It’s not often that we take time out of our busy lives to celebrate the men in our lives. Birthdays, anniversaries, and last month it was Father’s Day when we honored the dads that we love.
Showing our dads, husbands, or sons that we care doesn’t need to be done by a card, chef’s apron, or special tie on a special occasion. It can be done through simple acts like the foods we prepare for them…including heart-healthy fish!
Staying healthy should matter to everyone. Men, however, notoriously avoid doctors and sometimes spend their time working or caring for others, so much so that they forget to consider their own health.
According to an April 2021 study conducted by Aflac, a nationwide insurance company, “three-quarters of study participants (men) had not gone to the doctor even if they had symptoms of a specific illness. A whopping 84% had not consulted a doctor about an injury, and over half (54%) had not gone to a dentist for a routine dental exam.”
Encouraging the men in our lives to take their health seriously should be a top priority. Helping them eat nutritious foods and get regular exercise is something we can work on at home.
Let’s examine some of the reasons why fish is such a great option for men in supporting men’s health.
Heart & Prostate Health
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that “Heart disease is the number one killer of men in the United States with prostate cancer the second leading cause of cancer death among men.”
Foods that are known anti-inflammatories that can reduce triglycerides, improve heart circulation and immune functioning, and for reducing the risk of prostate cancer are the heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids found in fatty fish.
The American Heart Association recommends that everyone should eat fish twice weekly. This includes the men in our lives.
The fish can include favorites such as salmon, sardines, tuna, mackerel, herring, and trout. All of these are abundant in omega-3 fatty acids.
Immune System Support
As we age, it is vital for a number of the functions in our body to be supported including a strong immune system and helping us to absorb calcium. Vitamin D is one such nutrient we need to be vigilant about to support our immune system.
Fish is an excellent source of Vitamin D which not only supports bone health but contributes to calcium absorption and a strong immune system.
Maintaining a Healthy Weight
Another issue of aging for many men is packing on a few extra pounds that can negatively impact overall health.
Fish is a food that is high in lean protein with low calories. That’s a win-win in nutritionists’ books as the protein will keep a person fuller longer and the calories are low enough to be burned off by a modest amount of regular exercise.
