Health
Men’s energy and vitality plummets for 6 reasons. Boost it back up this way
Surveys have shown that less than half of men consider their physical, mental and sexual health as excellent or very good — but they don’t have to settle for functioning at sub-par levels.
“While it’s true that aging brings changes in hormone levels and metabolism, it’s a misconception that nothing can be done about feelings of fatigue or a lack of energy and vitality,” Dr. Brynna Connor, M.D., a Texas physician specializing in anti-aging and regenerative medicine, and health care ambassador for NorthWestPharmacy.com, told Fox News Digital.
“So much can be done in this area to ensure that we age gracefully.”
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For Men’s Health Month, several doctors shared with Fox News Digital some common reasons for the decline. They also shared tips for getting back up to speed.
1. Hormonal imbalances or changes
“Testosterone levels naturally decline as men age, which can contribute to a lack of energy or feelings of fatigue,” said Connor.
For Men’s Health Month, several doctors shared with Fox News Digital some common reasons for the decline — and tips for getting back up to speed. (iStock)
Older men who are experiencing signs or symptoms of low testosterone can get their levels checked by a doctor and explore treatment options.
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In 2020, the American College of Physicians recommended that doctors “should prescribe testosterone for men with age-related low testosterone only to treat sexual dysfunction.”
Hormone therapy comes with both benefits and risks, so men should discuss the pros and cons with their doctor.
2. Lack of physical activity
A sedentary lifestyle can be directly related to feelings of lagging energy or decreased vitality, according to Connor.
“When the body doesn’t get enough exercise, it doesn’t release endorphins, neurotransmitters that help improve mood and reduce stress,” she said.
“It’s a misconception that nothing can be done about feelings of fatigue or a lack of energy and vitality.”
“When there’s a lack of activity, the cardiovascular and muscular systems start to become deconditioned, and the body also doesn’t get as much oxygen, which can lead to feelings of fatigue.”
Mark Edwards, a fitness trainer and nutrition coach at Minimalist Nutrition + Fitness based in Tokyo, Japan, follows a simple mantra with his clients: Move more and preserve muscle.
A sedentary lifestyle can be directly related to feelings of lagging energy or decreased vitality, doctors say. (iStock)
“The usual response from sedentary individuals is, ‘I’m too tired to exercise,’” he told Fox News Digital. “Well, the reason you’re tired is because you don’t move. Also, loss of muscle mass as we pass 40 is a huge factor in loss of vitality.”
“This becomes a vicious cycle.”
Edwards recommends taking it slow and gradually building up your movement routine.
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“Make sure, as you begin moving more, to incorporate resistance training into your routine, preferably with a skilled trainer or coach,” he advised.
“The more you exercise, the more energy you’ll have. Movement is the secret sauce to more vitality, more energy, and a longer, more independent life.”
3. Insufficient sleep
“Quality sleep is essential for overall health, so it’s no surprise that a lack of sleep can contribute to feelings of fatigue or reduced vitality,” said Connor.
“In addition to not getting enough recovery to meet the body’s physical needs — which can cause a dip in energy levels — poor sleep can also impact mental clarity, leading to difficulty in decision-making and feelings of brain fog.”
“Quality sleep is essential for overall health, so it’s no surprise that a lack of sleep can contribute to feelings of fatigue or reduced vitality,” a doctor said. (iStock)
Low-quality sleep is also a big factor in overeating, Edwards noted.
“Research shows that the day following poor sleep, appetite increases significantly.”
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To achieve better sleep, Edwards recommends shutting down your smartphone and other devices an hour before bed and having your last meal before 7 p.m.
“What’s the effect? Better weight and appetite management, more energy and a better life.”
For most healthy adults, at least seven hours of sleep is recommended each night.
4. Poor diet and nutrition
There’s a reason for the adage “you are what you eat,” Connor said.
“The body is fueled by what goes into it, and if it’s not getting the vitamins, nutrients or enough protein to produce adequate energy, it can lead to feelings of fatigue and a lack of energy and vitality.”
Experts recommend a clean diet that is high in nutrients, low in refined sugar, high in fiber — and with moderate protein levels. (iStock)
Dr. Sulagna Misra, M.D., BCMAS, founder of Misra Wellness in Los Angeles, recommends a clean diet that is high in nutrients, low in refined sugar, high in fiber, and with moderate protein levels.
