What destroys testosterone

What drives your thoughts when you reach for the "forbidden" cupboard with chips and candy? Why is it that after another lack of sleep, the last thing we want to do is "run into life" and "be in the flow"? Hormones are one of the most mysterious and fascinating reasons that science believes influence our desires and actions. Is it possible to do the opposite? Yes, it is! If you're wondering how to increase testosterone, let's figure out what destroys it. We have compiled for you the top most dangerous destroyers of the "hormone of life" that few people think about.

Sugar, simple carbohydrates, and obesity

Sugar and empty carbohydrates are at the top of the list of testosterone destroyers. We eat too many carbohydrate, sugary foods - flour products, sweets, fast food. Although this food creates a temporary euphoric effect, it is the food that suppresses testosterone production the most, causing insulin resistance, obesity, and overweight. Extra pounds directly affect your libido.

And we're not talking about psychological discomfort. When you have a lot of fat in your body, an enzyme called aromatase increases. It converts testosterone to estrogen at a rapid rate. The more fat you have in your body, the more estrogen you will have, and therefore less testosterone.

To increase testosterone levels, you need a low-carb, ketogenic diet. If you eat a lot of carbohydrates, take all kinds of supplements, and even work out, you're wasting your time - a carbohydrate diet lowers testosterone.

The keto diet miraculously combines high-calorie foods that ultimately help you lose weight. Due to the lack of carbohydrates, the body depletes glucose and glycogen stores, and fats and keto bodies are included in metabolic processes. In this way, the body burns internal fat, which contributes to weight loss and increased testosterone.

• Healthy vegetable fats, butter, lard, eggs, red and white meat, fish, nuts, legumes - the keto diet is tasty and varied. But it strictly prohibits sugar and all carbohydrate products.

Statins and alcohol

Statins are drugs or dietary supplements that block cholesterol, reducing its level in the body. Although they are necessary for hormonal balance, it is believed that these substances can suppress testosterone in men. Alcohol, especially beer, also blocks testosterone, causing the body to produce more estrogen.

In healthy men, estrogen in normal concentrations is an indicator of good libido and sexual performance. An excess of this hormone, on the contrary, reduces sex drive. Beer, like other alcoholic beverages, accelerates the process of estrogen production.

Poor sleep and stress are testosterone killers

It is known that under constant stress, the body produces the so-called "stress hormone" cortisol, which also suppresses testosterone. There are many ways to cope with stress, and everyone chooses what they like. Doctors consider healthy sleep, eliminating the causes of stress, and physical activity to be the most effective.

Long walks, staying outdoors, and interval training help the body to effectively overcome stress and stay in great physical shape.

If you often do not get enough sleep or have sleep apnea, this will certainly affect your hormonal system. Healthy, sound sleep improves memory and mood, and has the best effect on testosterone production. Therefore, the best thing you can do for yourself is to go to bed on time and create all the conditions for a healthy sleep.

Monosodium glutamate

On supermarket shelves you will find hundreds of products containing monosodium glutamate, a modified food starch. For example, those "quick soups" in sachets that you just need to "pour boiling water over" contain as much sodium glutamate as 10 packs of chips. It's a chemical that makes food taste better, so it's abundant in fast food and convenience foods. Read the ingredients in supermarkets and avoid it.

Soy products

Soy protein, protein powders, and isolates are also commonly found in familiar foods. Favorite sausages, sausages and meat products, vegan cheese, powdered purees and soups in bags, protein bars and shakes - you'll be surprised at the amount of soy in the foods we eat every day. Soy increases estrogen, but not the kind you need.

For example, in women, soy can boost plant-based estrogen. It's weaker and can block the production of natural estrogen, preventing the hormone from reaching receptors and reducing libido.

Popcorn, soda, plastic

Of course, it's much more enjoyable to watch your favorite TV show while crunching on popcorn and drinking a coke, but they contain chemicals that are hormone disruptors. Hormone disruptors are substances similar to estrogen that affect the endocrine system. Aspartame and other sugar substitutes are often added to carbonated drinks. These substances interact with compounds in the brain to reduce testosterone.

Testosterone is controlled by the brain. Many people focus on the adrenal glands to increase testosterone. In fact, it depends on the hypothalamus and pituitary gland.

These glands are responsible for the production of testosterone. Any disease that affects the brain, such as Alzheimer's or dementia, will definitely affect testosterone. This is another reason to follow a low-carb diet, because with this type of diet, the body produces ketones that support the pituitary gland and hypothalamus.

Plastic water bottles are also not good for your testosterone. Plastic contains chemicals such as bisphenol, which is also a hormone disruptor.

Scientists call testosterone and estrogen "team players" that affect our mood, desire to live, enjoy life, and even achieve success in various areas of life. Can we control them? Find out for yourself!