A thin-looking person may, despite appearing thin, have a problem in common with an obese individual: an increase in visceral fat. This type of fat has a more dangerous behavior than typical fat located under the skin: it produces hormones, inflammatory markers, and is a predictor of mortality.

The goal, therefore, is to limit an increase in visceral fat. It accumulates differently in men and women. In this article, we will however also discover what attitudes (such as resting after lunch or concentrating the daily intake of fat in one meal) can contribute to an increase of this type of fat.

Dr. Celia Gonzalo Gleyzes – Neolife Medical Team

Types of body fat

Adipose (fatty) tissue is classified as brown, beige, or white. Brown and beige adipose tissue, which are rich in mitochondria, are capable of producing heat (thermogenesis). White adipose tissue abounds in our body and as we age, brown adipose tissue is lost.

White adipose tissue, in turn, is divided into subcutaneous, visceral (intraperitoneal and retroperitoneal), and ectopic. Thus, ectopic adipose tissue is located within the organs and visceral adipose tissue surrounds them.

Subcutaneous fat is much more abundant in women.

When visceral fat accumulates, the contour of the abdomen increases, but it must also be remembered that a prominent abdomen also reflects an increase in subcutaneous fat.

The fat surrounding the heart (epicardial fat) is also considered visceral fat.

Men like apples and women like pears

Men tend to acquire a rounded silhouette because of the accumulation of fat in the trunk and in the abdomen (android obesity). Premenopausal women (of a childbearing age), on the other hand, will accumulate subcutaneous fat in the hips and in the buttocks (gynoid obesity).

However, women may also have an android phenotype, the most unfavorable at the cardiovascular level.

Visceral fat is associated with metabolic problems

Although subcutaneous abdominal fat and intrahepatic fat are associated with an increased risk of mortality in men, only visceral fat is a powerful independent predictor of mortality in this group.

Obesity can disrupt the functioning of microvascularization. Studies in animals have shown insulin resistance to decrease the density of blood capillaries and increase their permeability to macromolecules. That dysfunction can lead to the development of hypertension, one of the criteria of metabolic syndrome.

As visceral fat accumulates, macrophage infiltration (immune system cells that participate in inflammation) increases. Macrophages release inflammatory cytokines (such as TNF alfa), causing visceral adipocytes to become insulin resistant and release fatty acids. Foods rich in triglycerides would act in the same way, increasing the flow of fatty acids into the portal venous system (venous blood flow from the gastrointestinal organs and spleen to the liver before returning to the heart).

Increased fat uptake in male visceral adipose tissue

Fat accumulation is the result of low or inadequate energy expenditure leading to energy accumulation.

Fat catabolism of adipocytes, lipolysis, is mediated by epinephrine. Estrogens reduce lipolysis in the adipocytes of the subcutaneous fat of the buttocks but could increase it in adipocytes of visceral fat.

Men accumulate more fat in the abdominal visceral reserve because this area absorbs more fat in men than in women.

The activity of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) is important in fat accumulation because most of the fatty acids absorbed by the deposits comes from the hydrolysis of lipoprotein triglycerides. One study has shown that testosterone is able to suppress LPL activity and fat accumulation in the femoral region.

Women can secrete VLDL particles with triglycerides to combat liver fat overloads and they will redirect them from the liver to subcutaneous adipose tissue.

Fat is picked up by the adipocytes from the lipoproteins, lipid particles with triglycerides inside. The organ that secretes the most fat, especially postprandially (after eating), is the small intestine. In women, 5% of ingested fat is stored in intraperitoneal visceral fat but in men that figure comes to 21%.

Absorbed fat is secreted by the enterocytes in two forms: chylomicrons (larger in size) and VLDLs. VLDLs can be produced between meals but chylomicrons depend on fat intake (and if the intake is high in fat, the chylomicrons will be larger in size). Thus, men consume more fat than women and their chylomicrons are larger, making displacement in the lymphatic system slower.

The lymphatic circulation system is a low-pressure system that depends on the contraction of the surrounding muscles like the diaphragm and other abdominal muscles. Prolonged elevation of plasma chylomicrons in men, as well as an increased recovery of lipids infused in the intestinal mucosa when the intestine is overloaded with fat, both support the notion that larger chylomicrons that are preserved for more time in the intestinal mucosa promote the accumulation of abdominal visceral fat.

