Low Testosterone, Shorter Lives

[Guest guest]

This article in today's Washington Post conflicts with our earlier thoughts

that low testosterone (which happens with extreme CR) leads to longer

life.....

Low Testosterone, Shorter Lives

Men who have lower levels of testosterone may be at greater risk of dying

early, according to new research.

A study of nearly 800 California men ages 50 to 91 found that those with the

lowest testosterone levels had a 33 percent greater risk of death during the

next 18 years than the men with higher levels.

" The new study is only the second report linking deficiency of this sex

hormone with increased death from all causes over time and the first to do

so in relatively healthy men, " said Gail Laughlin of the University of

California at San Diego School of Medicine, who presented the findings last

week at a meeting of the Endocrine Society.

Testosterone levels tend to decline with age but vary widely, with many

older men still having levels typically found in younger men. Low levels in

the study were considered those at the lower limit of normal for young men.

The men in the study with low levels also tended to have more signs of

inflammation, which has been associated with a variety of health problems.

Although the study might support the idea that taking testosterone

supplements may benefit some men, the researchers cautioned against jumping

to that conclusion. Lifestyle changes, such as losing weight and exercising,

may work just as well and be safer.

" We are excited about these findings, which have important implications, but

we are not ready to say that men should go out and get testosterone to

prolong their lives, " said Barrett-Connor, who helped conduct the

research.

-- Rob Stein