Brigitte Mars, A.H.G.
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 Its berry prevents the development of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) by increasing the breakdown and elimination of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is thought to promote cellular growth in the prostate; the berry inhibits the production of the enzyme tes-tosterone-5-alpha-reductase, which converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and also inhibits DHT from adhering to the receptor sites. Saw palmetto berry also strengthens the reproductive organs, prevents atrophy of the genitals and bladder tissue, enhances sexual arousal, and reduces inflammation. |
Andreas Moritz
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 In the male physiology, muscular development is linked to the production of the male hormone, testosterone. The old Greek practice of exercising nude on a warm sandy beach was used to develop a healthy muscular body. When sunlight falls on any part of the body, testosterone production increases substantially, but when it strikes the male genitals directly, secretion of the hormone is greatest. A study at Boston State Hospital proved that ultraviolet light increases the level of testosterone by 120 percent when the chest or back is exposed to sunlight. |
Hyla Cass, M.D.
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 Not only are you getting fake hormones that don't do all of the jobs done by the real hormones, but their presence in your body suppresses production of your own hormones—estrogen, progesterone, and even testosterone.
These hormones are considered "reproductive," but each has other roles. Estrogen stimulates mental and physical energy, in addition to breast development and other female characteristics. Progesterone, which is needed for healthy pregnancy, is also calming to the nervous system. testosterone is essential for energy and libido. |
Andreas Moritz
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| When sunlight falls on any part of the body, testosterone production increases substantially, but when it strikes the male genitals directly, secretion of the hormone is greatest. A study at Boston State Hospital proved that ultraviolet light increases the level of testosterone by 120 percent when the chest or back is exposed to sunlight. The hormone, however, increases by a whooping 200 percent when genital skin is exposed to the sun!
Regular sunbathing increases the strength and size of all muscle groups in the male physique. |
James Dowd and Diane Stafford
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 Interestingly, in rodents, the concentration of vitamin D and testosterone receptors in different parts of the prostate is heavily influenced by the testosterone-vitamin D balance during preadolescent development. Again, the influence of vitamin D on early development may have a profound influence on disease development in adults, especially when you add dietary deficiencies to the mix.
Using vitamin D to treat prostate cancer is an idea that's gaining favor and rapidly evolving. The combination of vitamin D and vitamin A slows prostate cancer cell growth in the lab. |
Stephen T. Sinatra, M.D.
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 As expected, the men treated with testosterone reported significant improvements in libido and erectile function and a decrease in fatigue. Surprisingly, the men receiving the carnitine supplements also saw a significant improvement in erectile function, sexual desire, and general sexual well-being. They also experienced fewer symptoms of fatigue and depression. The researchers concluded that both testosterone and carnitine proved to be active interventions as therapy for the aging male.
Based upon the role of both ALC and arginine in our established scientific understanding, ArginoCarn? |
| One hundred twenty men aged sixty to seventy-four years received either testosterone, 2 grams of acetyl-L-carnitine and propionyl-L-carnitine, or placebo for six months. As expected, the men treated with testosterone reported significant improvements in libido and erectile function and a decrease in fatigue. Surprisingly, the men receiving the carnitine supplements also saw a significant improvement in erectile function, sexual desire, and general sexual well-being. They also experienced fewer symptoms of fatigue and depression. |
Gary Null and Amy McDonald
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 We heard first," he says, "about DHEA, the hormone made by the adrenal gland, which is the mother of testosterone and estrogen. Pregnenolone is the mother of DHEA. The body uses pregnenolone to convert into DHEA, which in turn converts into estrogen and testosterone or other antigens. Pregnenolone can also convert into progesterone. In fact, all the hormones made by the adrenal glands start out from pregnenolone and therefore, I call pregnenolone the grandmother of all the adrenal hormones.
"We have known about pregnenolone since the early 1930s. |
Ron Garner
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 Lee successfully treated many prostate cancer patients who recovered and did not have to resort to the standard medical treatments of surgery and chemotherapy, by using diet, antioxidants, progesterone, and testosterone.20 He also explains why the psa (Prostate Specific Antigen) count is not a reliable indicator of cancer because it is based on an erroneous understanding of the role of psa in the body. He suggests that men should endeavor to maintain healthy levels of progesterone and testosterone for both preventing and treating prostate cancer. |
Hyla Cass, M.D.
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| It's caused by low testosterone, which, in turn, is caused by the synthetic hormones. (They raise a protein in the blood called sex hormone binding globulin, which then binds to testosterone and makes the hormone unavailable). Depression on the pill? It's due to depletion of vitamins such as vitamins C and B6, needed to make the feel-good brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. (For more information on these neurotransmitters, see page 114. |
Dr. Mary Dan Eades
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 These seeds also prevent testosterone from being transformed into dihydrotestosterone. And finally, pumpkin seeds contain certain amino acids that, when researched have been shown to relieve symptoms of enlarged prostate.
