These 5 Factors May Cause Erectile Dysfunction Symptoms

We get it – erectile dysfunction is an embarrassing problem. Don’t worry, you are not alone. Erectile dysfunction symptoms are faced by most men as they age.

Fortunately, there are various erectile dysfunction treatment options available. But first, your doctor must determine why the issue is occurring.

In this article, we will discuss various erectile dysfunction causes, including:

Stress and depression
Tobacco use
Other medical conditions
Medication side effects
Sleep disorders

Occasional erectile dysfunction symptoms affect nearly every man at one time or another. However, if your symptoms are persistent, keep reading to find out 5 surprising factors that might be causing your erectile dysfunction.
Let’s jump right in.

1. Stress and Depression

Our interconnected world is more stressful than ever. These days, a lot of men cannot truly relax since work demands are just a text or email away.

But did you know that stress also affects erectile function?

And that’s not all. When a man has difficulty obtaining or maintaining an erection on one occasion, he may start worrying about the ability to achieve an erection the next time around. This snowball effect of anxiety just makes the situation worse.

Furthermore, stress and depression often go hand in hand.

With that, men suffering from depression may also struggle with ED. Unfortunately, some antidepressant medications can cause or exacerbate ED. Sometimes, it is a chicken or egg matter, as depression may cause ED, while antidepressants lift mood but not penises.

2. Quit Smoking: Erectile Dysfunction Tobacco Use

a man breaking a cigarette after finding out one erectile dysfunction cause is from smoking — Breaking the habit can help more than your lungs

It’s no secret that smoking cigarettes poses serious health risks. From lung cancer to heart disease, smoking is responsible for millions of deaths and severe illnesses each year. Add ED to the list of side effects of smoking.

But how does smoking cause erectile dysfunction?

It’s simple – smoking affects blood flow. Over time, smoking damages blood vessels, which further inhibit the ability to achieve erection.

Why?

In order to have a successful erection, an unblocked source of blood flow must be readily available.

And what’s worse?

In addition to ED, smoking can also damage sperm! So men who want to become fathers have a better chance of impregnating their partner if they give up cigarettes.

We have some good news: men who quit smoking can enjoy firmer erections and faster arousal. And we’re not stopping there. Although arousal for men who quit smoking was up to five times faster than smokers, that didn’t affect the time to ejaculate.

3. Medical Conditions May Worsen ED

Unfortunately, erectile dysfunction symptoms may be an initial sign of other medical conditions, including diabetes and heart disease. Other such conditions may include:

Hormonal disorders
Hypertension
Nerve disorders or damage
Pelvic trauma
Prostate cancer
Psychiatric disorders
Scleroderma

That being said, if ED persists, it’s time to visit a physician. Sometimes, the cause of ED is more serious than impotence, and prompt treatment can prevent or cure the underlying condition.

4. Medication Side Effects

Certain medications can result in ED. These include prescription and common over-the-counter medications.

Wondering what to do if erectile dysfunction starts after the use of a new medication?

First, check with your doctor to see if ED is a possible side effect. Next, tell your physician about all drugs and supplements you take, because some interactions may cause ED. Your doctor can work with you to find a suitable drug that doesn’t cause erectile problems, but don’t stop taking a prescription medication without consulting your healthcare provider.

Common Medications with Erectile Dysfunction Side Effects

According to Harvard Medical School, about 25 percent of ED results from medication side effects. The most common drugs involved include treatments for:

Acid Reflux

Cimetidine, a medication marketed under the brand name Tagamet, is an H2 blocker used for the treatment of acid reflux. It is also the drug for this condition most likely to cause ED, so speak with your doctor if ED develops after using this medication.

Cancer

Certain types of chemotherapy drugs used for cancer treatment may cause ED.

When it comes to cancer, whether or not a drug may cause ED is a secondary consideration for doctors. The good news is many men will regain erectile function once their chemo regimen is over.

Hypertension

Also known as high blood pressure, hypertension is called “the silent killer” because many people cannot feel its effects.

Untreated, high blood pressure can lead to stroke, heart attack and other cardiovascular ailments. Hypertension is very common in men with ED, and they are 38 percent more likely to have this condition than men for whom ED is not a concern.

There are many anti-hypertensive drugs on the market, and some types are less likely to cause ED than others. For example, beta blockers and diuretics appear to trigger ED more than ACE inhibitors, calcium channel blockers or alpha blockers.

Your doctor can determine which is the best alternative medication for treating your high blood pressure if ED results, or try changing the dosage of your current drug to see if that makes a difference.

Heart, Kidney, or liver failure

Men diagnosed with heart, kidney or liver failure are often prescribed diuretics, also called water pills. Diuretics encourage the voiding of water and sodium from the body via the urine.

Overactive bladder

As men get older, overactive bladders or incontinence may force them to remain within a reasonable distance of restrooms. The anticholinergic drugs prescribed to treat these disorders may regulate the bladder, but have a negative effect on erections.

These medications are also used for treating Parkinson’s disease and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

Pain

Opioids prescribed for pain are well-known for a host of side effects, including ED. Even over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen or naproxen, may cause erectile issues.

Other Medications That Cause Erectile Dysfunction

Other drugs that cause ED include the baldness drug Propecia and antihistamines like Benadryl.

In the case of Propencia, ED is a known side effect for a small number of patients. For those men, this causes a real dilemma, as they are taking the medication because they are unhappy with their bald pates. Other hair growth drugs are available, so discuss your options with your doctor.

Over-the-counter Benadryl may relieve stuffy noses and sinuses, but can also affect erectile function. Suspect these drugs as the culprit if ED surfaces while you are battling allergies or common cold symptoms.

