10 Dec
Hormones

Mental Health in Men: Impact, Biological Mechanisms, Testosterone Therapy and Its Role in Treating Depression and Anxiety

Depressive disorders, including major depressive disorder (MDD) and dysthymic disorder, are significant mental health challenges, characterized by persistent low mood, negative thoughts, and chronic fatigue. These disorders have profound personal and societal consequences, with the World Health Organization (WHO) recognizing depression as the leading cause of disability worldwide. Despite the availability of various pharmacological and psychotherapeutic treatments, around 30% of individuals with depression do not achieve sustained remission, even after multiple interventions. This treatment gap has spurred interest in exploring alternative therapies, including hormonal approaches like testosterone therapy, particularly for men. In this article we will investigate the biological mechanisms of depression, and how testosterone fits into those mechanisms. This helps to gain a better understanding of the biochemistry and endocrinology of testosterone and its effects on the brain and body. We will then go on the look at testosterone in clinical practice for men in the context of depression.

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03 Dec
Diabetes, Exercise, Hormones

Testosterone Replacement Therapy Improves Metabolic Biomarkers and Can Reverse Type 2 Diabetes

In this article we will be reviewing studies that investigate the impact of optimal testosterone on metabolic markers such as fasting glucose, fasting insulin, HbA1c, and triglycerides (explaining the importance of these markers as we go). We will look at a meta-analysis, one study from this meta-analysis and then a large study on using testosterone for the treatment and prevention of type 2 diabetes. As we dissect this literature we will also look at optimal dosing regimens and why some of the studies do this sub optimally.

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01 Nov
Hormones

Understanding Testosterone: Defining Low Testosterone

Thresholds for Low Testosterone: The term “low testosterone” generally refers to levels that fall below a clinically accepted threshold, typically assessed through measurements of total testosterone.

Total testosterone is widely used due to its routine availability, although free testosterone represents the biologically active portion that enters cells and is often considered more indicative of functional testosterone levels.

Guidelines: Looking at the British Society for Sexual Medicine Guidelines on the assessment and management of testosterone deficiency in adult men, the threshold for low testosterone is 12 nmol/L. The guidelines note that the diagnosis of symptomatic TD requires the presence of characteristic signs and symptoms, plus reduced serum concentrations of total testosterone (TT) or free testosterone (FT). These are widely used guidelines amongst clinicians in the UK treating testosterone. It’s important to note that testosterone deficiency should always be treated in the presence of signs and symptoms.

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18 Jun
Hormones

Understanding Testosterone (Part 1)

Testosterone is a steroid hormone that plays a crucial role in various bodily functions, from muscle growth to cognitive health. It is essential for both men and women, but it’s often associated with masculinity and male characteristics. This article delves into the world of testosterone, its functions, regulation, and the controversies surrounding testosterone replacement therapy (TRT).

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10 Oct
Brain Health, Supplements

Optimizing Brain Health with DHA, B Vitamins and Lifestyle

In recent years the spotlight has shifted to the critical roles played by B vitamins and DHA (omega-3) in brain health and preventing cognitive decline. Studies collectively indicate a connection between the levels of B vitamins and omega-3 and their influence on cognitive decline and brain atrophy. To put it simply, it’s likely that both are necessary for DHA to be effectively integrated into neuronal membranes for optimal functionality.

In the 2020 Lancet Commission report, an extensive examination of dementia was conducted with an aim to determine the preventable proportion of this condition. Their estimation concluded that 40% of dementia cases could be prevented, considering various risk factors like physical activity, body composition, diet quality, smoking, hearing loss (which can be seen as a reduction in cognitive demand), and educational status.

It’s worth noting that this estimate might be conservative, as certain factors like sleep and nutrient status, especially homocysteine levels, were not factored in. Some experts suggest that these factors alone could contribute to a population attributable risk of approximately 20%.

In this article we delve into the mechanisms by which B vitamins, in tandem with omega-3, impact heart and brain health, as well as strategies for harnessing their benefits.

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02 Oct
Exercise

Strengthening Hip Muscles for Injury Prevention

In my relentless pursuit of optimal physical fitness and injury prevention, I’ve learned the hard way about the importance of targeting specific muscle groups that are often overlooked in traditional training regimens. As a passionate and dedicated runner, I’ve experienced firsthand the consequences of neglecting certain muscle groups. My journey sheds light on the significance of focusing on the often-neglected hip muscles, specifically the hip abductors and flexors, to prevent injuries and maintain peak lower body health.

The Neglected Muscles: In the world of running, it’s all too common to become one-dimensional in our training, focusing primarily on building strength in the quadriceps, glutes, and hamstrings while unintentionally neglecting the hip abductors. This neglect can lead to the development of a tight tensor fasciae latae, causing excruciating IT band pain. My personal experience and research findings from studies available on PubMed have illuminated the undeniable association between weak hip abductors and a range of lower extremity injuries. These injuries can include hip fractures, knee injuries, and even ACL tears, emphasizing the importance of holistic training.

The Crucial Role of Hip Flexors: Among the often-overlooked hip muscles are the hip flexors, specifically the psoas and iliacus muscles, collectively known as the iliopsoas. These robust muscles play a vital role in lifting your leg when you stumble, helping to save you from a potential fall. Recent studies, such as one conducted in South Korea, have revealed a significant decrease in the volume of the psoas muscle in elderly individuals who’ve experienced hip fractures. This eye-opening finding has further emphasized to me the critical importance of maintaining both the strength and flexibility of these hip muscles to prevent potentially life-altering injuries.

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03 Aug
Exercise

The Lowdown on Exercising for Longevity

There is a powerful treatment that effectively delays the onset of death and preserves healthspan. This treatment is called exercise, and no other treatment or drug rivals its ability to prevent chronic illness.

The problem: it requires consistent effort and commitment over time and the myriad benefits of exercise cannot be packaged and sold as a medication. However, the long-term benefits of regular exercise, such as improved cardiovascular health, lower blood pressure, stronger muscles and bones, and better mental health, far outweigh the effort required to maintain an active lifestyle. These benefits also reduce the reliance on medication to prevent chronic diseases from developing.

The emerging science of longevity and optimising healthspan has seen increasing interest in both scientific and public forums. Much of the hype around longevity has surrounded advances in biology, with suggestions that pharmacological agents could target cellular aging processes and slow aging. There is little evidence to suggest this. There is however, evidence that exercise impacts both lifespan and healthspan. This becomes increasingly evident when reviewing the scientific literature on the impact of exercise on health parameters associated with aging.

The beauty of exercise is that it targets the whole human synergistically: from cellular processes through to multiple body systems and organs. The outcome of the right exercise prescription is an upgrade toward superior physiological and anatomical health. This upgrade comes with countless benefits, including suppressing the pathogenesis of all the major leading causes of death e.g. cardiovascular disease and cancer.

In this extended article on endurance training for longevity, I’ll be breaking down the profound effect of improving cardiorespiratory fitness on lifespan.

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