1. Get your thyroid checked
Men should get their thyroid checked as optimal thyroid levels not only reduce the risk for heart disease and cancer but also reduce weight, increase energy, improve collagen production for better skin, reduce cholesterol and improve hair growth.
The standard thyroid test called a TSH will, however, often miss low tissue thyroid levels so you must ask for a free T3/reverse T3 ratio. This ratio should be greater than 2 to be optimal.
2. Stop the hair loss
Male pattern hair loss can be improved or stopped by reducing the formation of dihydotestsoterone (DHT), which is a metabolite of testosterone. This can be done either with medications such as fenasteride (Proscar or Propecia) or dutasteride (Avodart) or with natural substances such as saw palmentto, pygeum, nettles or pumpkin seed oil. Not only can these substances reduce hair loss, but they can also prevent the enlargement of the prostate and prostate cancer.
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3. Hyaluronic acid for better skin
The ability to retain and hold moisture is the secret to youthful, healthy, vibrant skin. Hyaluronic acid occurs naturally in the deeper layers of our skin to helps to keep skin smooth and “plump” through its ability to hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water. The reduction of hyaluronic acid in the skin with aging robs us of this innate ability to hold in moisture. In addition to directly incorporating into the skin, hyaluronic acid also supports the formation and maintenance of collagen, an important connective tissue.
Healthy, youthful skin comes from the inside. By replacing the components that naturally deplete with age, we can reverse the signs associated with aging. Taking 400 to 800 mg of hyaluronic acid per day can not only provide a natural face lift from the inside out, it also prevents and treats joint pain that occurs from overuse and can help prevent joint deterioration. While it is difficult to find a quality supplement with adequate hyaluronic acid, Holtraceuticals RevitaGlow has 200 mg per cap with other skin rejuvenating nutraceuticals taken twice daily can have dramatic effects in 2 weeks.
4. Have your leptin level checked
New studies have shown that the hormone leptin has been found to be a major regulator of body weight and metabolism and that dysfunctional leptin signaling results in one of many vicious-cycles that prevent individuals from losing weight. Leptin is secreted by fat cells and the levels increase with the accumulation of fat. This leptin should then feedback to the hypothalamus as a signal that there are adequate energy (fat) stores, and this should signal the body to burn fat rather than continue to store excess energy.
Studies are finding, however, that the majority of overweight individuals that are having difficulty losing weight have varying degrees of leptin resistance. The leptin is unable to produce its normal effects of weight loss, with the severity correlating with the degree of obesity. This leptin resistance results in a leptin deficiency in the hypothalamus, which in sensed as starvation, so multiple mechanisms are activated to increase fat stores, as the body perceives a state of starvation. Baseline leptin levels and the degree of leptin resistance is shown to be a good predictor of a person’s likelihood of achieving successful weight loss with dieting.
It is recommended to get a leptin level checked. If it is above 10, leptin resistance is present and treatment by a knowledgeable physician can not only reduce the risk for weight gain, diabetes and heart disease, but can also help to reduce body fat and love handles.
5. Have your testosterone level checked
Testosterone is the primary androgen produced by the testes and it plays an essential role in the health of the male. Beyond determining the male sex characteristics, testosterone plays a vital role in maintaining mood, energy, libido and lean body mass. Studies have shown that a sub-optimal testosterone level that may still be considered “normal” by many doctors is associated with fatigue, depression, poor motivation, obesity and increased risk of heart disease and diabetes. Optimizing testosterone levels from a knowledgeable physician can improve fatigue, libido, motivation, mood and weight loss while reducing the risk of diabetes and heart disease.
6. Avoid plastics
Plastic water bottles and other plastic containers commonly contain bisphenol-A (BPA), a hormone-like chemical that can leach out of bottles and into your bloodstream, especially when heated. BPA is shown to reduce testosterone and thyroid levels while increasing estrogen levels, potentially causing weight gain, depression and fatigue.
7. Treat depression naturally
While depression is more common in women, it also affects a large number of men. Treatment with prescription antidepressants can be helpful but studies show that themajority of men will complain of side effects that include significantly reduced libido, anxiety and insomnia. While there are a number of over-the-counter (OTC) natural therapies that can be helpful, including St. John’s wort, SAM-e and 5-HTP, there is now a prescription natural serotonin available that is significantly more effective than OTC therapies but does is not associated with the side effects of other prescription antidepressants.
While many doctors and psychiatrists are not yet familiar with prescription serotonin therapy, increasing numbers of physicians are utilizing this therapy. It can be given either by injection or orally. Checking a base-line serotonin level can also be beneficial as many patients with depression or anxiety will have low or lownormal levels. Studies are also showing that chronic use of antidepressants will deplete natural serotonin levels so the prescription serotonin can be used in such cases.
8. Boost erectile function and reduce blood pressure
Studies show L-Arginine, Alpha Keto-Glutarate and vitamin D are shown to boost nitric oxide, which enable vessels to dilate and can improve erectile dysfunction as well as lowering blood pressure in hypertensive individuals. It is safe in normotensive individuals, as it will not lower blood pressure if it is not elevated.
9. Get your estrogen level checked
While estrogen is felt to be a female hormone, men also have estrogen. Elevated levels of estrogen can cause weight gain, erectile dysfunction, enlarged prostate and gynecomastia (man-boobs). This is commonly associated with obesity, insulin resistance and diabetes as well as chronic exposure to plastics and pesticides. Ask a knowledgable doctor to check an estradiol level and if it is above 25, it could be very beneficial to consider interventions to lower the estrogen levels. There are both natural and prescription therapies that can be effective at lowering estrogen levels.
Interested in getting your thyroid tested, starting hormone replacement therapy, or just promoting your overall longevity? Call us today at: (844) 844-2981
