Effective ways to reduce estrogen and INCREASE TESTOSTERONE

Natural ways to help reduce estrogen and improve testosterone levels:

• Lose weight – More importantly, lose body fat. Excess body fat is linked to excess estrogen.
• Short, intense exercise – 8 repetitions totaling a twenty-minute routine with strength training increases testosterone and reduces estrogen. Proceed with caution and under the direction of a medical professional!
• Consume ZINC – Foods such as cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, kale, brussels sprouts), shellfish, lean meat, nuts, and beans.  These are shown to regulate estrogen and increase testosterone.
• Avoid environmental estrogens – It’s impossible to avoid all environmental estrogens. However, avoiding meat products from animals raised with synthetic hormones is a right place to start. Plastic food wraps or food containers can leach estrogen into food. Shampoos and toiletries that contain parabens also include estrogens. Avoid these products when possible.
• Reduce soy and flax products – Both are very high in phytoestrogens. Many scientists believe that foods containing these products increase estrogen levels.
• Reduce or eliminate alcohol intake – Alcohol interferes with liver and kidney function, which in turn affects the body’s ability to regulate estrogen, testosterone and growth hormone.
• Limit or eliminate sugar and processed foods from your diet; increase healthy fats – mono and polyunsaturated as well as healthy saturated fats; vitamin D supplementation up to 8,000 iu., daily; reduce stress (cortisol) and get a good night’s sleep.

Four oral supplements that help reduce estrogen and enhance testosterone levels:

1. Zinc Orotate
2. Resveratrol derived from grape skin.
3. DIM
4. Calcium-D-Glucarate

Continue reading “Effective ways to reduce estrogen and INCREASE TESTOSTERONE” »

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) – Is it for me?

There are a lot of questions, concerns, and confusion regarding HRT (hormone replacement therapy).  Some of these questions are: What types of HRT are there?  Is it safe?  Am I a candidate for treatment and how do I find out?  How, when and where do I start?

Two of the most common types of HRT that we sometimes don’t associate with hormone replacement is 1) Insulin for diabetes  2) Thyroid medication for thyroid gland abnormalities. Another well-known therapy is Estrogen and Progesterone used primarily as female hormone replacement.

Two forms of hormone replacement that have contributed to very positive and profound changes for many individuals:

1. TRT (testosterone replacement therapy), used in both men and women.
2. GHT (growth hormone therapy), also used in men and women.

Continue reading “Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) – Is it for me?” »

Power Foods That Will Help Lower Your Cholesterol!

Robert Eckel, MD, an endocrinologist and past president of the American Heart Association states – Diet Makes a Difference.

If you follow the National Cholesterol Education Program’s (NCEP) Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC) diet, or way of living — which entails reducing saturated fat and dietary cholesterol, losing weight, and eating more soluble fiber — you can slash your LDL cholesterol by as much as 20 to 30 percent.

In addition to cutting out cholesterol-raising foods, make sure you eat more of the following foods as part of your cholesterol-lowering plan.

·         Oats and Barley:  Whole grains are among the best sources of soluble fiber, which blocks your body’s ability to absorb cholesterol and “is your best friend” in lowering LDL cholesterol.

·         Beans and Other Legumes:  Beans, peas, lentils, and peanuts are also excellent sources of soluble fiber.

·         Green Tea:  According to a new meta-analysis of 14 studies, Green Tea significantly reduced total and LDL cholesterol levels.

·         Oils:  While butter and other solid fats raise cholesterol, the unsaturated fats in oils help lower it. Polyunsaturated fats, found primarily in corn, safflower, sesame, soybean, and sunflower oil, slash LDL cholesterol. Monounsaturated fats, found mainly in olive, avocado, and canola oil, not only lower LDL but may also raise HDL.

·         Nuts:  Good source of fiber, protein, and monounsaturated fats.

·         Plant Sterol- or Stanol-Fortified Foods:  These plant compounds are found naturally in small amounts in certain fruits and vegetables, oils, nuts, seeds, and grains.  Higher amounts may be found in certain fortified foods. They help prevent cholesterol from being absorbed, which can lower LDL without negatively impacting HDL cholesterol.

·         Soy:  High in fiber, low in saturated fat, and cholesterol free.  Soy is the only complete plant-based protein, which means it’s an equal swap for animal sources like meat and dairy.  However, soy is a phytoestrogen-containing food, therefore is may raise estrogen levels and in men, lower testosterone.  Flax products contain even more copious amounts phytoestrogen.  Beware.

·         Psyllium:  10 to 12 grams of blond psyllium per day can decrease LDL cholesterol by 5 to 10 percent.  i.e., Metamucil.

·         Red Wine or Grape Juice:  Red wine, because its polyphenol antioxidants, has shown that it can raise levels of good HDL cholesterol by as much as 5 to 15% and also lower LDL levels.  If you’re not into vino, grape juice can provide some of the same heart-healthy benefits.

·         Cocoa:  A meta-analysis in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that cocoa or dark chocolate consumption, in moderation, lowered LDL cholesterol by more than 5 mg/dL in people at risk of heart disease.

·         Tomatoes:  Consuming 25 mg of lycopene (the antioxidant that gives tomatoes their red pigment) daily can reduce LDL by about 10%.

·         Fruits and Vegetables:  Produce high in soluble fiber should ALWAYS be part of any cholesterol-lowering diet.

Man Alive Team DPM

Reference: http://www.everydayhealth.com/hs/high-cholesterol-pictures/power-foods-for-lower-cholesterol/#01

Quick Health Gauge and Tips

What is your BMI and waist measurement?

