TotalHealth Editors:

Silver Use Institute, Feb 1st, 2025

Is it about time to take care of our own, our own friends, and especially our own families,  the people who we hold most dear to us?  All the science is in place to help us, but it seems like people are struggling to find it and to put aside all the bad and misleading pseudo information that we are constantly being fed.  It is the intent of this article to bring some of that science into the light!

Introduction

Contrary to current thought, keeping our people safe and healthy may not be all that difficult to do if we actually embrace the science!  In the last few decades, we have all been hit with a host of new and deadly viruses.  Every year or two, a new one hits.  Those would include viruses like HIV, SARS, EBOLA, Swine Flu, Bird Flu, and Covid just to name a few, and there are many more on that list.  Over the past few years, we have had to endure masks, staying home, losing jobs, closing business, food and medical shortages etc. etc.  Worse of all we have had to attend, or not be able to attend, the funerals of many of our friends and family.   The people who have died, possibly unnecessarily, have affected us all in one way or another.   On January 30, 2020, COVID-19 was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) with an official death toll of 171. By December 31, 2020, this figure stood at 1,813,188. Yet preliminary estimates suggest the total number of global deaths attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 was at least 3 million, representing 1.2 million more deaths than officially reported (1). As of April 13, 2024, the death toll had reportedly reached 7,010,681.  It doesn’t stop there, currently there are 704,753,890 confirmed cases in 229 countries and territories (2). So how do we protect our people?

Background on Nano Silver

In the mouths of two or three witnesses truth is established, right?  How about from the mouths of over a hundred or five hundred scientists?  How about a thousand scientists in just one publication (3)?  How about millions of people over 1000’s of years?  Silver has been used for at least six millennia to prevent microbial infections. “It has been effective against almost all organisms tested and has been used to treat numerous infections and noninfectious conditions, sometimes with striking success” (4).  Around 400 BC, the “father of modern medicine”, Hippocrates, wrote of using silver to improve wound care, and during the intervening years silver has been featured in a wide range of writings, most of which highlight its capabilities with particular regard to limiting inflammation and infection. . (5)  There are now hundreds and hundreds of peer-reviewed, published medical studies on the medicinal use of nano silver for lifechanging things like: wound care, bio tissue engineering, antimicrobial action including antibiotic resistant bacteria, fungus, mold, and deadly strains of virus.  There are even more than 60 peer-reviewed and published studies on the use of nano silver to help eliminate numerous different types of cancer. (3)

 Prevention

What many people may not know is that a virus can build up in your body for days before you even know you have an infection.  Also important to know is that you can actually spread a viral infection to other people before you know you have it, and before you start feeling sick.  So prevention is a key component to staying healthy.  Prevention is always easier than treatment, so what can we do to prevent a deadly viral infection? A great answer to that question was published on August 19, 2021. It was published by 11 scientists from 8 different institutions located in 3 different countries.  The study incorporated 231 frontline health workers treating Covid patients in hospitals.  The medical personnel were split into two groups.  There were 117 of the people that just followed their regular prevention protocols as directed by their hospitals.  They were the control group.  The second group of 114 medical people added the use of nano silver to their daily prevention routines.

To quote the scientists directly,

“We present a prospective randomized study of 231 participants that was carried out for 9 weeks (during the declaration of a pandemic). The “experimental” group was instructed to do mouthwash and nose rinse with the AgNPs (nano silver) solution; the “control” group was instructed to do mouthwashes and nose rinse in a conventional way. The incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection was significantly lower in the “experimental” group (two participants of 114, 1.8%) compared to the “control” group (thirty-three participants of 117, 28.2%), with an 84.8% efficiency. We conclude that the mouth and nasal rinse with AgNPs helps in the prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infection in health personnel who are exposed to patients diagnosed with COVID-19”. (6)

If you could cut your chance of getting infected by a deadly virus from more than 28% to just 1.8% simply by gargling and rinsing out your sinuses with nano silver daily, who wouldn’t do that?  With the use of just a little nano silver, the medical professionals had a 15X less chance of getting covid, all while being directly exposed to infected people!  A person could easily help a child, or an elderly person rinse out their sinuses daily just by the use of a simple nasal sprayer or a nebulizer.  It is an easy way to help people, and to give them an affordable, safe, and effective first line of defense to keep them healthy!

A second validation of the potential effect of just washing out your sinuses came from an Indian government lab, where in testing they found that a nano-silver liquid could kill or neutralize about 50 % of the contained SARS CoV2 virus within just the first 15 minutes of contact time, at a concentration of merely 10 parts per million nano silver.  Slightly higher concentrations of nano silver worked even better.  This study also proves nano silver has a direct effect on the elimination of the deadly virus. (7)

So, what do I do if I get it?

A great answer to that question was published in December of 2022 by eight scientists from six major Universities and hospitals in Canada and the US.  The Universities who participated were the University of Florida, University of Tennessee, and the University of Alberta, all outstanding institutions.  They tested the ability of nano silver to eliminate infections in the lungs and sinuses in both humans and animals, using a nebulizer to get the nano silver into the lungs.

They tested two different viruses, including SARS-CoV-2.  In their own words they found:

“Nano silver solutions demonstrated pH-dependent antimicrobial efficacy; reduced infection and inflammation without evidence of lung toxicity in the rat model; and inactivated HSV-1 and SARS-CoV-2. Pneumonia patients had rapidly reduced pulmonary symptoms, recovering pre-illness respiratory function. Fungal sinusitis-related inflammation decreased immediately with infection clearance within 21 days. Non hospitalized patients with COVID-19 experienced rapid symptom remission”.(8)

In other words, they found that nebulizing the nano silver quickly eliminated the lung infections (killed or neutralized the viruses), reduced the inflammation, and was non-toxic or had no negative effect.  The nano silver helped heal the patients, whether they were animals or humans.  They found that the patients quickly regained their normal lung function, some within just hours.  The study again proves the value of using nano silver as a great first line of defense against active viral infections.

What About Other Deadly Virus?

There are many viruses for which medicine has no established treatment.  Nano silver is one of the best, if not the very best antiviral agent that exists.  It is a very broad spectrum natural antiviral remedy!  The ability of nano silver to kill or neutralize virus and reduce the inflammation associated with the virus, all without causing negative side effects is a very big deal!  There are many different problem viruses, and many different diseases caused by those viruses. Numerous peer-reviewed and published studies from literally hundreds of scientists and doctors from all around the world that have tested nano silver against about any virus you could name.  Some of those tests combined the use of nano silver with other antiviral agents for enhanced action, and some used the nano silver as the only form of treatment.  Either way, the only thing that actually matters is that nano silver has been proven to work.  That published and tested viral list would include virus such as: Adenovirus, HIV1, HIV2, Influenza A (H7N2), MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV, EBOLA, Bird Flu (H5N1), Swine Flu, H1N1, Covid 19, Monkey pox, Hepatitis B & C, HPV, Noroviruses, West Nile, RSV, ZIKA, Rift Valley Fever, HSV1 & 2, Poliovirus, Chikungunya virus, and Dengue virus, to list just a few! (3)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13) There is no question about nano silver’s ability to help treat viral infections.  The question is whether or not the powers that be will let it be used to help treat people or whether or not people will be willing to study and treat themselves and their loved ones.

How Does Nano Silver Eliminate Virus?

