- The problem facing every man over 40..
- Discover the meaning of this new male condition
- Why Peruvian women never get hot flushes
I think it’s started, and there’s nothing I can do about it…
First of all, I’m sorely tempted to bid for a car on eBay. But not any old car…
This car is a two-door, soft-top, super-attractive sports car that’s totally in appropriate for family life.
Yet I can already picture myself sitting behind the wheel, looking ten years younger.
Then last week I found myself trying on a leather jacket that wouldn’t look out of place on my neighbour’s 16-year old Goth son, Keith (or Darko as he likes to be called).
The sales assistant tried to hide a smirk as I shrugged it on, but I thought I looked pretty good in it.
‘Ray, you look like a pig in a blanket,’ Lara said, scything me down at the knees.
‘Yeah, but a YOUNG pig in a blanket,’ I countered, trying in vain to do the zip up.
These are just two incidents in a whole string of incidents that tell me one thing…
I’m entering my midlife crisis.
Basically I’m in the middle of an argument with my age. There’s no way I can be in my mid-forties, no way I’m losing my hair, and no way I can’t fit into 34 inch waist trousers.
Is there. Is there? Come on, I thought you were on MY side!
So far I’ve resisted the temptation to recapture my youth, but let me tell you; hitting middle age isn’t much fun for us men…
Hair loss, weight gain, fatigue, sagging muscles, increased stress, moodiness, maybe a lower sex drive…
These are just some of the ailments that can start to visit us as we get older.
But rather than just writing it off as a midlife crisis (which sees ANY male over forty chasing young girls down the street Benny Hill style), you may actually be suffering from andropause.
Never heard of it? You’re not alone…
The problem facing every man over 40…
Loosely speaking, andropause is the male version of menopause. It’s also known as Partial Androgen Deficiency in the Ageing Male (or PADAM).
Andropause is a hormone-related condition of low testosterone which usually occurs in males aged 40 and onwards. Symptoms include fatigue, moodiness, decreased sex drive, loss of muscle mass and strength, loss of hormones, and other serious health risks.
Yet most people have never heard of it.
Worse still, the mainstream ‘cure’ seems to be to get you on testosterone steroids – something I’d avoid like the plague.
Instead, I always look for natural alternatives before turning to pill popping, and have come up with these little ideas:
- If you smoke, cut it out. Smoking has been linked to many conditions other than lung problems and cancer. Impotence and fatigue or two of them – and if you’ve been puffing away for years, it will eventually catch up with you.
So do your best to bin this habit forever.
- Go easy on the booze. Again, before you believe that low testosterone is the root of all evil, look at your lifestyle. Too much alcohol is a notorious threat to your libido and sexual function (as opposed to a little alcohol, which is good for your heart, your sex drive and your wellbeing!).
- Take a steam baths or sauna. They help the body eliminate toxins and help the liver out.
Take them two or three time a week, being careful to top up with plenty of water before and after.
- Eat well. The foods you eat make a MASSIVE difference to how you feel. I know I keep banging on about this but I can’t stress the importance enough, eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, avoid processed foods that are packed full of chemicals we’re not meant to have…
but treat yourself to the occasional naughty food to keep your sanity! DON’T feel bad about the occasional bar of chocolate.
- Get your stress levels down. Exercise… even if it’s leaving the car behind and walking to the shops. Work your body out. Get moving!
Symptoms of andropause are commonplace, and they’re bound to effect men at some point. But it’s a problem that receives little attention.
The above measures will help you no end.
And on the subject of menopause…
Why Peruvian women never get hot flushes
Here’s a secret remedy that stretches back to the ancient Incas.
It’s called Maca, a 100% natural product that grows in the Andes. And apparently it’s so effective, Peruvian women never suffer menopausal effects like hot flashes, vaginal dryness or memory lapses!
In fact, it’s been use for centuries to help promote and boost health.
In Inca times, messengers had to walk enormous distances throughout the huge Inca Empire. To help them complete their journey, they were given Maca from the Inca king.
Here’s what makes it so special.
Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) grows in the Peruvian Andes, and the soil in which Maca is grown contains huge amounts of minerals which makes the Maca plant high in nutritional values, essential amino acids and important fatty acids.
In fact, Maca is meant to be so effective, it’s a natural alternative to Hormone Replacement Therapy.
In one report I read, Dr Gabriel Cousens says he prefers Maca to conventional hormone replacement therapy (HTP, like DHEA, pregnenolone, or fitoestrogenes.) He says:
‘Maca is a balanced answer to the effects of an aging endocrine system. HRT declines the capacity of the endocrine glands to produce hormones; this fosters the aging of the body’.
Maca is mainly known as ‘Peruvian Viagra’ or ‘Peruvian Gingseng’ because it helps stimulate the libido of both men and women.
But it is taken to fight many more ailments….
It is said to aid memory, stamina, increase of libido and decrease anaemia and depression These days, Maca is widely available through natural health suppliers. It sounds like its well worth a look at – even if you don’t suffer from the symptoms addressed above.
Basically, the menopause is something that’s waiting to pounce on all of us – men and women.
But if you’re aware of it, there’s plenty you can do about it in a safe, natural way.
Yours, as always.