For a long time, testosterone (T) was thought of by many as something synonymous with rage, meat heads with an identity crisis, bodybuilders and of course doping in sports. Fast forward a few years to a society highly exposed to endocrine-disrupting chemicals rife in our environment, plastics, bisphenols, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals residues in our water, obesity, and the surge in plant based diet popularity – we are seeing higher rates of men experiencing male hormone dysfunction, hypogonadism, testicular cancer, male pattern baldness, low libido & depression often alongside an inverse rise in estrogen.
In fact, studies tracking this from the 1980’s till now, have demonstrated that average serum testosterone levels in males across a healthy population span over three separate decades have dropped significantly – independent of the natural age-induced decline in T men experience. It proved that the average 60 year old man in 2004 had T levels 17% lower than that of a men the same age in 1987 (JCEM, 2007).
Why is T so important for a man?
Quite simply because it enhances mood regulation, total body repair, sleep quality, immune function, inflammation control, bone density, confidence, libido, overall resilience and muscle mass. Basically everything that defies ageing and disease!
Whilst the importance of hormone health for women is widely appreciated, male hormone health is still playing catch up. Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is on the rise in popularity and can be life changing for many males, however underlying causes of low T are often overlooked in these cases. Fortunately there are plenty of lifestyle hacks, diet modifications, movement practices and plant medicines that stacked up can be equally as powerful without the need for the needle alongside the removal of any known androgen disrupting factors. Stay tuned for my next post where I summarise a punchy list of Testosterone supporting diet, lifestyle, movement and botanical goodies for all you men out there looking to improve your wellness status and women keen to learn more about how they can support their men
. #brovember