What is Andropause?

 
Andropause is a male hormone deficiency that occurs through the ageing process and its very similar to what women experience in menopause. Unfortunately, as men get older, they too have a decrease in their hormones. You may have heard the term ‘male menopause’ or andropause. It signifies the time at which men may experience their ‘mid-life crisis’. At this stage of life, reduced testosterone is responsible for most of the changes.
Testosterone is the hormone that gives a male his virility and stamina. It helps build protein, which in turn makes muscle, enabling a man to sustain his fitness and health goals. It also strengthens bones and supports liver functionality.
In a fit, healthy male, testosterone is automatically produced. When the circulation of testosterone becomes reduced, the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland trigger a release of hormones, which in turn increases testosterone production.

Hypogonadism – The precursor to andropause

Hypogonadism is andropause in its early stages. This usually begins to happen naturally when men are in their 30’s. Men lose around 2% testosterone production per year. However, in men that have lived an unhealthy lifestyle, e.g. poor diet, excessive alcohol consumption, drug abuse, and lack of exercise, these symptoms may start earlier, and testosterone levels may drop at a faster rate. Other, sometimes unavoidable factors, contribute to this decline in testosterone such as certain medications, stress and even a lack of sex.
With ageing, when the signals are sent from the hypothalamus and pituitary gland to produce the luteinizing hormone (which is the gonadotrophic releasing hormone that produces testosterone) it cannot produce them as it once did. Once this cycle begins, andropause is close behind.
With a healthy lifestyle and regular check-ups that include hormone level testing, symptoms are less likely to appear at an earlier age, and if they do, steps to slow down the process may be discussed.
 

Symptoms of Andropause

Psychological Changes.

• Social withdrawal
• Heightened Stress and Anxiety
• Depression
• Mood swings (including anger)
• Loss of libido

Physical Symptoms.

• Impaired memory/lack of concentration (may lead to Alzheimer’s Disease)
• Fatigue (loss of energy)
• Weight gain
• Decreased muscle mass & muscular tone
• Gynecomastia (male breast development)
• Hair loss
• Hot flashes
• Headaches
• Night sweats
• Osteoporosis (loss of bone density which increases the chance of injury)
• Insomnia
• Erectile dysfunction / impotence
• Decreased semen volume and motility
• Diabetes

How to reverse the symptoms of andropause effectively

 
The dangers of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for males experiencing andropause
 
Testosterone supplements are available in topical gels, patches, and injections.
Before taking any HRT, it is essential to consult your doctor, as there are possible side effects. Some side effects have included stroke, heart attack  and acceleration of pre-existing prostate cancer.

SARMS MK2866 and Testosterone levels in the Relief of Andropause Symptoms

Sarms MK2866 is a selective androgen receptor modulator. Both an androgen, and a type of hormone, Sarms MK2866 has the ability to increase testosterone levels resulting in a coinciding increase of muscle mass and bone density.
Interested to learn more about peptide supplementation? Qualify for access to our peptide products by filling out our confidential and obligation free evaluation.

• • Chen, J., Kim, J., & Dalton, J. T. (2005). Discovery and therapeutic promise of selective androgen receptor modulators. Molecular interventions, 5(3), 173-88.
  • Dillon, E. L., Durham, W. J., Urban, R. J., & Sheffield-Moore, M. (2010). Hormone treatment and muscle anabolism during aging: androgens. Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland), 29(6), 697-700.
  • Bhasin, S., Calof, O., Storer, T., Lee, M., Mazer, N., & Jasuja, R. et al. (2006). Drug Insight: testosterone and selective androgen receptor modulators as anabolic therapies for chronic illness and aging. Nature Clinical Practice Endocrinology & Metabolism, 2(3), 146-159. doi:10.1038/ncpendmet0120
  • Jones A, e. (2018). Effects of a novel selective androgen receptor modulator on dexamethasone-induced and hypogonadism-induced muscle atrophy. – PubMed – NCBI . Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Retrieved 9 November 2018, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20534726

  • Bhasin, S., & Jasuja, R. (2009). Selective androgen receptor modulators as function promoting therapies. Current Opinion In Clinical Nutrition And Metabolic Care, 12(3), 232-240. doi:10.1097/mco.0b013e32832a3d79

