Written by Alan Muir
As men age, testosterone levels begin to decline, leading to greater cardiovascular and stroke risks. Furthermore, testosterone deficiency is related to an increase in fat tissue and metabolic risk factors.
Keeping testosterone levels in check may help reduce health risks related to a testosterone deficiency. A study recently conducted in Sweden found that men with higher levels of testosterone had a lower incidence of cardiovascular events. Serum levels were measured in approximately, 2,400 men (between 69 to 81 years of age) finding low testosterone levels were related to cardiovascular risks. Testosterone levels were in the higher range of normal, in which men with these levels were more likely to have an increase in lean body mass, decrease in body fat and cholesterol, and balance in blood sugar.
Over the five year period, men with the lowest levels of testosterone had the most cardiovascular ailments, including heart attacks, stroke, or chest pain. Researchers from the study do suggest that beyond testosterone alone, other factors can be involved in protecting against cardiovascular risks. Yet, it was observed that optimal testosterone levels are essential to a healthy heart and metabolic parameters.
Testosterone replacement therapy can help men sustain optimal testosterone levels and decrease risk factors associated with aging.
References
Ohlsson C, Barrett-Connor E, Bhasin S, Orwoll E, et al. High serum testosterone is associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular events in elderly men. The MrOS (Osteoporotic Fractures in Men) study in Sweden. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2011 Oct; 58(16):1674-1681.
Srinivas-Shankar U, Roberts SA, Connolly MJ, O’Connell MD, et al. Effects of testosterone on muscle strength, physical function, body composition, and quality of life in intermediate-frail and frail elderly men: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2010 Feb;95(2):639-650.
Wu XY, Mao JF, Lu SY, Zhang Q, Shi YF. Testosterone replacement therapy improves insulin sensitivity and decreases high sensitivity C-reactive protein levels in hypogonadotropic hypogonadal young male patients. Chin Med J. 2009 Dec; 122(23):2846-2850.