Intestinal lymphatics with pores (typical of aging processes) allow more chylomicrons to leave the lymphatic lumen and be preserved in the extracellular matrix. Their enormous size can further prolong their retention, allowing their dietary fat to be hydrolyzed and stored by the surrounding abdominal visceral adipocytes.

Solutions to combat visceral fat

Physical exercise will act in different ways:

• Calorie consumption and activation of fat catabolism.
• Inhibition of fatty acid uptake by visceral adipose tissue.
• Reduced retention of chylomicrons in the intestinal mucosa.
• Acceleration of chylomicron transport through muscle contraction.
• Reduction of the porosity of lymphatic vessels.

As for diet, it is recommended to moderate daily fat intake in addition to splitting up fat consumption into several intakes throughout the day.

Now it is easy to understand why sumo wrestlers eat once a day and take a nap afterwards. To keep ourselves healthy and increase our life expectancy, it is better not to follow their example.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

(1)https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6906176/#:~:text=In%20other%20words%2C%

20women%20accumulate,up%20more%20fat%20than%20women. Nauli AM, Matin S. Why Do Men Accumulate Abdominal Visceral Fat? Front Physiol. 2019;10:1486. Published 2019 Dec 5. doi:10.3389/fphys.2019.01486

La entrada Visceral Fat: The Enemy se publicó primero en Neolife.

The human body has two prominent organs that “cleanse” it of all the waste products ingested or generated by the body itself. We’re talking, of course, about the kidneys and the liver.

Neoactives’ new supplement, NeoDetox, is a combination of natural substances that optimize the cleaning function of the liver and ultra-filtering function of the kidneys Its composition includes milk thistle, turmeric, artichoke leaf, dandelion, alpha-lipoic acid, inositol, betaine, glutathione and taurine.

Dr. Francisco Martínez Peñalver – Neolife Medical Team

NeoDetox helps improve normal lipid metabolism and maintain normal liver function.

The human body has two prominent organs that “cleanse” it of all the waste products ingested or generated by the body itself. We’re talking, of course, about the kidneys and the liver. Broadly speaking, the liver has the essential task of “disabling’ proteins that, due to their size or substances, or their composition, can be toxic if they accumulate in the blood (ammonium radicals, hormones, drugs, etc.). In addition, the kidneys act as an ultra-filtering system to clean the blood plasma of any molecules that may jeopardize its osmotic, oncotic or mineral balance.

The new supplement, NeoDetox by Neoactives, is a combination of natural substances that optimize the cleaning function of the liver and ultra-filtering function of the kidneys.

Among these substances, we should first mention milk thistle. “Silybum marianum” or milk thistle is a medicinal plant belonging to the bioflavonoids group that has been used for centuries as a hepatic protector. This protective function is performed in numerous ways, mainly through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, but also by helping to stabilize the cell membrane of the hepatocyte, a regenerator of hepatocytes, and by avoiding collagen fiber deposits (which eventually causes cirrhosis) (1). However, recent studies show that milk thistle also has protective effects for the kidneys and the cardiovascular system and helps prevent the onset of certain neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s. Also, studies have been done in recent years demonstrating the ability of this plant to cause cell apoptosis in cells with damaged DNA. This ability is interesting because milk thistle has been suggested as a possible treatment in some cancer cases (2). Finally, there is a well-designed clinical trial on the effects of milk thistle on chronic hepatitis caused by the hepatitis C virus. In this study of 62 patients, the quality of life of patients treated at high doses and the biomarkers measured in the specific analysis (3) improved.

Another one of the compounds we’ll talk about is turmeric. Administering it in a preventive way has shown to be effective in patients who would later be exposed to situations or drugs (such as Methotrexate) that were likely to cause severe liver damage. Hepatotoxic effects were mitigated in these patients due to its anti-inflammatory properties (4). A decrease in liver enzyme activity was observed, improving the use of glutathione at the intracellular level and reducing lipid peroxidase levels, thus decreasing the entire inflammatory cascade in the liver (5).

