Dr. Derrick DeSilva, the host of HealthRadio which is broadcast across the country, asked Dr. Barber about the roles hormones can play in a person’s heart health in both men and women. Dr. Barber states that both estrogen and testosterone play a larger role in heart health than many may think. She states, “Estrogen levels in both in men and women are directly related to heart health. Estrogen levels affect the elasticity in blood vessels and arteries that provide adequate function of heart.” She further explains that low testosterone levels can have a negative effect on heart health in both genders.

In addition to the national attention, Dr. Barber was recently asked to discuss male menopause in an article in the Post and Courier titled, “Tackling the Aging Process” which was written by columnist Ken Burger and featured Dr. Barber as an expert on the aging process.

Cenegenics Carolinas is an age management medical facility. A board-certified anesthesiologist, Dr. Barber holds a medical degree from the Medical University of South Carolina. She completed her residency in anesthesiology and internship in general surgery at Tulane University Medical Center, as well as a fellowship in obstetrical anesthesia at Harvard Medical School/Brigham & Women’s Hospital. She later earned Physician Training & Certification in Age Management Medicine from the Cenegenics Education and Research Foundation (CERF) and the Foundation for Care Management (FCM).

Published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association, the AHA says ideal cardiovascular health for adults is defined by these health measures:

1. Never smoked or quit more than a year ago.
2. A healthy body mass index (BMI)
3. Physical activity, and the more the better. The new measure says at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity exercise is necessary for ideal health, or 75 minutes weekly of vigorous physical activity.
4. Blood pressure below 120/80.
5. Fasting blood glucose less than 100 milligrams/deciliter, a fasting measure of blood sugar level.
6. Total cholesterol of less than 200 milligrams/deciliter.
7. Eating a healthy diet. Four to five of the key components of a healthy diet are followed. For a 2,000-calorie diet, these include:
* At least 4.5 cups of fruits and vegetables per day
* At least two 3.5 oz. servings of fish per week, preferably oily fish
* At least three 1-ounce servings of fiber rich foods per day
* Limiting sodium to less than 1,500 milligrams a day
* Drinking no more than 36 ounces weekly of sugar-sweetened beverages

The AHA hopes the seven factors could improve the cardiovascular health of Americans by 20% by the year 2020, and also reduce deaths from cardiovascular-related diseases and strokes by 20%.

How is your cardiovascular health? Schedule a Cenegenics-Carolinas comprehensive health evaluation today. Call (843) 577-8484 or email us for more information.

Valentine’s Day is a reminder to many that their love lives are not what they once were. Dr. Mickey Barber, CEO and Chief Medical Officer of Cenegenics Carolinas, treats patients daily that share a common complaint: low libido and little interest in sex. She states, “A low libido is caused in part by low testosterone or low estrogen levels. The production of these hormones decreases as we age. It is natural for those levels to decrease, but this is a medical issue that can be addressed and there is treatment available.”

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, there are steps people can take to bring back the romance and combat the problem. Becoming more physically active, getting extra pounds off, being well rested, and eating the right foods high in zinc and Vitamins B5 and B6 are a start.

Dr. Barber states, “There is no reason that a person in their 60’s should have a low libido and feel helpless. At Cenegenics Carolinas, we work with patients on a daily basis to help increase testosterone and estrogen production which increases sexual desire. Men and women in their 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s come to Cenegenics Carolinas to feel younger and get the spark back in their relationship.”

Low testosterone, estrogen and low libido are issues that affect thousands of people. From exercise plans and nutritional direction to hormone supplements, Cenegenics Carolinas physician’s comprise individual treatment plans that will help patients get their sex lives back on track while feeling years younger.

For more information, please contact us at (843) 577-8484.

Listen to the radio interview.

Read the Post and Courier article

There are several aphrodisiacs, or “love foods”, that will help put both men and women in the mood. Dr. Mickey Barber of Cenegenics Carolinas states, “Certain foods are clinically proven to enhance testosterone production. A low testosterone level in both men and women translates often into low sex drives. Increasing that testosterone level will increase one’s sexual desire.”

Five “Love Foods” to serve on Valentine’s Day:

Poultry-Why boring chicken? Because it contains zinc, the most important material as far as testosterone production. Other main course options rich in zinc are oysters and animal proteins.

Sweet basil- Add this to a chicken dish. Sweet basil can stimulate a person’s sex drive while boosting fertility.

Salmon-This fish dish is full of Omega 3 fatty acids that are known to increase testosterone production and help blood circulation.

Eggs- Eggs are rich in vitamins B5 and B6 that have proved to have a positive impact on testosterone production.

Chocolate-Don’t skip dessert! Cocoa beans found in chocolate are known to increase endorphins level in women. The release of endorphins also causes a release of sex hormones.

This is a menu that may help put the spark back into a relationship on Valentine’s night for any couple wishing for a romantic evening.

Cenegenics Carolinas is an age management medical facility that helps patients with low testosterone levels on a daily basis. Get more information on hormone replacement therapy. See more CenFully Good Recipe ideas.

In today’s society, 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep is hard to get. Here are a few tips that can help:

1. Get to bed early! Being in bed before 10:30 dramatically improves your odds of a good night’s rest.
2. Turn the TV and computer off 1 hour before bed (allows your brain to calm down, as flickering lights wake it up).
3. Create a “pre-bed” ritual, or a pattern that you do to get ready for bed every night.
4. Get rid of all light in your room while sleeping. Even small amounts of light (like the LED light on your cell phone) are enough to disrupt sleep.
5. Think of the bed as being for 2 things only, sleep and sex!

Jeremy Jacobs is an Exercise and Nutrition Counselor at Cenegenics Carolinas.

Here are 5 practices to incorporate into your daily life to help fight the negative impacts of stress.

1) Look at your diet – Reach for stress busting foods to help reduce anxiety, blood pressure and stabilize blood sugar levels, all of which increase when the body registers stress. Foods such as spinach, fatty fish (tuna and salmon), avocado, and nuts such as almonds or pistachios contain important vitamins and nutrients that combat the physical and mental effects of stress.

2) Exercise – The best stress buster there is – hands down! Exercise increases endorphins, those chemicals that make you happy. Shoot for 30 minutes a day on most days for a more positive mental attitude.

3) Make time for quiet time – Take a few minutes each day to relax the mind, body and spirit. Simply making the time to take a few deep breaths and clearing your mind can do wonders for your response to daily stressors.

4) Supplement with Vitamins and Minerals – Vitamin supplements such as B-12, magnesium and potassium can help to reduce anxiety and lower blood pressure.

5) Enjoy a cup of tea – Studies show that drinking green or black tea throughout the day can help you recover from stressful events more quickly, and to bring the stress hormone level back to normal faster. FYI – coffee does not have the same effect.

Feeling fatigued, stressed out, and suffering from lack of energy? Schedule a comprehensive health evaluation with Cenegenics Carolinas today. Register or call (843) 577-8484 for more information.