Tag: Low testosterone

Men’s Health Expert Dr. Tracy Gapin: Testosterone, ED, & How They Affect Everyone

Dr. Tracy Gapin is a renowned urologist and male health specialist who has dedicated his career to helping men optimize their health and performance. In a recent conversation, Dr. Gapin and his interviewer discussed the culprits of declining or poor health, including erectile dysfunction. They emphasized that many of the same factors that impact men’s libido and ability to perform also impact most people’s health. Therefore, Dr. Gapin’s approach to health and healthcare is beneficial for all humans.

During the conversation with Gabby Reece, Dr. Gapin shared insights on a range of topics, including how a simple mouth swab can help individuals determine the best diet based on their genetics. He also discussed ways to turn back the aging clock, navigate hormone supplementation, and which types of blood workups to ask your physician about.

The conversation also touched upon the impact of watching too much pornography and how it can destroy real-life sex life. Dr. Gapin provided tips on how to pull back and maintain a healthy balance.

At the end of the show, Dr. Gapin generously invited listeners to access his book and other valuable resources. His personalized approach to health and healthcare has helped countless men achieve optimal health and performance.

Overall, Dr. Gapin’s insights and recommendations are invaluable for anyone looking to optimize their health and well-being. His expertise in male health and urology make him a leading authority in the field, and his compassionate approach to patient care sets him apart from other healthcare providers.

What is Nrf2? Here’s Everything You Need to Know About the Secret to Aging Well

Feel like you’re just not operating at the level you used to?

People tell us that that happens with age—that our bodies start to break down.

But the most recent science is actually calling into question the inevitability of the symptoms of aging. New research in microbiology, chemistry, and genomics is showing us that those uncomfortable symptoms of aging might not be locked in.

This is where “biohacking” comes from: it’s the idea that you can give your body exactly what it needs to properly repair and rejuvenate itself. The result? Optimized health and performance.

Nrf2 is one of the most exciting discoveries in this area and holds some real promise as an anti-aging agent and as a support for your long-term health. In this article, I’ll explain what it is, what it does, and why it matters for your aging.

What is Nrf2?

Nrf2, short for “nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2”, is a protein that is found in your cells. It is a type of protein called a “transcription factor”, which means that it is involved in gene expression—activating and deactivating parts of a genetic sequence.

Which genes does Nrf2 affect? It regulates the expression of antioxidant proteins and enzymes, increasing their production to help your body fight off molecules that attack your cells.

Nrf2 has been found to be an important part of your body’s system of regulating metabolism, inflammation, and immune responses.

What’s special about Nrf2?

Nrf2 is a big deal because it could be the key to aging gracefully and healthily.

When you’re young, your body is good at balancing all the needs of your body at the cellular level. But as you age, these important chemical signallers decline. You begin to produce less of the substances that you need to properly regulate your body.

That means that there are fewer of the peptides, proteins, hormones, and enzymes that help your body repair and rejuvenate. Things start to break down.

The result is that your body gets slower at repairing itself. That’s why you feel tired more often, your body takes longer to recover from exercise, and your skin begins to see signs of aging. You might also notice issues with your sleep or even erectile dysfunction.

Oxidative stress contributes to symptoms of aging

At the cellular level, what’s happening is that free radicals are constantly bombarding your cells. The damage caused by these attacks causes your cells to go into a state called oxidative stress, and stop functioning properly.

When you’re young, your body can easily fight free radicals back. But as you get older, your body can’t do this as effectively. That’s when symptoms of aging start getting worse.

Antioxidants fight free radicals and reduce oxidative stress

You’ve probably heard of the health benefits of antioxidants. Some foods are high in antioxidants and that’s why health professionals sometimes encourage you to include them in your diet.

Antioxidants help neutralize free radicals and minimize the damage that they cause. That helps reduce the symptoms of aging.

But antioxidants aren’t very efficient. One antioxidant molecule neutralizes only one free radical. With more and more free radicals, we need more and more antioxidants. At some point, the antioxidants can’t keep up.

What does Nrf2 do?

Nrf2 provides a powerful solution to overcome free radicals. It’s known as the “master regulator” of our body’s antioxidant response.

When Nrf2 is activated, it enters the nucleus and turns on several hundred genes, known collectively as “survival genes.” This, in turn, initiates the production of several of your body’s own powerful enzymes that fight free radicals. These enzymes include catalase, glutathione, and superoxide dismutase (SOD).

These enzymes are much more effective than antioxidants at getting rid of free radicals—they can neutralize over 1 million free radicals a second. What that means is that your body can clean itself out quickly and fewer of your cells get into a state of oxidative stress.

Ultimately, that means you feel fewer symptoms of aging: better energy, better sleep, and even a better sex life.

How do I get Nrf2?

Great, Nrf2 can support my health. How do I get it?

You actually don’t need to get Nrf2—it’s already right there in your cells. It comes pre-installed.

The problem is that it’s not activated. It’s a bit like an engine: it just sits in your cells not doing anything until it’s turned on. That’s what Nrf2 activation therapies do: they get into your cells to turn on Nrf2 so that it can enter the nucleus and work its magic.

Some foods have been shown to activate Nrf2 and the Nrf2 pathway. These have been supported by studies in nutrigenomics—the study of how food influences gene expression and cellular function.

Some Nrf2-activating foods include:

Dark chocolate
Legumes, like lentils, beans, and peas
Vegetables, especially dark leafy greens like spinach and cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and bok choy
Spices, especially ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, cloves, and yellow mustard
Herbs, like oregano
Red wine
Tea, especially green and white teas

What about Nrf2 supplements? Do they work?

