How Testosterone Levels Affect Muscle Growth and Fat Loss

Higher testosterone levels are often equated with more muscle growth and fat loss. Is it that simple?



If you ask the average gymgoer what single physical factor most affects muscle growth and fat loss, they would probably answer “testosterone levels.” And they’re right.

Testosterone is certainly a primary hormonal driver of muscle growth. Research has shown that anabolic steroids, which drastically raise testosterone levels, given to even young, healthy men can induce muscle growth and fat loss without any exercise whatsoever.

Thus, it would be fair to assume that the higher our testosterone levels are, the more muscle we build and the leaner we get, right?

Testosterone Levels and Muscle Growth

We already know that dramatically elevating testosterone levels induces muscle growth.

Yes, if you take enough of the right steroids, your testosterone levels will skyrocket, and if you lift weights regularly, you will be able to achieve more muscle growth than if you were drug-free.

But here’s something that most people don’t know:

Fluctuation of testosterone levels within the physiological normal range does not affect muscle growth.

That is, if your testosterone levels are right-down-the-middle normal, and you increase them to a high-normal, you may feel a little better and notice a boost in libido…but it won’t enable you to build more muscle.

I know that sounds kind of blasphemous, but it’s actually been scientifically proven.

Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science conducted and published a study about a decade ago wherein they administered varying amounts of  testosterone enanthate along with drugs to inhibit natural testosterone production to young, healthy men for 20 weeks.

While higher testosterone levels did produce greater muscle gains, it wasn’t as pronounced as you might think.

What researchers found was that so long as testosterone levels were within the physiological normal range, between 300-1,000 ng/dl, muscle growth didn’t change very much. That is, the subjects on the low end of normal weren’t that far behind subjects on the high end in terms of muscle growth.

A statistically significant increase in muscle growth wasn’t seen until testosterone levels surpassed the top of “normal” by about 20-30%.

Now, this study does have a limitation: subjects weren’t exercising. While total amounts of muscle and strength gained would clearly have been higher if they had been weightlifting, the relationship between testosterone levels and overall muscle growth would still be seen.

This was partially demonstrated by another study, this time conducted by McMaster University with young, resistance trained men.

Subjects lifted 5 times per week for 12 weeks, and followed a standard dietary protocol (high-protein intake, post-workout nutrition, etc.). The primary finding of the study was that the exercise-induced spikes in anabolic hormones like testosterone, growth hormone, and IGF-1, which all remained within physiological normal ranges, had no effect on overall muscle growth and strength gains.

That is, all subjects made gains in muscle, but the variations in the size of the hormone spikes among them had no bearing on the results.

The key takeaway here is not that you should take steroids, but that things you can do to naturally raise your testosterone levels are unlikely to affect your muscle growth.

And speaking of steroids, the above findings are in line with steroid research as well.

For instance, researchers at Maastricht University conducted an extensive review of literature related to the use of anabolic steroids and found that the muscle gains in people engaging in resistance training while on anabolic steroids mostly ranged between 2-5 kg (4.5-11 pounds) over the short term (less than 10 weeks). The largest amount of muscle growth researchers found was 7 kg (15.5 pounds) over 6 weeks of weightlifting while on steroids.

The point is this:

Even steroids don’t always dramatically increase the amount of muscle you can build (it depends what you take, in what dosages, and for how long), so what does that tell us about how fluctuations of testosterone in the normal physiological range relate to muscle growth?

As I talk about in my article on the best supplements for muscle growth, this is why buying natural testosterone boosters for muscle growth purposes is a complete waste of money. Even if they work (and most don’t), it’s just not going to help you build more muscle.

The only exception might be someone whose testosterone is at the absolute bottom of the physiologically normal range, or even below that, and who is then able to naturally increase it to the top of the range. That person would probably notice an improvement in muscle growth, not to mention overall well-being, libido, cognitive function, and so forth.

Now, I’m not saying that there’s no reason to do anything to naturally improve your testosterone levels. Improving muscle growth just isn’t on the list. Losing fat, however, is…
Testosterone Levels and Fat Loss

Unlike muscle growth, researchersat the Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science did find that fluctuations of testosterone within the physiological normal range had significant effects on body fat percentage.

The higher the testosterone levels, the leaner subjects were. And conversely, the lower the testosterone levels, the fatter they were. When researchers decreased certain subjects’ testosterone levels from the baseline average of 600 ng/dl to around 300 ng/dl, they saw a dramatic 36% increase in fat mass.

Although the exact mechanisms behind this aren’t fully understood just yet, research has show that testosterone directly inhibits the creation of fat cells and that low testosterone is a contributing factor to obesity.

Increase Testosterone

It’s no secret, if you’re an athlete, a gym rat or someone who simply wants to look a little better the higher you can increase testosterone the better off you’ll be; after all, testosterone is the primary anabolic hormone. When we’re trying to increase testosterone the first thing that often comes to mind is anabolic steroids, as this is one of the primary roles but there are actually many things we can do to increase testosterone besides regular injections. Make no mistake, if one needs or desires to increase testosterone anabolic steroids will always be best in-terms of ability, nothing else will come close but we can naturally provide small incremental increases if we follow certain principles. However, in the grand scheme of things, while these applications will prove to be useful where they really shine is aiding in staving off low testosterone; no, it is no guarantee but in greatly improves your odds.
Increase Testosterone with Food:

You’ve heard the old saying, “nothing is more anabolic than food” and that’s quite true; when it comes to growth and performance nothing on earth can beat or replace food. In that light there are certain foods that have been shown to have a positive effect on our natural testosterone levels and many studies have indicated that individuals who consume diets rich in these foods often increase testosterone production. The same can be said in the opposite direction; certain foods have been shown to have the opposite effect and if you’re trying to increase testosterone or at least maintain it they will be the foods you want to avoid.

For the individual who is a vegetarian this next part is probably going to be some pretty sad news; if you’re looking to increase testosterone through the foods you eat you’re not going to be able to do it through a vegetarian style diet. No, meats are not the only foods that will increase testosterone but things such as red meat and eggs are our primary increasing tools. The best foods for increasing natural testosterone production include:

    Red Meat
    Whole Eggs
    Pork
    Salmon
    Nuts & Legumes
    Broccoli (in addition, not alone)
    Cabbage (in addition, not alone)
    Cauliflower (in addition, not alone)

From looking at the list you may be a little concerned with cholesterol, especially when we consider red meat and whole eggs to be our two primary food sources. Do not let your heart fret, the idea of these foods being unfriendly to cholesterol levels has long since passed and neither will increase LDL levels; assuming you’re not covering your steak and eggs with oils, butter, massive amounts of cheese, etc.

