Dax Shepard talks to Ellen DeGeneres about making his relapse public

Dax Shepard told Ellen DeGeneres that he struggled with making his relapse from sobriety public, until a friend changed his perspective.

Entertain This!, USA TODAY

Actor Dax Shepardhas spent years talking openly about sobriety, building his highly successful Armchair Expert podcast around an ethos of vulnerability. Shepard was in recovery for 16 years when he revealed in September that he had relapsed with prescription pain pills, a fact he was reticent to admit publicly but that he decided was relevant for a fanbase who had come to admire his honesty.

In his latest disclosure, the 46-year-old said on his podcast with guests Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis that he isusing "heavy testosterone injections."

"I spent my whole life as a medium boy," he said after Kutcher remarked on the size of his biceps, "and now I'm a big boy and I like it."

Shepard initially said he was using testosterone to bulk up, but when Kutcher and Kunis expressed concern, Shepard said low testosterone runs in his family and that using it has also helped improve his disposition.

Testosterone is a hormone that helps men maintain everything from muscle strength to facial hair to sex drive. While there are medical reasons for using testosterone,experts say steroid use carries many physical and mental health risks.

"Testosterone is an androgen. It is a powerful steroid that can have a lot of effects downstream, that can impact mood, that can then impact anxiety, that can also itself lead to addiction,"said Collin Reiff, an addiction psychiatrist at NYU Langone Health who specializes in substance abuse treatment.

Testosterone peaks during adolescence and young adulthood, according to the Mayo Clinic, and declines with age. Shalender Bhasin, a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, said testosterone is only approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for one clinical use: treatment of hypogonadismin men (a condition where the body does not produce enough testosterone).

Testosteronetreatment is also medically appropriate, Bhasin said, as gender affirming care.

Dessa Bergen-Cico, coordinator of the Addiction Studies program at Syracuse University, says the use of alcohol, cannabis, amphetaminesandopioids, which Shepard said he abused during his last relapse, can all lower testosterone. Opioid agonist therapies, including methadone and suboxone, can also suppress testosterone. In these cases, experts saytestosterone replacement therapy may be recommended, but only under the care of a medical professional.

But even when testosterone is prescribed, it can include a host of dangerous and unwelcome side effects, including an increased risk of blood clots and cardiac problems as well as enlarged breasts and limited sperm production.

While Shepard said testosterone has helped with his mood he said he "was depressed after (the 2017 film) 'CHIPS'" and now is"on fire to work" Bhasin saidits efficacy in treating major depression has not been shown.

"There is agreement that testosterone does not improve major clinical depression," he said.

Endocrinologists say the majority of testosterone misuse is driven by body dissatisfaction. Most people who misuse testosterone are young men, almost always weightlifters andrecreational bodybuilders who are usingtestosterone to look leaner and more muscular.

"It's a body image disorder,"Bhasin said.

Shepard said he wanted to build muscle mass and has"gained about 24 pounds" by working out "six days a week, lifting heavy (weights)," and usingtestosterone.

Bergen-Cico saidexercise is alsoviewed in the field of behavioral healthas a legitimateaddiction, andsteroids can exacerbate it.

"The use of steroids can play into that and theycan become not addictive in the same way as stimulants and depressants but can play into the same reward and reinforcement pathways in the brain," she said. "It also fosters an increase in adrenaline, aggression andanger, which can have an addictive quality or bite to it."

Michael Parent,a psychology professor at the University of Texas at Austin, saidthe paraphernalia required to administer testosterone may add an additional layer of risk for some people in recovery.

"If someone is using injectable steroids, that means they have needles around and for some people those needles are triggers," he said. "You might have a stock of hundreds of needles and for some people, it just removes one more barrier from a potential relapse."

Experts stress that no one should use steroids unless under the care of a medical professional. There are significant long-term risks of steroid use.

"One-third of men who use large doses will have profound suppression of testicular function when they stop,"Bhasin said. "It can take months or years to recover. Some may not."

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Dax Shepard is taking 'heavy testosterone injections,' which are often misused. What experts want you to know. - USA TODAY

When it comes to men's health, eating well and maintaining a regular exercise schedule are great ways to pursue a healthy lifestyle at any age. But sometimes it's okay if we need an extra boost in the form of vitamins or supplements.

