HEALING WAYS
The T Factor by Brian Scott Lipton
Many men suffer from low libido, difficulty
want to hit the point of irreversibility. For
while men need some estrogen, partic-
concentrating, depression, unusual weight
example, seriously low testosterone is
ularly for bone health, if a man has too
gain and constant fatigue. While these
directly related to the occurrence or reoc-
much fat, the body will convert too much
symptoms may be caused by any number
currence of prostate cancer.”
T to estrogen, as well as lower its overall T
of physical or psychological illnesses, one
levels.”
distinct possibility is low testosterone—a
required, changes in both lifestyle—in-
lack of one of the body’s most important
cluding more exercise—and diet can also
avoiding foods that cause weight gain,
hormones. More importantly, low testos-
help reverse the condition or at least raise
aren’t usually the answer. “Some foods
terone can affect our lives anywhere from
“T” levels, say experts. First and foremost,
may help, but you would normally have to
their 20s to their 60s.
getting enough sleep—preferably eight
eat so much of them it’s really not prac-
Yet, unless a doctor is told about the
hours a night—is vital. “When we don’t
tical,” says Goddard. “We do know that
symptoms, they won’t automatically know
get enough sleep, our levels of cortisol,
soy products such as tofu, edamame and
that low testosterone is the problem. “It’s
which is our stress hormone, rise. And it’s
soy sauce can theoretically raise estrogen
an under-evaluated issue, because many
cortisol that suppresses the production of
and suppress T production, so we may
men—especially older ones—don’t want
T,” says Dr. Gillian Goddard of Park Avenue
recommend avoiding them. And above all,
to complain about these things,” explains
Endocrinology, in New York City. “Once
we stress avoiding alcohol, as it definitely
Dr. Mahmud Kara, a former specialist with
we get a good night’s sleep regularly, our
suppresses T production.”
the Cleveland Clinic who now focuses on
cortisol levels fall and the body can begin
his line of natural remedies. “Checking for
producing T again.”
natural supplements play a big part in
testosterone levels isn’t part of a standard
Not being overweight also makes a
the solution. John J. Accursio, a 30-year-
blood test. So, if we don’t know to look for
big difference, adds Goddard. “Fat makes
old, Manhattan-based lawyer who was
it, we won’t. And the danger is you don’t
an enzyme that coverts T to estrogen. And
diagnosed with low T a few years back,
Indeed, even when drug therapy is
Actual changes in diet, other than
As is often the case, vitamins and
swears by Roman Testosterone Daily Supplements, which include zinc, magnesium, vitamin D3, ashwagandha, maca and copper. But if supplements are taken, make sure that they don’t have ingredients that can exacerbate, rather than help, the condition.
With so many men now expected to
live into or even past their 90s, getting this condition diagnosed once symptoms first appear is paramount, stresses Kara. “Our bodies were not built for the 21st century, so the need to take care of ourselves as well as we can—and for as long as possible—is more important than ever before.” Brian Scott Lipton is a New York-based journalist who specializes in entertainment, fashion, food and health care. 24
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