Three Easy Ways to Outlive Your Spouse
Dear {firstname}.Append([,][Doctors Health Press e-Bulletin reader,])
If you’re a man, you might be worried that there’s a very good chance you’re going to pass away before your wife. But I’m here to tell you two things: 1) They’ve uncovered the primary culprit behind the relatively recent shorter lifespan of men; 2) There are steps you can take to avoid this culprit!
Since the dawn of the 20th century, historically, women have outlived men.
What makes this so interesting is that before the year 1880, men and women had similar lifespans. Yes, they were shorter, but the discrepancy between the sexes increased astronomically in the early part of the 20th century, when female death rates dropped 70% faster than their male counterparts. Today, American women outlive American men by five years, on average (keep in mind that the average life expectancy in America is 79).
There are different theories as to why this is, and many come back to lifestyle decisions. In the past—and perhaps even today—men tend to consume more alcohol, eat more red meat, and make lifestyle decisions that put their hearts under more stress.
I’m not surprised at the results of a new study conducted at the University of Southern California: researchers believe the discrepancy in lifespan is caused by an increased instance of cardiovascular-related deaths amongst men.
Guys, I know it’s nice to enjoy a few beers on a hot summer day or some whiskey in the winter. I also know the allure of standing over a BBQ stacked with delicious red meat. But if you’re doing it excessively—and not exercising—you could be setting yourself up to leave your wife, children, and grandchildren sooner than you’re anticipating.
Now, I’d be a hypocrite to say I don’t do the things I just mentioned, but what I have done in recent years is find ways to improve my heart health. And let me tell you, it’s worked! The last time I had my blood pressure checked, it was 116/66. Here are some of the lifestyle changes I made to get to this point:
— Eat lean meat: I love some good BBQ, but I realized that there was more to eat than ribs, burgers, pork chops, and brisket. I began eating leaner meats, like chicken breast. Wild boar, elk and bison, for example, are also tasty lean alternatives to start adding to your menu. I started using herbs and seasonings for flavor instead of sugary sauces. When it came to sides, I left the mayo-filled salads and stuck to greens most of the time.
— Drink less alcohol: This is a big one. By cutting alcohol consumption, you can lose a lot of weight—which does wonders for lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease. I started drinking alcohol only on select occasions, no more than twice per month, and limited my intake to two to three drinks. The daily allowance for alcohol should be two drinks per day; if you maintain that range, you should be able to lower your risk of heart problems.
— Exercise: I started walking for about 30 minutes per day and adopted a weight-training routine. Exercising at the gym for 30-60 minutes, three times per week, while doing some form of cardio at least five times per week will lower your risk of developing cardiovascular disease. I know staying motivated can be difficult, so try to find an enjoyable mode of exercise or see if a friend is interested in getting involved with you. I stay motivated by knowing I’m giving myself a better opportunity at living a longer life…oh, and the results in the mirror are pretty good, too!
In health,
Mat Lecompte
Health Specialist
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