suppresses testosterone, thus leading to more fat storage and more estrogen. That, in turn, further suppresses testosterone, which is proven to burn fat. This is a vicious cycle we see in overweight men. In this situation, some individuals use a medicine to reduce estrogen levels. This may increase testosterone levels and reduce fat loss over time, as high estrogen drives fat deposi- tion and increases appetite. Unfortunately, this increased appetite can lead to individuals craving for—you guessed it—sweets, chocolate being a very common choice. There are some men who have both low tes-
tosterone and low estrogen. Alongside testos- terone, estrogen is thought to play a key role in keeping the brain healthy, and it aids men in maintaining a healthy vascular system and bones. This is important because men derive their estrogen from testosterone. Testosterone converts in small amounts to estrogen, so if a man does not have enough estrogen, this short- age can potentially affect his mood, brain health, and overall health. Too much estrogen is bad, but too little estrogen
is also bad. The key is the right balance. In men with low testosterone, optimizing testosterone levels through natural solutions or actual testos- terone replacement is often a very effective method of restoring the vitality he once had in his 20s.
Balancing Hormone Levels With June being Men’s Health Month, it’s an ideal time for men of all ages in Southwest Florida to think about the one hormone that affects us in so many ways. A simple blood test can confirm testosterone levels, and for those with low num- bers, urologists often provide treatment through prescription drugs or injections. Older men may pop a Viagra to fix erectile dysfunction, a side effect of low testosterone, but it doesn’t actually resolve the overall issue of low testosterone. As is the case with many medications, prescriptions for low testosterone also come with potential side effects: headache, upset stomach, muscle pain, nausea, abnormal vision, skin rashes, acne, and even heart attack and stroke. When prescribing medication, many urologists
in their course of treatment are isolated to one specific condition or concern—oftentimes erec- tile dysfunction—and that’s what they treat. The manner in which many urologists treat patients is a core principle that separates traditional medicine from functional medicine, a medical practice whereby physicians determine how and why disease, illness, and pain are occurring, and restore health by optimizing a patient’s body through an evidence-based, holistic approach to medical care.
For patients with low testosterone, I start
with a thorough physical examination and complete a detailed health history analysis. Oftentimes, I suggest additional testing to measure biotoxin markers, glucose metabolism, nutritional deficiencies, and more. My goal is to develop a scientifically and genetically complete profile of a patient, which often points to fac- tors that interrupt or inhibit the development of testosterone. Most patients I treat can experience immediate
results in their testosterone numbers by making changes to their diet and lifestyle. Here are some natural solutions I often suggest:
Diet: Cut out sugar and junk food such as French fries, cheeseburgers, potato chips, soda, candy bars, and pastries. Increase your intake of lean protein and healthy fats from natural foods like fish, nuts, and avocados.
Intermittent fasting: Eat healthy, well-balanced meals in a condensed period of time, ideally over eight to 10 hours, to allow your organs to rest and balance hormones.
Exercise: Intense or moderate training with weights and resistance machines is a natural remedy for hormone production and is good for your overall health.
Stress reduction: Overcome work-related stress by taking a brisk walk, making time for family activities and hobbies, and taking a minute or two for deep breathing.
Sleep: An ample amount of sleep each night—at least seven hours for most people—helps the body recharge naturally.
Vitamin D: Readily available simply by stepping outside, Vitamin D is also one of the most popu- lar supplements on the market.
Zinc: Meats like beef, chicken, and pork, as well as nuts and beans, help replenish zinc and boost testosterone production.
Patients who seemingly do it all right—eat
healthy, exercise, and generally take good care of their bodies—may still experience declines in their testosterone levels because we’re constant- ly being bombarded by environmental toxins and endocrine disruptors. My goal is to help patients optimize their
testosterone levels. It’s a powerful brain stim- ulant but is also a vital body regulator. Every individual is different, which is why I spend hours delving into patients’ medical histories and concerns before drafting a to-do list that, if followed, can reduce or eliminate many of their health concerns. As always, consult with your physician prior to
making dietary and lifestyle changes. •
Dr. Eduardo Maristany is a board-certified internal medicine physician who spe- cializes in functional and integrative medicine, genetics testing, and men’s health at the Naples Center for Functional Medicine. For more information, call 239-649-7400 or visit
NaplesCFM.com. See ad on page 35 >
29
ESSENTIAL Naples
SPRING 2021
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52
