Articles on Men
For Men
A lot of my patients who are men come in complaining about fatigue, elevated blood pressure or digestive problems. I know that generally men don't seek out medical attention until they are very ill. A recent poll indicated that 44 per cent of men agree with this statement. So, when a man complains, I listen very carefully. So often they play down their symptoms, which may turn out to be more serious.
For example, Al, a 53-year-old man, came in recently saying that he wanted to see if naturopathic medicine would help lower his blood pressure. He had just been diagnosed with elevated blood pressure the previous week and he wanted to avoid the medications prescribed by his doctor.. His blood pressure was 150.95; normal is 120/80.
His elevated blood pressure had been discovered when he visited his doctor because he was having headaches. And by the way, 37 per cent of men put off seeing a doctor when they have a medical problem.
During Al's visit I explained to him that I wanted him to check his blood pressure at home because up to 50 per cent of people can have elevated blood pressure due to the "white coat syndrome," which means their blood pressure is elevated only in a doctor's office due to stress.
Then I sent him home with my first line of treatment for high blood pressure, which includes a cleansing program for four weeks (a vegetarian diet can often lower blood pressure in two - four weeks.). I also recommended a magnesium supplement, flax oil, a good multi vitamin/mineral and garlic.
Then we had to look at the lack de-stressing techniques in his life. The three primary things that reduce stress are exercise, a daily relaxation technique and attitude. I recommended that he walk briskly for 20 minutes five times a week, listen to a relaxation tape for 20 minutes a day and practice abdominal breathing during the day. The stress we keep in our bodies helps to tighten the arteries and therefore increases blood pressure.
Within a few weeks, Al's reading had come down to 140/90 so I could evaluate that the program was beginning to work.
The next step was to check his lab work. His LDL cholesterol was too high and his blood sugar was over six. I stressed that the carbohydrates such as sweets and breads in his diet were more of a problem than fats. I recommended he consume healthy fats such as flax oil and olive oil rather than margarine and hydrogenated oils found in baked good s and fried foods. We also increased his protein intake and lowered the carbohydrates. As a result, for the first time in years, his craving for sweets and his intestinal gas decreased.
Then I looked at his PSA test (the screening test for prostate cancer) and his stool test (a good screening for colon cancer). There were both normal. However, I encouraged Al to take selenium daily to prevent prostate cancer and to increase his intake of fibrous fruits and vegetables to reduce the risk of colon cancer. I also reminded him that the magnesium he was taking would not only help to reduce his blood pressure but would also help prevent heart disease and colon cancer.
Al has not been in for a while now. He is at his target weight, his energy is back and his blood pressure is 120/80. His headaches are gone and his blood fasting sugar is coming down nicely with his lifestyle change. His partner is also reaping the benefits because he is much more even-tempered and happier.
Infertility
Twenty per cent of couples in the world are infertile. Infertility is diagnosed if after one year of unprotected intercourse conception is not achieved. The major causes of infertility are sperm factors, ovarian dysfunction, abnormal fallopian tube function, cervical factors and a few unidentified causes.
A little known fact is that male infertility accounts for 40 per cent of infertile couples. However, in developing countries pelvic inflammatory disease in women accounts for 77 per cent of infertility and sperm issues for only 20 per cent.
In Canada pelvic inflammatory disease plays a part but it's much lower on the percentage scale. One of the major causes of pelvic inflammatory disease is the bacteria Chlamydia and the use of IUD's. This condition affects the tubal function and the uterus.
One of the major problems with infertility in men is that sperm counts are declining. We think the reasons are environmental factors such as pesticides, excess estrogens absorbed through the environment from steroids, heavy metals, nutritional deficiencies and radiation impact on the formation of sperm. Wearing cell phones on the chest or in pants pockets is not a good idea due to the frequency they generate.
One of the major reasons for the excess estrogens is that plastics often act as an estrogen mimicker in our bodies. Researchers found that male alligators in the Everglades were growing female organs because they were eating so many plastic bags. Radiation is in more places than you would like to think. Even taking a flight can give you a good dose of radiation.
When I treat infertile couples I always treat the male even if his sperm count and motility tests are normal. The common supplements I give are zinc, carotenes, Omega 3's, selenium and vitamins E and C.
There are many treatments and preventative measures for infertility. I use herbs such as Echinacea and Goldenseal for bacterial infections, antioxidant herbs such as ginkgo, turmeric and rosemary for radiation exposure and herbs such as astragalus and ginseng that stimulate the immune system.
I've noticed that the use of birth control pills for more than five years greatly increases the incidence of infertility. When an infertile couple comes into my office I ask that they do cleansing and other herbs for three months and that they try not to get pregnant during that time. It's important to detoxify and treat nutritional deficiencies, screen for infections, avoid all toxins in food and in the environment, test for allergies especially gluten treat underlying disease such as polycystic ovaries and underactive thyroid and enhance exercise and stress management.
Once a woman is pregnant naturopathic care can greatly enhance the well-being of the woman and the fetus.