In addition to activating Nrf2 through the diet, there are now supplements that activate Nrf2 and significantly reduce oxidative stress.

These have been extremely well-researched by the scientific community and some of the supplements have very strong evidence supporting their use.

Protandim®, for example, is a supplement designed to activate Nrf2. There have been numerous studies that demonstrate that it improves your body’s antioxidant response capacity. Peer-reviewed, human clinical studies show that it reduces cellular stress in humans by an average of 40 percent in 30 days. Research even suggests that it could be effective in preventing age-related diseases like:

Heart disease
Various types of cancer, like skin and colon cancers
Alzheimer’s disease
Osteoarthritis

The takeaway for your health: Nrf2 activators could help you feel younger. A men’s health secret.

We often think that there isn’t much we can do about the declines in our bodies that come with age. But science is showing us that that’s not necessarily the case.

There actually may be ways that we can give our body what it needs to better regulate, repair, and rejuvenate itself.

Nrf2 appears to be one of those ways. Activating the Nrf2 pathway could be a relatively simple—but powerful—way to help you feel younger again.

It might be as easy as making good diet choices or taking a supplement.

Schedule a consultation to learn how to personalized health advice so you can live your life to the fullest.

Ready to take the next steps?

Download the Blueprint

Schedule a Call

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In Male 2.0™, Dr. Tracy Gapin has turned everything we once thought we knew about men’s health and performance upside down. The old model of how to be “a man” is broken. A man who works himself to death. Unfortunately, a man who tries to NOT get sick but isn’t really healthy either. And a man who takes a pill for every ill but is never really cured. That was Male 1.0. Now, imagine being THE MAN ─ owning your performance in the bedroom, the weight room, and the boardroom. Living a fully optimized life. Becoming limitless. This is Male 2.0!

Tracy Gapin, MD, FACS is a board-certified Urologist, world renowned Men’s Health & Performance Expert, Author, and Professional Speaker. Using state-of-the-art biometric monitoring, nutrition and lifestyle intervention, Dr. Gapin coaches Fortune 500 executives and evolutionary leaders of business, sports medicine, and high performance. He specializes in cutting-edge precision medicine with an emphasis on epigenetics, providing men with a personalized path to optimizing health & performance. www.GapinInstitute.com

Want more tips to optimize your health? Listen to the latest podcasts. Click HERE

References

Houghton, C. A., Fassett, R. G., & Coombes, J. S. (2016). Sulforaphane and other nutrigenomic Nrf2 activators: can the clinician’s expectation be matched by the reality?. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, 2016. https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/7857186

Hybertson, B. M., Gao, B., Bose, S. K., & McCord, J. M. (2011). Oxidative stress in health and disease: the therapeutic potential of Nrf2 activation. Molecular Aspects of Medicine, 32(4-6), 234-246.

Lim, J. L., der Pol, V., Susanne, M. A., Baron, W., McCord, J. M., De Vries, H. E., & Van Horssen, J. (2016). Protandim protects oligodendrocytes against an oxidative insult. Antioxidants, 5(3), 30. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox5030030

anti-aging cardiovascular disease Dr Gapin ED erectile dysfunction high blood pressue hypertension Low testosterone men's health nrf2 protandim testosterone testosterone levels

Men, What is stress doing to your Testosterone?

Stress is ubiquitous—it affects all of us in one way or another.

Low level stress that you can easily overcome is usually not bad for you. In fact, it can even be good for you. Stress can motivate you, improve your athletic performance, and help you adapt to your environment.

But long-term or excessive stress can have a profoundly negative effect on your health and even reduce your lifespan. Research shows that stress reduces testosterone levels, which may be one reason why stress is strongly linked with weight gain, poor sleep, and erectile dysfunction (ED).

Getting your stress under control is one of the most important ways to achieve a healthy, satisfying life. In this article, I’ll dive into exactly what stress is and what it is doing to your health, testosterone, and sex life. Then I’ll explain exactly how to beat it.

What is Stress

We throw the term around all the time, but what exactly is stress?

Stress is a feeling of psychological strain or pressure. It occurs from our own perception of an event or stressor as threatening or challenging to us.

To be clear, stress is not the actual events or stressors in your life. Your response to those stressors is what triggers your feeling of stress.

Psychologists sometimes classify stressors into four types (1):

Ambient stressors, like noise in a cafe or traffic
Hassles or micro stressors, like not being able to find your keys
Major life events, like getting fired, getting married, or having a child
Crises or catastrophes, like a natural disaster

These have different effects on your overall well-being, but even hassles or micro stressors, when they are constant, can create levels of stress that ultimately affect our health.

How Stress Affects Health

Stress has a massive physiological effect on our bodies. When we feel stress, our brain sends out a signal to our body and activates a “fight or flight” response. Our pupils dilate, our heart rate increases, and our body releases a number of hormones and chemicals to get us ready to react, such as adrenaline, endorphins, and cortisol.

This response is useful if we’re encountering a situation where we really do need to fight or get away. Athletes, soldiers in combat, or even firefighters benefit from this reaction to stressful situations.

But for most of us, this bodily response is unnecessary. And, when stress is chronic, occurring over a long period of time, these effects can be toxic and dangerous to our health. The amount of stress that you have, and your stress resiliency, can even predict how long you will live.

Risk of disease

One of the most worrying effects of stress on our health is its relationship to disease; research shows that chronic, severe stress vastly increases a person’s risk for several chronic health conditions.

For example, there’s significant evidence that stress increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases like heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure, and hypertension as well as diabetes and certain types of cancer (2, 3, 4).