Another substance included in this supplement is artichoke leaf (Cynara scolimus), which has been used for hundreds of years to solve difficult-to-treat gastrointestinal issues, such as functional dyspepsia (6). Another pathology characterized by uncertain treatment where artichoke leaf has proven effective is nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, which is also the most common cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. These beneficial effects have been demonstrated through imaging, ultrasound, and by improvement in biomarkers related to hepatic homeostasis as well as total bilirubin and transaminases levels (7). Finally, artichoke leaf extract has also been shown to be an effective treatment against the toxicity of certain heavy metals associated with contamination such as cadmium (8).

The next component we should look at is dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), a perennial medicinal plant originating in the Northern Hemisphere, which has yielded promising results in studies where it has been used to prevent or treat the effects of accumulation of heavy metals such as lead, especially in relation to redox metabolism and liver poisoning (9).

Another component is alpha-lipoic acid, a molecule that has been well-known for years for its protective properties against liver cytotoxicity, which is caused by contaminants such as heavy metals present in environmental pollution, by optimizing the use of glutathione, one of the cell’s energy sources (10).

The other components, inositol, betaine, glutathione and taurine, target the alleviation of inflammation and the harmful effects on the oxidative stress of toxins in general, but of heavy metals and hepatotoxic substances in particular. These components are important for homeostasis, the normal function of the mitochondria, the true “energy factory” at the cellular level and the main target of the toxins mentioned.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

(1) Bahmani M et al. Silybum marianum: Beyond Hepatoprotection. J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med. 2015 Oct;20(4):292-301.

(2) Miljic N et al. New therapeutic potentials of milk thistle (Silybum marianum). Nat Prod Commun. 2013 Dec;8(12): 1801-1810.

(3) Fathalah WF et al. High Dose of Sylimarin in patients with decompensated liver disease: A randomized controlled trial. J Interferon Cytokine Res. 2017 Nov;37(11):480-487.

(4) Moghadam AR et al. Pre-administration of turmeric prevents methotrexate-induced liver toxicity and oxidative stress. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2015;15:246.

(5) Lee Hy et al. Turmeric extract and its active compound, curcumin, protect against chronic CCI4-induced liver damage by enhancing oxidation. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2016 Aug;16(1):316.

(6) Holtman G et al. Efficacy of artichoke leaf extract in the treatment of patients with functional dyspepsia: a six-week placebo-controlled, double blind, multicenter trial. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2003 Dec;18(11-12):1099-1105.

(7) Panahi Y et al. Efficacy of artichoke leaf extract in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A pilot double-blind randomized controlled trial. Phytother Res. 2018 Jul;32(7):1382-1387.

(8) El-Boshy M et al. Studies on the protective effect of the artichoke (Cynara scolymus) leaf extract against cadmium toxicity-induced oxidative stress, hepatorenal damage, and immunosuppressive and hematological disorders in rats. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2017 May;24(13):12372-12383.

(9) Gargouri M et al. Dandelion-enriched diet of mothers alleviates lead-induced damages in liver of newborn rats. Cell Mol Biol (Noisy-le-grand). 2017 Feb 28;63(2):67-75.

(10) Shi C et al. Alpha-Lipoic acid protects against the cytotoxicity and oxidative stress induced by cadmium in HepG2 cells through regeneration of glutathione by glutathione reductase via Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway. Environ Toxicol Pharmacol. 2016 Jul;45:274-281.

La entrada Extra help cleaning your body se publicó primero en Neolife.

Medical information in the press should always be backed by the recommendations of a medical professional after forming a critical and reasoned impression of the information produced day by day.

Otherwise we can fall into the trap where a supplement with excellent cardiovascular properties is ineffective or a powerful weapon to combat severe osteoporosis in postmenopausal women is useless due to misinterpretation of isolated studies. Medical information should be imbued with evidence, common sense, judgment and, above all, objectivity.

Dr. Francisco Martínez Peñalver – Neolife Medical Team

In the news media that talk about medicine there is a clear tendency to report negatively.

Medicine is an inexact science full of dogmas that get debunked over the years thanks to knowledge, progress and scientific evidence. What happens in the field of medicine is that we often find newspaper articles that lack sufficient medical backing, where journalists take “licenses” that, perhaps, are permissible in other areas but in medicine mean resorting to false myths, inaccuracies and even lies.

If we look at the news media that talks about medicine we will find a clear tendency to report negatively: “drug x causes cancer”, “medical malpractice occurred at x hospital”, and yet it is very unusual to see news with a positive spin.

