Men's Health UK

KELLY STARRETT PHYSICAL THERAPIST Mobility maven Dr Starrett knows moving better is the key to unlocking performance and longevity. Take his self-assessment. p114 ANAND PATEL DOCTOR GP and men’s health specialist Dr Patel joins our roster of experts to offer simple tips for peak physical health in every decade of life. p81 ADAM WINSTOCK PSYCHIATRIST Ever wondered what microdosing does to your brain? Addiction specialist Dr Winstock shares the science of psychedelics. p19 ALAN MILBURN FORMER POLITICIAN The NHS is ailing – but there are possible cures. Former Secretary of State for Health Alan Milburn offers his prescription. p62 HUNTER McINTYRE ATHLETE AND COACH The Hyrox champion, Murph record-breaker and online coach shares his unconventional tips for smashing your own personal best. p28 JOHN SELLARS LECTURER Can we teach ourselves happiness? Philosophy lecturer and author Dr Sellars shares his learnings on…

During my fledgling years as a magazine journalist, around the turn of the millennium, I was dispatched to Manchester’s Granada studios to interview the cast of Cold Feet, a hit comedy drama that followed the social lives of a group of thirty-something friends. The schedule was intense. I spoke to Robert Bathurst and John Thomson on set between scenes, then Hermione Norris over coffee; I made a pathetic attempt to flirt with Helen Baxendale and Fay Ripley in their trailers; afterwards, I set off to dinner at a swanky restaurant in the Northern Quarter where I would spend the evening with James Nesbitt. ‘Tonight, Toby, we shall drink Sancerre,’ he declared, glint in the eye, unmistakable Ulster brogue in full effect. ‘And we shall drink bloody lots of it.’ Have I ever…

Not long after kung-fu kicking an abusive spectator during a Manchester United match against Crystal Palace, the footballer Eric Cantona told a room full of journalists, ‘When the seagulls follow the trawler, it’s because they think sardines will be thrown into the sea.’ His gnomic explanation of his actions – which resulted in a lengthy FA ban – has confounded fans and pundits for some 28 years. Whatever he meant, though, one thing is true: whether you’re a seagull or not, any trawler hauling the delicious, omega-3-rich fish is well worth paying attention to. According to a recent study of middle-aged adults conducted by scientists at the University of Texas, a diet rich in long-chain omega-3s (known as EPA and DHA) can boost mental function. Researchers linked higher levels of these…

i. FLAXSEED A tablespoon in your cereal delivers 2g of fatty acid ALA, which aids the synthesis of DHA and EPA. ii. SMOKED SALMON Order the eggs royale: a 100g serving of smoked salmon packs roughly 500mg of EPA and DHA. iii. EGGS Two poached eggs can pack as much as 140mg of omega-3, plus brain-boosting choline. iv. WALNUTS Crunch through a 50g bag while you browse your emails and you’ll earn a gram of helpful ALA. v. KIPPERS A serving of buttery kippers contains 940mg of EPA and 1,280mg of DHA, plus a dose of vit D. WORDS: YO ZUSHI. PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY IMAGES. DIGITAL MANIPULATION: SCRATCHINPOST.CO.UK. ADDITIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY: MICHAEL HEDGE; DAN MATTHEWS; STUDIO 33…

Don’t be fooled – this is no roly-poly. It might look like child’s play, but this (admittedly unusual) abs move combines a weighted crunch with a dumbbell squat to strengthen your core and get your heart pumping. It’s also a lot more entertaining than another minute-long plank, both to attempt and watch. As ever, maintaining form is the fast track to quicker results. ‘Lower under control to activate your larger leg muscles, and ensure that your core is engaged as you roll back and forth,’ advises strength trainer James Stirling, aka Instagram’s London Fitness Guy. The stability required in your trunk to keep the roll straight will sculpt your abs more efficiently than a regular set of crunches, while the squat finish gives your quads a workout, too. ‘This is best used…

01 SPARE ROOM FOR A SPEAR Like the British summer, asparagus season is short but sweet. The green zone lies between St George’s Day (23 April) and midsummer (24 June) – but it’s not just the smug taste of sustainability you’ll savour. ‘With fresh, local produce you get all the flavour that deteriorates when food is transported long distances,’ says Gill Meller, author of British recipe book Gather. Add in the fact that you’ll yield more nutrients at a lower cost and it’s clear time is of the essence. Why wait? A GREEN The regular sort is packed full of folate, a B vitamin linked to neural health and fertility – or brains and balls, if you like. It’s also depleted by excess alcohol intake. Top up if the after-work beers have been…