Stress is also clearly associated with mental illness, including depression, schizophrenia, and anxiety (5, 6).

Immune Function

Stress has been found to reduce immune function (7). Research has demonstrated that stress can cause a person to be more susceptible to illnesses like colds (8). Scientists have suggested that stress can affect immune system function at the cellular level, changing the body’s chemical immune response. They’ve found that individuals that report more stress tend to have lower immunity and increased inflammation (7).

Poor lifestyle habits

The way that we cope with stress may also have an impact on our health. When individuals cope with stress by consuming excessive alcohol, smoking, or binge-eating, the result is poorer health. Stress can cause some people to engage in unhealthy habits as a way to cope with the psychological discomfort (9).

Stress can affect your genes

Epigenetics refers to a process whereby gene expression, or activity, is altered by the environment although the actual genetic sequence is not changed.

Researchers have found that stress can cause epigenetic changes resulting in negative health outcomes.

One study found that major psychological stressors, like physical abuse or trauma from experiences with war, cause DNA methylation on some genes that are associated with psychological disorders (10).
Another study found that excessive cortisol production, which occurs with stress, is associated with generally less DNA methylation than those with less cortisol in their system (11).
In a third study, mice given corticosterone, a chemical similar to the stress hormone cortisol, were found to have altered gene expression in genes that are associated with hormone balance (12).

What does all this mean? It means that stress may be able to actually change how your genes are expressed such that you are predisposed to have worse health outcomes.

How Stress Affects Testosterone and Erectile Dysfunction

Stress has such a powerful effect on us in part because it’s psychological. It affects the hormonal balance in our body, but it also affects our mental health. Both of these things can impact sexual function and performance.

One of the ways that stress impacts sexual function is through testosterone.

What is testosterone?

Testosterone is often called the “male sex hormone”. It plays an important role in several bodily functions for men, including the initial development of the testes and prostate. In adults, testosterone has many surprising effects including being critical to the production of sperm and semen, healthy libido, and even muscular development.

Many men suffer from “low T”. What is low T? It’s a condition where a man’s body does not produce sufficient testosterone for optimal function.

Low testosterone can be caused by various lifestyle factors, including diet, exercise, and poor sleep. Age alone may also be a factor since the production of testosterone tends to decrease with age. Men over the age of 50 tend to experience a 1% decline in testosterone levels every year.

Some of the symptoms of low testosterone include:

Erectile dysfunction
Low fertility
Loss of muscle mass
Anxiety and depression
Weight gain
Low libido and sex drive
Weaker bones
Reduced energy
Less body hair
Foggy brain

Stress has been shown to directly affect testosterone levels. When you’re stressed, your body releases the stress hormone cortisol. And high cortisol levels crush your testosterone. Research has found a clear association between high cortisol levels and low levels of testosterone (13).

The lower testosterone levels caused by stress, in turn leads to low energy, weight gain, loss of mental focus, and loss of sexual function.

Stress Causes Erectile Dysfunction

Stress is one of the most common causes of ED (14).

Sexual function depends on the complex interaction between physiological and psychological factors. Stress affects both. It causes your body to produce less testosterone, which contributes to difficulty getting an erection. It can also affect the psychological processes associated with sexual arousal.

Finding ways to effectively cope with stress is an essential part of creating a healthy lifestyle, achieving optimal testosterone levels, and supporting a fulfilling sex life.

Reduce Stress to Improve your Health, Testosterone, and Sex Life

Great, we need to address stress for better health, more testosterone, and great sex.

But how?

Develop stress resiliency

This is one of the most important things that you can do to reduce stress: develop ways to cope effectively with stress and create stress resiliency.

Stress resiliency refers to your ability to respond to and cope with the stressors that you face in everyday life. Creating resilience to stress can help you experience it less often, for less time, and thus reduce the negative health effects.

To develop stress resiliency, try the following.

Start to think of stress as an opportunity for growth. Ask yourself: What is the stressor? Why am I stressed about it? Where can I feel the stress in my body? What can I do right now to cope and calm myself down? What can I learn to grow from it?
Develop healthy coping habits. These include exercise, meditation, breathing techniques, hobbies you enjoy, and even sex.
Sleep! Sleep is critical for optimal health, but especially when it comes to stress resilience. Good quality sleep allows your body to heal and recover. And good quality sleep lowers cortisol.
Get social support. Engaging with the important people in your life is one of the most effective ways to cope with stress. Even giving social support can improve your stress.
Focus on eating good quality food. The foods you eat can directly promote or reduce inflammation in your body, and thus affect cortisol production.

Exercise

Exercise is one of the most effective ways to beat back stressors (15). Research shows that people who exercise consistently are better able to develop stress resilience and reduce the health consequence of stress (16).

Meditation

Research is increasingly finding the benefits of meditation on everything from cognitive health to physical energy levels. Meditation also turns out to be an effective way to cope with life stressors, even if you do it for just five to ten minutes a day.

The benefits of meditation include:

Stress reduction
Better sleep
Feeling relaxed
Better focus and attention
More positive mood
Reductions in depression and anxiety.

Solutions for Erectile Dysfunction and Low T

Do you think your stress is lowering your testosterone? Here are a few ways that you can increase your testosterone naturally.

Lose weight

Body fat and testosterone are connected. When guys have higher body fat levels, their bodies create and release less testosterone. And low testosterone causes your body to store more energy as fat. It’s a vicious cycle.

However, you can reverse it and turn it into a positive cycle. When you start to lose weight, you’ll find that your testosterone levels naturally increase. And, as the testosterone in your body increases, you’ll find it easier and easier to lose more weight (17). Losing weight will also help you to stop ED in its tracks.

