Archive for Men’s health
Androgen deficiency and replacement on prostate zonal volumes – (05-17-01)
Posted by: | CommentsAndrogen deficiency and replacement on prostate zonal volumes
This is an interesting article that should make many of those in the “if hormonal levels are lower as we get older, we must replace them to youthful levels for anti-aging” group think twice.
In this study, androgen levels (i.e. testosterone) had no effect on the size of the prostate as patients got older. Thus, using testosterone replacement therapy to maintain a healthy prostate may not be backed by the research.
Synergy : Clinical Endocrinology 54 (4), 437-445
Folic acid enhances endothelial function and reduces BP in smokers – (12-12-02)
Posted by: | CommentsFolic acid enhances endothelial function and reduces BP in smokers
While this is a neat concept, the important item I wanted to point out was the dose of folic acid used–5 mg. That is over 10 X the current dosage recommended for women of child bearing age to lower risk of neural tube defects. Really starts putting into perspective just how useless the RDAs of vitamins are, huh?
Synergy Abstract
Cognitive and psychological outcomes of exercise – (08-30-02)
Posted by: | CommentsGet With the Program – and Stay on It!
The phrase “use it or lose it” can apply to almost anything. And Researchers in Ohio have found that this phrase rings especially true when it comes to maintaining good exercise habits. Simply put, if you start exercising and then stop, or only exercise sporadically, you’ll lose the physical gains you’ve made along the way – and you could lose some of the accrued psychological benefits as well.
Scientists looked at the exercise habits of 28 people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a lung disorder. Participants completed a 10-week exercise rehabilitation program and were given a home exercise program to continue on their own. A year later, the researchers contacted the participants to see if they had continued exercising.
At the end of the initial program, all of the participants showed gains in physical endurance, as well as in cognitive and psychological functioning. Subjects who continued to exercise during the following year maintained these benefits, but those who had stopped exercising regularly showed “significant declines” on all physical and mental tests.
The message here is simple: If you want to improve yourself, physically, mentally and emotionally, start an exercise program and stick with it. Your doctor of chiropractic can help design an exercise program that will help you get your mind and body in better shape over the long haul.
For more information on the benefits of exercise click here.
Reference:Emery CF, Shermer RL, Hauck ER, et al. Cognitive and psychological outcomes of exercise in a 1-year follow-up study of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Health Psychology November 2003;22(6).
Sex hormone binding globulin as prepubertal marker for hyperinsulinaemia – (01-10-02)
Posted by: | CommentsSex hormone binding globulin as prepubertal marker for hyperinsulinaemia
This is an interesting article that may give us some insight on preventing the startling rise in Syndrome X prevalence. Exactly what role SHBG plays is not yet known, but lower levels may increase free concentrations of hormones such as testosterone, and this hyperandrogenicity may be the real player. Either way, I feel that finding markers for those at risk so they can make lifestyle changes would be a moot point if everyone make healthier lifestyle choices…
ADC — Abstracts: Galloway et al. 85 (6): 489
DHEA Inhibits VSMC Proliferation Independent of ARs and ERs – (01-17-02)
Posted by: | CommentsDHEA Inhibits VSMC Proliferation Independent of ARs and ERs
I know it’s a big, long, complicated title, but basically this study shows that DHEA has independent effects on reducing atherosclerosis. Although DHEA is produced by the adrenals and converted to testosterone and then estrogen, this is an example of a precurser hormone/molecule having physiologic effects. Pretty amazing. Now, I would not recommend running out and taking bottles of DHEA to lower risk of CVD. However, making sure that your adrenal glands are functioning optimally is very important to maintaining healthy, physiologicaly normal levels.
JCEM — Abstracts: Williams et al. 87 (1): 176
Prevalence and Features of the Polycystic Ovary Syndrome – (06-18-04)
Posted by: | CommentsPrevalence and Features of the Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
This article suggests a prevalence as high as 8% of PCOS which puts it as the most common endocrine abnormality of reproductive aged women in the US. PCOS has been linked very strongly to insulin resistance.
This link seems to come from elevated insulin affecting 15,20 lyase, the enzyme that converts testosterone to estrogen. So, elevated insulin slows conversion to estrogen, essentially rising levels of testosterone which messes up the ovulation process. The problem is that PCOS has traditionally been treated with oral contraception, which is know to worsen insulin resistance. Another perfect example of how we can actually screw the body up worse if we try to override human physiology instead of balance it.
JCEM — Abstracts: Azziz et al. 89 (6): 2745 -
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DRIED MILK CONSUMPTION AND ELEVATED BP – (06-09-03)
Posted by: | CommentsInfant nutrition and blood pressure in early adulthood.
There have been numerous stories lately about the impact the beginning of our lives have on our long term health.
This article finds a relationship between dried milk consumption and elevated BP in adults. Personally, being strongly against dairy, this article doesn’t exactly disappoint me. Nursing is still the absolute best way to go. If this isn’t an option, I usually recommend a hydrolyzed formula that has been enzymatically pre-digested so there are no intact proteins for the body to react to.
AJCN — Abstracts: Martin et al. 77 (6): 1489 -
Intakes of energy, macronutrients & risk of BPH – (03-28-02)
Posted by: | CommentsIntakes of energy, macronutrients & risk of BPH
The article takes a close look at nutrient intake and its impact on prostatic enlargement. The results show that oxidative stress play a role. That would mean that intake of antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids are important in preventing BPH. Other studies have suggested that the abnormal estrogen metabolism irritates the cells of the prostate. That would mean that intake of cruciferous veggies, which contain compounds that get converted to indole-3-carbinol, can help promote the breakdown of estrogen into the less toxic 2 hydroxyestrone pathway versus the genotoxic 16-hydroxy pathway.
INSULIN RESISTANCE IS A ROOT CAUSE OF MAJOR DISEASES – (06-06-05)
Posted by: | CommentsIncreasing Insulin Resistance is associated with a decrease in Leydig Cell Testosterone Secretion in Men
For those of you new to the Updates, consider this a warning that I’m about to go on a verbal rampage. Insulin resistance continues to be associated with almost every ill of industrialized nations–even to the point where the next time a web page won’t load, I convinced that insulin resistance is the root cause… So, with a disease state so incredibly prevalent, so incredibly devastating, so linked to every chronic disease we know, why do I still have patients coming in that are insulin resistant and this factor is blatantly ignored by other providers??????
One patient’s boyfriend is American Indian. Clearly insulin resistant to the point of acanthosis nigricans on face and neck and she tells me that he’s been “checked out” and doesn’t have diabetes. Ugghhh!! If I had any hair left at that point I would’ve pulled the last bits out….
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INFERTILITY, MEN AND FATS
Posted by: | CommentsINFERTILITY, MEN AND FATS. We often talk about infertility as it relates to women and PCOS, but the man can be equally to blame. In this study, researchers found that infertile men had higher levels of omega 6 fats (corn, sunflower, soybean oils) and lower levels of omega 3 fats (EPA, DHA). In addition, they had higher levels of a compound called arachidonic acid (AA) compared to omega 3 fats. AA is found in animal products such as meat and dairy.
