The amino acid L-arginine is considered the most potent Nutraceutical ever discovered, due to its powerful healing properties, and is referred to by scientists as the Miracle Molecule. The remarkable properties of L-arginine were validated by the 1998 Nobel Prize in Medicine, and since then have created a frenzy of interest in the Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical fields.

Medical researchers have gathered enough clinical evidence to bring L-arginine to the forefront of modern medicine as an accepted treatment for a variety of human ailments. The L-arginine phenomen is changing standard treatment methodologies in heart disease, immune function, adipositygenerated diseases, genetic growth deficiencies, high blood pressure, sexual dysfunction, and human aging.

Columbia University refers to L-arginine as the “magic bullet” for the cardiovascular system. Over 10,000 L- arginine citations were compiled by Columbia University researchers in their quest to document the clinical benefits of this simple amino acid. It is now taught to medical students at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.
The Nobel Prize landmark discovery of the functions of Nitric Oxide (NO) elucidated the fact that without NO, human life would be impossible. Even more revolutionary was the irrefutable evidence that L- arginine is the body’s chief source for creating Nitric Oxide.
Twenty years ago, the idea that a simple and humble amino acid could change the face of medicine would have been dismissed. Now, physicians, researchers, and scientists are embracing the effectiveness of Larginine and its use has become mainstream.

BENEFITS & FUNCTIONS The efficacy of Larginine as a therapeutic agent has been validated by thousands of clinical studies.

The benefits and functions attributed to oral ingestion of Larginineinclude:

Precursor for the synthesis of Nitric Oxide (NO)
• Stimulation of the release of the most important antiaging hormone in the body, growth hormone
• Improves immune function
• Reduces healing time of injuries (particularly bone)
• Reduces risk of heart disease
• Natural Alternative to Viagra
• Increases muscle mass
• Reduces adipose tissue body fat
• Helps improve insulin sensitivity
• Helps decrease blood pressure
• Alleviates male infertility, improving sperm production and motility

OBESITY, GH, & L ARGININE
Obesity is characterized by increased levels of insulin (high glycemic foods and drinks) and by subnormal growth hormone (GH) release. Insulin promotes fat and carbohydrate storage while GH stimulates lipolysis (fatburning). The insulin/growth hormone ratio is significantly higher in obese humans than in lean humans. The combination of high insulin and low GH exacerbates the obese condition. L-arginine is the main oral agent responsible for restoration of GH in humans, and administration of 8 to 12 grams of free form L-arginine taken at bedtime on an empty stomach 30 minutes prior to Delta sleep reinstates normal GH levels.
Pharmacology, 1988, 36:2, 106-11
Above information taken from Arginine Research website
Necessary disclaimer: Consult with your physician or other health care provider before taking any new supplements

What is a Bunion? The word bunion is derived from the Latin word “bunio” which means an enlargement. Most typically, this is seen on the side of the big toe joint. To have a bunion most often implies a misalignment of the big toe and the bone (first metatarsal) to which it attaches.

How do you get a Bunion? Bunions are caused by a mechanical weakness that places abnormal stress in the bones and joints of the foot. This condition can be found in children, but is more commonly seen in adults. Shoes can aggravate an existing bunion, yet have not been proven to cause bunions. In fact, the late anthropologist Margaret Meade had observed many members of a South Sea island tribe had bunions and had never worn shoes! Bunions are often seen as hereditary, but it is really the foot type that causes the bunion that is inherited. Other causes of bunions can be neuromuscular disorders, injuries, gout, tumors, and abnormal musculoskeletal stress.

What are the symptoms of a Bunion? There are several presentations of bunion related pain that canexist alone or in conjunction with each other. Symptoms can be divided into bump related pain, big toe joint pain, and associated foot pain. Bump related pain is pain over the bunion (enlargement of the big toe joint) that is worse with pressure. This area can become red and have a soft mass, called a bursa. The pain can even radiate up the foot or down the big toe. This is caused by irritation of the nerves passing through the inflamed area. Big toe joint pain is experienced with motion of the joint; such as walking, running, and jumping. Pain in the joint most commonly indicates arthritis. The severity of the arthritis depends on the severity and duration of the bunion. Associated foot pain can come in a variety of ways. One can develop painful corns and calluses on the big toe, big toe joint, or even under the second toe joint. The second toe joint is commonly affected with pain at the base of the toe or the development of a hammertoe. Painful toenails are another common symptom.

