Anti-Aging & Longevity Health Tips for Men

June is Men’s Health Month, when we reflect on men’s health and wellness. Life expectancy for men in the USA in 2022, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has dropped to 74.8 years. According to new research, COVID-19, stress and environmental toxins including micro and nano plastics have not helped longevity. The addictive “electronic heroin” of cell phones, tablets and home computers, as well as social media, has altered human interactions and affections, contributing to diminishing overall health and wellness.

We keep hearing that we are what we eat, we now know only 20% of our destiny is genetic and 80% is how we treat those genes and feed them. To improve health, men should eat less often and eat healthy. Eating more fruits and vegetables and avoiding sugar, salt and fat will help longevity and reduce cancer and inflammation risk. Studies have shown that intermittent fasting is a great anti-aging way for men to give their gut a rest and loose weight in a healthy manner while turning on anti-aging genes.

Our bodies need to move (use it or lose it) to maintain health. Two and a half hours a week of exercise will help a lot. Sleep hygiene and its important restorative powers for better health are also essential. Getting seven to nine hours of uninterrupted sleep will bring huge health benefits.

Most common cancers that affect men are prostate, lung, colorectal, skin, testicular and bladder cancers. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the US, followed by lung cancer. Stopping tobacco smoking and vaping, which is the top preventative cause of death in the USA will reduce the chance of lung cancer, COPD and macular degeneration. About one in eight men will get prostate cancer in their lifetime according to the American Cancer Society. The annual physical, blood tests and screenings, such as checking PSA level and prostate/rectal exams for prostate cancer can be lifesaving. Colon cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the US, screening with colonoscopy, as well as Cologuard stool test can be preventable. Men can get breast and testicular cancer as well, so self-exams of breast and testicular mass can be lifesaving. Men are more likely than women to die from melanoma, especially as they age. Some possible reasons for this include men being less likely to use sunscreen, wear sun-protective clothing, and seek medical evaluation. Men are also four times more likely than women to be diagnosed with bladder cancer. New technologies that can screen for 50 cancers with 1 tube of blood like the Galleri test by grail is altering the future of early cancer detection. Blood tests for hepatitis and HIV can be lifesaving as well and promote longevity if caught early and treated.

The annual visit to your internist or comprehensive integrative medicine Doctor can help reveal underlying medical issues like cholesterol, hormonal, thyroid problems, inflammation, heart problems, and many other fixable problems of life as well detect suspicious lesions for cancer. In the end our most important asset is our mental and physical health. Remember, keep a positive attitude, love a lot, hug a lot, help a lot, share a lot, and enjoy the visit on the planet. It’s no dress rehearsal.

Dr. Magdalena Swierczewski, M.D. is board-certified in internal medicine, anti-aging medicine and specializes in anti-aging and integrative functional medicine.

Dr. Peter Michalos, M.D. is a clinical associate professor at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and chairman of the Hamptons Health Society.

Always consult your physician before beginning any new medical treatment or fitness program. This general information is not intended to diagnose any medical condition or to replace your healthcare professional.