“Preparing clean, healthy foods at home can assist in improving health and boosting energy and vitality,” she told Fox News Digital.
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Misra is also a proponent of prebiotics and probiotics.
“Studies have shown that Lactobacillus rhamnosus (a gut-friendly bacteria) can help decrease inflammation, improve dental health, boost mood and improve overall gut health,” she said.
Every man is different, but some may benefit from taking peptide supplements, which are proteins made up of amino acid molecules, Misra said.
“Movement is the secret sauce to more vitality, more energy, and a longer, more independent life.”
“More studies are unfolding related to their role in inflammation, sleep, cognition and gut health.”
Anyone considering supplements should see a doctor for a personalized assessment, she added.
5. Unmanaged stress
Stress can be triggered by mental, physical and emotional factors, Connor said, and it can also contribute to poor sleep, lack of physical activity and/or poor diet, creating a vicious cycle.
“When the body experiences stress, it releases cortisol and adrenaline, and over time, the constant excess release of these hormones can be mentally and physically exhausting,” she said.
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Studies have also shown that stress can drain the body of micronutrients like B vitamins and magnesium, making it more difficult to metabolize protein for energy and to fall asleep, she added.
Incorporating more exercise and better sleep into your routine will help to offset unhealthy stress levels, experts agree, along with engaging in stress management techniques such as meditation, yoga or therapy.
6. Neglected health care
Many men make the mistake of not seeing a doctor until something is “wrong,” according to Dr. Rich Joseph, national director of performance medicine at Restore Hyper Wellness in Austin, Texas.
“Men should make preventative care a habit, and that includes regular visits to a medical professional to have an annual physical and blood work performed,” he told Fox News Digital.
“We can go decades without a serious issue, but that proactive, preventative care makes it easier to detect when an issue does pop up, because we’ve created that year-over-year baseline.”
Many men make the mistake of not seeing a doctor until something is “wrong,” a doctor told Fox News Digital. (iStock)
This is particularly true for men entering their late 30s and early 40s, Joseph said, which is when health problems often begin to creep up.
Men should especially seek medical attention if they notice a loss of interest in activities they previously enjoyed or experience significant weight change without effort, as these could be symptoms of a more serious health issue, Connor warned.
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“A medical expert can help identify the cause of the lack of energy and create an individualized course of treatment for their patients’ needs.”
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The sudden death of Kyle Busch has drawn attention to a rare but devastating medical progression: when pneumonia escalates into fatal sepsis.
An ER doctor spoke with Fox News Digital about how sepsis can trigger a rapid health decline.
“Sepsis is actually not a specific disease or diagnosis, but rather the syndrome that occurs when the body has certain abnormal findings and a presumed infection,” said Dr. Kenneth J. Perry, a South Carolina-based emergency medicine physician.
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The markers of sepsis include elevated white blood cell counts, a high or low temperature, and elevated heart and respiratory rates, according to Perry. Because of this, a patient with pneumonia is often already technically septic by definition.
In the wake of Kyle Busch’s sudden passing, there is a focus on the rapid decline from pneumonia to fatal sepsis. (Getty; iStock)
While many people assume a worsening infection means bacteria are multiplying uncontrollably, it often has more to do with the body’s internal environment.
“It is often not the bacteria itself that is causing the specific decline,” Perry said. “In most cases, it is a cascade of inflammatory processes that are set in motion by the infection.”
When this inflammation spirals out of control, the body moves from having a manageable infection into severe sepsis. This is when otherwise healthy people can rapidly deteriorate.
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“The concerning thing that can happen with any individual … is that sepsis can then lead to low blood pressure, worsening vital signs and organ damage,” Perry said.
“As multiple organs fail, it becomes very difficult for the medical team to treat and can sometimes lead ultimately to death.”
“The medical evaluation provided to the Busch Family concluded that severe pneumonia progressed into sepsis, resulting in rapid and overwhelming associated complications,” the family shared in a statement. (James Gilbert/Getty Images)
It is very unlikely to have pneumonia and not have any symptoms, according to Perry. Early signs can mimic a severe flu, including fevers, chills, a productive cough, and chest or back pain in cases where the lung is infected.
