Older men are naturally at a disadvantage when it comes to weight gain. Since exercise is essential to burning unwanted calories, it isn’t surprising many of us pack on a few extra pounds as we age.
The older we get, the less motivation we have to engage in proper physical activity. The less we move our bodies, the more weight we gain.
It’s More Complex than You Thought
A decrease in physical activity isn’t the only reason for your weight gain. In fact, many men stay active throughout their later years. And eating healthy is just as important – or more important – after we surpass 40. Why then, do we see more issues of obesity and weight gain – especially in the form of belly fat – in our later years?
It all comes back to low testosterone.
Testosterone levels significantly impact our metabolism. The hormone helps regulate glucose and insulin. When our metabolism is operating at an optimum level, we are able to maintain a healthy weight. When our metabolism slows down, fewer calories are burned. Excess fat starts to build up and obesity becomes an issue.
It Gets Worse…
As if that wasn’t bad enough, there is more unpleasant news. Our weight fluctuation and testosterone levels form a continuous circle. Men enter a never-ending spiral of weight gain and hormonal imbalance. The more weight we gain, the lower our testosterone will dip. The lower our testosterone dips, the more pounds we’ll gain.
The Scientific Proof
The correlation between low testosterone and obesity was first discovered while treating patients with prostate cancer. These men were undergoing testosterone-lowering therapies. While attempting to curb the effects of the cancer, patients also experienced a decrease in insulin sensitivity and an increase in body fat.
In fact, in one study, more than 50% of the participants developed abdominal obesity and elevated blood sugar levels.
Speaking Up
Testosterone replacement therapy is a fairly recent medical technique. Therefore, doctors don’t traditionally test the testosterone levels of their obese patients. If testing had been a norm for these males in the past, millions of men could have avoided diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer and heart disease.
Now, doctors are becoming more familiar with the correlation between obesity and low T. However, that doesn’t mean every medical professional will automatically test your hormone levels. Therefore, it is crucial to speak up on your own behalf.
Ask for tests to evaluate your hormone levels. By doing so, you can help reduce the risk of serious health conditions and start to rectify the ones that currently plague you.
Don’t despair. There is good news. Fortunately, hormone replacement therapy can help. One study found men who restored their testosterone levels lost more than 30 pounds during the course of the five year study. Are you willing to give it a try?