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If you are a woman whose middle-aged or older mate is struggling with the “blue funk” (depression) – or an older man down in the doldrums without a clear cause – pay attention: The problem may be linked to levels of free testosterone in the blood.  

In a study that spanned the years 2001-2004, University of Western Australia (Perth) researcher Osvaldo P. Almeida, M.D., Ph.D., F.R.A.N.Z.C.P., and his colleagues studied 3,987 men age 71 to 89 years. The study participants completed a questionnaire reporting information about their personal background (demographics) and health history, underwent testing for depression and cognitive (thinking, learning and memory) difficulties, as well as completed a survey concerning physical health conditions. The Australian scientists collected blood samples from the men and tested for levels of total testosterone and free testosterone (Free testosterone is testosterone that is not bound to proteins).

Two hundred and three (203) men met the criteria for depression, and had significantly lower total and free testosterone levels then men who were not depressed. After taking into account (controlling for) other factors such as educational attainment, body mass index and cognitive scores, it was found that men with the lowest free testosterone concentration had three times the odds of suffering depression compared to men with the highest levels.

"A randomized controlled trial is required to determine whether reducing prolonged exposure to low free testosterone is associated with a reduction in the prevalence of depression in elderly men," the authors write. "If so, older men with depression may benefit from systematic screening of free testosterone concentration, and testosterone supplementation may contribute to the successful treatment of hypogonadal [with low hormone levels] older men with depression."

How do I know if my testosterone level is low?

There are two ways for a man to determine whether his testosterone level is within the normal range. One is to see a physician, the other is to make use of a

Drop excess pounds, but do so with a sensible diet

Excess body fat can elevate a man’s estrogen level, and this may cause testosterone levels to plummet, according to Dr. Joseph Zmuda, an epidemiologist at the University of Pittsburgh.

If you are overweight or obese, do not entertain notions of going on a very low calorie (starvation) diet. Why? Reducing calorie intake by more than 15 percent tricks triggers mechanisms in your brain that say “I’m starving,” which leads to it to curtail testosterone production (The body conserves in order to wait out the perceived famine).

 Diet Wisely

Research suggests that eating a low-carbohydrate diet lowers testosterone levels. It also can contribute to the development of blocked arteries. When the arteries that feed the penis bock up, well, like plugged up plumbing in a house – things don’t work right. This article will help flesh this out in terms of the findings of a recent scientific study: Heart Disease More Likely in Low-carb than Low-fat

OK, so a low-carb diet is not the way to go. What is? It appears the best diet is a low fat one. The trick, however, is to insure that the body gets enough of the right kinds of fats.

For example, many nuts furnish healthy fats. Research, in fact, has shown that men whose diet is rich in monounsaturated fat – like the kind found in peanuts -- had the highest testosterone levels. Nuts, olive oil, and canola oil are good sources of monounsaturated fat.

Readers interested in learning more about healthy dieting should check out Longevity Living Longer and Healthier

Also, in order to maintain a healthy testosterone count alcohol intake must be limited (Say, no more than two or three drinks per day). Alcohol affects the endocrine system which can result in the testes curtailing production of testosterone. Men who are abusing alcohol and want to put an end to this should check out Alcohol Abuse - Natural Ways to Combat

Testosterone is, of course, a player in enlargement of the prostate and can fuel prostate cancer. One simple dietary way to help throw a monkey wrench in cogs of this disease-making machinery is to consume pomegranate juice.

The Virtue of Morning Sexual Activity

German scientists found that just having an erection results in higher levels of circulating testosterone levels. Sexual activity resulting in ejaculation reduces testosterone ever so slightly, because some of the hormone goes out of the body in the ejaculate. However, this minor reduction also is signaled to the body which then goes to work synthesizing more of the male hormone.

For men having problems getting or maintaining an erection, check out Erectile Dysfunction (ED) - Natural ways to beat ED

A Standardized Extract of the herb Tribulus May Help

A hormone called luteinizing hormone (LH) plays a role in telling the human body to get busy making testosterone. Like most hormones, it diminishes as men age. Thankfully, an herb called Tribulus terrestris that has been shown to naturally boost levels of LH, especially when used in the form of a standardized extract.  

Do Not Drink Peppermint Herbal Tea or use Peppermint herbal pills or such

There are a number of published

studies indicating peppermint might reduce or otherwise compromise male testosterone levels.

 While most are animal studies,it is probably wise for men to avoid drinking peppermint tea or using products that contain peppermint or any mint herb.    

When the issue isn’t too little Testosterone, but Free Testosterone

Low testosterone affects levels about 5.6% of all men, but as the Australian study above indicates free testosterone is a contributor to male depression. When  testosterone is bound up to proteins such as sex-hormone binding globulin it goes from being “free” (available for use in the body”) to being less so. How does one “set testosterone free”? One way may be the oral intake of the herb Nettles (Urtica dioica), which contains a compound called 3,4-divanillyltetrahydrofuran that is reputed to increase free testosterone by occupying sex-hormone binding globulin. Freeze-dried Nettles appears to better preserve the compounds that may assist the body in creating or maintaining free testosterone than air dried Nettles and such.   

Men whose depression is not linked to testosterone or free testosterone are encouraged to check out Depression - Natural Means to Alleviate the Blues

Journal reference: Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2008;65[3]:283-289.

JAMA and Archives Journals (2008, March 4). Low Testosterone Levels Associated With Depression In Older Men. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 4, 2008, from http://www.sciencedaily.com­ /releases/2008/03/080303190624.htm