While many will say that this is simply a matter of growing old, research in the field of endocrinology (the study of hormones) tells us there’s an explanation for these changes: low testosterone (Low T). 

Aging-induced testosterone decline (about age 30) is associated with the overactivity of an enzyme that converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This process also decreases the amount of testosterone in men, putting them at risk for prostate enlargement, androgenic alopecia (hair loss), and cancer.

Also exposure to chemicals, unfortunately, is causing this decline to occur in men at an earlier age and is completely impacting their biology. Recently, for instance, both statin drugs and the active ingredient in Roundup herbicide were found to interfere with the testicle’s ability to produce testosterone.

Symptoms of low testosterone

1. Mood disturbance including irritability, depression, and feeling tired 
2. Difficulty with concentration/memory loss 
3. Sleep difficulties 
4. Loss of muscle size/strength and increased body fat 
5. Osteoporosis (loss of bone) 
6. Decreased sex drive and/or problems with erections 
7. Potentially associated with other chronic medical conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease

 Maintaining an estrogen-testosterone balance

Another Hormone that increases in men with aging is estrogen. This happens when your body converts some of its already depleted testosterone to estrogen (estradiol). Excess estrogen puts us at a higher risk of cancer. Symptoms of excess estrogen in aging men include the development of breasts, having too much abdominal weight, feeling tired, suffering a loss of muscle mass, and having emotional disturbances. Many of these symptoms correspond to testosterone deficiency as well.

How to get around it?

The key is to increase testosterone while blocking the production of estrogen. You can do that by adding the following nutrients to your health regimen.

• Tribulus 250-750 mg /day
• DIM (natural ingredients in the cabbage family), Di-indolylmethane does not block all estrogens (there are many types of estrogen) but, rather, blocks the production of 16-alpha-hydroxy estrone, thought to be the most cancer-promoting estrogen metabolite.
• Lycopene ( a great antioxidant in tomatoes)

And if you really want to boost your sex life, consider taking these other nutrients;

• Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5)
• Arginine
• Ginkgo biloba
• Eurycoma Longifolia
• Yohimbine (from Yohimbe extract, and bark)

References:

1. Dunajska K, Milewicz A, Szymczak J, et al. Evaluation of sex hormone levels and some metabolic factors in men with coronary atherosclerosis. Aging Male. 2004 Sep;7(3):197-204.
2. Vermeulen A, Kaufman JM, Goemaere S, van Pottelberg, I. Estradiol in elderly men. Aging Male. 2002 Jun;5(2):98-102.
3. Ellem SJ, Risbridger GP. Aromatase and prostate cancer. Minerva Endocrinol. 2006 Mar;31(1):1-12.
4. Cavalieri E, Rogan E. Catechol quinones of estrogens in the initiation of breast, prostate, and other human cancers: keynote lecture. Ann NY Acad Sci. 2006 Nov;1089:286-301.

*This article is informational only

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