Special Note! Each year, at The Center for Natural and Integrative Medicine, our doctors and staff offer free seminars on today’s hot health topics.

For example, here is your reminder to join us Jan. 23rd for Dr . Amar’s seminar on Men’s Health. Learn about the modalities for low testosterone, and discover the multiple causes behind low libido. The seminar will also take a close look at weight loss strategies, specifically aimed at the male in the 21st century.

In a way, John Wayne’s larger-than-life characters set an impossible standard for men. “A man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do,” he said, and many men seem to believe that means they have to do it all. Like Superman, many men believe they must be super strong, super sensitive and super smart.

To some individuals, the stress of being manly in our society means:

1. Many men feel they must be indispensable at work and at home.

2. Many men feel they must exude energy and ambition at all times, whether they are at their dawn work-out or out with the boys on a Happy Hour.

It is no wonder that one in five men report constant fatigue as their primary symptom when they visit their doctor.

Another sad side-effect of this exhaustive Superman schedule is that 42% of them admit they would actually prefer sleep, instead of sex.

Routine acceptance of exhaustion can lead to many health problems. Some men turn to melatonin supplements to help them gain sleep on demand. According to a recent Men’s Health article, “melatonin supplements may help you get sleep, but they’re more of a band-aid on the problem.”

At the Center for Natural and Integrative Medicine, we endorse a better way for men to get rested and practice wellness: “Identify the bad habits that prevent you from logging shut-eye. Going to bed at the same time every night, waking up at a consistent time, and regular exercise can improve sleep. And give up your smart phone and tablet before bed! A study in Applied Ergonomics found using them for two hours could reduce melatonin levels, which can prevent you from dozing off.”

Remember, a manly man does not have to be “more powerful than a locomotive, able leap tall buildings in a single bound or run faster than a speeding bullet,” to have a healthy, enjoyable, and totally fulfilling life!  And that’s the truth, “pilgrim.”

We hope we will see you at the seminar, 6:00 P.M., Jan. 23rd for Dr . Amar’s seminar on Men’s Health, and you or a loved one can begin your journey to your good health. As always, the Center for Natural and Integrative Medicine will be here for you, to be your “bridge to wellness,” with support for your healthy choices in lifestyle, nutrition and treatment plans.

If you can not make it to this seminar, we hope you mark your calendar for the next one. On Feb. 20th, our topic will be “Stress Reduction.” According to webmd, stress is “what you feel when you have to handle more than you are used to. When you are stressed, your body responds as though you are in danger. It makes hormones that speed up your heart, make you breathe faster, and give you a burst of energy.” Join us to find out about healthy techniques to control stress.