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Lower testosterone levels in aging men correlate with a larger prostate volume.
The study analysed the relationship between testosterone levels and prostate size in aging, overtly healthy males. Data was collected from 416 men who underwent routine health exams and these individuals were revisited after a span of four years. Variables not only included testosterone levels and prostate size, but also examined associated obesity-related factors such as waist circumference, body mass index, and insulin levels.
The analysis focused on drawing correlations between various factors. Specifically, comparisons were made between men with lower testosterone levels and larger prostate sizes, and those with normal testosterone levels. Both initial prostate sizes and the change in size over the four-year period were evaluated in conjunction with testosterone levels. The role of testosterone levels was further intricately reviewed by adjusting for the age factor, to understand how this relationship may change over time.
In investigating the results, it was observed that men with lower testosterone did tend to have significantly larger prostates, and higher levels of obesity-related factors compared to those with normal testosterone levels. It was also found that there was a negative correlation between testosterone levels and prostate size, that is, as testosterone increased, prostate size showed a substantial decreasing trend.
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Pomegranate juice supplementation has been found to effectively decrease testosterone levels in overweight and obese women diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome.
2023 Phytotherapy Research The effect of concentrated pomegranate juice on biomarkers of inflammation, oxidative stress, and sex hormones in overweight and obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome: A randomized controlled trial Abedini M, Ramezani‐Jolfaie N, Ghasemi‐Tehrani H, Tarrahi MJ, Amani R
Randomised Controlled Trial PCOS Testosterone
In the methodology, the study employed a randomized controlled trial which involved 44 participants. The women, aged between 18 and 40 years, had all been diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome and had a body mass index exceeding 25 kg/m. They were randomly divided, with one group consuming 45 ml/day of concentrated pomegranate juice and the other group receiving no intervention. A variety of biomarkers for sex hormones, inflammation, and oxidative stress were measured before starting the trial and again after eight weeks.
Further discussion of the results revealed a significant decrease in testosterone levels among the overweight and obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome who took concentrated pomegranate juice over the eight week period, in contrast to those in the control group. Apart from testosterone, no significant changes were observed for luteinizing hormone, sex hormone-binding globulin levels or for markers of inflammation and oxidative stress between the two groups.
Chinese herbal medicine can significantly reduce the risks of complications and need for surgery associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia.
2022 International Journal of Urology Effects of Chinese herbal medicine in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia: A nationwide cohort study in Taiwan Ou SC, Huang ST, Lin MC, Chen WC, Huang CP, Lin HJ
Cohort Study Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Chinese Herbal Medicine Dan Shen
The methodology of the retrospective cohort study involved analyzing data from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database, covering the period between 2001 to 2013. 4142 patients newly diagnosed as having benign prostatic hyperplasia were divided into Chinese herbal medicine users and non-users. To compare these groups, they employed 1:1 propensity score matching, and the risk of complications related to benign prostatic hyperplasia was evaluated using the Cox proportional hazard model.
The results showed that during the study period, the risk of complications related to benign prostatic hyperplasia was considerably lower in the Chinese herbal medicine group compared to the non-Chinese herbal medicine group, even when other variables were controlled for. The Chinese herbal medicine users had a significantly lower risk of urinary tract infection and urine retention. Plus, the Chinese herbal medicine users experienced a lower incidence rate of surgery related to benign prostatic hyperplasia and enjoyed a longer surgery-free interval than non-Chinese herbal medicine users. Among the Chinese herbal medicine, Salviae miltiorrhizae and Ji-Sheng-Shen-Qi-Wan were prescribed the most by traditional Chinese medicine practitioners.
Tree nut consumption is inversely associated with the prevalence of hyperestrogenism and circulating estradiol levels in men.
2022 Nutrition Research Tree nut consumption is associated with a lower risk of hyperestrogenism in men Wang Y, Fang Y
Cohort Study Hyperestrogenism Hyperoestrogenism Men's Health
This cross-sectional study utilized data from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2013 and 2016, and involved 3340 men aged 20 years and above. The associations of tree nut consumption with circulating estradiol - a form of the female sex hormone estrogen - and the prevalence of hyperestrogenism - a condition characterized by excess estrogen - were analyzed using weighted linear regression and binary logistic regression, respectively.
