Testosterone and Stress

In our bodies, we have both types of male and female hormones in
different quantities. Testosterone, for example, is the name given to
the male hormone which is an androgen. This hormone is required in the
female body to be converted to oestrogens, female hormones!
One
of the correlations, which we probably don't readily associate with each
other, is the one between raised levels of androgens and stress.*
When
we are stressed, in either physical or emotional ways, through
strenuous activity, infection, or injury even, our cortisol levels
rise which trigger insulin resistance to insulin to use sugar from other
sources. The quick increase in blood sugar levels and increased
cravings for carbohydrates and sweets is the consequence. So we get
cravings for sweets and carbs and as a result , over prolonged periods
of high cortisol levels, we gain weight.**
How does it work?
Stress, either physical or emotional, sets of reactions in our bodies
that trigger the increased production of our "fight or flight"
response. The increased insulin resistance leads to reduced muscle
glucose uptake and an increased liver glucose production. This results
in an elevated blood glucose level. The higher insulin levels then
causes increase in testosterone production.
Androgens, are
directly responsible for many types of acne. They increase the
production of sebum ( a type of oil) in the tiny glands in the skin. Too
much sebum, cloggs up follicles and results in spots.so both men and
women produce male hormones but in men it's up to 60 percent more.
It's
well known that insulin regulates testosterone ***and it's possible to
improve your skin by manipulating your body's testosterone levels. One
way to do this is to avoid dairy products. Many dairy products are made
from the milk of pregnant cows, which contains hormones that the human
body converts to the equivalent of testosterone.
Another way is
to reduce sugar consumption. Sugar increases insulin which then
increases testosterone production, increased sebum production and more
spots outbreak.
In general the most common symptoms of high androgens in women are:
Hirsutism (excess facial or body hair)
Persistent acne and/or oily skin.
Alopecia (thinning hair on the head)
Insulin resistance
Acanthosis nigricans (rough, darkly pigmented areas of skin)
High blood pressure
Polycystic Ovaries
Reduced fertility
Many
studies have been carried out that show avoidance, or reduction, of
your daily intake of certain foods will reduce the androgens levels in
the blood. This makes sense if you consider the consequence of insulin
increase in the system due to certain foods.
Such foods include
sugary foods and drinks and refined, white flour carbohydrates like
white bread and other white-flour foods. Good carbohydrates include
fiber-rich foods such as whole grains like oatmeal and brown rice as
well as non-starchy vegetables like leafy greens, broccoli, spinach,
onions, peppers, garlic, squash, peppers and cucumbers.
Vegetarians
have lower levels of male hormones**** than meat-eaters. High intake of
plant foods, particularly fiber-rich whole grains, appeared to lower
levels of insulin and thus the androgen production response.
There
is also much evidence that higher intake of animal products such as
protein and fats are associated with higher androgen levels.*****
Having said that there is problems with having a low androgen level as much as having a high level.
The following chart shows the effect of high or low testosterone (androgens) in women.
Insert chart
*R
Rosmond, MF Dallman… - The Journal of Clinical …, 1998 -
press.endocrine.org
http://press.endocrine.org/doi/abs/10.1210/jcem.83.6.4843
*JL Rains, SK Jain - Free Radical Biology and Medicine, 2011 - Elsevier
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0891584910014115
** November 2009 Issue
Cortisol — Its Role in Stress, Inflammation, and Indications for Diet Therapy
By Dina Aronson, MS, RD
Today’s Dietitian
Vol. 11 No. 11 P. 38
*** The Clear Skin Diet," written by Harvard Medical School doctor Alan C. Logan and nutritionist Valori Treloar
****
Allen NE, Appleby PN, Davey GK, Key TJ. Hormones and diet: low
insulin-like growth factor-I but normal bioavailable androgens in vegan
men. Br J Cancer. 2000;83:95–7.
***** The American journal of
clinical nutrition, 84(6), ...The effect of animal protein on stress
hormones, testosterone, and...