Regenerative sports medicine guru Dr. Rand has taken issue with Mike O’Hearn’s claim that testosterone levels don’t decline in males as they reach the age of 35. In a recent video, Dr. Rand shared that the average male encounters low testosterone as they get older but called Mike O’Hearn an exception, at least for the time being.
Mike O’Hearn has maintained an incredibly built physique for over 30 years. During his bodybuilding career, he managed to win the Mr. Universe title in 1997. While he hasn’t competed in quite some time, O’Hearn has developed a reputation for his relentless work ethic. At 53 years old, he still sports an aesthetic physique and is lauded for his ability to stay in shape year-round.
According to O’Hearn, he’s been natural for his entire life. Many have suspected that he’s taken steroids like fitness influencer Kenny KO. Despite no concrete evidence, Kenny approached O’Hearn about the issue in one of his popular ‘natty or not’ videos.
While arguing with Mike, Kenny said “medical science” supports that men’s hormone levels decline as they age. However, Mike completely disagreed. In fact, Mike said most men, especially bodybuilders, reach their physical peak in their late 30s or early 40s.
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After denying the use of performance-enhancing drugs, O’Hearn shared that his timeless physique has less to do with what he does now, and “everything” to do with what he did as a teenager.
But if you ask Dr. Rand, a licensed hormone therapy doctor, he will tell you testosterone does decrease with age and says even the ageless wonder Mike O’Hearn is not immune to these scientific facts.
Dr. Rand on Male Testosterone Decline: ‘No One Is Able to Maintain Test Levels into Later Years’
During a recent YouTube video, Dr. Rand gave his thoughts on Mike O’Hearn’s claim that testosterone levels don’t decline as males get older.
“To his credit man, the guy [Mike O’Hearn] finished like 10 reps, racked it, and was done with it. Who does that? Really, who does that? I don’t know how old Mike is but look: it’s working for him so far, but I would have to take exception,” says Dr. Rand.
Dr. Rand warned O’Hearn that “eventually” his testosterone levels will decline.
“You know, I can’t give him a hard time because if he hasn’t hit that wall yet, he hasn’t hit that wall yet. Mike, if you’re out there buddy, eventually it’s going to happen man. Nobody makes it to 90 or 100, maybe he’s such a freak of nature that he will. Today, no one has been able to maintain their testosterone levels into those later years,” Dr. Rand said.
In Dr. Rand’s opinion, O’Hearn’s meticulous efforts in regard to food, exercise, and rest make O’Hearn an exception. He argued that O’Hearn is an ‘unusual’ case because he doesn’t work a normal job that requires physical activity.
“He is [Mike O’Hearn] an example of someone who is completely devoted to working out and eating right and getting enough rest, but I guess what the take home is, he never overdoes it. He’s very meticulous.
As far as I can tell, from what I’ve talked to him about at the gym — what I see him doing – he’s very smart, and he doesn’t have a UPS job he has to go to and go up the steps after a hellacious squat workout. It’s not a knock against him, he’s just an unusual case is what I’m saying.”
Dr. Rand specified that an “average” person’s testosterone will dip as they age, even if O’Hearn’s hasn’t.
“For the average person, I want to take what Mike said [about testosterone not declining as you age] and just say, that applies to Mike okay, but the average person is going to certainly benefit from great lifestyle, great diet and regular training or working out but you’re not going to be able to keep your testosterone levels up into the later years.”
He believes para andropause (testosterone decline) is a fact of life, and most men will experience symptoms starting at 35.
“If I’m Mike, you could say ‘how do you know that Rand?’ Just because the studies say just by definition para andropause starts at age 35. That’s just the average person you know. That’s kind of my point though. Yeah Mike but you’re a freak of nature. The average person is going to experience that [andropause].”
Again, Dr. Rand highlighted that O’Hearn isn’t the average person.
“The average person can’t [do what Mike O’Hearn does]. I mean God bless if you’re another freak of nature that can, but the average person can’t so take what he says not as a grain of salt but as it applies to Mike — not the average being. I hope that’s helpful. Eventually all of our testosterone levels are going to plummet from one point to another,” Dr. Rand said.
O’Hearn values joint health anytime he’s training at the gym. He designs his workouts to aid in longevity and joined hands with Arnold Schwarzenegger‘s son Joseph Baena recently. The two practiced an old school back workout where O’Hearn stressed to Joseph that he wants him lifting well into his twilight years like his father.
RELATED: Bodybuilder Robby Robinson Offers ‘Old School’ Biceps Training Tips with Mike O’Hearn
While it doesn’t appear O’Hearn is slowing down anytime soon, Dr. Rand is confident it’s only a matter of time before Mike encounters low testosterone. Dr. Rand believes O’Hearn is a freak of nature but contends that most people will have to deal with andropause as they get older.
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