Do Men Need Testosterone?
Just as estrogen production declines in women’s bodies, testosterone production slows down in men as they age. Although men have gradually declining testosterone levels during later adulthood, the decreases do not bring with them the physical side effects that many women experience during menopause. Though the idea of “man”opause (the clinical term is “andropause”) seems logical, there’s little evidence to back it up. Some men do report sexual dysfunction or lack of desire, fatigue and weakness as they age, but most of these physical complaints are almost always the result of lifestyle factors like diet, stress and inactivity.
Commercial testosterone supplements may promise feelings of more energy, strength and virility – but rarely deliver. In fact, healthy middle-aged men taking this hormone may experience a placebo effect at best and an increased risk of prostate problems or heart disease at worst. I only recommend testosterone treatment if physician-directed tests indicate that your body does not produce enough on its own; then its effects can be quite dramatic. If you are found to be mildly low or feeling low, focus on my Anti-Inflammatory Diet and start a weight-training program. A program that has you doing heavy lifting with the legs is key. Unless you are a seasoned weightlifter, I recommend you meet with a personal trainer to ease into this type of “anti-aging” exercise safely.
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