When your meds turn on you

You can’t miss them -- on television, online and in magazines, advertisements showing an average person (someone just like you, perhaps) suffering from one medical ailment or another. With the help of the medicine being promoted, they feel a thousand times better and get on with their daily lives. Then comes the rapid-fire or, in the case of newspapers and magazines, the fine-print, about the medication’s potential side effects, ranging from nausea to even death.

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.

Recovery after surgery: Help make it a success

Many people think that the hardest part about surgery is the operation itself. However, what happens after the operation (post-operative health) is just as important in evaluating whether your operation is considered a “success” or not.

Super antioxidant Pycnogenol: The real deal?

You recently may have heard about Pycnogenol® on television, where it was touted for its anti-aging benefits. It’s been hailed as “nature’s super antioxidant,” and has been studied for its wide-ranging health benefits. Lately, it seems there’s nothing this supplement can’t do.

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.

Toxins making you fat?

You have probably heard “toxins are "bad,” "toxins will cause cancer" or "toxins could be the reason for your hair loss.” But did you know toxins can cause weight gain? Yes, toxins (harmful chemicals and heavy metals in water, air, food, and household and industrial products) may very well be a cause for America’s obesity epidemic, not excess calories.

Got calcium?

It was one of the most successful food-marketing campaigns ever. Who could forget the beautiful celebrities and their milk mustaches in the “Got Milk?” ads? But it’s 2014, and many people are lactose intolerant and science is showing that the focus on calcium may have just been staggeringly wrong.

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.

Pass the salt: Are you seasoning your way to optimal health or hazard?

Many people get sodium from table salt (which is 40 percent sodium) and packaged foods. The typical American consumes about 3,000-5,000 mg of sodium each day, and salt lovers may be consuming twice this much. But the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends limiting your sodium intake to 2,300 mg or less. If you are older than 50, African American or at risk for high blood pressure, the recommended intake is 1,500 mg a day or less.

Simple tips to catch your Zzz’s

It's a cruel joke. You're exhausted, you pulled a 14-hour day, you know you should be passing out – and yet, you can't sleep. Again. Chronic insomnia plagues millions of Americans. Addictions to tablets, phones, caffeinated coffee and teas, late-night Game of Thrones binges, work martyrdom, bad news on television, and chronically worrying about your children/love life/paycheck/waist size allcontribute to the problem. In short, everyone seems to be sabotaging their sleep like nobody’s business.

Be proactive: Protect your prostate

September is National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, so this is a good time to think about your game plan for protecting yourself against prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is associated with frequent trips to the bathroom, erectile dysfunction, impotence, and, in more advanced cases, bladder incontinence and urinary flow obstruction. As a result, some men feel embarrassed to talk about it. But knowledge is power, so the sooner you arm yourself with the information you need, the better your odds are of keeping prostate cancer at bay.

Get crackin’ -- Prevent diabetes before it strikes

A recent study reported this month that regular consumption of pistachios is beneficial for patients with prediabetes. According to the study, “pistachios appear to hold special properties. They contain more lutein, β-carotene and γ-tocopherol than other nuts, and they also appear to hold particular anti-inflammatory properties.”