Health Mistakes No Man Over 40 Should Make

Although your 40s are still really young, noticable changes do start happening with your body. Hormones begin to decline, loss of muscle can occur, as well as lack of energy and more. While there's nothing we can do about aging, there are positive lifestyle choices we can make that help keep us healthy in our later years. Eat This, Not That! Health spoke with experts who reveal what bad health mistakes to stop now and why. Read on—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don't miss these Sure Signs You've Already Had COVID.

Dr. Michael May, Medical Director and Principal Surgeon at Wimpole Clinic says, "Every person, young and old, should continue to prioritize personal grooming. It not only makes a man look more youthful and neater, but it also helps avoid sickness and infection. For example, keeping nails short prevents dirt and bacteria from sticking to them. Moreover, hair thinning is also evident at this age. Men should continue to wash, comb, trim, and moisturize their hair and beard to avoid ingrown hairs, dandruff, and foul odor."

Dr. Hector Perez, Chief Surgeon with Bariatric Journal reminds us, "It's important to schedule regular check-ups with your doctor, especially as you get older. Many people tend to slack on check-ups as they get older, thinking they're healthy enough or don't see the need to go if they're feeling fine. But this isn't the case! Regular check-ups are essential for catching any potential health problems early on, before they become serious."

Dr. Perez emphasizes, "Stress can take a toll on your health, both mentally and physically. As you get older, it's important to find ways to manage your stress and keep it under control. This may involve things like meditation, yoga, or simply taking some time for yourself every day to relax."

Dr. Perez states, "Getting enough sleep is crucial for your health, no matter your age. This is something that's often overlooked, but it's essential to ensure you get at least 7-8 hours of sleep every night. Not getting enough rest can lead to fatigue, irritability, and a host of other problems.

Kent Probst, personal trainer, kinesiotherapist and bodybuilder with Long Healthy Life shares, "Annual blood testing can reveal if your free and total testosterone levels are low. Age-related declines in testosterone may not initially cause symptoms, so you may not know your testosterone levels are low.In men, low testosterone levels can be associated with:

–Loss of bone mineral mass

–Loss of strength and muscle mass

–Erectile dysfunction

–Reduced libido

–Depression

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–Obesity

–Type II diabetes

–Cardiovascular disease"

Probst states, "Regular stretching has been shown to provide the following benefits:

–Postural Stability

–Balance

–Injury Rehabilitation

–Improved Range of Motion

–Injury Prevention"

According to Probst, "In addition to being at risk for type II diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease, being overweight can lead to a host of other problems such as osteoarthritis, gout, sleep apnea, Alzheimer's and several forms of cancer. Decreasing the health risks of obesity is probably the best reason to lose weight.  Body Mass Index and waist circumference can help you determine how overweight you are. Healthy body weight can be determined by Body Mass Index (BMI) and waist circumference. A normal BMI is 18.5 to 24.9 and a normal waist circumference is under 40 inches (102 cm) for men. BMI can be determined by using a BMI calculator."