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Does testosterone burn calories?

Testosterone helps maintain muscle mass, increase the number of calories you burn and may keep you motivated to stay physically active — all of which are associated with a lower risk of weight gain and obesity.

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The term “testosterone supplement” can refer to three things: illicit anabolic steroids, testosterone replacement therapy and testosterone boosters.

Illicit Anabolic Steroids

Synthetic steroids related to testosterone are collectively known as anabolic steroids. The term may also refer to testosterone itself. Some bodybuilders misuse anabolic steroids to increase testosterone beyond normal levels and boost muscle growth. Yet abusing anabolic steroids is illegal in many countries, including the US ( 14 ). Healthy men with normal testosterone levels should not take anabolic steroids in any form, since long-term misuse can cause adverse side effects. These include sexual dysfunction, aggressive behavior, liver problems and heart disease ( 15 , 16 , 17 ). Some researchers have pointed out that not all of these side effects apply to testosterone itself but rather to its synthetic derivatives. In fact, testosterone plays a valid role in the treatment of some medical conditions ( 18 ). For instance, it is legally prescribed to normalize testosterone levels in deficient men, a treatment known as testosterone replacement therapy ( 19 ). While valid testosterone replacement therapy may promote weight loss in obese men, anabolic steroid misuse is not a recommended weight loss strategy. Excessive muscle mass may be difficult to maintain in the long term and unused muscles tend to turn into fat over time. Summary: Some bodybuilders misuse testosterone or related synthetic forms. Long-term misuse may lead to serious health problems.

Testosterone Replacement Therapy

This hormone is often legally prescribed to treat testosterone deficiency (hypogonadism) or other medical conditions. The treatment is known as testosterone replacement therapy and is performed under medical supervision. It can be administered as a supplement, skin patch, cream or injection. There is some evidence that replacement therapy can lead to weight loss in obese patients with testosterone deficiency ( 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 ). One 56-week study in 100 obese men on a reduced-calorie diet found that injections improved weight loss by 6.4 pounds (2.9 kg) compared to those who didn’t receive any treatment. While both groups lost muscle mass as well as fat mass on a low-calorie diet, testosterone caused significant muscle regain during the weight maintenance period ( 24 ). It leads to weight loss by promoting muscle growth, which in turn increases the number of calories burned. It may also reduce fatigue, enhance motivation and promote greater physical activity. All of these factors play a major role in weight loss ( 8 , 25 ). Keep in mind that these studies examined the effects of replacement therapy in deficient men under medical supervision. There is no evidence that replacement therapy causes weight loss in healthy men with normal testosterone levels.

Summary: Testosterone replacement therapy promotes weight loss in obese, testosterone-deficient men.

Testosterone Boosters

Also known as “natural testosterone supplements,” testosterone boosters increase the natural production of this hormone within your body.

These supplements do not contain any testosterone and are usually plant-based.

Some boosters, such as ashwagandha, D-aspartic acid and fenugreek seed extract, may raise testosterone levels and improve muscle growth in men who have low levels, although the evidence is inconsistent ( 26 , 27 , 28 ). However, many of the health claims associated with boosters are not supported by science. For instance, Tribulus terrestris, a supplement commonly sold as a booster, does not appear to raise levels ( 29 ). Currently, no studies have shown significant weight loss with testosterone boosters, although some tend to reduce fat mass. Summary: Testosterone boosters enhance the natural production of testosterone within the body. Studies suggest that certain boosters may benefit men who are deficient.

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Does fasting reduce visceral fat?

During fasting, fat tissue provides energy to the rest of the body by releasing fatty acid molecules. However, the researchers found visceral fat became resistant to this release of fatty acids during fasting.

In a mouse study, Australian researchers have mapped out what happens behind the scenes in fat tissue during intermittent fasting, showing that it triggers a cascade of dramatic changes, depending on the type of fat deposits and where they are located around the body. Using state-of-the-art instruments, University of Sydney researchers discovered that fat around the stomach, which can accumulate into a ‘protruding tummy’ in humans, was found to go into ‘preservation mode’, adapting over time and becoming more resistant to weight loss.

The findings are published today in Cell Reports.

A research team led by Dr Mark Larance examined fat tissue types from different locations to understand their role during every-other-day fasting, where no food was consumed on alternate days. The fat types where changes were found included visceral “belly” fat, which is fat tissue surrounding our organs including the stomach, and subcutaneous fat, which lies just under the skin and is associated with better metabolic health. “While most people would think that all fat tissue is the same, in fact, the location makes a big difference,” said senior author Dr Larance from the Charles Perkins Centre and School of Life and Environmental Sciences at the University of Sydney. “Our data show both visceral and subcutaneous fat undergo dramatic changes during intermittent fasting,” said Dr Larance, who is also a Cancer Institute of NSW Future Research Fellow.

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