That question was answered in detail by eight scientists from Texas A&M and Winthrop Universities.  The study was published on the 31st of July 2023 and was made available by the US Government (US NIH) (13).  While the answer is not simple to understand, we feel it is important to add in this info for those who need or wish to know.  The study states:

“In these studies, AgNPs were found to bind specifically or nonspecifically to proteins in the envelope of virions and thereby deactivate them (virucidal activity). These target proteins are mainly responsible for the viral interaction with host cells. During the pre-viral entry into host cells, AgNPs competitively attach to the cells and lyse the membrane of the virions (antiviral activity). In the case of the post-viral entry, AgNPs mainly inhibit the viral fusion with the cell membrane, and in several cases interfered with the stages of the viral replication cycle such as the synthesis of viral RNA (antiviral activity).”

In simpler words, the nano particles were found to attach to the virus and kill them.  Also, the nano silver could kill the virus both before and after they connected or attached to a cell to infect it.   That means the nano silver could act as both a preventive and also as a treatment after infection.  This was also proven in the studies listed in the first few sections of this paper on both prevention and treatment.

Is Nano Silver Safe To Use Daily?

In one published human ingestion study, completed as an FDA registered IND study (Investigational New Drug), it was found that Nano silver caused no negative action on any system of the body.  It was found that both a concentration of 10 ppm and a 32 ppm (parts per million) liquid nano silver, drunk at a level of 1 ounce daily, had no negative effect on any system of the body.  It was also found that the nano silver washed completely out of the body within 24 hours, with no measurable residual, meaning none remained inside! (14) So even if someone drank it at a high volume it was proven safe for human use.  Additionally, the US EPA has established the fact that silver causes no negative effects when used at low levels, saying, “Silver is of low acute dermal toxicity, is not an eye or skin irritant and is not a skin sensitizer”.(15)  One world-acclaimed scientist named Rustum Roy (nominated for the Noble Prize 23 times) stated, “It is extraordinary that no major effort has been made to confirm and expand on the role of metallic silver in human health—especially in light of its huge advantage in lack of side effects.”(16)   In simpler words, nano silver has been proven safe for use both inside and outside the body and that fact has been well established by a number of US government agencies as well as  hundreds of scientists all around the world.(3)

The safety of ingesting nano silver was also proven in two other published human clinical trials.  One trial on the treatment of malaria, which was reported to the US Congress at their request in 2005, tested 56 humans between the ages of 1-90 years of age.  No other medication was used with the nano silver to treat the malaria patients.  Those people infected with malaria were drinking an ounce of nano silver daily divided into three doses (TID).  No negative effects were reported at all.  All 56 human subjects reportedly fully recovered from the malaria within an average of 3.43 days, walking out of the hospitals within 5 days. (17)(18)  In another published study, a group of people with AIDS was given two ounces daily of nano silver, split into three doses for a period of 4 months.  No other medication was used.  No negative side effects were reported at all.  It was also reported that the AIDS patients measured an average white cell increase of 39.54% over the 4-month period of treatment. It effectively helped to rebuild their entire immune system.  Also reported was the fact that the AIDS patients were able to achieve an average weight gain of over 17 pounds during the study, another remarkable and important discovery/achievement (19).

Where to Get It? 

In our research, one of the top new suppliers of nano silver products is a company called SilverCeuticals.  SilverCeuticals is led by a team of doctors that have more than a combined 120 years of experience working in the nano silver industry.  The CEO, Dr Keith Moeller, ND, has co-authored many papers, textbooks, and other publications on silver.  A number of those are peer-reviewed and published in leading wound care, science, and health journals. After working with the US Military to help solve medical problems for soldiers in the field, he was awarded an honorary position as a member of the US Special Operations Medical Association, a designation he is proud to hold. He accompanied his father, standing before the US Congress, at their request, to testify about the use of nano-silver to treat malaria and other humanitarian problems.

He and his team have already engineered a number of new and innovative nano silver products and have been busy getting them approved by different governments.  Their primary focus has been on wound care and disinfection.  They have also proven expertise in the formulation of cosmetics and supplements that don’t need FDA approval.  They have recently engineered a serum that Health Canada has already approved to treat, among other conditions, both acne and eczema, one of the first of its kind.  They have also just achieved a new Canadian registration as an antimicrobial lubricant.  With another partner, they have amassed an ongoing clinical trial in oral care that touts more than 55,000 procedures to date, with heal rates of half the normal time and zero secondary infections.  Their products are available from a variety of sources including doctor’s offices, medical distributors, and amazon, as well as directly from their website. (20)

Conclusion

Silver has been used for thousands of years as both a preventative and treatment for various diseases and human problems.  Newly published scientific papers from over a thousand scientists all over the world have proven nano silver to be an effective and safe antiviral agent.  Nano silver is easily able to eliminate a broad spectrum of deadly viruses.  It has been proven safe as an effective preventative, able to help medical professionals have 15 times less chance of getting a deadly viral infection.  At the same time, other published studies from multiple US Universities have proven nano silver as an effective treatment for Covid 19 and other respiratory infections, in both animals and humans.  It is about time we embrace the science and utilize nano silver to help provide a first line of protection to our friends, and especially our own families!

References

1) https://www.who.int/data/stories/the-true-death-toll-of-covid-19-estimating-global-excess-mortality

2) https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/coronavirus-death-toll/

3)  An Updated Review on Silver Nanoparticles in Biomedicine; Accepted: 20 November 2020; Published: 23 November 2020  An Updated Review on Silver Nanoparticles in Biomedicine

4) History of the Medical Use of Silver, US National Library of Medicine https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19566416/ June 10, 2009

5) https://www.silverinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/SilverInMedicine.pdf

6) Evaluation of silver nanoparticles for the prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infection in health workers: In vitro and in vivo,   PLOS ONE HTTPs://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0256401 August 19, 2021

7) Centre For Cellular and Molecular Biology, November 3, 2020.  Hyderabad, India – Viridis Bio Pharma – SARS CoV2

8) Nadworny PL, et al, Treatment of infection and inflammation associated with COVID-19, multi-drug resistant pneumonia and fungal sinusitis by nebulizing a nanosilver solution. Nanomedicine: NBM 2023;48:102654, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nano.2023.102654

9) Silver Nanoparticles as Potential Antiviral Agents, Pharmaceutics 2021, 13, 2034. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics13122034

10) A Preliminary Assessment of Silver Nanoparticle Inhibition of Monkey Plaque Formation, Nano Perspectives – Open Access – Published: 09 April 2008

11) ) Effect of Prophylactic Treatment with ASAP-AGX-32 and ASAP Solutions on an Avian Influenza A (H5N1) Virus Infection in Mice,  https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Effect-of-Prophylactic-Treatment-with-ASAP-AGX-32-A-Pedersen-Sidwell/3de85a153d9b22ddc876aa11e0417935cf14a065

12)Swine Flu Influenza Type A/H1N1 Protection for Health Care  Practitioners and Their Patient Posted in Longevity and Age Management, Dietary Supplementation, Drug Trends, Healthcare and Information, Immune System, Infectious Disease,  Inflammation, Medications, Healthcare and Public Policy, Swine Flu on Thu August 13, 2009

13 Nanosilver: An Old Antibacterial Agent with Great Promise in the Fight against Antibiotic Resistance https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6382/12/8/1264 Published online 2023 Jul 31.