The next step is going to be to avoid certain foods; no, we want list these out or you’d be reading for the next three and a half weeks but we can give you a pretty good idea. Saturated fat has been proven to be something you need to increase testosterone but it needs to come from the right sources such as the ones above; the saturated fat you’re getting at your favorite fast food chain is not such a fat. Further, processed foods in general have been shown to be horrific on how they affect testosterone production so the moral of the story is simple; don’t eat out so much and stay away from processed food; it’s really that simple and there’s not much more to say.
Lifestyle Choices:

There are three major factors beyond food that can greatly affect our testosterone levels; our physical activity level, stress and alcohol consumption, the most important being physical activity. Men who are more active than other men naturally maintain higher levels of testosterone and it has been shown that physical exercise, most notably weight training greatly boost testosterone production. For the individual who needs or desires to increase testosterone production beginning a regular and scheduled workout routine should be one of the first orders of business.

Stress and alcohol; we have stress in our life and so we drink to ease the load yet alcohol has been shown to be one of the most damaging things on this earth to testosterone production when consumed on a regular basis; not only does it damage production but it promotes fat gain and destroys muscle tissue. However, responsible alcohol consumption is an easy thing to control whereas stress can be a little tricky. Stress doesn’t simply mean worry or concern; although that is a role we’re more concerned with physical stress, the lack of sleep and rest and physical stress that can be caused by just those things. When our body is in a state of stress we end up releasing larger amounts of stress hormones known as glucocorticoid steroids and if you’re trying to increase testosterone this is going in the wrong direction.
The Bottom Line:

The bottom line is simple; there’s nothing magical about increasing testosterone levels, there’s no secret you haven’t been told, there’s no special workout or hidden secret only the elite know about. If you wish to produce a higher level of testosterone or at least maintain what you already have simply following a healthy lifestyle will do more for you than anything else, in-fact, short of injecting the primary anabolic androgenic steroid testosterone this is pretty much your only worthwhile option. Yes, it is worthwhile and very much so but you need to have understanding. Understand how to maximize your nutrition with your daily life and see your testosterone levels better off than your friends.

Anabolic Steroids and Testosterone Levels

For the anabolic steroid users ones testosterone levels are of great importance. When we supplement with anabolic steroids our natural testosterone production is suppressed, even when we supplement with the anabolic steroid testosterone itself our natural production is diminished. How far our levels drop will be dependent on several factors; certain steroids suppress to a greater degree than others but regardless of the steroid(s) you're using your natural testosterone levels are not going to be at an optimal level. For this reason among several others most performance enhancers will supplement with testosterone; for most it is the foundation of any cycle and in many cases often the only steroid used if only one steroid is going to be used. It should be fairly obvious as to why testosterone supplementation is so important; you're using anabolic steroids, you're no longer producing adequate levels of testosterone and to keep your testosterone levels at a proper rate and most likely to bring them to a level beyond standard you must have exogenous amounts of the hormone in place.

In the world of anabolic steroids there are literally a multitude of choices and within each choice there are often more choices. For example, take the anabolic steroid testosterone; there are numerous forms of this hormone, each defined by the ester attached or lack thereof. In the end each one is comprised of the same active hormone but as the ester affects the total mass of the compound it also affects the total half-life; if we are to maintain stable testosterone levels this must be understood. Most who supplement with testosterone will do so normally with long ester based or short ester based testosterone; while moderate ester based testosterone is available it is rarely available in a single ester based form and generally part of a testosterone mixture comprised of several single ester based forms.

Testosterone Levels & Long Esters
While there are many long ester based forms of testosterone or large ester based depending on how you look at it, by-in-large the two most common are Testosterone Cypionate and Testosterone Enanthate. The Cypionate form carries with it a half-life of approximately 12 days; what this means is that after an injection of the hormone 12 days later half of the active dose will still be active in the body. For example, an injection of 200mg will yield 100mg of active testosterone 12 days later and 50mg the next 12 days later and so on and so on. When we look at Testosterone Enanthate there really isn't that much difference, it carries with it a half-life approximately 36 hours shorter and when we are talking about half-lives that extend well past a week this is of an inconsequential nature; so what does this mean? We cannot arbitrarily inject our long ester forms, doing so would cause our testosterone levels do be all over the place, up then down like a roller coaster. With most long ester based forms of testosterone an injection once per week will suffice but for the performance enhancer who wishes to not only maintain proper testosterone levels but to do so at its peak twice weekly injections of an equal dosing will be far more efficient. In many competitive bodybuilding circles, although it is not medically necessary individuals often administer long ester testosterones on an every other day to daily basis, splitting their dosage up into a multitude of small regular injections. For the average performance enhancer this is unnecessary but such practice will ensure testosterone levels are at their peak throughout use.

Testosterone Levels & Short Esters
While long ester based forms are quite popular there is one short ester based testosterone that is equal in popularity and it is that of Testosterone Propionate. Testosterone Propionate is one of the original testosterone forms, in-fact it's one of the original anabolic steroids, as well as one of the very first made readily available for mass human use. As a short ester based testosterone the Propionate version carries with it a half-life of approximately 4 days and by this nature one can already see frequent injections are going to be necessary if testosterone levels are to be maintained. In the grand scheme of action one could maintain proper testosterone levels with an injection every three days but to keep peak testosterone levels at their peak an administration schedule of every other day will prove to be far more optimal and efficient.

The End Game
In the end it is fairly simple; in order to maintain proper testosterone levels when supplementing with exogenous testosterone you must understand the active half-life associated with the compound. While we have only discussed three compounded forms we have discussed the most common and if your testosterone is not in this group all you really need to know is its half-life to make an accurate determination. However, simply knowing the half-life does not apply to testosterone mixtures such as Sustanon 250; testosterone mixtures have far extending total half-lives but testosterone levels cannot be maintained with infrequent injections; mixtures are best served when treated as single short ester based forms.

The Importance of Testosterone In the Body and its Functions

Testosterone itself is the principal male sex hormone. Hormones are defined and classified as chemical messengers of the human body, which means that hormones are what send messages to different cells and tissues in the body to tell those cells and tissues what to do (grow muscle tissue, heal and repair, manufacture important components, perform a specific job, etc.). Without hormones of all different types, all functions within the human body will proceed unregulated and out of control. How much Testosterone the average male produces is dependent on many different factors, which include: individual genetics, age, lifestyle habits, nutritional habits, and activity levels. On average, it has been determined that the median level of Testosterone production among males is between 50 – 70mg weekly. Where any given individual might land within that range is dependent on the aforementioned factors. It is common knowledge that the most prominent effects of the hormone Testosterone appear and are experienced during puberty, which is evidenced by an increase in Testosterone production and secretion, and will typically reach the highest endogenous levels at this point in any given man’s life. This significant increase in Testosterone serves to impart very important physiological changes of the male human body. Testosterone governs many different functions within the body, as is typical of nearly all hormones. The nature of hormones is to govern systemic functions all throughout the body, and Testosterone is no exception to this.

