Why Testosterone Levels Are Declining in Men

If you’ve got the psychological makeup of the average man, you know how downright embarrassing and offensive it is to be accused of being less manly than your forebears. More often than not, on the rare occasions when such statements are uttered, they are simply baseless accusations leveled during intra-generation disputes, and unsupported by hard facts. 

Unfortunately, it just so happens that there is now considerable scientific evidence to back up the claim that modern men categorically possess lower testosterone levels than their male ancestors of the recent past. So while there may have been no shame in having the psychological makeup of an average man, members of the older generation can now use science to attack your physical makeup.

Obviously, there are outliers to this observation, so it’s best if you don’t interpret this as a personal insult that is uniquely directed at you, particularly if you’ve been doing the work of training hard to ensure that you’re strong, athletic, healthy, and generally prepared to handle whatever physical challenges are thrown your way.

However, even if all seems to be going well, it can be helpful to evaluate the reasons why modern men have lower testosterone levels than their fathers on average so that you can take steps to counter whatever factors might be preventing your T-levels from reaching their zenith.

1. Obesity causes testosterone decreases

One of the foremost contributors to the decline in male testosterone levels is the obesity epidemic. The fact that obesity rates are higher now than at any time in recorded human history is directly linked to the steep decline in the testosterone levels of many men.

In the most simple terms, the presence of high levels of body fat leads to a corresponding increase in the presence of other hormones that transform testosterone into other hormones that are less expressive of masculinity. This results in testosterone essentially being leached away in support of other processes

For example, the presence of large quantities of visceral body fat accelerates the transformation of testosterone into estrogen, while increased insulin resistance results in lower testosterone production in general. In short, obesity either triggers or suppresses multiple physiological processes that ultimately tank your testosterone levels overall.

2. Fewer testosterone-producing activities

While a higher percentage of the people than ever before are engaged in sorts of structured exercise programs that boost testosterone levels, a lower percentage of the overall population is engaging in any forms of regular exercise whatsoever. 

This is a crucial distinction to make, because there is a small overall group of people walking around displaying the evidence of possessing an abundance of testosterone, but the societal average is being dragged down by the relative inactivity of the majority.

Within the fitness world, resistance training is the primary producer of testosterone. This is followed in effectiveness by the types of sprint-based workouts that are common in high-intensity interval training sessions, with mild testosterone boosts accompanying moderate cardiovascular training. 

Because most people engage in few to any of these testosterone-raising activities, the trend has been a societal decline in general fitness, with most people doing little to nothing to intentionally engage in activities that boost testosterone. Making matters worse is that many people believe turning to long bouts of cardio as the answer to their weight gain, and this actually serves to further decrease testosterone.

3. Increased exposure to testosterone-reducing chemicals

If there is a category of testosterone-lowering culprits that might give some men suffering from low testosterone a legitimate excuse for their low-T condition, it’s the prevalence of several endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) that literally didn’t exist until the middle of the 20th century.

These chemicals are described as anti-endrogenic, meaning that they inhibit testosterone production in the testes and produce a higher ratio of estrogen in men that disrupts their hormonal balance. 

The chief culprits behind this phenomenon are phthalates and bisphenols, which are commonly encountered in products containing plastic, like food packaging and bottles. This means the foods and drinks that you consume may be inhibiting your production of testosterone due to the presence of these hidden chemicals that neutralize testosterone.

The easiest way to counter this problem is synonymous with one of the common pieces of advice that’s prescribed for a healthy lifestyle. Specifically, you should purchase fresh or frozen foods that are minimally processed or packaged, while avoiding the practice of heating or reheating food in plastic containers.

4. Less sleep and increased stress levels

Sleep is rightly regarded as the ultimate passive activity, which is one of the reasons why its necessity for a fit body is so underappreciated. All of the restorative processes that contribute to maximizing strength and muscle growth reach their peak during sleep. Therefore, attaining an ideal level of sleep of at least seven hours per night is crucial to optimizing testosterone production. 

Unfortunately, one third of Westerners now sleep fewer than seven hours per night on average, which not only prevents testosterone production from reaching its peak levels, but it also increases stress levels and elevates cortisol production. This forces the body into a catabolic state — defined by the breaking down of muscle tissue — which is essentially the polar opposite of the optimal state during which testosterone production reaches its peak.

To put it simply, if you are doing all of the literal heavy lifting in the gym to elevate your testosterone levels, you are doing your body a tremendous disservice by neglecting to prioritize sleep, which is the state when your body can take full advantage of the hard work you put in during your waking hours.

Restore your T

If you fear you may be suffering from low testosterone levels, there are supplements available like primavice shilajit, which can directly and effectively boost the level of free testosterone coursing through your body. 

However, to prevent your body from sabotaging itself on the front end, you should indulge in regular resistance training, make healthy nutrition decisions, and get adequate sleep. That way your testosterone-boosting supplements can help you achieve a new peak level of health rather than helping you make up for actions that robbed you of testosterone that was rightfully yours.

Summary

1. Science has proven that modern men have lower average testosterone levels than their fathers and grandfathers.

2. One of the primary causes of the dip in testosterone is obesity, which converts testosterone into other hormones and lowers total testosterone production.

3. A lack of exercise — and particularly resistance training — is another strong contributor to a low level of testosterone.

4. The presence of chemicals found primarily in modern plastics can also cause a reduction in testosterone creation, and create hormonal imbalances.

5. Failing to sleep for seven or more hours per night can prevent the maximization of testosterone production, and contribute to the production of testosterone-lowering cortisol.

6. To achieve optimal testosterone production, a combination of maintaining a low level of body fat, engagement in regular resistance training, avoiding processed foods wrapped in plastics, and getting an adequate level of nightly sleep is advised.