However, despite this clear FDA statement, there continue to be products that either directly claim or imply to have certain effects on medical conditions. Claims like these can only legitimately be made for drugs, not dietary supplements.”. That means supplements should not make claims, such as “reduces pain” or “treats heart disease”. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearly states that, “Unlike drugs, supplements are not intended to treat, diagnose, prevent, or cure diseases. Highlighting this, a 2015 evidence based review of medicinal plants used for the treatment of sperm abnormalities found that “more reliable evidence was found” for some of the supplements than others, and that further studies were needed to demonstrate safety and efficacy of these products. In addition, these compounds are often loosely regulated. ĭespite their popularity, the scientific rationale for these products often remains unexplained or unproven. Many of these compounds have been used in ancient Indian Ayurvedic and Unani medicine systems for their aphrodisiac or anti-aging properties. These over the counter “T boosters” are often taken with the hopes of raising endogenous T production and doing this in a more “natural” manner. These may be used in addition to TRT for males with diagnosed symptomatic hypogonadism, or as a stand-alone regimen.Īpproximately 50% of American adults consume dietary supplements to promote overall health and fill dietary gaps. The reasons for this are unknown, but some of these men may be seeking alternative treatments, such as care at rejuvenation centers or using over the counter T supplements. However, one study found that 87.8% men with low T were not receiving treatment, despite adequate access to care. Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is a well-established option for those with symptomatic hypogonadism related to low T levels. The symptoms of low T are relatively non-specific and can be seen with several other medical conditions, and an accurate diagnosis is vital to direct treatment. The reasons for this decline may be related to failure of the testes to produce T, impaired function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, comorbid medical issues, exogenous medications or other factors. It is estimated that men in their 70s have mean T levels 35% lower than younger men. A progressive decline in testosterone (T) is seen with male aging, estimated at 0.4% to 2.0% decline per year after age 30.
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