Many men are searching for methods to increase their testosterone levels since they may have Low T or just want to because testosterone levels typically drop as men age. There are easy ways to naturally promote your body’s production of testosterone and hormone therapy and other therapies to raise testosterone levels.
Some of them are fasting, skipping meals, and going without food for brief periods. Fasting, which has gained popularity in recent years, is rumored to be able to raise testosterone levels naturally. Are its claims of weight loss and higher testosterone production supported by evidence?
What does fasting entail?
In modern countries, most individuals eat at least three meals daily—breakfast, lunch, and dinner—plus a few small snacks. But the current diet has encouraged overeating, which can result in metabolic problems, including insulin resistance, extra body fat, and other things, particularly when coupled with a sedentary lifestyle.
Fasting is a modified eating pattern in which people regularly go for extended periods of time without eating—typically between 16 and 48 hours. Cycles of eating are used to break up these fasting times. Many people follow the 17/7 approach, which involves only eating for seven hours each day and subsequently fasting for the other seventeen (eight of which are covered by your natural sleep cycle, of course). Although there are different forms of fasting, the 17/7 model is one of the most well-known.
You are not allowed to consume any food during fasting periods, but you are allowed to drink non-caloric beverages like tea, water, and coffee.
Studying the major plans for fasting
It’s crucial to see the doctor before beginning an intermittent fasting regimen. You can decide on a daily strategy that limits daily meals to one seven- to the eight-hour window. Consider the 17/7 fast, which involves eating for seven hours and fasting for seventeen.
Another is the famous “5:2 strategy,” which calls for eating consistently five days a week. One can restrict oneself to one 500–650 calorie meal on the other two days. Let’s say you decided to consume meals usually every day of the week, excluding Thursdays and Wednesdays —those days would be your meal days—you would choose to do so.
Fasting for longer periods—such as 24, 48, 36, and 72 hours—is not always the best for you and may even be harmful. If you go too long without consuming food, your body may begin storing extra lipids and fat as a defense against famine.
According to Mattson’s studies, it can take the body two to four weeks to adjust to fasting. As you adjust to the new pattern, you can feel hungry or irritable. But he notes that once the adjustment period is over, research participants often continue with the strategy because they start to feel better.
Does having a good plan have a good impact on testosterone levels?
While fasting is usually recommended as a weight loss strategy, some suggest it can enhance the body’s natural production of testosterone. Significant research has been done to support this assertion; one study on the rat sex hormone and gonadal function found that fasting raised testosterone levels in male participants.
However, keep in mind that prolonged fasts for individuals have been proven to impair testosterone levels; one study revealed that testosterone levels began to decline on the third day of fasting, while another revealed that 84-hour fasts were associated with lower luteinizing hormone release (LH).
Exploring additional benefits of fasting
Fasting has additional advantages outside just helping you enhance your testosterone. Fasting significantly lowers many risk factors for heart disease, type II diabetes, cancer, and other diseases as well the blood sugar and insulin levels. According to several studies, fasting can extend your life in addition to providing an effective calorie restriction. Additionally, it has been demonstrated that fasting helps with Alzheimer’s disease symptoms.
These are some powerful reasons to give fasting a try, even if it doesn’t have the impact on testosterone production that it does.
Fasting is a highly suggested solution if you’re looking for natural, simple strategies to increase your testosterone levels. Don’t worry about keeping track of how many hours you fast; there’s no need to go overboard with your fast. Occasionally, you need to wait until lunch to eat. Just be sure to speak with your doctor or health specialist before changing your diet or exercise routine.
Final reflections
Remember that different people may respond differently to fasting. Aside from the testosterone hormone effect, fasting has other effects on the body if not properly conducted. If you begin to experience anxiety, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms during fasting, consult your medical doctor.
