Male Andropause

Male andropause occurs in men aged around 45 and over in response to declining hormone production. In fact, andropause is often referred to as 'male menopause'.

In lots of ways, male andropause is a similar condition to female menopause, but unlike women, men do not have a clear cut signpost such as the cessation of menstruation to mark this transition. Both menopause and andropause however, are distinguished by either a drop in female or male hormone levels.

For men, this means a significant decline in testosterone, human growth hormone (HGH) and dihydroepiandosterone (DHEA) levels. Conversely there is a dramatic rise in estrogen levels. This is distinct from an estrogen deficiency which characterizes female menopause.

Accumulation of estrogen during andropause is amplified by obesity since fat tissue is the site of conversion of both testosterone and DHEA into estrogen.

The undesirable health issues experienced with ageing are directly related to this decline in hormone production.

The physical signs of male andropause can include abdominal obesity, gynecomastia (the development of male breast tissue) and loss of muscle mass.

Other less obvious signs include depression, insulin resistance, fatigue, cardiovascular disease, impotence and low libido.

Added to this, is the increased conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a more potent form of testosterone. For example, this is the type of testosterone that is linked to benign prostate enlargement (BPH). Increased levels of DHT can also lead to hair loss.

Until recently a decline in health was accepted as the inevitable process of ageing. Many men are now discovering that they can maintain optimal health, along with a healthy body composition by making some simple dietary and lifestyle changes to assist healthy hormone balance.

This also boosts vitality and reduces long term health risks.

Cruciferous vegetables, such as cabbage, cauliflower, and broccoli, posses unique phytochemical constituents able to modify hormone balance.

One of the most active of these phytochemicals is the dietary indole, diindolylmethane. Supplemental use of bioavailable diindolylmethane provides the basis for nutritional support to enhance healthy hormone balance to help prevent prostate cancer risk.

Click Here To Download New Research Update on Nutritional Support For Prostate Health by Dr Michael A. Zeligs

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