BEIJING, Nov. 27 (Xinhuanet) -- Higher natural levels of the male hormone testosterone may lower the risk of death from heart attack, stroke, cancer, cardiovascular conditions and all other causes, British researchers said Monday.

 

Calvin Klein model Fredrik Ljungberg. British researchers said Monday that higher natural levels of the male hormone testosterone may lower the risk of death from heart attack, stroke, cancer, cardiovascular conditions and all other causes.(Xinhua File Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    But the researchers cautioned men not to begin testosterone supplementation based on the results of this 10-year study, saying the benefits and risks are unclear. The role of testosterone in men's health is controversial, with the relationship between men's natural testosterone levels and overall health not well understood.

    But this study led by Dr. Kay-Tee Khaw, a professor of clinical gerontology at the University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine in Britain, found strong benefits in men with higher natural levels of the hormone.

    Men in the upper 25 percent of natural testosterone levels had a 41 percent lower risk of dying from heart attack, stroke and other cardiovascular conditions, cancer and all other causes, compared to men with the lowest levels, the researchers found.

    "Low testosterone seems to predict increased risk of total mortality in cardiovascular disease as well as cancer," Khaw said in a telephone interview.

    The researchers tracked 11,606 British men ages 40 to 79 who had no known cancer or cardiovascular disease at the start of the study. They joined the study from 1993 to 1997 and were followed until 2003.

    Among these men, 825 died during the study period. The researchers measured their testosterone levels using frozen blood samples provided earlier, and compared their levels to a group of men still alive at the end of the study period.

    Khaw said the relationship between testosterone levels and cardiovascular disease mortality was comparable in magnitude to well-established risk factors like high blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Thus, low testosterone levels could point to men at elevated risk for cardiovascular death who may not have other known risk factors, the researchers reported in the journal Circulation.

    Testosterone is the primary "male" hormone that helps maintain muscle mass and strength, fat distribution, bone mass, sperm production, sex drive and potency. Women have testosterone too, but at lower levels.

    (Agencies)

Calvin Klein model Fredrik Ljungberg