How do you get relief from Bunion pain? There are several things that can be done on your own. First of all, wear a supportive shoe with a roomy toe box. Avoid high heel and pointed toe shoes. Apply ice to the painful area to reduce swelling. Wear a toe spacer and nonmedicated offloading pad. If the pain persists, you should see your local podiatric physician.

What non-surgical treatments are available for Bunions? Orthotics are special insoles that are made
from an impression of the feet along with a prescription designed to restore mechanical balance to the feet and legs. These can be helpful in stopping the progression of the bunion and in alleviating the pain. In cases where there is a very painful bursa or nerve, a steroid injection can reduce the pain and swelling. Prescription nonsteroidal anti- inflammatory medication can also be employed. Physical therapy modalities are often used. These will address the symptom but not the cause. Offloading with special pads and shoe stretching are often helpful.

When do you need Bunion surgery and what does it involve? Many people with bunions require surgical correction if the above options have failed to eliminate the pain. There are many different procedures performed to correct a bunion. Most of these include remodeling and repositioning of the bones involved. Surgical fractures are often created with some type of fixation/immobilization to allow proper healing. Recovery time from surgery varies depending on the procedure performed and the condition of the patient. Patients generally go home the same day as the surgery and can resume restricted activity within three to four days. Under normal circumstances, bone healing occurs within six weeks. Normal activity is resumed approximately ten to twelve weeks after surgery. Physical therapy is used to enhance the healing process. It is important to continue with orthotics after surgery as to prevent reoccurrence of the bunion.

Do you have to live with Bunion pain? No!! Go to your local podiatrist (foot and ankle doctor) and see
what they can do to help relieve your pain, correct the bunion, and restore function of your feet. By Dr. James Kutchback, DPM, AACFAS

Wellness is about a coordinated effort of mind, body, and spirit. Your attitudes about things like food, eating, body image, and exercise can either enhance or interfere with your wellness goals. In working with people with eating disorders, we often see eating attitudes and behaviors that make it impossible to be healthy. Some common examples of disordered eating behaviors include things such as:
• Basing decisions on what to eat, when, and how, entirely on external cues
• Bingeing
• Starvation
• Compensating for food intake in unhealthy ways, including:
vomiting, compulsive exercise, use of laxatives, diet pills and diuretics, basing one’s self- evaluationg on their weight, size or eating patterns. However, even before a person’s behavior reaches the proportions that can lead to the diagnosis of an eating disorder, eating behavior that is distorted can still lead to health problems and interfere with a person’s emotional and physical wellness. In distorted eating, we see the same types of eating behaviors in less extreme forms.
Some examples:
• Moderate use of external cues to control eating – counting calories or fat grams and avoiding certain “forbidden”foods (especially if you like them!)
• Occasional food “binges” created by avoidance and partial starvation
• Compensating for perceived “excesses” with: periods of starvation or restriction and extra exercise dictated by food intake (“torturecise”)
• Basing one’s self-evaluation partially on weight, size, or eating patterns
Therapists working with eating disorders have long understood a terrible paradox that appears in eating disorders. Individuals who engage in eating disorders are almost always trying to ultimately achieve some positive goals. For example, they may be trying to improve their health, or make themselves more attractive, or help deal with emotions (we will cover this topic a little later). The terrible paradox is that in almost every case, the very behavior in which a person engages to try to meet these goals eventually backfires and makes the same problem worse! Sometimes, but not always, disordered or distorted eating behaviors work temporarily (other times they don’t work at all). But in almost every case, they eventually backfire. Disordered and distorted eating leads to: poorer self esteem, more problems in relationships, reducing how appealing or attractive someone is, poorer health, and make emotional issues worse. It is important to know that the negative effects of disordered or distorted eating are not due to not having enough willpower or not trying hard enough. In fact, the reverse may be true! The problems created by distorted or disordered eating (including dieting for weight control) are simply byproducts of how your mind and body react to negative ideas about food, eating, and body size and shape. Trying harder often just means making it even worse.