If you are overweight, make this a priority: lose weight to naturally boost your testosterone. improve sexual function, and improve stress.

Exercise

It’s not only effective for coping with stress, but also for increasing testosterone. Numerous studies have found that guys that exercise more tend to have more testosterone.

The best exercise to boost testosterone is strength training and lifting weights. Studies have found that guys of all ages get a boost of T from weight training (18). Moderate cardio exercise is also great.

And for another added benefit, exercise is an effective way to prevent and help treat ED.

Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT)

Testosterone hormone therapy can be an effective treatment for some guys that suffer from low T. Testosterone therapy can be given topically, by subcutaneous or intramuscular injection, pellets, or more recently oral medication. Some of the benefits of TRT include (19):

Improved energy
Better sexual function and sex drive
Increased endurance
Enhanced ability to gain lean muscle mass
Increased mood and energy
Improved cognitive function

There can be risks of testosterone replacement therapy, so make sure you consult with a doctor specialized in men’s health and hormone therapy before deciding whether it could be right for you.

Precision Medicine

These recommendations will help the majority of men reduce stress and improve their health.

But everyone is different. Every man obviously has unique genetics, and thus responds to his environment differently. This is epigenetics.

Why should you care? There may be things that you should be doing to reduce stress and get healthy that wouldn’t work for other men. Whether it be

Precision medicine is a way to get a health plan tailored to your individual genetic makeup. If you’re suffering from stress, low T, or ED, look for solutions designed specifically for you and your genes.

Conclusion: Don’t Let Stress Get You Down

Everyone experiences stress. If stress becomes chronic, and you lose your ability to cope with it, stress can crush your health, leading to weight gain, low testosterone levels, poor energy, and increased risk of erectile dysfunction.

But when you have effective coping mechanisms and view stress as helpful not harmful, you can overcome it and rise to the occasion. Learning to beat stress will help you boost your immune system, lose weight, feel healthier, and enjoy the benefits of higher testosterone.

If you’re concerned about what stress may be doing to your health and testosterone levels, schedule a consultation to learn how to personalized health advice so you can live your life to the fullest.

Want more tips to optimize your health? Listen to the latest podcasts. Click HERE

References

Wheaton, B., & Montazer, S. (2010). Stressors, stress, and distress. A handbook for the study of mental health: Social contexts, theories, and systems, 171-199.
Dimsdale, J. E. (2008). Psychological stress and cardiovascular disease. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 51(13), 1237-1246.
Harris, M. L., Oldmeadow, C., Hure, A., Luu, J., Loxton, D., & Attia, J. (2017). Stress increases the risk of type 2 diabetes onset in women: A 12-year longitudinal study using causal modelling. PloS one, 12(2), e0172126.
Moreno-Smith, M., Lutgendorf, S. K., & Sood, A. K. (2010). Impact of stress on cancer metastasis. Future Oncology, 6(12), 1863-1881.
Bartolomucci, A., & Leopardi, R. (2009). Stress and depression: preclinical research and clinical implications. PloS one, 4(1), e4265.
Corcoran, C., Mujica-Parodi, L., Yale, S., Leitman, D., & Malaspina, D. (2002). Could stress cause psychosis in individuals vulnerable to schizophrenia?. CNS Spectrums, 7(1), 33.
Segerstrom, S. C., & Miller, G. E. (2004). Psychological stress and the human immune system: A meta-analytic study of 30 years of inquiry. Psychological Bulletin, 130(4), 601.
Cohen, S., Doyle, W. J., Skoner, D. P., Rabin, B. S., & Gwaltney, J. M. (1997). Social ties and susceptibility to the common cold. JAMA, 277(24), 1940-1944.
Steptoe, A., Wardle, J., Pollard, T. M., Canaan, L., & Davies, G. J. (1996). Stress, social support and health-related behavior: a study of smoking, alcohol consumption and physical exercise. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 41(2), 171-180.
Mulligan, C. J. (2016). Early environments, stress, and the epigenetics of human health. Annual Review of Anthropology, 45, 233-249.
Glad, C. A., Andersson-Assarsson, J. C., Berglund, P., Bergthorsdottir, R., Ragnarsson, O., & Johannsson, G. (2017). Reduced DNA methylation and psychopathology following endogenous hypercortisolism–a genome-wide study. Nature: Scientific Reports, 7, 44445.
Wein, H. (2010). Stress Hormone Causes Epigenetic Changes. NIH Research Matters. https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/stress-hormone-causes-epigenetic-changes
Rubinow, D. R., Roca, C. A., Schmidt, P. J., Danaceau, M. A., Putnam, K., Cizza, G., … & Nieman, L. (2005). Testosterone suppression of CRH-stimulated cortisol in men. Neuropsychopharmacology, 30(10), 1906-1912.
Rosen, R. C. (2001). Psychogenic erectile dysfunction: classification and management. Urologic Clinics of North America, 28(2), 269-278.
Bond, D. S., Lyle, R. M., Tappe, M. K., Seehafer, R. S., & D’Zurilla, T. J. (2002). Moderate aerobic exercise, T’ai Chi, and social problem-solving ability in relation to psychological stress. International Journal of Stress Management, 9(4), 329-343.
Hsu, Y. C., Tsai, S. F., Yu, L., Chuang, J. I., Wu, F. S., Jen, C. J., & Kuo, Y. M. (2016). Long-term moderate exercise accelerates the recovery of stress-evoked cardiovascular responses. Stress, 19(1), 125-132.
Yassin, A. A., & Doros, G. (2013). Testosterone therapy in hypogonadal men results in sustained and clinically meaningful weight loss. Clinical Obesity, 3(3-4), 73-83.
Craig, B. W., Brown, R., & Everhart, J. (1989). Effects of progressive resistance training on growth hormone and testosterone levels in young and elderly subjects. Mechanisms of Ageing and Development, 49(2), 159-169.
Osterberg, E. C., Bernie, A. M., & Ramasamy, R. (2014). Risks of testosterone replacement therapy in men. Indian journal of urology: IJU: journal of the Urological Society of India, 30(1), 2.