Prostate Health
Today's column is for the men out there, specifically for the men who want to maintain excellent prostate health. Some of my male patients over the age of 50 are starting to experience symptoms of an enlarged prostate, which include a slower stream, more urgency, and increased nighttime awakenings to empty their bladders. The fact is that there is something you can do about an enlarged prostate.
The prostate is a donut-shaped gland the size of a walnut that lies between the bladder and the urethra. The prostate secretes a milky liquid that helps to increase sperm mobility and lubricates that urethra in order to prevent infection.
Men over the age of 45 should have an annual prostate exam. If it is enlarged you will be sent for a test that measures the Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA), which is a sensitive marker for prostate cancer.
The prostate becomes enlarged through hormonal changes. As you age, estrogen levels rise and the follicle-stimulating hormone can increase. The end result of this is that testosterone concentrates in the prostate and it is the increased testosterone that will cause the prostate to enlarge. Untreated, the enlarged prostate will obstruct the urinary canal.
Treatment is fairly easy. First look at our diet. It should be low in animal fats and high in whole foods. Keep your cholesterol levels low. Lower you alcohol intake to less than six ounces per week. Increase you intake of soy foods. Studies show that 3.5 ounces of soy foods per day will decrease your risk of contracting prostate cancer and will decrease the size of the prostate. This type of diet is critical to maintaining hormonal health.
Zinc is one of the most important supplements you can take, Make sure that you’re getting at least 50 milligrams per day. Zinc will equal out the hormone levels and help get rid of excess testosterone in the prostate.
Saw Palmetto is a wonderful herb. Numerous clinical studies have shown that it can be as effective as pharmacological drugs without the side effects. 90 Per cent of men show improvement after four to six weeks of therapy with Saw Palmetto. Studies have also revealed an interesting side effect of Saw Palmetto: one-third of the men taking the herb reported an increased sense of well being. The dosage is usually 160 mgs. twice a day.
If Saw Palmetto has no effect try adding Pygeum Africanum. It is also effective in decreasing Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH). The dosage is 75 mgs. twice a day.
The newest studies centre on a pollen extract, which has excellent anti-oxidant properties. Studies in Japan and Europe show that this pollen extract exhibits great promise in the prevention of prostate cancer. It works by increasing the uptake of zinc into the prostate and reducing the binding of testosterone to the prostate cells.
Good prostate health is important. Maintaining it is easy through good diet and simple, natural ingredients.
Reducing Stress in Your Life
Many, many of the people who walk into my office are stressed - and stress plays a large role in disease. Our bodies can only take so much stress before they begin breaking down.
Our bodies allow us to take some stress. We are animals after all and we need to be prepared to take on that occasional leopard in the forest. But when we have persistent stress in our lives many of our systems will start to break down. The part that is the weakest may then manifest some sort of condition or disease.
People experience stress in many ways. Sometimes it's positive stress like getting a good job - sometimes it's negative like overwork. Stress can be caused by tending to sick family members. Financial stress and relationship issues are the big two.
The stress may be emotional or physical but your body responds in the same way. It activates the fight or flight response.
Your body may experience muscle contractions, increased heart rate, increased breathing, constriction of the arteries and shutting down of the digestion system.
There is a good reason for these changes to take place in the body. The fight or flight response enables you to run away from that leopard in the jungle. But when these reactions are ongoing trouble sets in.
The pace of life is speeding up. We call it the acceleration syndrome. Your body may rarely have a chance to relax. Statistics show that 60 to 70 per cent of visits to physicians are due to stress related disorders - headaches, backaches, irritable bowel syndrome, insomnia, ulcers - all stress related.
Stress can deplete your immune system making you more susceptible to colds, flu, allergies, and more serious conditions like arthritis, chronic pain or diabetes.
Emotional stress can produce hormonal imbalances of the thyroid, ovaries, adrenal glands or the thymus.
In women many gynecological complaints have stress as a component. PMS and menopausal symptoms often increase with high stress. Stress causes overproduction of cortisol which can reduce your seratonin levels and cause insomnia and depression.
Fortunately there are many ways of reducing stress. The first place to look is the diet. Caffeine and sugar are the two worst stress-producing culprits. Reduce their intake. Oats have a calming effect so try them for breakfast. Try chamomile tea throughout the day.
Many people are living in a virtual pressure cooker. We absorb all this stress and without a daily release for the pressure valve, the stress just increases. Daily release can be obtained through exercise and stress reduction techniques. Exercise works off nervous energy, diffuses the fight or flight response, and restores your heart and breathing rates to restful levels.
Stress reduction techniques include abdominal breathing, progressive relaxation, meditation and biofeedback. Pick one that suits you. Try a stress reduction course at your local community centre.
Look at your life. Spend some time organizing free time where you don't have to do anything at all. Learn to say "no." Try to simplify your life. Do less.
Nutritional and herbal medicines can help. Stress depletes the B vitamins so take a B supplement. There are Bach flower remedies that can address the emotional aspects of stress. Ginseng helps by increasing the toning function of the adrenal glands. Licorice root can reduce the stress on the adrenal glands.
Calcium/magnesium is one of nature's natural muscle relaxants. St. John's Wort can definitely help with nighttime sleep.
And finally - laughter is a great tension reliever and still one of nature's best medicines.