Are the physical problems
of men different from women? Not much! Both men and women are victims of
atherosclerosis (clogging of the arteries). Men often have events that are
consequences of this earlier in life than women, such as heart attacks and
strokes. Even after menopause, when women's death rate from heart disease
increases, it's not as great as men's.
"Tom" is a 42-year-old man, sent to me by a cardiologist. He had
already had a minor heart attack and was diagnosed with three-vessel diffuse
coronary disease. This means there were multiple small lesions clogging
the blood vessels. The doctors could only offer him a by-pass surgery every
five years. His treadmill test showed that he had decreased blood flow to
the heart muscles. He also had high cholesterol. After working with me for
six months, his treadmill test was normal and he went back to jogging without
chest pain. This does not mean his blood vessels are now perfectly clear.
But it most likely does mean that we were able to increase the openings
in the blood vessels by at least ten percent. A ten percent increase in
the diameter of a blood vessel doubles the blood flow through that vessel.
And this may be a sufficient increase for his latest treadmill test to show
that there is now adequate blood flow to the muscles of the heart during
exercise.
"John" is a 70-year-old retired professor who had single vessel
coronary disease. He came looking for alternatives to invasive treatments.
After seven months of treatment, his treadmill test and cholesterol returned
to normal. Simply put, clogged arteries are caused initially by damage to
the arterial wall. This damage is caused by "oxidative stress"
from chemical compounds coming into the body and others that are made by
the body itself. Most people know that cigarette smoking, for example, increases
the rate of clogged arteries. |
This is because the smoke contains not only tar and nicotine, but also
additives from the cigarette companies, plus the pesticides and herbicides
sprayed on the leaves of the tobacco plants, which in turn may include
heavy metals such as arsenic! Other toxins include air pollution, water
pollution, pesticides and herbicides in foods, alcohol, household chemicals,
work chemicals, new construction, new carpet, new paint, office machines,
and on and on. The list is seemingly endless.
These chemicals also cause changes in male hormones. When there is an
excess of chemicals in the liver, including alcohol, testosterone can
be changed into estrogen. Yes, men also have estrogen but in small quantities.
The balance of estrogen to testosterone can change in this situation when
too much testosterone is converted to estrogen in the liver. This creates
a relative deficit of testosterone. When testosterone is low, men may
experience a lack of goal orientation, reduced sexual drive, erectile
dysfunction, moodiness, decrease in muscle mass and even, over time, osteoporosis.
"Alan" is a 42-year-old busy corporate executive who came to
me with complaints of fatigue, weight gain, irritability, reduced sexual
drive, and high cholesterol. Alan was not a heavy drinker, but on average
had two drinks with dinner each night. When we measured his testosterone
levels, they were slightly low but his estrogen levels were very high.
After four months of treatment, Alan was smiling. Everything was working
again, as it is intended to work!
Ulcers and indigestion are also far too common in men. "Paul,"
a retired insurance agent came to me with the complaint of having a "stomach
ache every day for the last five years!" He was taking standard acid-lowering
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medication, but this was only partially effective. He still
had to lie down for at least 2-3 hours per day because of the high level
of discomfort.
Because this patient was so miserable, I immediately prescribed a low
food allergy diet for him. He had trouble believing that food allergies
could be the source of his problem, but he was willing to try anything
after years of daily pain. Two weeks later, Paul was back in my office,
reporting with great pleasure that he had had only one stomachache since
our last visit-and that was after the single time he strayed from his
diet!! He was pleased and very excited, and was able to put aside his
acid-lowering medication. Not only does he feel great, but also he now
has the benefit of having stomach acid again. Stomach acid is very important
for digestion. It helps break down proteins; the acid tips off the pancreas
to produce digestive enzymes, and the acid kills some of the swallowed
bad bacteria and parasites. Paul's energy has increased and he is really
starting to enjoy his retirement.
And so there are two messages in all of this: both my male and female
patients are unique, wonderful in their own ways, no gender more or less
compliant than the other, or more troublesome or cooperative. Each man
and woman is searching for good health, and it is an honor for me to be
their guide.
The second message is that there is always hope, as these brief case histories
suggest. Hard as it may seem to be, you can stop smoking, lower your blood
pressure and high blood cholesterol, lose weight, and engage in an active
life style that will serve you well on many levels.
Do you doubt any of this is true? Come
see me! Let's talk about it.
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