Author: Troy Browning

Essential trace elements range from metals to non-metals. What makes them essential is their variable oxidation state. They are important parts of oxidative-reduction enzymes in the body. They also have roles in transport proteins, cofactors, and detoxification and defense. Trace elements are carried bound to transport proteins in the blood. Because they are generally toxic when in free form, they are transported bound from entry to exit within the body. Iron Iron is important in the transportation of oxygen from the lungs by way of the blood stream to the tissues. It is present in the red blood cell protein,…

No sweat is not just an expression. Limiting perspiration in localized areas associated with apocrine sweat is desirable from a social perspective. Apocrine sweat is associated with odor because of the action of bacteria on components of the sweat. In a functional sense, products may approach the problem by inhibiting bacterial growth, inhibiting sweat secretion, or merely deodorizing the product. Substances that inhibit perspiration either by reducing pore size or by clogging pores to retard perspiration are antiperspirants. Aluminum chlorohydrate (or derivatives thereof) is the most common compound used in antiperspirants and deodorants. Cyclodextrins, baking soda or talc may be…

Q: Local doctors don’t seem to take my problem seriously, and I don’t know who else to ask. For the last year or so I’ve had erection problems. I seldom wake up with an erection. This affects my social life because I’m afraid I won’t be able to perform. I also have no force behind my stream when I urinate. If I pee outside, I barely miss my shoes! And when I am done urinating, I have to shake and dance a great deal to get it all out, and it still leaves a spot in my pants! Sometimes I…

Q. I am 54 and have been diagnosed with type II diabetes for seven years. I have been experiencing erectile dysfunction for the past two years. I initially thought it was due to a circumcision I had performed five years ago, but I now understand that it may be due to the lack of blood sugar control I had during the early stages of my diabetes. I have been in control for the past two years, and lately I have began to experience some slight erections during the mornings and sometimes during the day. Would you please tell me if…

Q. I’m 59, and I’ve had difficulty getting an erection suitable for intercourse since I started taking antihypertensives about 20 years ago. I have also had four back surgeries (three procedures for herniated lumbar discs and a total lumbar fusion) that left me with some permanent nerve damage, causing foot drop and weakness in one leg. I have tried penile suppositories and injections. Although the injections were somewhat helpful, they were not ideal. Might an implant be my best option at this point? Should I see another urologist for an opinion? A. You have pointed out two possible causes for…

Q. When a man wakes up in the morning, should he always have an erection? If he does not, should he see a doctor? A. Nocturnal erections are part of the normal physiologic rhythm for men. There is nothing sexual about nocturnal erections. The erections are the body’s way of refreshing the blood in the penis. Unlike other parts of the body that have a high blood flow all the time, the blood flow to the penis is low during the flaccid (soft) state. When the penis is erect, the blood flow goes up. That means that most of the…

Q: I am 26 and was recently diagnosed with diabetes. I am having a hard time maintaining an erection or reaching orgasm. Can anything be done to correct this problem? A: Diabetes is far more than just a “sugar problem.” Even when blood sugar is controlled, it can still affect the body’s vascular and nervous systems. Over time, high glucose levels may damage the small blood vessels and nerves responsible for erections — a condition known as diabetic neuropathy. This can cause not only erectile dysfunction but also issues such as poor bladder control or constipation. In many men, nerve…

Q. Can eating foods containing phytoestrogens lower a man’s testosterone ratio, thus leading to erection dysfunction? Short answer: For most men eating a typical diet, foods that contain plant estrogens (phytoestrogens) such as soy, flax, legumes, or whole grains have not been shown to meaningfully lower testosterone or cause erectile dysfunction (ED). Clinical trials generally find no significant changes in total or free testosterone with moderate soy or isoflavone intake, and no consistent impact on libido or erections. If you’re noticing symptoms, look for broader contributors (sleep, stress, weight, alcohol, medications, metabolic health) rather than blaming single foods—see ideas in Improving…

Q. I am considering taking Propecia for male-pattern baldness. Besides the figures the company supplies, can you refer me to any independent information regarding its effect on a man’s erection and urge to have sex? A. Propecia is the trade name for finasteride. Finasteride was designed for treating enlarged prostates. It works by blocking an enzyme responsible for changing testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). High levels of DHT can be bad because the substance promotes cell growth in the prostate. If we decrease the production of DHT, the prostate shrinks. The formulation of finasteride used to treat the prostate comes in…

Q: I am 32 and can’t sustain a rigid erection for a long period of time. I’ve been to one doctor, two urologists, an impotence center and a psychologist and the only answer I have is a prescription of Viagra. The impotence center did thorough testing and determined I had a blood leak. An electrode rigid meter verified I did not have normal erections during sleep. I obtained two semi-erections, about 50 percent of normal. With Viagra I feel like I did when I was younger. However, I don’t want to depend on drugs the rest of my life. The…