Aging and hormones: the real story

On average, hormones decrease over 60% with aging. We begin to lose critical hormones by 1-3% per year after the age of 30 or about 10-30% per decade! Apoptosis is the term used for human cells that actually induce their own death for various reasons associated with good health. During fetal development, as organs take shape, many cells undergo apoptosis. Many scientists believe that our drop in hormone levels, especially beyond our reproductive years, is nature's way of slowly inducing our own death, part of the apoptosis of the organism. Aging is associated with decreased strength, decreased energy, impaired immunity and loss of mental function. All of these are also independently associated with diminished hormone levels.

Hormone comes from the Greek "to stimulate." Our bodies make many different kinds of hormones, and in general, these stimulate cells to certain actions. Of course, only in this generation have scientists been able to measure and understand hormones. Doctors have replaced low thyroid and insulin hormones for many years, saving lives. But the importance of other hormones is only more recently appreciated.

A Word of Warning Before I go on about the wonders of hormones (especially if yours are low), we must not fail to appreciate that "stimulating" with hormones has its dangers if the cell has high oxidative stress. Before riding an old bicycle real fast, or before revving up an old engine, it is wise to first tune it and be sure it is well oiled. The general principle is this: first make sure you're not too low on something you need (starting with nutrients), or too high on something you don't want (xenobiotics, free radicals). I have seen many patients that were on several hormones, but had fundamental medical issues that were not being adequately addressed. Usually in these situations, adding stimulatory hormones makes them worse. It would be like taking amphetamines when you have the flu: not wise!

Women have much lower levels of estrogen, progesterone, testosterone and other hormones after menopause. Research from numerous studies has confirmed a beneficial role for replacing these hormones in most women. In one large study, women taking estrogen had 40% less heart disease, and 50% less Alzheimer's disease, than those not taking hormones. Estrogen also strengthens bones, leading to fewer hip fractures, and actually diminishes the rate of teeth falling out by 33%! Unfortunately, women after menopause usually get nothing or Premarin (from Pregnant Mare Urine). I believe that hormones identical to what the body uses are far superior to either horse or plant estrogens. (Plant estrogens, for example, do not bind brain cell receptors nearly as well as the horse or human estrogen). Properly used, hormones can make an enormous difference in a woman's life.

Hormones are not just for women. In most men and women, levels of DHEA, testosterone, and growth hormone can fall dramatically decrease with aging. Although on average these levels gradually fall, in some individuals certain ones fall dramatically. Many people have feelings of fatigue, decreased energy and sex drive, or low mood. These may be due to marked declines in hormones that can easily be replaced.

Hormones don't just make one feel better; by many measures they actually make the person objectively younger in "biomarkers" of aging (like bone density, joint flexibility, memory, and many others). At Corporate Wellness Solutions we measure hormone levels, but restoring their levels requires proper balance (not just high blood levels) and should be done under a doctor's care. Each person is biochemically unique, so individualizing therapy is essential.