Believe it or not, testosterone influences your weight not just your muscle mass. Many people think that the amount of calories they take in and their activity level are the only things that influence their weight. However, one’s weight is also influenced by hormones. Testosterone is one of the hormones that influences one’s weight. Many men with low testosterone are unable to lose weight despite the fact that they exercise and eat healthy. This phenomenon is somewhat similar to women and leptin resistance.
What The Research Says
“There have been a number of studies done to confirm that men who have low testosterone levels have higher body fat percentages than men whose testosterone level is normal,” according to Dr. John Boyd, a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. One of the studies that tested the effects that testosterone had on weight gain was published in 2013 in a journal entitled Obesity.
The study confirmed the link between decreasing testosterone levels and weight gain. The study also showed that men who undergo testosterone replacement therapy can lose weight. The study followed obese men for five years. The men were asked to take testosterone supplements. The men were able to lose an average of 36 pounds by the end of the study. They were also able to take an average of 3.5 inches off of their waist.
There was another study done that involved men who were taking a medication to lower their testosterone levels. Testosterone-lowering medication is often prescribed to help men fight prostate cancer. The results of this study showed that the men who took this medication rapidly gained weight. They also had a significant increase in their body fat percentage.
Why Does Low Testosterone Lead To Weight Gain?
Researchers have found that testosterone influences the way the body metabolizes glucose and fat. They have also found that low testosterone can lead to insulin resistance. Additionally, men who have lower than normal testosterone levels are more prone to losing lean muscle. The metabolism slows down when the body loses lean muscle. If a person’s metabolism slows down, then he or she is more prone to gaining weight.
This is why it is important for men to have their testosterone levels checked regularly. Correcting a testosterone deficiency early may help prevent weight gain.
Leptin is a hormone created by the fat cells in the body which functions as a control to appetite and hunger sensations. It controls our tendency to eat more or to eat less by telling the brain that it has enough food, so the brain stops the craving for more. As a result, the individual does not eat more than needed and does not become overweight. This is the primary premise behind the ultra popular online diet called