The sound of infertility

In New York, a man's average hearing age is more than 12 years older than his actual age; in Houston it's almost 13 years older, and in Los Angeles it's over 14 years...

The sound of infertility

In New York, a man's average hearing age is more than 12 years older than his actual age; in Houston it's almost 13 years older, and in Los Angeles it's over 14 years. That's the measurable impact of sound pollution on hearing.

But noise damages more than men's hearing. According to a recent study, even relatively low levels of sound can make men infertile - yes, you heard that right - especially when noise repeatedly disturbs sleep. Looking at eight years of health insurance data on more than 200,000 men ages 20 to 59, the researchers identified 3,293 men who were diagnosed with infertility. They then calculated an individual's level of noise exposure by cross-referencing ZIP codes with info from the National Noise Information System. What did the guys have in common? They all were exposed to noise levels above 55 decibels (dBs) night after night. (Air conditioners come in around 60 dBs; a passing diesel truck emits 85 dBs and an emergency vehicle's siren hits 115 dBs.)

So, guys, how can you keep noise from messing with your sleep cycle and your fertility?

1. Download a smartphone decibel checker; test nighttime sound levels in your bedroom.

2. Check if digital devices or appliances in your home exceed 55 dBs. If they do, turn them down (or off), or trade them in for quieter models.

3. Install double- or triple-pane windows; seal window frames with stripping. Use double-hung, extra-heavy curtain fabric.

4. Sleep with earplugs. (Discard foam plugs daily, and clean reusable plugs regularly.)

© 2017 Michael Roizen, M.D. and Mehmet Oz, M.D.
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Watch your weight before you get pregnant

Blue whales are the largest animal on Earth - weighing 200 tons - and they give birth to healthy calves that weigh around 3 tons. Those newborns gain...

Watch your weight before you get pregnant

Blue whales are the largest animal on Earth - weighing 200 tons - and they give birth to healthy calves that weigh around 3 tons. Those newborns gain about 200 pounds a day for the first year, feeding only on mother's milk! But for these whales, such surprising numbers are just what are needed for young-uns to live long and prosper.

We humans, however, don't respond so well to weighing a lot and then getting pregnant. For example, a new study reveals that boys whose mothers were obese when they became pregnant are at an increased risk for developing behavior problems by the time they9 to 11 years old. And the heavier Mom is when she becomes pregnant, the greater the risk. That's because, say the researchers, obesity during pregnancy creates inflammation and causes metabolic changes that might affect gene expression and alter a fetus's developing brain, damaging your child's future.

That study didn't show the same effects in girls, but a separate study found that girls born to obese mothers were five times more likely to become obese as an adult.

So, if you're overweight and planning to become pregnant, now's the time to shed those pounds. Aim to lose four pounds a month; reduce your calorie intake by around 500 calories daily and increase your physical activity by at least 300 calories a day (walking 10,000 steps daily will more than do that!). A year from now, if you become pregnant, your child-to-be will have a great start on a healthier and happier life.

© 2017 Michael Roizen, M.D. and Mehmet Oz, M.D.
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Bad combo: sugary drinks and fatty protein

Conflicts between pro-athlete teammates is nothing new: Lakers' Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal played for nine tension-ridden years until their a...

Bad combo: sugary drinks and fatty protein

Conflicts between pro-athlete teammates is nothing new: Lakers' Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal played for nine tension-ridden years until their animosity forced O'Neal's trade to the Heat in 2004. Yankee's outfielder Reggie Jackson and catcher Thurman Munson achieved two World Series titles in 1977 and 1978, but Jackson claimed he was: "the straw that stirs the drink. Maybe I should say me and Munson, but he can only stir it bad." And one of the all-time mismatches was the Wizards' Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittenton. In 2009 Crittenton pointed a loaded gun at Arenas in the locker room because of a dispute over a card game.

But as bad a combination as those teammates were, they're nothing compared with the damage you can do to your body from consuming sugary drinks with protein-rich meals.

A new study from the Department of Agriculture's Human Nutrition Research Center found that drinking sugary beverages with a meal in which 15 percent of calories come from protein slashes by 8 percent fat oxidation, which kick-starts the breakdown of fat molecules. And the more protein you eat, the more you reduce your body's fat-burning skills. Once again, it matters, not just how much you eat, but what you eat and what combinations of foods you take in.

Your smart move: No sugar-added drinks (unless you're doing more than two hours of continuous exercise) and only lean proteins. Artificial sweeteners are not the answer. They may cause weight gain after your body realizes it's been tricked out of the real thing!

© 2017 Michael Roizen, M.D. and Mehmet Oz, M.D.
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.