Men’s Hormone HealthDespite having taken good care of their health, men in their 40s, 50s, 60s and up may notice a gradual decline in strength, vigor and sexual performance. This can be attributed to decreasing testosterone and other hormones. As men age, they lose testosterone and DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone), hormones that support masculinity, strength, libido and sexual abilities. Bioidentical hormones can be used to restore hormone balance and enhance health.
It is common for middle-aged men to refrain from being perfect guardians of their bodies. Some may have gained weight, especially around the middle. Drinking too much alcohol, soft drinks or eating too much bread, pasta, potatoes and sweets can add abdominal pudginess. Overeating may have led to chronic acid reflux, resulting in taking common medications to suppress stomach acid. Any of these issues, combined with low hormone levels, may lead to abdominal weight gain, high cholesterol, insulin resistance, high blood pressure or diabetes. Restoring normal hormone levels can help reverse or reduce these problems, but it may not be sufficient. Diet and Metabolism As male hormones drop, metabolism slows down, making it increasingly difficult to burn calories as quickly. The tendency is to exercise less and eat more, as life stresses increase cravings for high carbohydrate foods. Carbohydrates increasingly tend to deposit around the middle, settling in as abdominal fat. Abdominal fat changes testosterone into estrogen and excess estrogen can increase cravings for carbohydrates. A vicious cycle forms, with central obesity, higher estrogen and ingesting more carbohydrates contributing to further induce central obesity. An aging digestive system can lose some of its ability to make digestive enzymes, bile and stomach acid, and poor digestion causes acid reflux. Supplemental digestive enzymes are available, as are stomach acid enhancers. It also helps to reduce the consumption of heavy animal fats and substitute fish or chicken (which are easier to digest). Eating more vegetables and fruit reduces straining the gall bladder, enhances natural digestive function and reduces acid reflux. Vitamins, Minerals and Other Supplements Men’s needs increase with age, yet their digestive tracts are less able to absorb many vitamins and minerals. Everyone should take supplements. Stomach acid is required to absorb Vitamin B-12, calcium, magnesium and iron. Calcium is important for bones and nervous system health. Adequate Vitamin D levels are also needed for calcium absorption — it has been revealed that people with higher levels of Vitamin D experience lower rates of colon, prostate, breast and other cancers. Georgia Hormones can measure your Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D to determine if there is a need for extra supplements. A good, quality multi-vitamin and multi-mineral can supply the nutrients that are needed in relatively small quantities. However, some nutrients are needed in fairly large amounts. A single daily vitamin cannot contain all of the nutrients our bodies need. Vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, and fish oil (fatty acids EPA and DHA) will require taking additional pills. For a complete list, research Essential Dietary Supplements. Other Supplements Many people take extra supplements, herbs and teas for various purposes. These may include CoQ10, glucosamine, Chondroitin sulfate, licorice, Dong Quai and many others. Exercise Perhaps no single life change is as important as regular exercise. Our bodies are designed for motion. Without regular exercise the heart and lungs, muscles, bones and joints degenerate. Using our muscles burns calories and fat. Borderline diabetics frequently use medications to lower blood sugar, but exercise alone can often do a better job. Aerobic exercise. Burns excess fat while improving heart and lung function and strengthening supporting bones. Examples of aerobic exercise includes walking, hiking, jogging, bicycling, using a treadmill, elliptical machine and other machines. Aerobic activity raises heart and breathing rates and with training, these activities can be performed for extended periods of time. Stretching. A yoga master once said, “You don’t get old and stiff, you get stiff and then old.” Practicing yoga, Tai Chi or Chi Gong improves posture and balance and reduces the prospect of falls and broken bones. Muscle building and toning. Testosterone will help muscles and bones respond, but they will not grow or remain strong without doing weight-bearing exercises. Weight training helps to improve strength, keeps bones strong and burns calories, further reducing fracture risk. How Georgia Hormones Can Help No one can change everything at once. Our bodies are not automobiles that may only require a simple replacement part. It is important to heal the parts we have. With patience and self-care, Georgia Hormones can help men gradually reduce bad habits and encourage much-needed lifestyle changes. We will help by supplementing hormones, vitamins and minerals, discussing diet, exercise, sleep habits and recreation. We can even talk about sex. You should feel some improvement right away. Everyone ages, no one is immortal. Our goal is to help maintain your health and vigor, so that you can enjoy a fulfilling, interesting, active and worthwhile old age. Additional reading materials: Holistic Health for Men Why Men Should Take HRT |