LifeCare Chiropractic

The Best Chiropractic Care in Mesa, Arizona

Men's Health

DHEA Inhibits VSMC Proliferation Independent of ARs and ERs – (01-17-02)

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DHEA 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

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Prevalence and Features of the Polycystic Ovary Syndrome – (06-18-04)

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Prevalence 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 –

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RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DRIED MILK CONSUMPTION AND ELEVATED BP – (06-09-03)

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Infant 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 –

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Intakes of energy, macronutrients & risk of BPH – (03-28-02)

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Intakes 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.

Read entire article here

INSULIN RESISTANCE IS A ROOT CAUSE OF MAJOR DISEASES – (06-06-05)

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Increasing 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….

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RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INFERTILITY, MEN AND FATS

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INFERTILITY, 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.

WAYS TO LOWER RISK OF HEART DISEASE

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Good news! Or bad… those with higher levels of sexual activity have a lower risk of heart disease. The association is strong enough that doctors should be asking their patients about their sexual activity levels to help determine risk of heart disease. Before you go running home to show this to your partner, consider the reverse…impotence is strongly linked to heart disease.

And Viagra or Cialis, despite the commercials, is NOT the answer. The answer is to turn lifestyle around and lower your risk of heart disease.  In turn, for both males AND females, ability to “perform” will improve dramatically. How’s THAT for incentive!

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ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION?

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Need I say more?  You’d think that this problem, above almost any other besides kidney stones, would drive a male to change their lifestyle.  Unfortunately, I think that there is, once again, an education gap in society today.

Erectile dysfunction IS heart disease (or rather, vascular disease…).  How is that?  Healthy blood flow is required for an erection.  When the blood vessels begin to plaque up, you will have reduced blood flow and inability to maintain an erection.  So if the blood vessels are plaquing, it is only a matter of time before a heart attack or stroke occurs.

This article refers to ED as the “canary” of cardiovascular health.  I love this!  I just wish I had coined it myself, but alas…I’m merely the messenger.

So the use of meds like Viagra, Cialis and Levitra do nothing to fix the problem.  Ironically, these meds can’t be used by a patient currently under treatment for heart disease, which is arguably the reason the ED is present in the first place.

So what does one with ED do?  And, before you ladies shut out the recommendations, decreased libido could arguably be put into the same category…so pay attention.

Once again, lifestyle changes to lower your risk of diabetes and heart disease will help with ED.  That means avoidance of refined carbs, hydrogenated oils and processed foods as well as no drinking our calories.  Increased intake of healthy fats, whole grains, fruits and veggies, tea and exercise.  All on top of a calorie reduced diet.  The list is long to help in this process…

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