It's true that for many years the Delicious Living readership has been primarily female — and so it remains. According to our research, 94 percent of our readers are women. But we're getting more and more letters, emails, and phone calls from the other half, and we want our male readers to feel welcome, too; after all, cutting-edge information on natural health can benefit anyone. That's why we've dedicated this issue to men's health. (And if you're a woman, you surely have a father, husband, son, friend, or other loved one who can use this news.)

Make no mistake, it's important that you men listen up. As author Joel Warner reports in “Men's Health Alert” (page 28), guys often are reluctant to seek the help of a medical professional even when they sense something is wrong. Yet delaying too long with some health issues can trigger a domino effect, leading to myriad other problems. Being overweight around the belly, for example, can make you a prime candidate for metabolic syndrome and diabetes. The number of men with diagnosed diabetes jumped tremendously from 1980 to 2006 — 115 percent, versus a jump of 86 percent for women — and it continues to rise. Left untreated, diabetes can lead to heart disease (the leading killer of men and women), kidney disease, and more. But Warner outlines ways to prevent a spare tire from spiraling into a more serious condition — plus three other symptoms he suggests guys should never ignore.

Eating well is a delicious solution to many ailments for both men and women. I love summer, particularly, for all of the fresh vegetables and fruits that become abundantly available. Celebrate the bounty this month by cooking up the easy, seasonal recipes in “Summer Solstice Menu,” page 34. As always, you'll find hundreds of wonderful recipes online at deliciousliving.com — including the tasty winners of this year's Reader Recipe Contest.