Fitness, Testosterone, Estrogen and Our Immune System

Allen Lawrence, M.A., M.D., Ph.D.
Advanced Wellness Medical
Phone 310-879-9266 or 844-222-577

Fitness, Testosterone, Estrogen and Our Immune System

Besides intelligence, physicality and wiliness we also need at least two (there are in fact many more) other aspects to make the leap from just another person born and taking up space, to our ensuring that the human species survives and thrives. These two other aspects are mating and procreation and an optimum capacity to both heal and repair bodily damage, slow aging, protect against and reverse illness and injury. If we cannot bring new humans who have all, most, or many, of the above attributes, then those individuals may die and the species will be in trouble.

Mating is simple, no new children and within 50 years, the time it takes for all human females to lose their fertility, humanity will be gone. If we did not have the capacity to heal, repair, maintenance systems operating within us from our birth, then once again it would merely be a matter of time, humanity being one meaningful infectious disease, one genetic or systemic disease, one pandemic away from the end of mankind. We need to mate and we also need a strong immune system in order for humans to survive, thrive, dominate our environment and be the masters of our amazing world.

Here is where our discussion of hormone replacement joins with survival of the fittest mandate to ensure our lasting existence. This is where we explain to you, why testosterone and estrogen both act to manage, stimulate, and support mating, as well as sexual acting out (being aroused, and sexually excited about the opposite sex, having sex) to renew our species and our genetic line.

While you may not see sex as your primary goal, I will assume that healing, cell, tissue and organ maintenance, repair of cells, tissues, organs, including muscle and bone, are very meaningful to you and your ability to survive and, thrive. Another important feature is that having adequate hormone levels slow down, and to some degree may even reverse your aging process. It is the combination of all of this that allows you to live longer, to be more vital and to have a significantly increased quality of life. Health, fitness and overall well-being require not only the presence of an adequate blood level of hormones but also an appropriate balance of them. Without adequate and balanced hormones, we age more rapidly, we have increased risk of illness, we suffer disabilities and we die prematurely, not a very good situation for surviving and thriving.

At this point, I like to suggest that we can think of testosterone and estrogen as “warrior hormones” for men and women respectively. Those men and women with just the right amount and balance of testosterone (for both men and women) and estrogen (for women only) have an increased capacity for survival. If they survive, then their entire clan and their society can also survive. Those individuals with low or non-existent testosterone or estrogen are at a survival disadvantage. They have a lesser ability to survive and/or thrive even under the normal stresses and risks of life. Since we humans are a predator species, we are almost constantly war with ourselves, with our environment with others. The warriors in our community rely on their testosterone (estrogen in women) to protect them from their daily ongoing battle to win over all external forces. Those men and women who have the highest testosterone (and estrogen) and the most balanced hormonal (testosterone and estradiol) levels generally have the best opportunity to thrive.

The presence of adequate and balanced testosterone, estrogen and other essential hormones increases the power of their brain and nervous system, increases neurotransmitters, and encourage tissue growth and repair after injury. Testosterone and estrogen act to maintain a competent immune system, hence increase the capacity of our body to heal, repair and maintain vital functions. Adequate and balanced hormones slow down and prevent aging.

Testosterone interacts with receptors in our DNA, encourages and manages protein synthesis and elevates our day-to-day levels of Growth Hormone. All of these are actions designed to ensure our survival and our ability to thrive. When taken together, these actions, along with appropriate exercise, lead to building muscle, increased strength and an increase in our will and hence our capacity to protect ourselves, our family, friends and neighbors. Once again acting to increase our capacity to survive and thrive.

Testosterone acts to stimulate increased bone density. It triggers our bone marrow to manufacture more red blood cells so can have increased stamina and hence last longer on the battlefield or even in the business world. For those who are actually warriors, if and when they should be wounded, their increased red blood cells allow them to better survive, continue fighting, recover and flourish.

Men with low levels of testosterone, or very low levels of testosterone, are more likely to suffer from injuries, excessive bleeding broken bones, cuts and increased chance of becoming incapacitated not making it out of the battle in an optimal state of health. As we age, those men and women with the lowest testosterone or estrogen are more likely to fall (because of poor balance, due to unbalanced and inadequate muscle strength, fall and fracture a hip, an arm, leg or spinal bone, injure themselves and die prematurely, even if, they are otherwise healthy.

On a day-to-day basis, low testosterone is responsible for tens of thousands of job-related injuries. Injuries which occur because of inadequate strength, poor balance, inability to lift what they are expected lift, falls, weak bones, and a host of other reasons caused by inadequate testosterone levels which increases their risk of injury.

Finally, testosterone plays an important role in fat metabolism, helping both men and women to burn fat more efficiently. A low testosterone level leads to increase body fat, obesity, the so called “ring around the waist,” also known as Central “brown fat.” Obesity, leads a sense of negative aging, carrying more weight than is healthy, increased risk of heart attack and stroke, and high blood pressure. This also increases pressure and weight on hips, knees, ankle, feet and back leading to osteoarthritis, degenerative joint disease, pain involving the neck, back and joint pain.

When all of your hormones are correctly balanced, you are balanced. When your hormones are balanced, you’re more likely to be healthier and happier. When your hormones are adequate and balanced, your longevity (anti-aging) and quality of life is increased.

For more information regarding hormone replacement therapy, its role in protecting against illness, slowing your aging and improving your quality of life or to set up a consultation for yourself, contact Advanced Wellness Medical by calling 310-879-9266 or 844-222-577 or e-mail your questions or search for information to info@AdvancedWellnessMedical.com.