Take, for example, the use of female hormones in post-menopausal woman becoming associated with the risk of breast cancer due to information published in the media. There’s not even a reference in our national press to the American Menopause Society’s 2017 Declaration (1) explaining that the proper use of such hormones dramatically helps women who, due to menopause, have lost the majority of their quality of life, to recover a normal life without any health risks. This Declaration is in direct contrast to the journalistic interpretation of the WHI, a major study on the effects of hormone replacement therapy in women. This study used non-bioidentical hormones, rather than using progesterone to compensate for estrogenic proliferative effects, and used progestogens that boosted these effects, increasing the number of patients with cancer and vascular disease. The WHI saw a huge press backlash, as it notably didn’t include the study E3N-EPIC (2), which explained that the right combination of bioidentical progesterone and estrogens had a neutral (neither protective nor causative) effect on breast and endometrial cancer and on the emergence of undesirable effects at the cardiovascular level. Why didn’t this second study have any impact in the media? Probably because it reported on a positive aspect, on a real advancement in medicine, far removed from the sensationalism associated with headlines.

I’ll give you another example. In 2004 Dr. Morgenthaler, head of urology at Harvard, published in the medical journal with the greatest impact, the New England Journal of Medicine (3), that the correct use of hormone replacement therapy with testosterone is risk-free in terms of producing prostate cancer. He further theorizes that in patients with low testosterone levels there is a greater tendency for cancer to appear. After this article, the “testosterone-prostate cancer” sequence was very affected and references to that relationship in the press began to disappear. However, references to a potential relationship between “testosterone-cardiovascular diseases” began to appear without any proof that this was the case.

In other words, the press looked for another way to sensationalize a therapy that can be crucial to improving the quality of life of many of our elderly patients.

Recently, the health section of El Confidencial published an article called “if you want to prevent cancer or heart disease, forget about Omega 3 and vitamin D” full of these falsehoods and inaccuracies that it had previously commented on regarding supplementation with these two elements, and they continue along the lines of reinforcing negative news that affects the health sector. This article was based on the results of the VITAL study, in the hope that none of the readers of El Confidencial would access this article and read it in its entirety with a critical and reasoned eye. And I’ll give you a few examples.

For starters, the journalist claims that half of the American population consumes Omega 3 and/or vitamin D. I suppose he read the article in the New England Journal of Medicine (4) that says that half of the American population takes some kind of supplement, not specifically the two that the article talks about. Therefore, this first inaccuracy, which may seem to us like an example of the author’s poetic license, actually precedes an authentic string of inaccuracies and in some cases flat-out lies.

The article says word-for-word, “There have been no myocardial infarctions, attacks or cardiovascular deaths when consuming omega 3 on a daily basis after analyzing the data of participants in the study”. However, if we look at the VITAL study, a 28% decrease in the risk of myocardial infarction and a 50% decrease in the risk of fatal heart attack is reported, something that does not square up with what the article publishes and what it echoes a bit later but immediately discredits, denying the importance of such improvement. It also does not explain what the VITAL study itself refers to by the term “fatal infarction”, whether it refers to “sudden deaths” (a 50% decrease in the possibility of sudden death would seem like a wonderful effect of fatty acids).

Whereas in the VITAL study we see a positive but statistically insignificant (and therefore not demonstrable) difference between treatment and placebo, the author ignores such relationship. However, when it is negative, albeit statistically insignificant, the author doesn’t hesitate to keep it in. That’s why he leaves out the fact that patients who take vitamin D have fewer cases of cancer and doesn’t hesitate to boldly proclaim that those who consume omega 3 do indeed, even though it is outlandish to claim that “omegas” produce cancer (that doesn’t matter).

He goes on to mention an editorial by Rosen and Keaney in the New England Journal of Medicine, framing it as if these authors had stated that these supplements “should not be taken, period”. In reality, that editorial explains that there are doubts regarding their effectiveness, as there are articles showing they work and others showing they do not, but they never bluntly recommend against taking them. I guess he didn’t expect any readers to read that article either.

