Fasting and Testosterone
Testosterone fuels muscle growth and boosts sex drive in men. It also helps regulate mood, bone strength, and metabolism.
While most men experience a slow decline in testosterone with age, it’s possible to increase your levels with healthy habits. One such habit is intermittent fasting. This diet creates a calorie deficit, which may improve insulin sensitivity and decrease inflammation.
Injection
The practice of intermittent fasting has some great health benefits, but it does not seem to have the same effect on hormone levels as other forms of eating do. One study did find that fasting improved insulin resistance and levels of human growth hormone, but it was not a large enough sample to prove any effect on testosterone.
The injection site is the upper outer part of the thigh for adults and children older than 7. It is below the curved bone of the hip and not close to any major blood vessels or nerves. It is difficult for self-injection and may require the help of a friend or family member.
Testosterone can be injected into the back of your arm, tummy or outer part of your thigh. It can also be given as a mouth patch (Striant) or tablets that stick to your gums (AndroGel, Axiron and Fortesta). It can also be injected directly into the muscles or implants that release testosterone slowly over time.
Oral/buccal
Testosterone is a male sex hormone that promotes muscle growth and can help prevent osteoporosis. It also plays a role in sexual function and the prostate gland. People with low testosterone often take drugs or use supplements to increase the amount of testosterone in their bodies. These medications include topical creams, gels, and patches. People can also take oral and buccal supplements. These drugs and supplements are available only with a doctor’s prescription.
Oral testosterone drugs are subject to extensive hepatic first-pass metabolism and have poor bioavailability. Jatenzo and Tlando are new formulations of oral testosterone undecanoate (TU) with a self-emulsifying drug delivery system (SEDDS) that bypasses this metabolic process. Initial studies have shown that about 85% of patients reach a safe eugonadal range after 120 days of treatment.
Buccal testosterone is a controlled substance, and misusing it can cause serious heart and mental health problems. It can lead to depression, suicidal thoughts or behavior, and trouble sleeping (insomnia). It can also affect your taste buds and make your mouth dry.
Gels/patches
In men, fasting has been shown to decrease ghrelin levels, the “hunger hormone.” This makes it easier for you to stick with your diet during a fast, helping you lose weight and maintain a healthy body fat composition. This in turn indirectly boosts testosterone.
Fasting also improves the function of specific hormones that regulate testosterone production. For example, Luteinizing Hormone (LH) stimulates Leydig cells in the testicles to produce and release testosterone. Intermittent fasting has been shown to increase LH levels, directly enhancing testosterone in men.
Another important hormone is adiponectin, secreted by fat cells. Adiponectin improves insulin sensitivity, allowing your body to better use glucose and reduce blood sugar levels. This in turn reduces the demand for testosterone and helps you to lose weight, boosting libido in the process. In addition to these effects, intermittent fasting has been shown to lower markers of oxidative stress in the blood.
Intranasal
Testosterone nasal gel is a simple, convenient, and effective treatment option for hypogonadal men. It restores normal serum total testosterone levels and improves erectile function, mood, body composition, and bone mineral density. It is also well tolerated, but does carry a risk of virilization in females and children who come into contact with the application site.
Intermittent calorie control is a popular diet pattern that creates a calorie deficit in the body helping you to lose weight and burn calories. Studies have shown that intermittent calorie control may improve your muscle strength and metabolic functions including those associated with testosterone.
Many dietary supplements marketed to “boost” testosterone are actually synthetic oral anabolic-androgenic steroids. These compounds are not regulated by the FDA and can cause adverse health effects. In addition, these supplements are often accompanied by harmful ingredients such as caffeine and artificial sweeteners. In some cases, these substances have been linked to cardiovascular disease and other health problems.