While they work well at blocking the histamines causing an allergic reaction, histamines are also necessary for strong erections. Keep in mind that some over-the-counter sleeping medications include antihistamines.

After a change in medication or dosage, remain patient. Erectile dysfunction symptoms might not disappear immediately, but may resolve within a few weeks.

5. ED Linked to Sleep Disorders

Last but not least, sleep disorders can also cause ED. Not to mention, sleep disorders aren’t uncommon as people get older.

Along with feeling tired, stressed, or cranky during the day, regular lack of sleep impacts testosterone levels. Men with obstructive sleep apnea, one of the most serious of sleep disorders, are especially prone to ED. Sleep apnea treatment may relieve erectile dysfunction symptoms.

Erectile Dysfunction Treatment at AgeRejuvenation

Sometimes, lifestyle changes can fully restore erectile function. These changes include:

Avoidance of alcohol or recreational drugs
Stress reduction
Customized diets
Exercise programs to lose weight

Because of extensive marketing, most men are familiar with erectile dysfunction pills such as Viagra or Cialis. However, there are other, more natural methods of treating ED.

These include non-invasive PulseWave RX, an acoustical wave device improving blood flow to the penis; the Penile shot, utilizing the patient’s own platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for penile cell rejuvenation; used in conjunction with PRP.

If oral drugs present side effects, some men opt for Trimix, an injectable combination of three medications which can provide a man with an erection lasting 30 minutes or more. Trimix can help resolve ED regardless of the cause.

Are you ready to stop erectile dysfunction symptoms in their tracks?

Contact AgeRejuvenation today at 888-865-8370 and schedule a FREE consultation.

How Hormone Treatment Can Prevent Breast Cancer

If menopause is making you miserable, you should probably consider using hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for symptom relief. Perhaps you are reluctant to take the HRT plunge because of reports that this therapy can increase the risk of developing breast cancer. While standard HRT in women may increase breast cancer risk, that is not the case with bio-identical HRT, the only HRT AgeRejuvenation uses. Not only does bio-identical HRT help prevent the development of osteoporosis, macular degeneration, diabetes, heart disease, and other common conditions of aging, it is less likely to boost the odds of developing breast cancer. It may even play a preventive role.

Women’s Health Initiative Study

In 1991, the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) study, conducted by the National Institutes of Health, enrolled 160,000 women aged 50 to 79 to address health problems resulting in morbidity and mortality in this group. The WHI found that HRT consisting of estrogen/progestin therapy, used in women who still had their uteruses, increased breast cancer risk.

However, for women who had hysterectomies, and used estrogen HRT alone, a decrease in their breast cancer risk occurred. The results of the study caused the WHI to stop the estrogen/progestin HRT study in 2002, and the estrogen-alone HRT study in 2004. The overall use of HRT dropped significantly among women suffering the side effects of menopause.

Years later, a principal investigator of the WHI study, Dr. Robert Langer, said the initial results linking HRT to breast cancer were “misleading and distorted.”

Bio-identical HRT

Standard estrogen HRT consists of hormones created from pregnant mare’s urine. Synthetic progestins found in standard HRT may increase breast cancer risk. It is a one-size-fits-all type of HRT, taken off the shelf and given to the patient.

That is not the case with bio-identical HRT, derived from natural sources such as yams and soy and custom-tailored for each patient at a compounding pharmacy. While standard HRT differs from a woman’s natural hormones, bio-identical HRT is identical on the molecular level to the hormones produced by the body. That means your body cannot tell the difference between the estrogen formerly produced by your ovaries and bio-identical HRT. The bottom line is that the chemical structures of standard and bio-identical HRT are very different, and comparing one to the other is similar to comparing apples and oranges.

Estriol

In pregnancy, estriol is the primary type of estrogen involved and is produced by the placenta and fetus. No matter their ethnicity, women who give birth before the age of 20 have a 50 percent lower lifetime breast cancer risk, and estriol may prove responsible. Estriol studies in rats have shown a reduction in mammary cancer.

Considered the weakest of the three estrogens produced by the body – the other two are estradiol and estrone – estriol is often found in bioidentical HRT.

Lower Breast Cancer Risk

One study found that “physiological data and clinical outcomes demonstrate that bio-identical hormones are associated with lower risks, including the risk of breast cancer,” as well as being more effective than standard HRT.

Bio-identical HRT at AgeRejuvenation

If you would like more information about the benefits of bio-identical HRT, contact AgeRejuvenation today at 888-865-8370 to schedule a free consultation.

Physiological vs. Psychological Erectile Dysfunction

There are many common factors that can cause physiological and psychological erectile dysfunction in men.

Did you know that 20% of men over the age of 40 will experience erectile dysfunction in their lifetime?

Did you know that 67% of men over 70 will experience ED?

What does all of this mean?

It means that a good portion of men, at some point, will run into this issue in their lifetime. That’s why you should not only be prepared but also know that, like many problems, there is a solution.

For some men, ED will occur once in a blue moon, but for others, it will occur enough times for them to be concerned about their sexual health.

When men have ED, just about 80% of the time there is a physiological cause. That means that for about 20% of men, the cause of their ED is psychological.

Psychological Origins

The psychological origins of erectile dysfunction can be pretty varied. Some of the most common psychological origins are relationship issues, depression, stress, as well as negative sexual experiences.

But no matter the cause (psychological or physiological) there’s always an underlying psychological impact. There is good news, though! The good news is that ED is treatable! The sooner men seek out help from a medical practitioner and expert, the sooner ED can be resolved.

Psychological Erectile Dysfunction Causes

Psychological erectile dysfunction is a condition caused by, you guessed it, psychological factors; these factors include struggles to maintain or get an erection.