14) PubMed.gov 23811290  In vivo human time-exposure study of orally dosed commercial silver nanoparticles

15) EPA Registration Eligibility Document (RED) For Silver

16) Ultradilute Ag-Aquasols with extraordinary bactericidal properties: the role of the system Ag-O-H2O   Rustum Roy, M. Richard Hoover, A.S. Bhalla, Tania Slawecki, Sandwip Dey, Wei Cao, Jing Li, S. Bhaskar

17) US Congressional Testimony of Dr. William Moeller on the use of nano silver to treat Malaria at Congressional request https://commdocs.house.gov/committees/intlrel/hfa20915.000/hfa20915_0f.htm

18) Silver Sol Completely Removes Malaria Parasites from the Blood of Humans Subjects Infected bwith Malaria in an Average of Five Days: A review of Jour Randomized, Multi-Centered Clinical Studikes Performed in Africa September 1010 https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/211377/Silver%20Sol%20Malaria%20The%20Indian%20Practitioner.pdf

19) Effect of Prophylactic Treatment with ASAP-AGX-32 and ASAP Solutions on an Avian Influenza A (H5N1) Virus Infection in Mice (The HIV Study is the Editors Note at the front of the publication)

20) Silverceuticals.com

The post It’s About Time We Take Care of Our Own! appeared first on Total Health Magazine.

I’ve been arguing against the universal use of statin drugs for several years now, but I’ve felt like the kid at the parade who kept saying the emperor was naked even as all the “grown-ups” continued to admire the emperor’s sartorial elegance.

Among the arguments I and many of my esteemed colleagues have made include these (pay particular attention to number 4):

1. Cholesterol doesn’t cause heart disease
2. Half the people with normal cholesterol have heart attacks and half of those with no heart disease have high cholesterol
3. Any possible benefit you may get from statin drugs is because they are mildly anti-inflammatory, not because they lower cholesterol, and
4. There has never been a single piece of convincing evidence that lowering cholesterol in women prevents a single death.

Well, it’s probably too early to be jumping with glee, but there are signs—small ones, admittedly, but signs nonetheless—that these ideas are beginning to creep over into the mainstream media.

The latest good news is an article in Time magazine by Catherine Elton which says, among other things: “…there is little evidence that (statins) prevent heart disease in women” and goes on to ask the question, “If statins do not help prolong women’s lives, why are so many women taking them?”

Good question.

One answer is that most doctors in America have about 7 minutes to spend with a patient and practice medicine by formula. “High cholesterol? Prescribe a statin.” Next patient, please.

I suspect that most docs don’t even know that the old division between “good” and “bad” cholesterol is woefully out-of-date. We now know that there are at least 5 different types of LDL (so called “bad” cholesterol”). LDL that looks like big puffy cotton balls is harmless. LDL that looks like little hard BB-pellets is atherogenic. Nonetheless most docs simply look at “LDL” as if it is all the same—which it’s not.

Another reason so many women are put on statins is what Time magazine called “The prescription Gender Gap.” Gender-based medicine takes into account the differences between en and women in the diagnosis and treatment of disease, but, as Elton points out, it has been slow to catch on, especially in the pharmaceutical industry. “Before the 1990s, women were largely excluded from clinical drug trials—an attempt to protect pregnant women from harm and avoid the potentially confounding effects of women’s hormone fluctuations” she writes. “Since then, as studies have actively recruited women, gender-based research has begun to reveal crucial information about how the development of diseases—such as heart disease, lung cancer and autoimmune disorders—may affect women in markedly different ways from men.”

Alarms get raised about saturated fat raising cholesterol but these alarms are misguided. Saturated fat often does raise cholesterol—but it raises HDL (“good”) cholesterol, and tends to increase the big fluffy cotton ball type of LDL and decrease the little BB-pellet type. So theoretically your overall cholesterol could go up but you could actually be a lot less likely to have a heart attack. I’d much rather have a high LDL (where most of the LDL was “big fluffy cotton ball type”) than a lower LDL (where most of the LDL was the atherogenic “BB-pellets type”).

In my interview on the website Big Think, link http://bigthink.com/jonnybowden I was asked to suggest some strategies for the prevention of heart disease. My first suggestion—one which I admitted was bound to infuriate a lot of conventional docs—was to stop worrying about cholesterol.

By focusing exclusively on this one misunderstood molecule—one which you absolutely need for health, by the way—we have collectively missed paying attention to the far more important risk factors for disease: smoking, high triglycerides, inflammation, and being overweight and sedentary.

Of course the fact that the two main medicines for bringing down cholesterol—Zocor and Lipitor—bring in over 30 billion dollars a year for their manufacturers might have something to do with our obsession with cholesterol numbers.

After all, as the great American writer Upton Sinclair once said: “It is difficult to get a man to understand something, when his salary depends upon his not understanding it!”

The post Should You Take A Statin Drug? appeared first on Total Health Magazine.

2. LOVE is essential for healthy living and feeling youthful as well as sensual and sexy. It’s even more important for men than women as research shows that men live longer when coupled with a life partner, whereas it’s not the same for women, who seem to embrace their independence in later years, especially when they have financial comfort. Medicare and insurance companies realize that loneliness and isolation are factors that create more likelihood for medical problems as we age and so, they ask physicians to inquire about these factors during their health reviews with patients.

3. FOOD is vitally important as a building block for our body as well as nourishment for our brain and other body tissues. At the core of us, our cells need a selection of the many nutrients we need for optimal functioning?vitamins, minerals, amino acids from proteins, fatty acids from oil-containing foods, and the many bio-active phytonutrients from plants. It’s also important to avoid as many toxins, primarily chemicals and metals that come into our bodies from air, food, and water, and also from what we put on our skin or how we treat our hair. Vital cell function is the basis of body/life vitality, and good, nutrient-rich foods provide the electricity for life.

Detoxification can be valuable for most men with breaks from any SNACC Habits (my acronym Sugar, Nicotine, Alcohol, Caffeine, and Chemicals) as well as occasional cleansing juice fasts (I do them yearly), which I feel and believe keep us feeling youthful with lower inflammation, and from them, help reduce degenerative disease so common in aging men.

In general, we mostly need lots of veggies and I suggest 50 percent and up, with quality proteins within your belief construct, and I like some fish, fresh local eggs, legume sprouts, tofu and tempeh, and some nuts, seeds, and avocado to add some oils and protein, along with a few fruits and some grains as you tolerate for your carb and weight levels. That’s the food we need and be aware of your ‘treats’ such as most all the processed foods and sugar-laded items so readily available everywhere. These treats are occasional and less than 20 percent, even 10 percent, of our total diet.

4. A Place called Home forms a foundation for many good health habits and a sanctuary for relaxation and recharging. The place you sleep and dream is home, and good sleep is essential to good health, from youth and throughout life. Here’s where you care for your body with love and ideally embrace the attitude that, “This is the only body I have and I am going to care for it as best I can. As I acknowledge this, I am going to eat well, lower my stress, sleep great, and keep an active fitness program.” That’s an “attitude” and a positive one. It helps to keep a clean body and home, well organized and that allows us to be creative and comfortable.

5. Creative Spark? be happy with who you are inside yourself, and that takes the right attitude as well. It helps to have something to do in and for the world to keep you engaged in life with some level of passion. This is important as we age unless you are someone who wishes to retire and enjoy your favorite hobbies and pastimes, travel, and embrace the world, or just relax at home and enjoy family, grandkids, and friends.

