Episode77- Connection of Cortisol Levels & Testosterone

Welcome to another weekend short of The ZecoHealth Show

This is Weight Management Expert 

Narado Zeco Powell 

Someone reached out to me few weeks ago and asked about the connection between cortisol levels & Testosterone

There are some connections that we need to be aware of & I will explore them in today’s short.

So stick around 

Before I begin, remember to check out The Zeco Recommendation Page for products and I services I recommend for health, fitness & fatloss 

Along with my discount code so you can save some money.

The link is in The shownotes and the description of the episode 

The Zeco Recommendation Page

With that being said,

Let’s begin

First, we need to know what is testosterone and why it is important 

Well according to Healthline

Testosterone is a hormone found in humans, as well as in other animals. In men, the testicles primarily make testosterone. Women’s ovaries also make testosterone, though in much smaller amounts.

Yeah, women make and use testosterone as well

The production of testosterone starts to increase significantly during puberty and begins to dip after age 30 or so.

Here are some things that can happen with low testosterone, especially in men

• decreased sex drive
• less energy
• weight gain
• feelings of depression
• moodiness
• low self-esteem
• less body hair
• thinner bones

In women, they can experience 

• low libido
• reduced bone strength
• poor concentration
• depression

Again, testosterone is important for women as well

Now, there are many habits that can improve testosterone levels and I will discuss them in a follow-up short, but as promised, let’s discuss cortisol 

Let’s begin with this PubMed study which has shown the administration of cortisol into the circulation at rest will result in reduced blood testosterone levels. 

Many researchers have used these results to imply that physical exercise induced cortisol increases would perhaps result in subsequent reductions in circulating testosterone levels

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24431964/#:~:text=Human%20research%20has%20shown%20the,reductions%20in%20circulating%20testosterone%20levels.

The link to to the study are in the shownotes 

Now, correlation does not necessarily mean causation, but what we do know is that excessive cardio can lower testosterone levels which is connected to lower testosterone, loss of muscle mass, etc.  

Here is a another study from The University of Texas at Austin which indicates high levels of the stress hormone cortisol play a critical role in blocking testosterone’s influence on competition and domination, according to new psychology research.

Again, the link to the fantastic study is in the shownotes 

https://news.utexas.edu/2010/09/27/stress-hormone-blocks-testosterones-effects-study-shows/

Check out both studies, they are fantastic. 

Also listen to my earlier shorts from earlier in the year regarding exercise to learn how to implement a proper training program for weight management  

Now, let’s discuss how to lower cortisol levels:

1. Get adequate sleep 
2. Exercise 
3. Learn to recognize and improve stress levels 
4. Have a breathing technique 
5. Have fun and laugh
6. Maintain healthy relationships 
7. Eat a nutritious diet

I have episodes and shorts on these habits so you can learn more in depth 

Next weekend, I will release a short on a nutritious diet to lower stress 

Enjoy your week fam!