Lifetime offers tips to improve men's health

On average, men die six years younger than women and suffer higher mortality rates for the top 10 causes of death, yet women are 100 percent more likely to visit the doctor for an annual exam and preventive services.

Dr. Doug Golding, a family medicine practitioner with Lifetime Health Medical Group, offers the following lifestyle and behavior changes that are easy to incorporate and may help men close the gap in mortality:

+ Be passionate. Find something you truly enjoy doing. It can be participating in a hobby, volunteering in an organization or working in a field that excites you.

+ See your doctor regularly. Regular checkups can save lives. Doctors can make recommendations to improve your health and screen for diseases. Don't let your girlfriend or wife be the main reason you go see your doctor. Take charge of your health care.

+ Avoid trans-fats. Trans fats boost your LDL (bad type of cholesterol) while lowering your HDL (good cholesterol). Sources of these types of fats are found in many pastries, desserts, french fries, chicken wings and fried foods. Avoid any cooking oils if the labels say partially hydrogenated oils.

+ Exercise regularly. Don't be only a weekend sports warrior since this increases your risk of overuse injuries. Also, regular exercise can help protect your heart from disease and maintain a healthy weight.

+Protect your skin from the sun. Men don't cover up with sunscreen as often as women do, because men don't use sun protective skin care products as often as women.

+Avoid excessive alcohol. Males should not drink any more than two alcoholic drinks daily.

+ Increase the servings of vegetables and fruits. Recommendations are to eat at least five to nine servings daily. Farmers' markets are a good place to get locally grown produce at reasonable costs.

+Perform regular screenings for skin and testicular cancer. Men can easily perform self-exams at home. The main goal is to see if there are any masses on your testicles or if there are any skin changes. Catching change early is the best way to beat skin and testicular cancers.

+ Practice safer sex techniques if sexually active. Use condoms faithfully as this lowers your risk of sexually transmitted diseases. Also, get tested for STDs if you have any unprotected sexual exposure. For minimizing your exposure, your partner should get tested as well.

+Read. You will expand your knowledge base. Also, regular intellectual activity can help keep your mind sharp and delay the onset of dementia.

+Develop meaningful relationships. Studies have shown males with good relationships tend to be happier and outlive their more isolated peers.

+ Maintain a healthy weight. The best indicator is to check your body mass index, which uses your height and weight to see if you are of normal weight or overweight.

For more information about primary care at Lifetime Health Medical Group, call 205-WELL or visit the group's Web site at http:// www. lifetimehealth. org.