Eating and Emotions – Most people have had the experience of eating when stressed or emotionally upset. Two basic things set us up for an increase in emotional eating. These are: (a) trying to use food to satisfy emotional needs, and (b) not eating enough in general so we are often hungry. One can think of our appetites for food and our emotional needs as two separate “fuel tanks” . No amount of food will ever fill the emotional tank! The most we can hope for is that a full belly, often too full (but sometimes too empty), will temporarily numb the sensation. Anytime food works as a temporary relief to an emotional need, the emotion returns relatively soon, often with increased intensity. Emotional needs require emotional remedies. All too often, self esteem, especially for women, is tied to the ability to deprive oneself of what one needs! To quote Dr. Ann Kearney-Cooke, “putting your own needs first at times isn’t selfish; it’s necessary to give you the physical and emotional stamina to be there for those you care about.” To feel satisfied, we have to have enough! Deprivation does not help. This includes making sure we eat enough. Scrimping on meals (especially for emotional reasons, such as guilt; or to compensate for eating “too much” at another time) sets up a combination of an emotional and a physical need for food. This combination can easily lead to an episode of out-of-control emotional eating. Again, this is not a question of control or willpower; that “weakness” is a direct byproduct of deprivation!

Healthy Eating and Exercise – Wellness is a direct byproduct of healthy eating attitudes, eating behaviors, and exercise patterns. Scientific research on health, exercise, and eating indicates that eating healthy foods (not dieting for weight control!) and getting enough exercise is far more important for health and wellness than controlling one’s weight. In a nutshell, healthy eating is eating that is directed by your own internal cues of hunger, fullness, and satisfaction. Sometimes, after years of distorted or disordered eating (including weight loss diets), this process may need to be relearned. Learn how to tell when you are hungry for food and when your hunger is for something else. Learn how to tune in to your body to be able to tell when you have had enough. Learn that you can sometimes eat purely for pleasure or to help feel connected.
Healthy exercise is exercise that is reasonable, enjoyable, and sustainable. Focus on what kind of activity you actually enjoy doing. Find that spirit, most often present in children, of moving your body because you like how it feels! Give up using exercise to compensate for overeating or as punishment (“torturecise”). Avoid perfectionism or “all-or-nothing thinking”. Finding reasonable and enjoyable types and levels of activity will help you to keep being active and creates a positive cycle (as opposed to a negative cycle) of health and activity.
Your emotions may be the most important element in the whole process. Positive change is almost always the result of encouragement, self acceptance, and self love; not the result of criticism, self denial, and punitive self control. Understanding and accepting that you already are the best you can be today, is what makes it possible to work energetically and constructively for a better (“weller!”) future!
By Dr. Leonard Bohanon, Ph.D.

In search for ourselves, we often discover that we haven’t known who we are for a very long time, sometimes as far back as childhood. Although the search for meaning and the essence of oneself is harder in society where we have become disconnected from families and relationships, the discovery may reveal that we truly never knew what was important to us, never having learned the skills for putting our needs to the forefront. Through years of assisting individuals and groups to find their essence, the missing ingredient almost always seems to be a positive connection to oneself, which directly affects the ability to relate to others and to a healthy belief in something greater than ourselves, or a Supreme Being.
Some experts suggest that letting go of negative beliefs can happen simply by changing behaviors. I call this the “Monday morning diet syndrome”, or going on the same diet every Monday morning, only to go off of it by Tuesday. Certainly working to change behavior helps, but many times we slip back into our old behavior after a period of time. I suggest the following steps to begin to give up old beliefs:

