It is estimated that over 4 million American men have low testosterone (hypogonadism). This is thought to be primarily responsible for impotence, depression, fatigue, excess body fat and osteoporosis.

Testosterone and DHEA (a precursor hormone for the manufacture of testosterone) slow production after the age of 40. Women have menopause and lose estrogen production over a relatively short period of time. For men, the production of testosterone continues to slow every year for the rest of their lives.

Testosterone is primary to maintain muscle mass

It is necessary for strong bones, to build cardiac muscle, promote coronary artery dilation and help regulate cholesterol. At low levels it may also play a part in the development of Alzheimer's.

Part of the balancing act of nature is that all men have some estrogen in their body and all women have some testosterone.

As testosterone levels drop, estrogen levels rise because of an aromatase enzyme which converts testosterone to estrogen which is stored in fat cells. It is a vicious cycle because the fat cells themselves create more estrogen. The more over weight you are, the more enzyme is produced and the more fat you put on and more stress is put on the liver. It is the liver's job to remove the excess estrogen from the body. Sadly, liver function also decreases as we age.

The brain detects the levels of estrogen and wrongly assumes that the corresponding level of testostrone is being produced - so that cuts down on the signals to produce more testostrone.

Increase Testosterone

Now you have to do something to increase testosterone. You have several choices. There are creams, gels, patches, injections, herbs and a few "miracle" cures.

According to Dr. Julian Whitaker -"...oral testosterone has the potential for liver dysfunction and a decrease in protective good cholesterol levels. He recommends that saw palmetto 120-360 mg daily to reduce the conversion of testosterone in dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Too much DHT has been linked to various health problems including prostate cancer."