Warning: if you’re over 40, exercise with a low-fat diet: It might do more harm than good

If you’re a guy older than about 40, you were probably dismayed by the rather depressing research from England predicting that by 2040, about two thirds of men aged 40 and up will be obese—a condition that greatly increases the risk of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and other conditions that can lead to an early death.

Starting at around 40, most men start to notice their bodies changing. In addition to the creaking muscles and the extra nighttime trips to the bathroom, most men approaching middle age experience higher blood pressure and cholesterol and a slowing metabolism, which means a few extra pounds around the middle. A lot of guys respond to these changes by going on crash, low-fat diets and joining a gym or taking up running. Sounds like a good idea, doesn’t it? Yes–unless you’re Dr. Charles Clark, a diabetes expert and researcher at the University of Glasgow. In fact, Clark says exercise and low-fat diets might have some serious negative consequences for middle-age guys.

On the diet front, Clark says low-fat diets are, oddly enough, high in sugar and carbs, which affect insulin levels. At the right levels, Insulin may protect men from health risks like cholesterol (the bad kind), cancer, diabetes, obesity, arthritis, and sex drive.

On the exercise front, most doctors agree that if you haven’t been exercising regularly, throwing yourself into an aggressive routine is a great way to knock your knees and hips out of whack and can overwork your lungs and heart.

You can read more about Clark’s somewhat controversial approach, along with his recommendations for exercise and nutrition steps that will produce much better results, here.
Read more: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2144443/Why-mid-life-health-kicks-WRECK-mens-bodies-Jogging-low-fat-food-make-fatter-damage-heart.html#ixzz1v6yZFrxg

Armin Brott

View posts by Armin Brott
Armin Brott is the proud father of three, a former U.S. Marine, a best-selling author, radio host, speaker, and one of the country’s leading experts on fatherhood. He writes frequently about fatherhood, families, and men's health. Read more about Armin or visit his website, mrdad.com. You can also connect via social media: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest,  and Linkedin.

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