You Must Evaluate your Male Estrogen Levels

Male estrogens (estradiol) are a testosterone by-product that are produced naturally in the body. In small amounts, they help regulate testosterone production and serve to balance testosterone and promote bone, brain and sexual health. But when elevated, male estrogens can suppress testosterone levels as well as directly reduce sex drive, promote fat gain and muscle loss, enlarge the prostate and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Unfortunately, this is exactly the set of problems that we are currently facing. A combina­tion of our lifestyle and dietary choices, stress, use of medications and alcohol coupled with the pervasive amounts of estrogenic pollutants found in plastics and our water supply are the reasons why estradiol levels are climbing in men. In fact, we now see men with estrogen levels higher than that of many women.  As estrogen rises in men, testosterone drop and mammary gland tissue begins to grow (creating male breasts). This problem is so common that male breast reduction is now the fastest growing surgery in America!

Drinking soda and other sugary beverages may make you a bedroom flop.

Canadian scientists found that maintaining a diet high in sugar can temporarily lower your testosterone levels, which in turn can undermine your erections and sap your sex drive. That's because a constant surfeit of sugar creates a domino effect: your triglycerides go up, your sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) goes down, and then your testosterone goes into hibernation. "When you're deficient in SHBG, it signals your body to stop making testosterone altogether," says study author Geoffrey Hammond, Ph.D. If you're consuming a high-sugar diet, this chain reaction can happen in 4 months. 

Too many carbohydrates, especially from simple sugars, are the most common culprit in reducing testosterone to estradiol ratios. Swear off sweets, and your testosterone should come roaring back.

Is it Low T?

There are very few real problems these days that you can truly thank the pharmaceutical industry for but one of them is creating an awareness of male testosterone issues and in doing so moving it from the concern of a small group of longevity oriented, European trained physician to that of mass market appeal. . 

Up until the turn of the century, low testosterone and male erectile issues were neglected and overlooked. The only testosterone treatment that did exist was off patent injections and topical hormones formulated by compounded pharmacists. With no money to be made by the pharmaceutical industry, there was little mass marketing of the problem and therefore only a very small percent of men whose suffered from hypogonadism (very low testosterone levels) ever were even considered for treatment. 

Low Testosterone: Like Money in the Bank

A man's testosterone levels are an indicator of his his youthful vigor and vitality. They are very high for most men in their late teens and twenties and as we live longer, we find that hormone levels begin to decline.

The fallacy is the fact that while hormone levels decline as we get older it is not age that is the problem for most men. In working with thousands of men the effects of cellular aging on testosterone only really start to play a role once we get into our 70's. Until then hormone imbalances are almost never caused by age and disease but due to lifestyle, environmental issues and nutritional depletion.

Think of your hormone levels as money in the bank, set up in trust. You are genetically gifted with a certain amount in your youth and as you live you continually make withdrawals until one day the bank sends you notice that funds are running low. The signs could be among others decrease libido, loss of morning erections, difficulty gaining muscle or increased belly fat, and mood related problems.

In the professional athletes we work with, sometime in their early to mid thirties, the signs are that they begin to experience poor recovery, loss of reaction time, decreased visual acuity and balance and slowed foot speed. And in fact, reducing or reversing these athletic death signs are the real benefits that athletes receive who take "steroids"!

Bend Real Estate and Free Testosterone

You may ask what does a bunch of busy home builders have to do with your testosterone levels?

Well the real estate market story in my town of Bend, Oregon is a perfect example of why it is not how much total testosterone you have, but what is important is how much is free and available to get the job done.

During the real estate boom from 2001 to 2005, Bend was deluged with thousands of people from California who chose to move here to live in a beautiful rural location in a much bigger house for much less money. Home builders followed and houses went up everywhere making Bend the #1 appreciated real estate market in 2004. The ironic part of it all was, even with all the builders, if you wanted to build your own home it was almost impossible to find one. Waiting times were over a year and cost per square foot reached $300 sg/ft! 

Vitamin D: Find a Formula that Works!

What is your vitamin D level? 

Finding out the answer to this simple question may be the single, most important thing you’ll ever do for your health, appearance and performance! Current scientific research suggests that all cells and tissues in your body have vitamin D receptors, which means that each and every cell and tissue in your body needs it for proper function.

Did you know that vitamin D controls your body’s ability to produce energy and determines just how good your coordination, reaction time, strength, speed and endurance are? That a low level of vitamin D can lead to increased body fat? That vitamin D plays a major role in controlling inflammation—the culprit that causes sore muscles and slow recovery? Or that vitamin D has a proven, positive effect on the immune system? If your vitamin D level is low, you’ll be far more prone to flus, colds, and infections.

Research studies have shown that almost 85% of all active people are vitamin D deficient—including those receiving regular sun exposure!

You can't rely on sun exposure or food.

While exposure to the sun’s UVB rays support your body’s ability to manufacture its own (adequate) supply of vitamin D3, its not always practical—or even possible—to rely on the sun, especially during the colder months of the year. Even during the warmer months, its unrealistic for most people to get 30 minutes of full-body sun exposure three times weekly during mid-day hours.

Practical Health Solutions for Men

Think men are DIFFERENT these days?  You’re right!

                                

Unfortunately, their hormonal health is not what it used to be.  Testosterone levels in men are now 20% lower—and their estradiol levels 40% higher—than they were just 20 years ago.  A combination of physical and mental stress, poor dietary choices, physiological deficiencies, exposure to environmental chemicals and a lack of physical activity are the major reasons why. 

After working with hundreds of men restore and rebalance their hormonal levels over the past 15 years, I have learned that there isn’t an easy or magical solution.  So don't fall for the HYPE!

It doesn’t matter if it’s a prescription, over-the-counter or herbal formula, testosterone replacement products WILL NOT address the true, underlying cause (or causes) of your male hormone problems.  In fact, their use can create even MORE problems for you to deal with.  Did you know that they will able increase your male estrogen levels, but will actually shut down your body’s natural ability to produce its own hormones. 

Fortunately, there are a few simple and scientifically-proven steps that men can take to dramatically improve their hormonal health and well-being.