Men's Hormone Health

Bone Health

In his youth, a man’s supply of essential hormones, including testosterone, DHEA, progesterone and estrogen, is typically plentiful and in healthy balance. Aging throws a monkey wrench in the works, causing hormone production to slow and upsetting hormone-to-hormone ratios that up till now maintained equilibrium.

Declining progesterone and testosterone can set up an imbalance known as estrogen dominance. In the male body, progesterone and testosterone help rein in the negative effects of estrogen, a hormone that triggers cell growth. When their levels become too low to balance circulating estrogen, health risks rise. One of these risks is osteoporosis, loss of bone density that can lead to stooping and brittle bones.

Like all cells in our bodies, bone tissue breaks down and rebuilds continuously. The process works through the agency of bone-dissolvers called osteoclast cells that dissolve old bone tissue and bone-builders called osteoblast cells that stimulate new bone growth.

Estrogen delays the breakdown of bone tissue, slowing the bone regeneration process. Studies suggest that this is why estrogen dominance is linked to osteoporosis. It is important for men to be aware that they, like women, could be at risk for this disease. In fact, recent research indicates that roughly one-third of all hip fractures occur in men. (Arch Intern Med 2003) By about the age of 55, men face almost the same risk for osteoporosis as women in menopause.

It is also important to note that high estrogens trigger the release of binding proteins called SHBG (sex hormone binding globulins), that lock up available testosterone. Recall that testosterone is necessary to maintain bone and muscle mass. But the more estrogen the body carries, the more SHBG is around to bind up free testosterone making it less available to bone-building cells.

Another key hormone-to-hormone interaction that can trigger bone loss in men is the cortisol to testosterone ratio. These two hormones are inversely proportional, so if cortisol goes up and stays up, testosterone goes down and stays down. Given the fact that testosterone promotes osteoblast (bone-building) cells, while cortisol promotes osteoclast action (bone-dissolving) cells, imbalances between the two are bad news for bone density.

Hormone rebalancing, nutritional support with essential amino acids, vitamins, minerals and herbs; weight bearing exercise and lifestyle improvements, can assist bone regeneration and slow bone loss.