• 1. ACKNOWLEDGE PAST LOSSES – None of us had the perfect situation during our early years. It is important for us to get past our denial and stop protecting our source relationships. On the other hand, blaming our past will not help us get where we want to be. We have to be accountable for our own happiness and misery. Blame is a defense and part of denial.
• 2. ALLOW YOURSELF TO FEEL – Much negative behavior is an effort to avoid feeling fear, inadequacy, guilt, and other emotional states, which we have labeled negative and don’t want to feel. To counter this we must be willing to feel “through” the feeling.no when you need to and being willing to feel the accompanying guilt or fear of disapproval is a powerful way to reverse negative beliefs.
• 3. IDENTIFY YOUR NEGATIVE BELIEFS – Most of us have three or four core beliefs that drive the behaviors we most want to change. If we can identify them, we can begin to see which behaviors and feelings may be attached to them.
• 4. DEVELOP A SUPPORT NETWORK – No one heals alone. To improve on all accounts we must learn to share our deepest self with others. Love can only come through our willingness to share ourselves.
• 5. HONOR YOUR PHYSICAL BEING – Early in the phases of stress and burnout, our bodies will begin to talk to us. Learn to listen! Take your body back through exercise, quiet time, meditation, healthy eating and stress reduction.
• 6. LET THE CHILD WITHIN YOU OUT – The child within us never goes away, and never loses the need for love, nurturing, attention and play.
• 7. HAVE A SPIRITUAL PROGRAM – Our concept of a power greater than us from childhood may not work for us as adults. Many individuals have to reframe this concept as they begin to grow and find themselves.
• 8. ABOVE ALL, BE HUMAN – Allow yourself the privilege of making mistakes, expressing your humanness, and forgiving yourself. Nothing is more powerful than forgiving ourselves and nothing is more healing. Be patient with yourself. Small increments of change are how most people do it.
  Dell deBerardinis, M.S., speaker, author and psychotherapist

Resveratrol is a type of polyphenol(antioxidant) called a phytoalexin, a class of compounds produced as part of a plant’s defense system against disease. It is produced in the plant in response to an invading fungus, stress, injury, infection, or ultraviolet irradiation. Red wine contains high levels of resveratrol, as do grapes, raspberries, peanuts, and other plants. Red wine contains more polyphenols than white wine because the making of white wine requires the removal of the skins after the grapes are crushed .
Resveratrol has been shown to reduce tumor incidence in animals by affecting one or more stages of cancer development. It has been shown to inhibit growth of many types of cancer cells in culture. Evidence also exists that it can reduce inflammation. It also reduces activation of NF kappa B, a protein produced by the body’s immune system when it is under attack. This protein affects cancer cell growth and metastasis.
The cell and animal studies of red wine have examined effects in several cancers including leukemia, skin, breast, and prostate cancers . Scientists are studying resveratrol to learn more about its cancer preventive activities. Recent evidence from animal studies suggests this anti-inflammatory compound may be an effective chemopreventive agent in three stages of the cancer process: initiation, promotion, and progression.
More interesting facts about Resveratrol:
• Adding resveratrol to the diet of yeast, fruit flies, worms, and increased their life spans up to 70%, 29%, 24%, & 50% respectively.
• Resveratrol made fat related deaths drop 31% in obese mice. The resveratrol fed obese mice also performed much better in movement and agility tests than obese mice not fed resveratrol.
• Mice fed resveratrol had 100% more endurance than mice not fed resveratrol (i.e. they were able to run twice as far on a treadmill).
• Resveratrol inhibits blood platelet aggregation that can lead to dangerous clots that can cause heart attacks and strokes.
The Bottom Line:
You probably have noticed a recurring theme that most beneficial compounds can be found in…….you
guessed it! Fruits and vegetables and nuts! It’s not rocket science.
You’ve heard it all before. You are what you eat folks!
One last comment:
What I’m about to say really deserves a separate, dedicated article, but I must reiterate the importance of vitamin and mineral supplementation, along with your healthy diet. Even if you DO eat the recommended 12 servings of fruits and vegetables a day, you aren’t likely getting all of the nutrients you need.
Two peaches would have supplied the current RDA of vitamin A for adult women in 1951. Today, a woman would have to eat almost 53 peaches to meet her daily requirements! Another study compared data collected in 1930 and 1980 for 8 minerals in 40 fruits and vegetables. The author reported significant losses of calcium, magnesium, copper and sodium in vegetables, and magnesium, iron, copper and potassium in fruits. The foods were also significantly higher in water and lower in dry matter (e.g., fiber ) content. (information obtained from Glycoscience)

