The Risks of Aging
Old age is just a fact of life. There is nothing you can do to stop the years from accumulating. There are definitely strides you can take to make those years as healthy as possible. But on occasion, our bodies will fight back – despite our best efforts to eat healthy and exercise regularly.
Many people simply accept the signs of aging for what they are – old age. However, the most common signs of old age – weight gain, decreased energy, low libido, cognitive decline – are often misinterpreted.
As we age, our essential hormone production begins to decrease. If those hormone levels aren’t restored, the effects of old age can be accelerated. Even worse, those low hormone levels can lead to more serious health conditions – like heart disease, osteoporosis, muscle wasting, chronic inflammatory and neurodegenerative disorders, and prostate cancer.
Cognitive Decline
Perhaps the health condition most commonly associated with old age is cognitive decline. As we age, our ability to remember things seems to fade away.
For years, the most common causes of dementia – like Alzheimer’s disease – were veiled in a cloud of mystery. Medical professionals couldn’t pinpoint a specific cause. While they still don’t know all the potential instigators of mental decline, experts have been able to identify certain triggers.
One of the most alarming factors men should be concerned with is low testosterone. New studies have confirmed what researchers have believed for some time now: men with low testosterone are more prone to Alzheimer’s disease.
While your loved ones may simply think your forgetfulness and occasional confusion is part of growing older, you should be aware of the fact that these are actually precursors to Alzheimer’s disease. So are mood swings and depression.
Don’t Just Accept the Symptoms – Fight Back!
It may be easy to simply chalk up your forgetful behavior, extra pounds, crabby attitude, and decreased interest in sex as old age. But if you take the time to acknowledge these issues for what they really are – side effects of low testosterone – you can reverse these unpleasant conditions. More importantly, you can prevent more serious health issues.
Doctors have identified low T as a cause of Alzheimer’s disease. However, they also recognize that testosterone replacement therapy may have a protective value against the dementia.
It is important to stay in constant communication with your doctor. Keep an eye on things like hormone levels; by monitoring your testosterone levels, you have a better chance of preventing major health issues before they arise.