this high-sugar/high-insulin cycle repeats frequently, cells notes how the following key components can hinder male
become overwhelmed with blood sugar and stop accepting fertility:
it, a condition technically called insulin resistance. Weight
gain, increased risk for heart disease and diabetes Obesity: Fat cells send signals to the brain that hinder pro-
are among the results. duction of sex hormones, thus interfering with libido and
sexual performance, as well as fertility.
Thyroid: Hormones produced by the thyroid gland regulate
metabolism, and iodine is a key nutrient required to pro- Diabetes: This disease damages nerves, causing problems
duce sufficient amounts of hormones. The combination of for sexual function.
toxins in today’s environment and reduced levels of natu-
rally occurring iodine in our food result in many American
men and women having an underactive thyroid or slow Good Health Starts Here
metabolism, which can contribute to insulin resistance and
by Dr. Stephen Sinatra
obesity.
Adrenal Hormones: Produced by the adrenal gland, these
Health Goal
What Men Can Do Naturally
hormones are necessary for healthy function of the thyroid
gland and stable energy levels.
Eat hormone-free (preferably
organic and free-range) lean
meat, fish, nuts, fermented soy
Testosterone: Excess weight, lack of exercise, insulin resis-
Healthy insulin
foods such as miso, and plenty
tance and inadequate levels of thyroid and adrenal hor-
function and
of fresh vegetables and fruits.
weight control
mones all contribute to low levels of testosterone. In turn,
Limit alcoholic drinks, breads
low testosterone typically leads to further weight gain, low
and pastas. Avoid trans fats and
energy, low libido and other sexual difficulties. “Weight loss
sodas and don’t add sugar to tea
or coffee. Eat desserts rarely, if at
is the most important factor, because when you lose weight,
all. Walk at least a mile a day and
you improve insulin sensitivity, sparing the burden on your
strength train twice a week.
other hormone systems,” comments Sinatra. Cholesterol and
blood pressure generally improve at the same time.
Exercise regularly and participate
The Heart Solution: Sinatra also recommends taking coen-
in any sports you enjoy, such as
zyme Q10 (coQ10), L-carnitine, magnesium and D-ribose
Healthy testosterone
golf, tennis, skiing or fishing. Eat
to support energy production in the heart (see sidebar). levels
foods that keep blood sugar levels
These supplements feed mitochondria, specific components
in check. Also, keep the other
hormones in good shape.
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
Try the following supplement
I treat men who have heart disease with mitochondrial sup-
regimen:
port, I hear from them and their wives that their libido and • CoQ10, up to 100 mg daily
erectile potency improve, as well,” says Sinatra.
• L-carnitine, 1 g daily
A healthy heart
• Magnesium, 400 mg daily;
look for magnesium citrate,
glycinate or taurate
Dr. Jeremy Groll is the chief of reproductive • D-ribose, 5-10 g daily
endocrinology and infertility at Wright-Patterson
Air Force Base, in Ohio. This award-winning
Try the following supplement
researcher specializes in treatment of infertile
regimen:
couples and is the author of Fertility Foods.
Support adrenal
• N-acetylcysteine (NAC),
function
500-600 mg daily
Having Children
• Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA),
100-200 mg daily
“Fertility is perceived to be a female problem, when in
• Selenium, 100-200 mcg daily
fact, a large percentage is due to male factors,” says Groll,
who estimates that men are responsible for up to 45 percent
of delays in conception. Unlike women, who are born with
a fixed number of eggs, men make sperm continuously,
Season food with seaweed sup-
plements or kelp: Use enough to
so their state of health and lifestyle can continually affect
A healthy thyroid get 1 mg of iodine daily. Instead
whether or not pregnancy occurs.
of conventional table salt, use sea
He explains that it takes roughly three months for each salt, which is rich in minerals.
sperm to develop and mature, so it may take that long to
expect results from supplements or lifestyle changes. He
June 2009 17
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