• Saw palmetto gives comfort and relief because it contains a compound that inhibits the action of the enzyme that turns testosterone into dihydrotestosterone. Studies show the effectiveness of this herb.
• Stinging nettle also inhibits the effect on the conversion of testosterone. German herbalists recommend 2 to 3 teaspoons of extract daily. |
Hyla Cass, M.D.
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| Progesterone, which is needed for healthy pregnancy, is also calming to the nervous system. testosterone is essential for energy and libido.
For menopausal symptoms, I'm a strong proponent of bio-identical hormone replacement therapy over conventional, synthetic versions. Bio-identical hormones exactly match what is made by your ovaries, and have the same benefits with fewer risks. You can read more about the advantages of bio-identical estrogen and progesterone (and, for some women, testosterone) in the book I wrote with Kathleen Barnes, 8 Weeks to Vibrant Health (McGraw-Hill, 2005). |
Jonny Bowden, Ph.D., C.N.S.
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 And pumpkin seeds contain chemicals called cucurbitacins, which are believed to intefere with the production of a metabolic by-product of testosterone known as DHT (dihydrotestosterone). DHT is partly responsible for both hair loss and benign prostate hyperplasia. Men want to keep their DHT as low as possible—believe me, I know.
Prostate health aside, these delicious seeds still pack a great nutritional wallop. |
Arthur Agatston, M.D.
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 Studies indicate that men who have heart attacks often are found to have lower-than-normal testosterone levels. Diabetic men, too, tend to have low testosterone. Replacement of this hormone, when deficient, increases muscle and bone mass and decreases central obesity. It now seems as though the drop in testosterone may be another reason men gain weight as they age.
We never knew any of this before because we measured testosterone only in men with sexual dysfunction. Now we see the impact this hormone has on the entire obesity-cardiac health connection. |
Jack Challem
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 What else you should know: DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is a steroid hormone and a precursor to estrogen and testosterone. In the mid-1990s, it became a popular over-the-counter supplement because it could improve muscle tone, enhance sexual desire and performance, and increase general feelings of well-being. The drawback is that it can be abused by people who have normal hormone levels, and it could conceivably increase the risk of estrogen-dependent and testosterone-dependent cancers.
That said, DHEA may help moderately severe depression. |
David Heber, M.D., Ph.D.
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 In women libido results from testosterone, the male hormone, which is made by the ovary together with estrogen. At menopause the levels of both hormones fall, but in many women the ratio of testosterone to estrogen increases, so sex drive remains strong. In some women a loss of testosterone leads to decreased libido, and these women benefit from testosterone hormone treatments. A testosterone patch, placed on the skin, will, several hours later, increase sex drive in women. |
Linda B. White, M.D.
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 Drug Treatment
Hormone Replacement Therapy
Oral testosterone (Testex, Metandren), testosterone patch (Testoderm). Function: boost low testosterone levels to restore libido in men. Side effects: possible behavioral changes,- patch can cause redness and itching.
Testosterone with estrogen (Estratest). Function-, restore normal levels of testosterone in women. Side effects-, acne, masculinizing effects such as slight growth of facial hair.
Other Drugs
Sildenafil (Viagra). Function-, increase the amount of blood in the penis to cause stronger erections. |
Hyla Cass
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| Progesterone, which is needed for healthy pregnancy, is also calming to the nervous system. testosterone is essential for energy and libido.
For menopausal symptoms, I'm a strong proponent of bio-identical hormone replacement therapy over conventional, synthetic versions. Bio-identical hormones exactly match what is made by your ovaries, and have the same benefits with fewer risks. You can read more about the advantages of bio-identical estrogen and progesterone (and, for some women, testosterone) in the book I wrote with Kathleen Barnes, 8 Weeks to Vibrant Health (McGraw-Hill, 2005). |
Gabriel Cousens
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 So it could be that in men, it is a decreased testosterone that is associated with hyperinsulinemia and syndrome X.112'113 We can reasonably hypothesize that in men with Type-2 diabetes there is often a state of relative hypogonadism, which leads us to hyperinsulinemia. Increasing the testosterone may be an appropriate gender-specific treatment. There does seem to be a significant correlation between insulin sensitivity and SHBG levels in men with Type-2 diabetes. |
Hyla Cass
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| Not only are you getting fake hormones that don't do all of the jobs done by the real hormones, but their presence in your body suppresses production of your own hormones—estrogen, progesterone, and even testosterone.