Later, the article mentions a study, which is not really even an study but a meta-analysis, which sows doubts regarding the use of vitamin D to improve bone health, and I understand that the journalist of El Confidencial trusted that no one would read that one either. Well, at Neolife we have read and observed that the meta-analysis is done on patients who took an average daily dose of 400-1000UI of vitamin D, and improvement was observed especially in patients with vitamin D levels below 25nmol/liter. In other words, the meta-analysis uses lower doses than we use in our treatments, and indeed improvements are observed in patients, especially those with lower levels. The writer of the El Confidencial article misrepresents all of this by stating “just one month ago a study published in The Lancet Diabetes and Endocronology showed that vitamin D did not help prevent fractures or improve bone density as opposed to what has traditionally been promised by those marketing the product.” Normally the therapeutic doses are 3-4 times those that have been used in the meta-analysis, and there is still a benefit even though the writer has forgotten, again, to mention this.

There is another typical journalistic practice when it comes to health news. Whenever there is a doctor who champions a treatment or a way of practicing medicine, you have to take them down. There the author looks to an article in the NYT about Dr. Holick recounting his business career without clarifying that this has to do with the effectiveness or not of vitamin D and omega supplements. Despite this, the NYT article, which in theory vilifies the use of vitamin D, indeed makes a footnote on a statement by the National Academy of Medicine about the proven usefulness of vitamin D in risky situations such as osteoporosis.

Casting even more doubt on supplementation, the author contradicts himself in the last paragraph when he mentions that “the lack of agreement on the use of Omega 3 is increasingly evident. In Spain, the consensus on fats and oils in food….”. So which is it, lack of agreement or consensus?

In short, medical information in the press should always be backed by the recommendations of a medical professional after forming a critical and reasoned impression of the vast amount of information produced day by day. Otherwise we can fall into the trap where a supplement with great cardiovascular properties is ineffective or a powerful weapon to combat severe osteoporosis in postmenopausal women is useless due to misinterpretation of isolated studies. Medical information should be imbued with evidence, common sense, judgment and, above all, objectivity.

In Neolife, all of our medical practice is based on the latest scientific evidence, always read with a critical but constructive mindset to discover all the ways of improvement applicable to the lives of our patients.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

(1) The 2017 hormone therapy position statement of the North American Menopause Society. Menopause. 2018 Nov;25(11):1362-1387.

(2) Fournier A et al. Breast cancer risk in relation to different types of hormone replacement therapy in the E3N-EPIC cohort. Int J Cancer. 2005 Apr 10;114(3):448-54

(3) Rhoden EL, Morgentaler A. Risks of testosterone-replacement therapy and recommendations for monitoring. N Engl J Med. 2004 Jan 29;350(5):482-492.

(4) Keaney JF Jr et al. VITAL signs for dietary supplementation to prevent cancer and heart disease. N Engl J Med. 2018 Nov 10.

La entrada Why has the VITAL article sparked controversy? se publicó primero en Neolife.

Bioidentical testosterone therapy, at the right doses, is completely safe and allows for a correct hormonal restoration. Nevertheless, myths and rumours still circulate despite lacking any scientific evidence.

Some of the misconceptions that abound in the collective imagination are: that testosterone is a “male” hormone; that its only role in women is for sexual desire and libido; that replacement therapy makes women more masculine; that it gives you a deeper (more manly) voice; that it causes hair loss; that it can have adverse side-effects on your cardiovascular system; that it causes aggression; or that it can increase the risk of breast cancer.

Dr. Iván Moreno – Neolife Medical Team

Many of these myths that create such a bad reputation for hormones are in fact extrapolations of the adverse effects seen from taking very high doses of anabolics, which have nothing to do with bioidentical testosterone.

Testosterone therapy is being increasingly used to alleviate symptoms of hormonal deficiency in pre and postmenopausal women.

Although numerous scientific studies show the safety and success of this treatment, rumours and myths have been created, which by sheer force of repetition seem to hold more “influence” despite lacking any supporting medical evidence.

Many of these myths are extrapolations of the adverse effects seen from taking very high doses of anabolics (testosterone derivatives) for other purposes (such as bodybuilding, doping, etc.).

In this article, we refer solely to therapy with bioidentical testosterone (which is identical to a human testosterone molecule) and only at replacement doses which aim to replenish the physiological levels we already had in our youth; this is the standard that governs a correct hormone restoration, which we employ here at Neolife.

Myth 1: Testosterone is a “male” hormone.

