Men’s Health
Why be concerned?
Did you know that men also go through male menopause?
The hormone changes associated with male andropause can begin as early as 30 and continue to decline thereafter. Testosterone in particular has been shown to reduce by 2-3 % annually after age 30. Traditionally, age-related male hormone changes were not considered problematic because fertility in men persists until as advanced age. This is in contrast to women who undergo ovarian function reduction and fertility ceases with menopause.
What are the symptoms related to Male Menopause?
We now however see progressive age-related changes including:
- Muscle mass & strength reduction
- Vigour & energy reduction
- Mental capacity reduction
- Libido reduction
- Insomnia
- Nervousness & Depression
- Hair Loss
- Prostate Concerns
- Increased Injuries: Pain & Inflammation
These changes may be related to general decline of hormones or imbalances of hormones.
What are the Health Connections related to this trend?
Not only do we need to consider male hormones but also the organs that produce other hormones that are related.
The most significant organs include:
- The testes-responsible for production of testosterone
- The liver- as hormones are broken down and re-circulated through this organ
- The adrenal gland- responsible for the production of epinephrine, norepinephrine, cortisol (when elevated for long periods of time makes it difficult to lose weight), DHEA (breaks down into estrogen and testosterone) and progesterone
- The thyroid-responsible for your rate of metabolism
Anatomy of Stress- shows the complete relationship of the organs and the balance in the nervous system, the adrenal gland, the thyroid and their relationship to hormones. The pathway from beginning to end is shown in the Health Wellness Spectrum (HWS) ©: (For more details of the HWS © see the April 2008 Newsletter Allergies, Asthma and Eczema)
How can I be tested for my levels of male hormones?
At Revivelife we use salivary hormone testing to evaluate the following androgen hormones:
- DHEA
- Progesterone
- Androstenedione
- Testosterone
- DHT
- Estrone
*See Addendum 1 for Male Hormone Pathways
*See Addendum 2 for Details of these hormones
What are the benefits of balancing Male Hormones?
- Increase of fitness and sense of well-being
- Decrease of body fat and increase in lean body mass
- Resolution of hormone dependent libido problems
- Prevention of hair thinning
- Increase in hematocrit and RBC counts
- Mitigation of osteoporosis and stimulation of bone formation
- Decrease in total cholesterol, increase HDL Note: It is important to monitor male hormonal support therapy as there may be risk for those with prostate concerns, liver cancer and atherosclerosis.
Top 5 Male Treatment Options
- Reduce acidity in the body (Acidosis) to assist reduction of chronic degenerative disease
*See Addendum 3 for Chart of Acidic Versus Alkaline Foods
- Detoxification & Liver Support to balance the hormones that you do have present and optimize their ratio i.e. Milk Thistle, Dandelion, Antioxidants
- EFAs- precursors to hormones and support cardiovascular health
- Phytotestosterone Botanicals- Damiana, Sasparilla, Tribulus
- Organ Support to Adrenals and Thyroid
Because each man is different it is important to have your individual assessment done. It is a balance and relative ratios of hormones to each other that is also vital versus just the hormone itself.
What are the symptoms of Acidosis?
- Excess Weight Gain- acid is stored in fat cells and the body produces more as acid in the body increases
- Excess Weight Loss-acidic environments enhance yeast and fungus to feed on our nutrients and thus reduce the absorption of what we eat by up to 50%
- Pain & Inflammation-calcium ions look for acid to form calcium carbonate in the body which when the body is acidic can’t be moved out of the body properly. In this state the body deposits excess in the joints leading to increased pain.
- Osteoporosis-is related to acidosis. As the body becomes more acidic, our body tries to remain healthy to protect us against heart attacks, illness, strokes or even cancer. In doing so it takes calcium from our teeth, bones and tissues, increasing the risk of osteoporosis.
- Low Energy – in an acidic environment our biological terrain’s oxygen level drops, leaving us fatigued. This also allows parasites, fungus, bacteria, mold and viral infections to flourish.
- Cardiovascular Concerns-acidity allows micro-organisms to attach to the vessel walls which creates inflammation and plaque formation
- Allergies-the toxins produced within an acidic, oxygen deprived environment as well as the absorption of undigested proteins is major cause of allergy conditions. When the digestive system is weakened, a wide range of allergic reactions can occur, e.g. food allergies, and the overall susceptibility to allergens is increased.
- Skin Conditions- when the body is not digesting effectively the body tries to eliminate through the skin.
- Colds, Bronchitis, Infections, Headaches-only when our pH level is fairly balanced, the binding of oxygen to the hemoglobin protein of our red blood cells in the lungs operates. If the pH is too acidic, microbes in our respiratory systems can grow much more easily, and in that way cause bronchitis, pneumonia and sinusitis, and invade our cell system.
As one can see many of the symptoms of acidosis are similar to those of hormonal imbalance and aging. Thus balancing your pH is vital to Longevity Living Longer and Stronger!
