Men With Low Testosterone Face Risks

A recent study links sex hormones to diabetes, osteoporosis, and depression.

By Ted Spiker
From Reader's Digest
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Testosterone Levels Affect Mood and More
Testosterone levels affect mood and more.
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While high levels of testosterone are associated with bed-hopping sex drive, low levels are linked to an increased risk of diabetes, osteoporosis, and, perhaps most alarming, depression.

A study of 4,000 older guys found lower testosterone levels in those who were depressed. Lower testosterone can, in turn, lead to a decline in the sex hormone estradiol, which has antidepressant properties, says lead study author Osvaldo P. Almeida, MD, of the University of Western Australia.

How to boost your levels? Your doctor might suggest replacement therapies or, simply, lifestyle changes. "Obese men have lower testosterone, as do men who smoke, are physically inactive, or consume more than 28 drinks per week," says Dr. Almeida.

From Reader's Digest - August 2008
 
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My husband struggles with diabetes, even though he's maintained his weight--his doctor prescribed some changes we could do to keep his mood up.

By momdeb2, on 07/28/2008
SHOULD MEN EAT MORE PROTEIN? NON-SMOKER HERE, LIKE A GOOD MARGARITA THAT THE WIFE MAKES. I'M FIT. SO WHAT CAN WE HEALTHY GENTS DO? THANKS, JOE

By oljoe49, on 07/28/2008

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