TESTOSTERONE AND MEN’S HEALTH
After age 30, men tend to experience a decline in testosterone levels. Testosterone, well known as the male hormone, plays a significant role in obtaining and maintaining optimal health with increased age.
You may be familiar with testosterone as the hormone that creates strong muscles and bones and supports sexual potency, but its role in men’s health expands even further. Testosterone plays a part in skin health by providing blood supply to the skin. It is also responsible for skin’s sebum production, helping to keep skin moisturized. Testosterone is considered neuroprotective, protecting the brain by improving blood supply, improving memory and decreasing anxiety. Furthermore, it plays a significant role in cardiovascular health and helps to prevent obesity and high cholesterol.
Testosterone deficiency has many physical manifestations. Hair might recede at the forehead and the sides, contributing to male pattern baldness. Undeveloped facial hair can also be a physical sign of testosterone deficiency. Small face wrinkles are likely to appear, mostly above the lips and near the eyes. The male face will also look older, as evident by a lack of integrity of the facial muscles, as well as, pale, dry, and thin skin. Men with testosterone deficiencies are more prone to becoming sunburnt. Digestion is likely to be slowed down, resulting in irregular bowel movements. Men are also likely to see fat stored around their abdominal area and breast tissue.
High levels of testosterone can also result in adverse effects. When testosterone is high, there is increased sebum production that manifests in acne. Too much testosterone can also have negative effects on sperm production.
Most lab companies have a wide reference range for what they consider to be within normal limits for testosterone levels. Given my background in integrative health, I am a strong believer in taking into consideration the clinical symptoms that a person presents with in addition to their lab findings. It is critical to view labs from a more individualized perspective in order to achieve longer lasting health. Preventive medicine is so vital and treating the root cause of an issue is so fundamental, but can often be overlooked. Understanding which herbs to use for optimal testosterone function, as well as incorporating diet and lifestyle changes that promote well balanced hormones, is a great recipe for leading a naturally healthy life, that includes great skin, hair, and mental clarity.