As the principal male sex hormone, Testosterone is responsible for governing the development and maintenance of male secondary sex characteristics (deepening of the voice, bodily and facial hair growth, increased sebum secretion on the skin, and development and growth of the male sexual organs which includes spermatogenesis (development of sperm) and increase in libido and sexual function. All of these functions are known as male secondary sex characteristics as well as androgenic (masculinizing) effects and they cannot function or develop properly or efficiently in an environment in which Testosterone levels are inadequate.
Although it is considered an androgenic effect as well, the muscle growth promoting effects have been categorized more independently as an anabolic effect. The word ‘anabolic’ refers to the promotion of tissue growth within the body, and in this case refers to the growth promotion of muscle tissue. This occurs through Testosterone’s ability to signal an increase in the rate of protein synthesis (the rate at which the body can synthesize and create new strands of contractile protein within muscle tissue). Hence this is why males on average naturally are more muscular than females and why males normally carry a heavier lean body weight than females do. Females possess very miniscule amounts of Testosterone, and this can be seen where it has been discovered that the average male endogenously produces approximately 2.5 – 11mg daily of Testosterone. In comparison, females manufacture approximately 0.25mg daily of Testosterone, which is approximately 90% less (or 1/10th) than men. In females, their primary sex hormone is Estrogen, and it too is a steroid hormone, although not an anabolic steroid. By virtue of this distinction, Estrogen exhibits very different effects in the body compared to Testosterone, hence the vast differences between males and females. For example, women naturally possess a ‘softer’ tone and naturally hole more body fat than males do, which is a typical characteristic of Estrogen as it does promote fat retention/storage in various key areas of the body, which is important for female-specific roles (such as pregnancy and fetal development). In addition to this difference, females also exhibit a shorter height, vastly less muscle mass than men, and are far more prone to age-related bone deterioration. This is a direct result of the difference in hormonal dynamics between men and women.

Testosterone in Men

Of all the hormones in the human body there are few of greater importance than testosterone and when we look at the male species the total amount of testosterone in men becomes of an even greater importance. As the primary male hormone it is the testosterone in men that largely defines them; is it the most important hormone of all, maybe and maybe not, an argument can be made for either case but for the human male it is of vital importance.

Why is Testosterone in Men so Important?
As the primary male sex hormone testosterone is truly versatile in its functions as it serves a host and multitude of functions within the human body. The muscle mass and strength of the human male is largely determined by the amount of testosterone flowing through his body; his sexual desires and functionality are also dependent on the hormone but it does not end there. The amount of testosterone in men can greatly affect energy levels, mood and even mental capacity in-terms of concentration; as you can easily see this is a hormone of great importance.

Low Testosterone in Men
When the levels of testosterone in men fall they inevitably suffer, as the responsibilities of the hormone are not met within the body as the lacking of its presence cannot be made up by anything else. Men who suffer from low levels will most assuredly see their libido severely diminished and even when some desire occurs erectile dysfunction can be quite common. Further, as levels drop so will one see a loss in muscle tissue, increases in body-fat especially around the waist and if that weren't bad enough it gets much, much worse. When the total testosterone in men drops below a suitable level a severe lack of energy and almost a state of apathy can really set in; as this occurs depression can become quite common and even the inability to focus on the simplest of tasks. As each and every problem is simply that, a problem, it can further lead to other problems of a physical nature when not properly dealt with; as you understand fat gain in the abdominal area is very detrimental to one's health and in terms of mental function low levels of testosterone in men have been shown to lead to several cases of dementia. Although we may be beginning to sound repetitive there's simply no way around it for it again gets much, much worse. Testosterone is essential for a proper functioning endocrine system and without our immune system falters greatly; men who suffer from low levels may indeed find themselves far more susceptible to even the most basic ailments.

The End Game
As you can see the total testosterone in men is very important; we did not discuss the advent of increased levels of testosterone in men for this should be a fairly obvious end; when testosterone is high we thrive. If you suffer from any symptoms or related symptoms discussed here you are strongly encouraged to seek out medical advice; failure to do so not only hampers your well-being but your overall physical health. Many men the world over suffer from low levels and remain completely unaware; it's a shame because they do not have to live this way and now that you know you don't have to either.

Excessive Body Building and Low Testosterone Levels

Body building is a way to increase muscle size and strength.

Testosterone is a male reproductive hormone that is also produced in smaller amounts by women. Testosterone determines male sexual characteristics and plays a role in some of the female signs of puberty, such as hair growth in the genitals and underarm area. Testosterone also helps prevent osteoporosis in women. Low testosterone can cause fatigue, problems sleeping, decreased muscle mass and decreased libido in both men and women. Exercise has effects on testosterone.

Testosterone Levels
Testosterone levels normally drop as people age. A low testosterone level in men is a level of less than 250 nanograms/deciliter, according to St. John Providence Health Center. Low testosterone in young men is usually the result of a genetic condition, radiation or chemotherapy, trauma to the testicles or tumors of the pituitary gland. Some medications, such as narcotic pain medications, cortisone and steroids, can also cause low testosterone. There is no generally accepted low level for women, according to Dr. Michael Werner, an urologist who specializes in male infertility and male sexual dysfunction.

Testosterone and Weight Lifting
In a study published in the June 2011 “Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness,” researchers analyzed the effect of resistance training on 10 men who trained for recreational purposes. The study participants completed two resistance training protocols of different intensity seven days apart. Testosterone increased for both protocols. An older study published in the December 1993 “Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise” found that both moderate and light intensity weight lifting caused a similar increase in serum testosterone levels.

Testosterone and Over-Training
A study reported in the April 2003 “Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise” found testosterone did not change at differing levels of resistance exercise. Although Dr. Mark Jenkins of Rice University notes that over-training can cause decreased testosterone levels, the available research seems to indicate otherwise. Over-training is an imbalance between training or competition and recovery. Short-term over-training is called over-reaching. Among the normal physiological responses to over-reaching are an increased testosterone to cortisol ratio, increased resting heart rate and increased creatine kinase levels – a sign that microscopic muscle damage has occurred.

Considerations
The research on bodybuilding and testosterone is limited to relatively small studies, but the available data indicate that bodybuilding increases testosterone slightly, at least in the short term. No long-term studies of excessive body-building and its effects on testosterone are available. If you have a low testosterone level and are concerned that bodybuilding may have caused or influenced changes in your testosterone, consult a health-care professional.

13 Surprising Facts About Testosterone

There is subtle interplay between testosterone and behavior — in both men and women.

When most people hear the word testosterone, they think of aggressive behavior.
There is a link between the two— — at least in competitive situations, such as with a peer or for a sexual partner.
However, there appears to be a subtler interplay between testosterone and behavior in other types of situations — —in both men and women.
Here are a few facts about the "male hormone."

Women in love have more
Women in love have higher testosterone for the few months after a relationship starts than women who are single or in long-term relationships, a small Italian study suggests.
The opposite is true for men; those newly in love have lower testosterone than men flying solo or with a long-term partner.
As with early passion, though, the changes don't last. When the researchers tested the study participants again one to two years later, the differences had disappeared.

