Testosterone
Testosterone levels in men are an important consideration that most men do not consider. Low testosterone levels make a huge difference to energy levels, sleep quality, libido and general well being.
Unfortunately obesity can cause reduced testosterone levels which can obviously make it difficult to function with reduced energy levels and libido. How this occurs will be one for a later article.
It is therefore important to monitor testosterone levels when you have reduced energy levels and you have problems with libido.
Cortisol
Without getting too much into the function of cortisol it’s secreted in response to stress. This stress can be from exercise, life situations, lack of sleep and it can be in response to diet.
Cortisol is also secreted in response to illness and many other factors.
Increased cortisol is related to reduced testosterone and this is important to consider for good health.
Low Carbohydrates and Cortisol
When considering the best diet to follow you must consider balance. They always discuss a balanced diet and their are good reasons.
Although balance can vary depending on which advice you take.
When we attempt to cut out one of the macronutrients there are usually consequences.
As we have already suggested when cortisol levels are raised in the body testosterone can decrease.
Low carbohydrate diets generally lead to increased cortisol levels and in this study the cortisol levels increased especially after exercise and stayed elevated after exercise.
There was also a decrease in total testosterone with low carbohydrate diets In this study
This may actually counter the reason for losing weight in the first place. If you are looking to lose weight and feel better decreasing calories is important but be careful of extremes of diets.
It would be interesting to see how a ketogenic diet affects testosterone levels especially depending on how many days are spent on ketogenic phase and how many on recovery days (High carbohydrates)
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35254136/
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