Among the many drug ads we are subjected to while watching TV are those to treat “Low T,” or low testosterone, the male sex hormone. If you find your masculinity flagging, not to worry, talk to your doctor about getting testosterone shots or pills to get your motor revving again.
Hormonal problems are quite common in our society. From a wellness perspective, for most patients there is a common denominator: chronically high insulin levels. We all know that sugar will cause insulin levels to rise, but any “carbohydrate-dense” food will do the same. Carbs are, at their core, sugar; starches are simply thousands of glucose molecules chemically strung together. When they are digested, all that sugar is released into the bloodstream, and has to be dealt with by the body.
These chronically high insulin levels, and fluctuating blood sugar levels, can upset the regulation of other hormones. Levels of the stress hormone cortisol go up, with effects such as increased belly fat, poor sleep, high blood pressure, and inability to concentrate. Thyroid levels can be affected, leading to fatigue and weight gain if the thyroid becomes underactive, or anxiety and weight loss if the gland is pushed in the opposite direction. Sex hormones also become unbalanced, leading to low testosterone levels.
This whole series of events can be triggered by a diet heavy in foods that trigger insulin release: processed sugars and grain-based foods. Of course it doesn’t help that we tend to have a lifestyle that involves constant stimulation from a TV, computer, or smartphone screen — or, in some cases, all three at the same time.
From a wellness viewpoint, just taking a pill or shot to raise levels of a hormone is a bit simplistic, especially if the underlying problem is not addressed. Plus, there is no such thing as a drug without a side effect. A study of men who took testosterone therapy showed an almost 6 percent increase in deaths from heart attack and stroke.
Some patients’ low T is due to medication or a disease process. In those cases, it is unlikely the levels can be restored naturally, although wellness care may be able to help.
Improving a patient’s diet will help eliminate the underlying cause of the hormonal imbalance, but if the problems are chronic or severe it usually takes active treatment to restore balance and ease symptoms. We typically begin with acupuncture, because it is very effective at improving hormone balance, easing pain and stress, and restoring a sense of well-being.
We also use supplements to help the body restore testosterone levels. However, because low T is usually a symptom of a problem that affects the whole body, often many systems have to be addressed. This includes the digestive, sugar handling, even cardiovascular systems. One of the most powerful supplements is actually for the adrenal gland, which is responsible for our body’s response to both long- and short-term stress, and also makes the precursors for the sex hormones, including testosterone. Supporting this gland is an important first step in restoring low T levels.
My experience in helping patients improve low testosterone and other hormone imbalances is that in the beginning, they typically lack the energy to start improving their diets. Getting a boost from supplements and acupuncture, along with support, improves success rates a lot. If the patient is successful and is able to eat a healthy, low insulin-stimulating diet for a good period of time, the need for drug treatments is reduced or eliminated.
Dr. Michael Noonan practices chiropractic, chiropractic acupuncture and other wellness therapies in Old Town. He can be reached at noonanchiropractic@gmail.com.