It can shrink your belly
Men whose levels of testosterone are below normal may lose their spare tire when treated with testosterone.
"Most of the studies show there's a reduction of abdominal obesity in men who are given testosterone," says Adrian Dobs, MD, a professor of medicine and oncology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, in Baltimore.
Because the long-term effects of testosterone therapy have not been well studied, however, it is generally only recommended in men with below-normal testosterone levels and symptoms such as fatigue, muscle or bone-mass loss, or sexual dysfunction.

Making money affects it
Young men who are futures traders get a testosterone spike on days when they make an above-average profit, British researchers found.
And on the mornings when men's testosterone levels were higher than average, their average afternoon profits were higher than on their low-testosterone days, suggesting a possible cause-and-effect relationship.
More experienced traders showed an even stronger tie between testosterone and profits.

Too much can shrivel testicles
In men, taking steroid hormones such as testosterone as performance boosters can cause testicles to shrink and breasts to grow. For women, it can cause a deeper voice, an enlarged clitoris, hair loss from the head, and hair growth on the body and face.
In both genders, steroid abuse can cause acne, mood swings, aggression, and other problems.
Men working with an experienced doctor to treat low testosterone or women taking small amounts of testosterone under medical supervision are unlikely to have testosterone-overdose symptoms.

Sports fans get a winner's boost
In the run-up to a competition, whether it's wrestling or chess, a man's testosterone levels rise, studies have shown.
After the game, the winner's testosterone will increase even more. And fans' hormone levels seem to mirror those of their athletic idols. In a group of 21 men watching a Brazil vs. Italy World Cup match, the Brazil fans' testosterone levels increased after their team won, but the Italy fans' testosterone fell.

Fat can lower testosterone
Obese men tend to have lower testosterone than thinner men, Dr. Dobs says. It's not clear why, she adds, although one possible reason is that obesity promotes a state of widespread inflammation in the body.
"When there's fat cells, there's a lot of inflammatory factors," she says. "These inflammatory factors have been associated with suppression of testosterone synthesis."

Hands reveal hormone secrets
In men and boys, the right pointer finger is shorter in relation to their right ring finger than it is in girls.
This has even been found in other five-fingered creatures, such as rats. Scientists have found that the difference is a clear marker for fetal exposure to testosterone. The higher your testosterone level before birth, the lower your pointer-finger-to-ring-finger ratio.
Men with the lowest ratios made the most money and stayed in business for the longest time, according to the U.K. study of traders and testosterone.

It's hard to measure accurately
Men are often diagnosed with low testosterone after a single test. This is a big problem, says Neil Goodman, MD, an endocrinologist and professor of medicine at the University of Miami School of Medicine.
"If I take blood on a guy and I send it to three labs, I'm going to get three different levels," he says.
Efforts are underway to standardize blood tests. In the meantime, testosterone should be checked more than once, Dr. Goodman says, and done in the morning when testosterone is highest.

It's not the fountain of youth
It would be great if an aging man's vigor, muscle power, and sex drive could be restored with testosterone.
But it is not clear whether therapy will do anything for the 75 percent to 80 percent of men over 65 who have normal levels of testosterone.
Men with below-normal levels, however, may get a boost in libido, sexual function, and bone mass from supplemental testosterone. And it may help diabetic men with low testosterone build lean muscle mass.

Taking it doesn't cause prostate cancer
It has long been thought that taking testosterone increases the risk of prostate cancer. Testosterone treatment can boost levels of prostate-specific antigen, or PSA, a nonspecific marker for prostate cancer, which may lead to more prostate biopsies and more prostate-cancer diagnoses, Dr. Goodman says.
There are now, however, major questions about whether it's worthwhile to treat—or even diagnose—prostate cancers in older men, given that they're common and often slow-growing.

Low levels are linked to sleep apnea
Men with sleep apnea are more likely to have low testosterone, and treating sleep apnea can help return it to normal.
But if a man with sleep apnea is diagnosed with low testosterone alone, taking the supplemental hormone can worsen sleep apnea. That's why it's crucial for men with low testosterone to get a thorough workup by an endocrinologist so underlying conditions that can cause low testosterone, such as sleep apnea or pituitary-gland tumors, don't go undiagnosed, Dr. Goodman says.

It may hurt men's hearts
In 2010, researchers halted a study of testosterone therapy in older men because of a higher rate of cardiovascular problems such as heart attack in the group taking testosterone instead of placebo.
The reason isn't clear, but caution should be used in prescribing testosterone to older men in poor health, Dr. Goodman says. Declining testosterone in men is associated with health problems, but this doesn't mean giving older men testosterone will extend lifespans, he says.

Too much may kill brain cells
It's only known to happen in a petri dish, but Yale researchers showed that nerve cells exposed to high levels of testosterone were more likely to self-destruct. The hormone boosted a "cell suicide" mechanism known as apoptosis, which, under normal circumstances, is supposed to help the body wipe out cancerous or otherwise abnormal cells.
And the higher the testosterone level in the dish, the shorter lived the cells were. Exposure to low levels of testosterone, however, had no effect on the cells.

High and Low Testosterone Levels in Men

Testosterone is considered to be the "male hormone" that's produced by men in the testes. Although women's ovaries produce some testosterone, the hormone is produced in much higher concentrations in men and it is responsible for many of the secondary sex characteristics seen in men such as a deeper voice and hair on the chest, in addition to contributing to a healthy libido, building muscle mass, and maintaining energy levels. In general, the normal range in males is about 270 to 1070 ng/dL with an average level of 679 ng/dL. A normal male testosterone level peaks at about age 20, and then it slowly declines. Testosterone levels above or below the normal range are considered by many to be out of balance. Moreover, some researchers suggest that the healthiest men have testosterone levels between 400 - 600 ng/dL.

Men who have testosterone levels that are higher than average may experience both benefits and drawbacks. The benefits, which are modest, include normalizing blood pressure and lowering the likelihood of obesity and heart attacks. However, there is a tendency for such men to consume more alcoholic beverages, and they are more likely to smoke, and more likely to get injured. According to some researchers, the higher the testosterone level, the more likely men are to participate in risk-taking behavior (sexual, injury risk, and even criminal activity). The problems associated with high testosterone levels are infrequent and rare in middle-aged and elderly men who are not receiving testosterone treatments. When the testosterone level becomes out of balance, it usually becomes too low rather than too elevated.

The most common "out of balance" testosterone levels are found to be on the low side of normal; this occurs because a male's highest testosterone level usually peaks at about age 20, and then it decreases slowly with age. It has been suggested that a 1% decrease in testosterone levels per year is not unusual for middle-aged (30 to 50 years old) and older males. While this decrease may not be noticeable in some men, others may experience significant changes starting in their middle-aged years or more commonly at age 60 and above. This drop in testosterone levels is sometimes termed hypogonadism, "male menopause" or andropause. Low testosterone levels may result in a decline in physical energy, strength, stamina, and diminished mental aggressiveness. Moreover, men may experience more aches and pains in the bones and joints and they may also have a decline in libido and erections. There is treatment available, however, for this imbalance of low testosterone levels. Doctors may use injections, patches, or topical creams or gels that contain testosterone. However, not all men may be candidates for this type of treatment. Testosterone should not be used in men with suspected or known prostate cancer or breast cancer. In addition, the testosterone may put a male that has kidney, liver, or heart problems at higher risk for complications of these diseases. Before testosterone therapy is initiated, it is very important to check with your doctor to determine what treatment, if any, is right for you.