Tree nut consumption was observed in 207 of the participants, with the average usual intake amounting to 34.2g per day. The study noticed an inverse relationship between the typical intake of tree nuts and levels of bioavailable estradiol, even after taking into account all confounding factors. Regular consumption of 30g/day or more of tree nuts was associated with significantly lower risk of hyperestrogenism. Furthermore, higher consumption of tree nuts was linked with higher levels of circulating folate, which was in turn inversely related to circulating estradiol. Therefore, the study concluded that increased tree nut consumption could potentially lower the risk of hyperestrogenism in men by reducing circulating estradiol levels.
Nutraceuticals like zinc, vitamin D, l-arginine, mucuna, ashwagandha, tribulus, and ω3 fatty acids, along with lifestyle changes, can mildly improve male testosterone levels and sperm parameters.
2022 Clinical Therapeutics Nonpharmacological Interventions for the Management of Testosterone and Sperm Parameters: A Scoping Review Santos HO, Cadegiani FA, Forbes SC
Review Article Sperm Quality Testosterone
A comprehensive scoping review was undertaken to investigate the effectiveness of nonpharmacologic interventions such as dietary supplements, herbal remedies, diverse diets, sleep patterns, and various forms of physical exercise. The study was aimed to understand their potential in enhancing male health by improving testosterone levels and sperm parameters, especially in men with hypogonadism or fertility issues.
Results indicated that among a multitude of nutraceuticals and functional nutrients that claim to stimulate testosterone production, only a select few, including zinc, vitamin D (in cases of its deficiency), l-arginine, mucuna, and ashwagandha, based on well-conducted randomized clinical trials, showed positive results in men with low testosterone levels and related complications. Except for l-arginine, these and other natural substances like tribulus and omega-3 fatty acids showed potential to enhance sperm parameters in infertile men. Implementing proper diet, ensuring adequate sleep and regular exercise are considered crucial, particularly in obese patients. It's also highlighted that androgen receptor content is potentially more significant in muscle hypertrophy than endogenous androgens. While the impact of nonpharmacologic interventions on testosterone levels are modest and do not translate into significant clinical benefits, some supplements and herbal medicines could serve as adjunctive approaches in testosterone and sperm health management. However, proper use of nutraceuticals involves personalised consideration by care providers.
In women with polycystic ovary syndrome, cinnamon reduced insulin resistance and testosterone levels similar to metformin, and ginger decreased follicle-stimulating and luteinizing hormones.
2022 Frontiers in Nutrition A comparison of the effects of cinnamon, ginger, and metformin consumption on metabolic health, anthropometric indices, and sexual hormone levels in women with poly cystic ovary syndrome: A randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled clinical trial Dastgheib M, Barati-Boldaji R, Bahrampour N, Taheri R, Borghei M, Amooee S, et al.
Randomised Controlled Trial Ceylon Cinnamon Cinnamon FSH
In the methodology of the study, 100 women diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome were divided into four groups. Each group received a different treatment: cinnamon, ginger, metformin, or placebo. The dosage for these treatments was 500 mg, three times a day, administered over a period of 8 weeks. The participants' sex hormones, weight revelations, along with glycemic and lipid markers were monitored before and after this period. Several participants were disqualified because of unspecified factors, resulting in a final sample size of 83.
In terms of results, all groups saw a decrease in weight and body mass index. The metformin and cinnamon groups specifically had notably decreases in their insulin resistance, meaning that these treatments were effective in improving metabolic health. Additionally, the ginger group experienced a reduction in follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone levels unlike the other groups. Testosterone levels were lowered in the metformin and cinnamon groups, but no significant changes in dehydroepiandrosterone were observed in any of the groups. These results indicate the potential use of cinnamon and ginger as alternative treatments in managing polycystic ovary syndrome.
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