Testosterone is the king of anabolic hormones, so don’t expect added size or reductions in body fat without increases in testosterone. Cholesterol is a precursor for testosterone, so increasing cholesterol production may promote more conversion into testosterone. In addition to cholesterol, the type and amount of fat consumed regulate testosterone production.
Reducing dietary fat from less than 30% calories from fat to a low-fat diet of less than 15% calories from fat (25–30 grams of fat per day) significantly reduced total and free testosterone levels and adrenal androgens (androstenedione) in men. It has been reported that when men consumed isocaloric diets (i.e., diets containing the same amount of calories) from low-fat diets from vegetarian sources (~25% kcals from fat) the diet resulted in significant decreases in testosterone and the nocturnal release of testosterone, compared with men receiving moderate-fat diets (~40% kcals from fat).
A new study published in the Journal of Natural Product Communication reported that argan oil might be the new king of testosterone-producing foods. Researchers assessed the efect of virgin argan oil (VAO) and extra virgin olive oil (EVO) on the hormonal profile of androgens and body- composition parameters among healthy adult Moroccan men. The study was carried out on 60 young and healthy male volunteers aged 23–40. The group was randomized into two categories, the first one consuming VAO and the second EVO for three weeks. Testosterone (T), luteinizing hormone (LH), and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) serum concentrations were measured at the beginning of the study and at the end of each period. At the end of the study, T and LH serum concentrations significantly increased after the intervention period. T levels increased by 19.9% for VAO and 17.4% for EVO, and LH levels by 18.5% for VAO and 42.6% for EVO. Other parameters such as DHEAS serum concentrations, body weight, and body-mass index didn’t show any change with either argan or olive oils. Virgin argan oil is characterized by high levels of linoleic and oleic acids, tocopherols (especially tocopherol), and minor compounds such as sterols, carotenoids, and squalene. The total antioxidant capacity of virgin argan oil is higher than that of other vegetable oils. Consuming virgin argan oil may be the next big thing for bodybuilding.
