Health

15+ Weird Changes Men Get After Turning 50

15+ Weird Changes Men Get After Turning 50
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Since the day you were born, your body has been changing; and it will never stop changing. For instance, there are some notable changes men get after turning 50 years old.

As we get older, our bodies start to change in a mostly negative way, keeping us from enjoying and doing things we did when we were much younger.

Even though there are general body changes that come with age, everyone is unique. For instance, genetics has plenty to do with how your body ages.

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That is why some men suffer from baldness while others go through their entire lives with a full head of hair.

Here are some of the main changes men get after turning 50 years old.

1. Reduced Muscle Movement

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Once a man turns 50, his muscles don't have as much movement range as when he was younger. The muscles get stiffer and more rigid, which is one of the significant changes men undergo after turning 50.

Therefore, the man might not do the same kind of jobs he did earlier because the muscles are not as elastic. Muscle mass also tends to go down, and some men start suffering from arthritis.

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According to studies, the loss of muscle mass, also known as sarcopenia, affects about 10% of men aged 50.

An excellent way to deal with this issue is to remain active so that the muscle groups get a regular workout. So, even though this is one of the changes men get after turning 50, you can keep it at bay.

2. Osteoporosis

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Osteoporosis refers to a reduction of bone density, which comes with a greater risk of bone fractures. The condition is brought about by hormonal changes, especially a decline in testosterone, which is among the most common bodily changes men get after turning 50.

Estimates indicate that about 20% of men have osteoporosis when they hit 50, increasing as they get older. In fact, once they are 60 years old, they can lose bone mass at a rate of about 1% per year.

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The good thing is that plenty of men can do about this, including eating calcium-rich foods and vitamin D supplements. Doing some weight training workouts can also help, as well as doing resistance training.

3. Mental Issues

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As men age, they face mental issues such as anxiety and memory loss. The fact that the men don't have as much energy as they did when younger also weighs on them and often causes issues like depression.

Fortunately, being active and having a positive outlook on life can reverse some of these negative mental issues. That is why such men should be active and join recreational groups, solve puzzles, and keep their minds sharp in other ways well into their 50s.

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The mind also gets more forgetful as people age, a problem that can be addressed through healthier diet choices. So, although a decline in mental health is one of the changes men get after turning 50, there is plenty they can do about it.

4. Grey Hair

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Greying of hair is significant in many people once they are at least 50 years old. That is because the cells that give hair their color, melanocytes, stop making the compound that gives hair its color as people age.

The lack of melanin results in the hair assuming a grey color, which is one of the most noticeable changes men get after turning 50.

Like many other issues on this list, this problem can also be addressed. For instance, consuming vitamin B5, also called pantothenic acid, can keep hair from graying. Foods like carrots, whole grains, and egg yolks have plenty of this vitamin.

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5. Heart Issues

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In the United States alone, cardiovascular disease claims a life every minute. In other words, this is the leading cause of death in the US.

Unfortunately, declining cardiovascular health is one of the changes men get after turning 50.

By the way, when we talk of cardiovascular disease, we are talking of all the conditions that cause blockage or the narrowing of blood vessels, which can result in heart attacks or stroke.

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The problem starts during the teenage years, and over time, fat, calcium, and fibrous tissue develops on blood vessel walls and creates plaques, which narrow and obstructs them. The heart has also been observed to get larger over time.

However, age is not the only culprit here, as smoking, unhealthy weight, and lack of exercise is also a huge contributor.

Fortunately, the problem can be alleviated by consuming omega-3 fatty acids and following a healthier lifestyle. So, although serious heart issues might be among the most common changes men get after turning 50, they are not entirely helpless against it.

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6. Reduced Sense Of Taste

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The ability to taste reduces over time. However, this is usually not because there is a problem with your taste buds, but because your sense of smell has been affected.

Your ability to smell has a huge role in helping you taste food properly. Also, men this age tend to use medications that affect their ability to smell and taste.

7. Weight Gain

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After the age of 30, men start to gain weight steadily; and they keep adding more weight until they are 55. Most of this weight tends to accumulate in the belly region, and it brings with it various issues, including an increased risk of heart disease.

Generally, any man with a waist of over 40 inches should do something about his weight. Fortunately, you can lose weight at any age, and for men, this is a lot easier.

