Fitness Instinct
Many men wonder if they can lose fat by boosting their testosterone level. Well, the reason is not far-fetched – men that are deficient in testosterone have been studied to be more predisposed to too much fat gain.
So in this article, we’re going to be giving clear answers to this question, as well as focus on the potential role of testosterone in obesity and weight loss.
What Is Testosterone?
Testosterone is the most vital male sex hormone. It is primarily made by the ovaries found in women and the testicles found in men. More so, it is in charge of some of the normal male features. It also helps in promoting muscle growth in both males and females.
Hormones are known to be messenger molecules which play an essential role in our body systems. They are discharged into the bloodstream, which transfers them to their target cells.
Whenever hormones come in contact with like-minded cells, they bind immediately to the receptors on their surface and can also affect their function.
The main role of testosterone is to enhance male features like a deeper voice, enhanced muscle mass, facial and body hair growth, and stronger bones.
Proper levels are also vital for the development of sperm cells and the maintenance of male fertility.
Unsurprisingly, the level of testosterone is higher in men than in women. Yet it plays many important roles in women as well.
One of its most vital functions in both males and females is for maintaining muscle mass and for promoting bone strength and muscle growth.
Your testosterone levels decline with age, somewhat explaining age-related bone and muscle loss.
Deficiency in testosterone doesn’t only suppress muscle maintenance and growth, but it might also enhance weight gain.
Deficiency in Testosterone Might Lead to Weight Gain
Testosterone enhances muscle growth and suppresses fat gain at the same time.
Because of this, certain testosterone-deficient men start gaining more fat easily than their healthy mates.
Muscles help in burning far more calories than fat tissues. A lack of muscle actually makes people more vulnerable to eating too much and preserving the excess calories as fat.
Some scientists believe that reduced muscle mass is one of the major causes of weight gain in most men.
Obesity Is Connected to Low Testosterone Levels
On average, men with obesity have 30 percent lower levels of testosterone than those who have normal weights.
Above 70 percent of morbidly over-weighted men suffer from testosterone deficiency, or hypogonadism- a disorder characterised by excessive low levels of this hormone. Hypogonadism in men might reverse with corresponding weight loss.
Scientists are not totally sure why testosterone levels are lower in over-weighted men, however, most research focus on the following processes.
First, high levels of the enzyme “aromatase” are contained in belly fat, which changes testosterone into estrogen, the sex hormone in females.
This further explains the reason why obese men have increased estrogen levels than other men with normal weights.
Secondly, high estrogen and aromatase activity minimize the generation of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone also known as GRH.
Insufficient GRH results to lower levels of the luteinising hormone, thus reducing the production of tests.
Simply put, too much belly fat shows up to suppress testosterone levels.
Do Testosterone Supplements Lead to Weight Loss?
The term “testosterone supplement” could refer to 3 things: illicit anabolic steroids, testosterone boosters, and testosterone replacement therapy.
Illicit Anabolic Steroids
Testosterone-related synthetic steroids are jointly referred to as anabolic steroids. The terminology might also mean testosterone itself.
Most bodybuilders abuse anabolic steroids to increase their levels of testosterone beyond the limit and boost muscle growth. Misusing anabolic steroids is unauthorised in several countries, including the United States.
Healthy men with proper levels of testosterone shouldn’t take anabolic steroids in whatsoever form. This is because long-term misuse could lead to several side effects.
These include aggressive behaviour, sexual dysfunction, heart disease, and liver problems.
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Testosterone Boosters
Also called “natural testosterone supplements,” These testosterone boosters support the natural development of testosterone in your body.
They do not contain any form of testosterone and are typically plant-based.
Certain boosters, like ashwagandha, fenugreek seed extract, and aspartic acid, might increase testosterone levels and also promote muscle growth in men with a deficiency in testosterone, though the evidence is not consistent.
But, many of the health centers believe that testosterone boosters are not backed up by science.
For example, “Tribulus Terrestris,” a testosterone supplement sold as a booster, doesn’t appear to raise testosterone levels rapidly.
Testosterone Replacement Therapy
Testosterone is usually legally prescribed for treating hypogonadism or other medical conditions.
The treatment is referred to as ‘testosterone replacement therapy’ and it is carried out under medical supervision. It could be administered as a skin patch, supplement, injection or cream.
There is evidence that replacement therapy could lead to weight loss in over-weighted patients with hypogonadism.
One 53-week study in 110 obese men on a calorie restricted diet discovered that injections enhanced weight loss by 6.6 pounds (2.8 kg) compared to those who did not receive my treatment.
It results in weight loss by enhancing muscle growth, which then increases the total number of calories burned.
It might also minimize fatigue, increase motivation and also enhance greater physical activity. All these factors have a major role in weight.
Have it in mind that these studies accessed the effect of replacement therapy in testosterone deficient men under proper medical supervision.
There is no proof that replacement therapy leads to weight loss in healthy men with good testosterone levels.
So to conclude, sufficient levels of testosterone are a sign of good wellbeing and health.
Testosterone assists in maintaining muscle mass, increasing the number of calories you burn regularly and might also help in keeping you motivated to be active physically; all of which are linked with a reduced risk of obesity and weight gain.
In case you suspect you have low testosterone levels, consult your healthcare provider for a simple blood test.
Your healthcare provider can ask you to undertake a tester one replacement therapy, which is the best way to normalize your levels.
You can as well try raising your testosterone levels naturally by strength training, losing belly fat, getting enough beauty sleep and taking the right testosterone booster.
