Ai Phi Thuy Ho, MD’s Post

We expect testosterone levels to decrease as we age. But did you know that testosterone levels in *age-matched* populations of American men have trended lower over the past generation? Two landmark studies, one in older men and one in younger men, show that testosterone levels in American men have declined sharply over the past 30 years. The first study was published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism in 2007. They measured average total testosterone levels of different groups of men, aged 45-80, across three time periods: 1987-1989: 501 ng/dl 1995-1997: 435 ng/dl 2002-2004: 392 ng/dl → 22% drop in less than 20 years. This change was highly statistically significant, even after controlling for age, BMI, and other potential confounding factors. The second study, published in the European Association of Urology in 2020, showed a significant decrease in testosterone among American men with an average age of 26 from 1999-2016. 1999: 605 ng/dl 2016: 451 ng/dl → 25% decline in under 20 years. The percentage of young men who had testosterone deficiency (defined as a level < 300 ng/dL) increased from 9% in 1999 to 20% in 2016. These studies received some attention in the lay media, but many of the so-called experts that were interviewed dismissed the results, attributing the drop in testosterone to a rise in obesity. Clearly these experts did not read the studies. Because while it is true that obesity is associated with low testosterone levels, in these studies the authors point out that the results remain significant even after controlling for obesity. It’s unclear why testosterone levels have fallen so dramatically over the last generation, but there are many suspected culprits. Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), the ubiquity of plastics, exposure to blue light, exposure to cell phones and wi-fi, chronic stress, poor sleep, obesity, and other unknown factors all may be playing a role. Getting your testosterone levels checked is essential to your health. Some people may feel hormone replacement therapy is “unnatural”. If that’s you…stop scrolling for a moment, set your phone down, and take a look at your surroundings. Are you living in a “natural” world?

Vitamin B12 has long been implicated in several aspects of human health, including metabolic homeostasis, the mitigation of oxidative stress and cardiovascular health. In part I of this review, Annabel Kartal-Allen delves into the role of Vitamin B12 supplementation in cognition and brain health, focusing on memory retention and neuroinflammation. #cognitivehealth #brainhealth #vitaminb #vitaminb12 #memory #neuroinflammation #inflammation

We conducted Asia's first study on testosterone levels in young male adults with moderate-to-severe obesity. What we found is not great news. Radhika Shah, the chief bariatric nutritionist at LOC, designed and led the whole study. For her research, she won the 'Best Paper Award' at the 26th IFSO World Congress in Naples, Italy, in September 2023. Let me explain: This research is about how moderate-to-severe obesity (BMI more than 32.5 Kg/m2) affects young men's testosterone levels. Here's what we did: We looked at 134 men aged 18-30 with a BMI over 32.5 Kg/m2.  They visited a single bariatric facility from 2001 to 2020.  We measured their weight and testosterone levels. We also looked for signs of low testosterone, like: Breast growth in males (gynecomastia) Testicles producing below-normal sex hormones and reproductive cells (hypogonadism) Thinning of pubic and armpit hair Here's what we found: 60.4% of the men (84/134) had low testosterone (less than 300ng/dl). Another 23.9% had testosterone levels that were on the lower side of normal (300 to 400 ng/dl). 89.6% had some breast growth. 60.4% (81/134) had thinning of pubic and armpit hair. 62.7% (84/134) had hypogonadism. We noticed that as men got heavier, their testosterone levels tended to fall.  But this needed to be a stronger pattern to be sure it wasn't just chance. What does this mean? Excess weight often causes low testosterone in young men.  This problem might be more common than doctors previously thought. We need more studies to figure out the best ways to diagnose and treat this problem in overweight young men. Why is this study so important in 2024? More and more people in Asia are becoming obese. This may lead to low testosterone levels in them. Low testosterone levels may cause symptoms like: Erectile problems. Smaller and weaker muscles, Increased body fat Fatigue Feeling irritable, depressed, or having low self-esteem Man boobs (gynecomastia) And more. People often think low testosterone only affects older men. But this study shows it can be a problem for young men too, especially if they're very overweight.

