Obesity
Obesity is one of the most common causes of low testosterone. In addition, it can lead to a condition called “metabolic syndrome,” characterized by high blood pressure, excess body fat around the waist, and abnormal cholesterol levels. This combination is associated with heart disease, diabetes, and at least two types of cancer.
Testosterone levels tend to decline naturally as men age; however, obesity can accelerate this process by increasing the amount of aromatase in the body (the enzyme that converts testosterone into estrogen). In addition, research has shown that obese men have higher aromatase activity than lean men, negatively impacting their hormone balance even more than being overweight.
