x-cellerate: Understanding Your Hormones
Most of us know there’s a difference between males and females. One of the most important hormones to us XY types is testosterone. A multi-million dollar industry has exploded around improving it. Several studies have shown how environmental, dietary, and lifestyle choices are reducing it at an alarming rate.
Declines in sperm count and testosterone are well-documented, and environmental factors may be the main reason. Men have been getting steadily weaker over the decades, with studies showing a downward trend in grip strength and overall physical fitness over the years. Over the last 50 years depression and anxiety have been on a steady rise in men, again believed to be due in part by hormonal disrupters.
In this blog for X-Cellerate.org, I am going to dive into what testosterone does to mold us into what we are.
During childhood, hormones regulate the brain’s plasticity and shape the way boys learn and interact with the world. Compared to females, boys tend to have more aggression and competitiveness, driven by testosterone. Men are often more linear and compartmentalized in their thinking, while women tend to exhibit more integrative and intuitive approaches, largely influenced by estrogen. As adulthood arrives, testosterone levels reach their peak, aiding in muscle mass, libido, and drive, before starting a gradual decline after the age of 30. As men age, understanding and optimizing hormones becomes essential for maintaining health, vitality, and clarity.
The Hormones That Shape a Man
1. Growth Hormone: Essential for muscle growth, tissue repair, and metabolism.
2. Endocrine Hormones: A complex system that involves the thyroid, pancreas, and adrenal glands, affecting everything from energy levels to stress response.
3. Sex Hormones: Testosterone is the most critical, impacting everything from mood to strength. In contrast, estrogen, though minimal in men, plays a role in joint health and bone density.
4. Adrenal Hormones Cortisol is a key hormone produced by the adrenal glands, essential for stress response but damaging in excess.
Common Hormonal Disorders in Men
1. Diabetes: Men with diabetes often have lower testosterone levels, contributing to fatigue, low libido, and muscle loss.
2. Hypothyroidism: The thyroid hormone regulates metabolism. Low thyroid function can lead to weight gain, brain fog, and depression.
3. Adrenal Fatigue: Chronic stress can deplete cortisol reserves, leading to exhaustion, poor focus, and immune dysfunction.
4. Low Testosterone: Age-related testosterone decline is common but can be exacerbated by poor diet, stress, and lack of exercise, impacting physical and mental health.
Foods That Kill Your Manly Metabolic System
Be cautious about what you put into your body. Many common chemicals and additives wreak havoc on hormones:
Soy: Contains phytoestrogens that mimic estrogen and can lower testosterone.
High Fructose Corn Syrup: Disrupts insulin sensitivity and can contribute to diabetes.
Folic Acid : Synthetic forms of folate interfere with the body's natural processes.
Cyanocobalamin: A cheap form of Vitamin B12 that may contain harmful cyanide compounds.
Nitrates and Nitrites: Found in processed meats, these chemicals have been linked to cancer and hormone disruption.
Alcohol: Lowers testosterone and increases cortisol.
Potassium Bromate: Used in bread-making, it’s been linked to cancer and thyroid issues.
Parabens (like Propyl Paraben) Mimic estrogen and disrupt endocrine function.
BHA & BHT: Preservatives that may affect testosterone and lead to cancer.
Propyl Gallate: A preservative linked to hormonal imbalances.
Artificial Colors and Phosphates: These additives may interfere with hormone function and lead to hyperactivity.
Aluminum Additives: Found in processed foods, they may contribute to neurodegenerative diseases.
Activities and Environmental Elements That Kill Your Manliness
1. Sitting Too Much: A sedentary lifestyle is associated with lower testosterone and increased risk of cardiovascular disease. A study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine highlights the dangers of prolonged sitting.
2. Lack of Sleep: Poor sleep quality disrupts testosterone production and increases cortisol levels. The Journal of the American Medical Association showed that one week of sleep deprivation led to a 15% reduction in testosterone.
3. Mouth Breathing: Chronic mouth breathing can alter facial structure and reduce oxygen intake, impacting energy and focus.
4. Stress: Chronic stress elevates cortisol, which competes with testosterone and can cause weight gain, low libido, and anxiety.
5. Screen Time and EMF Exposure: Blue light from screens disrupts melatonin production, affecting sleep and recovery. Studies suggest EMFs may impact male fertility and hormone balance.
In conclusion, you don’t need to be a scientist to see that society’s men are a shadow of what they were decades ago. Its time we start paying attention.
Alan Harvey is a former Marine, retired Army nurse, and passionate fitness and wellness enthusiast, deeply committed to understanding how physical activity impacts mental performance, physical endurance, and longevity. Currently pursuing his Nurse Practitioner degree, Alan holds multiple trainer certifications from ISSA and NASM, including Wellness Coaching. He runs X-Cellerate, a business offering both virtual and in-person training as well as IV therapy, dedicated to helping clients optimize their health and well-being. You can learn more at X-Cellerate.org.
