Tribe Doctor

Testosterone is not only for men!

Yes, you heard me, testosterone. The same hormone that builds your muscle, improves your workouts, makes you develop a beard, and helps you lose body fat is important for your girlfriend, too! No, I’m not talking about some freaky guys here; ALL guys need their girlfriends to have adequate testosterone levels.

Didn’t start shaving until you were 18? And then, was it more for your manhood than need? It could be normal for you, but this could also reflect a testosterone deficiency. Although uncommon in young men, it is definitely worth considering if you answered “yes” to the above questions.

Recently, we discussed exercises that could improve your sex life, and MFT reader Stevers made a comment that inspired this article. He mentioned herbal solutions, maca and yohimbe, and wanted to hear my take.

Maca is a Peruvian plant with a history of consumption for warriors, livestock, and Peruvians. The plant can be mashed, boiled, roasted, fermented, or prepared as a salad. The reason maca is being brought up in the same conversation as sex is that it has been shown to increase libido and semen quality. However, it’s important to note that a diet high in maca and low in iodine has been associated with high rates of goiter. In rats, it has been shown to enlarge prostate glands. However, maca is consumed in many parts of the world as a dietary staple with minimal risks.

Improve your sex life with increased blood flow, agility, and vitality! Here are some tips that will enable you to have better sex:

1. Be fit – It seems so simple, but it’s imperative for a healthy sex life. Get on top of any existing conditions you may have, like high cholesterol or diabetes. Be sure that your prescriptions don’t have any sexual side effects. Eat a diet that’s low in fat and try to get at least 30 minutes of exercise each day. Finally, ensure that you’re getting enough rest. These are easy ways to prime your body to be in peak shape.

People who exercise regularly reap a host of health benefits, but did you know that a better chance of avoiding or kicking addiction is one of them? New research seems to indicate that people who get regular physical activity are less likely to abuse alcohol or other substances, and may be able to quit addictive behaviors more successfully as well.

If you find it’s always difficult to drag yourself out of bed for that 5 AM session at the gym, it may not be that you’re lazy. Having a hard time waking up, especially if you have gotten 7-8 hours of sleep is a typical symptom of an under-active thyroid gland. Other signs are: feeling cold all of the time or having cold hands and feet, foggy thinking, as well as dry skin especially on the heels and/or elbows. The most common complaint I hear is putting weight on easily and then having a great deal of trouble taking it off despite hours of cardio and dieting.

I was recently at an event where a lot of "Hollywood types" were present – models, actors, producers, etc. I overheard an acting and modeling coach extol the virtues of a “detox” diet to a naïve young model. Later, when she expressed that she was anxious to start the diet and lose 15 lbs. in one week, I realized how many people get taken in by these “detox” fads. I wonder if any of them realize that you can detoxify without starving yourself, and you can utilize detoxification tips to help you lose weight and keep it off, rather than just lose water weight.

Do you guzzle a Venti Cappuccino on your way to work? Inhale a Red Bull to get through a late-night lifting session? You may swear by your Starbucks, but that quick boost may not be doing your energy levels any favors.

Almost all of us have experienced heartburn at one time or another. Heartburn is the most common symptom of gastro-esophageal reflux (GERD), also known as acid reflux. Acid reflux occurs when a sphincter called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) at the lower end of the esophagus does not work properly, causing stomach acid to back up in the esophagus. Heartburn, a painful burning sensation in the chest or throat, is the result.

That’s right, ED is not just for the old guys anymore! In fact, I am willing to bet may tribe members and well as some of the hot bods that grace these web pages suffer from ED from time to time.

In a study survey of 234 men aged 18-25 at three Chicago universities headed by Najah Senno Musacchio, MD, of Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago, 13% reported ever having difficulty getting or keeping an erection and 25% reported ever losing an erection while putting on a condom.

While its flu season and many tribe members may be encouraged to take some antibiotics to get better, it is important to consider whether this is really the best course of action. First, colds and the flu are due to a viral infection. Viruses are not killed by antibiotics, only bacteria are. If you do not have a bacterial infection you are not only wasting your time and money, you're increasing the likelihood that a more resistant, more virulent bacterial infection will get a foot hold since you've killed off the weaker as well as beneficial bacteria in the process.

If you’re eating properly and exercising regularly but can’t seem to lose weight or have reached a plateau and can’t get the scale to move any further, you may need some help. I’m not talking liposuction, although that can be helpful especially when there is a problem area rather than just extra fat all over. What I am talking about is internal metabolic derangements caused by hormonal imbalances or toxic element contamination.

I was recently asked a question that I think is worth addressing in an article. A tribe member asked if abstaining from sex, as boxers have been known to do, could increase testosterone levels (making men more aggressive) and also, I assume, increase muscle mass.

Contrary to what you may think, just because the label says "natural" does not mean it’s good for you! High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) does come from a natural source, but it is decidedly NOT good for you!

I’m sure most of you tribal members are at or near the peak of your testosterone levels (YEEEHAWW!!) but some of you have probably begun to exchange hormone levels for wisdom. By that I mean, as we age (and hopefully get smarter!) our hormone levels quite naturally decline and this can have serious consequences in the gym and to our health if untreated. A significant deficiency of testosterone can have just as serious health consequences as a deficiency of insulin.

Usually this natural decline begins to be noticeable in the late 40’s early 50’s but I am often surprised at how low some younger guys testosterone levels are. The right weight training and diet can help boost hormone levels but will not completely prevent this decline.