Men haven’t just gotten older – the chemical world around them has been quietly rewriting their hormones. There are environmental influences on low testosterone and there are lifestyle causes of low testosterone as well.
There was a study in US Air Force veterans over 20 years old showing that over the last decade there has been a decline in testosterone year after year. And the decline in hormones doesn’t depend just on age!
Interestingly enough, when a person gained weight, the testosterone decline was worse. So gaining weight is definitely not good for male hormones.
Environmental Influences on Low Testosterone
Environmental influences on low testosterone include chemicals such as phthalates. Phthalates are found in plastics to make them flexible such as shower curtains, toys, and plastic wrap.
Other chemicals include bisphenol A which is found in plastics and cash register receipts. So watch out for those receipts!
Lifestyle issues are involved in causes of low testosterone as well. For example, not great sleep will affect the production of testosterone.
And it happens the other way as well – low testosterone can affect sleep which can create a vicious cycle.
And what are other symptoms of low testosterone? Low energy, less muscle, more irritable, higher blood sugars, and anemia. So realize that low testosterone is getting more common as time passes.
And check that out with a simple blood test and a visit with a doctor who can figure out why the testosterone is low and can treat it.
To Health!
If you have a question about this blog post or anything medical-related, please email me thru the button below.
To your health!
Dr. Richard Chen
Focused Wellness Author,
A New Way to Health: Wheel of Health
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