Thyroid: Hormones produced by the thyroid gland regulate
Diabetes: This disease damages nerves, causing problems for
metabolism, and iodine is a key nutrient required to produce
sexual function.
sufficient amounts of hormones. The combination of toxins
in today’s environment and reduced levels of naturally
Testosterone injections or steroids: Although both raise levels
occurring iodine in our food result in many American men
of testosterone in the body, they decrease natural testosterone
and women having an underactive thyroid or slow metabo-
production in the testes, which is necessary for fertility.
lism, which can contribute to insulin resistance and obesity.
Adrenal Hormones: Produced by the adrenal gland, these
hormones are necessary for healthy function of the thyroid
gland and stable energy levels.
Good Health Starts Here
Testosterone: Excess weight, lack of exercise, insulin resis-
by dr. stephen sinatra
tance and inadequate levels of thyroid and adrenal hor-
mones all contribute to low levels of testosterone. In turn,
low testosterone typically leads to further weight gain, low
Health Goal
What Men Can Do Naturally
energy, low libido and other sexual difficulties. “Weight loss
is the most important factor, because when you lose weight,
Eat hormone-free (preferably
organic and free-range) lean
you improve insulin sensitivity, sparing the burden on your
meat, fish, nuts, fermented soy
other hormone systems,” comments Sinatra. Cholesterol and
Healthy insulin
foods such as miso, and plenty
blood pressure generally improve at the same time.
function and
of fresh vegetables and fruits.
weight control
Limit alcoholic drinks, breads
The Heart Solution: Sinatra also recommends taking coen-
and pastas. Avoid trans fats and
zyme Q10 (coQ10), L-carnitine, magnesium and D-ribose
sodas and don’t add sugar to tea
to support energy production in the heart (see sidebar).
or coffee. Eat desserts rarely, if at
all. Walk at least a mile a day and
These supplements feed mitochondria, specific components
strength train twice a week.
within our cells that are responsible for generating energy.
Mitochondria are more concentrated in the heart than in
any other organ, so their optimal function is critical. “When
Exercise regularly and participate
I treat men who have heart disease with mitochondrial sup- in any sports you enjoy, such as
port, I hear from them and their wives that their libido and
Healthy testosterone
golf, tennis, skiing or fishing. Eat
erectile potency improve, as well,” says Sinatra. levels
foods that keep blood sugar levels
in check. Also, keep the other
hormones in good shape.
Dr. Jeremy Groll is the chief of reproductive en-
docrinology and infertility at Wright-Patterson Air
Try the following supplement
regimen:
Force Base, in Ohio. This award-winning research-
• CoQ10, up to 100 mg daily
er specializes in treatment of infertile couples and • L-carnitine, 1 g daily
is the author of Fertility Foods.
A healthy heart
• Magnesium, 400 mg daily;
look for magnesium citrate,
glycinate or taurate
Having Children • D-ribose, 5-10 g daily
“Fertility is perceived to be a female problem, when in
fact, a large percentage is due to male factors,” says Groll,
who estimates that men are responsible for up to 45 percent
Try the following supplement
of delays in conception. Unlike women, who are born with
regimen:
a fixed number of eggs, men make sperm continuously,
Support adrenal
• N-acetylcysteine (NAC),
so their state of health and lifestyle can continually affect
function
500-600 mg daily
• Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA),
whether or not pregnancy occurs. 100-200 mg daily
He explains that it takes roughly three months for each
• Selenium, 100-200 mcg daily
sperm to develop and mature, so it may take that long to
expect results from supplements or lifestyle changes. He notes
how the following key components can hinder male fertility:
Season food with seaweed sup-
plements or kelp: Use enough to
Obesity: Fat cells send signals to the brain that hinder pro-
A healthy thyroid get 1 mg of iodine daily. Instead
duction of sex hormones, thus interfering with libido and
of conventional table salt, use sea
sexual performance, as well as fertility.
salt, which is rich in minerals.

June 2009
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