While it is true that men have higher levels of testosterone, the most abundant sex hormone present in a women’s body is also testosterone. Oestrogen (typically referred to as the “female” hormone), although present throughout a women’s life, is found in concentrations 10 times lower than that of testosterone. Testosterone, in balance with lower doses of oestradiol, is equally important for both sexes.

Fact: testosterone is the most abundant and biologically active hormone in women.

Myth 2: The only role of testosterone in women is for sexual desire and libido.

Another misconception, given that testosterone receptors are found in practically all tissues of a women’s body. Testosterone and its precursors decrease with age, and pre and postmenopausal women may experience symptoms of androgen deficiency such as: mood disorders, lack of well-being, fatigue, loss of bone density and muscle mass, mental dullness, memory disorders, hot flushes, joint discomfort, and sexual dysfunction etc.

Fact: testosterone is essential to a woman’s physical and mental health.

Myth 3: Testosterone treatment makes women more masculine.

Restoring a woman’s ideal hormone levels (to that which we had between the ages of 18-25 years old) far from making you more masculine, can in fact make you more feminine. Treatment should not be confused with the high supra-pharmacological doses which are administered to patients requiring more drastic changes due to gender issues; in which case, symptoms are still reversible by merely reducing the dosage.

Fact: excluding supra-pharmacological doses, testosterone has no masculinizing effects on women.

Myth 4: Testosterone will make your voice deeper (more masculine).

Hoarseness of voice can affect us at different times due to inflammation or infection of the throat, but is always reversible. There is no procedure whereby testosterone could produce such a phenomenon; even in cases of high doses of other androgens, there is no clear evidence of producing a deeper voice or any irreversible changes to the vocal chords.

Fact: there is no evidence that testosterone changes your voice.

Myth 5: Testosterone causes hair loss.

Hair loss is a complex and multifactorial process which is also genetically determined. “Androgenic” alopecia refers to the similar type of pattern baldness commonly found in men, not referring to the cause, but rather to the defined pattern. In any case, it is dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and not testosterone, which is involved. Obesity and insulin resistance, as well as alcohol, a sedentary lifestyle and some medications, can increase the conversion of testosterone to DHT and oestradiol in the hair follicle.

Approximately one third of women experience brittle hair and hair loss with age, which often coincides with a decrease in testosterone levels. However, there are studies in which hair regrowth has been achieved due to subcutaneous testosterone implants in such women.

Fact: testosterone does not cause hair loss; in fact, in some cases it can improve hair regrowth.

Myth 6: Testosterone has adverse effects at a cardiovascular level.

Unlike synthetic anabolics, there is no evidence that testosterone has any adverse effect at a cardiovascular level. In fact, its replacement has a beneficial effect on the metabolism of glucose and lipids, as well as on the maintenance of “lean mass” in both men and women’s bodies.

The most complete meta-analysis ³ carried out on this topic shows that there is no greater cardiovascular risk with testosterone replacement therapy; in fact, a lower occurrence of cardiovascular disease has been demonstrated in some groups (those presenting a higher cardiometabolic risk).

Fact: there is substantial evidence supporting the cardiovascular safety of testosterone, which even indicates a likely protective effect.

Myth 7: Testosterone damages the liver and can cause “clotting” (venous thromboembolic disease).

This is an “imported” rumour from the world of anabolic (synthetic androgens) over-use, which when taken orally in high doses, can in effect, cause liver damage. The truth is that parenteral testosterone (gels, skin patches or subcutaneous implants) avoids that first step through the liver and thus has no adverse effects (i.e. there is no increase in transaminase enzymes nor any alteration to the factors that affect blood clotting). There is therefore no relationship between testosterone administered in this way and the occurrence of blood clots (thrombosis, embolism), unlike synthetic steroids, or oestrogens taken without progesterone and progestins.

Fact: non-oral testosterone does not damage the liver or increase blood clotting.

Myth 8: Testosterone causes aggression.

Although the use of anabolics at high doses can cause aggression and attacks of “rage” (hence the rumour), this does not happen with testosterone. Even with supra-pharmacological doses of intramuscular testosterone, there has been no clear onset of aggression.

As has been previously mentioned, in cases of obesity, alcohol consumption, or a marked sedentary lifestyle, the conversion rate of testosterone to oestradiol can be seen to increase. The effects of excess oestrogen (oestradiol and its derivatives) however, have been associated with irritability and aggression in other species. In fact, in women presenting symptoms of androgen deficiency, treatment with testosterone has been shown to improve anxiety and irritability in more than 90% of cases².