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cardiovascular disease Dr Gapin ED erectile dysfunction high blood pressue hypertension Low testosterone men's health precision medicine testosterone testosterone levels

What to Ask Your Doctor Before Starting Testosterone

Men everywhere are suffering with plummeting testosterone levels. A recent study showed that testosterone levels have declined over 30% in the last 30 years.[1] It has become such a problem that research now indicates that 1 in 4 men over the age of 30 has low levels of testosterone.[2]

And declining testosterone levels are associated with significant health issues. Here are just a few symptoms men experience with low testosterone:

Low sex drive
Erectile dysfunction
Weight gain, especially around the midsection
Loss of muscle mass
Fatigue and irritability
Loss of mental focus
Hair loss
Loss of bone density
Anxiety and depression

Does any of this sound familiar?

https://drtracygapin.com/blueprint

When my patients complain that they don’t quite feel like themselves, I find they often have low testosterone. One reason men fail to recognize the issue is because the symptoms of low testosterone will often develop slowly over time.

Men will often come to see their doctor when they struggle with erectile dysfunction, but low testosterone goes far beyond the bedroom. Having a good level of testosterone is vital for all aspects of a man’s health and well-being.

If you suffer from any of the aforementioned symptoms, it’s time to get your testosterone levels checked by a doctor. In preparation for this visit, here are some key questions you should consider.

How Do I Know if I’m Low in Testosterone?

Testosterone is a hormone produced primarily in the testes for men (and at lower levels, in the ovaries for women), but small amounts are also produced by the adrenal glands. Testosterone is part of the endocrine system and its release and regulation is controlled by the brain’s pituitary gland and hypothalamus.

To test your testosterone levels, your doctor will run some blood work, usually in the morning since that is when your hormone levels are at their highest. “Low testosterone”, or hypogonadism, occurs when a man’s level falls below optimal levels.

This brings up a critical question: “What is optimal?!”

Most labs define the lower limit of “normal” testosterone levels to be anywhere from 250 to 350 ng/dL, depending on the lab. The problem with this is there is a massive difference between what is considered clinically “normal” and what is optimal – i.e. what men need to actually experience the benefits of healthy testosterone levels. We’ll cover this huge topic in another blog post, but suffice it to say that men typically need much higher serum testosterone levels than what the clinically “normal” range suggests.

What Causes Low Testosterone?

A man’s testosterone peaks in early adulthood and naturally reduces as he ages. Once he enters his 30s, his levels begin to decline about 1 to 2 percent each year. Some men don’t start noticing the effects of this decrease until they hit the age of 50, but there are others who start to show symptoms even a decade or two earlier.

In addition to age, there are a number of potential causes for low testosterone. Injury or infection to the testes and malfunction of the pituitary gland can cause low testosterone, and diseases like obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease are all strongly linked to testosterone deficiency. Endocrine disruptors – chemicals and toxicants in our environment – are clearly a major culprit as well.

Low levels of vital nutrients like zinc or Vitamin D have also been found to correlate with low testosterone. Certain medications can lower testosterone, including asthma inhalers, antidepressants, and antihistamines, as well as chemotherapy.[3] And a number of lifestyle factors, such as smoking, drug abuse, poor sleep, poor diet, and obesity, can lead to low hormone levels.

How is Low Testosterone Treated?

There are a few important concepts to understand before diving into treatment options for men with testosterone deficiency. First it’s key to recognize that treatment requires a comprehensive approach. It’s never as simple as just getting testosterone therapy. It’s critical to be aware that there’s no magical one-size-fits-all solution that works for every man. Treatment varies depending on each man’s underlying health issues, genetics, symptoms, and goals.

A key aspect of addressing low testosterone is to address underlying health issues and develop healthy lifestyle habits. Losing weight has been shown to directly improve testosterone levels. Research shows that exercise, especially weight training or high-interval training, naturally boosts testosterone.[4] Proper nutrition and sleep are critical aspects of a comprehensive approach to overcoming low testosterone and its associated symptoms. Check out the MALE 2.0 Blueprint to learn how to start incorporating healthy habits into your daily life.

Another common approach is hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Hormone replacement therapy involves artificially raising your testosterone levels via a gel, skin patch, injection or hormone pellet implants.

What Are the Benefits of Hormone Replacement Therapy?

A number of studies back up the claim that testosterone replacement therapy can provide men with real benefits. Here are just a few examples, according to a recent academic review:[5]

Muscle gain and improved strength: Several studies found testosterone replacement therapy improves men’s body composition, decreases fat, and increases lean body mass and muscle strength.
Increased bone density: Testosterone therapy has been shown to increase bone density, especially among elderly men, which puts them at a reduced risk of injury.
Improved sex drive: Testosterone replacement therapy increases men’s self-reported libido, as well as the frequency of sexual acts.
Improved cognitive functioning: One study found older men’s risk for Alzheimer’s disease decreased by 26% for each 10-unit increase in free testosterone. Additional studies found testosterone improves men’s spatial, mathematical, and verbal reasoning, as well as their memory.
Improved mood and quality of life: Men who receive testosterone therapy report an increase in mood and well-being and a decrease in fatigue and irritability.

