Testosterone deficiency or TD is exactly what it sounds like, a low amount of testostrone hormone in the body. TD increases with age, but can occur do to lifestyle choices such as steroid use as well. Testosterone levels decrease nearly 0.4% to 2% each year after the age of 30.  Approximately 20-40% of men 45 years old or older show symptoms of low serum testosterone levels. Unfortunately, due to the variety of symptoms associated with TD, diagnosing and treating the hormone imbalance can be difficult. There are several reasons for the decline in testosterone including failure of the testes to produce testosterone, dysfunction of the HPG axis or androgen target tissue, medication or illness Since there are many causes, this lead to multiple classifications of TD. Primary hypogonadism is the most common form of TD. Primary hypogonadism, also known as hypergonadotropic hypogonadism, is an inability to produce testosterone or sperm in the presence of high concentrations of gonadotropins. Causes of primary hypogonadism include infection, medication side effects, toxins, testicular atrophy or testicular removal due to trauma. Secondary hypogonadism, or hypogonadotropic hypogonadism is caused by an alteration in the HPG axis, typically due to pituitary dysfunction or GNRH deficiency. This leads to a reduced level of FSH and LH production—hormones that stimulate sperm production and testosterone release.

A promising treatment for TD is testosterone replacement therapy (TRT).  Testosterone is one of the most common medications in the United States. TRT can be administered in multiple ways, but injection is most common. Oral pills are available, but they are not a preferred method of treatment since they are not very potent and can cause liver damage. Alternative oral medications include tablets that can be applied to the gums or beneath the tongue.  Transdermal patches that can be applied to the skin are another option. However, they are not as popular due to the numerous side effects and body hair upkeep required. The most cost-effective and most used treatment is intramuscular injection. Both long and short acting injections are available. Relatively recently, subcutaneous testosterone pellets have also been approved. These are the longest acting TRT. However, the most commonly used formulation is transdermal testosterone preparations such as adhesive skin patches, topical gels or topical solutions. These therapies are applied regularly and have a quick response rate. As described above, TRT has several benefits including improving sex drive, erectile dysfunction, overall sexual dysfunction, energy level, mood, bone density, decrease body fat and increase muscle mass. Review of the dangers of TRT Just like too little testosterone can have deleterious effects on the body, so can too much testosterone.

A lot of people refer to white carbs such as white bread and pasta as “bad foods,” but what is it that makes them so unhealthy? White carbs or “white foods” are any form of baked goods made with flour that is processed and dyed. Processed flour is produced by stripping the wheat plants of the outermost bran and germ layers and only using only the inner endosperm layer. This is not beneficial because the outer fibrous layer of the wheat plant, which gives brown foods like whole wheat bread their tan color, is a healthy part of the plant. Fiber allows for slower digestion, which results in a lower spike in blood sugar and longer satiety. These “white” products like bread, pasta, desserts, and syrups contain high amounts of sugar and are often fattening, which increases the risk for diabetes type 2 and obesity. Unfortunately, these white carbohydrates are also delicious and addictive. It is easy to eat a whole plate of cookies or a whole basket of bread, as the flavors can often be satisfying. Bread and other baked goods fill the stomach without letting you feel full, making it easy to overindulge in certain foods. What are “Good” Carbohydrates?

While the phrase “breakfast is the most important meal of the day” what makes breakfast the most important meal of the day isn’t as well known. Many studies over the years have shown that breakfast is linked to high performance, high energy, and better metabolism. The body naturally likes to fast and eat at certain times, and by skipping breakfast, we are forcing our metabolisms and dietary habits to take a shift. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day as it can offer more energy, muscle strength, bone strength, thought clarity, brain power, and physical fitness. Why Lack of Breakfast is Bad Without enough intake of fruits, dairy, grains, proteins, and other nutrients, you can be left to feel empty and lethargic all day. After a long night of sleep, blood sugar in your body is often low. You need to replenish it right away in order to feel healthy and energized. Missing breakfast can affect your concentration, energy levels, mood, weight loss/weight gain, metabolism, digestion, and more. Why Breakfast is Important There are a multitude of ways in which breakfast is important for your overall health and well-being: Breakfast kickstarts your metabolism. It helps your body’s blood sugar levels go back to normal, putting your body into full working condition for the rest of the day.

Arthritis can have a significant impact on quality of life, and in addition to prescribed medications, exercise is an integral part of disease treatment and prevention of disease progression. To understand the importance of exercise for arthritis, it is helpful to clarify what exactly the disease does to the body. When paired with other forms of treatment, exercise can be extremely effective in managing and reducing arthritic symptoms. Regular physical activity can result in weight loss or maintenance of weight, which is important for controlling and/or reducing impact forces through the joints. It can also reduce pain due to its analgesic effect on the nervous system. Exercise improves joint health by moving fluid through intra-articular spaces and between layers of surrounding soft tissue. This allows for greater pain free joint range of motion. Individuals with arthritis often develop muscular tightness/stiffness due to the body protecting against pain and dysfunction around a joint. Exercise is important for the health of these muscles as it improves muscular flexibility, hydration, and strength. Cardiovascular endurance is an additional benefit of regular physical activity for individuals with arthritis. Overall benefits of exercising in arthritis: By training the heart and lungs through exercises that challenge the aerobic energy system, Increases blood supply and hydration to muscles and joints Improved energy endurance with daily activities, household chores, and work duties Improved quality of sleep Elevated mood Higher levels of perceived level of function.