There are a number of factors that cause ED:

Stress
Depression
Guilt
Low body image
Relationship issues
Anxiety
Performance anxiety

The most common psychological causes of impotence is performance anxiety. Performance anxiety is dangerous because it’s self-perpetuating. The more anxious a man gets about performance, the less able he is to perform; the less able he is to perform, the more anxious he is about whether he can perform… and so on. This can lead to a continuous loop that perpetually feeds itself.

Sometimes, issues at work, financial strain, or stress related to just about any area of life can have a dramatic effect on sexual performance. Loss of self-esteem, overall tiredness and poor eating habits are well-known signs of depression – and ED is commonly caused by depression.

A pattern that you may be noticing with psychological causes of ED is that they are self-perpetuating.

Physical Impotence Causes

Unlike psychological impotence, physical impotence can naturally happen due to both medical concerns or aging that both can affect genital blood flow.

For example, these medical issues that can affect ED include:

Type 2 diabetes
Cardiovascular issues
Pulmonary problems

Erectile problems are most common in elderly men – though this may not be the whole story. Two of the most common causes are lower levels of testosterone, as well as reduced blood flow to the penis.

A recent study showed that 25% of patients seeking first medical help for ED were younger than 40 years old. What does this mean? This isn’t just an issue for older men.

Erectile Dysfunction and Medication

A recent study in the Journal of Sexual Medicine concluded that ED medications can cause dependence; subsequently, the medication user may come to feel that erections are unachievable without such medication.

Common erectile dysfunction drug use can make it difficult to overcome ED and thus cause issues with restoring much-needed confidence. Also, such medications can take away from sexual activity’s spontaneity.

Treatments are Available

The great news is that there are many treatments available to help males both in terms of physiological erectile dysfunction and psychological erectile dysfunction.

Things like weight loss programs and HRT can help you restore your confidence, sex drive and self-esteem.

There are also many treatments for physiological ED:

PulseWave RX treatments
Exosome Cell treatments
PRP treatments

These treatments can help restore your sexual performance without having to rely on medication.

If you have questions or concerns about ED, then be sure to contact us at AgeRejuvenation or give us a call at 813-558-9500. We offer erectile dysfunction therapy to our clients to help them restore their confidence again.

Sources

Adam Wiggins, Peter N. Tsambarlis, George Abdelsayed and Laurence A. Levine, A treatment algorithm for healthy young men with erectile dysfunction, BJU International, (2018).

Cook R. Erectile dysfunction often has a psychological basis. The Conversation. http://theconversation.com/erectile-dysfunction-often-has-a-psychological-basis-57822. Published September 30, 2018. Accessed November 5, 2018.

Gila Bronner and Itzhak Z. Ben‐Zion, Unusual Masturbatory Practice as an Etiological Factor in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Sexual Dysfunction in Young Men, The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 11, 7, (1798-1806), (2014).

Yan‐Ping Huang, Bin Chen, Feng‐Juan Yao, Sheng‐Fu Chen, Bin Ouyang, Chun‐Hua Deng and Yi‐Ran Huang, Weaker Masturbatory Erection May Be a Sign of Early Cardiovascular Risk Associated with Erectile Dysfunction in Young Men Without Sexual Intercourse, The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 11, 6, (1519-1526), (2014).

How the HCG Diet Works

The HCG diet requires you to take a daily dose of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin also known as HCG. It’s available in injections, pellets, sprays, oral drops, and pills. The HCG is best known as the hormone produced by the placenta during pregnancy.

HCG consists of 244 amino acids and was first discovered to assist with weight loss by Dr. ATW Simeons, a British endocrinologist, when he learned that it played a critical role in controlling women’s metabolism.

The HCG Diet is a pro-hormone that helps the body produce more hormones. Since a hormone deficiency or imbalance is usually part of the reason for weight gain, whether it’s your thyroid, menopause, or andropause, this hormone can help reverse the effects.

HCG is a hormone in which the body can produce naturally. HCG causes the body’s metabolism to change and triggers the body to burn abnormal fat for energy. The presence of this hormone in the body (combined with a specialized diet plan) can result in a ½ lb to 1 lb fat loss per day.

According to patients, the HCG hormone reduces feelings of hunger. Because this is also a low-calorie diet this allows them to eat very little comfortably. It is believed that the presence of the HCG hormone in the bloodstream takes away your appetite.

HCG Diet and Muscle

One of the benefits of HCG injections, aside from weight loss, is that it keeps you from losing muscle while you diet. By elevating the hormone levels in your body, including testosterone, the HCG hormone creates a muscle-building state which counteracts the muscle-breakdown state.

This sets the HCG diet apart from other weight loss systems because typically during a fast, dramatic weight loss with crash dieting, there is a high amount of muscle that is lost, which the type of weight that you want to lose. Because muscle is heavier than fat, it may look like you have had a dramatic weight loss when in reality all you’ve lost is muscle. When you lose muscle, it sets you bad from your weight loss goals because it’s bad for your body, shape, and metabolism. The metabolism slows so much that you’re at risk of regaining the weight you’ve lost quickly, often regaining all the weight that was lost and then some. It also will take quite a bit of time, effort, and work to build back the muscle that has been lost.

What Can You Eat On An HCG Diet?

Because of the low-calorie intake, the diet substantially restricts fat. It is recommended that you eat some fruits, such as oranges, strawberries, apples, and red grapefruit. For veggies, it is recommended that you eat nonstarchy vegetables, like lettuce, celery, cabbage, cucumbers, onions, and tomatoes. And finally, when it comes to meat it is recommended that you only eat lean meat and fish, this includes chicken breast, lean ground beef, shrimp, lobster, and white fish.

