Three Common Physical Changes for Men Over Fifty (and How to Keep Them Under Control)

If you’ve recently hit the fifty milestone, you might be starting to feel different and experience (somewhat undesirable) physical changes. 

Age might have brought you experience and wisdom, but, let’s face it, it has also brought you a load of not-so-pleasant body changes that you would rather put-off to a later decade.  

Here are three common physical changes for men over fifty and how to keep them under control.

1. Loss of Strength and Muscle Mass

After you turn fifty, your overall strength slowly begins to decline. This is due to the fact that you actually begin to lose muscle mass at a surprisingly fast rate (on average about 15% per decade.) *

Decrease in muscle mass is a natural part of aging. 10% of people over 50 are affected by a loss of muscle mass, and the numbers increase with age. The process may be inevitable, but it does not mean you cannot delay it for as long as possible. 

Strength training exercises, lifting weights and eating foods high in amino acids will not only slow down age-associated loss of strength, but will also build lean muscle mass that will come in handy in the upcoming decades. 

2. Increase in Blood Pressure

Hypertension (or high blood pressure) affects approximately 66% of people over 65. ** Long considered as an inevitable part of aging, this “invisible” condition can have devastating consequences on your body. High blood pressure can significantly increase your risks of developing serious health problems, including heart attack, stroke and heart failure, to name a few.

A healthy lifestyle can reduce the risks of developing hypertension and its effects. Here are a few steps you can take to keep your blood pressure under control: 

  • Quit smoking
  • Cut back on alcohol 
  • Exercise regularly 
  • Keep a healthy weight 
  • Adopt a healthy diet, low in trans fats and high in omega-3 fatty acids 

3. Prostate Enlargement

Prostate enlargement is a natural part of the aging process in men. The medical term for an enlarged prostate is benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and it is a condition developed by most men as they age. In fact, nearly the totality of men over 90 are affected by some degree of an enlarged prostate. 

Although BPH is not curable, certain lifestyle changes and, in some cases, medical treatment for BPH, can significantly reduce its symptoms.

When you’ve crossed over a major milestone like turning fifty, it is normal to expect physical changes. Awareness of these changes will help you to make appropriate lifestyle choices that will hopefully help put-off their effects.  

Consult your doctor to find out how to manage the age-related physical changes you  are experiencing. 

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