Finding supplements for men has a lot to do with keeping testosterone levels up. According to Anthony Capasso, MD, "maintaining healthy levels of testosterone is critical to men's health through all stages of life." Testosterone is important for many reasons, including heart health, memory and brain function, and overall better quality of health.

In order to help the men in our lives, we found research and talked with doctors and dietitians about the best supplements for men to take, from balancing testosterone levels to reducing risk of prostate cancer. And for more health tips, be sure to check out our list of The 7 Healthiest Foods to Eat Right Now.

Many of us are familiar with taking fish oil supplements for things like brain and heart health, but what about krill oil? Krill oil supplements are very similar to fish oil, except they come from crustacean species.

Krill oil, just like fish oil, has high levels of EDA and DHA. These are two types of Omega-3 fatty acids, which are popular nutrients for improving heart health.

One lesser-known benefit of omega-3 fatty acids is the reduced risk of prostate cancer in men, as well as possible support of male fertility. Lauren Manaker, MS, RDN, LD a registered dietitian and member of the Eat This, Not That! Medical Expert Board says that krill oil may be a better choice over fish oil supplements. "Krill Oil may provide superior absorption over fish oil because it delivers omega-3 EPA and DHA in its natural phospholipid form," says Manaker, "which will also ease digestion and eliminate the fishy burps that many people experience with fish oil."

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Many doctors agree that ashwagandha, a natural herb used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries, has incredible benefits for helping with anxiety and increasing testosterone. "A major problem men over 40 experience is the steady drop in testosterone levels," says Dr. Capasso, "and this causes men to start packing on more abdominal fat as they get older, which can lead to numerous health issues such as cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes, colorectal cancer, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, and ultimately premature death."

With this in mind, it's important for men to take supplements that help them maintain their normal levels of testosterone. "Ashwagandha unlocks reserves of the body's testosterone creating up to a 400% testosterone boost," says Dr. Capasso. Andrea Paul, MD adds that "unlike Testosterone Replacement Therapy, herbal products that increase testosterone (like ashwagandha) don't interfere with the body's natural production of it."

RELATED: Ashwagandha: Everything You Need to Know Before You Try It

Magnesium has many common benefits for both men and women like improved heart health, decreased cancer risk, and improved mood regulation. According to Dr. Paul, magnesium is specifically important for men's health. "Many Americans are magnesium deficient, and supplementation of this mineral is associated with increased testosterone levels in both sedentary and active adults," says Dr. Paul. And according to Dr. Paul, men have a greater need for magnesium on average because they often (but not always) have more weight on their bodies.

It's also important to note what type of magnesium supplements you are taking. Dr. Paul says that "magnesium glycinate is better absorbed by the body than magnesium oxide, which is the cheaper and more common type used in supplements."

Vitamin D is an important supplement for health, as it can help with things like bone strength, reducing risk of cancer, and improving overall mood. According to Victoria Swift, MD, vitamin D is also a great supplement for men to take as they get older. "Aside from the benefits to overall health, vitamin D also enhances testosterone levels to prevent sleep apnea and low metabolism," says Swift.

RELATED: One Major Effect of Taking Vitamin D Supplements, Says New Study

Probiotics are an important supplement for men to take to improve and maintain their overall health. Probiotics are living microorganisms that help the existing beneficial bacteria in our gut, supporting our digestive and overall health in the process. They can be found naturally form in some fermented foods like yogurt and kefir.

Along with overall health benefits related to a balanced gut microbiome, recent studies have found connections between taking probiotics and improving male fertility and testosterone levels. A 2017 study in the American Society of Andrology found a significant increase in sperm count and quality after probiotic therapy.

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Best Supplements for Men, According to Experts | Eat This Not That - Eat This, Not That

Testosterone, as most of us are familiar with, is the hormone responsible for several masculine characters in people. The manliness in your voice, the muscular frame of your body, your sexual libido, or the amount of hair on your body are some features that are determined by the amount of testosterone produced in your body.

Being unable to feel energetic or having drastic mood swings can be a few of the indicators of having a low testosterone count in you. Thanks to advances in medicine, you can now increase the production of testosterone in your body through testosterone therapy, also widely known as testosterone replacement therapy (TRT).

A low testosterone count may be the result of various factors with aging being one of the most common ones. As men reach the age of 50 or 55, the prostate glands efficiency in producing testosterone lowers down, resulting in a low sex drive, changes in mood, low energy levels, etc.

There can be other factors that come into play too when you have a low T-level during your young years. Any symptoms of low T should be addressed immediately. There is no need to shy away.

