1 week Ago By Mark Bailey
Low testosterone manifests itself in a several different ways, from low libido to erectile dysfunction – but there are ways to protect it It’s the primary male hormone that fuels everything from a man’s muscle growth , bone strength, sperm production and sexual performance to his focus, memory and energy. As a result, testosterone provides the indefinable “mojo” which helps a man to enjoy a full life. But men are facing a disturbing global decline in their hormonal health , with one major study reporting a “substantial” drop in testosterone levels since 1987, at a rate of 1% each year.
The European Male Ageing study, which tracked men aged 40-79, found 2.1% of men suffer from low testosterone (low enough to require treatment), with 20% experiencing sub-optimal testosterone levels. “Obesity is one cause, along with the rise in diabetes and sedentary jobs,” says Hackett, a consultant in urology at Spire Little Aston Hospital and lead author of the British Society for Sexual Medicine’s Guidelines on Male Adult Testosterone Deficiency.
“In the UK, men are getting fatter, and that fat breaks down testosterone (the male sex hormone) and converts it to oestrogen (a female sex hormone). Drugs like antidepressants can lower testosterone. And phthalates (in plastics) and crop chemicals are also incriminated.
” Testosterone is crucial for a man’s health . Low levels are linked to high cholesterol, diabetes, anaemia, obesity, osteoporosis, heart disease, erectile issues and infertility – and a 40% higher risk of early death..
