Although a healthy male may be producing sperm well into his 80s, declining testosterone levels can affect men as early as their mid-50s, causing symptoms like fatigue, weakness, irritability, forgetfulness, depression and loss of sexual desire or function.
There are natural alternatives to testosterone-replacement therapy and prescribed antidepressants that do little to treat the underlying cause.
Instructions
1. Get the right supplements and make lifestyle changes. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its metabolites are steroidal precursors needed for the production of both male and female hormones. DHEA production in the adrenal glands declines after age 30. Vegetable sources are commonly derived from Mexican yams. DHEA benefits arteries, bones and memory. Check with your healthcare professional for dosage information.
2. Apply progesterone cream daily to the skin to reduce excess estrogen in the male body. Estrogen suppresses production of testosterone. Used regularly, Progesterone cream shrinks enlarged prostate. Your local compounding pharmacy can help you obtain a proper prescription.
3. Take supplemental melatonin, which has been shown to improve sleep. (Melatonin production declines with age.)
4. Take herbs that benefit male hormone balance and prostate health, including Saw Palmetto Berries, Nettle Root and Pygeum, an African tree. Follow manufacturers' directions. Nettle Leaf Tea and parsley also nourish the kidneys and urinary tract, and can be taken abundantly. Raw pumpkin seeds have prostate-cancer-fighting properties, and since zinc deficiency is linked to prostate cancer, supplements of this mineral may be beneficial.
5. Make lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, limiting alcohol consumption and getting regular exercise to help maintain healthy hormone balance. A diet that includes healthy Omega-3 fats and raw fruits and vegetables provides nutrients and fiber for overall good health.
Tags: hormone balance, lifestyle changes