Andropause – What can you do about it?

Andropause, the period in a man’s life when his hormones, namely testosterone, begin a slow and natural decline, partly due to aging. Declining levels of testosterone can usher in a sea change in a man’s life, both physically and emotionally. This phase, which usually occurs after a man turns 40, is referred to as andropause or male menopause. It’s characterized by exhaustion, poor sex drive, loss of muscle strength, and a burgeoning belly. So how do you set things right? Incorporating a few lifestyle changes can help matters. Take a look.

How to Overcome Andropause

1.      The most important element is diet, because it directly affects your hormonal levels. Fats are the building blocks of testosterone, but learn to distinguish the good fats from the harmful ones. Nuts, canola oil, olive oil, salmon, tuna, and other fatty fish, chicken, turkey, and lean cuts of beef contain healthful fats which don’t pose a threat to heart disease and increase testosterone production. Junk food and red meat contain high amount of saturated fat; so go easy on them.

2.      Try a herbal approach. Read the reviews of Ageless Male, a product containing ingredients that has clinically proven results. Its primary ingredient is Testofen comprising fenugreek seed extract that stimulates the body’s testosterone production and enhances libido, stamina, and muscle strength. Plenty of men have used Ageless Male thanks to positive feedback by other consumers.

3.      Alcohol abuse results in hormonal imbalance and will only aggravate your symptoms. You don’t have to give it up completely, but know your limits and drink sensibly.

4.      Don’t forget the fitness aspect. A majority of men give excuses and shy away from exercising. Exercise has several benefits. You’ll witness a surge in testosterone levels, you’ll shed a few extra pounds, you’ll have a toned physique, and exercise will also fortify your body’s defense mechanism against illness. Exercise also acts as a great stress buster, the number one enemy of testosterone.

5.      Speaking of which, stress triggers the release of cortisol in the bloodstream. Cortisol is antagonistic toward testosterone, and rising cortisol levels translate into declining testosterone. Meditation and yoga are excellent ways to beat stress. Indulging in your favorite activity and pursuing a hobby are also great ways to relieve anxiety.

You might feel all this is too much work and continue to ignore those dropping testosterone levels. But remember that low testosterone can have serious ramifications such as obesity and higher amount of bad cholesterol leading to a greater risk of cardiovascular disease. Exercise and diet are the two most important factors you should pay heed to because they can truly bring your testosterone levels back within a favorable range. Get started today, talk to your doctor about the perfect diet and fitness plan for you, and get to work to feel alive and young again!

Aging: It Doesn’t Define You

When men begin to feel the first signs of aging, they often give up. It’s like the world is over and everything fun was in the past. With little hope for the future, men deprive themselves of the joy they could have if they approached aging with the right perspective. Here’s what you have to keep in mind as you grow older.

Family

Let’s start with the goals, the motivation to age well. For most men it’s their family. Aging doesn't mean you can’t have family time like you used to. Sure you might not be able to rough it out it the woods for a month but you can take a camping trip for 3 days. Your youth will always be more youthful than your present but you need to embrace the uniqueness of this season of life.

·         More Time: Once you’re a retired person, you have a whole lot more time. You can catch up with old friends, play with your grandkids  take the wife out on dates or picnics and learn to play bridge. You can pursue whatever hobby you feel like you didn't have time for when you were younger. Read, sharpen your mind, learn something new and enjoy this time.

·         More Money: You might not be a millionaire but you sure don’t have to struggle to make ends meet by this stage of life. The work is over and you can reap the benefits of some of that hard labor. You can even sleep longer…though the trouble now is falling asleep, isn't it?

·         More Family: Not only do you have more time and money but you also have more family. Your children have spouses and some have kids of their own whom you can spoil and visit. If you don’t have close family, you must reach out and make friends that are as good as family to you. Nurturing these relationships is just as important as finding those wonderful hobbies that keep your brain sharp.

Fitness

Now the one thing you have to work at to be able to spend that time and money with family or close friends, you have to be healthy. Keeping good health is not easy but here are a few tips.

·         Take your pills: You’ll only make life harder by forgetting to take your pills. Set alarms and so whatever it takes to manage your medication for any pre-existing conditions.

·         Walk: If health doesn't permit you to do any rigorous exercise, at least walk. Walking in swimming pool or along a trail are both great. If you can manage more, do it—play soccer, bike, play racquetball, swim and do it regularly. You’ll feel the difference it will make to how energetic you feel.

·         Supplements: To feel more energetic, taking the supplements you need is important. Find good brands of prostate supplements. Natural testosterone supplements like Ageless Male are worth looking into. Read Ageless Male testimonials and you’ll probably make more friends on different forums.

With relationships you cherish and the ability to do fun things with those people, aging is very pleasurable. It’s not the beginning of the end but the beginning of a new beginning.