When sepsis begins to take hold, time becomes the most critical factor. “We have known for a number of years that early antibiotic therapy is beneficial in the treatment of sepsis,” Perry said.
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If you or a loved one are managing an infection at home, the doctor says the following red flags mean you should bypass the clinic and head straight to the emergency room.
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- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- A racing heart rate or fever that continues to worsen even after starting treatment
- Severe chest pain associated with a productive cough
The slide into sepsis is, in most cases, a cascade of inflammatory processes that are set in motion by the infection, the doctor said. (iStock)
While cases like Busch’s are tragic, Perry stressed that this shouldn’t cause widespread panic. Most patients with pneumonia do very well with standard oral antibiotics.
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The NASCAR star’s rapid decline underscores the importance of medical vigilance and “having a primary care physician with whom you have a good relationship,” according to the ER doctor.
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“Monitoring symptoms while having easy access to primary care is a very beneficial and appropriate plan for most patients,” he added.
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Popular glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) weight-loss drugs may help slow the spread of some cancers, according to new research to be presented at a major medical conference.
Research led by Cleveland Clinic found that the medications may reduce the spread of several obesity-related cancers, including lung, breast, colorectal and liver cancers.
The findings will be presented at the 2026 ASCO Annual Meeting next week in Chicago.
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According to a press release, the real-world retrospective study included 12,112 patients with the following types of obesity-related cancers, ranging from stage 1 to stage 3.
Popular GLP-1 weight-loss drugs may help slow the spread of some cancers, according to new research to be presented at a major medical conference. (iStock)
- Breast adenocarcinoma
- Prostate adenocarcinoma
- Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
- Colorectal adenocarcinoma
- Hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer)
- Renal cell carcinoma
- Pancreatic adenocarcinoma
Half of the participants started a GLP-1 medication – semaglutide, tirzepatide, dulaglutide, liraglutide, lixisenatide or pramlintide – after their cancer diagnosis.
The other half began taking a DPP-4 inhibitor comparator “gliptins,” a different class of diabetes medications, the study noted.
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Compared to the patients taking gliptins, the GLP-1 users were found to have significantly lower progression to stage 4 disease for four types of cancers.
The biggest risk reduction was for non-small cell lung cancer (50%), followed by breast cancer (43%), colorectal cancer (31%) and liver cancer (38%).
Compared to the patients taking gliptins, the GLP-1 users were found to have significantly lower progression to stage 4 disease for four types of cancers. (iStock)
“Our study found that use of GLP-1 drugs, compared to DPP-4 inhibitors and other antidiabetic drugs, was associated with a meaningful reduction in cancer progression across four solid tumor types,” said lead study author Mark David Orland, MD, of the Taussig Cancer Institute at Cleveland Clinic, in the release. “It provides early evidence that future studies are worth pursuing.”
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Three other types of cancer – prostate, pancreatic and kidney – also had lower rates of spread among those taking GLP-1s, but those differences were “not statistically significant,” the researchers noted.
“Our study found that use of GLP-1 drugs … was associated with a meaningful reduction in cancer progression across four solid tumor types.”
Tumors with higher levels of GLP-1 receptors — proteins that help cells respond to GLP-1 hormones and drugs — were also linked to better survival outcomes, according to the study findings.
Overall, patients whose tumors had more of these receptors were about one-third less likely to die during the study period.
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The incidence of adverse side effects was similar between GLP-1 and gliptin groups.
The findings suggest that GLP-1 pathways may directly influence how some cancers grow or spread, though researchers say more studies are needed to understand the mechanism behind this effect.
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The study, which has not yet been peer-reviewed, had some limitations, according to the researchers. As it was retrospective and observational in design – as opposed to a randomized clinical trial – it couldn’t prove that GLP-1 drugs directly prevent cancer progression.
The findings suggest that GLP-1 pathways may directly influence how some cancers grow or spread, though researchers say more studies are needed to understand the mechanism behind this effect. (iStock)
Other factors, such as participants’ health conditions, weight loss and metabolic improvements, may have influenced the results, researchers noted.
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For some specific cancer types, there may not have been enough patients represented to detect statistically significant differences.
Further randomized clinical trials are needed to evaluate these preliminary findings and to determine the specific ways in which GLP-1s control cancer progression.
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