diet and natural test levels

[Alpha-Male]

found this...

DIET EFFECTS TESTOSTERONE LEVELS
! " increase # " decrease
[1] HIGH INTAKE OF PROTEIN increases levels of (free, unbound) Testosterone versus
LOW INTAKE OF DIETARY PROTEINS decreases Testosterone by increasing levels of
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) which binds to Testosterone causing it to be
unavailable to its receptors; conversely high intake of Dietary Proteins lowers SHBG levels
which causes more free, unbound Testosterone to become available for binding to
Testosterone’s receptors. Normally, 1%-3% of endogenous Testosterone is in its free,
unbound state, while 44% is bound to Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) and 54% is
bound to Albumin and other endogenous Proteins (Testosterone that is Albumin-bound IS
AVAILABLE for tissue uptake; approximately 56% of the body’s Testosterone is readily
available for uptake into tissues.) LOW PROTEIN DIET DOES NOT SUPPORT
ANABOLIC PRODUCTION OF TESTOSTERONE.
[2] REDUCED DIETARY FAT intake from 40% to # 25% (dietary fats as a % of total
diet) resulted in an average -15% # decrease in "Free" testosterone. Researchers
determined that dietary Fats should comprise 25%-30% of total calorie intake in order to
maintain optimal Testosterone production. LOW FAT DIET DOES NOT SUPPORT
ANABOLIC PRODUCTION OF TESTOSTERONE.
[3] SATURATED FATS ! increase endogenous Testosterone levels. Supplemental
Superunsaturated Fatty Acids (SUFAs) stimulate the Leydig Cells of the Testicles to
synthesize Testosterone.
[4] ISOFLAVONES such as DAIDZEIN (extract soybeans) increase serum testosterone
(and beta-endorphin) in castrated rats. The same results were obtained in chickens given
total SOY ISOFLAVONES. VELVET BEANS are reported to increase Testosterone .
[5] OATS are claimed to stimulate the release of Testosterone from its "bound" state (with
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG)) to its "Free" state.
[6] GARLIC increases Testosterone levels (due to the Diallyl Disulfide content of Garlic
increasing Luteinizing Hormone (LH) levels.
SUPPLEMENTS EFFECT TESTOSTERONE LEVELS
[1] ACETYL-L-CARNITINE (ALC) increases plasma Testosterone levels (via its influence
on Acetylcholine neurotransmission in the Striatal Cortex of the Brain).
[2] MELATONIN prevents the age-related decline in Testosterone production. A 1995
study demonstrated that nightly supplementation of melatonin to rats prevented agerelated
decline in testosterone production. Melatonin supplemented rats had nearly 300%
the level of testosterone compared with rats that didn’t receive melatonin. Conversely, one
study has demonstrated that supplemental HIGH DOSE===>MELATONIN INHIBITS
the production of Testosterone - However, LOW DOSAGE LEVELS OF MELATONIN
(up to 3 mg per day) do not appear to interfere with Testosterone production. Males
produce Testosterone over a 24 hour cycle - the highest levels occur in the morning.
Testosterone production and release does also occur qualitatively DURING SLEEP
meaning sleep deprivation leads to lower serum levels of Testosterone .
[3] BETA-SITOSTEROL inhibit the conversion of Testosterone to Dihydrotestosterone
and Estradiol (by inhibiting the 5-Alpha Reductase and Aromatase enzymes)
[4] BORON increases serum Testosterone levels - Boron does not raise Testosterone to
higher than normal physiological values but does appear to restore Testosterone levels in
older males to levels that they had in their 20's and 30's.
[5] POTASSIUM helps to REGULATE plasma Testosterone levels (Potassium deficiency
can lead to sub-optimal plasma Testosterone levels. Potassium is high in whole plant foods
such as fruits and vegetables.
[6] ZINC & SELENIUM are essential cofactors for the endogenous production of
Testosterone and supplemental Zinc increases Testosterone levels related to mineral
deficiency. Zinc also inhibits the conversion of Testosterone to Dihydrotestosterone (by
inhibiting the 5-Alpha Reductase enzyme that catalyzes this conversion). Low Testosterone
levels (in males) may occur as a result of Zinc or Selenium deficiency.
[7] VITAMIN A helps to regulate plasma Testosterone levels (Vitamin A deficiency can
lead to sub-optimal plasma Testosterone levels).
[8] FENUGREEK SEEDS may increase Testosterone levels (Steroid Saponins in Fenugreek
Seeds stimulate the release of Luteinizing Hormone which in turn stimulates the
production of Testosterone).
[9] KOREAN GINSENG increases the body’s endogenous production of Testosterone.
[10] HORNY GOAT WEED & MACA are claimed to increase Testosterone levels.
[11] NETTLE EXTRACT inhibits the binding of Testosterone to Sex Hormone Binding
Globulin (SHBG), resulting in lower levels of "bound" Testosterone and higher levels of
"free" Testosterone (this occurs from Nettle binding to SHBG in place of Testosterone).
[12] SAW PALMETTO inhibits the conversion of Testosterone to Dihydrotestosterone
(DHT).
[13] TRIBULUS TERRESTRIS is claimed to increase production of Luteinizing Hormone,
which causes the testes to release more Testosterone. Tribulus terrestris is speculated to
enhance the conversion of Androstenedione to Testosterone (although Androstenedione is
the immediate precursor of Testosterone, it is speculated that this conversion occurs under
the influence of Luteinizing Hormone. Research suggests that daily intake of 750 mg of
Tribulus terrestris results in an increase in free Testosterone levels of 30% (only in males)
within five days.
[14] ROYAL JELLY is reported to contain Testosterone.

guess half should be in supplement forum...comments/additions, etc...

http://www.e-caps.com/downloads/JOE/Aug04.pdf

[SwoleCat]

Nice list!



~SC~

[bor]

Good post

[Kärnfysikern]

cool post especialy about the soy isoflavones also a point in why some saturated fats should be in a diet(atleast when natty). I wonder if it includes MCT oils of it they dont effect test since they are metabolised differently then other sat fats.

Good that they mention Selenium. Most if not all(except those that supplement with it) is deficient in selenium since its not found in the foods we regulary eat.