MALE HEALTH & HORMONES

• Hormones are everywhere
• Hormones are chemical messengers that coordinate different functions in your body produced by various glands, organs and tissues in fact many cells can make their own hormones
• The role hormones play in male health is significant.
• Hormones impact a man’s weight, mood, decision making ability, energy levels, gut health, skin health, hair health, bone health, food cravings and so much more
• However as opposed to women, symptoms are often underreported
• Men tend to accept changes in their bodies as just part of the aging process.
• However, most symptoms of “aging” are actually caused by a hormone imbalance, affecting not only testosterone, but also cortisol, Estrogen, insulin and thyroid levels.
• Have you ever wondered how many hormones affect male health?
• Scientists have identified over 50 hormones
• The 5 main ones are

– Estrogen

– Testosterone

– Thyroid hormones

– Cortisol

– Insulin

• Of course, the male sex hormone Testosterone has the most significant effect on a man’s health, from puberty to manhood to andropause and more.
• But, the other hormones all play their role
• No hormone is inherently good or bad
• They constantly chat with one another and other compounds in the body to maintain balance
• Tiny shifts can have massive consequences
• If one hormone is lacking, it can throw the body, mind, and or emotions out of balance
• EG. if Thyroid-Stimulating-Hormone (TSH) gets out of range, even by milliunits, memory, body temperature, and many other functions will be altered.

• Hormone levels can be tested in the blood, urine or saliva.
• Testosterone is best tested in blood
• Unfortunately, doctors may overlook hormones as being the cause of symptoms thus excluding them from any testing
• Here are some of the most common issues men experience when their hormones are imbalanced:

– Acne

– Change in fat distribution, increasing storage around the middle and or hips and or man boobs

– Change in muscle definition and strength

– Erectile dysfunction

– Change in self-esteem and motivation

– Spontaneous, aggressive, risk taking behaviour or the opposite more cautious and procrastination

– Excessive body and facial hair but hair loss on the head

– Heart or liver problem

– High blood pressure (hypertension)

– High or low sex drive (libido)

• Chemicals in our food, water, personal-care products, and environment can enter our bodies and mimic or block hormones or otherwise keep them from doing their jobs.
• Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) include well-known troublemakers like BPA and phthalates in plastics, but there are many others.
• EDCs have been linked to everything from low sperm count to learning disabilities to certain cancers, though experts say more research is needed.
• To be on the safe side, avoid pesticides, favour glass, porcelain and steel food containers over plastic, and eat fresh whole foods without colourings or additives
• International Men’s Day sis the 19^th November celebrates worldwide the positive value men bring to the world, their families and communities. This year the theme is “Zero Male Suicide” with the aim to stop men’s suicide.