The Spare Tire Around Your Middle

 July 13, 2009

Interview with Dr. Daniel Monti, M.D. author The Great Life Makeover: Weight, Mood, and Sex

www.greatlifemakeover.com
_________________

Mike Carruthers:
You've probably heard that having excess body fat around your middle is a risk factor for heart disease. But what you may not know is...

Dr. Daniel Monti:
That fat around the middle secretes an enzyme called aromatase. That aromatase converts a man's precious little testosterone in the middle years into estrogen - causing some of those feminizing effects that men sometimes complain of.

Dr. Daniel Monti M.D and co-author of the book The Great Life Makeover says this loss of testosterone can result in decreased libido and loss of energy.

Sometimes men complain of more emotional lability (being more emotional), they complain that they can no longer maintain the muscle tone they once had and often it is very much related to the change in testosterone levels. And sometimes men develop something called gynecomastia - I guess the lay term would be sort of like - man breasts.

Sometimes changes in hormones require medical intervention so you should see your doctor. But in general, losing the weight and living a healthy lifestyle will regulate those hormones.

Many people don't know that certain foods can actually have a direct impact on our hormone levels. For example, cruciferous vegetables - like broccoli, kale, brussel sprouts - those kind of things that people often don't think to eat enough of - have a hormone regulating effect on women and men.

To listen to the complete unedited interview, click here.