So, how does one ensure that testosterone levels remain in balance? Some physicians suggest that monitoring testosterone levels every five years, starting at age 35, is a reasonable strategy to follow. If the testosterone level falls too low or if the individual has the signs and symptoms of low testosterone levels described above, testosterone therapy can be considered. However, once testosterone therapy is initiated, testosterone levels should be closely monitored to make sure that the testosterone level does not become too high, as this may cause stress on the male, and it may result in some of the negative problems seen in men with high testosterone levels. Finding the appropriate balance of testosterone is possible through discussions with your doctor, and it requires your willingness to have testosterone levels checked before the initiation of therapy and then routinely in the future.

How to Raise Your Testosterone Naturally

Testosterone is more than just a term used by men to justify athletic prowess and manliness; it is the essential hormone in maintaining several aspects of men's health. Testosterone levels are associated with bone density, muscle strength and mass, sex drive and even fat distribution.

Testosterone peaks during adolescence. Conversely, medical authorities indicate testosterone levels begin to decline by about 1% a year after age 30. Many people, especially athletes, turn to synthetic forms of testosterone to combat age-related and deficient-levels of testosterone for ergogenic improvements. However, did you know there are ways to raise testosterone naturally? By making some adjustments in your life, you will be able combat decreasing testosterone.

Get Sufficient Sleep
Getting adequate sleep is one way to optimize healthy hormonal levels. Sleep deprivation can be dangerous to your health, and according to a study published in the June issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), men who slept less than five hours a night for one week experienced notably lower testosterone levels than when they were able to get a good night's rest. Eve Van Cauter, PhD, a professor of medicine and director of the study says 15% of the US population get less than five hours of sleep a night.

So, turn off the late night television and set a regular bed time. Sleeping for 7-8 hours is ideal. But if you are ruled by your busy schedule, try to make up for lost sleep with naps. Keep in mind, napping too late in the afternoon might affect your night's sleep.

Mediate Oestrogen Levels
That's right, oestrogen is also found in men. Aromatase is a synthase responsible for converting testosterone to oestrogen. Fortunately, zinc inhibits aromatase, reducing testosterone's conversion into oestrogen.

Groups at risk for zinc deficiency include vegetarians and those with gastrointestinal diseases. Healthy daily levels of zinc in adults range from 8mg - 40mg. Some people may consume more than this in a single day, and medical authorities warn excessive long term zinc consumption may result in abdominal cramps and nausea. Cruciferous vegetables such as cauliflower, cabbage and broccoli contain indoles. Indoles are clinically shown to regulate harmful oestrogen levels in the body. Eating said vegetables will not only raise testosterone but a study shows high cruciferous vegetable intake is associated with decreases in prostate cancer.

Lose Weight
There is a good chance that if you are overweight, you are crippling your testosterone production. Obese men are less likely to have normal free-testosterone concentrations.

In one study, researchers analyzed 1,849 men's free-testosterone levels. Research revealed 40% of obese non-diabetic men and 50% obese diabetic men had below-normal free testosterone concentrations. Researchers remark "Obesity is probably the condition most frequently associated with subnormal free testosterone concentrations in men." So, if you are overweight, shed some pounds. Keep eating those previously mentioned healthy cruciferous vegetables and even throw in some meat. Protein increases satiety and decreases snacking after meals.

Go Easy on the Sugar
Although found in many tasty foods, sugar can be detrimental to testosterone levels. One study perfectly illustrates sugar's negative effects: Researchers gave 74 men a sugary solution of 75g pure glucose. After ingestion, testosterone levels were measured in all test subjects. Researchers discovered, regardless of whether the men had diabetes or not, testosterone blood levels decreased as much as 25%. The study indicates insulin didn't seem to affect results, nor did other hormonal levels. If you must snack on something sugary, make it healthy. To fulfil that sugar craving, try adding 1 tablespoon peanut butter to celery sticks for under 5g carbohydrates. Or look for sugar-free confectionary.

Get Enough Vitamin D
Studies surrounding vitamin D reveal its testosterone boosting effects. One study published in 2011 shows, 83mcg vitamin D a day for a year resulted in an increase in total testosterone levels, compared to placebo. The sun offers the finest source of vitamin D, but it may be difficult to set apart some time to catch rays during the week. Eating foods richer in vitamin D will help. Such foods include salmon, tuna, milk, and orange juice. Vitamin D supplements may also help increase testosterone levels.

Exercise
Strength training increases testosterone levels. Testosterone levels were measured in both young (23 years) and elderly (63) test subjects prior to and after participating in resistance training during a 12-week study. According to the blood samples collected, testosterone levels increased in both groups, although the younger group experienced greater increases. Additionally, high testosterone levels and exercise synergistically affect muscle size.

Optimize your workouts by doing compound exercises. Compound exercises incorporate muscle fibres from various muscle groups. Exercises include dead lift, squat and bench press. Also lift heavier weight at lower reps so more force is placed on the muscles.

Manage Stress
There are several promising studies and hypothesis showing psychological stress may negatively affect testosterone. Though how and why stress affects testosterone is still being studied. Some claim higher stress-induced cortisol levels may be a reason, but this is subject for debate.

One study published in the Archives of General Psychiatry in 1972 shows plasma testosterone levels were lower in young men enrolled in Officer Candidate School during the early, stressful part of the course as compared with levels during the senior phase. Another study analyzed serum testosterone levels in male subjects (30-55 years) suffering from higher levels of anxiety, hostility and depression. Those subjects with higher psychological stress had lower testosterone levels than the subjects who did not. Interestingly, cortisol concentrations in both groups were the same.

Obesity takes an extra toll on men’s health and sexuality

It's no secret that obesity is hazardous to health. Men pay an extra price for excess weight, since obesity takes a special toll on male hormones, sexuality, and prostate health, reports the March 2011 issue of Harvard Men’s Health Watch.

Here are some of the ways that can affects a man's health:

Obesity and testosterone

Testosterone is the major male hormone. As such, it's responsible for the deep voice, large muscles, and strong bones that characterize our gender, for development of the male reproductive organs, for sperm production and libido, and for the typical male pattern of beard growth. After being converted to dihydrotestosterone, the hormone also spurs growth of the prostate, which is a much less welcome sign of manhood for older gents.

Testosterone levels surge at puberty and peak in early adulthood, and then after a few years of stability, the hormone begins a slow drift downward in early middle age. Because the drop in testosterone averages just 1% a year, most older men retain normal levels. But anything that accelerates the decline can nudge some men into testosterone deficiency.

