THE BEST WEIGHT-LOSS METHOD FOR OVER-WEIGHT AND OBESE MEN
“For older men wishing to lose body fat and maintain muscle and bone density, this article shares a breakthrough (backed by science) that is the only effective treatment option.”
As men grow older, we tend to gain weight—body fat—especially in our bellies. The first thing we try to do when this happens is to go on a diet. When this diet fails, we consider joining a gym and exercising. This is helpful, but most of us do not know how to exercise. Just the same, exercise alone will not change our appearance.
The next option for some people is a medical weight loss clinic where they take pills that decrease one’s appetite. This works as long as we take the pills. The problem with these options [diet, exercise, and pills] is that our body is changing as we age. Specifically, as we lose testosterone, our metabolic rate decreases and we lose muscle. Muscle loss increases inactivity. Inactivity increases body fat.
THE VICIOUS CYCLE OF OBESITY
When testosterone levels are low, exercise loses some of its benefits. Many scientific studies over the last 10 years tell us that testosterone therapy causes
sustained weight loss for over-weight and obese men [1]. Weight loss from diet alone cannot usually remain and most diets eventually fail [9].
Diets cause loss of body fat, muscle, bone density, and testosterone. Only testosterone increases lean body mass [muscle and bone] while decreasing fat
mass [1]. The use of all FDA approved medical weight loss interventions, including bariatric surgery, cause loss of both muscle, bone density and fat [2].
For older men wishing to lose bodyfat and maintain muscle and bone density, testosterone is the only effective treatment option. Increased body fat lowers testosterone levels and low testosterone levels cause obesity [3]. This is the vicious cycle of obesity.
HOW DOES TESTOSTERONE WORK?
Testosterone prevents body fat from accumulating around the organs inside your abdomen-visceral body fat. The lower the total testosterone blood level, the higher the visceral body fat [4].
ThIs relationship between testosterone and body fat is true regardless of the cause of the low testosterone blood level. Higher, but still normal, testosterone blood levels are associated with insulin sensitive cells with higher mitochondrial activity—the opposite occurs in type 2 diabetes [5].
Testosterone deficiency predisposes to type 2 diabetes with elevated blood glucose levels [6].
Testosterone regulates energy metabolism in:
- skeletal muscles
- adipose (fat storing) tissue
- liver cells
- beta pancreatic cells
- and nervous system cells.
Total testosterone levels are lower in type 2 diabetic men than in non-diabetic men and testosterone replacement lowers fasting glucose blood levels and effectively treats type 2 diabetes.[7] [8].
OBESITY IS PATHOLOGIC
Obesity leads to the chronic metabolic diseases that most Americans will develop including:
- hypertension
- type 2 diabetes
- and coronary artery disease [10].
The body fat that is most dangerous is the visceral body fat that accumulates around your intestines and organs. Visceral body fat cells actively produce inflammatory molecules called adipokines that can be harmful and modulate the cells of your immune system [11]. The adipokine inflammatory molecules accelerate vascular changes and vascular damage, resulting in: hypertension, coronary artery disease, and other small blood vessel diseases [12].
OBESITY AND THE IMMUNE SYSTEM
Obesity is associated with vaccine failure and increased infections [ 13] [14]. There are more macrophage in fatty tissue than in lean tissues [15]. Macrophage are inflammatory white blood cells that remove dead cells, cellular debris, microorganisms, and stimulate other immune system cells. This explains, to some degree, the inflammation caused by obesity. Fat cells—adipocytes—secrete many different bioactive molecules including leptin. Leptin regulates many aspects of immune function such as:
- monocyte production
- natural killer t-cell production
- tumor necrosis factor
- and many others.
Elevated blood lipid levels, including free fatty acids and saturated fatty acids, are commonly elevated in obesity. Both directly stimulate inflammation and increase insulin resistance [15].
SUMMARY
- The lower testosterone blood levels that normally occur as men age are associated with increased body fat.
- Increased body fat produces inflammation that damages small blood vessels and produces hypertension, type 2 diabetes, coronary artery disease, dementia, impotence, and poor immune function.
- In order to lose body fat while maintaining muscle mass and bone density testosterone supplementation is uniquely helpful.
- A healthy life-style requires a healthy diet, exercise and appropriate supplements.
REFERENCES
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3. Tishova, Yuliya and Kalichenko, Svetlana Y.. Breaking the vicious circle of obesity: the metabolic syndrome and low testosterone by administration of testosterone to a young man with morbid obesity. Arq Bras Endocrinol Metab [online]. 2009, vol.53, n.8 [cited 2021-05-11], pp.1047-1051
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6. Corona G, Monami M, Rastrelli G, Aversa A, Sforza A, Lenzi A, et al. Type 2 diabetes mellitus and testosterone: a meta-analysis study. International journal of andrology. 2011;34:528–540
7. Ding EL, Song Y, Malik VS, Liu S. Sex differences of endogenous sex hormones and risk of type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Jama. 2006; 295:1288–1299]
8.Corona G, Monami M, Rastrelli G, Aversa A, Sforza A, Lenzi A, et al. Type 2 diabetes mellitus and testosterone: a meta-analysis study. Interanational J. Andrology. 2011; 34:528–540
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