Men's Health & Nutrition for those over 40!

As an over-40 male I feel for you guys, my Brethren who are over 40 years of age. We sometimes suffer from lethargy (napping more often!), our joints ache....especially those who were athletic in their youth. Our libido is not what it used to be. Cholesterol levels are monitored closely, along with our prostate gland! Face it, our bodies are falling apart! Brothers, this article is FOR YOU!
Let me ask you a personal question and I want y'all to think about it for a minute as it's either an issue with you, OR it hasn't crossed your mind in a long time. Here goes, when was the last time you had "morning wood?" Was it this very morning or was the last time you awoke with a stiff erection back in 2001? I am serious. This is a serious matter. The question is not whether you suffer from Erectile disfunction/impotence. That is another problem entirely but can easily be treated by your physician. I am only concerned with the frequency of "morning wood" as well as the state of your libido. This is a health/fitness blog and sometimes it is a requirement to get very personal.
There was a time several years ago when I noticed my usual morning erections were non-existent, my libido was not there and my sexual urges were not a priority anymore. This was attributed to my work-related as well as relationship-related stress. It was also hormone-related.
I had a lengthy conversation with my physician whom I trust. He is only a couple of years older than myself and he knew exactly how to address my problems. We first tested my blood and found that my testosterone levels were very low.... on a scale from 300-1,000 my test level was only 79! I am on hormone replacement therapy and have been for several years. This is not for bodybuilding purposes but simply to return my levels to normal baseline. Nowadays my testosterone levels when tested, are in the range of 600-700 and trust me, this is the fountain of youth!
Beyond HRT I use the following supplements and I highly recommend them whether you yourself go on HRT or not.
I later discovered the benefits of the amino acid L-Arginine. I am not a big advocate for nutritional supplements. Other than a protein shake and the short list of supplements that appear in this article, I am not a pill-taker. L-Arginine increases nitric oxide levels in your bloodstream, the same reason why Viagra works so well. High nitric oxide levels benefit not only blood flow to your penis and to your skeletal muscles but also to your heart muscle. L-Arginine does offer cardiovascular benefits in addition to benefiting our reproductive and circulatory systems.

I take 30 mg per day of Lycopene/Lycomato for the sole purpose of prostate health. It will help prevent prostate enlargement.

link: http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/store/en/browse/sku_detail.jsp?id=VS-1778

I also highly recommend L-Arginine in doses of 4-6 grams per day. I started out at 6 grams per day for 3 weeks, decreased the dose to 5 grams per day for an additional 3 weeks and now I am on a maintenance dose of 4 grams per day at bedtime. Always, take this supplement on an empty stomach, preferably at bedtime. The supplement I prefer is Nitrulline by BodyTech:

link: http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/store/en/browse/sku_detail.jsp?id=VS-2266

**This one supplement taken alone make a dramatic difference in the frequency, strength and density of your erections. I am dead serious and I am not paid to advertise this supplement!

That's all I recommend in the world of supplementation. Again, I am not a big fan of nutritional supplements but some really have made an incredible difference in my life. I have only been married for a little over three years and our sex life is a very important part of our marriage. I will do everything possible to maintain this level of intimate intensity for the remainder of my life. Most readers here, especially those who are happily married like myself can appreciate this.
There canbe many causes for a decrease in libido in over-40 males. Besides aging, obesity, smoking, heart disease and diabetes are causes, to name a few. As well as a diet that is high in saturated fats. Adding L-Arginine to your staple will not make a difference if you are an obese smoker who regularly eats fast foods. You have to eliminate these vises first. You also have to work at decreasing levels of stress in your life. I know, easier said than done, but TRY!
Questions/comments, email me @ ktaylor966@yahoo.com