Starting is the hardest part. There’s no time like the present to get fit. Work up to it. But start. The end result is a healthier and longer life. Just because you have hit middle age or older doesn’t mean you’ve missed the opportunity to be healthy. Gradually increase your activity levels over time; the health benefits are huge.
Men are highly responsive to exercise, nutrition, and hormone improvements. Take care of your body. It is the only one you will get. Make an appointment with Dr. Bright McConnell for 30 minutes and make a plan to prevent diseases that commonly strike men such as strokes and heart failure. Get your blood work done and talk man-to-man with Bright about your health goals. Make a plan tailored to you for fitness, nutrition, hormone balancing, supplements, and the like.
Studies have found that men from the age of 50 who participate in high levels of physical activity will live for 2.3 years longer than those who lead a sedentary lifestyle, and 1.1 years longer than those who participate in moderate exercise.
Further findings state that exercising at a high level for 10 years between the ages of 50 and 60 could increase the life expectancy of formerly sedentary individuals to that of men who have constantly participated in high levels of physical activity. So even if you are starting later in life, there’s still time to add years to your life.
The increase in the life span associated with starting to exercise is comparable to that linked to quitting smoking. Studies consistently find that fitness and bioidentical hormone replacement therapies are directly correlated to mental health improvement as well.
Prevent Disease and Enjoy a Better Quality of Life
Fitness and Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT), in particular testosterone for men, is scientifically proven to improve or prevent chronic disease risk factors.
Reduced Risk of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
- The American Heart Association (AHA) identified a relationship between increased activity levels and a reduction in the risk of CAD and a reduction in the symptoms of those who already have heart disease.
- Regular physical exercise has beneficial effects on blood pressure, insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, obesity, and cholesterol levels which are all risk factors for Atherosclerosis, the primary cause of CAD.
- Bioidentical replacement hormone therapy (BHRT) is found to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Reducing Body Fat Percentage, Reducing the Risk of Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes
- Research published by the NHS National Library for Health indicates that exercise improves blood sugar control and reduces body fat percentage in subjects with Type 2 Diabetes.
- Testosterone therapy is linked to reduced diabetes risk.
- “Low testosterone levels are associated with an increased risk of diabetes, heart disease, and carotid atherosclerosis.” Diabetes Care 2003 June;Vol. 36, No. 6: 20-30.
- Testosterone therapy is linked to helping men reduce middle or belly weight gain, often tied strongly to health issues.
- “Hormone replacement therapy in postmenopausal women and testosterone replacement in men reduce the degree of central obesity.” Obesity Review 2004 Nov; 5(4): 197-216.
Increased Bone Density and Reduced Risk of Osteoporosis
- Weight-bearing exercises such as running and walking and resistance exercises with weights all help to reduce the risk of osteoporosis.
- Testosterone is linked to bone health improvement.
- “Loss of testosterone causes loss of libido, energy, strength, sexual function, memory, cognition, muscle, and bone. Testosterone replacement, as far as quality of life is concerned, is tremendous.” Medical Crossfire 2001Jan;Vol.3 No.1:17-18
Cardiovascular Health
- Schedule a VO2 Max test to guide your exercise regime.
- The VO2 max assesses the maximum amount of oxygen a person can use per minute of work; it indicates heart function and capacity.
- Aging reduces the volume of blood pumped by the heart causing our bodies to become less efficient at using the oxygenated blood that is being pumped around it. The bad news is that The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) averages a 5 – 15 % reduction in VO2 max every 10 years from the age of 25. Here’s the good news! The ACSM also found that regular cardiovascular exercise enables older individuals to achieve the same 10 to 30 % increase in VO2 max as their younger counterparts. (Intensity is a factor in this correlation)
Strong Posture and Flexibility
- Bone mass begins to decline at about 35 – 40 years of age. Poor diet, hormone deficiencies, and lack of exercise cause rapid bone mass loss related to weight gain, injuries, and pain.
- A hunched posture or rounded shoulders and forward head position is the result of weakened bone structure.
- Exercise gets us using our joints and muscles through their full range of movement. If you stop using this range you will lose it and become stiff.
- Strengthen your core!