These Substances Interfere with Testosterone and Libido
Alkaloids:
Caffeine decreases free Testosterone levels.
Enzymes:
Aromatase catalyzes the conversion of Testosterone to Estradiol
(although some conversion of Testosterone to Estradiol is beneficial,
excessive conversion of Testosterone to Estradiol is undesirable).
Testosterone is converted to Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by the 5-Alpha
Reductase enzyme: Approximately 6 - 10% of the male body?s free
Testosterone is normally converted to DHT.
Hormones:
Elevated Cortisol levels inhibit the production of Testosterone.
Supplemental Melatonin inhibits the production of Testosterone -
although low dosage levels of Melatonin (up to 3 mg per day) do not
appear to interfere with Testosterone production. Conversely, one
study has demonstrated that supplemental Melatonin prevents the
age-related decline in Testosterone production.
Supplemental Progesterone lowers endogenous Testosterone production
(in men) to levels that prevent the proper maturation of Sperm.
Lipids:
Trans-Fatty Acids decrease Testosterone levels.
Pharmaceutical Drugs:
Exogenous Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids (A-ASs) inhibit the body's
endogenous production of natural Testosterone (via Negative Feedback
Mechanism).
Most Antiandrogens lower plasma Testosterone levels: Flutamide
inhibits the ability of Testosterone to bind to Androgen Receptors
(thus preventing Testosterone from converting to Dihydrotestosterone
(DHT)). This occurs from Flutamide itself binding to Androgen
Receptors, thereby blocking Testosterone.
Spironolactone lowers plasma levels of Testosterone (by suppressing
17-Alpha Hydroxylase, the enzyme that catalyzes the production of some
of the precursors for Testosterone).
Aspirin interferes with the body's production of Testosterone.
Cimetidine decreases circulating levels of ?free? Testosterone and
decreases the biological effectiveness of Testosterone (via a
presently unknown mechanism).
Some types of Major Tranquilizers (e.g. Phenothiazines such as
Chlorpromazine) cause depletion of the body's Testosterone reserves
(by rapidly metabolizing Testosterone).
Polyphenols:
Preliminary research indicates that Daidzein decreases Testosterone
production (in women only - in men, Daidzein causes increases in
Testosterone levels).
Proteins:
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) production increases in tandem
with the Aging Process - SHBG binds to Testosterone, inhibiting
Testosterone's normal biological functions, resulting in the reduced
Sexual Desire associated with the Male Menopause: Testosterone binds
more strongly to SHBG with the progression of the Aging Process.
Recreational Drugs:
Alcohol (ethanol) decreases the production of Testosterone and lowers
the body?s Testosterone levels.
Cocaine lowers serum Testosterone levels.
Marijuana reduces serum Testosterone levels.
Tobacco smoking inhibits the production of Testosterone (by causing
the destruction of Leydig Cells that normally produce Testosterone).
These Foods Interfere with Testosterone:
High Veg / Low Fat Diet
Vegetarians have approximately 18% lower Testosterone levels compared
to meat eaters (this occurs because vegetarians have a lower intake of
Dietary Fats which are precursors for Testosterone production; also
the Fiber Polysaccharides in Vegetables bind to Testosterone and other
Steroid Hormones).
Refs:
· Hamalainen, E. K., et al. Decrease of serum total and free
testosterone during a low-fat high-fibre diet. Journal of Steroid
Biochemistry. 18:369-370, 1983.
· Hill, P. E., et al. Plasma hormones and lipids in men at different
risk for coronary heart disease. American Journal of Clinical
Nutrition. 33:1010-1018, 1980.
· Howie, B. J., et al. Dietary and hormonal inter-relationships among
Seventh-Day Adventist and nonvegetarian men. American Journal of
Clinical Nutrition. 42:127-134, 1985.
· Raben, A. B., et al. Serum sex hormones and endurance performance
after a lacto-ovo vegetarian and a mixed diet. Medicine and Science
in Sports and Exercise. 24:1290-1297, 1992.
These Ailments Interfere with Testosterone:
Aging Process:
Testosterone production declines in tandem with the Aging Process.
Age % of Free Testosterone Compared to Free Testosterone at Age 18
18 100%
40: 80%
50: 60%
60: 50%
70: 45%
80: 40%
90: 20%
Metabolism:
Hypothyroidism often causes a decrease in Testosterone levels (in men).
Men afflicted with Obesity are generally found to have lowered free
Testosterone and lowered total Testosterone levels. This effect
occurs as a result of increased conversion of Testosterone to
Estrogens in Adipose Tissue.
Nervous System:
Excessive Stress reduces the body's levels of Testosterone.
Sexual System:
The onset of the "Male Menopause" triggers a reduction in Testosterone
production - Testosterone Replacement Therapy is often employed to
minimize the discomfort associated with Male Menopause.
Elevated (free) Testosterone is a feature of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
- this elevated free Testosterone occurs as a consequence of Insulin
Resistance.
Other Factors that cause Testosterone Depletion:
Physical Therapies:
Excessive Exercise (i.e. overtraining) suppresses the body's
Testosterone production: Endurance Exercise reduces (both bound and
free) Testosterone levels. Excessive Isotonic Exercise (i.e.
overtraining) can cause (temporary) depletion of endogenous
Testosterone during the 24 - 48 hour recovery period between workouts
in people who engage in Isotonic Exercise.
Kindest regards
Brent Murphy - B.Pharm (Rhodes) MPS
Consulting Complementary Medicines Pharmacist |
