Your 40s can be the best years in your life. Just think about how fast life passes after 30 years of age.
All the wisdom you have attained, the people you have met, and the experiences you have had are priceless that cannot be exchanged for anything. However, the hard fact is that, whether you like it or not, certain changes happen to your body as you get older. For example, your hormones start changing. Therefore, you realize that the exercises you did in your 20s now make you a little bit more tired.
Do not worry! Much better years await you in the near future. You want to be able to live those years with as few problems as possible, don’t you? Replacing some unhealthy habits with healthy ones will be a step towards that goal.
to better prevent certain conditions, it is necessary to make some changes by taking into consideration the health risks. It's up to you to ensure that your 40s and 50s are as comfortable and problem-free as possible.
We are preparing a guidebook to accompany you on this journey. Our book titled “40Plus Man” will be released soon. In this book, you will find answers to questions such as "How should a man live after 40 years of age, how should he eat, how should he do sports".
Here are 20 important facts all men over 40 must know.
1- You are at a higher risk of hypertension
In your 40s, your risk of hypertension increases. Younger men get hypertension as well but at very low rates. For being able to prevent high blood pressure, it is important to adopt certain healthy lifestyle habits, such as regular exercise. Your diet also plays a role in your risk of blood pressure. It is recommended to reduce sodium intake and consume nutrient-dense foods associated with lower risk. In addition, make sure you have regular blood pressure scans.
2- You must quit smoking
If you are a smoker, you should definitely quit this habit. No age is too late to quit smoking. According to research; quitting smoking has benefits for people of all ages. Quitting smoking reduces the risk of heart disease, stroke, vasoconstriction, cancer, respiratory distress, and fatal pulmonary diseases.
3- You are at a higher risk of prostate problems
In your 40s, your risk of prostate disorders such as prostate gland enlargement or prostate cancer increases. With increasing age, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) becomes more common in men. BPH is typically asymptomatic in its early stages. Therefore, you should visit your urologist regularly. When untreated, BPH can cause lead to a higher risk of cancer as well as urinary problems.
4- You may experience erectile dysfunction
Men of all ages may suffer from erectile dysfunction. However, the risk increases significantly after the 40s. According to research, erectile dysfunction is the most common sexual disorder in men. There are many risk factors for this condition, from harmful substance use to heart disease. Living a healthy lifestyle can help you reduce your risk of erectile dysfunction.
5- You are at risk of developing kidney stones
In the 30s, the risk is at its peak. However, if you have a kidney stone, you are at a higher risk of developing another kidney stone in the next 5 to 7 years. Kidney stones can be painful and may have more than one cause.
6- You can prevent infertility
It's not just women who should keep age in mind when thinking about fertility. Men’s age also has an effect on couples’ ability to have a baby. Once a man turns 40, it takes longer for his partner to get pregnant. Some lifestyle and dietary habits can increase your chance of having a baby in the future. Reducing alcohol use, eating a proper diet, and staying away from chemicals are a few examples of these. You may want to quit bad habits that can really decrease your sperm count.
7- You are at a higher risk of heart disease
According to the National Institutes of Health, aging can lead to some changes in the heart and blood vessels. Some of these changes, such as fat accumulation on arterial walls, can pose a great risk of heart disease. For your heart health, you should consume foods with a high nutritional value, exercise regularly, and avoid stress.
8- You may lose your hair
Every hair follicle has a life cycle, and as you get older, some of your hair follicles may die or not work efficiently. Everyone’s hair grows more slowly with increasing age. Some people experience a more dramatic slowdown in their hair growth, depending on innumerable factors, including genetic features and medical conditions. Hair growth may stop completely.
9- You are more likely to have joint pain
While some people experience arthritis in their 30s, this condition is much more common in the 40s and 50s. Arthritis is an inflammatory condition that develops in the joints. There are two types of arthritis: Rheumatoid arthritis caused by swelling and inflammation in the joints, and osteoarthritis (calcification) caused by wear-and-tear damage to the joint’s cartilage.
10- Exercise helps maintain brain health
When you think about why you must exercise, brain health may probably not come to your mind first. However, physical activity plays an important role in preventing cognitive decline. According to neurologists, this is one of the best things to do to prevent Alzheimer's and dementia.
11- You must not stop consuming dairy products
If you're in your 40s, reducing the consumption of dairy products may be harmful rather than beneficial. Once you turn 30, your bone mass reaches its peak. If you consume fewer dairy products such as cheese and yogurt, you may miss the opportunity to intake calcium, which can be helpful for your bones. This exposes you to a greater risk of osteoporosis and joint pain. Milk also contains a good amount of vitamin D, which can keep your skin, hair, and general mental state healthy as you get older.
12- You must read more often
Reading is not only an enjoyable and satisfying leisure activity but is also really good for your health. According to a study published in The Journal of Neurology, reading helps slow cognitive decline. Another study reveals that activities such as reading, puzzles, or chess reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease by 2.5 times
13- Sleep is really important
When it comes to your health, sleep is of great importance. Insomnia negatively affects everything from your mental health to heart health. As you get older, pay more attention to getting enough sleep every night. As you get older, your sleep patterns will naturally change, as well. Old people are more likely to face insomnia, sleep apnea, and an inability to rest despite sleep.
14- You must learn about the symptoms of heart attack
You have probably heard about the symptom chest pain, but what about the others? Heart attack symptoms may initially not manifest themselves. The symptoms seen in men and women differ from each other. However, some symptoms you might want to be careful about are shortness of breath, nausea, heart palpitations, and sweating. If you experience all or some of these, especially with accompanying chest pain, you have a reason to see a physician.
15- You must try to eat balanced meals
This applies at any age, but nutrition becomes of critical importance as we get older. Nutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, and fats are needed for the daily functioning of your body. Eating nutritionally balanced meals means eating meals containing all of these nutrients. To support healthy cell growth, take care of eating an adequate amount of protein and fat to support your brain. Pairing carbohydrates with other nutrients helps you keep your blood sugar balanced.
16- You must use dental floss
Gum disease most commonly develops in people in their 30s and 40s. While the evidence is a little bit weak, some research suggests that dental floss may help reduce this risk.
17- Your vision may deteriorate
Some people may notice deterioration in the quality of their vision as they get older. Age-related vision problems include macular degeneration (also colloquially known as yellow spot disease), cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, dry eye, glaucoma, and poor vision. Early diagnosis of all these is possible with an eye examination. As you approach 50 years of age, consider seeing an ophthalmologist get an eye exam.
18- You are at a higher risk of stroke
According to some research, your risk of stroke increases once you turn 45, and the increase doubles every ten years. To reduce your stroke risk, maintain good habits such as regular exercise and eating a nutritious diet.
19- It is important to limit stress
Consider including some kind of stress relief or stress management tactic in your routine. In the course of time, stress can have weakening effects, which result in an increased risk of heart disease and other health problems. Long-term stress can negatively contribute to diabetes, high blood pressure, depression, and anxiety.
20- Antioxidants are important
Antioxidants are your greatest allies in preventing the negative effects on health, which accompany aging. Adding antioxidants to your diet can support the prevention of cancer and other diseases. Such compounds protect and support healthy cells. Many fruits and vegetables are foods rich in antioxidants.
