Many men put off getting help when it comes to their health. You don’t have to be unwell to seek support, there is so much that natural medicine can do to enhance performance and cognition, hormonal balance, energy levels and overall wellbeing.
It is important that we encourage men to be proactive and seek advice regarding natural medicine for their health and wellbeing, especially since Australian men are at a much higher risk of developing chronic diseases and have a lower life expectancy than women.
While hormonal imbalances can lead to a multitude of physical symptoms, they can also have a profound impact on mood. Low testosterone levels often manifest in irritability, decreased motivation, mood swings, anxiety, insomnia, and depression. These symptoms may also be experienced by men with thyroid disorders, so it is important to get investigated.
Did you know that men begin to experience a decrease in testosterone at a rate of 10% per decade after the age of 30?
This age-related reduction in testosterone and other hormones in males has been named ‘male menopause’.
In contrast to women, men do not experience a sudden cessation of reproductive function like in menopause. Instead it is a more progressive reduction. These hormonal changes are thought to be responsible for a variety of symptoms in men including muscle loss, fatigue, and erectile dysfunction (ED).
Most people are familiar with the process known as atherosclerosis. What most men don’t realise is that the first signs of atherosclerosis are found in the smaller arteries in your body, such as those in your penis. This means even mild erectile dysfunction could be a sign that you need to assess your heart health now, before the larger arteries leading to your heart are affected. 25% of male deaths are attributed to cardiovascular disease.1 There is no single cause of ED, so there is no single cure. A holistic assessment is essential, so make an appointment with a health practitioner for a complete health check.
Diet has a powerful impact on hormonal health, with certain fruits and vegetables shown to modulate hormone production and support the detoxification and clearance of hormones via the liver and bowels.
Increase Antioxidant Foods
Diets high in antioxidants are specifically helpful for relieving inflammation to restore hormonal balance. Good sources include berries, purple and red foods like radish, red cabbage and beetroot, broccoli, green leafy vegetables, and herbs like turmeric. Green tea and cacao found in dark chocolate are also great. Cooked tomatoes also contain a substance called lycopene which can be helpful for prostate health.
Eat Good Quality Fats
Testosterone is literally made from fat (cholesterol)! Healthy fats are not only good for your hormones, they also help you gain muscle, burn fat, and protect your heart. Good fats include avocado, nuts and seeds, fish (salmon, anchovies, sardines), oils (olive, macadamia, avocado, coconut), coconut milk and yoghurt.
Eat Good Protein
The Nutrient Reference Values for Australia and New Zealand provide a very general guide. For adults, the recommended dietary intake (ROI) for men aged 19-70 years is 64 grams per day. However, it is important to note that protein requirements vary for everyone depending on age, weight, energy output and stress levels. Good protein and zinc sources include grass fed beef, hormone free chicken, nuts, seeds and fish.
Hormones are extremely complex and work together in various tissues of the body to maintain balance. Therefore, an imbalance in one hormone often causes an imbalance in another hormone or endocrine system. If you are struggling with low energy, fatigue, and muscle loss you may need to see a practitioner for hormone testing.
Addressing your health issues that you may be experiencing and working towards your health goals, will make you feel better, look better, perform better and have more time and energy to do the things you love!
At Sustainable Health and Wellness Clinic we take in-depth look at all your body systems and explore what underlying factors are influencing your health. We offer comprehensive functional testing (including hormone testing), and use specific herbs, vitamins and minerals that may help improve your energy levels and lift your mood.
Want to know more? Get in touch today to make an appointment with our experienced naturopath Cassandra at Sustainable Health and Wellness Clinic.
