Testosterone Balancing Program for Men- from a Naturopathic Perspective
Men over 40 who have been feeling sluggish, fatigued and weak will want to read this.
Please share this blog with any men in your life who may want to regain their energy, muscle mass and strength, naturally!
It’s not something that is talked about much, but many guys over 40 probably may experience the effects of aging in the male body.
Common complaints from some of my male patients include weight gain (especially around the belly), low energy, feeling fatigued, less drive and feeling weak and unmotivated in the gym.
But what exactly is causing this?
Yep, you guessed it… It has to do with testosterone levels!
Maintaining an optimal free testosterone level is absolutely vital for men who want to get the most out of their bodies.
In men, testosterone is a hormone produced primarily in the testicles.
Testosterone helps maintain men’s:
- Bone density
- Fat distribution
- Muscle strength and mass
- Facial and body hair
- Red blood cell production
- Sex drive
- Energy
- Sperm production
Testosterone levels generally peak during adolescence and early adulthood. As you age, your testosterone level gradually declines — typically about 1% a year after age 30 or 40.
Low testosterone is diagnosed with a simple blood test. Low testosterone or “Low T” in men is associated with many symptoms including:
- Changes in sexual function. This might include reduced sexual desire, fewer spontaneous erections-such as during sleep, and infertility.
- Physical changes. Various physical changes are possible, including increased body fat, reduced muscle bulk and strength, and decreased bone density. Swollen or tender breasts (gynecomastia) and body hair loss are possible. You might have less energy than you used to.
- Emotional changes. Low testosterone can contribute to a decrease in motivation or self-confidence. You might feel sad or depressed, or have trouble concentrating or remembering things.
We know that giving testosterone replacement to men with Low T can result in higher risk for blood clots, limiting sperm production-which can lead to infertility, or causing loss of testicular volume.
Thankfully, there are solutions to raising testosterone levels in men safely and without side effects.
But how can free testosterone levels be increased safely and without side effects?
Starting with the basics, and looking for the root cause is the Naturopathic approach.
Lifestyle pays a huge part in men’s health and testosterone levels as well.
Diet, exercise, stress, sleep and social connections are the fundamental issues I start with when addressing with any imbalances. We know that obesity, environmental toxins, sedentary lifestyle, poor diet and unrelenting stress can disrupt a man’s hormone balance, resulting in low testosterone, at any age.
Making small changes can reap huge rewards.
Weight loss, it turns out, boosts your testosterone levels.
In fact, if you’re overweight (or obese) and have low T levels, taking off some of those pounds is one of the best things you can do to get higher T levels.
This makes sense, of course, given the direct effects obesity has on testosterone.
Weight loss can reduce the prevalence of low testosterone levels in overweight, middle-aged men by almost 50 percent, a new study finds.
And at the same time, boosting testosterone will help with fat loss in men.
The effect of exercise on increasing testosterone levels in men.
A combination of aerobic (increase in heart rate) and resistance (weightlifting) training has been found to increase the production of testosterone.
Diet can be causing low T.
The relationship between the male sex hormone, testosterone, and obesity is complex, and dietary-related factors may serve as important intermediates.
Recent studies suggest that men who prefer Western-style food (bread and pastries, dairy products, and desserts), eat out, and eat fewer whole foods, and dark green vegetables are more likely to have an unhealthy body composition (e.g., increased visceral belly fat and decreased skeletal muscle mass) and low serum total T levels.
Testing for Low T.
Testing is usually a simple blood test, done first thing in the morning before 8am. Other important blood tests include lipids, glucose and diabetes markers, inflammatory markers, CBC, LH/FSH, Estradiol, PSA, and kidney and liver function tests. In my practice, I also utilize comprehensive hormone testing to evaluate adrenal hormones (cortisol and DHEA), nutritional status, and environmental toxins if needed.
Naturopathic treatments to increase testosterone.
Naturopathic Medicine offer a wide array of treatments that are non-hormonal and hormonal. Each man is unique and treatment is personalized based on test results, co-morbidities, and patient preference. Weight loss can be a good way to address several issues at once while making other impactful lifestyle changes. Bio-identical testosterone replacement therapy is just one option for Low T, but there are other alternatives for men who do not want testosterone replacement therapy. These include HCG and Emclophine, both of which are prescription medications, and many options for effective nutraceutical therapy.
Note: There are contraindications to any form of testosterone-enhancing therapy, (hormonal and non-hormonal) and some men are not candidates for these therapies based on current medical conditions, past medical history and other factors. Most men can benefit from lifestyle changes, weight loss, and stress reduction, however.
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In Health,
Dr. Helene
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