Snack Time | June 2024
Men need friends, the downfall of mouth breathing and why a dad bod can be dangerous
Dear Reader,
My late mother is often mentioned in this substack as the reason I’ve dedicated all my time to understanding health. But, my father is also a source of great inspiration, and if you know him, sheer entertainment. (read the ice cream post)
At 86 years young, he continues to be fashionable, feisty and unstoppable — and my model for longevity. He’s back on his annual golf trip to Ireland, relishing in the fact that as the oldest player in the group, he is also the best.
I credit his life long obsession with this sport as a major contributor to his vitality but not only for the obvious reasons of physical activity and time in nature. Golf allows him to be social and belong to a (very engaged) community — key drivers of good health (no pun intended).
So in the spirit of Father’s Day, which is coming up on Sunday, I’m sharing a round up of thought-provoking topics, not-to-be ignored biomarkers and resources that are dedicated to the men, who might not have it as dialed in as Dr Chen.
xoCelia
Welcome to Snack Time, my monthly roundup of fascinating health and wellness news. Whether it’s a headline, podcast, product discovery, or helpful resource, this post offers quick, digestible bites to nourish and educate those short on time but eager to stay informed.
A Male Friendship Recession
I learned a shocking statistic: 15% of men under 30 claim to have no close friendships. Research shows that chronic loneliness and social isolation can have significant negative impacts on physical and mental health, comparable to smoking. So what is going on? Perhaps society has conditioned men to remain stoic and unemotional, which impacts their ability to connect on a deeper level.
LISTEN: Episode #826 of The Rich Roll Podcast features professor, author, and entrepreneur Scott Galloway. This is a candid conversation between two men in their 50s, both fathers and successful public figures, who openly discuss their feelings and failures — modeling a much needed example of male vulnerability. Topics include the challenges facing young men today, such as limited economic and romantic opportunities, the influence of toxic masculinity, and the need for mentorship. Scott does not hold back on his bold insights each delivered in a provocative yet compassionate soundbite.
Don’t Be a Mouth Breather
This phrase has evolved into becoming a bit of an insult, implying that someone is not very bright or self-aware. In wellness circles, it’s more of a call-to-action. Mouth breathing can degrade your health in many ways. It leads to poor sleep, dental cavities and brain fog. It’s even linked to performance issues at the gym and in the bedroom due to decreased nitric oxide and blood flow. (read Breath by James Nestor 🤯)
BUY: Dream Recovery Dream Tape is a mouth tape made from organic bamboo silk and medical grade adhesive (that doesn’t hurt when you take it off). It’s a simple hack that encourages nasal breathing by keeping your lips together as your sleep. Breathing through your nose at night can halt snoring (in those with mild sleep apnea), lessen bad breath and boost energy during waking hours. Alternatively, you can try their Dream Strips which cover just the middle of your lips.
Decoding the Dad Bod
The media obsession with Leonardo DiCaprio’s girlfriends, who seem to get younger each year (currently 19?), is quite hilarious. Outside of his brilliant acting career, the only other thing he’s known for is his Dad Bod. While I’m not in the habit of commenting on someone’s physical appearance, I do think that we give men a pass when it comes to their growing midsection. The protruding belly that is more firm than pinchable shouldn’t be dismissed as just endearing. It’s often a sign of increasing visceral fat that produce dangerous molecules called cytokines, increasing the risk of diabetes, cancer and Alzheimer’s.1
GET: A DEXA scan to understand your body composition including body fat, lean tissue, bone mineral density and visceral fat, the dangerous inflammatory fat that accumulates around your organs and gives you a “belly.” Google “DEXA near me,” to find a machine in your city. If in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas, Austin or Seattle, go to BodySpec and use CHENESSA for a discount.
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All writing is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
The Dad bod double standard is real!