Natural Healthy Testosterone: The Critical Factor for Energy, Health, and Vitality

Based on his presentation Natural Healthy Testosterone: The Critical Factor for Energy, Health, and Vitality on January 11, 2013, Dr. Kyl Smith, DC, author of Brighter Mind and inventor of the number-one selling brain supporting nutritional supplement in North America for the last nine years, recommends the following nutritional protocol for restoring male testosterone levels.

According to Dr. Smith, the majority of the male population aged 45 and older suffer from low testosterone levels. 

• Low testosterone affects 62.8 million men, about 38.7% of the adult male population
• 9.6% of men are treated with prescription medication
• 90.4% of men are not treated
  

Testosterone promotes:

• Brain health
• Heart health
• Oxygen uptake in the tissues
• Bone health
• Blood sugar balance
• Healthy cholesterol levels
• Healthy red blood cells

Testosterone vs. Estrogen:

• Healthy testosterone level = 800 ng/dL
• Typical 45 year old male testosterone level = 300 ng/dL
• Healthy estradiol (estrogen) level = 17-25 pg/mL
• Healthy testosterone to estrogen level = 50:1
  
  

Excessive estrogen:

• Binds to free testosterone making it bio-chemically unavailable
• Can cause swelling of the prostrate, weak urine flow, and sudden urges to urinate
• Increases risk of prostate cancer

The problem with pharmaceuticals:

• Testosterone cream can increase estrogen levels as well as testosterone levels
• Statin medications lower cholesterol, the precursor hormone to testosterone, and lower testosterone levels

Dr. Smith warns:  Doctors must monitor estrogen as well as testosterone levels while using testosterone cream. It is better to try a natural approach to correcting hormone levels before resorting to pharmaceuticals.

Increase Testosterone Naturally

1. Supplement with Phosphatidyl Serine

• 300mg per day for 12 weeks
• Improves memory
• Slows aging
• Decreases stress produced cortisol
• Protects the hippocampus of the brain
• Optimizes exercise results

2. Limit Carbohydrates

• Aids in weight loss
• Decreases aromatase production to limit the conversion of testosterone to estrogen

3. Consume Pomegranite

• Drink 4oz of pomegranite juice 2 times a day to decrease armatase levels
• Alternative:  Take 1 pomegranite capsule 2 times per day
  

4. Supplement with Astaxanthin

• 4mg a day with lunch
• Improves cognition
• Improves athletic performance
• Decreases aromatase levels

5. Increase Cruciferus Vegetable Intake

• Broccoli
• Cabbage
• Kale

6. 10 minutes of intense exercise 6 times a week

If additional support is needed:

• Zinc Citrate or Zinc Picolinate 25mg a day before bed
• Saw Palmetto 320mg 2 times a day, especially for benign prostrate hypertrophy

Dr. Cherniawski's comment

Many men, middle-age and older, literally feel like half the man they once were due to low testosterone levels.  If you are one of these men, you need to get tested. 

If you test low, first, review your medications.  Many studies suggest that statin medications, such as Lipitor, have more detrimental consequences than healthy benefits.  For more information, read The Low Down on Cholesterol. Either way, artificially lowering cholesterol will also lower testosterone because testosterone is made from cholesterol.Second, make the necessary lifestyle changes.  Drink pomegranite juice and eat a large variety of quality produce.  In addition, severely limiting carbohydrate consumption such as breads, grains, pasta, and processed food, to aid in weight loss, reduce the amount of estrogen produced in fat cells, and balance the estrogen/testosterone ratio.  In addition, many studies show that short bursts of high intensity exercise do wonders for overall health including testosterone levels.

Third, take the appropriate supplements including Phosphatidyl Serine and Astaxanthin to boost testosterone levels naturally.

'Low T': Don't Fall for the Hype

Drug makers spent $14.3 million in 2011 and $107.3 million in 2012 to promote testosterone drugs, namely AndroGel 1.62% and Axiron.  Consequently, testosterone prescriptions increased from approximately 6 million to nearly 8 million filled prescriptions and drug company revenues increased from approximately $1.6 billion to nearly $2.4 billion in gross U.S. sales during the same period.

Promoted as a wonder drug for male youth, strength, and libido, medical experts at Consumer Reports say "the benefits of testosterone [drugs] are over-blown and the risks under appreciated."

According to Consumers Reports July 2013 report, risks include:

• Increase in heart attacks
• Increase in other cardiovascular events
• Blood clots in the legs
• Sleep apnea
• Enlarged or painful breasts
• Swollen feet or ankles
• Enlarged prostate
• Potenial increase risk of prostate cancer
• Infertility

The gel forms of testosterone, applied under your arm or on your upper arm and shoulder, can be transferred to others if the area is not poperly washed after applying it.  Children exposed to the hormone have experienced:

• Enlargement of the penis or clitoris
• Growth of pubic hair
• Increased libido
• Aggressive behavior

Women exposed to the hormone have experienced:

• Growth of body hair
• Transfer of the hormone to their babies if pregnant or breastfeeding

The report goes on to recommend other forms of natural means to increase male vigor:

• Eat right
• Reduce stress
• Increase sleep
• Increase exercise
• Lose weight
• Improve your relationship with your partner
• Review drug side effects as some can lower testosterone

Source:  Consumer Reports July 2013, page 14.