Recent studies indicate that older men who develop “midlife” can lose weight by taking testosterone supplementation.
As a result of the research project, it was found that the male sex hormone can induce a significant weight loss, and also help obese and overweight men significantly reduce their waist circumference. This “random” effect was seen in men who received testosterone injections every few weeks as a treatment for erectile dysfunction. Of the 251 men who took part in the study, initially 95 percent. were obese or overweight, but during the five years of treatment, each of them lost an average of 16 kg and their waist circumference decreased from 107 cm to 98 cm. Other benefits included a lowered body mass index, a decrease in cholesterol and blood sugar levels. These results were presented during the European Obesity Congress in Lyon by Dr. Farid Saad from Gulf Medical University in the United Arab Emirates.
The authors of the publication emphasize that these results may be explained by several factors: higher cholesterol activates energy changes in the body, but also increases the motivation to exercise. Increased levels of the hormone can also increase muscle mass, which results in higher energy expenditure of the patient’s body.
The study involved 251 men with low testosterone levels, the mean age of the patient was 61 years. The vast majority – 71 percent – she was obese, 24 percent she was overweight, and only 5 percent. was normal. Almost all of them were followed for a minimum of two years and almost half of them for as long as five years.
Men who took hormone injections every 12 weeks for five years lost an average of 16 kg, and their waist circumference decreased by almost 10 cm. Their BMI also decreased, which is the primary determinant of whether a person is obese or overweight. The authors of the report also report improvements in cholesterol, glucose and blood pressure scores.
– Among men treated for erectile dysfunction, only 5 percent. was within the weight limit, everyone else was either obese or overweight, says Dr. Saad. One of the most surprising results was the significant weight loss of most of them. It was unexpected. Saad added that 94,8 percent. of the project’s patients lost weight, of which 31 percent. by 20 kg or more. The weight of five percent has increased.
Dr. David Haslam, president of the National Obesity Forum, emphasized that while the fact that higher testosterone levels lead to weight loss is not surprising, the degree of weight loss is important and the fact that the reduced weight has been maintained over a long period of time. However, he would like to see the potential side effects of such treatment better investigated.
“ We are desperately looking for an answer to obesity, so we are happy to accept any therapy that leads to a safe and effective treatment, ” he said, adding that additional side-effect studies would be needed to make sure that elevated testosterone does not increase the incidence of prostate cancer. While a report from United Arab Emirates doctors states that there was no increased incidence among project participants relative to the general population, a larger sample would be needed.
Professor Richard Sharpe of the University of Edinburgh warned against viewing hormone therapy as a shortcut. – It would be much wiser and safer for obese patients to limit their caloric intake. Losing weight will naturally raise their own testosterone levels, without any additional risk, but with many benefits, he advised.
An obese person is considered to be a person whose body mass index is above 30. It is calculated on the basis of height and weight. At present, a quarter of adults in the UK qualify as obese.