Some more information on the Vagus Nerve - it really has such a powerful part to play in our wellbeing. You can see below just how important this is Activating any of the organs energised by your vagus nerve can help stimulate your vagus nerve to activate your parasympathetic nervous system; these include: • Brain, which helps calm inflammation, control anxiety, and relieve depression. • Tongue, which helps to improve taste and saliva production, swallowing, and speech. • Ears, which help to ease tinnitus. • Eyes, which help the pupils shrink to make eye contact and promote social connection and safety. • Larynx, which helps feed your lungs and diaphragm with oxygen. • Stomach, which helps to stimulate stomach acid for healthy digestion. • Intestines, which allow for nutrient absorption and trigger the muscle contractions (peristalsis) to allow food and waste to move through the digestive tract. • Pancreas, which trigger's the production and release of enzymes that aid in digestion. • Liver, which triggers detoxification and supports blood sugar functions. • Lungs, which allows your airways to expand and contract • Gallbladder, which triggers the release of bile that rids the body of toxins and breaks down fat • Heart, which helps to regulate heart rate and blood pressure. • Spleen, which inhibits inflammation by calming the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines (substances secreted by inflammatory cells that affect other cells). • Kidneys, which release sodium, increase blood flow, and manage blood sugar. • Bladder, which allows for bladder retention to prevent frequent urination. • reproductive organs and genitals, which support fertility and sexual arousal. • Immune system, which regulates inflammation, switching off the production of proteins that fuel the infammatory immune response

“What exactly is the connection between brain and gut? The brain sends signals to the digestive, or gastrointestinal (GI), tract via the sympathetic ("fight or flight") nervous system and the parasympathetic ("rest and digest") nervous system. The balance of signals from these two inputs can affect the speed at which food moves through the digestive system, absorption of nutrients, secretion of digestive juices, and level of inflammation in the digestive system. The digestive system also has its own nervous system, the enteric nervous system, consisting of approximately 100 million nerve cells in and around the GI tract. The enteric nervous system receives inputs from the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems but can also function independently of them. The enteric nervous system is also intimately interconnected with millions of immune cells. These cells survey the digestive system and convey information, such as whether the stomach is bloated or whether there is infection in the GI tract or insufficient blood flow, back to the brain. Thus, the brain and GI system communicate with one another in both directions.” - Extract From the article - Leaders, are your body parts following orders from headquarters (brain cells) or just winging it on gut instinct? https://lnkd.in/grjzeWUE

Understanding Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Key Insights for Healthy Aging Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of vision loss among older adults, affecting millions of people worldwide. As we strive for healthy aging, understanding AMD, its causes, prevention, and treatment options becomes crucial in maintaining our quality of life. This post delves into the latest research and developments in AMD, providing valuable insights for those aiming to age healthily. What is Age-Related Macular Degeneration? Age-related macular degeneration is a progressive eye condition that primarily affects the macula, the central part of the retina responsible for sharp and detailed vision. There are two main types of AMD: Dry AMD: The more common form, characterized by the gradual breakdown of the macula’s light-sensitive cells and the accumulation of drusen (yellow deposits) under the retina. Wet AMD: Less common but more severe, involving abnormal blood vessels growing under the retina and macula, leading to leakage, bleeding, and rapid vision loss. Risk Factors and Causes Several factors contribute to the development of AMD: Age: The risk of AMD increases significantly after the age of 50. Genetics: Family history and genetic predispositions play a crucial role. Smoking: Tobacco use is a major risk factor that can double the likelihood of developing AMD. Diet and Lifestyle: Poor nutrition, obesity, and lack of physical activity can contribute to AMD. UV Exposure: Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light without adequate eye protection can increase the risk. Symptoms and Diagnosis Read the full post at https://lnkd.in/grn-8Teq