  • Coss, C. C., Jones, A., Hancock, M. L., Steiner, M. S., & Dalton, J. T. (2014). Selective androgen receptor modulators for the treatment of late onset male hypogonadism. Asian journal of andrology, 16(2), 256-61.
  • Eva de Rijke, Martien L. Essers, Jeroen C.W. Rijk, Mario Thevis, Toine F.H. Bovee, Leendert A. van Ginkel, Saskia S. Sterk. (2013) Selective androgen receptor modulators: in vitro and in vivometabolism and analysis. Food Additives & Contaminants: Part A 30:9, pages 1517-1526.  
  • Michael L Mohler, Ramesh Narayanan, Christopher C Coss, Kejiang Hu, Yali He, Zhongzhi Wu, Seoung-Soo Hong, Dong Jin Hwang, Duane D Miller, James T Dalton. (2010) Estrogen receptor β selective nonsteroidal estrogens: seeking clinical indications. Expert Opinion on Therapeutic Patents 20:4, pages 507-534.  
  • Xuqing Zhang, James C Lanter, Zhihua Sui. (2009) Recent advances in the development of selective androgen receptor modulators. Expert Opinion on Therapeutic Patents 19:9, pages 1239-1258.  
  • Gordon S Lynch. (2008) Update on emerging drugs for sarcopenia – age-related muscle wasting. Expert Opinion on Emerging Drugs 13:4, pages 655-673.  
  • Emily Pfeil, Adrian S Dobs. (2008) Current and future testosterone delivery systems for treatment of the hypogonadal male. Expert Opinion on Drug Delivery 5:4, pages 471-481.
    
  • Daniel Edelstein, Mala Sivanandy, Sadeka Shahani, Shehzad Basaria. (2007) The latest options and future agents for treating male hypogonadism. Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy 8:17, pages 2991-3008.  

Keen to get some effective anti-ageing tips? Here is our top 5!

Tip #1 STOP Unhealthy Habits

Make a move now to stop indulging in unhealthy habits.
It is a known fact that engaging in unhealthy habits will prevent us from ageing well. As we move into midlife, if these practices continue, we need to consider their effect on our health, especially as our hormones decline. Bad habits such as smoking cigarettes, consuming alcohol regularly, taking illegal substances and exposing ourselves to chronic stress are all examples of lifestyle modifications that need to be made. This is indeed one of the first tips for regaining health and wellness. Even if you follow all of the other anti-ageing tips listed, without addressing this one first – you may not gain much benefit.

Tip #2 Eat Right

Consume organic produce that is nutrient-rich.
Too much sugar
All over the Internet, you will find evidence that we have been consuming a diet that is high in sugar, or consuming foods that quickly turn into sugar. We have been misinformed for decades, and many of us need to be re-educated regarding our choices. The number of people who now have insulin resistance or who suffer symptoms of diabetes is staggering.
Toxins and Poisons
As a society, we have been exposed to a multitude of toxins and poisons, and this exposure has been going on for many years. Most of us, are just now finding out about these. We must be cautioned regarding mercury and PCB insecticides. Mercury and PCB insecticides are used with regularity in the cultivation of fruit and vegetables available through local grocery stores and mass marketed chains. We buy fruit and vegetables to enhance our health. They are supposed to be a rich source of nutrients from which we can improve health. Unfortunately, we eat these foods not realising that they have may cause more harm than good. We need to make the shift to “organic”. Yes, it does cost us more money to purchase organic produce in the short term. However, it is well worth the extra money when factoring in future costs, if and when, illness takes over. Consuming organic foods helps to prevent toxic exposure, and grants us access to the nutrients we need for continued health and wellness.

Tip #3 Get Physical

Getting the right kind of physical activity is important as we age.
The best results come from engaging in weightlifting that is both intense and pushes the muscle beyond one’s comfort level. Compound exercises are those that use more than one muscle group, and they are highly suggested to preserve muscle mass and prevent the onset of sarcopenia, which is the loss of muscle mass that occurs with ageing.