What Are the Risks of Hormone Replacement Therapy?

Clearly testosterone replacement therapy has its benefits, but it is important to realize it is not a panacea. Such therapy is considered most beneficial when used short-term to help your body get back on track or to treat an underlying issue like hypogonadism. But know that like all treatments, this hormone therapy comes with a number of risks and side effects that must be considered.

Some side effects may include:

Acne and oily skin
Breast enlargement or tenderness (rare if treated properly)
Shrinkage of the testicles
Hair loss (rare)

Additional Questions To Ask Your Doctor Before Starting HRT

So you’ve decided to proceed with testosterone therapy. First, be aware that you should never attempt testosterone therapy alone – it should always be done under a doctor’s supervision. But before you start, here are some key questions you should ask your doctor before embarking on a testosterone treatment plan:

What Are Your Doctor’s Qualifications?

What expertise and experience does the doctor have in treating men’s health issues generally, and testosterone replacement therapy more specifically?
How long have they been practicing this approach?
Given that the science of HRT (hormone replacement therapy) is consistently evolving, how does the doctor stay up-to-date on the topic?
Do they attend conferences, read scientific journal articles, take training courses?

Am I a Good Candidate for HRT?

What evidence is there that I need testosterone replacement therapy?
If there is evidence, what potential causes does your doctor suspect?
Do I have certain medical conditions (like sleep apnea or an enlarged prostate) that make me a bad candidate for HRT?

Can I Boost My Testosterone Naturally?

Are there things in my medical history or lifestyle that could be changed to improve my testosterone naturally?
Are there certain foods the doctor recommends to boost testosterone?
Are there certain supplements the doctor recommends?
How does sleep quality affect testosterone?
How does alcohol affect testosterone?
What changes in my exercise routine can I make to boost my testosterone?

What Type of Treatment Does the Doctor Prefer?

What type of HRT does the doctor prefer (e.g., gel, injection, implant) and why?
How will the doctor determine which hormone dose is right for me?
How do they track results?

What is the Expected Cost of HRT?

Does insurance typically cover the cost of the treatment?
What will my out of pocket expenses be?
How long will treatment take?

What Side Effects Are Expected?

Will there be pain or inflammation at the injection or implant site?
What adverse reactions should I look out for?

What Improvements Can I Expect to See?

What symptoms should I expect to see improvements on after starting treatment?
How long will it take before I see results?
How often will I follow up with my doctor?
Will the doctor monitor my progress through routine blood tests or other means?

CONCLUSION

If you’re struggling with weight gain, low energy, fatigue, diminished sex-drive, or performance issues in the bedroom, know that it doesn’t have to be that way. You can overcome these issues and become unstoppable TODAY!

It’s time to get empowered to take control of your health. Unlock the code to peak performance with the Male Method™ to regain your energy, focus and confidence to feel like a man again.

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Stop ED in its Tracks

Erectile dysfunction, or ED, occurs when a man has difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection for sexual intercourse. It can be awkward and cause feelings of inadequacy. While ED can be a very distressing health issue, it can also be embarrassing to discuss with your health provider or physician.

ED is very common, with some research estimating that it affects about one in two American men over 40. (1) It’s up there with hair loss, weight gain, and low testosterone for the most popular men’s health concerns.

The good news is that there are several safe and effective ways to increase male libido and improve symptoms of ED. In this article, I’ll review some of the research on ED and provide some effective options for guys to improve their sexual performance and stop ED in its tracks.

What Causes Erectile Dysfunction?

To begin with, let’s take a bit of a look at what causes ED.

Erections occur when sexual stimulation causes the body to send out neurochemicals that relax muscles and increase blood flow to the penis. This causes the penis to enlarge and harden.

Because this process involves a complex combination of psychological input and biological mechanisms, there are a number of ways it can go wrong. Both psychological and physical factors, as well as lifestyle factors, can cause or contribute to ED. (1, 2, 3) Here are some of the most common causes of ED:

Psychological factors:

Stress
Anxiety
Depression

Physical factors:

Diabetes
High blood pressure
Nerve damage
Neurological disorders
Stroke
Blood clots
Atherosclerosis
Spinal disease

Lifestyle factors:

Smoking
Alcohol
Drug abuse
Inactivity
Other medications like antidepressants

Each of these may be enough to cause symptoms of ED on their own, but they can also occur together. So what can a guy do to prevent or treat ED?

Diet and Erectile Dysfunction

Several studies have shown that good nutrition can actually help prevent ED. If you put garbage into your body, you’re not going to get your best out of it. You want to make sure you’re fueling yourself with high-quality, nutritious foods so you can maximize your performance in all respects, including in the bedroom.

Foods to choose

In general, aim for non-processed, fresh foods and a diet rich in vegetables, healthy fats, and fish (6). The Mediterranean diet seems to be particularly effective for preventing ED. (4)

Some particular foods may be especially useful for protecting against ED. These include:

Pistachios (5)
Watermelon
Leafy greens
Beets
Dark chocolate
Oysters
Shellfish
Tomatoes
Pink Grapefruit
Onions and garlic
Cranberries
Tea
Peanuts

Foods to avoid

Some foods are known to contribute to ED symptoms, so try to avoid them. Common ones include (6):

Excessive Alcohol
Red meat
Full fat dairy
Sugary foods and drinks (7)
Foods that are high in saturated and trans fats
White bread and processed foods (8)

Supplements

Can supplements help ED? It appears that some can be effective erectile dysfunction remedies. Here are some of the better-known supplements that can help improve ED:

Panax ginseng (9)
Rhodiola Rosea (10)
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) (11)
L-arginine (12)

Exercises to Help Erectile Dysfunction

Exercise is probably the best natural remedy for erectile dysfunction. Improving cardiovascular fitness together with maintaining a healthy weight have both been shown to be especially effective at helping men achieve satisfying erections.

