Testosterone and Cholesterol: The Link Summary
- The study investigated the relationship between testosterone and cholesterol in a study involving 1,996 men aged 20 to 80.
- The study’s key finding was that neither dietary cholesterol intake nor serum total cholesterol levels were significantly associated with serum total testosterone levels in men.
- Cholesterol is essential for testosterone synthesis, but higher intake does not necessarily increase testosterone levels.
- Bodybuilders should balance cholesterol intake, considering potential health risks and negligible effects on testosterone levels.
Cholesterol and Testosterone: The Perceived Link
Testosterone, a crucial hormone for muscle development, is synthesized from cholesterol. This has led to speculation about the relationship between cholesterol intake, serum total cholesterol, and total testosterone levels. The conversion of cholesterol to testosterone involves several enzymatic steps. Cholesterol is first converted to pregnenolone, which then undergoes several stages through the steroidogenesis pathway to become testosterone eventually. Considering testosterone is a cholesterol-derived steroid hormone from Leydig cells and adrenals, dietary and serum total cholesterol might influence total testosterone levels.
Bodybuilders have long operated under the assumption that more cholesterol equals more testosterone. This belief is supported by previous studies indicating that switching from a moderate-fat to a low-fat diet can reduce testosterone levels. (Wang et al., 2005; Whittaker & Wu, 2021) Given that cholesterol is a building block for testosterone, it seems logical to assume that consuming more cholesterol-rich foods would naturally boost testosterone levels.
Cholesterol: A Necessary Component for Muscle Building
Cholesterol plays a crucial role in muscle function and repair, serving as an integral component for synthesizing muscle proteins and growth factors. It also contributes to testosterone production, which is essential for muscle development. Additionally, cholesterol is a fundamental building block of muscle cell membranes and is involved in the formation of muscle cell receptors and signaling molecules. This highlights the importance of cholesterol in supporting overall muscle health and the body’s ability to repair and build muscle tissue.
Understanding Testosterone
Testosterone, a hormone primarily produced in the testes of men and the ovaries of women, plays a crucial role in the development of male reproductive tissues and maintaining muscle mass and bone density. It is essential for sperm production, libido maintenance, and influences fat distribution, red blood cell production, and overall well-being. With age, testosterone levels tend to decline, impacting various physiological functions. Research indicates a positive association between higher testosterone levels and lower cardiovascular risk. Moreover, testosterone therapy has demonstrated improvements in total cholesterol levels, particularly in older men, underscoring its potential role in managing cardiovascular disease.
Investigating Dietary Influences on Testosterone Levels
Several studies have explored this connection. For instance, interventions like increased whole egg intake or ketogenic diets, which are high in cholesterol, have been shown to raise total testosterone levels in resistance-trained young men. (Bagheri et al., 2021) Wilson et al., 2020). However, it remains unclear whether these increases in total testosterone are due solely to cholesterol intake or other dietary factors.
A study revealed that consuming three whole eggs daily, amounting to approximately 842 mg/day of cholesterol from the diet, increased total testosterone levels over 12 weeks. (Santos et al., 2021) Contrary to this, a shift from a moderate-fat to a low-fat diet has been shown to reduce testosterone levels. (Wang et al., 2005; Whittaker & Wu, 2021) This leads to the hypothesis that increased saturated fats and higher cholesterol might boost testosterone levels.
Factors Influencing Testosterone Levels
Various factors can influence testosterone levels, including age, genetics, and overall health. Additionally, both diet and exercise play a crucial role in affecting testosterone levels in both men and women. Furthermore, stress, sleep patterns, and alcohol intake can all have an impact on the production of testosterone. Moreover, certain medical conditions and medications can interfere with the production and regulation of testosterone.
Examining the Link between Testosterone and Cholesterol
Small-scale studies have suggested that dietary cholesterol could enhance protein synthesis, potentially increasing testosterone levels. (Santos et al., 2021) However, these studies often involve specific dietary interventions, like egg consumption or ketogenic diets, which also increase the intake of other nutrients (i.e., zinc, magnesium, etc.), affecting testosterone levels (Wilson et al., 2020).
Additionally, another study highlighted that a ketogenic diet, characterized by high cholesterol, fat, and saturated fatty acids intake, complicates isolating cholesterol’s effect on testosterone levels. (Fantus et al., 2020) So, we don’t know if cholesterol per se or other nutrients contribute to increased testosterone.
Further research indicates that reducing cholesterol intake from an average of 633 mg/day to about 342 mg/day over six weeks can decrease serum TT levels in middle-aged men. However, these changes remain within the normal range for men. (Hämäläinen et al., 1984) Reducing total fat intake has been shown to lower serum TT concentrations, aligning with a meta-analysis that confirms the inverse relationship between low-fat diets and TT levels in men.(Whittaker & Wu, 2021).
Debunking the Testosterone and Cholesterol Myth: Recent Findings
The study “Cholesterol intake and serum total cholesterol levels are not associated with total testosterone levels in men: a cross-sectional study from NHANES 2013–2014” (Gomes et al., 2023) challenges the long-held belief.
Study Protocol and Results
The study involved 1,996 men, aged 20 to 80, from NHANES 2013-2014. Dietary assessment was conducted using 24-hour food recalls. Blood samples were collected from the participants to measure serum total cholesterol and serum total testosterone levels.
