June is the time to highlight the importance of men’s health

4 June 2019

 

The month of June is dedicated to enriching men’s health and wellness through educational campaigns. This year, Men’s Health Week is celebrated from the 10th – 16th June and it is a time to raise awareness of preventable health problems as well as to encourage the early detection and treatment of diseases among men.

 

Men’s Health Month is crucial in helping to educate the public on health issues that impact men.  Men continue to suffer from chronic diseases and unlike women, men are less likely to seek health services than women.

Below are the leading causes of death for men around the world:

  • Prostate cancer: This is the most common cancer in men and is treatable if diagnosed early before it spreads.
  • Heart disease:  A man’s risk of heart disease starts to rise after the age of 45.
  • Suicide: Men are more likely than women to commit suicide as they don’t communicate what they are going through.
  • Colon and rectal cancer: This is one of the most commonly occurring internal cancers in men.
  • Diabetes: Most men are unaware that they have diabetes until they develop kidney disease, erectile dysfunction and vision loss.

“Men need to start communicating their health problems to one another and their doctors.  Generally, a healthy lifestyle, preventative screenings and routine doctor’s visits are the best way to protect your health, says Gert Coetzee Pharmacist and Diet pioneer, who founded The Diet Everyone Talks About.  Below he lists some hints and tips for men to manage their health:

  • Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet:  Eating a diet that is low in fat, salt and cholesterol can help improve your overall health and prevent diseases such as cancer and heart disease.  Go for healthy options such as fresh fruits and vegetables, sources of protein such as lean meat, poultry and fish as well as whole grains.
  • Manage your stress:  Over time, stress can take a toll on your emotional and physical health.  Early signs of stress include irritability, the tension in the shoulders and neck as well as grinding your teeth.
  • Exercise:  Try to get 30 minutes of moderate physical activity.  You can take a walk, jog or go swimming.  If you aren’t normally active, you can start slow and gradually build up.  Try incorporating weight training into your exercise routine.
  • Consume your alcohol in moderation:  If you drink alcohol, limit your consumption to no more than two drinks a day as excessive alcohol consumption can affect your health in a negative way.
  • Don’t smoke:  Smoking increases the likelihood of heart disease, high blood pressure, lung problems and cancer.

Below is an amazing recipe for a tasty and delicious Mock Pepper Steak With Sauce.

Portions:  4
Prep time:  20 minutes
CHD:  12 g per portion
kJ:  400 kJ

Ingredients:

750 g:  Ground beef
1:  Egg
30 ml:  Parsley, chopped
2 ml:  Soy sauce
30 ml:  Canola oil

Sauce:

1:  Onion, chopped
500 g:  Mushrooms, sliced
30 ml:  Green peppercorns (soft, bottled kind)
375 ml:  Beef stock, heated
15 ml:  Maizena
50 ml:  Cold water
80 ml:  Cream
To taste:  Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Method:

  1. Mix meat, egg, breadcrumbs, parsley and soy sauce very well.  Season to taste.  Shape into steaks.
  2. Heat oil in a large frying pan.  Cook steaks 8 – 10 minutes over medium heat, turning over four times.  When cooked, remove and keep hot in the oven.

Sauce:

  1. Add onions to the frying pan and cook for two minutes.
  2. Add mushrooms and peppercorns, season and continue cooking for 3 – 4 minutes over medium heat.
  3. Pour in beef stock, mix and bring to boil.  Mix maizena and water and stir into sauce.  Cook 2 minutes more to thicken.
  4. Add cream (Don’t boil)
  5. Remove steaks from oven and serve with sauce.

For more information or if you’d like to join The Diet Everyone Talks About:

Tel: (016) 362 4890