Is Testosterone Good for the Heart?

In a study, German scientists investigated the effects of testosterone and 5-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) using a model called "ischemia-reperfusion." Think of it like this: first, the blood flow to your heart muscle is cut off (ischemia), and then it is released, causing a rush of blood flow (reperfusion). This process causes significant damage to the heart muscle.

What happens if an animal is given testosterone? Essentially, if anabolic steroids are administered, the rats were able to better recover the damaged muscle. Therefore, at least in this animal model, testosterone helps reduce myocardial damage.

The Importance of Testosterone Dosage

We now have solid evidence that taking testosterone can increase lean body mass and the cross-sectional area of muscle fibers, reduce body fat, and more. Even if you do not exercise, testosterone will still have an anabolic effect. At the University of California, Los Angeles, researchers tested the performance of testosterone. Dr. Tom Storer, a respected exercise physiologist, first published a landmark paper on the anabolic effects of testosterone several years ago, studying the dose-dependent effects of androgens.

In the study, they selected healthy, normal males (18-35 years old) and injected them weekly with 25, 50, 125, 300, or 600 milligrams of testosterone for 20 weeks. Their findings were interesting: the increase in leg strength was dose-dependent. This means that the higher the dose, the greater the strength and efficacy. However, muscle fatigue was not dose-dependent. Clearly, if the cross-sectional area of the muscle increases, strength increases.

Mitochondria (the part of the cell that produces ATP) should improve the fatigue resistance of skeletal muscle. I believe many other factors affect strength and endurance. However, high doses of testosterone will make your muscles bigger and stronger!

IGF-1 Can Promote Nitrogen Retention

When scientists at the University of Minnesota put type 2 diabetic patients on a high-protein diet, they found some very interesting information. The subjects followed a diet consisting of 15% to 30% protein for five weeks. The scientists found no change in their calcium excretion. They also discovered that serum growth hormone and IGF-1 protein levels increased by 30%. This indicates that a high-protein intake leads to greater nitrogen retention. If you consume more protein, even without exercising, your body can still maintain normal nitrogen balance.

Summary

Day after day, people sweat in the gym with cold, hard steel, building muscles that we admire with envy. Yes, to achieve "steel-like abs," you need to put in more effort than the average person. Working hard in the gym is essential, but eating smart is equally important. The next time you catch someone staring at you, take it as a compliment.