In the first decade of the 2000s, Drs T. Hugh Jones and Farid Saad examined the effect of testosterone on risk factors for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. In their studies, they observed an association between low testosterone levels and markers of ASCVD, as well as the effects caused by testosterone replacement therapy. It was concluded that low natural testosterone levels are harmful to a man's health. Patients with low testosterone levels are at high risk of developing coronary heart disease (CHD), heart attacks, and angina.
When men with low testosterone levels receive adequate replacement therapy, positive changes occur, which include: a decrease in visceral obesity; decreased insulin resistance ; improvement of lipid profile and physical performance. It is also a beneficial factor in reducing the risk of heart attacks.
Objective risk factors and metabolic syndrome
An increased risk of myocardial infarction is clearly associated with a number of conditions: smoking, hypertension, high levels of low-density lipoprotein , malnutrition, sedentary lifestyle and diabetes. Many of these conditions are associated with poor quality of life, which can lead to the now infamous metabolic syndrome, a condition characterized by: abdominal-visceral obesity, high levels of triglycerides and total cholesterol, low levels of high-density lipoprotein , hypertension, elevated glucose levels.
The fact that excess weight negatively affects health, especially heart health, has long been no secret. Studies that have analyzed the relationship between obesity and testosterone have shown a negative correlation. The higher a person's testosterone levels, the less likely they are to become obese. On the contrary, the more obese you are, the lower your testosterone levels will be.
Even more compelling are the results showing how low testosterone concentrations are associated with increased levels of abdominal-visceral obesity, as well as higher percentages of body fat and higher insulin levels. Testosterone not only helps increase muscle mass, but also stimulates receptors that reduce fat storage.
Endocrine function of adipose tissueHow does it affect insulin sensitivity and testosterone levels? Adipose tissue cells - adipocytes , are not cells specialized solely in storing triglycerides and releasing fatty acids, but are a true endocrine system capable of secreting hormones.
Among the biologically active substances produced by adipose tissue, two are distinguished: resistin and adiponectin . Resistin increases insulin resistance , and adiponectinin plays a protective role. Adiponectin secretion increases as fat levels decrease and/or when fat is limited. On the other hand, an increase in the amount of fat in the body determines a decrease in adiponectin levels . Insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes are important factors to consider when assessing the risk of myocardial infarction.
Testosterone and insulin resistance
In fact, there is an inverse relationship between testosterone levels and insulin resistance , and between testosterone and type 2 diabetes. We must understand that low testosterone levels are a prelude to the development of type 2 diabetes. As testosterone levels decrease, insulin resistance increases. This encourages the body to maintain high insulin levels for obvious homeostatic reasons. If insulin levels remain high in the long term, weight loss processes fail.
We all need testosterone - both men and women. To establish its production naturally or resort to replacement therapy is a matter of choice. Here it is important not to rush to conclusions, but to enlist the support of specialists from the Bogolyuby MC - a urologist or gynecologist, endocrinologist.
