Low Testosterone Levels Linked to Depression in Older Men

Researchers have uncovered a link between low free testosterone levels and depression. Their study, which appears in the March issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry, shows that older men with abnormally low free testosterone levels, or hypogonadism, were, on average, 271% more likely to display clinically significant signs of depression than men with higher testosterone levels.

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The Effect of Hormones on Diet Intake

Testosterone is a steroid hormone secreted from the Leydig cells of the testes that has both anabolic and anticatabolic effects upon muscle tissue. Dietary nutrients, in particular fat, have been shown to affect testosterone. Individuals consuming a diet containing about 20% fat compared with a diet containing 40% fat have significantly lower concentrations of testosterone. Also, replacing dietary carbohydrate with protein has been shown to decrease testosterone concentrations.

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Low Testosterone Linked to Fracture Risk in Older Men

Men older than 60 with low blood testosterone levels may have a higher risk for hip and non-vertebral fractures, researchers here reported.

The fracture rate was 30% higher for non-vertebral fractures for such men and almost 90% higher for hip fractures, Christian Meier, M.D., of the University of Sydney, and colleagues, reported in the Jan. 14 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.

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