Whether or not they would like to admit it, most men do not place enough importance on their health. With reasons ranging from not wanting to admit they are feeling ill to just simply not having enough time in their busy work schedules, most men make excuses for not making their health a priority. June is National Men’s Health Month and a great time for every man to evaluate if he is taking the proper steps to ensure not just a longer life, but a more enjoyable life.

Male Menopause

Yes, it’s real and often referred to as andropause. Men encounter the change of life just as women do during middle-age and for some men it occurs as early as their thirties. While men fortunately do not have to experience many of the same symptoms women do during menopause, they do encounter a significant decline in their testosterone levels as they age. Symptoms of low testosterone include: Decreased libido, increased fat content, elevated cholesterol levels, indecisiveness, depressed and irritable moods, loss of muscle mass and strength, loss of initiative and fatigue. Additionally, many men will experience a loss in ambition with their career that they once had in their younger years. Some men, who are as young as their forties, begin to desire retirement. If this sounds familiar then you should strongly consider having your free testosterone levels evaluated. If your levels are below that considered normal for a 20 – 29 year-old then you may benefit from bioidentical testosterone replacement. As with thyroid and other hormone levels, blood tests are certainly not the be-all and end-all for diagnosing low testosterone. If your lab tests come back as “normal”, that doesn’t mean you can’t benefit from bioidentical testosterone replacement therapy. Consider finding a doctor that will diagnose based on more than just the lab results. Additionally, it’s important to note that this is not the same testosterone that is touted in the media as being dangerous. Bioidentical testosterone is molecularly identical to the testosterone naturally produced in the body. However, there is one very dangerous side effect associated with supplementing with bioidentical testosterone; many men get their drive back at work and are a force to be reckoned with. Symptoms often include doubling your salary and running circles around the younger guys at the office.

High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is particularly dangerous because it’s a precursor to several other chronic illnesses such as heart and kidney disease, stroke, and eye damage. If you go to the doctor and are told that you have high blood pressure, you should first ask “Why do I have high blood pressure?” Some common causes for high blood pressure include:

1. Low magnesium levels – Magnesium is a mineral that relaxes the smooth muscles in our arteries, helping to lower blood pressure levels. The majority of men are deficient and should supplement with between 600 – 800 mg daily.

2. Poor nutrition – It’s important to eliminate grains, sugars and simple carbohydrates as diets high in these foods often lead to increased blood pressure levels. An ideal meal contains fruit, vegetables and a lean protein.

3. Extra body weight – In addition to a healthy diet, daily exercise is essential to helping keep your body weight to a normal ranges and thereby helping to lower blood pressure levels.

4. Low levels of vitamin D levels – The sunshine vitamin has been shown to help control blood pressure and prevent artery damage. Make sure to have your vitamin D levels checked by your physician to ensure levels are optimal.

Heart Disease:

Heart disease remains the number one killer in men and unfortunately, many men are turning to cholesterol-lowering drugs, also known as statins, to prevent a heart attack or stroke instead of taking natural approaches to address some of the underlying causes of heart disease. In fact, over half of those who die from a heart attack have normal cholesterol levels. The cause of heart disease is inflammation and damage that causes weakness in the blood vessels. In addition to taking the steps mentioned above for lowering blood pressure, men should consider the following to help protect against heart disease:

1. Hypothyroidism – Dr. Broda Barnes performed a study, which showed a decreased heart attack death rate of 95 percent in patients who received hypothyroidism treatment utilizing natural thyroid hormone – a truly remarkable finding.

2. Vitamin C – This immune system-booster is also great at helping to prevent the deposition of LDL cholesterol in the arteries thereby decreasing the incidence of arteriosclerosis, which is the stiffening of the arteries, and heart disease. We recommend a starting dose of 2,000 mg twice a day.

3. Fish Oil – Omega-3 fatty acids are crucial to maintaining cell membranes throughout the body.

These are just some of the steps men should be taking to protect them from serious illness as well as enjoy a better quality of life. Are you thriving or merely surviving? Don’t place your health on the backburner and make it a priority ever day.