Low testosterone, or low T as it is commonly known, is quite common in men, especially as they age. Two in 10 men in their 60s and three in 10 men in their 70s and 80s have low T, according to the American Urological Association. But low T also affects men in their 30s and 40s. While some men don’t notice the effects of low T, others can feel and see drastic changes in their bodies.
Do you think you suffer from low T? These are some of the most common symptoms of low T.
Factors affecting muscle growth
As expected, exercise plays an important role in muscle growth. When you exercise, you can create a small window of testosterone release. This, in turn, will affect muscle growth. The type of exercise and the duration of the exercise also affect the amount of testosterone produced. Activities such as resistance exercises can have a negative effect and lower testosterone levels. Other exercises, such as constant metabolic conditioning workouts, will increase testosterone levels.
Testosterone has many roles to play in the human body, but the main role it performs is muscle growth. It is suspected that even in the womb, the exposure of baby boys to androgens will determine the ability of their muscles to grow into adulthood. If you suffer from low testosterone levels, you will likely find it more difficult to lose weight and gradually build muscle.
Adopt dietary fats.
Saturated fats are one of the best sources of energy for your body. This is why your body naturally stores carbohydrates as saturated fat. How can you argue with one of the most basic structures of how your body should function? Saturated fats are also among the most satiating foods, meaning they keep you full longer. Research even shows that diets high in saturated fat often contain fewer total calories. And, as we’ve mentioned before, saturated fat increases testosterone, which, as we’ve mentioned hundreds of times before, is what makes you a man.
Resistance training increases your testosterone within hours of your workout. But there is only one small problem. Research also shows that any meal with more than 300 calories can lower testosterone. So that great post-workout shake you’re enjoying? Yeah, that’s not part of the T party.
How to increase strength even with low testosterone?
Building muscle with low testosterone is possible, but it won’t be easy. However, by following these easy tips to incorporate into your daily routine, you can take small steps to gradually create a better environment that will help you reverse your hormone levels and get rid of burnout, erectile dysfunction, weight gain, and loss of confidence. . , and other symptoms that usually accompany it.
Although cardiovascular exercises are not generally associated with building muscle mass, a good 10-minute session of cardio can increase levels of human growth hormone (HGH), which is a vital biochemical for health. muscular strength.
Less testosterone equals more fat, which continues the vicious cycle.
So now your muscle is practically disappearing due to low T. Unfortunately, that’s not where the negative effects end. Low testosterone also leads to increased fat, especially in the gut. And when you accumulate more fat in your intestine, your body begins to produce an enzyme called aromatase. This enzyme takes the testosterone you have and converts it to estrogen, which causes more fat to appear on your chest, thighs, and hips.
All that fat basically eats up your testosterone, so your testosterone levels drop even more.