A Man With A Low Level Ages Faster! Here Are 10 Symptoms To Watch Out For

Testosterone is one of the most important androgens. It plays an important role in sperm production, muscle strength, bone growth, secondary sexual characteristics (e.g. Adam's apple, hair), and sexual performance.

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Recently, a study published in the authoritative journal "GeroScience" (GeroScience) found that testosterone levels are closely related to men's health and longevity. What happens to the body when testosterone levels are low?

Testosterone levels affect male longevity

Scientists at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health have discovered that testosterone affects the aging process in men through multiple mechanisms.

Higher testosterone levels have been linked to cardiovascular health in men, increased muscle strength, increased bone density, and many other things.

Studies have found that testosterone can promote the regeneration and repair of multiple tissues and organs in the body. Second, testosterone has antioxidant properties that reduce the effects and damage of free radicals.

In addition, it regulates gene expression and affects DNA methylation patterns, thereby delaying the aging process.

Testosterone is the "barometer" of men's health. Low testosterone not only affects male reproductive health but also induces chronic diseases such as cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.

Men with low testosterone levels are prone to lack of energy, poor sleep, emotional ups and downs, poor muscle strength, sparse body hair, and increased fat, which seriously affects their quality of life.

How to find out if your testosterone level is abnormal? It is recommended that men over the age of 40 use the internationally accepted "Androgen Deficiency in Men (ADAM) Self-Assessment Form" for self-assessment:

1 Drowsiness, often feeling tired; 

2. Irritability; 

3. Nervousness; 

4. Physical decline/lack of activity; 

5. Decreased muscle strength;

6. Feeling exhausted; 

7. Slow or reduced beard growth; 

8. Sexuality Decreased ability or frequency of sexual activity; 

9. Decreased number of morning erections; 

10. Loss of libido.

Those who have the above symptoms are advised to consult with a regular hospital, and test testosterone and other serological indicators if necessary.

Bad habits accelerate testosterone loss

It is normal for testosterone levels to decline slightly with age, but compared with previous generations, the younger generation of men is significantly affected by other interference factors, and various bad habits are accelerating the loss of testosterone.

1 obesity

Obesity is the main "accomplice" to the reduction of testosterone, which will increase the level of aromatase in men, and testosterone will be irreversibly converted into estradiol, resulting in increased estrogen levels.

According to data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from 2015 to 2016, about 78% of men were overweight or obese, an increase of nearly 50% from 1999 to 2000, while testosterone levels decreased year by year.

2 Pro-Inflammatory Diets

Studies have confirmed that eating too many pro-inflammatory foods is an important factor in lowering testosterone levels in men. Pro-inflammatory diets include high oil, high fat, high sugar, red meat, and refined carbohydrates. Eating too much may lead to abnormal cholesterol and insulin resistance.

Cholesterol is an essential raw material for the production of testosterone, and one of the hazards of insulin resistance is the reduction of testosterone levels in men.

3 sedentary

With less exercise, excess calories will be converted into fat, thereby reducing testosterone secretion. When the testosterone level is low, it is not conducive to muscle growth, but it will increase fat, forming a vicious circle.

Sedentary men will slow down local blood supply, reduce testicular metabolism, significantly reduce testosterone secretion, reduce sperm quality, and lead to male infertility.

4 Insomnia staying up late

Testosterone is mostly secreted at night. Adequate sleep can reduce the body's inflammatory response, reduce cortisol secretion, reduce the level of sex hormone binding globulin, and naturally increase the level of free testosterone.

If the quality of sleep is poor, there is a high probability that it will affect testosterone levels.

5 smoking and drinking

Long-term heavy smoking can cause abnormalities in the Leydig cells and supporting cells of the testis, thereby reducing the concentration of testosterone.

Excessive or long-term drinking can accelerate the decomposition of testosterone in the body, leading to problems such as loss of libido, abnormal sperm, and impotence.

6 Lesion Infection

Injury or infection involving the testicles can cause low testosterone levels in men. For example, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy for prostate cancer, hypopituitarism caused by surgery, inflammation, tumors, congenital genetic diseases, liver disease, kidney disease, obesity, diabetes, etc., may all cause low testosterone levels in men.

7 Environmental Toxins

Studies have shown that 75% of the human body contains a large amount of industrial xenoestrogens, which may cause endocrine disorders and a decrease in testosterone levels.

Xenoestrogens are widely used in adhesives, flame retardants, detergents, perfumes, wax products, cleaning products, lubricants, and more, almost everywhere.

4 Reminders to Maintain Testosterone Levels

From the point of view of physiological functions, it can be said that there are "forty-one barriers for men".

After men enter their 40s, affected by the decline in testosterone levels, symptoms such as hot flashes, depression, and irritability will appear, commonly known as "male menopause", and medically known as "late-onset hypogonadism".

Adhering to a healthy lifestyle can help maintain and increase testosterone levels.

reasonable diet

Pay attention to the proper intake of high-quality fat and protein, eat beef, mutton, fish, and other meat, eat more fresh fruits and vegetables, and eat less refined carbohydrates such as cakes.

take more exercise

Maintain an appropriate amount of exercise to keep the body full of energy and maintain a healthy weight.

Ordinary people should keep their body mass index below 25; fitness people can have a higher BMI, but it is best to keep the body fat rate at a low level.

Body mass index (BMI) = weight (kg)/height (meters) squared

stay away from alcohol and tobacco

Men especially should pay attention to staying away from tobacco and alcohol, drinking less coffee and strong tea, getting enough sleep for 7 hours a day, reducing staying up late, and being sedentary, learning to decompress themselves, and maintaining a happy mood.

receive medical treatment when necessary

For some patients with severe symptoms of testosterone deficiency, testosterone therapy can also be used under the professional guidance of a doctor. ▲