HCG Diet Recipes

Here at AgeRejuvenation, we have tons of HCG diet recipes that can help you create wonderful meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner that are healthy, delicious and easy-to-make. Check out our HCG recipes today.

Pumpkin Protein Pancakes – Check out these amazing tasting pumpkin protein pancakes. These pancakes aren’t just healthy and full of protein, they’re also delicious!
Zucchini Cakes with Salmon – This HCG recipe is healthy and filling.
Low Carb Egg Curry – You can’t beat this low-carb HCG recipe!

Additional HCG Hormone Benefits

According to the HCG Diet website, there are numerous additional benefits when you start the HCG diet. For instance, rheumatic pains can decrease within a few days of an HCG treatment and this allows patients to interrupt prolonged cortisone treatment. This interruption is key due to the disadvantages and negative effects associated with prolonged cortisone treatment.

High cholesterol has also been known to decrease with the introduction of the HCG hormone, helping to lower overall blood pressure. HCG usage has been proven to help patients with gout pain, even if levels of blood uric acid are increasing during treatment.

The overall lowering of blood pressure was also a significant discovery when it came to the use of HCG. When a woman with high blood pressure became pregnant, her blood pressure would often drop quickly, before slowly increasing once again after pregnancy. However, studies showed that their blood pressure never got back up to the same levels it was at before pregnancy.

HCG Diet at AgeRejuvenation

Remember that results may vary by individual, consult your doctor today or if you have questions about how the HCG diet works, be sure to stop by one of our offices today or give us a call about diets and recipes at 888-865-8370 to learn more! We have tons of resources right here to help you along your weight loss journey.

BRCA Testing for Breast Cancer

Breast cancer affects approximately one out of every eight women over a lifetime, but some women are more vulnerable than others. The majority of women do not develop breast cancer due to a gene mutation, but between 5 and 10 percent of breast cancer patients do have a mutation of either the BRCA 1 or BRCA 2 genes. Women with BRCA mutations tend toward earlier cancer development than those in the general population. That is why BRCA testing for breast cancer is imperative.

According to the National Cancer Institute, roughly 70 percent of women with these gene mutations will go on to develop breast cancer. BRCA mutations also greatly increase the likelihood of ovarian cancer. Just 1.3 percent of women eventually are diagnosed with ovarian cancer, but if the BRCA mutation is present, as many as 44 percent of those affected will suffer from ovarian cancer.

BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 Genes

The function of the BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 genes is tumor suppression. These genes produce proteins that repair damaged DNA, but a mutation can mean that such damage goes unrepaired.

BRCA Testing

BRCA testing involves the doctor taking a saliva or blood sample from the patient and sending it off to a laboratory for analysis. Expect to receive the test results in about one month. If the tests are positive, meet with a genetic counselor to discuss the results and your options. Keep in mind that if the BRCA tests are negative, that does not mean you will not develop cancer, but that your risks are likely the same as the general population.

BRCA Candidates

BRCA tests are not standard tests for most women. However, if you have a history of breast or ovarian cancer in your family, or have been diagnosed with these diseases, these tests will reveal whether you have a genetic predisposition toward these types of cancers.

Risk factors for a BRCA mutation include:

Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry
Breast cancer diagnosis before age 45
Cancer in both breasts
Family history

The BRCA mutations also affect men, increasing the risk of prostate and pancreatic cancer. A history of these diseases in close male relatives may indicate BRCA mutations.

Prophylactic Mastectomy or Oophorectomy

For those whose BRCA tests come back as positive, you have options going forward. While a positive result does not mean a woman is guaranteed to develop breast or ovarian cancer, it does mean the odds increase significantly. A positive result also means the woman may pass the mutation to her offspring, and that any full siblings have a 50 percent chance of sharing the mutation.

Women with no sign of the disease may opt for prophylactic mastectomy – surgical removal of the breasts –or oophorectomy, removal of the ovaries. The latter is generally a minimally invasive procedure performed via laparoscopy. If a woman chooses mastectomy, she may have a breast reconstruction procedure started at the same time.

Although both procedures contain risks, prophylactic mastectomy may reduce breast cancer development by 90 percent, with oophorectomy reducing ovarian cancer development by approximately the same amount.

12 Top Causes of Breast Cancer

With few exceptions, doctors aren’t really sure what causes breast cancer, a disease affecting one of every eight women over their lifetimes. However, there are various risk factors that can increase the likelihood of developing breast cancer, and some of them are under your control. The bad news is that many of these risk factors are not something you can act on. Here are 12 top causes of breast cancer.

Top Causes of Breast Cancer and Risk Factors

Genetic Mutation

Women with a BRCA 1 or BRCA 2 gene mutation have a greater risk of developing breast cancer, but they account for a small percentage of those with the disease. Those with a family history of breast or ovarian cancer should consider BRCA genetic testing.

Early Menstruation

Women whose menstrual cycles began before age 12, and in whom menopause was relatively late, are at greater risk for breast cancer due to longer hormonal exposure.

Increasing Age

Older women are more likely to develop breast cancer than younger females. Breast cancer is most often diagnosed in women aged 50 and up.

Alcohol Consumption

Excessive alcohol consumption can raise the odds of developing breast cancer.

Previous Breast Cancer

Unfortunately, if you have been diagnosed with breast cancer once, you are statistically more likely to develop breast cancer again. That also holds true if you were diagnosed with certain other breast conditions, such as atypical hyperplasia.

Postmenopausal and Overweight

After menopause and the loss of estrogen as the ovaries shut down, many women experience weight gain. Excess weight in postmenopausal women raises the risk of breast cancer. A healthy diet and good exercise program keeping you at a normal weight improves health overall, in addition to lowering the breast cancer risk.

