The Number 1 Cause Of Low Testosterone In Men

In recent years testosterone levels have been falling, in men across all age groups. This can have undesirable consequences for physical and mental health.

Testosterone is the main male hormone in men (androgen). It stimulates the development of male characteristics and is necessary for sperm production.

Testosterone has the following beneficial health effects:

• Increases muscle mass
• Maintains adequate levels of red blood cells
• Increases bone density
• Promotes a sense of well-being and good mental health
• Maintains sexual and reproductive function

In men, testosterone levels are typically highest in the morning and decline through the day.

Insulin resistance and fatty liver can hinder testosterone production

Weight gain affects men’s testosterone levels adversely and men who become overweight usually experience a fall in this hormone.  This loss of testosterone may vary from mild to severe and can dramatically change the way a man feels and functions. In overweight men the levels of this wellness promoting hormone are often too low with a very negative effect upon their quality of life.

Why do testosterone levels become low in overweight men?

Testosterone levels naturally fall as men age; however they fall a lot more rapidly in overweight men.  Studies conducted at the New England Research Institutes have shown that if a 1.83meter (6 foot 1 inch) tall man gains as little as 13.6kg (30 pounds) he can lose testosterone production from his testicles to the equivalent of aging 10 years.

Men who experience a traumatic event like the death of their wife experience a similar drop in testosterone. As men age their liver produces higher levels of a protein that binds with testosterone in the bloodstream and inactivates the testosterone.  This means that there is less free and active testosterone in the blood.

Fat cells contain an enzyme called aromatase, which converts testosterone into the female hormone estrogen.  Estrogen promotes the growth of fatty tissue in the breasts and hips. The more fat cells a man has, the more estrogen his body produces.  In some cases overweight men may experience the growth of breasts, which are a strong indication of insulin resistance.

This hormone imbalance can be reversed with a low carbohydrate eating plan, as found in my book I Can’t Lose Weight and I Don’t Know Why. Other important things to improve testosterone levels are regular exercise and a good liver tonic such as Livatone Plus. The liver tonic will help the liver to break down the excess estrogen.

Many overweight men experience sleep apnea, a condition linked to snoring, where breathing stops many times throughout the night.  Sleep apnea is known to cause a further fall in testosterone levels.

Symptoms of low testosterone levels in men

• Reduced sex drive
• Erectile dysfunction
• Fatigue and weakness
• Loss of motivation
• Mood changes such as depression and anxiety
• A loss of muscle mass

Ways to increase testosterone in men

Testosterone is available on prescription, for men with a severe deficiency; however there are many natural ways to increase your level of this important hormone:

• Try to maintain a healthy body weight. Ideally a man’s waist circumference should not be greater than 35 inches. Any more than that indicates there is probably too much fat accumulating around the abdominal organs and inside the liver. If you have a fatty liver I recommend you follow my eating plan in my book Fatty Liver: You Can Reverse It.
• Increasing the protein and zinc content of your diet helps raise testosterone. Red meat is a rich source of both of those nutrients and we’ve found that our patients who increase red meat in their diet achieve a higher blood testosterone level.
• Magnesium is a mineral with a calming and relaxing effect on the nervous system. It helps your body to cope with stress and it helps you achieve a deeper, better quality sleep. Magnesium also helps to increase the strength of erections.
• If you have diabetes, it is critical to try and get your blood sugar level as close to normal as possible. That means having a fasting blood glucose level less than 110mg/dL. Glicemic Balance capsules contain the herbs bitter melon and gymnema, along with the nutrients chromium, lipoic acid and carnitine, which all help maintain a healthy blood sugar. Ideally one capsule can be taken with each meal.
• Exercise helps to raise testosterone; muscle strengthening exercise in particular. That means lifting weights or using your own body weight (push ups, lunges, squats).

The above statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.

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