Radiation from cell phones might interfere with brain centers that activate and coordinate reactions to stress. They might also disrupt the production of the sleep hormone melatonin. (Bioelectromagnetics, 29: 185-96, 2008)

The key to better sexual performance: practice, practice, practice!

Thirty to 50 percent of American men suffer from erectile dysfunction (ED). That isn’t surprising because obesity, physical inactivity and excess weight impair blood flow control throughout the body and make it more difficult to get erections. Like most tissues, penis function improves when you use it. A study from Fink\land found that men who had sex at least three times a week reduced their risk of Ed by 25 percent. The study involved nearly 1000 men aged 55-75. Men who had sex less than once a week increased their risk of ED significantly. Other factors linked to ED included fewer than three morning erections per week, chronic medical conditions (diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and depression), excess body fat (high body mass index) and cigarette smoking. Regular sexual intercourse stresses the blood vessels of the penis and provides aerobic exercise that improves metabolic health. Think of sex like a trip to the gym for your penis. (American Journal of medicine, 121: 592-596, 2008)

Lifestyle depresses testosterone with age

The worst thing about getting old is getting old! In the film “Any Given Sunday,” Al Pacino said, “When you get old in life things get taken from you. But, you only learn that when you start losing stuff.” Testosterone is one of the most important things you lose with age. It contributes to heart disease and diabetes, decreased muscle and bone mass, loss of strength and power, depression, impaired sexual performance, fatigue and loss of joie de vivre. While total testosterone decreases only slightly between ages 40 and 70, the biologically active free testosterone decreases by 50 percent. A large study of 3,200 middle-aged and older European men showed that while age was the principal factor related to decreased testosterone levels, contributing factors included obesity and cigarette smoking. Several recent studies found that sexual problems related to decreasing testosterone levels were important makers of poor metabolic health. Leading a healthier lifestyle will enhance metabolic health that will lead to increases in free testosterone, reduced body fat, increased muscle mass, improved blood sugar regulation and the reduction o risk factors associated with the metabolic syndrome (i.e. high blood pressure, abnormal blood fats, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, inflammation, abdominal fat deposition and blood-clotting abnormalities). Supplementing testosterone in aging men has been a controversial subject since the hormone was first isolated in 1934. Prescriptions for testosterone increased threefold in the last 10 years, but many physicians worry what the benefits do not offset the side effects. Regardless of whether or not you take testosterone supplements, you can improve testosterone metabolism by living a healthier lifestyle. (Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 93: 2737-2745, 2008)

Antibiotic linked to tendon injuries

Tendon injuries are deadly for bodybuilders because they take a long time to heal and interfere with training intensity and volume. Ignoring the pain and continuing training can weaken tendon to the point where it ruptures. Factors increasing the risk of tendon injuries include poor equipment (i.e. shoes), bad technique, overtraining, immobilization (plaster cast), and genetic susceptibility and corticosteroid injections. Fluoroquinolone an antibiotic sold as Cipro, factive and levaquin can also trigger tendon problems. In July 2008, the high incidence of tendon injurues linked to fluoroquinolone prompted the food and drug administration (FDA) to order drug makers to warn patients about the increased risk for tendonitis and tendon rupture. Achilles tendon ruptures were three to four times more frequent in people taking fluoroquinolone than in the general population. Bodybuilders should reduce training volume and intensity when taking fluoroquinolone. (Medscape, July 9, 2008)

Low IGF-1 levels linked to poor blood vessel health

IGF-1 is a powerful anabolic hormone secreted mainly in the liver that works in coordination with growth hormone. Increased levels of IGF-1 promote muscle hypertrophy and fat breakdown. Supplemental growth hormone increases muscle size, reduces fat and strengthens connective tissue largely through its effects on increasing IGF-1. Other studies have found that IGF-1 is critical for sexual health. Italian researchers found that IGF-1 protects the blood vessels against atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) and improves the health of the endothelium the cells lining the blood vessels that control blood flow throughout the body. People with higher levels of IGF-1 were able to increases blood flow in the forearm in response to a chemical stimulus (acetylcholine). This study demonstrated an important link between blood vessel health and IGF-1 levels. IGF-1 decreases with age, but can be increased through healthy lifestyle and perhaps through growth hormone and IGF-1 supplementation. (Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 93:2806 – 2810, 2008)