Obesity lowers testosterone levels. For example, a 2007 study of 1,667 men ages 40 and above found that each one-point increase in BMI was associated with a 2% decrease in testosterone. In addition, a 2008 study of 1,862 men ages 30 and above found that waist circumference was an even stronger predictor of low testosterone levels than BMI. A four-inch increase in waist size increased a man's odds of having a low testosterone level by 75%; for comparison, 10 years of aging increased the odds by only 36%. All in all, waist circumference was the strongest single predictor of developing symptoms of testosterone deficiency. And if you doubt these two American studies, just consider Australian research that found almost one in every seven obese men could benefit from testosterone replacement, a rate more than four times higher than in nonobese men.

Erectile dysfunction

Although men with erectile dysfunction (ED) often blame testosterone, hormonal disorders account for only 3% of ED. But even with normal testosterone levels, men who are obese have an increased risk of ED. For example, a Harvard study found that a man with a 42-inch waist is twice as likely to develop the problem as a gent with a 32-inch waist. Brazilian research also linked abdominal obesity to ED, but only in men older than 60. And a California study reported that having a BMI of 28 (overweight but not obese) increased a man's odds of developing ED by over 90%.

Establishing a link is one thing; finding a way to improve erectile function, another. But a Massachusetts study found that weight loss can indeed improve things for overweight men with ED. Similar results were reported by Italian scientists who randomly assigned 110 obese men with ED to a diet and exercise program or to simply continue their usual care. After two years, more than 30% of the men in the diet and exercise group had corrected their ED without medication, compared with less than 6% in the group that received their usual level of medical care. Men who lost the most weight enjoyed the greatest benefit.

Reproductive function

Obesity takes a toll on sexuality, and it may also impair fertility. American research has linked obesity to low sperm counts and reduced sperm motility; German scientists reported similar findings in men between 20 and 30.

Weight Gain Side Effect of Hormone Therapy

Weight gain side effect of hormone therapy is an unfortunate effect that patients and doctors need to be aware of. Men who undergo radical prostatectomy and who use hormone therapy as their follow-up treatment are at risk for gaining a significant amount of weight during their first year post surgery. A multicenter study conducted at four US Veterans Affairs Medical Centers explored this issue in 132 men, average age 66 years, who had a prostatectomy between 1988 and 2009. The men’s weight was recorded about one month before they began hormone therapy.

When the men’s weight was checked at 363 days after the start of hormone therapy, the investigators found that 70 percent of the men had gained an average of 9.2 pounds (4.2 kg), 26 percent had lost an average of 3.2 pounds (2.4 kg), and 4 percent maintained their weight. Weight data was available for the second year after hormone therapy started in 64 percent of the men, and the researchers found that most of the significant weight gain side effect of hormone therapy occurred during the first year after the therapy began, with no change in the second year.

Why Is Weight Gain Side Effect of Hormone Therapy Important?

The issue of weight gain associated with hormone therapy is important for several reasons. One, hormone therapy is being used more and more often to treat both recurrent as well as localized prostate cancer, so a growing number of men may face this side effect of the treatment. Two, obesity is linked with a number of chronic and potentially life-threatening health problems. Some of those problems include poor insulin resistance, an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, and loss of bone density. This study highlights the risk of weight gain following radical prostatectomy and hormone therapy, which allows physicians and patients an opportunity to take action to avoid it.

Can Testosterone Replacement Therapy Cause Cancer?

One of the pressing questions men ask when faced with the possibility of starting testosterone hormone therapy is, “Can testosterone replacement therapy cause cancer?” Up until recently, this question would likely have been answered by most doctors with a resounding “yes.”

However, a great deal of research has been done to determine whether the “yes” response to the question about testosterone therapy and prostate cancer is accurate, and based on accumulating evidence, it appears the answer is “no.” One compelling reason for the “no” response can be attributed to the comprehensive investigative work done by Abraham Morganthaler, MD, FACS, author of Testosterone for Life, who evaluated the original work by urologist Charles Higgins in the 1940s, research that led to the misconception that taking testosterone can cause prostate cancer.

Morganthaler discovered that this idea arose out of one case study involving one patient. In other words, the fear that testosterone therapy can cause prostate cancer was based on nothing. In fact, in recent years there have been many studies that dispel the myth that testosterone replacement therapy causes prostate cancer or has a significant negative impact on the prostate. For example:

    A Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center review of 72 studies (Rhoden 2004) found “no compelling evidence that testosterone replacement therapy increases the incidence of prostate cancer.”
    A report by The Prostate Cancer Center Hamburg-Eppendorf in Germany. (Isbarn 2009) stated “the available research strongly suggested that testosterone therapy neither increases the risk of prostate cancer in normal men nor causes a recurrence of the cancer in men who have been treated successfully for prostate cancer.”
    In a study of 57 men who received testosterone supplementation for an average of 36 months after prostatectomy surgery, although mean testosterone levels rose in all the men before testosterone therapy, there was no increase in PSA values after testosterone therapy started. So, testosterone replacement therapy caused hormone levels to rise, PSA values to remain the same, and symptoms to be relieved. Baylor College of Medicine study (Khera 2009)
    A study conducted within the ongoing Osteoporotic Fractures in Men cohort looked at the association between testosterone, estradiol, estrone, and sex hormone-binding globulin and prostate cancer. Only estrone was strongly related to an increased risk of prostate cancer. University of California, San Francisco.
    In a landmark study reported in 2006, men who had low testosterone levels were given testosterone injections or placebo every two weeks for six months. Before and throughout the study, the investigators took measurements of testosterone and DHT from both blood samples and the prostate itself. The researchers found that although blood concentrations of testosterone and DHT rose substantially in men who were given hormone replacement therapy, the concentration of testosterone and DHT did not change at all in the prostate gland. In addition, testosterone therapy had no effect on biochemical markers of prostate cell growth. Therefore, the authors noted that while testosterone replacement therapy normalized blood levels of testosterone, treatment did not affect prostate tissue or prostate cell functions. According to Morganthaler, “it is as if once the prostate has been exposed to enough testosterone, any additional testosterone is treated as excess and does not accumulate in the prostate.” To state it another way, he said “we say the prostate has been saturated with regard to testosterone.”

According to a Johns Hopkins Prostate Disorders Special Report, “Testosterone-Replacement Therapy: Does It Increase Prostate Cancer Risk?” the jury is still out on whether testosterone replacement therapy is safe when men take it for a prolonged time. Morganthaler would take that a step further, as he has noted that “The relationship of testosterone to prostate cancer has undergone a significant reevaluation, and all recent evidence has reinforced the position that testosterone therapy is safe for the prostate.”

In addition, if you already have prostate cancer, the concern has been that taking testosterone could make the cancer progress faster, or that the hormone could promote tumor growth. These worries are the reasons why some doctors will not prescribe testosterone therapy for men who have a history of prostate cancer.

What is Testosterone Replacement Therapy?

