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MEN'S HEALTH

Men have more to be concerned about than just prostate health. Read on to find out how you can enhance your health daily....

The human body can be thought of as a complex network of cells that communicate via hormone messengers. These messengers are responsible for telling cells what to do and when to do it. In the male body, androgenic sex hormones, like testosterone, play an important role in the maintenance of health and fertility. High or low levels of androgens can cause different complaints, depending on the age of a man. In addition, normal hormone levels are responsible for the physical features that distinguish men from women, for example, muscle mass, jaw line and body shape.

Men’s health is being compromised by the presence of estrogenic compounds in our environment. They come from pesticides, plastics and residues of estrogenic drugs, like women’s contraceptives. They have already been shown to feminize fish and other species, sometimes to the extreme of making them infertile and compromising the persistence of their species. Studies on human male sperm counts over several generations show that the number of viable sperm is decreasing. This should be a concern to everyone because it may one day lead to the extinction of our species.

The liver and bowels are important organs for men’s health because they are responsible for processing hormones and excreting processed hormones. Performing liver and bowel detoxification will help to decrease some men’s health concerns by ensuring proper functioning of these organs and thereby allowing the processing of estrogenic compounds. The thyroid and adrenal glands form an axis with the testes to regulate sexual functioning within the overall health of the man. This explains why other medical concerns such as hypothyroidism, stress and depression can lead to infertility.

Optimize the functioning of your detoxifying organs and minimize your exposure to estrogenic compounds by:
· Decreasing your consumption of animal products
· Limiting exposure to environmental toxins
· Reducing stress and implementing a stress-management program
· Using appropriate supplements for detoxification and stress management

A diet high in animal products is high in saturated fats and may contain estrogenic chemicals. Fat cells contain enzymes that convert testosterone to estrogen. The more fat cells a man has the more testosterone can be converted. Estrogenic chemicals are found in meat and dairy products for several reasons. The animals are consuming feed and water that contains estrogenic environmental by-products. They may also be given hormones to speed growth and maturation. Free range and organic animal products are a better choice because they do not contain estrogenic compounds from drugs. Their feed and water is usually also monitored for such substances.

Animal protein also compromises detoxification by slowing intestinal transit time. A man whose diet is high in animal products is absorbing more processed toxins and fats from his intestines.

Environmental toxins concentrate in the food and water supply and are transferred into men’s bodies. Tap water contains estrogens that are excreted by females and that come from chemical runoff. Use a water filtration system that removes these compounds. Minimize your exposure to lawn chemicals and industrial chemicals. Use all necessary precautions when you do handle chemicals.

Plastics are a major source of estrogenic compounds. They leak into food and water when it is stored or heated in containers. Male children are first exposed to estrogens this way through the use of plastic bottles, bottle liners, soothers and teething toys. Most parents are constantly sterilizing these products and each time they heat the plastic it becomes more susceptible to breaking down.

In order to minimize your exposure to plastic estrogens substitute glassware for plastic whenever possible. Do not cook or warm food in plastic containers (even ones that say microwave safe!).

Do not place leftovers into plastic storage containers until they have cooled. Do not use plastic water bottles or reuse single use water bottles. Do not place hot beverages in plastic cups. Look for phthalate-free teething toys.

Stress leads to a build up of acidity in the body. When the body’s pH is acidic the detoxification processes do not run as quickly as they could. Stress also depletes vitamins, such as the B complex, which are needed by the liver to function. Supplemental programs for detoxification and stress management include B vitamins, lipotropic factors, liver supportive herbs, like milk thistle, and adrenal supportive herbs, like Siberian ginseng and licorice.

Men’s health can also be compromised by the following conditions

Arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis occur when deposits build-up on the inside of the arteries. This leads to a decrease in the flexibility and elasticity of the walls. Deposits can be made of calcium (arteriosclerosis) or fatty substances like cholesterol (atherosclerosis). Decreased circulation leads to high blood pressure as the body struggles to maintain enough blood flow to its tissues. Pieces of the deposits can break off or the turbulent flow of blood can cause clots to form. If the pieces or clots lodge in smaller vessels this leads to heart attack or stroke. Lifestyle factors such as smoking, obesity, improper diet, stress and lack of exercise are bigger indicators of your heart disease risk than family history. Therefore it is encouraging to note that adopting a healthier lifestyle and using natural therapies can maintain a healthy vascular system.