6. Fitness is fantastic! Staying fit or working hard to improve any poor fitness is a good plan for us all. I find for me that an hour a day or more helps me feel good and maintain my fitness and I encourage a regular, yet varied, program that fits in with your lifestyle and work schedule. Remember, the best exercise is the one that you will actually do. What do you like? Hikes in nature, gym workouts for aerobic activity, weight training, and always stretch and that includes yoga. We are as young as our spine is flexible. Meditation and tuning in helps us stay aligned with our true selves and helps us listen to our mission message and inner guidance and truth. This helps us stay aligned with a spiritual calling, so important for what I call our “destiny years” post age 60.

7. Supplements and Hormones are an important area to look at for healthy aging. It’s wise to have an assessment and look at risk factors (see below) as well as hormone levels, and that includes testosterone values and DHEA, a hormone precursor. Many men can benefit from adding a little bio-identical testosterone to their regimen, especially if they measure low or they have some of the symptoms of low testosterone, such as fatigue, depression, low libido, or lack of enthusiasm for life.

Important supplements for aging men include vitamin D, vitamin C and other antioxidant nutrients (E, B vitamins, and selenium) along with zinc (also antioxidant) are all needed by many men, as is magnesium. Omega-3 oils are helpful to keep inflammation down and CoQ10 can be beneficial and is especially important for men who are taking statin drugs for their cholesterol levels. Protecting the heart is vitally important and that’s a whole new discussion.

Prostate Health is an area to keep aware of and make sure the urine flow and sexual function is working. Checking for prostate cancer is wise to do with your physician, either the family doctor or urologist.

8. Financial health often affects physical health (and emotional and mental health as well); at least it can. While money doesn’t protect us from worry or stress (it may add) it gives us the options to do what we need for ourselves and not make it seem like an expensive luxury. Hopefully the career years, mainly 30? 60, have brought in support for your later life, and yet, many men enjoy what they do and choose to keep working into their 70s and longer. This whole area is an individual journey and it helps to plan ahead and include your family in this area, especially a spouse if that’s relevant.

9. Risk Factors are something to be aware of and there are many that can be assessed and reviewed. These include vitamin D, C-Reactive Protein (CRP is an inflammatory marker), Homocysteine (related to cardiovascular health), and Hemoglobin A1C (evaluating blood sugar over time). Body acid/alkaline state measured by morning urine pH (6.5?7.5 is ideal) is of value, as is bowel transit time to make sure our intestinal function is appropriate. Russ Jaffe, MD reviewed all of these areas and more at a recent talk in San Francisco.

10. Spirit Connection, Heart Affection, Stress Deflection, and Disease Protection? Live each day in the moment, be present and mindful. Our loved ones, friends and co-workers often appreciate this. Learn to be a nurturer to those around you if you haven’t developed that too much. Learn to listen and communicate better; it saves on the stress. A favorite part of my new and upcoming book, Staying Healthy with NEW Medicine, is in the stress section and relates to knowing how to “fair fight” or as the topic title suggests “The Art and Technique of Peacefully ‘Not’ Getting Along!“ This is important.

It matters what you think, what you say, what you eat, and what you do. Be True to YOU!

The post 10 Keys for Healthy Aging in Men appeared first on Total Health Magazine.

When one thinks about sexual problems like erectile dysfunction (ED), the first thing that usually pops into the mind is, “the little blue pill.” But despite the fact that ED drugs like Viagra® (sildenafil citrate) and Cialis (tadalafil) don’t work for everyone and are associated with numerous possible side-effects, this doesn’t stop millions of men from using them. Figures show that one out of every five men over the age of 40 has tried Viagra with 48 percent experiencing at least one side effect.¹

The problem with most ED drugs is they do nothing to increase sexual arousal. Just because the blood is pumping, doesn’t mean you’re in the mood to make things happen. This is where the “so-called” male hormone testosterone comes in. Testosterone is the key hormone of desire—in both men and women. As testosterone levels decline through age, so does libido. Studies show that low testosterone can lead to ED—especially in those with blood sugar disorders. Research presented in the International Journal of Impotence Research shows that testosterone supplements should be considered in the treatment of ED. The study indicated that testosterone therapy was able to alleviate ED in 34 percent of men who were unable to experience benefits from Viagra alone, whereas 38 percent of men showed improvements by using testosterone along with Viagra.²

One of the easiest ways to ensure healthy testosterone levels for maximum sexual health is to lose the excess belly fat. Studies show that the sexual function is usually diminished by the degree of obesity. In other words, the fatter one becomes, the harder it is to keep up in the bedroom (no pun intended).³

Enhancing libido and overcoming ED naturally

Following are natural way’s that have been proven to help overcome ED:

• Follow a healthy diet. Italian researchers discovered that those who followed the Mediterranean diet (consuming lots of fish, vegetables, fruits, nuts and monounsaturated fats) the closest, tended to have the lowest incidence of ED.⁴
• Exercise regularly. Regular exercise effectively reduces blood sugar and helps to clear occluded arteries (yes even that one).
• Maintain prostate health through nutrient intervention. Nutrients like beta-sitosterol, flower pollen extract, natural lycopene, stinging nettle root, pygeum, selenium and zinc have been shown to help maintain healthy prostate function.
• Supplement with Tongkat Ali Root (in order to elevate testosterone naturally). Studies show that a water extracted 100:1 extract of Tongkat Ali Root are able to naturally elevate testosterone levels and increase libido.

References

1. Zhang XH, et al. Testosterone restores diabetes-induced erectile dysfunction and sildenafil responsiveness in two distinct animal models of chemical diabetes. J Sex Med. 2006 Mar;3(2):253– 64
2. Hwang Ti-S , et al. Combined use of androgen and sildenafil for hypogonadal patients unresponsive to sildenafil alone. International Journal of Impotence Research (2006) 18, 400 –4.
3. HammoudA, et al. Surgery on the Sex Steroids and Quality of Life in Obese Men. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, April 2009, Vol. 94, No. 4 1329 –32
4. Esposito K, et al. Dietary factors in erectile dysfunction. International Journal of Impotence Research (2006) 18, 370 –4.

The post How to Maintain an Ultimate Libido appeared first on Total Health Magazine.

While there are all-natural supplements and nutrients suggested for the treatment of every ailment from the flu to foot fungus, here are a few that are particularly relevant to those going through the male aging syndrome—associated with declining testosterone levels—known as Andropause (Male Menopause) or what I like to call; the Beer Belly Blues.

Testosterone-Supporting Nutrients

Just in case you haven’t heard (or read any of my books), testosterone is good—very good in fact. It helps regulate a number of our vital functions and its natural tendency to diminish along with aging is what ushers in the Beer Belly Blues. Therefore, maintenance of testosterone levels is absolutely a priority, especially when it can be done through healthy, natural and research-proven means. Following are some of my favorite nutrients to help support optimal testosterone levels.

Peruvian Maca—Found high in the Andes mountain range in Peru, Lepidium meyenii is a perennial root vegetable with a number of medicinal properties.¹ Similar to a radish or turnip, maca has seen over 2,000 years of use dating back to the indigenous people of the area, who employed it as a foodstuff, a form of currency, and an aphrodisiac.² While still used for the first purpose (much less so for the second), maca remains even more relevant to the third, especially in terms of this article.