Cardiovascular fitness

One of the causes of ED is inadequate or impeded blood flow to the penis. Studies have shown that people with ED typically have lower heart-rate variability (HRV), which suggests reduced vascular efficiency and poor overall health. (13) And research has found that moderate and high physical activity are associated with a lower risk of developing ED (6).

When a guy exercises, and especially when he challenges his cardiovascular system, he is training his body to pump his blood more efficiently. Cardiovascular exercise can also reduce hypertension and prevent cardiovascular disease, both of which are associated with ED.

More than that, exercise also has beneficial effects on a person’s self-esteem and mental health, each of which can positively impact the psychological factors associated with sexual dysfunction. (6)

Try to get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise a week. (14) Common aerobic exercises are:

Running
Cycling
Swimming
Playing tennis

Strength training

Strength training exercises can also help address ED. Strength training and muscle building can build self-esteem and confidence in bed. And, as a nice side-effect, a firmer physique may be more attractive to your partner.

Try to do strength training exercises for all major muscle groups at least two times a week. (14) You can get this by working out at the gym, or you can try a body-weight training exercise program.

Weight loss

Being overweight is actually one of the biggest causes of ED (6). Excess fat seems to change body chemistry and lower testosterone which lowers men’s libido. Several studies have found that when overweight guys experience healthy weight loss, their erectile function improves. (15)

Combining a healthy diet and regular exercise is a good start for guys with a bit extra belly fat to lose some weight.

Additional lifestyle changes

Besides exercising and eating well, there are a number of lifestyle changes that can help you improve your health and sexual performance.

Reduce stress

Stress is known to reduce libido and is an erection killer. It also contributes to other poor health habits like excessive drinking and smoking. If you find ways to cope with your stress, you’ll remove one possible cause of ED.

There are lots of things you can do to combat stress. Consider strategies like starting a meditation routine, connecting regularly with friends, or even seeing a therapist.

Sleep

Sleep is one of the most important factors in health, especially as we age. Research shows that individuals who do not get adequate sleep—around 7 to 8 hours a night—are more likely to suffer from ED. Sleep apnea, a condition that keeps people from getting enough air as they sleep, which in turn causes them to continually wake up throughout the night, is an especially potent cause of ED. (16)

The solution? Get enough sleep.

The best way to get enough sleep is to create habits and routines that contribute to sleep hygiene. That includes going to bed at the same time every night, making your sleep environment comfortable, and removing distractions. If you suffer from sleep apnea, discuss treatment options with your doctor.

Communicate with your partner

Open, honest communication with your partner can help build a stronger relationship and enhance emotional closeness. And emotional closeness can lead to better sex. By expressing yourself, and especially expressing your sexual desires, you can increase sexual intimacy and improve your sexual experiences.

Therapy for Erectile Dysfunction

Sometimes even with the best care of your body, erectile dysfunction can occur. Luckily, there are lots of erectile dysfunction remedies.

Pills

You’re probably already familiar with sildenafil, or its trade name “Viagra”. Tadalafil, more commonly known as Cialis, is another oral treatment for ED. Both work by helping the blood vessels in the penis relax, allowing them to let more blood in. Both require sexual stimulation to work, and erections go away after sex. They are often effective treatments, but they may not work for everyone.

Medication injections

Medicated injections into the penis immediately before intercourse is an effective ED treatment. (17) There are several possible injections, including papaverine, phentolamine, prostaglandin E1 (PGE1), or alprostadil (Caverject, Edex, MUSE). Each of these work by causing smooth muscle in the penis to relax and blood to enter.

The Priapus P shot

The priapus p shot, also known simply as p-shots or the “P-shot”, is a different kind of injection. This form of therapy essentially involves taking plasma from a person’s own blood that is rich in platelets. That plasma is then injected into the penis. So rather than medicine, this injection uses material from a person’s own body.

Vacuum therapy

With vacuum therapy, a suction device is placed around the penis. It creates a difference in air pressure that draws blood into the penis. A ring placed at the base of the penis keeps the blood in and helps maintain the erection. The device can create an effective erection for about 30 minutes, after which the ring must be removed.

Hormone therapy

Hormone therapy, also known as hormone replacement therapy or HRT, is another potential way to beat ED. Testosterone plays a role in normal libido as well as in the erectile process. Men who have lower than normal testosterone may benefit from testosterone replacement therapy. This is especially the case for hypogonadal men with an ED diagnosis. (19)

Ultrasound therapy

It’s also possible to get ultrasound therapy for erectile dysfunction. This therapy involves sending low-intensity shockwaves, which causes microtraumas. The body then repairs the tissue and generates new blood vessels as it does so. Several studies have found that ultrasound therapy can result in improved blood flow for men with ED. (20)

Penile implant surgery

For stubborn cases of ED that fail other more conservative measures, guys can get a surgically-implanted penile prosthesis. This can either be semi-rigid or inflatable, and provide an ‘immediate’ erection when desired.

Using Precision Medicine

In addition to the general advice that’s good for everyone, there may be some specific ways that an individual can address their ED and increase libido.

