Be proactive! Do your research before using male herbal supplements

You may have heard about the recent case of a famous athlete who was found unconscious after taking excessive amounts of sex-enhancing herbal supplements. Even though we may never know the whole story, we know there are inherent risks with excess use of stimulants, even if they are “herbal.” There are also risks of possible drug interactions, supplements being laced with undeclared sexual enhancers like Viagra- and Cialis-like substances, and possible contamination with unhealthy ingredients.

T troubles? Test testosterone

Testosterone is big business. Testosterone prescription drugs raked in over 2.4 billion dollars in revenue in the U.S. in 2013, and sales are projected to reach 3.8 billion by 2018. Where there is hype, there are also many people giving it a try without necessarily knowing all the facts. Testosterone, often referred to simply as “T,” can do a lot of good, especially for middle-aged males with declining hormone levels. However, they may be out of place, or frankly illegal, for those who are just trying to get an edge, such taking high doses of T to enhance your sports performance.

Read my lipids: Prostate cancer risk greater with high cholesterol, triglycerides

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers among American men. This year, approximately 233,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer and 29,480 will die from it. It is estimated that prostate cancer affects 1 in 7 men – so how can you be more proactive?

Yes, men need estrogen

When it comes to male hormones, most people immediately think of testosterone. It’s the “manly” hormone that makes you feel better, look better and perform better. But you may be surprised to learn that estrogen also plays a key role in men’s physical health and sexuality. Just as women need a small amount of testosterone, men need a small amount of estrogen.

ED? You’re not alone

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is far more common than you may think, with erectile frequency and functionality decreasing over time for the majority of men. The National Institute of Health estimates that some type of ED affects at least 18-30 million men in the U.S. And a recent study among Massachusetts men found that about 40 percent of those in their 40’s experienced some form of ED, with the percentage increasing to 50 percent for men in their 50’s and 60 percent for men in their 60’s.

Man up: Boost T naturally

Many middle-aged men consider taking testosterone – or simply T – when they want to turn back their biological clocks to recapture the feeling of youthfulness that comes with increased muscle strength, libido, exercise tolerance, and stamina. Testosterone has become increasingly popular in the last decade. Doctors wrote more than 5.3 million prescriptions for testosterone therapy in 2011 alone – that’s five times as many as in 2000, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association.