Do you know your blood pressure?

What is your cholesterol and triglyceride profile?

What is your blood sugar level and do you have a personal or family history of diabetes?

Do you have a personal or family history of heart disease?

Are you physically active?

Do you smoke or drink alcohol?

When you ask yourself these questions and take an honest inventory of your health, where do you stand?  These and other potential risk factors can help us better understand our health status.

The following are a few simple tips for healthy living and weight loss:

1. Eat a healthy breakfast with some proteins and fresh fruits. Drink water!
2. Stop eating until you’re full. Don’t top off your gas tank!
3. Use smaller plates, serve and eat smaller portions.
4. Split meals particularly at restaurants and share desserts.
5. Eat only when you’re hungry. Drink water!
6. Eat REAL foods: fruits, vegetables, meats, nuts, and seeds. Avoid processed foods!
7. Eat more fresh fruits and vegetables. Avoid overcooking.
8. Avoid sodas and soft drinks. Drink more water!
9. Manage stress and reduce cortisol.
10. Get enough sleep. Allow time to recover and restore growth hormone levels.
11. Set realistic goals.
12. We need to move, so make time to exercise!!! And, oh yeah, drink more water!

Alarming fact: According to the CDC, 69% of adults age 20 + are overweight or obese.  WOW!

CHANGE is difficult, but it is imperative! It’s going to happen no matter what, however, YOU have the opportunity to direct that change. Allow us to be your healthcare partner and advocate as you implement positive change.

Man Alive Team

All information provided is based on expert consensus, our professional experience, and personal opinion.

TRT (Testosterone Replacement Therapy) – The Truth

THIS IS IMPORTANT!  Please take 30 minutes to listen to this lecture as Dr. Morgentaler uncovers the mistruth regarding inaccurate and controversial studies previously published on TRT (testosterone replacement therapy). It is very unfortunate how a select few and the media can portray erroneous information that can infuse gratuitous fear throughout society and influence the health of many. It is very important for men and women to understand the favorable impact that appropriately dosed testosterone can have on the lives of many.  Please understand that there are also treatment options available to help boost one’s natural testosterone levels.

Man Alive, LLC would like to be your partner in health, and explore the most effective treatment options available to YOU! Please join us and take charge of your health today.

Man Alive Team

Bioavailable Testosterone – What is YOURS?

As many of you know, there has been a great deal of interest regarding Low T and TRT (testosterone replacement therapy) over the recent years. Many believe that they can get a prescription of testosterone either by injection, topical or some other applications, and that’s it. Symptoms or problem resolved. WRONG!

Let’s shed some light on an important concept and provide an understanding of why we experience low levels of bioavailable testosterone, and why testosterone may not be the only appropriate treatment option.

We know that if you take two Hydrogen atoms and one Oxygen atom = (reaction or conversion) H2O (water). Therefore, if you take something (an element in this case) and combine it with another, you end up with something completely different.

This concept applies to men in the following way: Testosterone + Aromatase (an enzyme) = a reaction or (sero)conversion of testosterone to estradiol, a form of estrogen. So, we gotta face the facts guys, we ALL have that feminine side, we produce estrogen. Understand, this is a normal process of aging and small amounts of estrogen is beneficial, however, this conversion happens at a greater rate for many, therefore we may experience unwanted signs, symptoms and effects of elevated estrogen that can be potentially harmful or even dangerous in men.

You’ve seen those Ocean Liners that have been out to sea for a while and accumulate those pesky saltwater barnacles causing drag and reducing ship speed. These prevent the Vessel from reaching its peak performance. Well gents, our “barnacles within” is a protein called SHBG (sex hormone binding globulin) which essentially attaches to testosterone reducing our bioavailable or usable testosterone.

There are three primary reasons for reduced bioavailable testosterone: 1. Reduced testosterone production (natural or acquired) 2. Aromatase (sero)conversion from testosterone to estradiol 3. The protein “barnacle” (SHBG) reduces usable testosterone.

Treatment or therapeutic options: 1. Dietary and Lifestyle modifications 2. TRT (testosterone replacement therapy) 3. Supplements or Prescriptions – Aromatase inhibitors 4. Supplements, dietary and lifestyle changes to reduce the SHBG protein.

These dietary and lifestyle changes combined with supplementation and/or prescriptions, will help reduce that drag we feel daily. As we curtail testosterone conversion, shed our “barnacles” (weight, bad habits and SHBG), we will feel better, more energy, and experience improvement in many aspects of our lives, thus allowing ourselves to function at “full steam ahead”.

Please schedule an appointment with a Man Alive Medical Professional to help you understand more about these conditions, determine what your bioavailable testosterone level is, and together discuss the best treatment options, tailored to your individual needs. The Man Alive Team is here to help you reach your full potential.

-The Man Alive Team

All information provided is based on expert consensus, our professional experience and personal opinion.

Mission Statement – Man Alive, LCC

Man Alive, LLC Mission Statement:

Man Alive, LLC is as a proactive and preventive healthcare model dedicated entirely to men.  We provide a comfortable environment where men can discuss uncomfortable and important health care concerns.

We know:

– Time is Valuable
– Efficiency Imperative
– Knowledge Essential
– Quality of Care Paramount
– Teamwork Requisite

Man Alive, LLC strives to provide a fresh and unique approach to medicine.  The Man Alive team is here to provide understanding, compassion, guidance, and champion the efforts of our patient partners to help improve their health and quality of life.

Man Alive Team