𝐃𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐭𝐞𝐚?🫖 𝐀𝐬 𝐚 𝐝𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐜𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐚 𝐦𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐞𝐲𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭.👀 There are two types of eye 👁️ conditions that can damage your optic nerve: Open angle and Angle closure Glaucoma. Today we will be looking at the genetic 🧬 predisposition for developing by far the most common: open angle glaucoma (OAG) - or the silent thief of sight as it is often called. Most people with OAG usually feel healthy and have little to no changes to their vision 👀 as the symptoms usually develop slowly over ⏱️time, and unfortunately, the damage being permanent. OAG usually manifests and starts reducing your peripheral or side vision, and develops into tunnel vision over time, which will also increase intraocular pressure (IOP) - the fluid pressure within the eye.👁️ There will be various reasons for developing OAG, from genetics 🧬, age, lifestyle (stress and sleep) to even environmental factors such as pollution and ultraviolet 🌞build-up. And if left untreated, it can eventually lead to blindness. Glaucoma has a genetic 🧬 association and tends to run in families. Various studies 📚have now identified the specific genes associated with glaucoma, which luckily allows us to provide unique insights and recommendations to hopefully mitigate for their effect. Now, why tea 🫖 is so useful. One of the reasons that your daily 🫖 cuppa might help in reducing glaucoma is through its high concentration of a plant based 🥗 compound and polyphenol called EGCG (Eppy-gallow-CAT-akin gallate) 𝐄𝐆𝐂𝐆 𝐦𝐚𝐲 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 👀 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐯𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬: A. 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐚, 𝐋𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐇𝐮𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐫. B. 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐚 𝐀𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐔𝐕 𝐃𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐞.😎 C. 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. D. 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐀𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐀𝐠𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐌𝐚𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐃𝐞𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐆𝐥𝐚𝐮𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐚. It’s early days in terms of research, but it's looking extremely promising so far. Do you know your genetic risk for Open Angle Glaucoma? If not the Muhdo Health DNA 🧬 tests covers this specific area, alongside Sight Degeneration with Age, Cataracts Risk, Eye Health and B Vitamin Deficiency. We also provide 100’s of other health topics surrounding your sleep 😴, stress, 🤯 diet 🥗 🍔, gut health 💩, immune function 🦠 and many more. www.muhdo.com #research #tea #nutrients #eyes #eyehealth #glaucoma #muhdo #glaucoma 

𝐃𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐭𝐞𝐚?🫖 𝐀𝐬 𝐚 𝐝𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐜𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐚 𝐦𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐞𝐲𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭.👀 There are two types of eye 👁️ conditions that can damage your optic nerve: Open angle and Angle closure Glaucoma. Today we will be looking at the genetic 🧬 predisposition for developing by far the most common: open angle glaucoma (OAG) - or the silent thief of sight as it is often called. Most people with OAG usually feel healthy and have little to no changes to their vision 👀 as the symptoms usually develop slowly over ⏱️time, and unfortunately, the damage being permanent. OAG usually manifests and starts reducing your peripheral or side vision, and develops into tunnel vision over time, which will also increase intraocular pressure (IOP) - the fluid pressure within the eye.👁️ There will be various reasons for developing OAG, from genetics 🧬, age, lifestyle (stress and sleep) to even environmental factors such as pollution and ultraviolet 🌞build-up. And if left untreated, it can eventually lead to blindness. Glaucoma has a genetic 🧬 association and tends to run in families. Various studies 📚have now identified the specific genes associated with glaucoma, which luckily allows us to provide unique insights and recommendations to hopefully mitigate for their effect. Now, why tea 🫖 is so useful. One of the reasons that your daily 🫖 cuppa might help in reducing glaucoma is through its high concentration of a plant based 🥗 compound and polyphenol called EGCG (Eppy-gallow-CAT-akin gallate) 𝐄𝐆𝐂𝐆 𝐦𝐚𝐲 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 👀 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐯𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬: A. 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐚, 𝐋𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐇𝐮𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐫. B. 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐚 𝐀𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐔𝐕 𝐃𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐞.😎 C. 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. D. 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐀𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐀𝐠𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐌𝐚𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐃𝐞𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐆𝐥𝐚𝐮𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐚. It’s early days in terms of research, but it's looking extremely promising so far. Do you know your genetic risk for Open Angle Glaucoma? If not the Muhdo Health DNA 🧬 tests covers this specific area, alongside Sight Degeneration with Age, Cataracts Risk, Eye Health and B Vitamin Deficiency. We also provide 100’s of other health topics surrounding your sleep 😴, stress, 🤯 diet 🥗 🍔, gut health 💩, immune function 🦠 and many more. www.muhdo.com #research #tea #nutrients #eyes #eyehealth #glaucoma #muhdo #glaucoma

