Men - Give Yourselves a Health MOT

A FEW ROUTINE CHECKS CAN BE ALL IT TAKES TO KEEP YOUR BODY IN GOOD SHAPE AND STOP ENGINE FAILURE, BECAUSE, JUST LIKE YOUR CAR, YOUR BODY NEEDS A REGULAR SERVICE, ESPECIALLY IF YOU’VE GOT A FEW MILES ON THE CLOCK.  IT’S TIME TO BOOK YOURSELF IN FOR A HEALTH MOT…

MIDDLE MANAGEMENT
If the tape measure reads more than 37 inches around his waist, you’re overweight, which instantly increases your risk of heart disease. And that’s not all. Those extra inches increase your risk of developing other problems such as high blood
pressure, stroke, diabetes, arthritis, cancer, back pain, chest infections and hernias. Male or female, the best way to lose weight is to do so gradually by eating a low-fat diet with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, watching portion size and getting more regular exercise. You should also watch what you drink. As well as weight gain, too much booze can lead to high blood pressure and heart disease - not to mention a pickled liver.

WHAT’S THE SCORE?
High levels of cholesterol are a major factor in heart disease, which many men are unaware of until it is too late. Ideally
your cholesterol count should be 5mmol/L or less, but it can be difficult to gauge without a blood test, as unless it is
very high you are unlikely to experience any symptoms. A random blood test that you can have done at the chemist or buy over-the-counter, can give you a rough idea of your cholesterol count. But for a truly accurate picture you should
ask your GP to give you a ‘lipid profile’ blood test. If the test results are on the high side some simple lifestyle changes
will help to bring it down. For starters, try to avoid saturated animal fats found in red and processed meats, cheese and butter as well as hydrogenated fats found in margarines, processed cakes, pastries, biscuits and chips.  Also keep an eye on your weight and encourage him to quit smoking if you’re still lighting up.  Daily exercise will help, too.  Look out also for Lestrin tablets. Made from a standardised plant sterol extract, they can help the body keep ‘bad’ (LDL) cholesterol down
at the same time as keeping ‘good’ (HDL) cholesterol at the recommended healthy levels.

LOOK OUT BELOW
The most common cause of cancer in men under the age of 35 is testicular cancer yet it is one of the easiest cancers to
cure if it is caught in time. So you see how important it is to check your testicles every month, feeling for lumps, painful areas, swellings or unusual changes. The best time to do this is after a warm bath or shower. If you notice anything suspicious, contact the doc as soon as possible.

GRASS UP MOLES
It’s sometimes easier for a partner to keep an eye out for moles that are: getting bigger; changing shape, especially if they become irregular; changing colour or becoming patchy looking; starting to itch or bleed. As them to look in areas you can’t see properly. If any of moles show these signs, make sure you go to the GP who may refer you to a specialist for
further investigation to check for a melanoma (skin cancer). Remember this can be cured if detected early enough.
Meanwhile, the stay-safe-in-the-sun rules remain the same. Never go out without slapping on the sunscreen with an SPF
of at least 15, avoid the midday sun and wear sunglasses – whatever your gender.

ARE YOU FIT?
Just 30 minutes of exercise of moderate intensity is all that is needed to keep fit and healthy. Among other things it will help to ward off heart disease, stroke and diabetes as well as keeping your weight healthy and your body shape, trim.
If a busy lifestyle means it is difficult to fit in 30 minutes of exercise in one go, you can break it up into three 10- or two 15-minute blocks. And you don’t have to go to the gym. Any activity that makes you feel warm and slightly out of breath but allows you to carry on a conversation will benefit your health. Many jobs in and around the house such as washing the
car, walking the dog, or digging the garden count as physical activity as long as you put enough effort into doing them.

PROTECT YOUR SCALP
You can’t stop thinning hair – it’s a natural process that affects most men to some degree in their lifetime. It may also be genetic or a sudden shock can be a trigger. But what you can do is try some natural remedies to slow  down the process.

• Jojoba oil mixed with a little essential oil of rosemary and massaged into the scalp removes old layers of cells and
increases circulation.
• Include plenty of high quality protein foods such as lean meat and fish in your diet and supplement with zinc and a high strength vitamin B complex.
• Pil Food Direct is a hair loss treatment using only natural ingredients that include Pro-Anagex, an anti-hairloss revitalising molecule that’s scientifically proven. Non-greasy, you apply Pil Food Direct straight to the roots to restore vigour and volume.