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Are Testosterone Supplements Healthy?

May 23, 2011 | By Tomas Linnaeus
Are Testosterone Supplements Healthy?
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The reproductive organs of women and men produce testosterone. This hormone plays a critical role in physical and mental health. Your testosterone levels decrease as you get older. This change can cause negative changes in your body such as a reduction in muscle and bone strength. It may also cause depression, according to a 2010 review in "Maturitas." Taking supplements can reverse testosterone deficiency, but it may also cause side effects. Speak with a doctor before using testosterone.

Supplements Improve Memory

Many older adults experience memory problems. According to a 2010 article published in the "International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry," these problems cause distress and serve as a warning sign of future cognitive decline. The age-related decrease in cognitive ability correlates with the decline in testosterone production. This finding suggests that supplements may improve memory. A report in the April 2011 edition of "Hormones and Behavior" tested this hypothesis in testosterone-deficient rodents. Castrated rats received either testosterone or saline for seven days. Testosterone improved learning and memory, but it also caused nervous tics in some instances. The rats showed no other signs of toxicity.

Supplements Protect Neurons

Regularly taking aspirin helps prevent the damage caused by heart attacks. Pretreatment with testosterone may similarly prevent neural damage. A study described in the 2010 volume of the "Journal of Motor Behavior" looked at the ability of testosterone supplements to reduce the damage caused by an intentional injury. Laboratory animals received testosterone or saline immediately before receiving a blow to the spinal cord. Rodents given testosterone showed less damage after a month of healing relative to those given the placebo.

Supplements Reverse Aging

Testosterone supplements also have clinical applications. According to a 2011 review in the "Swiss Medical Weekly," lifespan has tripled during human history, and having good health during later years has become a priority. Testosterone decreases with age, so taking supplements should help reverse the symptoms of aging. An article published in the 2007 volume of "Clinical Interventions in Aging" reviewed the findings obtained in studies testing older men with testosterone deficiency. Many types of testosterone supplements have been tried in these studies, and scientists have started to perfect supplementation. In one experiment, testosterone injections every three months improved sexual performance without causing allergic reactions.

Supplements Treat HIV Symptoms

The human immunodeficiency virus, HIV, continues to kill people despite advances in prevention and treatment. This infection causes a loss of muscle tone that correlates well with mortality, according to a 2011 paper in "AIDS." Testosterone increases lean body mass in laboratory animals. It may, therefore, be useful in HIV patients. A study described in the 2007 edition of "HIV Clinical Trials" evaluated this idea. Patients received different forms of testosterone supplements for several months. Relative to baseline, these treatments increased measures of physical and emotional well-being. Participants also showed higher quality of life scores during testosterone supplementation. The side effects caused by testosterone use were brief and mild.

References

Article reviewed by Eric Althoff Last updated on: May 23, 2011

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