Aging and Testosterone
We know this for a fact: as men age, their testosterone levels decline. Age is often cited as the main reason behind testosterone plummeting to unusually low levels. But new studies point out that age isn’t the only determining factor for low testosterone. A host of other factors, related to our lifestyle contribute largely to this fall in levels. A sedentary lifestyle, poor eating habits, years of smoking, and being overweight can all have an unfavorable effect on testosterone production.
Testosterone levels peak during adolescence and begin a gradual decline once a man reaches 30. The reason testosterone decline is associated with age is because the decline is noticed only as a man grows older, with symptoms such as diminishing sex drive, loss of energy, and an expanding waistline. Most of these signs are practically synonymous with advancing age. That's one reason why testosterone decline in men is associated with aging.
Here are some common signs of low testosterone which are more pronounced in older men:
- Diminishing libido
- Muscle atrophy and muscle shrinkage
- Joint and muscle pain
- Increase in abdominal fat
- Enlargement of breast tissue
- Brittle and weak bones
- Decline in seminal volume
- Poor energy metabolism
- Tiredness and depression
- Inability to concentrate on everyday matters
When these signs develop, a majority of men don’t pay heed to them, not realizing that it's nature's way of signaling that something's not right with them and that they need to take steps to remedy things. Most men just put up with it, learning to take it in their stride, considering it a normal part of aging. The truth is vastly different. Low testosterone is a highly manageable condition without the use of medications.
Testosterone deficiency can be managed through a proper diet – a diet consisting of smart fats, the ones that promote heart health and don’t clog arteries, carbohydrates, proteins, zinc, and vitamin D. In other words, it means including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, chicken and turkey breast, lean cuts of beef, all types of nuts, olives, olive oil, avocados, cold water fish such as trout and salmons, baked beans, oysters, watermelon and pumpkin seeds.
The second most important thing is exercise. A sedentary lifestyle is an open invitation for cardiovascular disease, obesity, hypertension, and poor testosterone levels. Try to squeeze in a few minutes of exercise no matter how busy you are. If you're serious about improving your testosterone, weightlifting is the best method to help you achieve your goals.
Don’t put up with the impairing effects of low testosterone. If they bother you, don’t hesitate to seek medical advice. Don’t yield to hormone-related health decline. Think of low testosterone as just another reason for you to follow an active and healthy way of life and stay fit.
