MANopause:
Challenges facing today's male
and natural solutions for solving them.
by Steve Minsky & Bonnie Minsky MA, MPH, LDN, CNS
Introduction
It is well documented that a man's testosterone level declines as early as age 30, dropping one percent a year after the age of 50. The decline comes
with an array of "change of life" symptoms such as loss of muscle mass, fatigue, depression, erectile dysfunction, and even hot flashes. The
condition is hard to test for and even more difficult for a man to discuss, so it usually flies under the radar. However, as studies begin to link low
testosterone with infertility, heart disease, cognitive decline, and bone loss, practitioners are beginning to take notice.
One of the biggest stumbling blocks is finding a name. Every condition must have a name, and male menopause, which means "the end of menses"
is not the answer. Andropause, hypogonadism, and androgen deficiency are names that have been bandied about, but nothing has stuck as of yet. Whatever
you want to call the growing issue of low testosterone in men, we would like to address the most common challenges and find natural solutions to
correct them.
Benign Prostate Hyperplasia & Prostate Cancer
BPH is a condition that affects the prostate gland as men age. As the prostate gets bigger, it may press on the urethra, causing slower but more
frequent urination. Regular exercise, anti-inflammatory dietary choices, acupuncture, and the herb Saw Palmetto are ideal preventatives as well
as natural modalities for treating BPH.
Relying solely on conventional oncology when presented with a prostate cancer diagnosis may warrant further exploration. It is frightening because no
current treatment is a sure winner. Many experts believe that if the cancer is confined to the prostate gland, it is rarely problematic and no
evidence exists that surgery is more effective than radiation, or vice versa. Prostate cancer is often a slow-growing condition in older men, so the
many who opt for watchful waiting must concentrate on containing or slowing advancement of the cancer. In a recent study published in the Journal
of Urology, 93 men who elected to forego conventional treatment were divided into two groups. One group made lifestyle changes. The other group
made none. After one year, the group that had adopted lifestyle changes had eight times more tumor inhibition activity.
Something else to consider. Men who are obese or overweight when
diagnosed with locally advanced prostate cancer have a higher risk of death after treatment, according to the November issue of journal Cancer.
Results showed that after 5 years, men with Body Mass Index under 25 had a prostate cancer specific mortality rate of 6.5 per cent compared to 13.1
per cent for men with a BMI of 25 to under 30 (overweight) and 12.2 per cent for men with BMI of 30 or more (obese).
In short, the options for lifestyle change are vast, but there are several musts to incorporate whether for preventative or watchful waiting purposes: dietary change, nutrient supplementation, exercise, yoga or
meditation, and prostate cancer support groups. We explore some of these options in detail below.
Diet
Men are pretty stubborn when it comes to making dietary changes. The machismo exhibited for resisting change can ultimately come back to bite you in the form of femininity! Excess weight pushes testosterone levels lower because fat cells (especially visceral fat around the abdomen) converts
circulating testosterone into estrogen. So if a male is overweight, he is really working against himself.
The fundamentals of an optimal diet are simple. Eat real food, not processed. Eat a balanced diet (refer to our Circle of Health Food Chart). Eat organic whenever possible
to limit
exposure to estrogenic chemicals.
Emphasis should
be on lean, quality protein to maintain muscle mass (about 30% of your diet), which maintains healthy testosterone levels. At least
20 percent of your
diet should come from healthy fats. Cholesterol from fat is a building block of many hormones, so if you do not have enough of it (for example, the millions of men who have low cholesterol due to statin medication), you
may not have a healthy foundation. Limiting sugar and salt consumption is a must.
Drink only filtered water. Discover
and address any food allergies or intolerances you may have.
Erectile Dysfunction
ED is a galvanizing condition because it is a direct hit to one's manhood. Prescription drug therapies are well known but do not come without risk.
Some opt for natural therapies. For those interested, read further.
One must first rule out antidepressant medication. Depression is a common symptom of male hormonal change. Antidepressants are the most common way to
treat the symptoms of depression. However, recent research has shown that antidepressants may induce drug-related sexual dysfunction in up to one-third of males.
Studies have shown that men with metabolic
syndrome (obesity with a blood sugar disorder) are twice as likely to have ED. From a dietary standpoint, the most effective way to address ED is to
follow a Meditteranean Diet. Researchers believe that the anti-inflammatory properties of the Meditteranean Diet reduces C-Reactive protein (a major
blood indicator for inflammation), induces weight loss, and promotes healthy blood sugar levels.
Nutrients can play a large part in treating ED. However, many pills marketed as safe herbal alternatives to Viagra and other prescription sex
medications pose a hidden danger: for men on common heart and blood-pressure drugs, popping one could lead to a stroke, or even death.
"All-natural" products often contain unregulated versions of the pharmaceuticals they are supposed to replace. A recent Associated Press
investigation showed that spiked herbal impotency pills are emerging as a major public health concern. Emergency rooms and poison-control hot lines
are starting to log more incidents. Please work with a licensed health professional if considering one of these products.
One product that we safely endorse for ED is Tribulus Synergy by Metagenics. The other crucial nutrient needed is EPA/DHA fish oil to reduce
inflammation.