Greater muscle strength reduces risk of premature death

Aerobic fitness strengthens the cardiovascular system, protects the heart and blood vessels from disease and reduces the risk of heart attack and heart-related sudden death. Most exercise recommendations mention muscle strength as an afterthought. A long-term study of the more than 10,000 men conducted at the Cooper Clinic in Dallas found that higher muscle strength levels reduced the risk of death from cancer and deaths per year due to any cause. The men received medical exams and physical fitness during the 1980s and their status was reevaluated nearly 20 years later. Greater strength reduced the risk of death from all causes by 32 percent, by 50 percent from heart attack, and by 32 percent from cancer compared to the weakest one-third of the men. Increasing strength might make you live longer. Weight training should not be a substitute for aerobic exercise- you should do both. (British Medical Journal, in press published online July 1, 2008)

Low testosterone disturbs sleep

Sleep disturbances cause daytime sleepiness, accidents, constant fatigue, depression, heart rhythm disturbances and irritability. A study from the Department of medicine at the University of California, San Diego showed that older men with low testosterone levels had lower sleep efficiency, woke up more often at night, spent less time in deep sleep and had lower blood oxygen levels at night than men with normal testosterone levels. Many physicians are reluctant to prescribe testosterone to aging men because they fear it will lead to sleep disturbances and other side effects. Scientists from Southern Illinois University, in a review of literature, concluded that little evidence links testosterone therapy to sleep apnea (a serious sleep disorder). The link between the two was first presented in 1978 and based on observations in a few patients. Millions of men have been treated successfully with testosterone therapy and have not suffered an increased incidence of sleep apnea. They concluded that while sleep apnea is commonly listed as a side effect of supplemental testosterone, the link between the two is weak and inconsistent. Low testosterone levels can lead to poor sleep quality, but the problem might be remedied with testosterone supplements. (Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 93: 2602-2609, 2008; Journal Sexual Medicine, 4: 1241-1246, 2007)

Statins lower PSA and might prevent prostate cancer

Statins, such as Lipitor, lower cholesterol and prevent coronary artery disease and heart attack. Several studies found that statins reduced the risk of prostate cancer, possibly by lowering cholesterol. A study of 1214 men from the University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center showed that statins decreased prostate specific antigen (PSA), an important marker of prostate enlargement and cancer. The decrease in PSA was proportional to the decrease in cholesterol. The researchers speculated that lowering cholesterol reduced testosterone levels, which is known to influence prostate enlargement. They did not know whether statins improved prostate health or altered the PSA test, which could actually hide developing prostate cancer. Should serious bodybuilders use statins? Many anabolic steroid users take statins to prevent increases in cholesterol and reduced HDL (the good cholesterol). Statins reduce muscle strength in some people, possibly by lowering testosterone terone levels, which would make it a bad drug for some bodybuilders. However, not all statin users experience this side effect. Currently, we have little data on the effects of statins on strength, muscle mass or physical performance in athletes. (Paper presented at the American Urological Association annual meeting, May 2008; Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers prevention, 16: 1587-1594, 2007)

Resistance exercise improves leg strength without damaging arthritic knees

How many times have you heard someone whine, “My doctor said I can’t exercise because I have bad knees or a bad back?” Many people with arthritic knees, shoulder rotator cuff strains, or back pain avoid exercise because it’s sometimes painful and they fear making the condition worse. Consequently, they enter a vicious cycle where physical inactivity leads to muscle atrophy, which leads to further joint instability and pain. Canadian researchers found that 12 weeks of resistance exercise (isokinetic training) increased leg strength in people with severe knee arthritis and alignment problems (bowlegged) without increasing knee pain during or after exercise. Strong muscles are vital for joint support in creating pain-free movement. Most people develop joint pain as they age at least partly because they failed to maintain muscle fitness that prevents excessive joint loading. A sensible, well-balanced exercise program will help you maintain healthy, pain-free joints that will last a lifetime. (Medicine Science sports Exercise, 40: 1376-1384, 2008)