Why do Men Gain Weight in Their 40's
Sven is 44, eats pretty well, enjoys a drink at the end of most days (and a few more at the weekend!), and spends his days as a copywriter for a large medical company. He is a busy guy with teenage kids and young twins and works hard to pay for everything his family needs. His job means he spends days sitting at a computer, leading a sedentary lifestyle.
He doesn't have much time for himself and rarely goes to the gym. One thing Sven noticed recently is that a spare tire has started to develop around his middle ever so slowly. A year ago, it was there but only just, but now his favorite jeans don't fit. The fat is beginning to overspill his belt, and the middle-aged spread is in full force.
What Sven can't understand is that his lifestyle hasn't changed. He has always had a sit-down job, always eaten the same healthy diet, and never really needed to exercise, so what the heck has happened?
Reduced Testosterone Can Cause Weight Gain
The reason is simple testosterone is essential to men. Testosterone 'maketh' the man, puberty, lean muscle, sex drive, energy, and all the characteristics that make a man manly come from this hugely important hormone. The downer is when a man reaches 30-35 years old; his body slows down production by, on average, 1 - 2 % every year.
As testosterone levels drop, so do energy levels, vigor, and sexual desire. Coupled with a growing waistline and muscle wastage, these are all the symptoms Sven suffers from, undoubtedly due to falling testosterone levels.
Unfortunately for millions of guys, just like Sven, this fall-in testosterone level has many side effects that start to creep up on you slowly and silently until, boom, you have a DAD BOD!
Having a 'dad bod' is not necessarily a problem for many guys who are happy in their skin. However, it can have a striking impact on your future health and mental well-being with a long list of possible side effects.
- Reduced sex drive.
- Loss of normal erectile function.
- Loss of body hair.
- Reduced beard growth.
- Loss of lean muscle mass.
- Fatigue
- Excess fat, especially on the belly
- Depression
- Memory fog
Why Can Low Testosterone Lead to Having A Dad Bod?
Testosterone plays the leading role in your metabolism, regulating muscle production and, importantly, how you break down fat. Everybody, including women, needs some testosterone to maintain good health and body tone. Too little or too much can wreak havoc on your body.
Being in a situation like Sven's is incredibly common amongst men his age, and the biggest issue is that once you have a 'dad bod,' doing something about it becomes challenging. Interestingly your spare tire isn't the biggest problem. In this situation, a significant cause of obesity and the inability to lose weight is visceral fat which works against you and your hormone levels.
Visceral fat decimates testosterone production. The more fat you have, the less testosterone your body will produce. Unfortunately, it all becomes a vicious circle. Low testosterone levels increase fat deposits, which slow testosterone production even further. The issue here is that visceral fat cells promote the production of an enzyme called aromatase, which converts precious testosterone to estradiol.
So why is this such a bad thing? Estradiol from fat has an adverse feedback mechanism on testosterone production, thus reducing hormone levels. This reduction in testosterone is why overweight men have so many problems losing weight. In this case, it is not the estradiol causing the issues - it's fat. Estradiol is simply an innocent bystander that happens to knock down your testosterone.
Interestingly, in men who have had bariatric surgery (gastric bands), it has been noted that many experience a significant increase in testosterone levels. After their surgery, there is also a drop in estradiol as the patient loses excess fat, offering more evidence of the relationship between fat and hormone levels.
Does Low Testosterone Lead to Weight Gain?
So, does low testosterone lead to weight gain? The simple answer is yes, it certainly can. As stated in the following quote from a recent study
"Testosterone is a key hormone in the pathology of metabolic diseases such as obesity. Low testosterone levels are associated with increased fat mass (particularly central adiposity) and reduced lean mass in males."
Testosterone Can Help You Lose Weight?
"Long-term testosterone therapy in men with testosterone deficiency produces significant and sustained weight loss, a marked reduction in waist circumference and BMI, and improvement in body composition." National Center for Biotechnology Information
Testosterone replacement therapy can give you back your old body and kick 'Dad Bod' out of the park! We have thousands of patients claiming back their youth and shedding pounds with the help of TRT. Just ask Jason, who recently contacted us singing TRT's praises!
"TRT is the fountain of youth (when combined with a great diet and serious exercise). Drop 20 years in 20 weeks if done correctly!"
Jason verified Male Excel Patient
Not only can TRT help you lose weight, but it can also do so much more.
- Increase libido and sexual desire
- Lowers bad cholesterol (LDL) levels
- Increased lean muscle mass and strength
- Improve mood, confidence, and overall positivity
- Increased energy levels
- Improved Sleep
- Reduce irritability and increase the ability to cope with stress
- Improved brain function and cognitive ability
- Improved blood sugar regulation and lower risk of diabetes
Still not convinced? Check this fantastic review from our patient Marcus, who had our team in tears!
Marcus, verified Male Excel patient"There is nothing I can say that sums this up better than this: I am a 47-year-old man. I married my 40-year-old wife 8 years ago. Sex has always been 'meh' between us. I used to tell her about how I was when I was younger, but I was never really there for her. Tonight marks my 2 week anniversary of taking my testosterone treatments, and I found myself having not just sex, but that fun, playful sex."
"She said to me, "There you are," and I realized there's so much more than that once every few months burst of energy, but that growling, biting, crazy, just playful lovemaking. This is no longer about me. This is about her—the woman I love. And I can take care of her like she should be taken care of, how she put up with me like I was for so long. She deserves nothing but the best. I'm glad I can once again be that."
TRT The Bottom Line
- Reduced testosterone is a significant cause of weight gain in men.
- Testosterone therapy in men with testosterone deficiency improves lean muscle mass, reduces visceral fat, and improves life quality.
- Testosterone therapy in men with testosterone deficiency eases metabolic syndrome.
- Testosterone therapy in men with testosterone deficiency can prove extremely useful in weight loss management, with or without lifestyle modifications.
As for Sven, well, let's say he is just about to order his blood spot test kit. All his symptoms point directly to falling testosterone levels. He is often tired, lacks energy, and has the tell-tale spare tire.
And how do we know this? Well, Sven is me, and as I finish writing this article, I have decided that I need to check my testosterone levels. I'll be sure to write another article in a few months to report on my progress.
How You Feel Tomorrow Starts TODAY!
