Tag: Testosterone

Sugar and Testosterone

SugarI’m sure you know too much sugar is bad for you.  But it seems every day I learn something new about the negative effects of eating (or drinking) too much of it.  We know, for example, that sugar and refined carbohydrates causes inflammation, and I’m convinced this (inflammation) is the main culprit in cardiovascular disease (even more so than cholesterol).

Here’s something you may not know–sugar can temporarily suppress testosterone.  I can point to at least one study that confirmed this:

Researchers were interested in knowing whether or not men tested for hypogonadism (low testosterone) should be tested in a fasted state.  74 men were given 75 grams of glucose (the standard dose for a glucose tolerance test).  Their hormone levels were monitored at 30 minute increments after taking the sugar.  They found that testosterone levels were suppressed by as much as 25% and remained so at the two-hour mark (120 minutes).  All subjects experienced this suppression, regardless of whether or not they had other health issues related to glucose tolerance (diabetes, etc.). Some subjects had normal testosterone levels, yet the suppression caused enough drop to (temporarily) put them in the same range as men who suffer from hypogonasism.1

We do have to keep a few things in mind here: the drop in testosterone was transient, this is only one study, and insulin is an anabolic hormone in its own right.

But I didn’t realize just how drastically one insulin spike can affect other hormone levels.  Drinking sweet drinks all day could negatively affect your testosterone levels (in addition to the other health issues).  A 20-ounce soda on an empty stomach would pretty much duplicate the conditions of this study (a bottle would have 65 grams of sugar).

This is another reason I like the Renegade Diet style of eating.  It seems limiting your intake of carbohydrates/sugar throughout the day is a reasonable strategy for optimizing your testosterone levels.

Reference:

1.Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2013 Feb;78(2):291-6. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2265.2012.04486.x.
Abrupt decrease in serum testosterone levels after an oral glucose load in men: implications for screening for hypogonadism.

Rock Hard Grandfather Robert Durbin, Age 64 (Body Transformation)

Robert Durbin has a physique much younger men would envy.  But this wasn’t always so: as you can see by the before/after picture, Robert was in terrible shape a few years ago.  He wore braces and couldn’t walk without using a cane.  He decided to transform his body and life so he could enjoy his family.  The video (posted below) has made him an internet sensation.  He was kind enough to do this interview for me.

Robert Durbin, "Rock Hard Paw Paw"
Robert Durbin, “Rock Hard Paw Paw”

MuscleReview: Robert, I’d first like to thank you for taking the time to do this interview. Why don’t you tell my readers a little bit about yourself (education, family, work, etc.)?

Robert: I graduated from Fairdale High School in 1968. I’ve been married 34 years as of this month. We have five kids, five grandkids, and two great-grandkids. I’m retired.

MuscleReview: Let’s talk about your younger years. Were you in pretty good shape as a young man?

Robert: I was involved in several sports in high school: football, track, and cross-country running. I was pretty healthy until I reached my late 30’s.

MuscleReview: What was the turning point for you? What motivated you to transform your body?

Robert: I wasn’t able to do anything with my children and grandchildren, and I was always sick.

MuscleReview: What do you consider to be the most difficult part of this process?

Learning how to eat properly was definitely the hardest thing for me.

MuscleReview: Please tell my readers (in general terms) about your diet and training.

Robert: I don’t eat fried foods or white bread and I also never eat out. I eat lean meats like chicken, turkey breasts, and tuna. I also eat a lot of green vegetables. I believe in pushing myself to my physical/mental limits every day in the gym. I train 2.5-3 hours a day, and I also train abs every morning and night.

MuscleReview: One of the topics I’m interested in (as I age) is training into later years. What adaptations (if any) have you made to your training as an older athlete ?

I do the same workouts younger guys do but I use a little less weight. I also try to add a lot of variety: kickboxing, kettlebell training, Crossfit, yoga, etc.

MuscleReview: What advice would you give to people who want to get in better shape?

Robert: Just put your mind to it and do it! Set your goals and when you reach them raise them higher. Age is just a number—it’s never to late, get out there and do something.

MuscleReview: Please talk about the differences in quality of life you are experiencing now that you are in better shape.

I’m able to get around and I’m not afraid to try anything. My mindset is very positive.

MuscleReview: What does your family think of your new physique and notoriety?

Oh man, my kids brag about me all the time. It’s an incredible feeling and it makes all my hard work worth it.

MuscleReview: What’s next for you?

Robert: I’d like to make another video with Barstarzz. I’m also thinking about entering a physique competition like the Kentucky Derby Muscle Show.

MuscleReview: Thanks again for taking the time to do this interview!

Thank you!

Here’s the youtube video featuring Robert: