What Can Decrease Testosterone Levels
Testosterone decline – two words that can signal stress for any man. In actuality, this particular hormone deficiency can happen to men and women at any time in adulthood. Males are most likely to start seeing a drop in testosterone production after the age of thirty. This reduction will continue at a pace of 1 to 2 percent each year. Women can expect menopause to signal their decline. As we examine what can lower your testosterone production and what you can do to prevent it, you will be better able to make some changes that might help slow down this natural process.
Believe it or not, lifestyle and dietary choices can affect hormone production. So can sleep, exercise, stress, environmental toxins and chemicals, and even genetics. Some people are predisposed to “early aging” just like their parents. This typically means that their hormone production sees an early and rapid decline.
Genetic disposition does not have to determine the end of this situation. There are steps that each person can take that will help reverse what can decrease testosterone levels in many cases. The more you know about this subject, the better armed you will be to initiate positive change.
What can lower a man’s testosterone besides the things already mentioned?
Here are some other ways that testosterone production can be affected:
- Chronic illness
- Medications
- Renal disease
- High blood pressure
- COPD
- Testicular injury
- Cancer and its treatments
- Hemochromatosis – excess iron production
- Mumps involving the testicles
- Klinefelter’s syndrome
- Brain or pituitary gland tumor
- Disorders of the pituitary gland or hypothalamus
- HIV/AIDS
- Tuberculosis
- Histiocytosis
- Sarcoidosis
- Kallmann Syndrome
- Aging
How Lifestyle Choices Affect Testosterone Levels
Lifestyle choices can have the biggest impact on testosterone production. When looking at what can lower your testosterone level, it will be important to take stock of how you are living your life. The following habits can all impact how quickly your body will reduce testosterone levels and when the symptoms of Low T will occur:
- Smoking
- Less than 7 hours of quality sleep a night
- Excessive stress
- Lack of exercise
- Alcohol or substance abuse
- Anabolic steroid use
- Overuse of over-the-counter or prescription medications
- Weight gain
- BPA consumption
When looking at what can reduce testosterone levels, the last thing on this list is extremely concerning. BPA is found in plastic bottles, containers, and food can linings. BPA can lower both testosterone and TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) levels.
It is clear that when looking at what can low testosterone levels, causes can come from many different directions. Regarding alcohol use, it is best to avoid beer as hops can increase estrogen and lower testosterone levels.
Foods that Can Increase or Decrease Testosterone
As we continue to look at what can decrease testosterone in the body, we can point to the saying you are what you eat.
Food plays a significant role in the production of hormones such as testosterone. Making some dietary changes can go a long way for improving testosterone levels.
What foods can lower testosterone?
Take a look at this list to learn more:
- All polyunsaturated cooking oils (see the good ones below)
- Alcohol, particularly beer – limit yourself to no more than one drink or glass of wine a day
- Soy – the studies are mixed, so it pays to go easy on consumption
- Trans-fat – just consider this poison for the body
- Sugar
- Refined carbohydrates like bleached white flour
- Foods containing hormones or antibiotics, including meat, milk, and cheese
- Diet soda – this is a concoction of chemicals and artificial sweeteners
- Microwave popcorn – chemicals in the bag lining can affect sex drive and lead to prostate problems
- Licorice
- Mint
- Flaxseeds
- Non-organic strawberries, peaches, apples
- Excessive coffee or caffeine
When looking at what foods can lower testosterone levels, make a habit of avoiding fast food, margarine, commercial or packaged desserts, and baked goods that may be laden with sugar and hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
Steps You Can Take to Increase Testosterone
Now that you know what can reduce testosterone, it is time to learn what you can do to increase your odds of a healthy life with adequate hormone production. Here are the changes you can make right now:
- Get 7 to 9 hours of sleep every night
- Exercise – both with high-intensity and weight bearing workouts
- Reduce or limit stress
- Stop smoking
- Lose weight
- Cut back on alcohol consumption (no beer)
- Use BPA-free products
- Buy organic – especially when purchasing the “toxic” fruits and vegetables
- Consume lean, grass-fed organic beef
- Choose heart-healthy fats and cooking oils – olive and coconut oils, avocados, nuts
- Eat a wide variety of brightly colored fruits and vegetables
- Use only organic raw honey, maple syrup, stevia, or coconut sugar as a sweetener
Additionally, when looking at what will lower testosterone and what will increase it, there are some different foods and supplements you can consume that will provide positive benefits.
Check out these reports on this website:
- Foods That Increase Testosterone
- Herbs and Vitamins to Increase Testosterone
Why is it so important to protect your testosterone levels as you age? Take a look below at what does low testosterone levels cause as your answer.
Low T has been linked to the following medical conditions:
- Heart disease
- Osteoporosis
- Diabetes
- Dementia
- Depression
- High blood pressure
- Anemia
- High cholesterol
Protect your testosterone levels and protect your health. Call National HRT to find out more about affordable testosterone and hormone replacement therapy. Consultations are confidential and free.
National HRT Staff
Please note that the information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.