Post: #1

Testosterone Decreases after Ingestion of Sugar

Men with low testosterone should have their hormone levels retested after they fast overnight because eating may transiently lower testosterone levels, a new study concludes.

“Both the incidence of low testosterone, or hypogonadism, in men and the annual number of testosterone prescriptions are increasing, likely as a result of the obesity epidemic and our aging population,” said study co-author Frances Hayes, MD, an endocrinologist at St. Vincent’s University Hospital in Dublin, Ireland, who did the research at Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston. “The decision to prescribe testosterone therapy is based on the result of a blood sample, so obtaining an accurate measurement of testosterone is key to making a correct diagnosis of hypogonadism.”
In current guidelines for evaluating men with hypogonadism, The Endocrine Society recommends measuring blood levels of testosterone—the major male sex hormone—on two or more occasions in the morning, when testosterone is highest. However, no guidelines exist on when to draw a testosterone sample in relation to food intake, Hayes said.
Past research shows that a high level of insulin, the hormone primarily secreted after eating, is related to low testosterone levels. Like eating, glucose intake causes blood glucose (sugar) levels to rise, which stimulates secretion of insulin. Hayes and her colleagues examined the impact of a standard dose of glucose on testosterone levels in 74 men. The researchers administered the oral glucose tolerance test, a screening test for diabetes that involves drinking a sugary solution (75 grams of pure glucose) and then measuring blood sugar levels.
Of the 74 men, 42 had normal glucose tolerance on the test, 23 had impaired glucose tolerance (also called prediabetes) and 9 had newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes.
The authors found that the glucose solution decreased blood levels of testosterone by as much as 25 percent, regardless of whether the men had diabetes, prediabetes or normal glucose tolerance.
Two hours after glucose administration, the testosterone level remained much lower than before the test in 73 of the 74 men, a statistically significant difference, the authors reported. Of the 66 men who had normal testosterone levels before the test, 10 (15 percent) became hypogonadal at one or more time points during the test.
The results did not differ by changes in insulin levels, according to the abstract. Other hormones that could change testosterone measurements also did not appear to affect results. Hayes said more research is needed to find the factor or factors responsible for this drop in testosterone.
Because glucose intake, and likely food, decreases testosterone, she said, “This research supports the notion that men found to have low testosterone levels should be reevaluated in the fasting state.”


Read more at: http://phys.org/news164164943.html#jCp

Post: #2

Interesting, I'm happy I don't eat much sugar, just what is naturally present in fruits, vegetables and potatoes, but I wonder what the results would be like if they had given them protein and/or fat.

Post: #3

(07-07-2013 01:03 PM)Teutatis Wrote:  Interesting, I'm happy I don't eat much sugar, just what is naturally present in fruits, vegetables and potatoes, but I wonder what the results would be like if they had given them protein and/or fat.

I've really been into the nutrition thing lately. Mostly after the endless health posts in this forum. Gets my gears turning.

There was some talk in the Apple Cider Vinegar thread about it causing rock hard morning wood after taking for a day or so.

I know taking vinegar helps break down sugars. I'm wondering if the two things are related. As in ... ACV = Lower Blood Sugar = Higher Testosterone.

Post: #4

Interesting. Yeah, my meals and workouts are all designed to increase testosterone. Though, I do tend to drink when I'm in the field seducing women and prior to having sex. I prefer to be a little tipsy. But I try to stick to red wine or cider when going that route.

Post: #5

If you want to read the original research:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22804876

Post: #6

Just another reason to stay away from that Man made sugar.

Post: #7

(07-08-2013 12:32 AM)MidniteSpecial Wrote:  Just another reason to stay away from that Man made sugar.

Man made or natural, sugar is sugar. If it spikes your insulin, it'll drag down your T, it seems. White bread will seriously spike your insulin, so will potatoes, so will honey and most fruit sugars. Even complex carbs get converted to simple sugars, but it happens more slowly so the insulin spike is ameliorated.

Post: #8

I've been minimizing sugar for a while, most days I don't eat any. Rarely drink fruit juice, but do eat fruit. Try to avoid white flour too often but find that harder than cutting out sugar. Sweet potatoes instead of white.

Post: #9

TL;DR: testosterone declines when you poison yourself. Too much alcohol, smoking, carbs, energy drinks, etc.

I'm in the process starting today going 100% healthy until the end of the month and will let you know how it goes. The only vice I'm unsure I can live without giving the rest up is diet soda. Pray for me guys!

Post: #10

There ought to be a master list of testosterone increasing/decreasing foods/activities/supplements on the forum. It's hard to research the subject without coming up with a lot of bullshit websites hawking supplements.