Issue link: https://cp.revolio.com/i/1503930
Page 22 | Abby's Magazine | instagram.com/abbyshealthfood Are you feeling like a mighty fine man? Your testosterone levels might have something to do with that. Testosterone is the major sex hormone in men and supporting healthy levels of it is a necessity. The good news is there are plenty of hormone-free options to help men, like you, overcome age-related testosterone loss. Recently, two clinically studied extracts, pomegranate, and cacao, have been shown to support a man's natural testosterone production. And a plant flavonoid found in parsley has preclinical evidence that it not only supports testosterone production but can help slow down testosterone loss. WHY IS TESTOSTERONE SO IMPORTANT? We know men need testosterone for building strong muscles, stimulating their libido, and promoting sexual function. But the need to maintain healthy levels goes above and beyond that. Men also need testosterone for: 1. Energy and happy mood 2. Cognitive health 3. Healthy metabolism 4. Cardiovascular health 5. Strong bones HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE ENOUGH TESTOSTERONE? Testosterone is measured in several ways, but arguably the most important levels to watch are total and free testosterone. Total testosterone is just as it sounds: the total amount of testosterone floating around in the blood. But just because it's in the blood, doesn't mean it's having the desired effect. That's because most of the total testosterone is bound to proteins, like sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and albumin. Think of these proteins like cars that drive the testosterone around your body; but to do its job, the testosterone has to leave the car. Once it "leaves the car," it is called free testosterone, which is the biologically active form. Testing for both forms provides you with valuable information. Even if your body is making enough total testosterone, you can still experience symptoms of low testosterone if the free testosterone level is low. THE DOWNSIDE OF "LOW T" Testing is the best way to identify if your testosterone levels are low or trending toward low. Low testosterone levels, also known as "low T," can have a huge impact on your quality of life. Unfortunately, slowing losing testosterone is common with age. Not only can "low T" rob you of energy and vitality, but it can also put you at an increased risk of developing chronic conditions, like heart disease and diabetes. HOW IS TESTOSTERONE LOST? Normal aging vs. medical issue When a man doesn't produce enough testosterone, doctors call this hypogonadism. When low total testosterone levels are detected later in life, it is important for the doctor to determine if this is due to normal aging or a medical issue. PRIMARY VS. SECONDARY CAUSES Primary causes of low testosterone are due to the testicles themselves not making enough. This is usually from direct damage to the testicles (from physical injury, certain infections, or side effects from cancer treatment) or a possible genetic issue. Secondary causes of low testosterone happen when the testicles are normal, but something is interfering with production of this hormone. Typical reasons include disrupted brain communication with the testicles, certain prescription medications, and aging. Age-related testosterone loss is sometimes referred to as andropause, the male version of the female menopause. AGE-RELATED TESTOSTERONE LOSS There are several reasons why men can lose testosterone as they age. Here are the most common: Slow production Over time there can be a progressive decline in testosterone production. A man can lose approximately 1% of testosterone each year after age 30. High SHBG SHBG can increase with age. When SHBG goes up, free testosterone can go down, which may result in low testosterone activity. Aromatase Men can lose testosterone by turning it into estrogen. This happens through an enzyme called aromatase. The problem is aromatase activity can increase with age. Obesity The more stored body fat you have, the more testosterone can be lost into estrogen. This is because aromatase activity is higher in adipose tissue. So, obesity can leave a man vulnerable to "low T." To make matters worse, estrogen can stimulate more stored body fat, creating a vicious cycle. Natural Ways to Keep Your TESTOSTERONE LEVELS Pumped By Vanessa Pavey, ND Life Extension