Just because TRT is readily available, its not always advisable to simply administer a TST for yourself. A proper diagnosis of your condition, the present levels should be done by a doctor and then, on the advice and with the guidance of the doctor, you can proceed with the therapy.

A bit of surfing and research on the net on TRT will only increase the apprehensions you already have in mind.

Yes, as it is an alteration in the hormonal count in the body, there are several noted side effects of the therapy such as skin rashes and hair loss which are reported by the users. But a look at the benefits of testosterone therapy will only get you ready for the leap if at all it is necessary.

Some of the more common side effects from low testosterone include the following:

The benefits of testosterone therapy are far lesser-known compared to the side effects for various, including the lesser availability of information on the subject.

While the benefits of TRT are good, there are some side effects that you should be aware of. Most Doctors will tell you that TRT therapy is completely safe and it is for most men but not for all.

Some of the side effects you should be concerned with include the following:

While some men may think that chemical TRT therapy is the only way to increase testosterone, this is not always the case. Many of the causes of low testosterone are often due to lack of exercise and poor diet. There are certain minerals that men can take instead of chemical TRT to naturally boost testosterone levels.

Minerals like Zinc and Magnesium are both essential for boosting testosterone levels and there are many supplements that can naturally increase testosterone with no side effects.

How much of a negative impact does it have on your life?

If you are struggling with subtle symptoms you may want to consider supplementation as a first option. A natural testosterone booster can help increase testosterone levels safely without side effects. In many cases, this will help most men restore levels back to normal.

The benefit of testosterone supplements is that they have concentrated amounts of vitamins and minerals you need. However, if you want to do it with diet and exercise you can. Strength training is a good way to increase testosterone levels. You may also want to consider eating more foods that help boost testosterone.

Low testosterone is not something to be extremely concerned about, while it is a health condition that affects men of all ages, it is something that is relatively simple to correct. If you feel you suffer from symptoms you should consult your doctor, he can then suggest a proper treatment depending on the severity of your condition.

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Benefits of Testosterone Therapy - JBH News

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T.J. Dillashaw takes on Cory Sandhagen in the main event of this Saturdays UFC Fight Night card. This marks Dillashaws return to MMA following a two-year suspension he received for using the banned substance EPO. This fight is highly anticipated as many question whether Dillashaw can reach the heights he did prior to the suspension.

Heading into his flyweight title bout with Henry Cejudo in January 2019, Dillashaw was widely considered to be one of the pound-for-pound best fighters in the world. He was the reigning UFC bantamweight champion and had emerged victorious in his bitter rivalry with former teammate Cody Garbrandt. He had delivered back-to-back knockouts of the Ohio native and was at the peak of his career. The 35-year-old decided to make the move down to flyweight in a quest to become a two-division champion.

Dillashaws prospects of securing the victory looked to be in jeopardy at the weigh-in, as he appeared extremely gaunt and drawn out. Consequently, many fans were not surprised when he was knocked out by Cejudo just 32 seconds into the contest. Dillashaw complained incessantly in the aftermath, claiming that the stoppage was premature. The worst news for him was yet to come.

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On March 20, 2019, Dillashaw announced that he would be relinquishing his bantamweight title after USADA and the New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) had found adverse findings in his system. He received a 12-month suspension from NYSAC and on April 9 it was announced that he had been given a two-year suspension by USADA (an additional year to the one he had already received by NYSAC). It was later revealed that he had tested positive for the banned substance EPO in both pre- and post-fight drug tests.

This was considered to be one of the most egregious examples of a fighter gaining an advantage with the use of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) in MMA history. He was widely condemned by the MMA community and many fans called for him to receive a lifetime ban from the sport. Dillashaws conditioning was one of his biggest weapons in the Octagon. The fact that he had been caught with EPO in his system led many to question how long he had been using banned substances. USADA later re-tested the Dillashaw samples that they had from prior tests and did not find banned substances in his system from those fights.

Sandhagen is coming off back-to-back, highlight-reel knockout wins and will be in a buoyant mood ahead of this bout. He disposed of former title challenger Marlon Moraes inside two rounds with a spinning wheel kick and followed this up by knocking Frankie Edgar unconscious with a vicious flying knee in just 28 seconds.

