Stronger, Happier, Healthier: Building Better Health for Men

With June being Men's Health Awareness month and the time of year we celebrate Father’s Day, we wanted to take a moment to give a huge shoutout to all the amazing men in our lives and share some ways our providers at the Whole Health Institute can help them optimize their health and vitality. Preventative care for men typically includes regular check-ups with their primary care provider, screenings for conditions like high blood pressure, cholesterol and certain cancers such as prostate and colorectal, avoiding tobacco and excessive alcohol use, and maintaining a healthy diet and regular exercise. Integrative care provided by the Whole Health Institute can further supplement and augment health to keep our men feeling their best.

1. Chiropractic care is a great way to improve pain relief, maintain mobility and posture, and mitigate stress. Whether it’s yard work or playing sports, men are no strangers to general aches and pains or mobility issues. Chiropractic adjustments can help alleviate pain and discomfort by realigning the spine and improving joint mobility. Furthermore, our chiropractor can assess posture and provide personalized treatment plans to improve alignment concerns and counteract muscle imbalances caused by frequent slouching. The demands of our modern lifestyle can lead to chronic stress, which can manifest in the form of muscle tension and headaches. Chiropractic adjustments can help reduce stress by relieving tight muscles through different modalities such as muscle stimulation and stretching.
2. Acupuncture from our board-certified acupuncturist utilizes a combination of eastern and western medicine approaches to treat men's health concerns such as chronic pain, stress, insomnia, and even reproductive health concerns such as poor libido, erectile dysfunction or sperm quality.
3. Naturopathic care at the Whole Health Institute, uses evidence-based integrative and functional approaches that can help men improve energy, get more restful sleep, improve libido, manage cholesterol and more. Our naturopathic physician focuses on non-prescription therapies, screening for nutritional deficiencies or metabolic imbalances, patient education and lifestyle changes.
4. Our dietitian is your personal resource for men's preventative and restorative health care through nutritional support. You will be provided with a personalized nutrition prescription based on individual biochemistry, metabolism, microbiota and genetics. We utilize innovative laboratory testing and other diagnostic techniques to prescribe therapeutic diets, detoxification programs, as well as various combinations of botanical medicines and supplements to support health and well-being.
5. Culinary medicine is a combination of nutrition education and culinary skills used to improve health outcomes. We deliver culinary medicine in the community to empower people through healthy cooking and eating. When it comes to cooking, men tend to rule the grill. Continue reading for healthy grilling tips and techniques to make delicious and nutritious meals on the grill.

Tip 1: Pick a lean protein.

• Opting for leaner proteins like skinless chicken breast, fish and seafood, turkey burgers, and other plant-based alternatives can help reduce the amount of excess fat.
• Reduce the amount of red and process meats like beef, hot dogs, brats, and sausage. These meats have been shown to increase the risk of certain cancers.
• The recommended serving size of animal protein is about 6 ounces. Divide or cut your proteins into serving sizes before placing them on the grill.
• For grilling larger cuts of animal proteins, you can pre-cook them by gently baking them in the oven to reduce the time the meat is exposed to the direct heat of the grill.

Tip 2: Use marinades and spice rubs

• Studies suggest that using marinades on meat prior to grilling can limit the formation of potential carcinogens. Consider using marinades made with flavorful herbs and vitamin C-rich ingredients like lemon, lime or orange juice.
• Using rubbing spices or homemade marinades can add flavor without adding too much sodium or sugar often found in store-bought products.

Tip 3: Add in fruits and veggies.

• Grilling can intensify the flavors of fruits and veggies, making it a great addition to any backyard BBQ. Furthermore, fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants which can help protect us again carcinogens created with grilling meats.
  • Place veggies in tinfoil or brush with a little olive oil so they do not stick to the grill.
  • Make kabobs with peppers and onions by alternating them with a protein like chicken or shrimp. Or swap the meat altogether by using eggplant cutlets, portabella mushroom steaks, or making some veggies burgers.
  • Switch up traditional sides of baked beans or potato salad with fruit salad, a three-bean salad, or a simple leafy green salad with homemade vinaigrette.
  • Grill fruits for your dessert such as pears, apples and pineapple. Fruits tend to caramelize well in high heat which makes them taste extra sweet, perfect for an easy dessert.

By incorporating these tips, you can still enjoy firing up the grill while supporting your health goals. Have fun and get creative with your outdoor grilling this summer!