These hormones are considered "reproductive," but each has other roles. Estrogen stimulates mental and physical energy, in addition to breast development and other female characteristics. Progesterone, which is needed for healthy pregnancy, is also calming to the nervous system. testosterone is essential for energy and libido. |
Gabriel Cousens
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| Research suggests that increased testosterone and DHEA seems to be associated with lowered insulin in men, which leaves us open to the idea that adding testosterone to men with Syndrome X or Type-2 diabetes, or obese middle-aged men, which is a tipoff of Syndrome X, may improve insulin sensitivity.115'116
Living Enzymes
Enzymes are substances that make life possible. No mineral, vitamin, or hormone can do any work without enzymes. They are the manual workers that build the body from proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. |
| The logic goes like this: Sex hormone binding globule (SHBG) binds testosterone, dihy-drotestosterone, and estradiol to the cell wall. Without SHBG, no gonadal hormone can enter into the cell and generate the release of messenger RNA (mRNA) to activate gene expression. Men tend to have a lot less SHBG than women because SHBG is actually an estrogen amplifier. What we see is higher SHBG and estradiol are found in men with central obesity, gynecomastia, and Type-2 diabetes. That is a very important piece in this whole hormonal imbalance. |
| Research suggests that increased testosterone and DHEA seems to be associated with lowered insulin in men, which leaves us open to the idea that adding testosterone to men with Syndrome X or Type-2 diabetes, or obese middle-aged men, which is a tipoff of Syndrome X, may improve insulin sensitivity.115'116
Living Enzymes
Enzymes are substances that make life possible. No mineral, vitamin, or hormone can do any work without enzymes. They are the manual workers that build the body from proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. |
Heather Boon, BScPhm, PhD and Michael Smith, BPharm, MRPharmS, ND
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 Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is an active androgen (more active than testosterone) which has been implicated as a causative factor BPH.11
2. 5a-reductase inhibition.1318 5a-reductase catalyzes the metabolism of testosterone to DHT. One recent study does not support this hypothesis; however, the researchers used half the usual dose of saw palmetto (80 mg BID) in their experiments.19 Several recent in vitro studies which support this hypothesis suggest that the inhibition of saw palmetto extract is non-competitive in nature. |
Jonny Bowden, Ph.D., C.N.S.
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| And lignans interfere with the production of a nasty testosterone metabolite (DHT, dihydrotestos-terone), which is partly responsible for hair loss and benign prostate hyperplasia (the condition that makes men over forty have to go to the bathroom a lot at night).
The flaxseeds—but not, obviously, the oil— also contain soluble fiber. You get all the benefits of the oil, plus the fiber when you eat the seeds. They're ideal for baking, for sprinkling on salads, and for adding to cereals and smoothies—but you need to break the hard outer coating because the whole seeds can't be digested. |
Jonny Bowden, Ph.D., C.N.S.
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 DHT is thought to be partly responsible for male baldness, and a high conversion of testosterone to DHT in women is thought to be connected to a host of "male" symptoms like hair loss (on the head) and hair growth (on the face). This conversion—in both men and women—is fueled by an enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase. Saw palmetto helps to down-regulate this enzyme, meaning a reduction in the amount of DHT. Saw palmetto also contains compounds that act as anti-inflammatories.
Note: It's always good to rule out cancer as a cause of the urinary symptoms. |
Steven V. Joyal
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 A number of experimental studies show that the hormone testosterone can restore the ability to have an erection and the ability to respond to treatment with sildenafil (Viagra).
If you are a perimenopausal or postmenopausal woman, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a controversial topic. The 2003 published results of the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) study, which used conjugated equine estrogens and synthetic progestogens (progestins), showed mixed results and raised a great number of questions. |
Jonny Bowden, Ph.D., C.N.S.
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| California, is one of the people banking on the likelihood that down-regulating the conversion of testosterone to DHT will make a big difference to acne sufferers. His company has developed a product called Clearogen that is based on saw palmetto plus a few other active ingredients.
"Saw palmetto is a good ingredient, but it's gotten more credit than it deserves," says Khadavi. He believes that most capsules of saw palmetto contain a small amount of the active ingredients that block androgen receptors. |
Herbert Ross, DC with Keri Brenner, L.Ac.
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 Cabot's recommended daily supplements for andropause:
* Vitamin E: 500 IU
¦ Magnesium: 500 mg
¦ Zinc: 50 mg
¦ Selenium: 50 meg
¦ Manganese: 5 mg
¦ Ginseng: 2 to 4 grams
These supplements, taken daily, are designed to help the male body cope with the natural decline of testosterone. Vitamin E and magnesium strengthen the heart and circulation, including blood supply to the pelvic region. Zinc can boost male virility and reduce prostate problems such as swelling. Ginseng, for example, acts as a glandular tonic, helping to improve the function of the testicles. |
| In both cases, levels of primary sex hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone in women and testosterone in men, decline, resulting in a host of emotional, psychological, and physical changes. Sleep is often disrupted during these transitions. As these hormonal shifts are taking place, it is common for melatonin levels to drop as well.
Structural Imbalances
Sleep can be disrupted by structural imbalances, particularly in the spine. |
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