Breathing clean air is vital to our health and well- being. Providing fresh, clean air for your family is a priority when evaluating your family’s health with possible lifestyle changes and healthy alternatives. If someone in your home suffers from fatigue, respiratory problems, or mystery ailments, indoor air pollution may be the problem. Most Americans spend 90% of their time indoors.
We hear about air pollution every day and the unpleasant effects can be seen with the growing number of respiratory ailments common in our families. No one is immune; we are a product of our environment and what we put in our bodies. The air we breathe may be causing headaches, dry eyes, nasal congestion, coughing, nausea, fatigue, skin rashes, dizziness, and mental distress. Offices, schools, and homes are filled with suffering occupants who are unaware there is a nature based option for relief without medicines. We grow accustomed to our everyday environment and do not realize the benefits of breathing fresh air until we have the opportunity to experience it personally. Our favorite vacation usually involves the beach, mountains, or a lake where natural purification of the air is at its best.
By re-creating nature’s processes indoors, we can breathe easier and many symptoms are possibly reduced or eliminated. Millions of families over the past 20 years have transformed their lives by focusing on the quality of their air indoors. Pollutants inside our homes are sealed in with our energy efficiency. We must be as smart about handling the indoor air pollutants as we are about energy conservation.
There is a safe, scientifically tested option that has principles developed by NASA to clean the air and prolong the life of plants on space missions and on the International Space Station. Imagine sending the same solution out into your indoor environment to attack the problem by duplicating the natural outdoor air cleansing effects of sunshine and thunderstorms to improve the air quality and kill germs on surfaces. Now there is technology that will sterilize airborne and surface microbes (germs, virus, bacteria, & mold) so you can be proactive to improve the condition of the indoor air in your home 24 hours a day.

The Hotze Insulin Control Formula is designed to help control blood sugar. Doing so increases energy and prevents excess insulin. Insulin is the hormone that directs cells to absorb glucose from the bloodstream. Too much insulin leads to hormonal imbalances, raging appetite, obesity (belly fat), loss of muscle and premature aging. The Hotze Insulin Control Formula aims to correct these health obstacles.
Insulin is the nutrient taxi and it escorts blood glucose (AKA blood sugar) and other nutrients into the muscle cells to be used for fuel. This keeps us alive and energized. Too much insulin however can be detrimental. Excess insulin tells the body to store fat and instead use glucose (blood sugar) for fuel. Basically this shuts off thermo genesis which is the biological phenomenon of converting fat into heat. Without thermogenesis, fat is stored especially in the abdomen region and is unable to be used for energy. This is true regardless of exercise or caloric restrictions.
High insulin also causes many hormonal systems that regulate appetite, mood, energy, muscle growth and even fertility to be thrown out of balance. This imbalance is usually secured long-term by a sugar addition that accompanies excess insulin. Long term high insulin levels lead to a medical condition known as insulin resistance or Syndrome X. This is an epidemic among children and adults in today’s society. The excess insulin numbs muscle cells and muscles cells will no longer react to it. Since the glucose can not gain entry into muscle cells and the glucose remains in the bloodstream causing blood sugar to skyrocket. Glucose overload leads to the clinical diagnosis of depression, premature aging of the skin, hypertension, heart disease, type II diabetes, and cancer.

