Nutrition

January 22, 2020

People worry about the safety of testosterone as a result of a study that reportedly showed increased risk of heart attack and stroke.

Dr. Neal Rouzier, world renowned hormone expert, teaches that there have been 40 years of positive studies showing significant health and heart benefits to testosterone treatment.  He further explains that the negative study published had multiple flaws and biases. All other studies demonstrate that testosterone provides protection against heart disease and strokes and improved longevity compared to men not treated with testosterone. This poor study was not a randomized study, it was only an observation study, thus does not prove causation. "Association does no prove causation" is one of Dr. Rouzier's favorite mantras.

Randomized, controlled, interventional studies (causation) demonstrated that testosterone is protective and improves cardiovascular status. This one negative (observational, not randomized) study doesn’t mean that we should throw away 40 years of positive studies about the effects of testosterone therapy. Just because the one negative study is a more recent study, does not mean that we should negate all the other 40 years of positive studies about the health benefits of testosterone therapy. In the many randomized, controlled, interventional studies done on testosterone (published in several peer-reviewed journals of various specialties) there is an overall decreased risk of heart attacks. Low levels of testosterone have been associated with an increase in all cause mortality. Testosterone therapy improves insulin resistance, decreases visceral adiposity and inflammatory markers, improves erectile dysfunction and lipid panels. Testosterone helps to reduce body fat and to improve muscle mass.  It also improves libido.

"Normal" testosterone levels are not "optimal."  "Where do you want your numbers to be," asks Dr. Rouzier?

** Traish AM. Benefits and Health Implications of Testosterone Therapy in Men with Testosterone Therapy. Sex Med Rev 2018;6:86-105