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Weight problems are related to many other health issues, especially later in life. Therefore, this is one of the changes men get after turning 50 that is truly worth looking out for to avoid a host of other health problems.

8. Sleeping Problems

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This problem is not specific to men but affects all people over the age of 50. Based on a study by the National Sleep Foundation, older people experience significant changes to their sleep patterns, who tend to get up at night more often.

However, this problem does not affect all men over the age of 50. So, getting poor quality sleep and waking up more times during the night is just of the many changes men get after turning 50.

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9. Less Water In The Body

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After crossing the 50-year mark, the body loses a lot of water. According to scientists, a man's body after 50 years is just 54% water, down from about 61% water when younger.

In other words, this is one of the most significant changes men get after turning 50.

Since water is critical in the body, a couple of problems emerge with this sharp decline in the amount of water in the body. For instance, the body cannot cleanse itself as effectively, a process that requires a lot of water.

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That is why it is recommended that men over 50 years drink 3.7 liters of water a day.

10. Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

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Age-related hormonal changes result in many men experiencing benign prostatic hyperplasia once they turn 50. About 50% of all men over this age have this problem, making it one of the most common changes men get after turning 50 years old.

Generally, this means the men suffer from a large prostate, which results in problems like a higher frequency of urination.

Men who have such issues should get treatment, as many medical interventions are available to deal with the condition.

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11. Joint Pain

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Joints are cushioned by tissue and cartilage that gets thinner over time. Men start to notice this problem earlier than women, especially after the age of 50.

A great way to deal with this problem is always to use proper posture, maintain a healthy weight, and drink plenty of water. Although this is not among the most popular changes men get after turning 50, it is worth looking out for to ensure a better quality of life.

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12. Aged Skin

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When men turn 50, their skin loses collagen and elastin, resulting in fine lines and wrinkles. From there, they only get more dramatic as time goes by.

However, things like smoking make this problem much worse. So, this is one of the changes men get after turning 50 that can be kept at bay through healthier lifestyle choices.

Luckily, it has been proven that vitamin A can help repair damaged skin. Apparently, taking this vitamin for four weeks resulted in some notable changes to the skin.

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Procedures such as exosome-based facials have also been shown to stimulate the production of collagen.

13. Age-Related Eyesight Decline

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Over time, our eyes lose their effectiveness due to issues like dryness, cataracts, and far-sightedness. These are some of the physical changes men get after turning 50.

However, taking supplements can help limit how serious this condition gets. Examples include omega-3 supplements and multivitamins, which have been specifically shown to be of great help to men who are trying to avoid cataracts.

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The eyes also tend to be drier, and their color perception is also affected as they age.

14. Reduced Testosterone/Andropause, One Of The Most Common Changes Men Get After Turning 50

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Research tells us that testosterone levels go down as the years go by. Testosterone is also affected by lifestyle changes such as chronic illnesses and changes in eating habits.

However, another contributor to lower testosterone levels is the added need for this hormone in the body after 50. The body needs more of this hormone to repair damaged muscles and tissues.

Lower testosterone results in lower libido and sex drive. Obviously, these are among the most undesirable changes men get after turning 50 years old.

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Ways of dealing with lower testosterone levels include doing exercises to ensure healthier fat levels in the body. Exercise reduces muscle damage and ensures there is more testosterone left in the body for other essential functions.

Some of the exercises that boost testosterone levels include squats, bench presses, and back exercises.

15. Hearing Loss

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About 40% of people over 50 years have hearing loss. The problem is made worse by conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes.

Hearing loss can result in depression, making people more likely to avoid loved ones and other social activities.

16. Lower Immunity

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Age takes a toll on immunity. For instance, the number of T-cells, which have an essential role in fighting against new infections, reduces substantially after 50.

That is why men over this age have a more challenging time fighting against bacterial and viral infections. Consequently, a greater risk of infection is among the many changes men get after turning 50.

To Sum Up

15+ Weird Changes Men Get After Turning 50
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If you have been around for half a century, you should expect to see some changes in your body. For men, above are some of the changes they should expect at this age and things they could do about them.

However, getting older is not all bad. For instance, men over 50 have a better capacity to make better decisions, more experience about life, and generally more time to do the things they truly love.

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Therefore some of the changes men get after turning 50 are actually worth looking forward to.