On the 23rd, we posted about household toxins and how to stay safe. A recent article in Men’s Health discusses what you can eat to help ward off serious disease, such as prostate cancer, diabetes and heart disease, and help fight the effects of environmental toxins.
Prostate cancer has been connected to pesticide chemicals, a billion of which are used annually in the US. Fight your risk with red wine. Four to seven glasses per week knocks 48% off your chances.
Diabetes has been linked to PBCs. And although PBCs are banned, they still turn up in fish (pesky little thing called oceanic pollution). Fish to avoid include bluefish and summer flounder. Also, be sure to stay away from Maine lobster tomalley, which was recently suspected to be toxic by the FDA and may cause headaches, nausea and muscle weakness.
Fine particle pollution from vehicles, generators and power plants has been attributed to heart problems. Since over one million people in the US have heart attacks annually, consider protecting your heart by eating blueberries (organic, of course).
Another article warns men of soy-based food for fear of lowering sperm count. Soy milk and other tofu products are touted by vegans, but since soy foods are full of phytoestrogen (a female estrogen hormone), someone decided to take a look at how this kind of consumption affects men. Just a half serving a day was enough to have “deleterious effects” on sperm production.
So, men, make sure your next grocery list leaves off soy products, bluefish and summer flounder, and stock up on blueberries. Feel free to prepare those berries on your granite countertop, which was affirmed to be safe and natural Monday by the Natural Stone Council and EPA.
Finally, toast to your health with a glass of your favorite red wine.
