens of sit-ups before bed, and using a bicycle or walking instead of driving or taking a car... Of course, if you can stick to swimming once a week or climbing a mountain, you will burn excess fat in the liver more quickly.
Seventh Line of Defense: Drink plenty of water and don't hold in urine.
In the eyes of many men, frequent urination, urgency, incomplete bladder emptying, along with blurred vision and tooth loss, are all natural signs of aging and nothing to worry about. However, for men over 50, these symptoms often indicate benign prostatic hyperplasia. If not treated in time, it can lead to urinary retention, recurrent hematuria, urinary tract infections, and even induce hydronephrosis. To avoid "problems" with the prostate, the best method is to drink plenty of water—2000-2500 ml per day; don't hold in urine; relax more and maintain a pleasant mood; and take warm baths to relieve muscle and prostate tension.
Eighth Line of Defense: Limit white liquor to no more than one liang.
When a man's face flushes under the influence of alcohol, he may not realize that besides harming his liver, his prostate is also getting "drunk." The prostate is very sensitive to alcohol; it can become enlarged and "sluggish" under alcohol stimulation, and excessive drinking can interfere with sexual response, reducing sexual excitement and orgasm. He reminds that men with mild prostatitis should be very careful with any irritating drinks or foods. White liquor should never exceed one liang, coffee should be limited to one cup a day, and spicy food should be eaten less.
It may be difficult for men to implement all eight of the above points at once, but for their own health and family happiness, it's best to make changes one by one.