Why Hashimoto's Flares During Hormonal Transitions 🔥 As women, our thyroid health is intimately tied to our hormones. From a functional medicine view, it's no coincidence that many develop Hashimoto's (autoimmune hypothyroidism) during major hormonal transition periods like: ✨ First menses ✨ Pregnancy/postpartum  ✨ Perimenopause/menopause Here's why these shifts in your reproductive hormones can trigger an autoimmune thyroid condition like Hashimoto's: 1) Hormone receptors are found throughout the body, including the thyroid gland and immune system. Fluctuations in estrogen, progesterone, etc. can disrupt immune-thyroid crosstalk. 2) The thyroid is already more metabolically active during these transitions, putting increased demand on the gland. This can unmask underlying thyroid vulnerabilities. 3) Hormonal changes also impact the gut microbiome and intestinal permeability ("leaky gut"). This allows more thyroid antigens to slip through, provoking the immune system. 4) The drop in progesterone postpartum or during menopause removes its calming influence on the immune system, allowing autoimmunity to flare. 5) Increased inflammation from factors like stress, poor diet, toxins during these transitions can be the tipping point for genetic predispositions. From a functional view, supporting your body through major hormonal shifts is key for preventing autoimmune thyroid conditions: 🌿 Providing nutrients for hormone balance 🧘♀️ Managing stress  🥬 Reducing inflammatory foods 🌱 Limiting toxin exposures 🦠 Healing the gut By addressing these root causes in a holistic way, you can reduce your risk of developing Hashimoto's or keep it in remission during vulnerable times. Your thyroid doesn't have to be a victim of your hormones! Functional medicine offers a preventative approach. Like if you found this helpful ❤️

My new post is about:Of Reseda albs L.https://https://lnkd.in/dJRF-HGz Preparing on April-July, use blooming stems and seeds. 6-10 gr of fresh blooming flowers or roots chopped add in 50 perc.of alcohol, infuse ten days, use by drops , effect can to accumulation, adding 1/3 of honey, and use in tea on 2-3 gr /day. Ointment. Tincture before mixin 5 parts of oil, do massage in ache joints, rheumatism, gout, skin diseases. Benefit in vomiting, bladder tumors, gastric secretion less, paralysis, but use right dosages by, if more causing cramps or breath stagnation, use short course for week/liver s bugs, but for children's avoiding using! Of Sinapis alba L. a little bit stronger effect in Sin. arvensis L. Preparing on June, use seeds.8-10 gr of grinded seeds as powder till on 100-150 gr add in 40 perc. Of spirit, infuse ten days, use for 3-4 times/day on 15–20 drops. Inside. Benefit in timely digestion, asthma, bronchitis, worsening, indigestion, lung inflamed, hard stool, hypertension, abundant alcoholism, neurotic aches /ointment, oil for waist aches , spleen aches, rheumatism gout, sclerosis, parasites, lactagogue, sweating for, cholagogue, liver effect rising, skin care for, antiseptic. Probably worsening on activity a brain . Of April-September preparing, use roots, flowers. Tincture use for veins, slightly narcotic, and strong antioxidant, anti sclerosis, blocking ageing, by homeopathic dosages diluting for 3–4 times. Benefit in Alzheimer, metabolism bad, uterine, vaginal spasms, prostatitis, impotence, ears noises, urinary iflamed, cough, liver and stomach timely effecting, inflamed, sclerosis, aches, memory bad, skin care, cholagogue, diuretic, heart work activity, skin care for, antibiotic, hypnotic, aphrodisiac, for male and female as. Of Echinops sphaerocephalus L. Preparing on July-August, use seeds, fresh blooming flower beginning. 4-5 gr of seeds powder, add in 100 gr of 60 perc. Alcohol, infuse ten days, use in chronic diseases on 10-15 days course and rest for month. Tea. 2-4 gr of seeds powder or fresh blooming flower in 1/2 l. of boiled cold water, infuse ten hours for ten hours, use within a day on an empty stomach on 50 gr. Benefit Timely metabolic effect, stomach, liver, rheumatism, arthritis, second type diabetes, aches, roots are slightly hypnotic effects, use for blood coma, cleaning blood after hard drunk hours. Preparing on April-July, use blooming stems and seeds. 6-10 gr of fresh blooming flowers or roots chopped add in 50 perc.of alcohol, infuse ten days, use by drops , effect can to accumulation, adding 1/3 of honey, and use in tea on 2-3 gr /day. Ointment. Tincture before mixin 5 parts of oil, do massage in ache joints, rheumatism, gout, skin diseases. Benefit in vomiting, bladder tumors, gastric secretion less, paralysis, but use right dosages by, if more causing cramps or breath stagnation, use short course for week/liver s bugs, but for children's