Dillashaw must be wary on the feet against a man who has developed into one of the best strikers in the UFC bantamweight division. Sandhagen has tremendous footwork, making it hard for his opponents to close him down and also possesses excellent speed. He is tall for the weight class and uses this to his advantage. He has a diverse striking arsenal, something that his last two opponents found out to their detriment. His tricky, unorthodox footwork is ironically reminiscent of Dillashaw at his best. A combination of these factors has led to Sandhagen becoming one of the best 135-pound fighters on the planet in the time that Dillashaw has been away from the sport.

However, Dillashaw will know that Sandhagen has glaring flaws in his ground game and submission defense. The 29-year-old was submitted by Aljamain Sterling and came very close to being submitted by John Lineker. Dillashaw has a wrestling background and will almost certainly test Sandhagen in this area. The Colorado native has spoken of his improvement on the ground in training, but has been unable to showcase this in his last two contests. Until he displays this growth in the Octagon, Sandhagens opponents will continue to target this area as a potential weakness.

A sub-plot to this fight is the fact that Dillashaw and Sandhagen are former teammates. They trained together at Elevation Fight Team in Colorado between 2015 and 2017. Dillashaw utilized Sandhagen as one of his main training partners in the build-up to his title fight with Dominick Cruz in 2016. Dillashaw spoke highly of Sandhagen at the time and stated that his teammate had given him a lot of problems in sparring.

The knowledge that these two men have of each others games may now be outdated, but the insight they have of the psychological make-up of their opponent could prove to be extremely valuable. Dillashaw already had a reputation as being an emotional fighter even before his suspension and Sandhagen could look to exploit this. The 29-year-old may look to use the game plan that Dominick Cruz employed against Dillashaw in 2016. Cruzs elusive style seemed to cause Dillashaw to chase his opponent and rush into counters. Sandhagen has the attributes to replicate this strategy and force mistakes from his former teammate.

Ring rust is another concern for Dillashaw. Being away from the sport for two years and returning to take on a younger fighter is a big risk. Dillashaw knows that a title shot is in reach with a win. But if he is a shell of his former self, he will never reach his pre-suspension levels ever again. The fight being scheduled for five rounds seems to favor Sandhagen. A game plan to drag the fight into the later rounds to test Dillashaws cardio would be smart.

Dillashaw is looking to avoid the fate of fighters who have struggled following returns from failed drug tests. The most notable example of this was the decline of former UFC light heavyweight champion Vitor Belfort. Belfort was controversially allowed to use testosterone-replacement therapy (TRT) during a part of his UFC tenure. He claimed that competing without the substance would put him at a disadvantage.

This coincided with a stunning career revival in his mid-30s, as he delivered a series of brutal knockouts to become the No. 1 contender at middleweight. Belforts physique noticeably changed in this period. He became more muscular and was one of the most physically imposing fighters in the UFC. Many suspected that TRT was not just replacing the testosterone the Brazilian claimed he lacked, but was instead providing him with a significant competitive advantage in the Octagon.

A factor that reinforced this theory was that Belfort fought outside the U.S for five consecutive fights. Many believed this was due to him not being able to get a therapeutic-use exemption (TUE) to use TRT in the country. The suspicions of many fighters, coaches and fans were proven to be true in February 2014, when it was announced that Belfort withdrew from his scheduled title fight with Chris Weidman at UFC 173. This came after the Nevada State Athletic Commission announced a ban on exemptions for TRT. It was later revealed that Belfort had failed a drug test in February as a result of having elevated levels of testosterone in his system.

After having the title fight with Weidman canceled twice due to injuries, the two eventually met at UFC 187. Belfort appeared vastly different, carrying much less muscle and with very little definition in his physique. This change in physique reflected his performance, as he was finished with ground-and-pound just three minutes into the fight. It would spell the beginning of the end for the Brazilian at the highest level.

While Belforts struggles could be partly attributed to his age, a rapid decline after failing a drug test is not beyond the realm of possibility for Dillashaw. If he appears as a physically diminished fighter on Saturday and fights like an inferior version of his former self, then all of his prior accomplishments in the sport come into question.

Dillashaws self-belief has carried him through adversity in the past and he will need to draw on all of this on Saturday. The backlash he has received from fans is another barrier he will have to overcome. While many believe that Dillashaw should not even have the chance to compete ever again, he will have an opportunity to earn a title shot and eventually re-capture bantamweight gold with a win on Saturday. If he fails to hit the heights of his career pre-suspension, then it would be a fall from grace for a man once destined to be remembered as an all-time great.

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