Tip #4 Get Plenty of Sleep

Sleep is where we do most of our healing.
It is extremely important that we get plenty of sleep as we age. It is during deep sleep that natural growth hormone secretion occurs. It is when our bodies regenerate and heal. As we age, the levels of our melatonin hormone diminish, and this can cause us to experience interrupted sleep and sleep loss. When sleep is interrupted, we lose the ability to enter the deep stages of sleep we need to effectively anti-age. Supplementing with melatonin helps to facilitate regenerative sleep.

Tip #5 Take Nutritional and Hormonal Supplements

Take supplements that can be absorbed readily.
Today it is anticipated that certain elements such as vitamins, minerals and antioxidants will not be consumed in large enough supply in the diet. Therefore, to supplement is a smart choice to ensure all the necessary nutrients are getting absorbed by the body.
Sublingual Supplementation
Cells of the gastrointestinal tract are where many, and most of the essential vitamins and nutrients, we consume can be found. Access, however, is on a restricted basis. By the age of 55, it is understood that the body can no longer absorb enough vitamin B12 in the small intestine. Without the daily supplementation of these vitamins and minerals, ageing is inevitable. To reap the optimal benefit, a sublingual supplement is advised. Sublingual Vitamin B12 assists the body in the enhancement of muscular and neurological control.
Hormone Testing and Supplementation
Hormonal testing is highly recommended as we reach our 30’s. This is when we first start to see the evidence of ageing – including the loss of energy, muscle mass, increased fat deposits, sexual dysfunction, loss of bone mass and cognitive decline. We do not have to be a victim of depleting hormone levels. Aging and the degeneration that occurs require merely the appropriate hormonal correction. Everyone suffers from this degeneration, but it is up to the individual to become proactive before further degradation occurs.
Peptide Supplementation
Our endocrine system is a vital network of chemical signalling and transportation of messages throughout the body. Secreted hormones play several roles in the maintenance of our body and all the other systems of the body. Receptors lose their ability to signal, and hormone levels decline rapidly as we age. To get the signalling back on track, we need to be able to infiltrate this system and correct hormonal imbalances. This can be done rather efficiently through peptide supplementation. As more people realise the benefits gained from peptides, we will see this alternative form of supplementation gain leverage in the medical field.
The decline of IGF-1
IGF-1 is a hormone that is extremely important as it repairs the cells in the body. Through the ageing process, the liver stops producing IGF-1. Peptide supplementation can provide us with the ability to secrete IGF-1.
The decline of Growth Hormone
Growth hormone deficiency is a significant contributor to premature ageing and the degeneration of many systems of the body. Without adequate growth hormone, we lose muscle mass, bone mass, and we lose the ability to heal from injury at a reasonable rate. Visceral fat storage is increased with the decline of growth hormone, and this unhealthy fat storage has been attributed to the onset of multiple chronic diseases and inflammatory conditions.
The decline of MSH
A decrease in MSH, and its corresponding deficiency, contributes to the shift from brown to grey hair, and blond to white hair as we grow older.
There are many more hormones affected by ageing that can benefit from the use of peptides.

QUICK REVIEW: TOP 5 ANTI-AGEING TIPS 

STOP BAD HABITS

• Limit exposure to any and all toxins
• Reduce your exposure to all kinds of stress

EAT AND DRINK HEALTHY

• Consume organic foods
• Consume healthy plant-based protein
• Avoid sugar
• Stay hydrated with clean water
• Have you taken your VITAMINS A, B, C, D and E?

GET REGULAR EXERCISE

• Keep physically active
• Lift heavy weights
• Perform compound exercises

GET YOUR SLEEP

• The deep stages of sleep (delta wave) is when we do most of our regenerative sleep
• Ensure your sleep is uninterrupted

NUTRITIONAL AND HORMONAL SUPPLEMENTATION

• Take a good probiotic so that you can absorb nutrients
• Take dietary supplements where necessary and ensure they are taken for optimal absorption.
• Ensure your hormones are balanced through regular testing
• Ensure you have a sufficient supply of anabolic hormones
• Peptide supplementation will correct hormonal imbalances

Looking after your body as you approach your senior years is your responsibility. Be aware of your body, and you may be able to combat disease effectively for another 10, 20 or 30 years. We offer a premium range of anti-ageing peptides to address hormonal imbalances. Register to qualify.