ISLAMABAD, June 03 (Online): Researchers are reporting that higher levels of testosterone may help lower the type 2 diabetes risk for men under the age of 65 who are overweight or have obesity.
\nThe researchers added that there were no detectable benefits of testosterone on type 2 diabetes risk for men over the age of 65.
\nExperts note there are still ways for men to manage diabetes risk after age 65.
\nA new study says higher levels of testosterone can lower the risk of type 2 diabetes for men 65 years or younger who are overweight or have obesity.<\/p>\n
However, this doesn\u2019t seem to apply to men over the age of 65.<\/p>\n
The study, which hasn\u2019t been published yet in a peer-reviewed journal, was presented today at ENDO 2024, the Endocrine Society\u2019s annual meeting in Boston.<\/p>\n
Mahesh Umapathysivam, a lead researcher from the University of Adelaide in Australia, said in a statement that the research team wanted to better understand the relationship between testosterone and type 2 diabetes risk across a range of testosterone levels.<\/p>\n
He said they also wanted to examine interactions between testosterone and different diabetes risk factors in midlife and in older men.<\/p>\n
\u201cA low blood testosterone concentration is an independent risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes, and high levels of testosterone appear protective against the development of type 2 diabetes,\u201d Umapathysivam said.<\/p>\n
The team examined data from the MAILES Cohort, a group of men ages 35 to 85 years living in urban Adelaide.<\/p>\n
This particular study looked at 1,315 men, none of whom had testosterone treatment, diabetes, or cancer at the beginning of the study.<\/p>\n
After five years, 110 of the subjects had developed type 2 diabetes.<\/p>\n
The scientists said they corrected for factors known to affect the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Those factors included smoking, alcohol use, age, waist circumference, family history of diabetes, measures of blood sugar, medication use, and self-reported physical activity.<\/p>\n
Testosterone and diabetes risk
\nThe researchers reported that blood testosterone concentration was associated with the risk for developing type 2 diabetes.<\/p>\n
Specifically, they said the higher a man\u2019s blood testosterone level, the lower their risk of developing type 2 diabetes before the age of 65.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis implies that higher testosterone blood concentrations are associated with reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes,\u201d Umapathysivam said. \u201cIn contrast, there were no detectable effects of blood testosterone levels on diabetes risk in men over age 65.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMaintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly and avoiding alcohol helps maintain a normal testosterone level in most men and also helps prevent type 2 diabetes,\u201d Umapathysivam added.<\/p>\n
Steve Gendron, PhD, a specialist in immunology and endocrinology as well as the founder of health website Mindful Living Choice, told Medical News Today that a men\u2019s testosterone naturally drops as they age and sometimes men don\u2019t have enough of the hormone left by age 65 to keep type 2 diabetes at bay.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat battery might not have enough juice left to fend off diabetes effectively,\u201d said Gendron, who was not involved in research. \u201cOlder men often juggle more health problems. It\u2019s like our hero testosterone is now up against a whole gang of villains \u2014 heart disease, reduced muscle mass, frailty \u2014 you name it. This makes it tougher for testosterone to fight off diabetes single handedly.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe body\u2019s ability to respond to testosterone might weaken with age. Imagine trying to tune into your favorite radio station but the signal keeps getting fuzzier. Even if there\u2019s enough testosterone, the body might not be picking up the signal as well,\u201d he noted.<\/p>\n
What about testosterone supplements?
\nGendron said it\u2019s important for men to talk to their healthcare provider before deciding whether to take testosterone supplements.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile testosterone might help younger men fend off type 2 diabetes, it\u2019s just one part of the equation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, an urologist at Orlando Health in Florida who was not involved in the research, told Medical News Today that not only is a decline in testosterone after age 65 due to natural decline, it\u2019s also because of an increased presence of comorbidities and age-related metabolic changes affecting insulin sensitivity.<\/p>\n
\u201cMen currently should not take testosterone supplements unless they have been clinically diagnosed with low testosterone levels and are experiencing symptoms of deficiency,\u201d Brahmbhatt said. \u201cIt\u2019s essential to consult with a healthcare provider that follows guideline-based care to determine the appropriate course of action based for each unique patient.\u201d<\/p>\n
Brahmbhatt said he thinks as time goes on, we\u2019ll see more studies similar to this \u201cpushing us to rethink our guidelines and consider more broader indications for replacement therapy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTestosterone plays a vital role in metabolic processes, including glucose and fat metabolism,\u201d Brahmbhatt explained. \u201cHigher levels of testosterone can improve insulin sensitivity and reduce fat mass, both of which are crucial factors in preventing type 2 diabetes. This aligns with the study\u2019s finding that higher testosterone levels are protective against the development of diabetes in men under 65.\u201d<\/p>\n
Other ways to lower type 2 diabetes risk
\nBrahmbhatt said other holistic approaches could help offset the increased risk of type 2 diabetes as testosterone declines after age 65.<\/p>\n
\u201cMaintaining a healthy weight, regular physical activity, and avoiding excessive alcohol intake are critical components of preventing type 2 diabetes,\u201d Brahmbhatt said. \u201cThese lifestyle factors also help maintain normal testosterone levels, creating a beneficial cycle. Men should focus on these foundational health practices as the primary method for diabetes prevention.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMaintaining a healthy lifestyle is still your best bet,\u201d added Gendron. \u201cThis means staying active, eating a balanced diet, getting regular check-ups, and keeping stress in check. Think of it as assembling an all-star team to keep you in top shape.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ISLAMABAD, June 03 (Online): Researchers are reporting that higher levels of testosterone may help lower the type 2 diabetes risk for men under the age of 65 who are overweight or have obesity. The researchers added that there were no detectable benefits of testosterone on […]<\/p>\n
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