The modern world and its lifestyle are waging a silent war against the masculinity of the modern man. The Introduction describes the problem. Men in the developed world have declining sperm counts. ED rates are making pharmaceutical companies billions of dollars. The prostates are growing while the libido is decreasing. According to Dr. Sears, 10% of his male patients have more estrogen than testosterone.
The first chapter, quite appropriately, addresses the subject of testosterone. Although violence committed by men is often unfairly blamed, it is what keeps us healthy and strong. Declining testosterone levels cause the “grumpy old man” syndrome.
An additional cause of low testosterone levels can be a low-fat diet.
Additionally, various pollutants in our environment reduce testosterone and increase estrogen levels. Men are supposed to have some estrogen, but when our estrogen levels get too high compared to our testosterone, we are no longer manly men.
It is then that we begin to suffer many physical and emotional health problems. Lack of sexual desire is one of them, but so are obesity and chronic fatigue. We should have ten times more testosterone than estrogen.
As he does throughout this book, after describing a problem and its causes and effects, he goes over the solutions. It recommends various supplements and activities.
Some of these are debatable. For example, some authorities would not recommend taking DHEA because it is a hormone. Some claim that the herb Tribulus Terrestris does not raise testosterone levels, as is often claimed.
However, DIM and its precursor Indole-3-Carbinol help break down estrogen.
He goes on to criticize the modern trend of eating large amounts of carbohydrates, especially from grain sources. This is true for the general population who eat hamburger buns, pizza dough, spaghetti, rice, beans, sodas, and the like. It is also true for the health food population who consume whole wheat breads and pastas.
We need carbohydrates from vegetables and fruits, and men need protein from meat, fish and dairy, including the fat that usually accompanies animal protein. Some fat is essential for good health.
Exercise is also important for gaining and maintaining muscle mass. Dr. Sears advocates a program of progressive sprinting that he calls PACE, rather than the modern trend of long, slow “cardio.” He also advises doing calisthenics and taking certain supplements like creatine.
Several chapters address one of the main health problems of an aging man: an enlarging prostate. Closely related to that is the maintenance of sexual capacity.
The following are chapters on inflammation that causes joint problems and preventing loss of brain function.
Dr. Sears is not afraid to take on the conventional medical establishment or the alternative health establishment. That makes it refreshing to read.
There is a lot of advice here, and certainly many men will not accept it. They know they should exercise more, but they don’t. Men who are willing to exercise need to figure out what type of exercise will help them the most, instead of wasting time and perhaps damaging their hearts by jogging long distances.
It recommends many different supplements, but does not claim that they are magic bullets. They must interact with a good diet (eliminate carbohydrates from cereals, increase protein intake, healthy fruits and vegetables) and adequate exercise.
I follow a diet similar to what he recommends, have started exercising and taking some of the supplements he suggests. I’m still not the stud I used to be, but I feel and look better (lost 28lbs).
I have no doubt that the men who follow your program will have a huge advantage over those who don’t in the years to come.