While maca has yet to be tied directly to the increased production of testosterone, its unique combination of nutrients are thought to have an overall salutary effect on the endocrine system, thus allowing for the optimization of its functions.³ Maca seems to work by enhancing the overall message of the body’s hormones—yes, including testosterone —through a better binding of the hormone to its receptor⁴, thus causing an amplification of the overall hormonal response (kind of like turning up the volume on your headphones).

Chrysin (with Bioperine)—Unfortunately, as men age they become very efficient—too efficient in fact—at converting their testosterone to estrogen. This happens when belly fat increases, as belly fat manufactures a nasty enzyme called aromatase, which is responsible for synthesizing estrogen from testosterone (think “man boobs”). Yes, aromatase is a very, very bad thing (at least when left unchecked). Fortunately, chrysin is around to help prevent a future in which we need to choose a t-shirt based on how well it accentuates our cleavage. It is a naturally-occurring flavoring agent found in both blue passion flower and honeycomb, and is popular with those undergoing rigorous strength training (such as athletes or bodybuilders) for its renowned ability to keep aromatase levels (as well as our cup sizes) in check.⁵

While research has found that there may be difficulty in absorbing chrysin into the bloodstream, it has also found a natural way to improve results. Bioperine, a component of black pepper and long pepper, is thought to help the body in deriving the maximum benefit possible from chrysin when the two are taken together. It does so by slowing down the process of metabolism, thereby enhancing the bioavailability of certain substances, including the active agents in chrysin.⁶

Stinging Nettle Root—The medicinal use of stinging nettle root can be traced all the way back to the 10th century, when it was included in a pagan manual called the Nine Herbs Charm. Since then, stinging nettle root (and leaf) has been used as a folk remedy for a maladies such as rheumatism, arthritis⁷, and dandruff. It has also been researched as a potential tool in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)⁸, the overgrowth of the prostate gland which leads to uncomfortable experiences like getting up way too many times in the middle of the night to pee (on the seat of course).

Stinging nettle root is also taken by those wishing to increase their levels of free testosterone. It works by preemptively occupying the binding sites of a protein that binds to testosterone called sex hormone binding globulin or SHBG.⁹

Indole 3 Carbinol (I3C)—I3C is the by-product of the breakdown of glucosinolate glucobrassicin, a nutrient found in high concentrations in the leafy green cruciferous plants such as cabbage, bok choy, and broccoli. It has been noted for its ability to convert estrogens from a form particularly problematic to those in the midst of the Beer Belly Blues (16-alpha hydroxyestrone)¹⁰ into other harmless ones.¹¹ By this virtue it also helps protect our valuable testosterone levels.

Bioavailable Zinc—According to the Journal of Nutrition, zinc is considered a nutrient of “exceptional biologic and public health importance.” An essential mineral, zinc deficiency affects an estimated two billion people worldwide, especially those in developing nations, and can result in stunted growth and fertility problems.¹² While it can also be fatally poisonous in excess, zinc taken in the proper amount can prove vital in ensuring both testosterone and prostate health.

Studies show that zinc is essential for the maintenance of healthy testosterone levels and men who have low levels of this master mineral usually find their testosterone lowering along with it.¹³ Aside from this, it is currently being researched for its astounding ability to target and kill prostate cancer cells.

Conclusion—Although the nutrients listed above have been validated both through studies and anecdotal reports, it is important to understand that not all products on the market contain the right extracts or dosages of each one. Aside from this, dosages may vary depending on each individual case, so speaking to a naturally trained health professional can help determine which ones and what dosages are best for you.

References:

1. Kilham C. Tales from the Medicine Trail: Tracking Down the Health Secrets of Shamans, Herbalists, Mystics, Yogis, and Other Healers. [Emmaus PA]: Rodale Press (2000).
2. Gonzales GF, et al. “Lepidium meyenii (Maca): a plant from the highlands of Peru—from tradition to science.” Forsch Komplementmed 16 (6):373–80.
3. Gonzales GF, et al. “Effect of Lepidium meyenii (maca) on sexual desire and its absent relationship with serum testosterone levels in adult healthy men.” Andrologia (2002) 34 (6): 367–72.
4. Gonzales GF, et al. “Effect of Lepidium meyenii (Maca), a root with aphrodisiac and fertility-enhancing properties, on serum reproductive hormone levels in adult healthy men.” J Endocrinol. (Jan 2003) 176 (1): 163–8.
5. Kellis JT Jr, Vickery LE. “Inhibition of human estrogen synthetase (aromatase) by flavones.” Science (1984) 225 (4666): 1032–4.
6. Majeed, M. Use of piperine as a bioavailability enhancer. US Patent 5744161
7. Teucher T, et al. Cytokine secretion in whole blood of healthy subjects following oral administration of Urtica dioica L. plant extract. Arzneimittelforschung 1996 Sep;46(9):906–10
8. Afarinejad MR. Urtica dioica for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia: a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study. J Herb Pharmacother. 2005;5(4):1-11.
9. Schöttner M, et al. Interaction of lignans with human sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). Z Naturforsch [C]. 1997 Nov/Dec;52(11–12):834–43
10. Lila M.A., Raskin I. 2005. Health related interactions of phytochemicals. J. Food Sci. 70: 20-37.
11. Rogan E.G. 2006. The natural chemopreventive compound indole-3-carbinol: state of science. In vivo 20: 221–228. PMID: 16634522
12. Zinc deficiency: Has been known of for 40 years but ignored by global health organisations.” British Medical Journal 326 (7386): 409–10.
13. Ambridge, K. M. and Krebs, N. F. “Zinc deficiency: a special challenge.” J. Nutr. (2007) 137 (4): 1101–5

The post Ultimate Male Supportive Supplements That Actually Work! appeared first on Total Health Magazine.

The 2010 study was the first to show that ED is a strong predictor of death and cardiovascular outcomes. It involved more than 1500 men in 13 countries, and found that men with CVD and ED (compared to those without ED) were twice as likely to suffer death from all causes and 1.6 times more likely to suffer the composite of cardiovascular death, heart attack, stroke and heart failure hospitalization.

The take-away message is this: if you go to a general practitioner or a urologist for ED be sure to get a cardiovascular workup as well.

The study’s lead author, Michael Böhm, MD, head of the internal medicine department at Germany’s University of Saarland, had this to say: “Men are being treated for the ED, but not the underlying cardiovascular disease. A whole segment of men are being placed at risk. If a man has erectile dysfunction, then he needs to ask his physician to check for other risk factors of cardiovascular disease.”

I say amen to that.

In my cardiology practice, I often heard complaints from men about ED and that’s because the nature of vascular disease is diffuse. It is not limited to the coronary arteries. Typically it is also present in the legs, the brain, and even the penis. ED is closely associated with the same kind of damage and dysfunction to the delicate lining of blood vessels that occurs in atherosclerosis and the build-up of plaque that precedes heart attack and stroke.

Lifestyle Remedies Work for Erectile Dysfunction (ED)

Many men get a prescription from their doctor to cope with the performance aspect of ED. But there are other options for the aging male.

A 2012 article in the International Journal of Impotence Research impressed me because it emphasized weight loss, improved antioxidant status through diet and supplementation, reduced sugar, and physical and penile-specific exercises.

Such lifestyle modifications, said David Meldrum, MD, and colleagues from UCLA and the University of Naples, can be integrated into any comprehensive approach to maximizing erectile function because they result in “greater overall success and patient satisfaction, as well as improved vascular health and longevity.”

