MD here. Just remember that women live longer than men. Although it'll never be proven that hormones are part of that provess, I think it's a good assumption. Many males as they get older become more lovable and more pleasent to be around because of natural hormone declines. There are a ton of health issues such as balding, coronary artery disease, prostate cancer, obstructive sleep apnea that are related to testoste…
As far as I understand there is a lot of estrogen in Soya? Could the higher estrogen level also be the reason asians seem to live longer? (i hear they don't normally get sick until they reach their 70ies) Or have I been completely misinformed?
Testosterone is the drug of the future
131–140 of 308 posts
Re: Testosterone is the drug of the future
#132Earlier quoted context omitted.
> The many studies done on this subject show that testosterone makes a huge impact on muscle growth Genuine question: Why this emphasis on increasing "muscle growth"? What benefits does it bring us (men)?
Increasing muscle mass, and maintaining that muscle mass, will/may: - decreases stress on tendons and ligaments - protect delicate or complicated joints from injury - help maintain healthy weight and body fat levels - improve bone density, and help maintain bone density - increase stamina / reduce fatigue - support attention - get up out of the bathtub or off the couch when you're older - improve sleep - improve ment…
Re: Testosterone is the drug of the future
#133Earlier quoted context omitted.
That meditation research has historically been inconclusive and of poor quality does not mean it doesn't do anything. Also, meditation research has come a long way since the studies cited in your source. Something I dug up quickly: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/americanbuddhist/2014/01/the-ef...
Follow all the articles listed back to the journal being referenced.
It seems respectable and concludes:
"Clinicians should be aware that meditation programs can result in small to moderate reductions of multiple negative dimensions of psychological stress. Thus, clinicians should be prepared to talk with their patients about the role that a meditation program could have in addressing psychological stress. Stronger study designs are needed to determine the effects of meditation programs in improving the positive dimensions of mental health and stress-related behavior."
This directly contradicts the GP's claim that meditation is ineffective, and supports the OP's claim that meditation is a good way to deal with "psychological worries".
Re: Testosterone is the drug of the future
#134Earlier quoted context omitted.
I am happy that an expert without a bias reports about this. What you noted down came back into my mind immediately. These were the reported risks for professional athletes (back in the days when I decided to study physics instead of taking more of this junk and go pro). There are also natural ways to keep your own T level high, like healthy food, enough sleep, everything that increases your muscle mass (weightliftin…
I don't think so. If testosterone is the culprit for increased risk of coronary artery disease, prostate cancer and sleep apnea, then doing things that naturally increase testosterone will increase risk also. Don't succumb to the naturalistic fallacy. The body doesn't care where it gets its chemicals from.
Even if that's true, our bodies are also great at offloading tasks. If you train your body to think that Testosterone (or anything else, for that matter) will come from external sources, it will stop producing it naturally, and will become worse at regulating it's own T levels.
Re: Testosterone is the drug of the future
#135As someone who went from 430 ng/dl to 1024 ng/dl naturally in about two years time (from age 23 to 25) the only thing I can say is don't jump to too many conclusions here. - Your testosterone should be naturally high if you're below 30 (and male) - If not, something is wrong and you need to fix it (start with blood work, check your diet, move) - If you testosterone is in the normal ranges (blood work recommends betwe…
Re: Testosterone is the drug of the future
#136I totally get the argument for using testosterone for sex changes. But as a man who takes his health and fitness into his own hands, I can't help but wonder if something like testosterone would become slightly addictive. Is it something one can use to get out of a slump and then stop taking, or is it more that when one gets to a certain age, it becomes necessary for staying at desired fitness levels?
Re: Testosterone is the drug of the future
#137Earlier quoted context omitted.
Genuine answer: Feeling better about our self-image / placating the fear that we're "not manly enough".
Another reason to dismantle the patriarchy and gender binary.
Re: Testosterone is the drug of the future
#138Earlier quoted context omitted.
Are you sure you're eating enough? Have your lifts been going up? Before searching out testosterone I would try a beginners lifting program (meaning linear programming, where your lifts go up every workout) and eating a lot (3000-4000kCal a day). Starting Strength (my recommendation), Stronglifts and Ice Cream Fitness (ICF) are 3 popular ones.
I did Starting Strength with a gallon of milk a day (6000 Calories). I was able to improve my lifts (slowly) but I looked horrible (so much fat around abdomen I looked pregnant). Switched to hypertrophy with 2000-3000 Calories whilst cutting/maintaining. I researched this well and tried really hard so I'm not jumping to conclusions here.
Beware of doing strength-training of the same muscle group more than once a week (except for legs, up to a limit).
Also, sorry, but "Gallon of milk a day" is broscience.
Go to a non-fad sports doctor to get a good diet matching your training plan and goals (both micro and macrocycles). Lots of greens and healthy protein (i.e. not cow's except for whey protein powder). No sugars (including lactose), like ever. No refined food (unless you are into ultramarathon or similar). Time your foods.
A very common mistake is getting confused of what you should do while training and while competing. Yes, competing it makes sense to get as much carbs as possible to improve performance. But when training it's better to be starving and forcing your body to burn fat. Guys at the gym drinking Gatorade = losers. High glucose blocks growth hormone secretion!
http://www.pponline.co.uk/encyc/human-growth-hormone.html (nasty popup closed bottom right)
This guy advised some winning olympic british teams of 2012.
Also, we have a different genetic composition. Compare your gains to yourself. Else it's like getting depressed because you can't ball like the 7ft guys at the NBA.
Re: Testosterone is the drug of the future
#139Earlier quoted context omitted.
> The many studies done on this subject show that testosterone makes a huge impact on muscle growth Genuine question: Why this emphasis on increasing "muscle growth"? What benefits does it bring us (men)?
I do power lifting (non-competitive), and while I'm noticeably muscular and lift more than most people at my gym (no competitive lifters there, so doesn't say all that much), I'm not nearly at peak muscle volume nor do I look nearly as big as body builders much smaller than me - leanness makes a huge difference to perceived muscle size. Still, from an hour 2-4 times a week (2 times a week at the moment), with no ster…
Basically for the cost of a few hours a week you can +1 or +2 you strength and consitution scores.
Re: Testosterone is the drug of the future
#140MD here. Just remember that women live longer than men. Although it'll never be proven that hormones are part of that provess, I think it's a good assumption. Many males as they get older become more lovable and more pleasent to be around because of natural hormone declines. There are a ton of health issues such as balding, coronary artery disease, prostate cancer, obstructive sleep apnea that are related to testoste…
I resent that. I don't have low testosterone but I'd still say I was a loving father and husband and a generally good person. Being "manly" doesn't mean being a dick, quite the opposite.