June is Men’s Health Month!

(And National Firework Safety Month…and National Migraine Awareness Month…coincidence? We think not). Gentlemen, with the weather enticing everyone into grilling parties and other outdoors fun, it’s important to keep tabs on your body throughout the process. Don’t be out of commission for the nice weather-let OSE fix any aches and pains you might be having. It could be a quick fix or a long-term health problem, but let us take care of it early on, so you can be ready to partake in the festivities of a warm, Southern summer.

A large part of Men’s Health Month is raising awareness of prostate health. According to the CDC, prostate cancer is the second leading terminal cancer among men in the United States, killing 27,244 men in 2012. Key factors in determining prostate cancer are age, race, family history, and where you live. The older you get, the more frequently you should get checked, because most men are diagnosed with prostate cancer around 69 years old. Other factors include diet, stress level, and smoking habits.

So how should you observe Men’s Health Month? We’re glad you asked!

1. Plan a “Wear Blue Day”; Gather some of your closest friends, and pick a day where you all wear blue!
2. Cut the bad fat; Eating fewer calories and maintaining a healthy weight by limiting the amount of fat consumed from red meat and dairy products can help cut your chances of cancer (and cut some fat from you “Dad Bod”).
3. Add the good fat; Foods like fish have high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids (the good fats) that can help prevent more than just cancer. So go fishing with your family and friends!
4. Got Milk?; Be careful with your calcium intake. Eating more than 1,500 mg of calcium a day for men has shown correlations with negative health effects on adult men. Growing boys have different needs, so check with your pediatrician for the children’s recommended   daily dose of calcium.
5. Try this out: cook tomatoes, broccoli, and cauliflower in olive oil. Add some green tea or soy drinks, and you have a nutritious, delicious cancer fighting concoction.
6. It’s simple: don’t smoke, and don’t drink too much (if at all).
7. Relax!; Stress can have a snowball effect for bad health. Go to your doctor for things like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and depression.
8. Calm down on the supplements; Taking too many megavitamins can give cancer cells a lot of fuel to generate out-of-control. Multivitamins aren’t off-limits, but you shouldn’t need them if you follow a healthy diet.
9. Get your doctor to check your prostate annually; If they can catch early warning signs, you chances of survival are much higher.

REMEMBER!

Everything in life is better in moderation. We aren’t telling you to cut all of the alcohol, dairy, or fireworks from your life. Just take some precautions, be informed, and check in often with your doctor. Now put on some sunscreen and go make the best of Men’s Health Month!