Eating well and exercising regularly may not be enough to keep a guy in good shape. Environmental toxins and stress continually tax the body, accelerate the aging process and, simply put, rob a man of his manliness.
"Testosterone will start declining in the 40s and 50s so you get that low libido, loss of muscle mass, low motivation, and kind of lose that passion for life," Dr. Kent Holtorf tells Newsmax. Founder of the California-based Holtorf Medical Group, Holtorf has found that toxins interfere with thyroid hormone among men, leading to weight gain and low energy.
Pesticides in food and toxins in grooming products and plastics, in car interiors and food and beverage containers, do damage in two ways: They convert testosterone — the "male" hormone — to estrogen, which is responsible for female characteristics. And, they literally block the body’s ability to use thyroid hormone, the “gas pedal” for metabolism.
Stress accentuates these mechanisms and perpetuates a vicious cycle. The more testosterone and thyroid hormones become impaired, the harder it becomes to deal with stressful life situations.
To ward off damage, Holtorf recommends these dietary supplements:
Antioxidants.These help to neutralize the impact of toxins and eliminate toxic substances, but because each one works a bit differently, a combination has a synergistic effect.
"You’re much better off taking a low dose of a lot of things than one big dose of any one thing," he says. Look for a multivitamin supplement with a variety of antioxidants such as alpha-lipoic acid, quercetin, resveratrol, and/or NAC (N-acetyl-cysteine).
Indole-3-Carbinol. (I3C)The substance is found in cruciferous vegetables — the cabbage family, which includes broccoli, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and kale. When we eat the vegetables or take a supplement (about 200 mg daily), our bodies convert I3C to DIM (diindolylmethane), which reverses the toxin-induced process of testosterone being converted into estrogen. It also protects against benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), the noncancerous but all-too-common prostate enlargement.
Forskolin.The active ingredient in the herb coleus forskohlii, forskolin enables cells to use thyroid hormone more effectively, which revitalizes metabolism, facilitates better weight control, and improves energy. It may also help to control blood pressure. If you’re taking blood pressure medication or blood thinners, check with your doctor before taking the herb.
L-Arginine.One of the amino acids that make up protein, L-arginine is found in meat, fish, and dairy products. It boosts levels of nitric oxide, helping to dilate blood vessels, control blood pressure, and relieve erectile dysfunction, and may help to increase testosterone. As a supplement, L-arginine is available in capsules and powders, and is one of the ingredients in protein powders. Holtorf recommends getting approximately 2 grams daily from a rice or whey protein powder that also contains digestive enzymes for better absorption. Studies have used between 2 and 8 grams.
Vitamin D.Low levels of vitamin D are linked to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, calcium deposits in arteries, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, prostate and other cancers, and mood disorders, particularly in winter months when our bodies can’t produce adequate levels from sun exposure. It also helps to eliminate toxins. Holtorf recommends taking 5,000 to 10,000 IU daily and getting blood levels checked when you get a physical from your doctor.
Fish Oil.If you don’t eat cold-water fish such as salmon, herring, or sardines at least two or three times per week, take 3 grams of fish oil daily. Its omega-3 fats enhance heart health, improve attention span and memory, and reduce impatience.
© 2011 Newsmax. All rights reserved.