Cigarette Smoking

While cigarettes have long been known to cause lung cancer, smoking also increases the chances of breast cancer development. Quitting smoking is one of the healthiest things you can do for yourself – and you will save a lot of money.

Night Shift Work

People who work at night rather than standard daytime hours may experience hormonal changes, and there is some evidence that these changes may increase breast cancer risk.

Chemical Exposure

There are many chemicals deemed carcinogenic, and breast and other cancers may result from such exposure.

Reproductive History

Women who never had children or who did not have their first child until after age 30 are considered at higher risk for breast cancer. If you are a mother but did not breastfeed, that also raises the risk slightly.

Lack of Physical Activity

Even if a woman is not overweight, if she is unfit her chances of breast cancer increase. A regular exercise program or daily long walks can help reduce this risk and benefit all aspects of health.

Standard Hormone Replacement Therapy

The use of standard hormone replacement therapy to reduce menopausal symptoms increases breast cancer risk. Standard estrogen replacement therapy is derived from pregnant mare’s urine. The use of plant-based bioidentical hormone replacement therapy does not raise the risk of breast cancer and may lessen it.

Why Leaky Gut and the Thyroid Don’t Work Well Together

What is a Leaky Gut?

When the human intestines are healthy and functioning correctly, they act as both a barrier and filter for our bodies. They essentially are supposed to allow nutrients to be absorbed in the gut but to block any toxins that may be circulating within the body. When the intestines are not working properly, it can cause the body to absorb the toxic substances into the bloodstream and may result in inflammation as your body attempts to attack these foreign invaders. Factors that may cause intestinal permeability can include food sensitivities, stress, and nutrient deficiencies. Patients may be experiencing symptoms such as chronic inflammation, joint pain, foggy thinking or bowel diseases. Learn more about leaky gut.

Gut and Thyroid Connection

There is a strong correlation between thyroid and gut health. Studies have shown that low thyroid hormones can lead to leaky gut and poor gut health can suppress thyroid function. Optimal digestion actually helps to tame the antibodies associated with autoimmune conditions such as Hashimoto’s and Graves.

Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis

Characterized by the immune system’s attack on the thyroid gland, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is one of the most common autoimmune diseases. Women often experience Hashimoto’s more often than men but both may complain of symptoms such as unexplained weight gain, fatigue, or hair loss.

Studies have shown the prevalence of autoimmune thyroid disease in patients with celiac disease was about four times higher than that in the general population. In a study with Dutch patients, researchers found that of 184 patients with celiac disease, 21% of them were positive for a thyroid disorder.

What can you do?

Studies have clearly shown the link between Hashimoto’s and gluten intolerance. A study published in the Journal of Digestive Diseases and Sciences found that in patients with celiac disease, intestinal permeability returned to normal in 87% of people who followed a gluten-free diet for over a year. Improving your diet and being conscious of what foods you are consuming can help treat your leaky gut.

Eating items such as processed foods, too much sugar, and foods you are sensitive to can worsen your leaky gut. By eliminating these products as well as gluten from your diet, you can help reduce the inflammation in the body and allow the gut to heal.

Eliminate known foods that cause sensitivities or intolerances and stay away from pesticides and processed vegetable oils. Typical problem foods you may want to eliminate include:

Wheat
Dairy
Eggs
Nuts
Soy
Alcohol
Caffeine

While you eliminate these problem foods, you should also be adding foods into your diet to help heal the gut lining. Focus on adding in fibrous fruits, veggies, and beans to help enhance butyrate production.

Foods high in Omega-3’s can help reduce inflammation in your intestinal cells and consuming bone broth can help the cells to stay strong. Foods to focus on should include:

Unprocessed meat and seafood
Healthy fats from coconut oil, high omega-3 foods, olive oil, and avocado.
Non-starchy veggies such as leafy greens
Fresh fruits

It is vital to focus on stress management while also changing your diet to help prevent any further digestive problems. Try avoiding stressful people and situations and find proper stress coping mechanisms to deal with any stress heading your way. It is also important to drink plenty of water and get your sleep!

After you have eliminated the common problematic foods, you can try to re-introduce certain ones back into your diet. Reintroduce one new food into your diet every 3 days and take note of any reactions your body has.

Foods to reintroduce can include eggs, nuts, dairy or alcohol/caffeine, just make sure to only introduce one at a time. If you experience any symptoms after introducing a specific food, stop consuming it for good until you’ve spoken with a practitioner or nutritionist.

How AgeRejuvenation Can Help

Patients often complain of thyroid disorder symptoms and do not feel better after speaking with their primary care physicians. This is typically because most practitioners will prescribe a synthetic T4 for hypothyroid patients.

This approach will not work for patients who have trouble converting T4 to T3 and most will feel better when both T4 and T3 are replaced. It is important to work with a hormone clinic that specializes in thyroid disorders, such as AgeRejuvenation, in order to figure out exactly what is going on so that we can get you feeling better.

We do in-depth bloodwork to get these answers and then our practitioners can come up with an individualized treatment plan for treating your thyroid concerns. Working alongside the practitioner, our nutrition team can help you incorporate a diet into your lifestyle that will help improve thyroid and leaky gut symptoms.

Incredible Uses for Apple Cider Vinegar

Can you believe that there is one natural product that can benefit your home, health, beauty/hygiene, and diet? And it might already be in your pantry!

Apple cider vinegar is a kitchen staple that has numerous health benefits. Some of its uses include cleaning, washing hair, preserving food, health care, and improving skin function. It can also be used in all sorts of recipes, including salad dressings, soups, sauces, hot drinks and more.

