Dealing with MANopause

Men of the Baby Boomer generation are now at least well into their fifties, and there's a good chance that their bodies look and feel a bit differently than they did thirty years ago. In addition to a growing midsection and a loss of muscle mass, men of this age may also experience mood changes and even night sweats, a result of what's often referred to -- with a tongue firmly planted in cheek -- as MANopause.

Jokes aside, however, there are some very distinct physical changes that occur as men age, and not all of them are as obvious as going from looking like Arnold Schwarzenegger to Arnold Palmer. Among the more serious issues is the steady decrease in testosterone levels that usually begins as early as the age of 30 and then drops precipitously after the age of 50. Numerous studies have linked low testosterone levels to an increased risk of heart disease, cognitive decline and bone loss.

The good news, men, is that there are natural solutions to testosterone declination. The first is to follow a regular exercise program, specifically one that involves weightlifting. You want to look and feel like you did in your 20s? Then you need to start doing what you did to look that way -- pump that iron. Diet also plays a significant role; cutting back on alcohol will certainly help, as will sticking to foods rich in slow-digesting carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats. And lastly, you can also talk with your doctor about certain herbs and supplements. No, I'm not talking about visiting an anti-aging center to undergo hormone replacement therapy; rather, I'm suggesting opening up a dialog with your physician about DHEA, L-arginine, Fish Oil, Ginseng, and other supplements that have shown some promise in helping to boost testosterone levels.