Nutrition Tip of The Week
It seems a high number of UK males have alarming levels of Insulin and Oestrogen in their bodies and there are associated consequences of this. A High level of Insulin is DIRECTLY linked to disinsulinemia, which is essentially pre-diabetes and high levels of Oestrogen WILL promote the onset of certain female characteristics especially when it comes to fat distribution around the body, in addition to this, if levels of Oestrogen are higher than the accepted norms then it is fair to say that Testosterone will be ramped down and research DOES link High levels of Estrogen in men to increased risk of Cancers.
What causes High Oestrogen?
In the UK, the reasons for unacceptable levels of Oestrogen in men are linked to,
- excessive amounts of Insulin in the body
- excessive consumption of alcohol
- Zinc deficiency
- Obesity
What Is the Strategy?
Get your fella to cut down his Carbohydrates, he doesn’t need them in such large quantities. In particular the simple, high Glycemic, high Insulin loaded foods. Get him to consume higher levels of proteins and healthy fats and greens with moderate forms of low Glycemic carbohydrates.
Cut down his alcohol consumption. The UK has always maintained higher levels of alcohol consumption in comparison to other European countries and it is completely unnecessary. Enjoy a drink by all means, but pouring pint after pint of lager / beer down your neck will have its consequences, especially in the evening.
Get him on a High Zinc supplement. Unfortunately the food grown from the soil that we have in this country is no longer as rich in the Selenium and essential minerals that it used to be in the 1950's and 60's, so we need to ensure our men are getting sufficient zinc supply. Exact requirements will vary dependant on the size of the individual, but when I am working with male clients who present a clear Zinc deficiency I will tend to advise they take a 30mg Zinc tablet with each meal throughout the day to help ramp up this important mineral in the body. It is also worth considering that the higher the energy expenditure each day aand the more stress you are exposed to the more the body will draw down on the vitamins and minerals you ingest.
Keep his body fat % down. Total body weight is not as important as the body fat %. So the more important factor here, is the quality and make up of the 'Body Composition'. For example, I have clients who weigh in at 16 – 17 stone but have a body fat of 12%. On a BMI Index of course it would show up they were overweight but with a 12% body fat they are most definitely not overweight.