Oxidative stress and inflammation are major causes of blood vessel damage and cardiovascular diseases, including ED. They disrupt the production of nitric oxide (NO), the chemical produced by blood vessels that contribute to their health and ability to dilate. They also contribute to insulin resistance. Men with ED have decreased levels of NO and increased levels of markers of oxidative stress and inflammation, factors that worsen with age. Lifestyle can counteract this pattern in the following ways, the researchers said:

• Exercise and weight loss increase insulin sensitivity and NO production.
• Antioxidants increase NO and improve vascular and erectile function. They are particularly important in men with ED who smoke, are obese, or have diabetes.
• Omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation and increase NO, and are particularly important for men with diabetes, hypertension, or coronary artery disease.

In an interview on his research, Dr. Meldrum contended that exercise is the “single-most important modality to improve erectile function and cardiac health.” In my own practice, I repeatedly saw the benefits of exercise for aging men. Exercise is terrific for the heart, as most everybody knows, and it is also good for the pelvis as well, something that most men don’t know. I used to see so many men in their 40s, 50s, and 60s with big bellies, metabolic syndrome, insulin insensitivity, and hypertension. Their testosterone and libido were down in the dumps. The best thing for them was exercise.

I also remember one heart patient who came to see me and was doing really well. His testosterone had soared. I asked him if he was taking any testosterone.

“No,” he said, “I’m walking and skipping every morning.” He would walk along a golf course for maybe a tenth of a mile, and then skip for a 100 yards or so, and alternate like that. That’s right; skip like you did when you were a kid. He was a smart guy, and knew he was not only helping his heart but his sexuality as well.

Dr. Meldrum and his associates have created a fascinating educational website dedicated to erectile health (www.erectile-function.com), and features a potpourri of practical steps for reversing ED, including pelvic floor exercises. The exercises were originally designed by researchers in England to stop post-void dribbling among men and were found to also improve erectile function.

According to the website, the British researchers found that the exercises work even for severe ED, and claimed similar effectiveness as Viagra. The website also offers a book entitled Survival of the Firmest, by Dr. Meldrum’s team, with an introduction by Louis Ignarro, PhD, professor of pharmacology at UCLA who was a co-recipient of the 1998 Nobel Prize in physiology for his research on nitric oxide.

Over the years I have recommended “the bridge,” a yoga pose that helps strengthen the back, gluteus muscles, and the pelvic floor. It’s quite easy to do. You lie on your back, bend your knees, and plant both feet together and as close to your butt as possible. Arms are alongside your body, palms down. Press your feet, arms, and shoulders against the floor, and lift your hips upward. Squeeze your buttocks and try to hold for a few seconds. Slowly build up your holding time. Give it a try, but don’t do it if it is a strain.

Also a strategy definitely worth pursuing is Earthing, the subject of a book I co-authored in 2010. Earthing refers to major health benefits as a result of contact with the natural, gentle electrical energy on the surface of the Earth. You can absorb this healing energy, and doing yourself a big favor in the process, by regularly walking or sitting barefoot outside (on grass, sand, or any earthy terrain) or indoors sleeping, working, or relaxing in contact with a special Earthing sheet or mat that conducts the Earth’s energy. What happens is the Earthing, also called grounding, reduces inflammation and pain in the body and also promotes better circulation and energy. For more information about Earthing, please visit my website www.heartmdinstitute.com

References:

• Böhm M, et al. “Erectile Dysfunction Predicts Cardiovascular Events in High-Risk Patients Receiving Telmisartan, Ramipril, or Both.” Circulation, 2010; 121(12): 1439–46.
• http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/121/12/1439.full?sid=c717ea88-be7e-4457-b68f-ab6ed6578ee4.
• Meldrum DR, Gambone JC, et al. “Lifestyle and metabolic approaches to maximizing erectile and vascular health.” Int J Impot Res, 2012;24(2):61–8.
• http://www.nature.com/ijir/journal/v24/n2/abs/ijir201151a.html

The post Erectile Dysfunction Strategies Beyond Medication appeared first on Total Health Magazine.

Pelvic pain is common in the public in general, but especially common in those with CFS and fibromyalgia. Unfortunately, many patients are embarrassed to bring these up at their doctor visits and even when they do, physicians are often unfamiliar with these problems. In this article, we’ll focus on prostatitis and prostadynia.

Prostatitis and Prostadynia

Even in the absence of a full blown attack of prostatitis, which is usually not subtle and is easily diagnosed and treated, prostate pain is fairly common in men. When no infection is found, it is called prostadynia. It is also known as chronic nonbacterial prostatitis, or chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS). Unfortunately, when doctors do not know what is causing a problem, we often presume it must be psychological (i.e., “I don’t know what’s wrong with you, so you must be crazy!”). This is what has occurred with prostadynia.

I suspect that prostadynia often occurs because of subtle infections that don’t show on standard tests for infection. These commonly include fungal infections and/or other slow growing antibiotic sensitive infections. In the latter case, the prostate is mildly boggy (indents like a ripe fruit) instead of firm and is tender on examination; to the patient without prostate problems it normally feels like one has to pee, but the prostate is not tender or painful when pressed. Unfortunately, most doctors consider such an exam normal despite you’re having prostate symptoms. These symptoms include urinary urgency without there necessarily being much urine present, and a burning sensation when you urinate. The discomfort is often felt on the tip of the penis. Because the infection is not overt, most doctors offer no treatment.

My suspicion is this is indeed an infectious problem in many cases. This suspicion is bolstered by a recent study showing that Mepartricin®, an antibiotic with antifungal and anti-parasitic properties, given 40 mg a day for two months decreased symptoms in patients by 60 percent. The study does not totally support infection as the cause, however, because the medication also lowers estrogen levels in the prostate and can work in that way as well. In the study, the authors theorized that lowering estrogen caused the improvement. My experience, however, shows that patients also improve with antibiotics and antifungals that do not lower estrogen. Treatment needs to be given for many months, since anti-infectious agents have difficulty getting into the prostate. Medications that help urine flow in prostate enlargement (called alpha blockers; e.g., Flomax) also help prostadynia when combined with the antibiotics.

The bioflavonoid vitamin quercetin 500 mg twice a day also decreases prostate symptoms in both prostadynia and prostatitis. In one study, 30 men with severe prostadynia lasting an average of 11 years were treated with either quercetin 500 mg twice a day or a placebo for one month. There was an average 37 percent decrease in symptoms with over two thirds of patients feeling they gained a meaningful benefit. Add a trial of the anti-pain herbal Curamin one tablet 3x day for six weeks, and then as needed.

Though sometimes frustrating, prostadynia can be treated.

The post Pelvic Pain in Men appeared first on Total Health Magazine.

A major mechanism of pain is the excessive stimulation of a brain chemical called “NMDA.” The few medications that help decrease and balance this pain-carrying neurotransmitter have the downside of causing significant side effects. Magnesium seems to settle down NMDA without the toxicity. The upside of magnesium is it is very inexpensive (pennies a dose). The downside is it hasn’t yet made it through the FDA approval process.

The good news is you don’t have to wait for the FDA. For those who get diarrhea from magnesium, try a sustained-release magnesium, very effective without causing the diarrhea side effect. In addition, magnesium oxide, though not as well absorbed, can be found for about a nickel per 500 mg tablet in most health food stores.