The most common type of hair loss is male pattern baldness. It has been found that high levels of certain male hormones can act as a body signal to alter hair growth. Specifically, the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT) can cause a shrinking of the hair follicle, like that seen in the natural catagen phase. DHT is a highly active from of testosterone that some men make larger amounts of than others. In other cases, the men have normal hormone levels but more receptor sites for this hormone in their scalp, which increases the signal received, and thus hair loss occurs. The herb Saw Palmetto has been proven to slow the conversion of regular testosterone into DHT. While not a miracle cure, clinical evidence shows that this herb has made a difference in some cases. DHT has also been linked to the development of enlarged prostate and prostate cell growths. Other factors that contribute to hair loss include heredity, aging, poor circulation, acute illness, malnutrition, radiation exposure, skin disease, high fever, iron deficiency, diabetes, hypothyroidism, stress, fungal infection and chemical hair dyes.

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, leads to heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure and retinal damage. You should have your blood pressure tested every 2 years unless instructed otherwise. The most common causes of hypertension are narrowed arteries or a decrease in arterial elasticity. Other causes are kidney disease, heavy metal toxicity, obesity, stress and poor diet.

Impotence occurs when a man does not have the ability to achieve or maintain an erection for normal sexual intercourse. Eighty-five percent of impotence cases have a physical basis. The brain, nervous system, cardiovascular system and the hormonal axis all have a role to play in impotence. Factors that can lead to impotence are arteriosclerosis, peripheral vascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, alcohol use, smoking and a history of sexually transmitted disease. Over 200 different medications can also cause impotence.

Infertility is the inability to conceive after one year of regular intercourse without using contraception. Infertility in men can be due to decreased sperm count or motility or an inability to have complete sexual intercourse. Other causes are undescended testes, infectious diseases, environmental toxins, smoking, drug use, frequent intercourse, prolonged exposure to heat in the genital area, tight underwear, stress or poor diet.

Prostate problems occur when the gland becomes infected or swollen. Infection can occur directly in the prostate or it can be a complication of a urinary tract infection. The most common prostate condition is benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). It occurs in men over the age of fifty due to hormonal imbalances, poor diet, nutrient deficiencies or high cholesterol. The growth of malignant or benign tumours can also cause prostate swelling.

BPH affects 75% of men over age 70 and 50% of men over age 50. It starts because, at age 50, a man’s levels of testosterone decrease and levels of other hormones, like estrogens and prolactin, increase. This causes an increase in dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the prostate, leading to increased numbers of prostate cells.

Optimal androgen levels provide enough hormones to build muscle and have sufficient sexual functioning and libido. Many men try to increase their androgen levels for athletic performance. The supplements that are used in sports nutrition programs will increase performance but must be used with caution. Excess testosterone adversely affects the prostate gland and can have feminizing effects.

The prostate gland will convert more testosterone to DHT when there are high levels of circulating testosterone. This can lead to early prostate swelling or worsen other prostate conditions. Excess testosterone will also be converted to estrogen by fat cells. This effect can be seen in men who grow more breast tissue while using anabolic steroids. Supplements are available that support the prostate and prevent the conversion of testosterone in the prostate and fat cells.

General guidelines to maintain health:
· Eat a well balanced diet rich in nutrients that support the cardiovascular and reproductive systems.
· Have a balanced lifestyle that includes time for work, rest and play.
· Use nutritional supplements and herbal products to optimize health.
· Limit alcohol intake and do not smoke.
· Have regular check ups with a health care professional, even if you feel healthy.

Dietary changes for cardiovascular health include maintaining adequate fibre intake and lowering the fat and cholesterol content of your foods. Drink lots of clear fluids and eat raw fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Include green leafy vegetables, nuts, seeds, vegetable protein like soybeans and unrefined oils like olive, flax and sunflower in your daily diet. Foods to avoid are any junk foods, fried foods, processed foods, fast foods, white flour products, white sugar products, red meat, egg yolks, ice cream, salt, coffee, colas and other caffeine sources. Eliminate alcohol, tobacco and highly spiced foods.

Dietary approaches to support reproductive health begin with adding nuts and seeds, and their oils, to the diet. They are good sources of essential fatty acids and zinc. Try flax seed, pumpkin seed, sesame seed and walnuts. Consume fish and fish oils, which also contain protective fatty acids. Add nutritional yeast to the diet as a source of B vitamins. Soy products contain phytoestrogens and are thought to be protective against prostate disorders. Other foods that are rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants also support the prostate, for example, fresh fruits and vegetables, cumin, garlic and maitake mushroom. Use royal jelly or bee pollen as a source of nutrients that support the reproductive organs.

Have a positive mental outlook and deal with stress effectively. Stress reduction techniques such as deep breathing, yoga or biofeedback will help to maintain a healthy stress level. Our lifestyles are far less physically active than they were even a few generations ago. Most people exercise their brains and fingers, on keyboards, more than the rest of their body. Regular exercise stimulates the adrenal glands, relieves stress and builds muscle.