Just Ask Terry

Terry is happy to provide his opinion on diet and nutrition, supplements and lifestyle choices. This information is for educational purposes only. It is not meant to replace the advice of your physician and is not to be considered medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Should you have any concerns please contact your physician directly.

Q. Dear Terry, “I am a 52 year old male going through andropause. I have all the symptoms: low libido, depression and sleep disturbances. Are there any natural recommendations for boosting testosterone levels that actually work?” — Joseph P., Buffalo, NY

A. Dear Joseph, The term “andropause” is used to describe aging-related hormone changes in men. Testosterone is the most important sex hormone in the male body, and is responsible for development of body and facial hair, muscle growth and strength, and a deep voice. It also influences the production of sperm, and promotes sexual function and sex drive. Levels of testosterone vary greatly among men; however, older men do tend to have lower levels than younger men. Testosterone levels gradually decline throughout adulthood — about 1 percent a year after age 30 on average. While some men do not experience any signs or symptoms related to this decrease in testosterone levels, others may notice changes in sexual function, sleep, as well as other emotional and physical changes.

While I do have some recommendations that may help with your symptoms, I would strongly encourage you to consult with your physician regarding your concerns.

I recommend two botanicals in particular, to help with enhancing libido. One is called Long Jack (Eurycoma longifolia). Also known as Tongkat Ali, it’s a tall, slender shrub-like tree native to Southeast Asia. I suggest taking 50-300 mg of Long Jack daily. The other botanical is a root plant from the highlands of the Andes Mountains called maca. Maca can have an impact on energy, mood and stamina, as well as enhance sexual performance. I suggest taking 1,500-4,500 mg of organic whole maca root extract. When looking for maca, be wary – lots of companies are making claims about “special” forms of maca. However, I think maca is best when in the form used in the ancient Andes cultures–nothing altered or manipulated. I think this form far and away has the most powerful effects. Some other things to consider when purchasing maca: Is it whole root? Organic? Clinically studied? A “yes” answer to all these questions indicates a high quality product.

I also recommend taking a high quality, standardized St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) extract. St. John’s Wort has been shown to be every bit as effective for mild to moderate depression as prescription drugs. In fact, it has shown great promise in numerous double-blind, placebo controlled clinical trials for alleviating depression – without the side-effects that are often seen in conventional approaches. I would suggest taking 900 mg of St. John’s Wort every day in the morning.

There is a potential for interactions between prescription medications and St. John’s Wort because St. John’s Wort is very liver healthy, and increases the liver’s ability to detoxify certain compounds. That’s a good thing most of the time, but in the case of prescription medications, some medications may get “detoxified” so quickly that they aren’t fully effective. While the majority of prescription medications are safe to take with St. John’s Wort, I suggest you check with your pharmacist or doctor to make sure this combination is right for you.

Healthy Regards!

Terry . . . Naturally