History of Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar, a common cooking ingredient, has been used since ancient times as a form of medicine. In fact, around 400 BC in Greece, Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, prescribed apple cider vinegar mixed with honey to treat a variety of illnesses.

The power of apple cider vinegar comes from its properties, including acetic acid, malic acid, potassium, magnesium, probiotics, enzymes, and polyphenols.

Because it is anti-bacterial, anti-septic, anti-viral, and anti-fungal, apple cider vinegar has many amazing uses.

Uses for Apple Cider Vinegar

1. Accelerates Weight Loss

Some short-term studies have shown that consuming apple cider vinegar may help you eat fewer calories, lose weight and reduce belly fat.

2. Serves as an All-Natural Household Cleaner and Odor Neutralizer

It’s said that apple cider vinegar can eliminate bad odors. You can try it out by diluting apple cider vinegar with water to make a deodorizing spray. This creates a natural home remedy alternative to odor neutralizers.

3. Cures Colds and Sore Throats

It’s thought that its antibacterial properties help kill off the bacteria that could be causing your illness. If you try this home remedy make sure that you gargle with diluted apple cider vinegar.

4. Heals Poison Ivy and Bug Bites

According to VeryWell Health, if you have mosquito bites, poison ivy, or jellyfish stings, a weak apple cider vinegar solution dabbed onto bites and stings may help itching and irritation.

5. May Reduce Warts

Apple cider vinegar is supposedly a natural remedy for getting rid of warts. It’s likely effective for removing warts from the skin due to its acidic nature.

6. Serves as a Natural Conditioner for Shiny Hair

According to Healthline, an apple cider vinegar hair rinse is said to remove product buildup, detangle and add shine to your hair.

Try mixing 1 part apple cider vinegar with 1 part water and pour the mixture over your hair. Leave it in for a few minutes before washing it out.

7. Is a Natural Deodorant and Mouthwash

Wiping your underarms with diluted apple cider vinegar is said to be a homemade alternative to commercially produced deodorants. Additionally, its antibacterial properties may help with bad breath.

8. Regulates Blood Sugar and Fights Diabetes

Apple cider vinegar is claimed to help diabetics control their blood sugar levels.

Some studies have shown that consuming vinegar after a high-carb meal can improve insulin sensitivity by as much as 34% and reduce blood sugar levels significantly.

9. Repels Fleas and Ticks on Your Pets

It’s thought that spraying a mixture of 1 part water and 1 part apple cider vinegar onto your pet will create an environment that fleas won’t want to hang around in.

10. Soothes Sunburn

Apple cider vinegar can be added to a cool bath or mixed with cool water and lightly spritzed on affected areas to relieve pain and discomfort.

Additional Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar

Eases Varicose Veins
Eliminates Candida (Yeast) Overgrowth
Fights Seasonal Allergies
Promotes Healthy Detoxification of the Liver
Treats Acid Reflux and Other Digestive Ailments
Kills Fungus on Toes and Skin
Lowers Blood Pressure and Reduces Cholesterol
Maintains Your Body’s Alkaline pH Level
Provides Skin Toner for Eczema and Acne
Relieves Sinus Congestion

Incorporate Apple Cider Vinegar Into Your Diet

Apple cider vinegar is available as a liquid and in supplement capsules. There is no standard dose for ACV supplements, so follow the package directions and check with your healthcare provider.

To reap these benefits, don’t reach for just any apple cider vinegar on the shelf. Make sure you’re buying organic, unfiltered and unpasteurized apple cider vinegar.

Also, look for cloudy vinegar, which indicates the presence the friendly enzymes and bacteria that promote healing. And make sure to dilute the vinegar, which is highly acidic, with water before use!

Call AgeRejuvenation today to learn more about how to incorporate apple cider vinegar into your diet.

Individual results vary by patient. Ask your AgeRejuvenation practitioner about your specific health concerns.

Harmful Household Items You Need To Know About

According to the rules of toxicity, anything can be toxic at a certain dose. While it is impossible to avoid every toxin and potentially harmful substance around us, we can still do our best by staying educated to help reduce exposure. The combination and formulation of chemicals affect their toxicity level. Many products are not regulated by law to disclose all ingredients or disclose the results of tests on things that can cause us harm.

Harmful Household Items

There are many unknown dangers around our home, most of which we have no idea can be harmful to our health. Here’s a list of common household items that truly put you and your health at risk.

1. Nonstick Cookware

Most non-stick cookware utilizes polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) coating which is what prevents sticking. At high heat, PTFE turns into toxic Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). PFOA cannot be metabolized by the body. This can have harmful effects on the endocrine and immune system as well as the liver. PFOA can also cause numerous types of tumors.

Instead of using cookware with PTFE, try to find cast iron, stainless steel, or lead-free ceramic.

2. Furniture Polish

Many furniture polishes purchased in store have formulations containing formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is an alleged carcinogen as well as a known skin, nose, and eye irritant. Formaldehyde can also cause headaches.

An all-natural (and cheaper) furniture polish can be made at home by combining 2 parts olive oil, 2 parts vinegar and 1 part lemon juice.

3. Toilet Bowl Cleaner

Many toilet bowl cleaners contain hydrochloric acid, or also known as HCl. This chemical is poisonous if ingested, specifically damaging to the liver. HCl can be eroding to the skin and irritating to the eyes. If inhaled, HCl will cause irritation to the respiratory tract.

A homemade, safer alternative would be to combine vinegar and essential oil in a small spray bottle. Spray mixture in and around the toilet, while pouring some inside the bowl. After allowing the mixture to sit for several minutes, sprinkle baking soda in and around the toilet. Then scrub toilet and wipe off with a wet rag.

