Originally published July 3 2013
America in hormonal decline: One in four men now have low testosterone
by Jonathan Benson, staff writer
(NaturalNews) There is a war being waged against men, and the weapons of this foray are hitting us below the belt where it truly counts: our hormones. According to the latest data, as many as one in four men now suffers from low testosterone, also known as Low T, a condition that robs men of their drive, their vitality, their manly characteristics, and ultimately their health -- and the problem is worsening.
Both men and women require testosterone in order to function and thrive as humans, but men in particular are hit the hardest by a lack of this vital hormone. Testosterone is basically what gives men their masculine characteristics, including their deep voices, their sex drive, their confidence, and their overall health. Muscles, bones, and sperm all require testosterone in order to develop and grow, and mood, ambition, and energy levels are all regulated by testosterone as well.
According to one prominent expert in the field, some common causes of Low T include mineral deficiencies, and especially a lack of zinc; excess stress, which is often associated with raised cortisol production and lowered DHEA levels; too much exercise and weight training without enough rest; head or gonadal trauma; exposure to estrogens in the environment and from bad food; and accumulation of visceral, or belly, fat, and corresponding insulin resistance.
"It is natural for testosterone to decline with age, but age-appropriate levels or norms have been determined, and many men even in their 20s and 30s are experiencing levels below what they should be," writes Jim LaValle, R.Ph., MS., C.C.N., for LifeTime WeightLoss about this very serious problem. "Men should take steps to correct their lack of testosterone production by stimulating the natural production of testosterone until they completely exhaust their options."
This means avoiding more drastic interventions such as testosterone replacement therapy, which can inhibit natural testosterone production in the long run and even lead to sterility, and instead focusing on supplementation and lifestyle changes. Since plastics, consumer product chemicals, processed foods, receipt paper, and many other common exposures in modern life tend to be estrogenic, the first thing men with Low T should do to correct the problem is to avoid these exposures.
"Exposure to xenoestrogens starts in the womb and continues throughout life via a myriad of everyday sources including plastic containers, cosmetics and toiletries and agricultural chemicals (insecticides, herbicides and fungicides which contribute significantly to xenoestrogen exposure)," adds Mr. LaValle in a related article on estrogen.
Supplement your diet, avoid plastics, and detoxify for improved testosterone production
Mr. Valle also recommends supplementing with high-quality zinc, magnesium, DIM (diindolylmethane), melatonin, and a product known as Relora, all of which can help restore homeostasis and ultimately optimize testosterone production inside the body. Other approaches include steering clear of plastic bottles, containers, and food wraps; avoiding the microwave, especially when plastic is involved; sticking with only organic and pesticide-free products; avoiding food out of cans, the lining of which typically contains bisphenol-A (BPA); using only paraben-free shampoo and body wash; and regularly detoxifying the body by exercising and using a dry or infrared sauna.
Just be sure not to overexert yourself in the exercise department, as this is another common cause of Low T, according to Mr. LaValle. Rest is important for proper testosterone production, especially for men who weight train or play rigorous sports. It is also important to make sure you get plenty of branched-chain amino acids and protein following a heavy workout.
Mr. Valle goes into greater detail on his blog about specific steps you can take to avoid the common causes of Low T, as well as how to correct the problem if you already have it through nutrition and healthy lifestyle. You can learn more by visiting:
http://www.lifetime-weightloss.com
You can also learn more about environmental exposures to estrogens by visiting:
http://www.lifetime-weightloss.com
Sources for this article include:
http://www.lifetime-weightloss.com
http://www.lifetime-weightloss.com
http://www.lifetime-weightloss.com
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