The #1 Anti-Aging Secret For Men

Men and women don’t age similarly—no surprise there! But many women don’t realize that the #1 way to help men age more gracefully and live longer isn’t eating more antioxidants (although that’s important.) Here’s what you need to know…

Key Takeaways

• Men live longer, healthier lives when their hormone levels are in balance—especially testosterone.
• Men with testosterone levels below 7.4 nmol/L have a higher risk of death from any cause.
• Obesity, lack of physical activity, poor diet, and environmental toxins can all lower testosterone levels for men of any age.

Low-T Common In Older Men

Is the explosion of obesity and diabetes to blame, or should we point the finger at estrogen-like environmental toxins?

Whatever the reason, testosterone levels have been on the wane over the last half-century. This isn’t good news for men whose body, mind, and sexual function are all affected by low testosterone, sometimes called Low-T, or hypogonadism.

While its negative effects have been known for a long time, a pioneering study shows men now have even more to worry about. Low-T puts men at greater risk of premature death. But first, why do so many men have low testosterone?

Men’s Testosterone Levels Are Falling—Why?

The first reason for Low T is problems with either the pituitary gland or testes that prevent the body from making enough testosterone. Yet men can have Low-T even when these organs are functioning normally. One study found 38.7% of men over 45 were testosterone deficient[1]. That could be because of the second threat to healthy testosterone levels…

Obesity, poor diet, lack of physical activity, and environmental toxins can also lower testosterone levels. Other research has linked chronic stress, poor sleep, heart disease, high blood pressure, and cancer to low testosterone levels.

Many men suffer from Low-T and chalk their symptoms up to age. However, the fatigue, increased body fat, reduced muscle mass and strength, sleep disturbances, poor concentration and memory, and lowered libido are simply symptoms of low testosterone.

These symptoms are concerning enough, yet Low-T could have more worrying consequences. It’s linked to an increased risk of osteoporosis, metabolic syndrome, and Type-2 diabetes[2] and, yes, early death. Yet the research into testosterone’s link to longevity is conflicting and inconsistent at best. The mixed findings drove Bu Yeap, a long-time testosterone researcher from the University of Western Australia, to lead an international team of experts to seek out the truth on how testosterone impacts a man’s longevity.

What they found is important to say the least…

Low-T Does Increase Death Risk

The researchers performed an in-depth and robust evaluation of 11 studies containing 24,109 middle-aged and older men who they followed for at least five years. Professor Yeap and the research team found testosterone levels declined modestly up to the age of 70 after which they dropped more steeply.[3]

When they compared the men’s testosterone readings to a normal testosterone reading of 10 to 35 nanomoles per liter (nmol/L) they found:

• Levels below 7.4 nmol/L (less than 213 ng/dL) increased the risk of death from any cause by up to 9%.
• Levels below 5.3 nmol/L (less than 153 mg/dL) increased the risk of dying from heart disease by up to 32%.

The team also investigated other lesser-known hormones and their impact on longevity, including:

Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG)

Lower concentrations of SHBG reduced the risk of all-cause and cardiovascular death. SHBG binds to testosterone, making it unavailable to cells. If SHBG levels are low, greater amounts of free testosterone are available for the body to use. SHBG tends to rise with aging while testosterone levels fall.

Luteinizing hormone (LH)

LH plays a crucial role in regulating the reproductive systems of both men and women. Men with LH levels above 10 IU/L had higher all-cause mortality. The normal range is 1.8-8.6. LH is needed to make testosterone.

Estradiol

Concentrations below 5.1 pmol/L had higher all-cause mortality. The normal range is 48-154. Although estradiol is thought of as a female hormone, it also plays a critical role in male sexual function.

Dihydrotestosterone (DHT)

Dihydrotestosterone, which is made from testosterone, increased the risk of death if levels were either too low or too high. DHT is best known for its detrimental effects on a man’s body, such as its role in prostate enlargement and male pattern baldness.

Men Should Take Action, Say Experts

Commenting on the findings, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine (AIM) in May[4], Professor Yeap said: “Our research underscores the importance of understanding the impact of sex hormones on health outcomes, particularly in aging men.

“This pioneering study marks a significant step forward in our understanding of the link between testosterone levels and mortality risks in men, offering valuable insights for future research and clinical practice.”[5]

So, what can a man do?

Raise Testosterone by Improving Lifestyle

Many of the factors that trigger testosterone loss are easy to control, such as diet, exercise, stress levels, and sleep. To maintain good levels of testosterone men should aim to focus on lifestyle changes such as eating a healthy diet, reducing exposure to pollution, pesticides, and toxins, lowering excess weight, keeping physically active, strengthening muscles, controlling stress, and improving sleep.

One simple strategy is to get out in the summer sunshine or take vitamin D supplements. Men taking 3,332 IU of vitamin D daily for a year increased their testosterone levels by 30%![6] Supplements such as Ashwagandha, Fenugreek, DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone), and Zinc, have also been shown to support testosterone levels.

If the natural approach doesn’t work, talking to a doctor about Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT). TRT involves administering synthetic testosterone to raise the body's testosterone levels to a normal range. The goal is to mimic natural testosterone production and maintain stable levels to improve symptoms caused by Low-T.

TRT can be delivered in several ways, including injections, gels and creams, patches, tablets, nasal gels, and pellets implanted under the skin.

Summary

Low testosterone (Low-T) is a growing concern for men as it is linked to numerous health problems, including fatigue, reduced muscle mass, and low libido. Recent studies show that Low-T is associated with an increased risk of premature death, particularly from cardiovascular diseases. The research highlights the importance of maintaining balanced testosterone and other hormone levels, such as SHBG, LH, estradiol, and DHT, for optimal health. While factors like obesity, diabetes, and environmental toxins can contribute to declining testosterone levels, adopting a healthier lifestyle can help men improve their testosterone levels and overall well-being.