Exercise
There is a direct correlation between muscle mass and testosterone. With a moderate weight-lifting program, one can improve testosterone levels as
well muscle strength by more than 30%. Exercises that target several large muscle groups, such as push-ups and squats are best.
Aerobic exercise boosts production of feel-good neurotransmitters in the brain, which tend to become imbalanced as men age. So having a well-rounded
exercise regimen helps. Some experts believe that exercising as little twice weekly while focusing on these two areas can vastly improve and maintain
male health.
Hair Loss/Male Pattern Baldness
Unfortunately this is a most difficult area to address. Genetics plays such as huge part in male pattern baldness that
prevention is most often not enough. We do not pretend to be experts in the current treatments available. However, for hair loss due to low
testosterone, adhering to many of the suggestions offered throughout this piece can help stem the tide. In addition, using shampoo and hair products
that are free of harsh chemicals help at the source.
Stress
Stress of all kinds can negatively affect the performance of the immune system and the adrenal glands. The more our adrenals are taxed, the more our
hormones become negatively impacted.
There are a multitude of wonderful options for stress reduction. For instance, many choose meditation. Others find their spirituality. More yet tap
into a creative activity. A relatively new modality is far infrared sauna therapy. Like with everything else, you must find the best way for you as an
individual and stick with it!
Other
Toxic Load
For men, exposure to a multitude of toxins directly impact testosterone levels. One must be vigilant about incorporating Solutions
for Reducing Your Toxic Load, which we conveniently wrote about last month.
Putting Off Your Doc Visit
Men continue to suffer more chronic conditions and have higher death rates
for all 15 leading causes of death than do women. However, an American Academy of Family Physicians survey found that more than a quarter of those
surveyed were putting off their physical exam for as long as possible.
Infertility
This is a huge issue for males in their reproductive years. A combination of factors listed in this piece, especially toxic load and
nutrient deficiency, are culprits. We created the Natural Fertility Action Plan for both men and women when
preparing to optimize themselves for having children.
Lifestyle Test - Do You Have Male Menopause?
1. Do you have a decrease in libido (sex drive)?
2. Do you lack energy?
3. Do you have a decrease in strength and/or endurance?
4. Have you lost height?
5. Have you noticed a decreased enjoyment of life?
6. Are you sad or grumpy?
7. Are your erections less strong?
8. Have you noticed a deterioration in your athletic performance?
9. Are you falling asleep after dinner?
10. Is your work performance deteriorating?
If you answered yes to question 1 or 7, or at least three of the other questions, you may have low testosterone and may want to discuss with your
health professional. Source: St. Louis University School of Medicine
Diagnostic Tests:
-Male Hormone Panel (we prefer saliva; the company we use is Diagnos-Techs)
-Comprehensive Blood Screening including C-Reactive Protein
-Food Allergy/Food Intolerance testing
At a Glance - Natural Healing Solutions:
Acupuncture
Bioenergy Work
Body Work such as Chiropractic, Massage and Reiki
Exercise
Far Infrared Therapy (FIR)
Food Therapy -
Specific foods that have been found to improve or maintain healthy testosterone levels such as pomegranate, avocado, fatty fish, and
nuts/seeds. Phytochemicals (from fruits & vegetables) such as cruciferous vegetables (broccoli and cauliflower) are natural xenoestrogen (bad) detoxifiers. Lignans found in pulverized
flaxseeds (1-2 T. daily) are wonderful for hormone balance. Daily consumption is highly recommended.
Meditation
Spirituality
Vitamin and Mineral Supplementation -
The best choices include DHEA (do not take unless you have your DHEA hormone level checked), Magnesium, Multivitamin/Mineral (with selenium), Omega-3
Fish Oil, Plant Sterols/Stanols (they also help maintain healthy cholesterol levels), Potassium, Saw Palmetto, Vitamin C (from well tolerated source), Vitamin D from Cod Liver Oil or natural D3, Vitamin
E (mixed tocopherol), Zinc. There are a multitude of herbs believed to help low testosterone. However, one must work with a health professional to
find if and what are the right options for you. We endorse two products by Metagenics tailored to males: Testralin (for healthy testosterone, overall hormone levels)
and Tribulus Synergy (specifically for men looking for a natural solution for ED; not to be used if one ED medication). Consult with your health
professional before considering any of the above.
Tai Chi
Yoga
Testosterone
Replacement Therapy
& Human Growth Hormone
Prescription
testosterone and HGH are extremely controversial but have become big business. While these treatments may appear to have benefits, they also come with
significant risks and no safety record. Practitioners who steer clear of the synthetics opt for plant-based bioidentical testosterone, but even in
this case, the risks are unknown.
Conclusion
How many men are willing to acknowledge "change
of life" much less do something about it remains to be seen. We have put it out in the open for our clients and their
significant others to consider. We are here to help if needed. As always, have a happy, healthy day.
MANopause Action Plan (7
page pdf)
- $4.95 
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Disclaimer: This column is for information only and no part of its contents should be construed as medical advice or
diagnosis. It is always a good idea to consult a health professional before making any dietary and nutrient changes.
© 2007 Nutritional Concepts, Inc.