Can This Help You Age Healthier?

Testosterone levels have been shown to decline with age.

In fact, by the time some men are 30, they may have already started to see a decline in their testosterone levels.

Some studies also show that lower testosterone levels could be linked to depression, fatigue, loss of lean mass, increased weight gain (around the belly), and loss of sex drive.

Andropause is the collective term for the gradual decline of testosterone, and has been shown to mainly effect men in their 40s, 50s, and beyond.

There have been many studies which discuss the negative impact of low testosterone as you age, however, there has been very little research done on men with HIGHER testosterone levels in old age.

Now, a study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, shows how higher testosterone levels impact the health of men as they age.

Let me explain…

Testosterone and Old Age

Increased testosterone could lead to increased lean muscle mass, improved strength, faster weight loss, and increased vigor.

However, as previously mentioned, there is very little information regarding the effects of higher testosterone in older men, and how it relates to body composition, lean mass, and physical function.

The authors of this study aimed to see if increased testosterone levels, estradiol, and the sex-hormone binding globulin (SHBG) affected body composition and physical function in elderly men.

They performed a prospective cohort study using a group of participants from the Osteoporotic Fractures in Men study.

Of the 5,994 men who participated in the Osteoporotic Fractures in Men study, only 1,183 men were included in the study.

All the men were 65 years or older and were all ambulatory.

Baseline measurements of sex steroid hormones, body composition, and physical function were assessed at the beginning and, once again, four and a half years later.

Physical function tests included: grip strength, leg power, timed chair stands, narrow walk, and six-m walk.

The researchers noted that all the men lost on average about 3 pounds (1.3kg) between baseline and follow-up periods.

They also showed that men with the highest testosterone levels were less likely to lose lean muscle.

Also, 40% of the men who lost more weight (4.4 pounds or 2.0kg) during the follow-up period were less likely to lose lean muscle mass.

When it came to physical function tests, they showed that higher testosterone levels, in combination with those who lost more weight, were less likely to show a decline in physical function when performing the timed chair exercise.

Lastly, they showed that men with higher levels of sex-hormone binding globulin, also were less likely to lose lean mass; plus, they showed improvements in grip strength.

From their results, the researchers concluded that increased testosterone levels in older men could be associated with a reduction in the loss of lean mass and lower body function in older men who have lost weight.  Also, most importantly, they concluded that higher testosterone levels may be associated with healthy aging.

Testosterone and Your Health

Testosterone, the main sex hormone for men, has been associated with many positive health benefits.

In fact, higher testosterone levels could reduce your risk for heart disease, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome.

However, some clinical studies have shown that testosterone gradually decreases over time, which could increase your risk for many chronic diseases.

There have been very few studies regarding the effects of higher testosterone levels, body composition, and other parameters of health, especially as it relates to elderly men.

Now, according to this study, elderly men with increased testosterone levels may show improvements in physical function, and reduce their risk for losing lean muscle mass.

Finding ways to keep your testosterone at peak levels (exercise, diet, avoiding harmful chemicals, and sex) may lead to overall body composition improvements and exercise improvements which may lead to aging healthier.


NEXT: What Every Man Must Know About Testosterone Levels >>





References:

LeBlanc, E.  Wang, P.  Lee, C.  Barrett-Connor, E.  Cauley, J.  Hoffman, A.  Laughlin, G.  Marshall, L.  Orwell, E.  Higher Testosterone levels Are Associated with Less Loss of Lean Body Mass in Older men.  The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.  2011.  Vol. 96(12):pp. 3855-3863.