(Best Syndication News) – A study found that elderly men who had low levels of natural steroid hormones were at a higher chance for developing cardiovascular disease. The researchers presented their findings this Saturday at The Endocrine Society’s 94th Annual Meeting, which is being held in Houston, Texas.
Dehydroephiandrosterone (DHEA) is the steroid that was studied. The hormone is secreted by the adrenal gland. DHEA-S, the sulfated form, floats through the blood and is converted in other tissues and is turned into estrogen and testosterone hormones.
The researchers wanted to conduct a large-scale study because smaller studies found a relationship of low DHEA-S levels showed an increase in blood-vessel or cardiovascular disease. DHEA levels tend to naturally go down as men age, but researchers want to learn what health risks are associated with this reduction of the hormone.
The lead author Åsa Tivesten, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden explained that their study demonstrates that low levels of DHEA-S is an indicator for poor overall health.
The large study involved 2,416 men between the ages of 69 and 81 years. The men were part of the Osteoporotic Fractures in Men Sweden study. The results of the DHEA-S study found that elderly men with the lowest levels of DHEA-S had a significantly higher risk for developing cardiovascular-disease within five years.
By: Marsha Quinn
Health Reporter