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Testosterone (low)
By Steven Horne, RH (AHG) & Kimberly Balas, ND
Testosterone is the principle male hormone. It stimulates sperm production, libido, muscular strength and the
physical characteristics of the male. Low testosterone causes
a number of symptoms including frustration and anxiety,
mild depression, low self esteem, decreased sex drive, lack of
muscle tone and muscle wasting. Men's testosterone levels
have fallen sharply; most men have half the levels of testosterone men had 20 years ago. This is very bad for men's
health.
Here are some tips for increasing testosterone levels.
Excess estrogens upset the balance between testosterone
and estrogen in men and xenoestrogens are a principle cause
of this imbalance. While red meat stimulates testosterone
levels in men, most commercially raised red meat contains
xenoestrogens. If you can find organically raised, grass-fed beef
it not only helps you reduce your exposure to xenoestrogens, it will enhance your testosterone levels at the same time.
Pesticides and herbicides, such as DDT and organochlorines, are also xenoestrogens. Eating organically grown food
wherever possible and making sure non-organically grown
food is washed in a natural cleaning solution will reduce your exposure to these chemicals.
PCP and thalamus found in plastic materials are also
xenoestrogens. They are accumulating in the world's soil,
water and air. Because heat releases these chemicals, avoid
microwaved in plastic containers, don't drink water from soft plastic bottles after they have been exposed to heat and
avoiding placing hot food into plastic storage containers.
Another compound that reduces testosterone levels in
men is fluoride. Don't use fluoridated toothpaste or other
products containing fluoride. If your water is fluoridated,
get a Nature's Spring Reverse Osmosis unit or some other water treatment appliance to remove the fluoride from your
drinking water.
Men suffering from any kind of male reproductive problems should also be aware that too many phytoestrogens (estrogenic compounds found in plants) can also cause
imbalances in testosterone and estrogen levels. One of the
principle culprits here is soy. Widely touted as a beneficial
health food, according to the Wesson Price Foundation,
"Numerous animals studies show that soy foods cause infertility in animals. Japanese housewives feed tofu to their
husbands frequently when they want to reduce his virility."
So use soy sparingly.
Men should also avoid consuming large amounts of licorice, as it enhances cortisol levels and decreases testosterone
levels.
Hops is another highly estrogenic herb. It contains
very potent estrogens that can reduce male sex drive. Since
most beer is made with hops, men who are concerned about
their fertility or are suffering from male reproductive health
problems should avoid drinking beer made from hops.
Finally, grapefruit interferes with estrogen breakdown and
should also be consumed sparingly by men who wish to enhance their testosterone lewels.
Drugs can also effect testosterone levels. Classes of medications that may interfere with male reproductive function
include anti-inflammatories, antibiotics, antifungal, stations (cholesterol-lowering medications), antidepressants,
calcium channel blockers, sleeping pills and high blood
pressure medications. Carefully read warning labels to discover if any medications you take may be affecting your
reproductive health.
Diets that are high in refined carbohydrates and low in
good fats and protein will also damage male reproductive
health. High carbohydrate diets stress the adrenal glands
and pancreas, resulting in increased levels of insulin and
reduced levels of DHEA, a building block for male hormones. Also, the current drive to lower cholesterol levels is
increasing depression and reproductive health problems in
men. DHEA and all reproductive hormones are made from
cholesterol, so driving cholesterol levels too low will actually
cause reproductive problems in both sexes.
As suggested earlier, organic meat, eggs and dairy products are actually good for you, especially if they are from
grass-fed animals. Get white bread and refined sugar out of
your diet and eat fruits and vegetables instead, preferably
organic. These foods also protect your body from heart disease and cancer.
Finally, exercise regularly. Regular exercise helps increase
testosterone production. It also reduces your risk of cardio-vascular disease, diabetes and other degenerative diseases.
Resistance training with weights is especially important for
men as they grow older.
Below is a list of suggested products. Those in bold are key products for the health issue explained on this page.
For details and ordering simply copy a product's name in the search box above or click on the bold name.
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