Diabetes

Is this “man hormone” the secret weapon against diabetes

Remember that old Pete Seeger song? You know, the one about the guy whose “get up and go got up and went.”

Well, if you’re a guy over 50, there’s a good chance you’ve experienced that firsthand.

It’s natural for your testosterone levels to start to drop – to the tune of 1 or 2 percent each year – and that can leave you feeling constantly tired, depressed and irritable.

Never mind what it does to your sex life.

And if you’re thinking about testosterone therapy, some New York researchers have some exciting news. Because a regular dose of testosterone won’t just help you get your mojo back – it also can help you fight one of the most dangerous diseases around.

A new study published inDiabetes Carefound that testosterone replacement therapy not only improves your energy and libido, but it can help protect you against type 2 diabetes.

Researchers at the University of Buffalo gave dozens of men with type 2 diabetes and low testosterone either a weekly testosterone injection or a placebo for 24 weeks.

Just in that short time, the testosterone shots helped improve insulin sensitivity and blood sugar numbers by 32 percent.

And, of course, the benefits didn’t just stop with type 2 diabetes. Testosterone also improves sexual function and increases skeletal muscle strength and bone density.

But if you are considering testosterone therapy, remember: Keep away the dangerous synthetic treatments being heavily marketed by Big Pharma.

I recommend bio-identical hormone treatments instead. They’re natural and safe, because they closely mimic your natural supply of testosterone.

Work closely with a doctor skilled and knowledgeable about natural medicine and bio-identical hormones. To find a doctor near you, check out the American College for Advancement in Medicine website at www.acam.org.

Are you becoming diabetic? Just check your skin!

Q: Over the past couple of years I’ve developed annoying skin tags on my arms and neck. I constantly seem to be finding a new one. They’re not painful or anything, but I’d like them gone. What can I do?

G.R.: As we get older, lots of us develop skin tags -- especially around the arms, neck and groin. They can be unsightly and frustrating -- but, believe it or not, you should be thankful that you’re getting them.

Because those skin tags may just be warning you about a potentially serious health condition. One you might still have time to stop.

You see, when you’re on the path to developing type 2 diabetes, your cells become “insulin resistant.” That means insulin can’t effectively do its job of escorting blood sugar to your cells, where it’s used for energy. As a result, your blood sugar stays high.

High blood sugar and insulin resistance have both been linked to skin lesions and skin tags. So if you’re starting to develop a significant number of skin tags and have never been diagnosed with diabetes, it’s a good idea to go get your blood sugar tested.

If you and your doctor listen to this “canary in the coalmine,” you just may be able to stop any blood sugar issues from getting worse. And that could help new skin tags from forming.

There are plenty of options for getting rid of skin tags, from laser treatments to freezing them off with liquid nitrogen products. Many patients have sworn by the “duct tape method.” Just keep a small piece of duct tape on the skin tag for a few days, and it should help it detach from your skin.