It is extremely important to get control over elevated blood sugar levels. Most people are unaware that diabetes is the leading cause of blindness, kidney failure, amputations, increased risk of heart attack or stroke, dementia, and a primary contributor to erectile dysfunction.
The components of the Hotze Insulin Control Formula are:
Banaba Leaf The Banaba leaf is a medicinal plant that grows in India, Southeast Asia, and in the Philippines. It has been used for thousands of years in the Philippines for blood sugar control. (if allergic to members of the Lythraceae family avoid using products with the Banaba leaf). The Banaba leaf contains colosolic acid, which activates glucose transport into the cells, resulting in a reduction of blood sugar.

Green Tea The green tea has also been used for a very long time. It has been used as a medicine in China for at least 4,000 years. The secret of green tea lies in the fact it is rich in catechin polyphenols, particularly epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). EGCG is a powerful anti-oxidant: besides inhibiting the growth of cancer cells, it kills cancer cells without harming healthy tissue. It has also been effective in lowering LDL cholesterol levels, and inhibiting the abnormal formation of blood clots.

Cinnamon USDA research indicates that Cinnamon reduces the amount of insulin necessary for glucose metabolism. Furthermore, Cinnamon has been shown to stimulate glucose uptake and glycogen synthesis to similar level as insulin.

Ginger Root The Ginger helps increase absorption and circulation of the nutrients. Many obese and diabetic people have a difficult time with nutrient uptake and circulation.

Suggested Usage: 1-2 capsules 15- 30min before each meal. Supplement
Facts Per Capsule: 495mg Proprietary Blend: 1% banaba leaf, cinnamon 10:1, whole herb green tea polyphenols 8:1, ginger root 4:1. (NOTE: NO FILLERS IN THIS PRODUCT!)

Note: If you are on insulin or other medications that lower blood sugar (hypoglycemics), consult with a health practitioner in order to properly gauge your use of natural hypoglycemics. Also avoid if on anticoagulant/antip latelet drugs as banaba has been shown to produce antithrombin activity.

Many factors affect one’s sex drive. They include:
• Testosterone deficiency (male or female)
• Progesterone or Estrogen deficiency
• Stress/Fatigue/Depression
• Certain medications (e.g., anti-depressants)
• Birth control pills
• Poor Self-image (e.g., due to weight gain)
• Strained relationship
• Painful intercourse (e.g., due to vaginal dryness)

Low libido is often dismissed by doctors, but it is a serious concern for many people. It can strain relationships, leading to stress, which everyone knows will adversely affect the body. Stress, over time, negatively affects your immune system, which in turn will predispose you to all types of disease. If low libido is affecting your relationship, please read on.

HORMONES: More often than not, improving one’s libido requires addressing several causative factors simultaneously. It may take several months to tackle all of them, but it can be done. First, you should be evaluated for the need for supplemention /replacement with hormones. And when we say hormones, we’re strictly talking about the use of bio-identical hormones, NOT synthetic ones. In our practice, we’ve found that blood tests for diagnosing hormone deficiencies are rarely helpful. Normal ranges for hormones are large and can often be misleading. It’s much more useful to diagnose based on one’s symptoms.

If you take an ANTI-DEPRESSANT, it’ll be important for you to address the underlying causes of your depression, so that you’ll have a chance to successfully wean off your antidepressant. Antidepressants are used to mask the symptoms of depression, but certainly aren’t going to cure your problem. Hormonal deficiency is a very common cause of depression. Many of our patients have successfully weaned from their antidepressants after being on our wellness program for only a short period of time.

POOR SELF-IMAGE: If you feel your libido is down because of a poor self-image, then now’s the time to get up and do something about it! If you’ve gained weight and haven’t been able to lose it on your own, seek help. There are many support groups (e.g., weight watchers, TOPS, overeaters anonymous) and they can be the key to success. If you are too scared to walk into a gym, then go outside and just walk. Walk up and down the stairs. Run circles around your kitchen island. Do jumping jacks in front of the TV. Just do something. You should also consider being evaluated for a hormonal imbalance, as this could be working against you.

