Over the last weekend in June, the Naturopathic Doctors at Vive Integrative Health Group attended the biennial Health Fusion conference – an interesting and informative conference hosted by the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors.  This year, the theme was Family Medicine and there was an array of lecture topics including environmental impacts on men’s health to insomnia in women to nutritional interventions during perinatal and childhood years.

This month’s blog postings will feature a topic each our Naturopathic Doctors found interesting and wanted to share with you!

Testosterone and Men’s Health

Many health concerns experienced by men as they age such as fatigue, depression, decreased stamina and strength, and sexual dysfunction are often correlated to declining levels of testosterone.  Alarmingly, more research have been focusing on declining levels of testosterone found in much younger men.  This brings up the questions of whether low levels of testosterone may actually be occurring much sooner than we think and if addressing testosterone levels earlier in a man’s life would decrease the number of health concerns commonly experienced later on.

Testosterone Deficiency

A hormone found in large concentrations in males, testosterone plays a key role in male reproductive development, secondary sexual characteristics and overall health and well-being.  Comparing middle-aged men (age 40-70), one study showed that men in “good health” had testosterone levels 10-15% higher than those in poor health.  It also showed that after age 40, testosterone levels begin dropping 1-2% per year.

In younger males (under age 40), common health concerns associated with low testosterone include mood disorders (depression, anxiety, anger), fertility (erectile dysfunction, reduced sperm counts, poorer sperm quality), insomnia and fatigue.

Causes of Low Testosterone

Many studies have illustrated potential correlations of various health and lifestyle factors to decreasing testosterone levels.  Increased body mass index, increased alcohol intake, and even the loss of a spouse correlated with a decline in total testosterone levels.  In young men, the most common cause of low testosterone is prior anabolic steroid use.  What about non-anabolic steroid users?

Environmental Pollutants

Many things we use and are exposed to on a daily basis contain chemicals known to disrupt hormones in the human body.  In particular, phthalates and bisphenol A have been shown to be associated with decreased serum testosterone in men, women and children.  Phthalates have also been shown to be negatively correlated with biomarkers of male fertility and reproductive function.  Phthalates are used in plastics and are found in PVC shower curtains, shampoos, detergents, nail polish, hairspray and many common household and body care products.

Studies have also shown other sources of environmental pollutants negatively affecting testosterone levels including motor vehicle exhaust, air pollution, house dust and tobacco exposure.

What Can You Do?

1. Avoid

The best way to decrease the environmental impact of testosterone is AVOIDANCE.  From using healthier home and body care products to creating cleaner air environments, avoiding pollutants should be a priority.  Our Naturopathic Doctors can give you recommendations on what products provide good alternatives for products you may be looking to replace.

2. Test

Vive Health offers many types of testing to determine your testosterone levels and the pollutants that may be in your system.  A list of our commonly run laboratory testing can be found on our website.  (See:  Laboratory Testing)

3. Eliminate

There is no question that everyone harbours certain levels of environmental pollutants, but aside from doing our best to avoid them, can we do anything to eliminate them?  Yes!  With the guidance of your Naturopathic Doctor, simple lifestyle recommendations and effective detoxification strategies are tailored to help with your health concerns and ultimately help minimize your toxic load.

~ Dr. Patti Yik

References

Feldman, H. et al.  Age Trends in the Level of Serum Testosterone and Other Hormones in Middle-Aged Men:  Longitudinal Results from the Massachusetts Male Aging Study.  PubMed PMID:  11836290

Travison, TG. et al.  The Relative Contributions of Aging, Health, and Lifestyle Factors to Serum Testosterone Decline in Men.  PubMed PMID:  17148559

Harman SM. et al.  Longitudinal Effects of Aging on Serum Total and Free Testosterone Levels in Healthy Men.  Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging.  PubMed PMID:  11158037

Coward, R. et al.  Anabolic Steroid Induced Hypogonadism in Young Men.  PubMed PMID:  23764075

Ferguson, K. et al.  Prenatal and Peripubertal Phthalates and Bisphenol A in relation to Sex Hormones and Puberty in Boys.  PubMed PMID:  24945889

Meeker, J and Ferguson, K.  Urinary Phthalate Metabolites are Associated with Decreased Serum Testosterone in Men, Women, and Children from NHANES 2011-2012.  PubMed PMID:  25121464

Specht, I. et al.  Associations Between Serum Phthalates and Biomarkers of Reproductive Function in 589 Adult Men.  PubMed PMID:  24583187

Rengaraj, D. et al.  Effects of Motor Vehicle Exhaust on Male Reproductive Function and Associated Proteins.  PubMed PMID:  25329744