Salutations!

As the cost of "Sick"care skyrockets so to do the cost associated with every aspect of the sick care industry (insurance premiums, co-pays, pharmaceutical drugs, sick leave, etc.). The time to act and take care of ourselves while jealously guarding our health has come. We can no longer afford to hand over our health or our wealth to others and hope to live happy, productive lives. The goal of this blog is to wade through some of the more mundane as well as a few sensational health issues that affect us today and how to get over them.







Showing posts with label Hormone Imbalance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hormone Imbalance. Show all posts

Thursday, February 19, 2015

DIM May Be Nature's Viagra



Prostate health is a major concern these days for quite a few men as it should be. The prostate's importance is generally over looked until in the latter years of life for most men. It is during this time we begin to understand the important role the prostate plays in the overall health and well-being of the body in general and its importance in sexual matters specifically.

In general, the prostate helps to control and regulate the actions of certain hormones like testosterone. Many aspects about what typically makes a man a man, like muscle mass or chivalrous aggression, are affected by the prostate.

Specifically, the prostate helps to control just how much estrogen and testosterone there will be at any given time in a man's body if it is in proper working order.

One way to keep the prostate in proper working order is to supplement with diindolymethane (DIM).

Prostate Health

Inflammation of the prostate is becoming more and more common in men especially those who are in their mid to late 40’s and beyond. A lifetime of red meat consumption coupled with stress and other adverse lifestyle habits will usually take its toll on the prostate. Significant inflammatory issues can arise and can eventually lead to cancer. As previously mentioned DIM could step in and help correct some prostate conditions because it is a very powerful anti-inflammatory. DIM’s ability to reduce inflammation in the prostate specifically has been demonstrated in scientific testing. In research documented in the January 2008 Journal of Nutrition DIM proved effective in reducing the release of pro-inflammatory mediators in macrophages in addition to reducing the release of nitric acid and other inflammatory substances.

Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction (ED) has garnered much mainstream attention for two reasons. First, it has become an unfortunate reality for many men. Second, because pharmaceutical companies have flooded the airwaves with commercial after commercial touting little pills that are very expensive and sales very well. But what if there was a natural and safe way to overcome erectile dysfunction?

 ED could be a sign of testosterone conversion gone wrong. As men age we tend to convert testosterone into estrogen more readily. If too much testosterone is converted sexual dysfunction is sure to follow. Even so, a man with a healthy prostate would not produce nearly enough estrogen necessary to induce ED. A man with a failing or poorly functioning prostate will, however. DIM may be the right supplement needed as it has demonstrated the ability to slow down or bring into correct balance the conversion of testosterone to estrogen. In short, the more testosterone a man is able to hang on to the less chance he has of developing or maintaining ED.

Conclusion

The health of the prostate is important for many reasons but let's be honest. Erectile dysfunction is a driving force in some men's lives and the pharmaceutical sales reports are available to prove it. Here is just one way that could potentially put a man back in the sexual driver’s seat naturally and with little to no side effects at all.

*Be sure to consult with your medical professional before beginning any supplemental regimen

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Liquid Death: Diabetes and (Diet) Soda Consumption

Be assured that the title of this article is not too fine a point. It is also not intended to shock you in a 'reality TV' sort of way either but the reality is shocking. If you are diabetic, pre-diabetic or even if you are not this information is imperative to either reverse, mitigate, or prevent diabetes.

Support pancreatic function and while boosting your immune system...naturally!


Blood sugar levels

Most diabetics know to stay away from sugar laden consumables like soda but many pre-diabetics fail to heed the warning. One of the most dangerous aspects of diabetes is the fact that you cannot feel it creeping into your life. Soda increases insulin sensitivity because it contains anywhere between 10-15 teaspoons of sugar per 12 oz. The average American consumes approximately 21 oz. of soda daily. That much sugar entering the bloodstream in a relatively short period of time spikes insulin production and the real trouble begins. Soon the insulin begins knocking on cellular doors trying to usher in sugars that the cells most likely do not need and the cells reject the insulin. After years of seeing insulin show up with something it doesn't want the cells begin to automatically reject the insulin (thus insulin sensitivity). A combination of poor eating habits, little to no exercise and a lack of mineralization only serves to exacerbate the problem.

Chronic Inflammation

What happens to all that insulin and sugar that's rejected by the body? Well, it cannot be allowed to remain in the blood stream or it would begin to do major damage. Enter inflammation. Inflammation is the body's way of identifying trouble areas in the body and trigger the immune system. Once the immune system is activated triglycerides are released which captures the rogue insulin and stores it away in adipose tissue (aka fat). One of the most negative aspects of chronic inflammation is it fatigues the immune system and distracts it from other extremely important duties. Chronic inflammation can also lead to significant weight gain which is another hallmark of diabetes.

Support pancreatic function and while boosting your immune system...naturally!


Caffeine and Cortisol

Most sodas unless otherwise stated contain caffeine. Caffeine in small amounts (100-200 mg over the course of a day) is not harmful and could actually be of benefit to the body. Any more than 200 mg of caffeine and cortisol levels begin to rise significantly. This isn't much of a problem for those who exercise moderately on a regular basis but if you are sedentary or only exercise sporadically this may become an issue. 200 mg of caffeine can raise cortisol levels by 30% within an hour. Cortisol causes the liver and muscles to release stored glycogen and if it does not get used it gets stored as fat. This increases inflammation, weight gain and can ultimately lead to hormone imbalances. In this highly caffeinated world we live in it is easier than ever to over consume it.

The Diet Soda Deception

Here is an important fact I like to share with people especially those who are pre-diabetic. Diet soda is one of the worst things you can do to yourself. Notwithstanding a myriad of other reasons to not drink the stuff diet soda causes significant spikes in insulin. How? The body is hard wired to respond immediately to any influx of sugar. After all the glucose formed from carbohydrates is the body's chief source of fuel. When that super sweet tasting diet drink touches your tongue the body prepares for what it thinks is an inevitable surge in blood sugar levels by producing insulin preemptively. Considering that the artificial sweeteners most often used is up to 300% sweeter than table sugar the body produces a great bit of insulin. At this point the body is awashed with the hormone and it has nothing to do at all. Unfortunately, the blood cells will still see the insulin and think to themselves "There it goes again...that's why we reject it". The more the cells are chronically exposed to insulin the more it rejects it. Adding insult to injury the insulin must be dealt with as previously mentioned by activating the immune system. In addition these same diet drinks often contain caffeine and large amounts release cortisol and we know what happens next (see above)!

What now?

If you're diabetic or pre-diabetic stop or greatly curtail all soda consumption. These simple carbohydrate laden products are extremely detrimental to your health and can make reversing or managing diabetes near impossible. Remember: Wise choices lead to wise outcomes. Go in good health!

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