STRAINED RELATIONSHIP—Hmmmmm. There’s not enough progesterone or testosterone on Earth to make up for a bad relationship. Consider counseling. I’ve seen it make a huge difference in the lives of many people. Maybe you are harboring some subconscious resentment towards your mate, and you don’t even realize you’re being passive aggressive. The first step to recovery is admitting there’s a problem.

PAINFUL intercourse will certainly affect one’s libido. If you suffer with vaginal dryness, there are treatments. If you suffer with vulvodynia/vaginismus (if you don’t know what these words mean, then you probably don’t have these conditions or at least you haven’t been diagnosed with them yet), there are treatments for these as well. Biofeedback may help.

STRESS and FATIGUE are common contributing factors to low libido. You must take time for yourself. Take a day off, get a babysitter and plan a date with your mate. If life is dragging you down, your problems run much deeper than libido. Addressing the fatigue is certainly a good place to start. Increasing energy levels often requires addressing several issues simultaneously. We encourage you to read our article on stress as well.

Other ways to enhance libido include various herbal blends you can find on the internet (e.g. Avlimil), certain foods (e.g.chocolate), and novelty (e.g. hotel getaway).

If you are concerned about low libido and the effects on your life, contact us for more information or to schedule an appointment with our medical staff.

Testosterone. If a man is aggressive, then we say he has too much of it. If a man is too indecisive we say he needs more of it. Usually, we say this in jest. But did you know that testosterone imbalance is an important factor in the way we feel? Did you know it also affects women (and I don’t mean because they have to deal with the men)? That’s right! Women may also have deficiencies in testosterone. So, man or woman, how do you know if you have a testosterone imbalance? If you have any of the following symptoms, you might want to get your testosterone levels checked (and remember, lab values are just one clue. Normal ranges for hormones are very large, so falling within normal range can be deceiving!):

• fatigue
• depressed and irritable moods
• loss of muscle mass and strength
• decline in sex drive and performance
• decline in mental sharpness
• increased body fat around the waist
• lower sperm counts
• diminished stamina and endurance
• lack of motivation and goals
• loss of initiative and assertiveness

The following is a retrospective analysis by researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center published in The New England Journal of Medicine finding NO causal relationship between testosterone replacement and prostate cancer or heart disease risk.

The comprehensive review of 72 studies, addresses the current controversy about testosterone replacement therapy and its potential health risks to men. “We reviewed decades of research and found no compelling evidence that testosterone replacement therapy increases the incidence of prostate cancer or cardiovascular disease,” said Abraham Morgentaler, MD, a urologist at BIDMC and associate clinical professor at Harvard Medical School. “Although it would be helpful to have data from long-term, large-scale studies, it must also be recognized that there already exists a substantial body of research on the effects of testosterone in men.”

Low levels of testosterone affect an estimated 2 to 4 million men in the United States, a condition termed hypogonadism, and the prevalence of this condition increases with age. The symptoms include diminished libido and sense of vitality, erectile dysfunction, reduced muscle mass and bone density, depression, and anemia.

The causes of hypogonadism may be classified as primary, meaning inadequate function of the testes; secondary, inadequate pituitary stimulation of the testes; or a combination of primary and secondary causes, which is common in older men. Testosterone supplementation, in the form of injections, patches, gels and a buccal tablet, is designed to elevate a hypogonadal man’s testosterone levels into the normal physiologic range and alleviate symptoms. “Testosterone is only for men who have symptoms of low testosterone combined with a confirmatory blood test. Testosterone therapy can be beneficial and safe for these men as long as they are appropriately monitored by their physician,” says Morgentaler.

It has been known since the 1940’s that severe reductions of testosterone can cause shrinkage of metastatic prostate cancer, and therefore there has been a concern that raising testosterone levels might cause growth of any hidden prostate cancers. However, the study by Ernani L. Rhoden, M.D., and Morgentaler found no connection between higher testosterone levels and prostate cancer, nor did they find evidence that testosterone treatment causes prostate cancer. In fact, they note that prostate cancer becomes more prevalent exactly at the time of a man’s life when testosterone levels decline. To date, prospective studies have demonstrated no difference in prostate cancer incidence among hypogonadal men using testosterone therapy compared to men in the general population.