For an especially powerful effect, the magnesium can be used intravenously, and is an important tool used by most holistic physicians. Intravenous (IV) magnesium is the single most effective treatment to eliminate an acute migraine headache and has even been shown to ease the incredibly severe nerve pain that can sometimes be seen in pancreatic cancer. It is also very helpful for settling down fibromyalgia pain, which has a muscle and nerve component.

The authors of the study suggest that magnesium deficiency can be a major amplifier of pain. Because of food processing, most people are magnesium deficient. If you have pain, a dose of 250 to 500 mg of magnesium a day can start to decrease these deficiencies as well as the pain, after just several weeks—while also leaving you feeling more energetic and decreasing your risk of heart disease! (If you have kidney problems, do not use without your physician’s okay.)

How to get solid pain relief, almost always, using a mix of natural and prescription therapies.

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For men, the primary health issues today probably are cardiovascular disease and conditions affecting the prostate. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in men and prostate cancer is the seventh. Are matters improving? It is hard to tell. For instance, the incidence rate of prostate cancer went up in the period from 1995 to 2000, although the death rate appeared to have stabilized. Fortunately, the rate of lung cancer continues to decline. As for heart disease, our current emergency medical interventions are so effective that the death rate is declining. However, actual cardiovascular health is not improving—the rate of occurrence of first heart attacks is going up. How could it be otherwise? Obesity, diabetes and hypertension are all increasing. Diabetes in adults males over the age of 20 is estimated to now occur at a rate of 9.3 percent (data for 1999–2000) compared to 7.9 percent in the period from 1988 to 1994. For men aged 60 or over, the rate in 1999–2000 was roughly 19 percent. The following suggestions are designed to help men take charge of their health while the ball is still in their court.

Cardiovascular Disease
Cardiovascular health is a common topic of conversation. The reason, of course, is that heart disease in its various forms is the leading cause of death in adults and is especially prevalent in males. By age 60, one in five men will have already suffered a heart attack. The conditions to watch usually have been taken to be dysregulated blood lipids, homocysteine levels, hypertension, and obesity. More recently, it has been suggested that chronic low-level inflammation is a major causal factor in cardiovascular disease and that the Metabolic Syndrome (insulin resistance) is the actual underlying condition responsible for many or even most of the risk factors traditionally treated as indicators of heart and circulatory health.

Antioxidants, Essential Fatty Acids and Minerals
So-called “bad” cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (or LDL), according to much current thinking, is only harmful if it has been damaged by oxygen and/or free radicals. Therefore, a protective program might include vitamin C (500 mg—2 grams daily) taken along with vitamin E as gamma-tocopherol (200 IU daily) and plant antioxidants. Tocotrienols, compounds from the same family as vitamin E, may be even more protective. A spate of studies have shown that the beneficial effects of vitamin E are much more pronounced in the gammatocopherol form and that vitamin E should not be supplemented alone, but rather in conjunction with vitamin C and the other antioxidants mentioned here. Indeed, many researchers now believe that the vitamin antioxidants are much more effective if used together and along with a variety of plant-derived antioxidants.

Grape seed extract (100–300 mg daily) is commonly used in Europe by individuals who experience vascular and general circulatory problems. According to epidemiological data, safe and effective means of reducing heart disease risks include the ingestion of many such flavonoids, catechins and other polyphenols found in fruit extracts and tea. With regard to tea, these benefits come not just from green tea, but also from the theaflavins found in black and oolong teas. Another set of plant compounds that support heart health are lignans. Flax is especially rich in lignans. Tea, of course, is a beverage and flax is a food. Other food sources being mined for special antioxidants include olives and various highly colored berries.

Similarly useful nutrients include the combination of L-carnitine (500–1,500 mg daily) and coenzyme Q-10 (30– 300 mg daily). Specialty forms of L-carnitine include L-carnitine fumarate, GPLC (glycine propionyl L-carnitine hydrochloride) and acetyl L-carnitine. Alpha-Lipoic acid (100–300 mg daily) is another good choice, and one with a particularly broad range of benefits. Minerals to supplement are chromium (200–600 mcg daily), magnesium (400 mg daily, preferably as magnesium aspartate) and selenium (200 mcg daily). A good broad-spectrum mineral supplement containing the Reference Daily Intake of copper should be considered if using the higher recommendation of vitamin C or if elevated triglycerides are a problem. Emerging evidence also supports supplementation with the lesser-known mineral silicon in the form of orthosilicic acid.

Of great importance, for instance, in controlling inflammation, is the right balance of fats in the diet. It is accepted by most researchers that the modern Western diet is very poor in the essential fats known as omega-3 fatty acids. Sources of omega-3 fatty acids are flaxseed oil (1–2 tablespoons daily) and fish oil capsules (follow manufacturers’ recommendations). Just how important are these oils? Well, when the fish-supplemented trials are removed from statistical analyses of the standard low-fat dietary interventions routinely touted in medical circles, the benefits with regard to heart disease are marginal and overall mortality rates actually increase! Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA, 100–300 mg daily) can be taken in conjunction with omega-3 fatty acids for further protection against inflammation and to maintain immune balance when large amounts of fish oils are ingested. Finally, to protect against elevated blood homocysteine levels, supplement with vitamin B-6 (15–50 mg daily), vitamin B-12 (250 mcg daily) and folic acid (400 mcg daily).

Prostate Health
What can go wrong with the prostate? Plenty. Prostate problems typically can be catalogued under four headings: prostatitis, prostatodynia, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and prostate cancer. Prostatitis is really a catch-all term for several types of prostate problems. It always involves inflammation of the prostate and may also include considerable pain, whereas BPH may not involve any pain (as opposed to discomfort). Prostatitis is fairly common in adult males. It sometimes has a bacterial infectious component, but it often has no clear cause. Abstaining from alcohol and spicy foods helps in some cases. Prostatodynia, which is most common in young and middle-aged men, often appears as pain and/or discomfort in the groin, perineum, testicles, lower back, and penis. Smooth muscle spasms in the prostatic portion of the urethra and in the neck of the bladder are at work here. Fatigue in the muscles in the pelvic region and emotional stress appear to be powerful contributory factors in prostatodynia.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (formerly called hypertrophy) involves the renewed growth in the number of prostate cells late in life. Unfortunately, nearly 60 percent of men age 40 to 59 are likely already to suffer from BPH. This usually does not present a noticeable problem until after age 50, but by the age of 80, some 85 percent of all men suffer from one or more symptoms of BPH. The primary effect of BPH is a progressive decrease in the ability to empty the bladder as the prostate enlarges and applies pressure to the urethra. BPH should not be confused with prostate cancer,although there is an overlap of symptoms between the two. Men over age 50 should regularly visit their urologists to discover and distinguish between these two conditions. Fortunately, prostate cancer is one of the slowest growing of all cancers. Antioxidants, Essential Fatty Acids and Minerals

Prostate problems are far easier to prevent than to deal with after they have manifested. Moreover, especially in the case of prostate cancer, epidemiological studies routinely find that eating more fruit and vegetables is strongly protective, whereas consuming large amounts of milk (especially more than two glasses per day) appears to have a strongly negative effect upon prostate health. Studies suggest that supplementing with vitamin E (200 IU daily), lycopene (5–10 mg daily), and the minerals selenium (400 mcg daily) and zinc (15 mg daily) are good protective measures. Flaxseed oil (1–2 tablespoons daily) can be quite beneficial, as can the regular consumption of pumpkin seeds. Men should avoid margarine, hydrogenated vegetable oils and fried foods whenever possible. The jury is still out with regard to the effects of calcium supplementation in men. Some epidemiological studies indicate that higher intakes of calcium are correlated to higher risks of prostate cancer, perhaps through a negative effect upon the levels of active vitamin D in the body or through some other mechanism. The work of E. Giovannucci of Harvard Medical School has been instrumental in uncovering the calcium/prostate cancer connection and the protective effects of fruit consumption and an adequate intake of vitamin D (but not more than 400 IU daily).