Cholesterol’s Effect on Testosterone Production
Results showed no significant association between dietary cholesterol intake, serum total cholesterol levels, and total testosterone levels. The average cholesterol levels were 347 mg/day, and the highest was 474 mg/day, yet there were no associations between cholesterol and testosterone. The study controlled for various potential confounding factors, including total fat and alcohol intake, smoking status, age, physical activity, family income, marital status, race, educational level, diabetes, hypertension, and body mass index (BMI). Even after these adjustments, no significant association was observed. The results suggest that neither dietary cholesterol intake nor serum total cholesterol levels are predictors or influential factors for serum total testosterone levels.
The Significance of Dietary Cholesterol and Saturated Fats
The pursuit of muscle mass through high cholesterol intake is a double-edged sword. While a certain amount of cholesterol is necessary for muscle building, consuming large amounts of saturated fat to boost cholesterol and, by extension, testosterone could be counterproductive. This approach not only has a negligible effect on testosterone levels but also raises the risk of heart disease.
The Double-Edged Sword of High Saturated Fat Intake
The NHANES study yielded clear results: dietary cholesterol intake and serum total cholesterol levels showed no association with men’s total testosterone levels, even after adjusting for various factors such as age, BMI, and lifestyle habits. For bodybuilders and fitness enthusiasts, this study underscores the importance of a balanced approach to diet. Instead of focusing solely on cholesterol intake, a well-rounded diet rich in various nutrients is more beneficial for muscle growth and overall health.
Conclusion
While cholesterol is necessary for muscle building, this study highlights that simply increasing cholesterol intake has a negligible effect on testosterone levels. Moreover, a diet high in saturated fats, aiming to boost cholesterol, can be a double-edged sword. It could increase the risk of heart disease, outweighing the potential benefits for muscle growth.
References
Bagheri, R., Hooshmand Moghadam, B., Ashtary-Larky, D., Forbes, S. C., Candow, D. G., Galpin, A. J., Eskandari, M., Kreider, R. B., & Wong, A. (2021). Whole Egg Vs. Egg White Ingestion During 12 weeks of Resistance Training in Trained Young Males: A Randomized Controlled Trial. J Strength Cond Res, 35(2), 411-419. https://doi.org/10.1519/jsc.0000000000003922
Fantus, R. J., Halpern, J. A., Chang, C., Keeter, M. K., Bennett, N. E., Helfand, B., & Brannigan, R. E. (2020). The Association between Popular Diets and Serum Testosterone among Men in the United States. J Urol, 203(2), 398-404. https://doi.org/10.1097/ju.0000000000000482
Gomes, G. K., de Branco, F. M. S., Santos, H. O., Pereira, J. L., Orsatti, F. L., & de Oliveira, E. P. (2023). Cholesterol intake and serum total cholesterol levels are not associated with total testosterone levels in men: a cross-sectional study from NHANES 2013-2014. Lipids Health Dis, 22(1), 168. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12944-023-01928-7
Hämäläinen, E., Adlercreutz, H., Puska, P., & Pietinen, P. (1984). Diet and serum sex hormones in healthy men. J Steroid Biochem, 20(1), 459-464. https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-4731(84)90254-1
References
Johnson, L. R., & Wood, R. I. (2001). Oral testosterone self-administration in male hamsters. Neuroendocrinology, 73(4), 285-292. https://doi.org/10.1159/000054645
Santos, H. O., Gomes, G. K., Schoenfeld, B. J., & de Oliveira, E. P. (2021). The Effect of Whole Egg Intake on Muscle Mass: Are the Yolk and Its Nutrients Important? Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab, 31(6), 514-521. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijsnem.2021-0086
Wang, C., Catlin, D. H., Starcevic, B., Heber, D., Ambler, C., Berman, N., Lucas, G., Leung, A., Schramm, K., Lee, P. W., Hull, L., & Swerdloff, R. S. (2005). Low-fat high-fiber diet decreased serum and urine androgens in men. J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 90(6), 3550-3559. https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2004-1530
Whittaker, J., & Wu, K. (2021). Low-fat diets and testosterone in men: Systematic review and meta-analysis of intervention studies. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol, 210, 105878. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsbmb.2021.105878
Wilson, J. M., Lowery, R. P., Roberts, M. D., Sharp, M. H., Joy, J. M., Shields, K. A., Partl, J. M., Volek, J. S., & D’AgostinoD’Agostino, D. P. (2020). Effects of Ketogenic Dieting on Body Composition, Strength, Power, and Hormonal Profiles in Resistance Training Men. J Strength Cond Res, 34(12), 3463-3474. https://doi.org/10.1519/jsc.0000000000001935
Understanding the Link Between Testosterone, Cholesterol, and Cardiovascular Health
In recent years, the relationship between testosterone and cholesterol has garnered significant attention in medical research, particularly concerning cardiovascular health. Low testosterone levels can impact blood cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and the risk of heart attack, as well as the role of testosterone replacement therapy.
The Impact of Low Testosterone on Cardiovascular Health
Increasingly, experts recognize low testosterone levels as a risk factor for various health issues, including metabolic syndrome, erectile dysfunction, and reduced sex drive. Clinical studies have shown that men with less testosterone often have higher blood cholesterol levels, particularly LDL cholesterol, which is a key contributor to plaque buildup in arteries. This buildup is a significant concern as it can lead to heart problems and increase the risk of heart attack.
What is the relationship between testosterone and cholesterol?
Cholesterol closely links with testosterone. The body synthesizes testosterone from cholesterol, using it as a precursor for testosterone production.. Maintaining healthy cholesterol levels is important for optimal testosterone production and overall hormonal balance.