The “dad bod” has had its cultural moment. And fair enough – there’s something refreshingly human about a body that shows it’s been lived in. But there’s a difference between accepting that your body changes as you get older and quietly ignoring signals that something could genuinely be supported.

This isn’t about aesthetics. It’s about energy. Resilience. Feeling like yourself.

Here’s what’s actually happening – and what’s worth paying attention to.

The mid-30s shift nobody really warns you about

From the mid-30s onwards, a number of things change quietly and gradually. Testosterone levels begin a slow decline – around 1% per year on average. Muscle mass starts to decrease unless actively maintained. Recovery takes longer. Sleep becomes lighter. And for many men, hair begins to thin in ways that weren’t happening in their twenties.

None of this is dramatic on its own. But cumulatively, and particularly when stress and a demanding lifestyle are layered on top, the effects become noticeable.

Energy and the mineral connection

One of the most overlooked factors in men’s energy levels is mineral depletion. Modern diets – even relatively healthy ones – are frequently low in magnesium, zinc, and a range of trace elements that the body depends on for energy production, hormonal balance, and cellular function. Stress accelerates this depletion significantly.

The result is often that flat, run-down feeling that men tend to push through rather than address – which works until it doesn’t.

Hair loss: what’s actually going on

Hair loss in men is common, and the most frequent cause is androgenetic alopecia – pattern hair loss driven by a sensitivity to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone derived from testosterone. But stress, nutritional deficiencies, and poor scalp circulation all play a contributing role, particularly in how quickly thinning progresses and whether regrowth is possible.

The important distinction is between topical treatments, which address the symptom at the surface, and internal support, which addresses the underlying factors. Saw palmetto, for example, has been studied for its role in inhibiting DHT conversion. Zinc, CoQ10, and B vitamins all support healthy hair follicle function at a cellular level.

What practical support actually looks like

It doesn’t require a dramatic lifestyle overhaul. The fundamentals – reasonable sleep, movement, nutrition that isn’t entirely compromised by convenience – do most of the work. Targeted supplementation fills the gaps where diet and lifestyle fall short.

For men specifically, a supplement formulated around the internal factors that drive hair health – like Nordens Storm – approaches the issue from the inside rather than the outside. It’s not a quick fix, and honest brands will tell you that. But consistent internal support, over time, produces results that topical products alone typically can’t.

The bottom line

Your body changes from your mid-30s onwards. That’s not a problem to be solved – it’s a reality to be worked with. The men who feel good in their 40s and 50s are generally the ones who started paying a little attention in their 30s.

It doesn’t have to be complicated. It just has to start.

Nordens Storm is available at https://www.nordens.co.za/product/storm-hair-restoration-for-men/. As with all supplements, consult your healthcare practitioner if you have specific health concerns.