Fact: testosterone therapy is not linked to aggression; even in women suffering from testosterone deficiency, therapy improves anxiety and irritability.

Myth 9: Testosterone may increase the risk of breast cancer.

Since 1937, it has been known that the development of breast cancer is usually dependent on oestrogen. Testosterone, however, could play a possible role in slowing down the growth of breast tissue, and may even be a treatment for breast cancer.

In recent studies, in which testosterone was administered together with an aromatase inhibitor (preventing any conversion into oestrogen), they found the tumour to reduce or even disappear⁵.

Fact: testosterone does not increase chances of breast cancer; in fact, it could help to prevent it.

Myth 10: the safety of testosterone use in women has not been tested.

Data of treatment at very high doses in transgender patients has existed for more than 40 years, and has shown this treatment to be safe. Any side-effects have been the consequence of oral intake (which is no longer used) or due to the conversion to oestradiol (which is rarely a problem at the doses used for bioidentical hormone replacement).

Fact: the safety of non-oral testosterone use has been well established in women for cases of very long-term treatments.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

(1) Glaser, R., & Dimitrakakis, C. (2013). Testosterone therapy in women: myths and misconceptions. Maturitas, 74(3), 230–234.

(2) Glaser R, York AE, Dimitrakakis C. Beneficial effects of testosterone therapy in women measured by the validated Menopause Rating Scale (MRS). Maturitas 2011; 68: 355–61.

(3) Corona G, Rastrelli G, Maggi M. Diagnosis and treatment of late onset hypogonadism: systematic review and meta- analysis of TRT outcomes. Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab 2013; 27: 557-579.

(4) Hackett, G., Kirby, M., Edwards, D., Jones, T. H., Wylie, K., Ossei-Gerning, N., et al. (2017). British Society for Sexual Medicine Guidelines on Adult Testosterone Deficiency, With Statements for UK Practice. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 14(12), 1504–1523.

(5) Glaser, R., & Dimitrakakis, C. 2015. Testosterone and breast cancer prevention. Maturitas, 82(3), 291–295.

La entrada 10 myths about testosterone treatment in women se publicó primero en Neolife.

Low carbohydrate diets are more effective as a means of weight loss and reducing cardiovascular risk factors than low-fat diets.

An article published in the Annals of Internal Medicine talks about the benefits of said diet, such as the significantly greater reduction in body fat, the optimization of the lipid profile or the significant decrease in the levels of C-reactive protein which is directly related to the presence of silent inflammation and consequently disease.

Tania Mesa – Nutritionist and Nurse from Neolife

The study ⁽¹⁾ conducted by the Department of Epidemiology at the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine in New Orleans, Louisiana and the University of Tulane analyzed the effects of a low carbohydrate diet on cardiovascular risk factors in 148 participants all without clinical cardiovascular disease or previous diabetes by comparison to a low-fat diet focusing on body weight.

The study consisted of randomly providing a low carbohydrate diet (<40g / day) or a low-fat diet (<30% of the recommended daily allowance of total fat and <7% of saturated fat). Both groups received dietary advice throughout the study accompanied with identical instructions during the first four weeks on an individual basis and then in small groups every two weeks thereafter for the following 5 months. The researchers collected information on the participants weight, cardiovascular risk factors and diet composition through a series of 24-hour reminders at the start of the diet at 3, 6 and 12 month intervals.

79% of the participants with an average age of 45.8 years had consumed a low carbohydrate diet and 82% of the participants with an average age of 47.8 years consumed a low-fat diet. The initial body mass index was 35.6 and 35.2 kg/m² respectively for each group. Both groups were balanced in terms of gender with each group having a similar balance (89% women, 88% men) and racially mixed with approximately the same number of black people as white people.

After one year, the study was repeated once more. Participants on the low carbohydrate diet had a significantly greater reduction in body weight as well as greater proportional reductions in fat mass, and greater relative increase in lean mass. Blood levels showed a reduction in LDL values, triglycerides and a comparatively significant increase in HDL levels when compared to those on the low-fat diet. Plasma glucose levels did not change significantly in either group, nor did blood pressure levels. However, the participants on the low carbohydrate diet showed a significant decrease in the C-reactive protein levels often associated with the presence of silent inflammation.

