Those Extra Pounds Lower your Testosterone
Carrying around extra weight directly affects the amount of testosterone in your body, and can even suppress your body’s ability to manufacture this important hormone. Fat cells contain an enzyme called aromatase. Aromatase works by converting androgens, such as testosterone, to a type of estrogen derivative called estradiol. Once testosterone has been converted to estrogen it can never go back to being testosterone. In addition, the presence of aromatase can further stop your body from producing testosterone.
While aging can lead to small decreases in testosterone, the effects of inactivity and obesity are much greater (Kaplan, Meehan and Shah, 2006). Most of the time, in the absence of any type of disease process, testosterone levels can be restored by diet and exercise; this is demonstrated by the existing research.
Testosterone Replacement can be Dangerous
Pharmaceutical companies are currently capitalizing on men’s concerns about their testosterone levels. While there are some clinically appropriate reasons for testosterone replacement therapy, marketing has targeted men who could restore healthy testosterone levels through lifestyle choices alone. As use of testosterone replacement therapy has increased, serious side effects have also gone up such as heart attack or stroke.
Drug companies have aggressively marketed a medical condition to men for which they have a drug- and not adequately explained that in most cases the drug is not necessary. Drug companies are making profits while placing the health and well-being of thousands of men at risk.
If someone you know had a heart attack or stroke while taking testosterone replacement therapy, or if you suffered a complication from treatment, you may be able to recover your medical costs, lost income and suffering from the drug manufacturers. Dr. Greg Vigna, personal injury attorney, represents men injured in these cases. Contact our law office today for a free case evaluation.
Kaplan, S., Meehan, A. & Shah, A. (2006). The age related decrease in testosterone is significantly exacerbated in obese men with the metabolic syndrome. What are the implications for the relatively high incidence of erectile dysfunction observed in these men? Journal of Urology. 176(4 Pt 1):1524-7