Testosterone replacement therapy is the use of testosterone supplements to restore testosterone levels to a normal range in men who have a deficiency of the hormone. This therapeutic approach can be used to treat erectile dysfunction that is associated with a testosterone deficiency, and to treat symptoms of andropause (male menopause). Testosterone replacement therapy should not be used unless a man has a verified deficiency of testosterone.

To get the most accurate reading of your testosterone levels, a saliva test is recommended. A blood (serum) test does not measure all the hormone that is carried by red blood cells, and thus doctors could prescribe a dose that is too high.

Bio-identical testosterone gel or cream is the best way to get the hormone into your system. The term “bio-identical” means that the hormone is biochemically the same as the hormone the body produces naturally. Synthetic hormones are drugs and are foreign to the body, so the body essentially does not treat them like hormones. Because synthetic hormones are not true hormones, they do not provide the same benefits as the real thing.

A testosterone cream or gel allows the hormone to be absorbed through the skin and into the blood without having to pass through the liver, as an oral dose would have to do. Oral testosterone goes through the liver and 90 percent becomes bound to protein, severely limiting its effectiveness. Transdermal testosterone is at least 10 times more efficient than oral dosing. A compounding pharmacy can make up a testosterone cream that will provide you with the right dose to bring you back into balance. 

Testosterone Therapy vs Anabolic Steroid Use

There is a lot of confusion between the use of anabolic steroids and bioidentical testosterone replacement therapy. For this reason, many people shy away from testosterone therapy, thinking it’s a bad thing. Too many people believe that there is no difference between anabolic steroids and bioidentical testosterone replacement. Yet, although anabolic steroids are related to male sex hormones like testosterone, there are some vital differences.

Anabolic steroids are synthetic hormones that are similar in many ways to the androgens, or male sex hormones. Like bioidentical testosterone, the anabolic steroids do promote the growth of skeletal muscle and the secondary male sexual characteristics. Anabolic steroids can be used in productive ways to treat conditions that occur when the body produces abnormally low levels of testosterone. However, bioidentical hormones would actually be a better choice because there are fewer side effects associated with them; those side effects that are possible are less dangerous than those posed by synthetic hormones such as anabolic steroids.

Most people are not as aware of the potential usefulness of anabolic steroids as they are of the potential for abuse. Athletes have been known to use anabolic steroids to develop muscle mass more quickly and become stronger or faster or just plain better at their sport. Of course, the public frowns upon the practice of using anabolic steroids. There are serious and undesirable side effects that can occur as a result of using anabolic steroids to achieve higher levels of athletic performance. For example, abusers can develop liver or kidney tumors, cancer, jaundice, high blood pressure, severe acne, and trembling. Men's testes may shrink and they can develop breasts. In women, anabolic steroid abuse can lead to a growth of facial hair, menstrual changes, and a deepening of the voice. Teens who abuse anabolic steroids may stop growing prematurely and permanently.

Bioidentical testosterone therapy is different from anabolic steroid use or abuse in several ways. First of all, bioidentical hormones are identical in structure and function to the hormones produced by the human body. Synthetic anabolic steroids, in contrast, differ ever-so-slightly from the testosterone produced in the human body. These slight biochemical differences between human testosterone and synthetic androgens are the reason for most of the dangerous side effects associated with the synthetic hormones.

As with most substances, abusing bioidentical testosterone could cause undesirable effects like feminization in men, hair loss and severe acne. Since bioidentical testosterone is typically used to replace testosterone that the body is not producing in adequate quantities either due to disease or old age, it is difficult to abuse. When the body has excess testosterone, it converts it into estrogen and DHT, causing feminizing effects in men. Replacement therapies simply replace missing testosterone; anabolic steroids, however, add more testosterone to the body than it needs, generating some nasty side effects.

Men who are considering bioidentical hormone therapy need to understand that anabolic steroids and bioidentical testosterone are not the same. Bioidentical doctors monitor liver function and lipid levels in men who are using bioidentical testosterone to replace what they are missing. Side effects of this type of therapy do exist, but they are less common than those experienced by men who use anabolic steroids. Bioidentical testosterone can have some important health benefits for aging men. Talking with a bioidentical hormone doctor can help clear up any fears and misunderstandings and help you understand how bioidentical testosterone can improve your overall health as you grow older.

Testosterone Therapy: Key to Male Vitality?

The possibilities of testosterone therapy are enticing — increase your muscle mass, sharpen your memory and concentration, boost your libido, and improve your energy level. As you get older, testosterone therapy may sound like the ultimate anti-aging formula. Yet the health benefits of testosterone therapy for age-related decline in testosterone aren't as clear as they may seem. Find out what's known — and not known — about testosterone therapy for normal aging.
What is testosterone?
Testosterone is a hormone produced primarily in the testicles. Testosterone helps maintain men's:

    Bone density
    Fat distribution
    Muscle strength and mass
    Red blood cell production
    Sex drive
    Sperm production

Hypogonadism is a disease in which the body is unable to produce normal amounts of testosterone due to a problem with the testicles or with the pituitary gland that controls the testicles. Testosterone replacement therapy can improve the signs and symptoms of low testosterone in these men. Doctors may prescribe testosterone as injections, pellets, patches or gels.

What happens to testosterone levels with age?
Testosterone peaks during adolescence and early adulthood. As you get older, your testosterone level gradually declines — typically about 1 percent a year after age 30. It is important to determine in older men if a low testosterone level is simply due to the decline of normal aging or if it is due to a disease (hypogonadism).

Does a naturally declining testosterone level cause the signs and symptoms of aging?
Not necessarily. Men can experience many signs and symptoms as they age, and some may occur as a result of lower testosterone levels and can include:

    Changes in sexual function. This may include reduced sexual desire, fewer spontaneous erections — such as during sleep — and infertility.
    Changes in sleep patterns. Sometimes low testosterone causes insomnia or other sleep disturbances.
    Physical changes. Various physical changes are possible, including increased body fat, reduced muscle bulk and strength, and decreased bone density. Swollen or tender breasts (gynecomastia) and hair loss are possible. You may experience hot flashes and have less energy than you used to.
    Emotional changes. Low testosterone may contribute to a decrease in motivation or self-confidence. You may feel sad or depressed, or have trouble concentrating or remembering things.
It's important to note that some of these signs and symptoms are a normal part of aging. Others can be caused by various underlying factors, including medication side effects, thyroid problems, depression and excessive alcohol use. A blood test is the only way to diagnose a low testosterone level.

Can testosterone therapy promote youth and vitality?
Testosterone therapy can help reverse the effects of hypogonadism, but it's unclear whether testosterone therapy would have any benefit for older men who are otherwise healthy.
Although some men believe that taking testosterone medications may help them feel younger and more vigorous as they age, few rigorous studies have examined testosterone therapy in men who have healthy testosterone levels — and some small studies have revealed mixed results. For example, in one study healthy men who took testosterone medications increased muscle mass but didn't gain strength.