Isoflavone Herbal Preparations
Although it may surprise most men, many of the same isoflavones and phytoestrogens that are helpful to women are also helpful to men. Men and women both produce estrogen. As males age the ratio of testosterone to estrogen is reduced. This reduced ratio of testosterone to estrogen appears to be the key cause of prostate problems. Plant estrogens, which are very weak in comparison with the estrogen itself, can actually reduce the impact of hormonal estrogen at the level of cell receptors. Isoflavones found in soybeans and red clover represent a promising approach to prostate health management. Also useful are extracts of saw palmetto berries and flower pollen. Indeed, specialty flower pollen extracts (from mostly rye pollen) have an unusually broad range of benefits for the prostate in that they have proven to be useful not only in cases of BPH, but also in prostatitis and prostatodynia.

Stress
Prolonged stress poses a very real health risk, one with which men are less physiologically equipped to cope than are women. Higher rates of heart disease and high blood pressure are but two results. In the pre-modern world, many or even most threatening or challenging situations (“fight or flight” situations) led to a physical response which consumed and directed the energy made available by the release of hormones such as epinephrine into the blood stream. Physical responses, however, are not usually possible or even desirable in the face of stalled traffic or office frustrations. In such cases, the released energy is “bottled up,” as it were. This results in disturbances in sleep, immune function, blood pressure regulation and other bodily systems. As the “fight or flight” reference suggests, the best responses to stress are often physical. Try to get some vigorous physical exercise every day, but also consider practicing yoga or some similar form of relaxing physical therapy.

Nutrients and Herbs for Relaxation
Generalized emotional and physical stress leads to oxidative stress. Therefore, a broad-spectrum antioxidant mixture is an excellent countermeasure. Be sure to include in the diet, as well, the recommended daily intake of all of the B vitamins. The amino acids taurine (500 mg to 1 gram daily) and glutamine (750 mg to several grams daily) play important roles in the body’s response to stress. These are best utilized if taken between meals with a small carbohydrate snack. The bioflavonoid known as chrysin (1–3 grams daily) is an important stress-reducing compound, as are theaflavin, valerian and skullcap (see manufacturers’ directions). Also useful are calming herbal teas. The best known of these is chamomile.

Sports Aches and Pains of the Weekend Warrior
Exercise is important. In some studies, men who exercised regularly had a 70 percent reduced risk of death from all causes and a 39 percent reduced risk of death from heart attack. This is the good news. The bad news is that those of us who are sedentary for five days out of the week and then try to make up for this in the remaining two days of the weekend may find that we end up with more than our share of aches and pains. The body responds best to regular exercise, which is to say, exercise at least every other day. Cramming a week’s worth of exercise into the weekend is asking for trouble. And, of course, as we get older our ability to “bounce back” from strenuous physical exertion diminishes. Fortunately, there are some ways to prevent problems and to help make them go away once they develop.

Antioxidants
Conditioned athletes are actually able to produce more of certain antioxidant enzymes within their bodies to cope with this heightened demand, and this fact indicates that training may produce a type of “reserve capacity” for antioxidants. However, it is still true that exercise puts oxidative stress on the body. In various studies, athletes who ingested an antioxidant “cocktail” before working out experienced faster recovery and fewer aches and pains than those who did not take the antioxidants. The daily antioxidant intake might include vitamin C (500 mg–2 grams), vitamin E (100–200 IU as gammatocopherol), coenzyme Q-10 (30–300 mg), alpha-lipoic acid (100–300 mg), plus a number of plant antioxidants, such as mixed citrus bioflavonoids (1,000–3,000 mg). Individuals who are involved in contact sports might consider either grape seed or pine bark extracts (200–300 mg) to help prevent bruising. Glutamine (750 mg to several grams daily) recently has become one of the favored supplements by serious athletes because of its benefits in recovery and in sparing the destruction of lean tissues due to excessive exertion.

Nutrients for Repair
Ligament and cartilage injuries are common in sports. Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are often recommended in osteoarthritis to improve the repair of cartilage, and these compounds can also be used to speed up repair—or to improve general resilience—of the joints, ligaments and tendons in sports. (Follow manufacturers’ directions.) Sadenosylmethionine (SAMe) is another nutrient that improves tissue repair and indirectly reduces pain and inflammation; the dosage is typically 400–800 mg of SAMe per day. Expect to wait from one to four weeks to experience the benefits of these supplements if you are just starting to use them. These items improve the body’s ability to heal itself and are not directed at symptoms as such.

Hair Loss
Roughly one half of the men in Western industrialized countries suffer from Male Pattern Baldness (MPB), and this syndrome accounts for some 90 percent of all cases of hair loss. However, the presence of MPB does not mean that other factors are not at work, such as reduced circulation. For instance, increases in hair loss in certain areas of the scalp correlate with the development of heart disease. For example, extreme thinning specifically on top of the head (rather than merely receding from the front) appears to be more strongly associated with circulatory disease than is balding elsewhere on the head. Hence, this problem is not always cosmetic and concern may not be limited to vanity.

Hair Nutrients
Deficiencies in the B vitamins biotin, inositol, pantothenic acid, and PABA are particularly linked to hair loss and to premature graying. A number of nutritionists have suggested that high-potency supplementation with the entire range of B vitamins, with special attention paid to biotin, inositol and pantothenic acid, may prove to be helpful. Vitamin C (1–2 grams daily) is important for the circulation, but also for the production of collagen, a component of the hair. Coenzyme Q-10 (30–300 mg daily) is another antioxidant often suggested to improve scalp circulation. Alpha-lipoic acid (100–300 mg daily) similarly appears to be effective and seems to be useful in hair loss if supplemented for at least six months. The amino acid cysteine (1–3 grams daily), also supplemented as Nacetyl-cysteine (NAC, 500–750 mg daily), can help to increase the speed at which the hair grows. A new and really interesting item that improves the quality of the hair is choline-stabilized orthosilicic acid (BioSil)—it is worth a shot. No major improvements in scalp health or hair loss should be expected in less than three months’ time (the hair follicles need to be activated and the hair must grow out). For many men, increasing protein in the diet may also prove useful in increasing the rate at which the hair grows. This may reflect an effect upon thyroid function, in which case, adding omega-3 fatty acids to the diet is also a good idea.

Conclusion
Men’s nutritional needs differ from those of women. It is not difficult however, to meet these special needs. A well-structured program of nutritional insurance should include as a foundation a balanced multivitamin/mineral supplement. Then plan in advance to provide nutritional support for any special needs. As always, it is recommend that you tell your doctor or health care provider what supplements or herbs you are taking. Even if he or she is not overly familiar with them, this knowledge is useful for monitoring your health.

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