The impact of caloric restriction on testosterone is context-dependent. While it can improve testosterone levels in men with obesity or metabolic syndrome, the same dietary stress will likely decrease testosterone in young, healthy, lean men.
Patients can successfully request hormone tests by describing subjective declines in energy, focus, or athletic performance compared to their past selves. This provides the necessary clinical justification for the lab work without requiring a pre-existing diagnosis.
Casein, a primary protein in milk, can function as a mu opioid receptor agonist within the gut. This activity can lead to an increase in prolactin levels, which in turn can suppress dopamine and the hormones that stimulate testosterone production.
Cannabinoids (THC, CBD) don't directly reduce testosterone. Instead, the act of smoking marijuana increases the enzyme aromatase, which converts testosterone into estrogen. Higher estrogen then signals the pituitary to reduce testosterone production, creating an indirect negative feedback loop.
The androgen receptor gene, which dictates how the body responds to hormones like testosterone and DHT, is located on the X chromosome. Since men (XY) inherit their X chromosome from their mother, their genetic predisposition for androgen sensitivity is maternally inherited.
While low testosterone can cause poor sleep, starting TRT can also lead to sleep issues. It drastically increases the risk of sleep apnea and can initially put the body into a hypersympathetic (fight-or-flight) state, disrupting sleep patterns.
Contrary to popular belief, women's bodies contain substantially more total testosterone than estradiol. This misunderstanding arises because tests use different units (nanograms vs. picograms) or focus only on "free" testosterone, understating its overall prevalence and importance.
Dr. Kyle Gillett's six pillars of hormone health include the expected (diet, exercise, stress, sleep, sunlight) but also adds spiritual well-being. He argues that even with perfect physical health, a lack of spiritual health will profoundly and negatively impact the body and mind.
The peptide BPC-157 promotes tissue repair by increasing Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), which grows new blood vessels. This poses a significant risk as it is the direct opposite mechanism of essential anti-cancer medications like Avastin, which work by inhibiting VEGF.