Precision medicine is effective because it takes into account a person’s own specific genetic make-up. They complete a DNA test, which gives them insight into how their particular body chemistry works. This allows their doctor to tailor a health program directly to how their body is set up. Some providers, myself included, offer VIP lifestyle coaching that can be an effective way to address erectile dysfunction.

Conclusion: Don’t Let ED Get You Down

Sexual health isn’t just a nice to have—it’s incredibly important to our overall health. Sex can help us stay physically active, lower blood pressure, improve closeness with our partners, and even boost our immune systems. A healthy sex life is essential for our psychological well-being, too.

ED can be a major impediment to a man’s sexual health, but it doesn’t have to be. Guys can make changes to their lifestyle to help prevent ED, and there are a number of effective medical options to treat it.

It’s time to get empowered to take control of your health. Unlock the code to peak performance with the Male MethodTM to regain your energy, focus and confidence and feel like a man again.

Ready to take the next steps?

Schedule a Call

**************************

Want more tips to optimize your health?

Listen to the latest podcasts. Click HERE

References

Feldman, H. A., Goldstein, I., Hatzichristou, D. G., Krane, R. J., & McKinlay, J. B. (1994). Impotence and its medical and psychosocial correlates: Results of the Massachusetts Male Aging Study. The Journal of Urology, 151(1), 54-61.
Çayan, S., Kendirci, M., Yaman, Ö., Aşçı, R., Orhan, İ., Usta, M. F., … & Kadıoğlu, A. (2017). Prevalence of erectile dysfunction in men over 40 years of age in Turkey: Results from the Turkish Society of Andrology Male Sexual Health Study Group. Turkish Journal of Urology, 43(2), 122.
Quilter, M., Hodges, L., von Hurst, P., Borman, B., & Coad, J. (2017). Male sexual function in New Zealand: a population-based cross-sectional survey of the prevalence of erectile dysfunction in men aged 40–70 years. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 14(7), 928-936.
Giugliano, F., Maiorino, M. I., Bellastella, G., Autorino, R., De Sio, M., Giugliano, D., & Esposito, K. (2010). Erectile dysfunction: adherence to Mediterranean diet and erectile dysfunction in men with type 2 diabetes. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 7(5), 1911-1917.
Aldemir, M., Okulu, E., Neşelioğlu, S., Erel, O., & Kayıgil, Ö. (2011). Pistachio diet improves erectile function parameters and serum lipid profiles in patients with erectile dysfunction. International Journal of Impotence Research, 23(1), 32-38.
Maiorino, M. I., Bellastella, G., & Esposito, K. (2015). Lifestyle modifications and erectile dysfunction: what can be expected?. Asian Journal of Andrology, 17(1), 5.
Adamowicz, J., & Drewa, T. (2011). Is there a link between soft drinks and erectile dysfunction?. Central European Journal of Urology, 64(3), 140.
Dhindsa, S., Miller, M. G., McWhirter, C. L., Mager, D. E., Ghanim, H., Chaudhuri, A., & Dandona, P. (2010). Testosterone concentrations in diabetic and nondiabetic obese men. Diabetes Care, 33(6), 1186-1192.
Jang, D. J., Lee, M. S., Shin, B. C., Lee, Y. C., & Ernst, E. (2008). Red ginseng for treating erectile dysfunction: A systematic review. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 66(4), 444-450.
Brown, R. P., Gerbarg, P. L., & Ramazanov, Z. (2002). Rhodiola rosea: A phytomedicinal overview. HerbalGram, 56, 40-52.
Reiter, W. J., Pycha, A., Schatzl, G., Pokorny, A., Gruber, D. M., Huber, J. C., & Marberger, M. (1999). Dehydroepiandrosterone in the treatment of erectile dysfunction: a prospective, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Urology, 53(3), 590-594.
Chen, J., Wollman, Y., Chernichovsky, T., Iaina, A., Sofer, M., & Matzkin, H. (1999). Effect of oral administration of high-dose nitric oxide donor L-arginine in men with organic erectile dysfunction: results of a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. BJU International, 83(3), 269-273.
Harte, C. B. (2013). The relationship between resting heart rate variability and erectile tumescence among men with normal erectile function. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 10(8), 1961-1968.
Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). How much physical activity do adults need? https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/adults/index.htm
Dallal, R. M., Chernoff, A., O’Leary, M. P., Smith, J. A., Braverman, J. D., & Quebbemann, B. B. (2008). Sexual dysfunction is common in the morbidly obese male and improves after gastric bypass surgery. Journal of the American College of Surgeons, 207(6), 859-864.
Zias, N., Bezwada, V., Gilman, S., & Chroneou, A. (2009). Obstructive sleep apnea and erectile dysfunction: still a neglected risk factor?. Sleep and Breathing, 13(1), 3-10.
Duncan, C., Omran, G. J., Teh, J., Davis, N. F., Bolton, D. M., & Lawrentschuk, N. (2019). Erectile dysfunction: A global review of intracavernosal injectables. World Journal of Urology, 37(6), 1007-1014.
Scott, S., Roberts, M., & Chung, E. (2019). Platelet-rich plasma and treatment of erectile dysfunction: Critical review of literature and global trends in platelet-rich plasma clinics. Sexual Medicine Reviews, 7(2), 306-312.
Jacob, B. C. (2011). Testosterone replacement therapy in males with erectile dysfunction. Journal of Pharmacy Practice, 24(3), 298-306.
Gruenwald, I., Appel, B., Kitrey, N. D., & Vardi, Y. (2013). Shockwave treatment of erectile dysfunction. Therapeutic Advances in Urology, 5(2), 95-99.

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