Addendum 1- Male Hormonal Pathways
Regular Male Hormone Panel™ (MHPTM) Salivary Male Hormone Panel™ (MHP™) which evaluates the androgen pathway by measuring the free fractions of the 6 hormones shown below in boxes. 1.Progesterone is a precursor to all androgens and is a physiologic modulator of DHT production. 2.DHEA & DHEA-S, the main adrenal androgens are the precursors to both testosterone and estradiol, and the limiting factor in their production especially under stress. 3.Androstenedione, another adrenal androgen and precursor to estrone is freely inter-convertible with testosterone. 4.Estrone is the major estrogen in men and is the product of peripheral aromatization of androstenedione in fat and muscle tissue. 5.Testosterone, the dominant testicular androgen, is the precursor to 5-dihydrotestosterone (DHT). The androgenic effect in various tissues is not exerted by testosterone but by the locally produced DHT. Expanded MHP™ (eMHP™) this panel includes all the 6 tests in the regular MHP,™ plus FSH and LH. The pituitary neurohormones, FSH and LH, stimulate and regulate spermatogenesis and testosterone production respectively.
Early detection of an increase in FSH and LH levels is indicative of a progressive decline in male sexuality and functionality.
Addendum 2- Role of Each of the Male Hormones:
DHEA – Is the precursor for both male and female hormones. Also, it is an anti- stress hormone produced by the adrenal glands. Unmonitored intake can easily alter the delicate balance between male to female hormones.
Androstenedione – Is a weak male hormone (androgen) and a precursor of both male & female hormones. Unmonitored intake in men can cause excessive female hormone production with minimal male hormone production. In women, unmonitored intake usually causes excess male hormone production with body & facial hair stimulation.
Testosterone – Is the main testicular androgen and is a precursor to the highly potent dihydrotestosterone male hormone. Excessive amounts of testosterone promote hardening of the blood vessels, aggression, prostate problems and increase in total cholesterol.
Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) – Is made from testosterone in certain tissues. The rate of its production is controlled by the level of free active progesterone. Excess DHT causes prostate enlargement and thinning of scalp hair.
Progesterone – This hormone is important in both sexes. It is a natural calming agent to our nervous system. It also keeps in check excessive DHT production and counterbalances the effects of excessive estrone. Unmonitored intake can lead to breast enlargement, depression and weight gain.
Estrone – Is an estrogen that both sexes produce in the fat cells. The more fat, the more estrone which in turn itself promotes fat deposits. It is produced from androstenedione and excess of estrone can cause breast enlargement and contributes to prostate enlargement. In males, a certain low level of estrone is mandatory to balance the androgens.
Addendum 3 – Alkaline/ Acid Forming Foods
| ACID-FORMING FOODS (20% of diet) AND ACTIVITIES | ||||
| ANIMAL | GRAINS | BEANS | OTHER | ACTIVITIES |
| dried squid | buckwheat | peanuts | beer | vigorous exercise: |
| dried fish | rice bran | coconut | liquor | Jogging |
| egg yolk | oatmeal | cashews | sugar | rebounding |
| tuna | brown rice | Brazil nuts | honey | dancing |
| octopus | pearl barley | pecans | maple syrup | hot showers or baths |
| chicken | buckwheat flour | walnuts | alcohol | shallow breathing |
| carp | white rice | black beans | wine | aging |
| oysters | white flour | chick peas | cranberry juice | |
| salmon | wheat gluten | fava beans | fried foods | |
| clam | bread | pinto beans | saturated fats | |
| scallops | cornmeal | lima beans | pesticides | |
| pork | millet | lentils | chemicals | |
| beef | peas | free radical damage | ||
| cheese | ||||
| abalone | ||||
| shrimp | ||||
| butter | ||||
| ALKALINE-FORMING FOODS (80% of diet) AND ACTIVITIES | ||||
| VEGETABLES | FRUITS | NUTS/BEANS | OTHER | ACTIVITIES |
| wakame | bananas | kidney beans | Greens + | sea salt baths |
| kombu | strawberries | soybeans | Pure Synergy | gentle stretching: |
| ginger | orange juice | tempeh | Barley Green | tai chi |
| raw rhubarb | grapefruit | almonds | spirulina | yoga |
| kelp | lemon | chestnuts | all sprouts | Qigong |
| Irish moss | apricots | adzuki beans | wheatgrass juice | deep breathing |
| nori | apples | string beans | egg white | massage |
| mustard greens | cantaloupe | tofu | organic milk | meditation |
| Shitake mushrooms | cherries | flaxseeds | organic yogurt | walking in the forest |
| maitake mushrooms | pineapple | sunflower seeds | apple cider vinegar | cold showers or baths |
| reishi mushrooms | all berries | pumpkin seeds | Celtic sea salt | magnetic field therapy with negative polarity magnets |
| spinach | persimmons | antioxidants | ||
| kale | pears | sodium bicarbonate | more dietary fibre | |
| carrots | grape juice | stevia | antioxidants | |
| mushrooms | watermelon | good water | enzymes | |
| potatoes | flaxseed oil | |||
| burdock root | VEGETABLES | |||
| cabbage | (continued) | |||
| radish | Swiss chard | |||
| squash | pumpkin | |||
| bamboo shoots | zucchini | |||
| sweet potatoes | cucumbers | |||
| endive | tomatoes | |||
| celery | eggplant | |||
| lettuce | cauliflower | |||
| broccoli | asparagus | |||
| turnip | avocado | |||
| dill pickles | onion | |||
| dulse | ||||
