Cholesterol is a crucial component when it comes to the production of sex hormones in your body and is key to preventing hormonal imbalances. If you reduce your cholesterol too much, your body will suffer from a lack of testosterone – an essential hormone for both men and women. This lack of testosterone can lead to detrimental effects on your bones, muscles, and emotions.
Cholesterol And Hormones For Better Health
The recently emerging medical specialty of anti-aging and hormone-balancing medicine has discovered that low cholesterol in the diet is the main cause of the body’s insufficient production of steroid hormones. In order to create these vital hormones, cholesterol must be present in the body. We can measure and replace the hormones in red (as seen in the hormone metabolic pathway chart) if required. Let’s dive into the importance of testosterone, which is critical for men’s health but also needed by women for overall wellbeing and a fulfilling sex life.
Testosterone
Testosterone is primarily produced in the testes and to a degree in the adrenal glands of men. Women produce testosterone in their adrenals and ovaries. It acts as the “life force hormone,” being the principal source of libido and sperm production.
Furthermore, testosterone is much more than just a sexual hormone; it contributes to maintaining bone mass, male patterns of fat distribution, male hair patterns, muscle mass, muscle strength and positive mood.
When a man’s testosterone levels decrease to the point where unwanted symptoms occur, the condition is called “andropause.” It’s important that more doctors learn about hormone balancing to address this problem. One in five men already suffers from andropause symptoms by age 40. By age 65, one in three has this issue. By age 80, one in two have it (conservative estimate).
Testosterone Deficiency
For males, the following symptoms at any age could indicate testosterone deficiency, leading to suboptimal health and accelerated aging:
- Decreased muscle mass and strength.
- Decreased sex drive (low libido).
- Reduced ability to obtain and maintain a firm erection.
- Reduced frequency of spontaneous erections.
- Reduced ejaculate volume, intensity of orgasms and genital sensation.
- Shrinking testes.
- Breast enlargement, increased body fat and body mass index.
- Loss of pubic hair, axillary hair and normal hairy areas.
- Decreased energy.
- Hot flashes (yes, even in men).
- Emotional or high sensitivity to situational difficulties.
- Unnecessary worry, anxiety or fear.
- Decreased memory or concentration.
- Depressed mood.
- Loss of self-confidence.
- Persistent fatigue with physical activity; joint pains.
Hormonal Protection
But testosterone is not just a hormone for sexual function, strength, good mood and energy. It also protects against many serious diseases that can take your life early. Testosterone in optimal levels has been proven to decrease your risk of:
- Osteoporosis.
- Heart attack and stroke.
- Diabetes and metabolic syndrome.
- Alzheimer’s dementia.
- Inflammation in metabolic pathways.
- Anemia.
In a study of 800 men over age 50 who were followed for 18 years, even the death rate was found to be 33 percent higher in men with the lowest testosterone compared to those with the most.
It’s important to understand the causes of low testosterone in such a large number of men and to explore the best possible treatment options. Keep in mind that testosterone plays a vital role in maintaining better health, and seek advice from medical professionals that specialize in anti-aging and hormone-balancing medicine when necessary.