What are the risks of testosterone therapy for normal aging?
Testosterone therapy has various risks. For example, testosterone therapy may:

    Contribute to sleep apnea — a potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts
    Cause your body to make too many red blood cells (polycythemia), which can increase the risk of heart disease
    Cause acne or other skin reactions
    Stimulate noncancerous growth of the prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia) and possibly stimulate growth of existing prostate cancer
    Enlarge breasts
    Limit sperm production or cause testicle shrinkage

Should you talk to your doctor about testosterone therapy?
If you wonder whether testosterone therapy might be right for you, talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits. A medical condition that leads to an unusual decline in testosterone may be a reason to take supplemental testosterone. However, treating normal aging with testosterone therapy is not currently advisable.

Obesity Complicates The Detection Of Prostate Cancer!

According to a new study in the presence of overweight or obese patient standard methods of screening for prostate cancer may not detect dangerous pathology. This is the risk that the doctor simply overlooking, the cancer early, dooming the patient's suffering.

For the 2001 - 2004 years, scientists from the University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio studied 2,779 men without prostate cancer. As it turned out than obese men, the lower the content of his blood prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a reliable marker for prostate cancer. Typically, the PSA level less than 4.0 units, and this means that there is no cancer.

Further worsens the situation is the fact that prostate cancer in men occurs more thick malignant. It is quite possible that this is due to increased malignancy is more recent discovery of the tumor. PSA for prostate cancer in obese patients with an average of 30% lower. The researchers hope that the study will make doctors more closely examine obese patients for prostate cancer, especially with regard to the interpretation of PSA testing in the blood. Thus, obese men sensitivity of detection of PSA in the diagnosis of prostate cancer is reduced. So, the doctor should never rely solely on technology, one can not "overlook" this pathology.

Antigen concentration in the blood is determined in the analysis produced by normal prostate cells. The higher the PSA, the more likely that cancer cells divide uncontrollably, and this is the first step to cancer, and he may have actually. The diagnosis of prostate cancer can not be placed solely on the basis of indicators of PSA, as recommended by the American oncologists and urologists need biopsy tissue cancer.

In addition, the issue of cancer, "the President's cancer", so it is called by the people, must take account of these previous studies, that is, even with normal PSA levels in 15% of cases could be cancer, and in 66% of these patients, an aggressive malignant form.

The scientists who conducted the study, do not explain why obese patients with prostate cancer, the PSA level below. Most likely, this is due to the fact that obese men produce more estrogen, which suppresses testosterone and thus affects the cells that produce the antigen.

Prostate Cancer Prevention

 Three main ways to maintain prostate gland healthy:
 - healthy diet
 - physical activity
 - regular examinations of prostate gland

Healthy diet may reduce risks for prostate gland diseases, especially cancer and adenoma. Some vegetative products help to prevent and control adenoma and prostate cancer. There is no need to consume these products daily but it would be good to have them as often as possible.

1. Tomatoes
Tomatoes contain strong antioxidant called lycopene which makes tomatoes red. Tomatoes, food made of them and other products containing lycopene reduce the risks for prostate cancer. Lycopene from food made of tomatoes (soups, sauces, ketchup) protects against cancer much better than  lycopene containing in fresh tomatoes and tomato juice.

2. Soybean products
Isoflavone found in soy helps to maintain stable rate of sex hormones testosterone and estrogen. Adenoma and cancer are stimulated by too active testosterone, thus soy products reduce risks for cancer development.

3. Green tea
Green tea contains a substance called Epigallocatechin-3-gallate similar to polyphenols found in vegetables and red wine. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate is an antitumour agent which blocks fermentation necessary for tumors development.

4. Cruciferous vegetables
Vegetables of  Cruciferous family (ordinary cabbage, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, cow cabbage, mustard) contain substances inhibiting action of agents causing cancerous growths.

5. Garlic
Garlic contains large amount of sulphur which increases immunity and inhibits cancerous growths because it helps to produce in the body enzymes which block growths of tumors.

Most harmful products that cause development of prostate cancer are ice cream, frozen cream, sour cream, cold rich milk.

Steroid Effects on Prostate Gland

Prostate gland is sensitive to different hormonal actions and is able to absorb selectively male and female sex hormones. Here binding of androgens occurs in androgen-dependent part of prostate gland and binding of estrogens occurs in estrogen-dependent part.

Androgens in prostate gland are not accumulated, instead they are rapidly transformed. Estrogens remain mainly unchanged. Steroid hormones of all classes are transported via blood plasma in form of protein complex. Blood contains estradiol. It binds beta globulin and is able to bind steroids having hydroxyl. Unlike peptidic hormones, which act on level of external cell membranes, steroid hormones enter cells and do bind with specific protein receptor congenerous; with this steroid.

It is not established yet how do sex hormones enter the target- cells. Partially is important a simple diffusion due to positive gradient of concentration. However, this is not main way of entering. There was obtained data about mechanisms of specific transportation of steroid hormones into prostate gland cells.

With the help of mechanism, which is based on binding steroids with surface of specific carrier, testosterone may be transported against gradient of concentration in higher amounts than are usually found in male blood. A binded steroid penetrates from cytoplasm in nucleus where it reacts with chromatin and DNA, induces synthesis of messenger RNA and amenable ferment proteins responsable for hormone properties.

Adenoma

Adenoma (benign enlargement of prostate gland, or more exactly, of external glands of prostate) is a hormonal disease in which occurs enlargement of prostate gland tissues which leads to urination disorder. More often with adenoma are diagnosed men over 50 years and that is why some specialists consider this disease as one of manifestations of male climax. Besides age-related changes do exist other factors contribuiting to the disease development:
1) hormonal disorders
2) some chronic diseases such as atherosclerosis
3) sedentary life-style
4) significant increase in body weight
5) environmental factor

In adenoma, testosterone (male sex hormone) provokes overgrowth of adenoid tissue cells that cover urethra wall passing through prostate gland. After some time overgrown tissue starts to push against urethra what leads to its narrowing. More longer the disease is untreated, the much stronger is push against urethra. Then start next problems with urination:
1)  frequent urination
2) interrupted  and difficult urination
3) low head of urinary flow
4) involuntary urination or acute urinary retention
5) hematuria (blood in urine)

Most severe cases are acute urinary retention and hematuria. Long course of the disease makes prostate increase and as a result urinary bladder emptying becomes impossible. In this case patients need urgent hospitalizing. Blood in urine shows damage of bladder veins resulting from pressure in it.

There are three adenoma stages. Primary stages are characterized with mild symptoms and patient may not even notice them.
1. First stage. Symptoms: frequent urination, especially at night time, increases time for urination, furine flow is weak.
2. Second stage. Symptoms: difficulty in urine drain from bladder, interrupted urination, sensation of incomplete emptying.
3. Third stage. Symptoms: urine retention or involuntary urination, intrinsic sphincter and detrusor  lose their tonus, renal failure.