How Leaky Gut Lowers Testosterone Levels
Q&A: I've had symptoms of pounding heart, fatigue and low testosterone for about a year after a strong course of antibiotics.
After a parasite test, we detected Blasto and managed to successfully treat it. My fatigue has stopped which is a huge relief however low testosterone and constant pounding heart remains. Would appreciate any further insight you may have on how leaky gut lowers testosterone levels and how it leads to the pounding heart symptoms.
Kyle, Queensland Australia
2 major ways Leaky Gut lowers Testosterone
ANSWER: There are at least 2 ways your hormones are disrupted by a Leaky Gut. For one thing, the gut houses trillions of microbiota many of which manufacture the majority of your body's neurotransmitters and hormones like dopamine, seratonin and others.
Not in the brain, but right in the gut.
The gut's been called the "second brain" for this major role in manufacturing proper levels of hormones and neurotransmitters to keep you healthy and happy. When the gut is leaky, this supply chain gets interrupted and even hijacked by opportunistic candida yeast and fungus, so less of what you need to feel like the man you really are, is being produced.
Ethanol from Yeast/Fungus alters Neurotransmitters & Hormones
The second way Leaky Gut (and it's yeast/fungal overgrowth) messes with your hormones is by producing high levels of ethanol in the blood. This ethanol wreaks havoc with your hormone levels, chemically altering them so that dopamine is no longer dopamine, and testosterone turns into estrogen. To learn exactly how, check out the following studies:
4 ways alcohol lowers Testosterone levels and elevates Estrogen
- The metabolism of ethanol lowers the amount of the coenzyme NAD+(nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) inside the liver and testes. NAD+ is essential part of the electron donoring process needed in the production of testosterone and various other androgens..
- Alcohol stimulates the brain to release beta-opioid endorphins, which is why a person gets really relaxed after a few beers, OR after feeding overgrown candida a high carb meal. Sadly those endorphins are also notorious for their negative effect on testosterone synthesis.
- Alcohol consumption causes oxidative damage in the testicular leydig cells and various other bodily tissues, which leads to local reduction of testosterone inside the testes, and also to the destruction of some testosterone molecules already in circulation, due to the effects of the stress hormone: cortisol.
- Chronically high alcohol consumption (or internal production) can significantly increase estrogen levels. This is due to the fact that alcohol boosts the activity of the aromatase enzyme, which works by converting the male sex hormone: testosterone, into the female sex hormone: estrogen.
Minding the balance
By tending to your microbial garden, weeding out the alcohol producing invasive species, then reintroducing a diverse and robust population of friendly organisms (and eating supportive prebiotic plant fibers to help them thrive), you can regain your delicate hormone balance for healthy sleep, cognition, reproduction, and the general feelings of wellbeing your body is capable of providing.
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Non-alcoholic Alcoholism
Keep in mind that anything alcohol can do to mess with your body (ie. increase risk of stroke, cancer, diabetes, depression, anxiety, impaired cognition, and more) will likely be present in a body with leaky gut... even if you never touch a glass of alcoholic beverage to your lips.
To all of you men out there, here's to your success at reclaiming your rightful levels of testosterone and feeling like your best self again.
Hormone happiness awaits.
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Hi, I'm Jonell Francis, an expert in Leaky Gut Syndrome, a nerd when it comes to the science of feeling fabulous, and obsessed with guiding women (and those they love) back to vibrant health. As a mom of many, I’m known for driving tight corners, burning through blenders and overfilling the washing machine.
But as a mentor, I have a deep understanding of how to heal the gut quickly. I’ll teach you to lean into your own intuition, trust your gut and embrace crazy beautiful life however it shows up. Best of all, I'll show you my secrets for keeping your family well, all through the year."
Trust me with your health … but not your home appliances!