Health
Testosterone: 3 Things That Will Probably Surprise You
Hint: They include love, diet, and roosters.
Testosterone is a hormone that can help men develop sperm. It helps to increase muscle and bone mass, can deepen the voice, and increase body hair. When too low, generalized fatigue, depression, sleep problems, increased fat storage, and other problems may result. While testosterone is an important hormone, many misunderstand it. Today we look at five facts about this vital hormone.
1. Your diet may influence levels.
Want to try to optimize your testosterone levels? You may want to watch your lifestyle: Optimize your weight, limit alcohol consumption, eat healthily, and get some exercise. That’s the conclusion of researchers who examined peer-reviewed studies on the association between dietary patterns and male sexual health, including erectile dysfunction, infertility, and hypogonadism (a condition in which the body doesn’t produce enough testosterone).
Erectile dysfunction primarily affects aging men. The prevalence is on the order of 30 to 50 percent in men at least 40 years old. The researchers found that erectile dysfunction seems to lessen in men who adhere to a Mediterranean-type diet.
Obese and overweight men who lose weight may see improvement in erectile dysfunction as well as testosterone levels. Finally, the researchers found an association between a Western diet and lower semen quality. Take the results with a grain of salt: The study does not represent high-level evidence; we need a randomized, controlled trial for that.
2. Staying single may help
A research study from Italy found that men who described themselves as being in love had lower testosterone levels. Women who feel the same way about their partners have higher levels. Incidentally, women with higher levels of testosterone appear to have better sexual experiences.
3. Take testosterone? Thank a rooster.
The first testosterone replacement treatment goes back to 1849. A German zoo curator watched the castration of roosters and noted that the animals ceased crowing and fighting. They also lost interest in hens. When the roosters had their testicles reconnected, the behavior changed.
Thank you for joining today. Did any of the observations surprise you?