4. Old Mattresses

Sometimes we fall in love with our mattresses and the comfortable spot we have spent years imprinting into it. What we don’t realize though are the other things that we have put into it. Over time a large amount of body oils, bodily fluids, and dead skin can seep into your mattress. Dust mites and millions of other microscopic bugs can make themselves comfortable in our mattress as well.

Recommendations of when to replace mattresses can vary from 4-15 years. Many factors affect this such as average amount of use, exposure to bodily fluids (accidents with child, night sweats etc.), and if the mattress has been flipped (pillow top mattresses generally are not made to be flipped). All of these should be taken into consideration when assessing mattress toxicity and when to replace. A mattress pad or protector can limit the accumulation of these toxins on your mattress and extend its life expectancy.

5. Plastic Food Container

Many plastic food containers are comprised of bisphenol A (BPA), a class of chemicals known as phthalates. Tiny bits of plastic can get into our food from containers during a process called “migration” or “leaching”. This occurs most when microwaving food in these types of containers, which most of us do.

Most BPAs act as an endocrine disrupter, meaning it can affect our hormone production. This can have a variety of negative impacts on your health. These are susceptible to travel from the packaging to food and into the body. Studies have found that the migration of BPAs in plastic amplified with storage time can sometimes reach up to more than 50 times the normal amount.

A safer alternative would be to use reusable glass or ceramic containers to store food. Ideally reheating these foods on the stove or in the oven.

6. Antiperspirants

Antiperspirants cause more harm than good. Sweat is one of the body’s natural methods of releasing toxins. Antiperspirants not only block this release, but can store and introduce new toxins into the body.

Active ingredients in most antiperspirants include an aluminum-based compound. These compounds are what stops the flow of sweat from surfacing on the skin by forming a plug in the sweat duct. Some research finds that these can be absorbed by the skin and have an estrogen-like effect, which disrupts the hormonal balance.

A safer alternative would be to use a natural, aluminum-free deodorant like Schmidt’s, Native, or Arm & Hammer Natural Deodorant.

7. Soy

Soy has been mentioned in all types of health claims – good for you, bad for you, consume a lot, consume a little, or should it be completely avoided? Although these claims are debatable, it is a fact that over 90-95% of soybeans in America are genetically modified. Genetically modified foods, commonly referred to as GMO, have been linked to a multitude of health problems.

Soy contains a high concentration of isoflavones which are a type of phytoestrogen, meaning an estrogen found in plants. Phytoestrogens function is similar to human estrogen however, its effects are weaker. These isoflavones can bind to receptors in humans causing either weak estrogenic or anti-estrogenic reactions. Although a weak reaction, this binding has been linked to multiple health issues including kidney, bone, cardiovascular disease and as well as some cancers.

There are new products being introduced regularly that provide a great alternative to soy. For example, there are now oat, almond, and coconut milk products for people who are looking for dairy free alternatives to soy.

8. Canned Soda

The nutrition facts on a soda can are quite disturbing when taken into consideration. Full of sugar and empty calories, soda does not serve much of a purpose besides tasting good. The majority of the calories come directly from the high fructose corn sugar content. A single can contains the equivalent to ten sugar cubes. This is in one can.

Think about how easy it is to drink one can of soda and go for the next. Highly acidic soda can eat away at the enamel on your teeth and be extremely harsh on your digestive system. You would need to drink 2 liters of water to dilute the acidity of just one can of soda.

Infused water with lemon, mint, cucumber, and fruit can be a great, healthy alternative for a flavorful beverage.

9. Cosmetics and Hygiene Products

There are currently no labeling laws governing or demanding the disclosure of which chemicals and compounds are in cosmetics or hygiene products. Companies make their labels quite appealing and may boast that they are animal cruelty-free or have been clinically tested or proven.

While these are great steps to take when creating products, it does not mean that they are not dangerous to us. Harmful chemicals can be found in everything from hair sprays to baby lotions.

Another concern can be when hair products are heated with blow dryers or straightening irons where VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds) can be formed. VOC’s then turn into gases or vapors that are easily inhaled. These can cause irritation to your eyes, nose, and throat, organ damage, and some are even potential or known carcinogens.

10. Lice Shampoo

Lice are small insects that spend their entire life living in our hair and sucking our blood. So it only makes sense that we would want to try to get rid of them as quickly as possible. Using strong chemicals seems necessary when trying to rid a head and your household of lice.

Many lice shampoos and products contain active and inert ingredients that can be toxic, especially to children. Risks of active ingredients are often understood and accepted, but we cannot neglect to mind the inactive ingredients as we cannot assume that just because an ingredient is inactive does not mean it is nontoxic.

There are many natural lice treatments and preventatives including white vinegar, olive oil and tea tree oil that are also effective and much safer.

11. Laundry Detergent

Similar to cosmetics, manufacturing companies are not required to list all ingredients. Laundry detergents can have a variety of ingredients that can be irritants and toxic. Dyes, fragrances, and brighteners can all contain harmful ingredients.

Diethanolamine is a common ingredient in laundry detergent that is a suspected carcinogen and irritant. Dyes and optical brighteners often utilize non-natural compounds and do not serve any purpose beyond aesthetics. Many of these compounds are not biodegradable. “Fragrance” is often a term used for a combination of inorganic molecules used to create a pleasant scent.

Baking soda can actually be used as a cheap and easy alternative to store bought laundry detergents, vinegar can be added before the final rinse to lighten fabric as well.