Regarding benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), multiple studies have failed to demonstrate consistent exacerbation of voiding symptoms during testosterone supplementation. “The impact of testosterone therapy on benign prostate growth appears to be mild,” says Rhoden, “and rarely of clinical significance. However, testosterone therapy should be used cautiously in men with severe urinary symptoms.”

Monitoring the prostate during testosterone therapy is mandatory, given the theoretical concern that testosterone treatment may stimulate the growth of an occult cancer. Before and during treatment men should undergo regular evaluation, with a digital examination of the prostate, and a blood test called prostate-specific antigen (PSA). Patients with an abnormal prostate exam or an elevated PSA should undergo a prostate biopsy before initiating testosterone replacement to exclude the possibility that cancer is present. To monitor BPH, they recommend determining a base-line voiding history at the start of treatment and assessing urinary symptoms at follow-up.

The belief that testosterone may be a risk factor in cardiovascular disease is based on the observation that more men than women have cardiovascular events and men have higher testosterone levels than women. However, Rhoden and Morgentaler write that few, if any, data support a causal relation between higher testosterone levels and heart disease. Indeed, several studies suggest that higher testosterone levels may actually have a favorable effect on atherosclerosis and heart disease. Studies of testosterone replacement therapy have not demonstrated an increased incidence of cardiovascular disease, myocardial infarction, stroke, or angina, according to the retrospective analysis.

Rhoden and Morgentaler describe other potential risks or side effects from testosterone replacement therapy as infrequent (acne or oily skin, sleep apnea); rarely of clinical significance (fluid retention); or reversible with cessation of treatment (gynecomastia, testicular atrophy or infertility). Testosterone treatment should be used cautiously or not at all in men with advanced liver disease. Skin reactions are commonly encountered in men being treated with the patch with a low incidence observed with testosterone gel.

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center is a major patient care, teaching and research affiliate of Harvard Medical School, and ranks third in National Institutes of Health funding among independent hospitals nationwide. BIDMC is clinically affiliated with the Joslin Diabetes Center and is a founding member of the Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center. BIDMC is the official hospital of the Boston Red Sox. ” – Marty Querzoli | Source: EurekAlert! Further information: www.bidmc.harvard.edu/

It is hard to stick to a healthy eating plan with visions of sugar plums dancing in your head or tables full of Christmas sweets. It is hard to avoid being around “bad” food during Christmas, but there are a few simple ways to stay healthy and keep that yeast from taking over your body during the holidays.
The easy solution is not to go to any Christmas parties or any relatives houses. But since most of us want to actually enjoy the holiday season, we have to find a way to stick to our program when faced with sweet tempations.
At the Christmas party as the wine is being poured, feel free to have one glass…..the rest of the night use that cute little wine glass to drink water out of. You will find that water is a lot more tasty when consumed in a fancy glass. If wine isn’t your weakness, chances are its chocolate.
If you are invited to a party, offer to bring an extra dessert or just show up with one as a nice gesture. Make the dessert yeast free. Most likely no one will be able to tell, especially if you make the yeast free Hot Fudge dipping sauce. Bring that along with some fruit for dipping. Then when you are staring down a table full of sweets, there is something you can actually eat.If sweets aren’t your thing, perhaps it is just the need to “graze” at parties on all the cheese and crackers. Survey the whole table. Find the meats and go with those first. If there is a little cheese or some kind of spread, it is okay to partake as long as you add some protein and keep it minimal.
The biggest problem over the Christmas season is overeating. Be wise. Eat in moderation. And if Christmas Eve or Day you find yourself unable to resist the temptation, eat what you want. Just don’t overdue it. Try eating yeast free the whole week leading up to Christmas….then if you cheat on Christmas day it won’t be hard to start over yeast free the next day.
Most importantly, try to relax and have a very Merry Christmas!