Obesity and low testosterone are double threat, study finds

Obese men with low testosterone are more susceptible to brain damage and diabetes risk, according to a new study.

The research – led by Christian J. Pike, PhD, professor in the Davis School of Gerontology at USC – found that two common symptoms of aging – decreased testosterone and weight gain – may lead to inflammation in the brain and poorer glucose tolerance.

"Low testosterone and obesity are common in aging men, and each is associated with type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease,” said the study’s lead investigator, Anusha Jayaraman, PhD, of the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. “Our new findings demonstrate that obesity and low testosterone combine to not only increase the risk of diabetes but also damage the brain.”

Testosterone-deficient male mice receive high-fat diet

For the study, three groups of male mice were observed: one that had normal testosterone levels, another that underwent removal of the testes to ensure low testosterone levels and a third group that also had their testes removed, but which received testosterone treatment through a capsule implanted in the skin. All three groups of mice were fed a high-fat diet to induce weight gain.


The testosterone-deficient mice, when compared to the group with normal testosterone, had more body fat, higher blood sugar levels and poorer glucose tolerance, said Jayaraman.

Signs of brain inflammation

Not only did the mice with low testosterone show early signs of diabetes, but their brains also showed significantly more damage than the brains of mice with normal testosterone.

"Our findings suggest that low testosterone and obesity interact to regulate inflammation of the nervous system, which may increase the risk of disorders such as type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer's disease," Jayaraman said.

The mice that received testosterone therapy saw reduced negative outcomes, Jayaraman noted, suggesting that testosterone treatment might be helpful in preventing the harmful effects of obesity and low testosterone levels.

Source: Science Daily


More Articles

With its slightly nutty flavor, chewy texture, and nutritional punch farro is an ancient whole grain worth a place in our pantry.

Farro...

Having diabetes is cause for concern, however it doesn’t mean that you need to eliminate all of your favorite foods from your diet completely....

With diabetes becoming more of an epidemic each and every day, being knowledgeable about the disease, its effects on the body as well as ways to...

If you’re a diabetic or live with one, it can be tough trying to figure out the best foods to eat because your priority is to control your blood...

In this post, I will show you the 10 best ice creams for diabetics.

When you think of sweetened foods that a diabetic shouldn’t consume,...

More Articles

If you’re living with diabetes, snacking is a necessity because going for more than 3-4 hours without eating can be detrimental to your health....

For diabetics, choosing healthy snacks can be a daunting task.

A good rule of thumb is to pick out snacks that are rich in protein, fiber,...

According to information available through the National Institutes of Health, there’s an estimated 462 million people in the world who are...

Eleven Clinical Studies

After eleven clinical studies and 300,000 participants, researcher Vasanti Malik and her team of researchers...

Diabetic women often have a harder time losing weight than non-diabetic women. A study funded by Jenny Craig proved that diabetic women have an...

Many recent studies have proved that magnesium levels are lower in patients with diabetes than in non-diabetics. This magnesium...

Fluid retention, also known as edema, is a problem that affects many diabetics, especially those with type 2 diabetes...

Some of us might be thrilled if we could manage our blood sugar by sitting in a hot tub or sauna, instead of working up a sweat biking, or using...

Cooking and baking with the ancient cereal grain sorghum has health benefits for people with diabetes, and those with weight control issues....

When it comes to certain foods, there are always questions as to whether or not a diabetic can have them without...

Matcha tea is a rich, creamy, full-bodied beverage with amazing nutritional properties that address several diabetes health concerns.

The...

Salads are good example of foods that type 2 diabetics can enjoy with relatively low guilt. With the right greens and other elements added, salad...

Remaining gainfully employed is important to many people. Those who live with any form of diabetes may find that some lines of work are more...

Learning that you have diabetes does mean making some lifestyle changes. One of the areas that needs attention is your diet. Most people find that...

One of the more challenging aspects of life as a type 2 diabetic is managing your diet. There’s often the temptation to avoid certain foods...