Five factors that affect testosterone in men

Most American men will begin to experience a decline in testosterone when they turn 30 years of age. Lowered testosterone levels can cause fatigue, depression, low sex drive, and a number of other serious health problems. Although declined hormone levels are generally associated with the aging process, the truth is that healthy males should maintain normal testosterone development up to the day they die. Low testosterone is a sign of unhealthy lifestyle habits, and can be reversed through healthy living and safe, effective hormone replacement therapy known as bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT).

Here are five of the leading factors that can lead to low testosterone levels in men.

1. High intake of refined carbohydrates

The typical American diet is high in refined carbohydrates, which are products generally made with all-purpose flour, such as hamburger buns, breakfast cereal, pasta, white sandwich bread, and tortillas. When you consume these products, your insulin levels increase and disrupt your body’s central hormone pathways — leading to suppressed testosterone production. Additionally, consistent elevated insulin levels can eventually lead to obesity and type 2 diabetes.

2. Consuming meats that contain hormones

Men who enjoy eating their steak, hamburgers, ribs, and brisket may be largely unaware that most of the meats they’re consuming are heavy in hormones. The synthetic hormones used in the meat industry can wreak havoc on our own hormones, and lead to major hormonal imbalance. Purchase grass-fed and hormone-free meats and increase your intake of vegetables, which support normal and healthy testosterone production.

3. Drinking unfiltered municipal water supply

Research from environmental agencies is now showing that most municipal water supplies contain synthetic estrogens, which are contributing to hormonal imbalance among both men and women and dropping the population of certain species of fish. Protect yourself from unfiltered municipal water supply by purchasing filtered water or by installing a water filter on your kitchen faucet at home.

4. Long-term stress

Chronic levels of stress will increase your cortisol levels, which suppresses your hormonal pathways and leads to imbalance. Chronic, long-term stress will suppress hormone production — notably testosterone production in men, and can even prevent existing testosterone from functioning normally.

5. Excess beer consumption

Even moderate alcohol consumption can decrease a man’s testosterone levels by as much as 6.8 percent, but beer specifically could have the most adverse effect on a man’s health. The hops found in most beers contain estrogen-like properties — leading to declined testosterone. Researchers have even found hops to be so estrogen-dominant that they are studying hops for use as a treatment for hot flashes in menopausal women. Stop consuming beer, and limit yourself to fewer alcoholic beverages to maintain and increase your testosterone levels.

Rock Creek Wellness offers bioidentical hormone replacement therapy to help you rebalance and sustain your hormone levels. Our pellet hormone program is designed for patients seeking a quick and affordable entry to bioidentical hormone therapy in Kansas City. Contact us today at 913-727-7700 to request a free consultation.