In conclusion, this study demonstrated that low carbohydrate diets are more effective as a means of weight loss and reducing cardiovascular risk factors than low-fat diets. Carbohydrate restricted high glycemic index diets are available as a nutritional option at Neolife for people who want to lose weight and reduce cardiovascular risk factors.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Lydia A.Bazzano. , MD. , PhD., MPH., et al. Effects of low-carbohydrate and low-fat diets: a randomized trial.Search annals of internal medicine; 161 published online 2 September 2014

La entrada Low carbohydrate diet can help prevent diseases se publicó primero en Neolife.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in developed countries, far ahead of the sum of all forms of cancer.

Every year, twice as many women die as a result of a stroke than from breast cancer. Cardiovascular disease does not affect men alone: in fact, its incidence is similar in men and women between 40 and 59 years of age.

In addition, in many cases the first symptom or sign of cardiovascular disease is the heart attack itself, or a cerebral thromboembolism and, therefore, prevention even when asymptomatic is necessary.

Anyone who is even remotely informed of cardiovascular disease is well aware of the importance of preventing myocardial infarction or cerebral thrombosis through good lifestyle habits, especially with regard to nutrition and exercise.

Until only a few years ago, cholesterol and high blood pressure were the main culprits of cardiovascular disease. This is somewhat true, but only in part. Science is continuously advancing and things change. Nowadays, “Don’t eat more than two eggs a week” is a well known yet completely obsolete piece of medical advice. Fatty meats, sausages, whole milk products… are all rich in saturated fats and cholesterol, and their intake should be controlled. However, cholesterol is not the only culprit, and neither is it the main culprit of cardiovascular disease. The main culprits are in fact trans fats, diabetes, obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, smoking, and family history…

For more than 60 years, numerous scientific studies have been questioning the correlation between plasma cholesterol levels and the formation of atherosclerotic plaque that triggers a cardiovascular event. An example of this is known as “The French Paradox” (1), which refers to the epidemiological observation of a low incidence of cardiovascular disease among the French with diets that are rich in saturated fat and high levels of cholesterol. Of course this is not to say that having high cholesterol is now recommended.

Recent studies have shown that 75% of cardiovascular attacks are not the result of atherosclerotic plaque narrowing the iliac artery, but rather due to a rupture of swollen and unstable atherosclerotic plaque that breaks away and forms a blood clot. This blood clot travels through the artery until it becomes too narrow where it then obstructs the passage of blood and produces a heart attack, if it is in the heart, or a stroke, if it is in the brain.

What really matters is therefore the degree of inflammation and plaque stability. Unfortunately, it is possible to have inflamed and unstable atherosclerotic plaque in our arteries without any symptoms, even with normal cholesterol levels. In fact, 50% of people who suffer a heart attack have normal cholesterol levels (2). Fortunately, analytical and image testing are already available in order to detect the presence of atherosclerotic plaque and the degree of stability, using a minimally invasive technique.

At Neolife, we measure the Intima-Media Thickness (IMT) of the inner two layers of the carotid artery wall to provide an accurate and early indicator of the formation of atherosclerotic plaque. The greater the thickness, the higher the risk of cardiovascular disease (3). We also determine the absence or presence, to a greater or lesser degree, of any calcification of atherosclerotic plaque in the coronary arteries (Calcium Score). The calcification of atherosclerotic plaque is an indicator of its inflammation and it is understood that the greater the level of calcification, the higher the cardiovascular risk.

Therefore, it is not just about addressing our cholesterol levels and blood pressure when learning about our degree of cardiovascular health. A deep understanding of our health and longevity biomarkers gives us the necessary information to effectively manage our health and the quality of the rest of our life.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

(1) “The French Paradox; Lessons for other countries”

(2) Sachdeva A, Cannon CP, Deedwania PC, et al. Lipid levels in patients hospitalized with coronary artery disease: an analysis of 136,905 hospitalizations in Get With The Guidelines. Am Heart J. 2009;157(1):111-117.e2.

(3) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20378078

(4) The Lp-PLA2 Studies Collaboration. Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 and risk of coronary disease, stroke and mortality: collaborative analysis of 32 prospective studies. Lancet. 2010;375(9725):1536-1544.

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