M (20)

JUNE 2016 MUSCLE & FITNESS 41

KIDNEY STONES,

which form when your

urine contains substances such

as calcium, oxalate and uric

acid, are not really genetic.

Poor hydration and a diet high in

oxalate (a molecule found in foods

such as nuts, quinoa and berries)

are two big factors in having

kidney stones. Even if they’re

prevalent in your family, it’s likely

just similar drinking habits.

EDGAR ARTIGA; CORBIS (2)

How much

water should

I drink during

my workout?

• RICKY

People should

aim to drink 1.8-2

litres of water per day.

When you’re exercising,

you need more fluids

because your

muscles require

more water to

function well.

Tr y d r i n k i n g

175ml of

water every

10–15 minutes

while working out.

Kidney stones

run in my

family. Should

I be concerned?

• GARY

A:

Will steroids

cause my

testicles to

shrink, and is ED

a real risk when

taking them?

• CHRIS

STEROIDS WON’T

really shrink your testicles,

per se, but taking them does

affect the way they function.

Your testicles produce sperm and

testosterone, and when the body

takes in excessive amounts of

synthetic testosterone, your body

receives a signal telling it that it

doesn’t have to produce more

[natural testosterone]. The same

thing goes for reproduction; the

testicles will stop producing sperm.

When it comes to erectile

dysfunction – commonly referred

to as ED – there are two factors

involved: libido and the actual

function. Testosterone enhances

your libido but it won’t impact

your performance. That’s a myth;

older men are often prescribed

testosterone to help their sex lives.

A:

DR BENJAMIN CHOI

is a clinical assistant

professor in Urology at

Weill Medical College of

Cornell University, US,

and a urologist at

NewYork-Presbyterian/

Weill Cornell Medical

Center.

A:

XXXX ASK