I have a house full of men. It’s surprising how much knowledge a woman can accumulate in 25 years of motherhood. Toss in years of husband and parent care and experience with health issues can run the gamut. From thyroid disorders to heart disease, I’ve discovered that food is foundational to all aspects of our health. With an eye on our retirement years, my husband and I are focused on nutrition and exercise. We want to ensure we maintain positive heart health indicators and continue to enjoy life’s activities.

“The leading cause of death for men in the U.S., heart disease kills one in four men. Half of those that died suddenly exhibited no previous symptoms,” says Ronica O’Hara in our feature article Integrative Health for Men: Natural Approaches for Robust Vitality [page 22]. That was certainly the case with my late father. He was slim, exercised, ate a healthy diet and ended up needing open heart surgery. It illustrated that knowing the symptoms and ways to Prevent Heart Disease is crucial.

In honor of Father’s Day, this month’s issue explores men’s health. “Up to one-third of men may experience depression,” says O’Hara. In Beat the Blues Naturally: Drug-Free Ways to Treat Depression [page 28]. Julie Peterson shares that “Several studies have found that eating a poor-quality diet high in processed meat, sweets, fried food, refined cereals and high-fat dairy leads to a higher likelihood of depression.” Often a poor diet is driven by convenience. Finding healthy food while on the go can be challenging, so we’ve included travel tips and recipes for plant-based eaters in Vegan Road-Tripping: Travel Tips for Plant-Based Eaters [page 26]. 

Also in this issue, discover how backyard workouts are good for mind and body in The Fit Gardener: Backyard Workouts Good for Mind and Body [page 32]. Learn Simple Ways to Calm Anxious Children [page 30]. And be inspired to make a difference with Simple Acts Can Change the World [page 38].

This month, I hope you enjoy the men in your life as we celebrate fatherhood.

Happy Father’s Day!

Kris Urquhart, Publisher