5 Easy Ways to Increase Your Manpower

How to tap into your secret source of sexual stamina, energy and drive.

A testosterone shortage could cost you your life. As if losing muscle mass, bone density, and your sex drive to low T levels wasn't bad enough, new research shows the decline can also increase your risk of prostate cancer, heart disease, and even death. Follow these steps to lift your levels and lengthen your life.

1. Uncover your abs
As your waist size goes up, your testosterone goes down. In fact, a 4-point increase in your body mass index—about 30 extra pounds on a 5-foot-10 guy—can accelerate your age-related T decline by 10 years.

2. Build Your biceps
Researchers recently found that men who lifted weights regularly experienced a 49 percent boost in their free testosterone levels. "As you strengthen your muscles, the amount of testosterone your body produces increases," says David Zava, Ph.D., CEO of ZRT Laboratory. You need to push iron only twice a week to see the benefit.

3. Fill up on fat
Trimming lard from your diet can help you stay lean, but eliminating all fat can cause your T levels to plummet. A study published in the International Journal of Sports Medicine reveals that men who consumed the most fat also had the highest T levels. To protect your heart and preserve your T, eat foods high in monounsaturated fats—food such as fish and nuts.

4. Push away from the bar
Happy hour can wreak havoc on your manly hormones. In a recent study, men who drank moderate amounts of alcohol daily for three weeks experienced a 7 percent decrease in their testosterone levels. Limit your drinking to one or two glasses of beer or wine a night to avoid a drop in T.

5. Stop stress
Mental or physical stress can quickly depress your T levels. Stress causes cortisol to surge, which "suppresses the body's ability to make testosterone and utilize it within tissues," says Zava. Cardio can be a great tension tamer, unless you overdo it. Injuries and fatigue are signs that your workout is more likely to lower T than raise it.

Turn Her on with Your Brain

Men, it's time to hit the books: The ultimate turn-on for women is your brain.

According to a new study that will appear in the journal Evolution and Human Behavior, women looking for both one-night stands and long-term intimacy prefer smart guys to meatheads.

Researchers asked 15 college men to read news reports, explain why they would be good mates, discuss the implications of life on Mars, and play Frisbee to show their sportsmanship, all while being videotaped.

Then 200 women watched the videos and rated each guy's intelligence, attractiveness, creativity, and appeal for a short- or long-term relationship. For both serious and fleeting relationships, intelligence boosted the men’s sex appeal.

These findings go back to biological roots: When looking for potential husbands, women typically seek a man who will be a good provider and father—and they find them by searching for brainy guys.

Contrary to stereotypes about nerds, “[being smart doesn’t make you] socially awkward,” says Mark Prokosch, Ph.D., psychologist at Elon University and leader of the study. In fact, he says, intelligent guys tell great stories and make others laugh—qualities that attract women.

Knowing about current events and expressing your opinions also boosts your appeal. But don't pretend to have knowledge that you lack—it's much better to admit you're clueless and ask her to explain.

Most importantly, be confident. “Intelligence is important when it comes to attracting a woman,” Prokosch says, “and men at ease come across as smarter.”