12. Air Fresheners

Air fresheners are utilized all around us: in offices, living spaces, bathrooms, and cars. A typical air freshener emits over a hundred different chemicals. Products typically have warning labels to avoid inhaling the vapor contents. Typically, we think of this warning referring to an excessive amount, but even then, we have to consider what impact low dose long term inhalation can have.

The earth provides us with a plethora of natural air fresheners. Flowers, spices and herbs can be displayed or boiled to provide a natural air freshener.

13. CFL Light Bulbs

Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) bulbs recently became all the craze for their energy savings benefits. While the cost and energy efficiency cannot be denied, neither can the dangers. These bulbs contain mercury, a potent neurotoxin. When bulbs are broken, the mercury vapor is released.

It is habit to toss a burned-out bulb into the trash, not realizing or remembering that these bulbs need to be properly disposed of similar to batteries. It is important to learn proper disposal procedures of these bulbs, while also taking care while cleaning up if one is accidentally broken.

14. Pet Food/Byproducts

Reading nutrition facts and ingredients on pet food products is just an important as reading them for ourselves. Many pet foods contain animal byproducts. Animal byproducts are the “leftovers” of a slaughtered animal that they are using for food purposes. Animal byproducts can include feet, organs and undeveloped eggs.

While organs can be nutrient dense, other byproducts can cause health issues. They can be especially dangerous for us if coming from a country with different meat industry practices as we can get salmonella and more from our dogs.

If unable to afford pet food completely byproduct free, it would help to find a product with byproducts not listed in the first few ingredients.

15. Prescription Medication

Prescription medication is such a common aspect of life in the era we live in. The dangers of prescription medication are also an accepted common factor. If you have a problem, there is almost always a prescription for it. However, this help usually does not come without the trade of side effects, which are usually negative. And such the vicious cycle goes.

Although there is a need for use of some prescriptions, focusing first on a healthier lifestyle can greatly reduce the need for most prescriptions. Healthy diet, regular exercise, and the use of herbs, spices and essential oils should all be used as a first line of offense and defense to many health issues.

16. Batteries

Similar to CFL light bulbs, the dangers of batteries are typically related to breakage and improper disposal. It is the wonderful combination of chemicals, and their reactions, that create the energy from batteries that are also the things we need to be concerned of. These materials include acid, lead, nickel, lithium, cadmium, alkaline, mercury and nickel metal hydride. So it is important to take care when storing and disposing of batteries.

Make Your Health A Priority

We are surrounded by toxins – while some level of exposure is unavoidable, being mindful and educated can greatly reduce our risk for ourselves and the people around us. If you need help making your health a priority, reach out to us today to schedule a no-cost consultation

The Benefits of Nitric Oxide

Exercising and keeping physically fit is essential for good health, and nitric oxide supplementation can make a critical difference in stamina and muscle-building. While long known for these qualities, researchers are discovering even more nitric oxide benefits. Supplements do not contain nitric oxide per se, but the compounds within them aid the body in producing nitric oxide.

Via a simple saliva test, it’s possible to show patients how their nitric oxide levels change in real-time during workouts.

Nitric Oxide

Found throughout the body, nitric oxide molecules perform a variety of critical functions. These include:

Widening of blood vessels, or vasodilation
Boosting the immune system
Regulating the life and death of cells
Transporting nutrients

The increased blood flow provided by nitric oxide sends additional oxygen and nutrients to muscles during exercise. This allows for more energy production, promoting training and athletic performance.

Enhanced Performance

Various studies have shown the nitric oxide supplementation improves performance in runners, swimmers, and cyclists. Exercise tolerance increases in most athletes after supplementation, which is one reason why many elite and everyday athletes are nitric oxide devotees.

Less Muscle Soreness

Along with enhanced performance comes less muscle soreness post-exercise, thanks to nitric oxide. The most intense muscle soreness may not appear until 24 to 72 hours after a strenuous workout. Nitric oxide supplementation may reduce such delayed-onset muscle soreness by as much as 40 percent. The type of exercise and the supplement dosage may affect the ability of nitric oxide to decrease soreness.

Nitric Oxide and Erectile Dysfunction

Because of its positive effects on the cardiovascular system, nitric oxide supplementation can help alleviate erectile dysfunction. The penis requires nitric oxide for muscle relaxation. Once the internal penile muscles relax, chambers become engorged with blood and erection results. While not as effective as prescription ED medications, nitric oxide is safe with few, if any, side effects.

Nitric Oxide and Skin Health

Nitric oxide supplementation provides advantages beyond cardiovascular health and exercise. For those suffering from inflammatory acne may find that slow-release nitric oxide particles not only kill Proprionobacterium acnes, the acne-causing bacteria, but inhibit subsequent inflammation.

Lowering Blood Pressure Naturally

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is known as “the silent killer,” because most people cannot tell their blood pressure is high, or may not realize headaches or other warning signals are blood pressure-related. Over time, untreated hypertension can lead to heart attack, stroke or kidney disorders.

Nitrate, found in dark, leafy greens, converts to nitric oxide in the body, which helps lower blood pressure. Taking supplements provides a similar effect.

Nitric Oxide Side Effects and Contraindications

When taken at the proper dosage, nitric oxide seldom produces side effects. Excess consumption of nitric oxide supplements may cause diarrhea or nausea. Some people may find the supplements turning their urine and feces a dark red shade, but this is not harmful.

Those with low blood pressure, or hypotension, should consult their doctor before beginning nitric oxide supplementation. Suspect hypotension if prone to dizziness or fainting for no apparent reason.

Nitric Oxide Supplementation

With so many benefits and so few risks, nitric oxide supplementation is an ideal way to boost your exercise and performance levels. For more information, contact AgeRejuvenation today at 888-865-8370 to schedule a free consultation.