Due to low testosterone levels in the body, many men leave social relationships, don't get married, and find work.
In Japan, an estimated 1,5 million people, mostly young men, are living in complete isolation. The problem has become so serious that the Japanese have a term for it: hikikomori, literally someone who actively withdraws from society. They do not intend to find a job, do not get married, separate themselves from social relationships.
The same is true in the United States, where, according to political economist Nicholas Eberstadt, 7 million men of working age in the country are currently unemployed and have no intention of looking for work. Many people spend most of their time indoors, completely alienated from society. They play video games, watch pornography, and are prone to drug abuse.
The cause of this condition, as scholars at Kyushu University, point out that low testosterone levels play an important role. In fact, testosterone levels in young American men are plummeting and have been going on for years. According to reports, one in four men suffers from a decrease in physiological hormones.
Testosterone is a sex hormone produced in the gonads of men and the ovaries of women. Testosterone plays a role in determining sex drive and sperm production. It also affects mood, bone and muscle mass, how men store fat, and even red blood cell production.
Dr. David Terburg, Kyushu University, who led the study, pointed out that high testosterone levels help people easily get along, better judgment. Conversely, low testosterone levels – also known as hypogonadism – can lead to brain fog, memory, poor concentration, and mental clarity.
Since then, experts have suggested that testosterone is one of the factors promoting antisocial behavior. According to the UK's National Health Service (NHS), low testosterone levels can lead to anxiety, submissive behavior or social avoidance.
In addition, according to the Cleveland Clinic, in people with low testosterone levels, the body often subconsciously mimics the symptoms of depression.
Low testosterone affects men's mood. Image: Freepik
Another study, conducted by Emory University experts last year, identified how testosterone affects the hypothalamus, the part of the brain responsible for making oxytocin (the love hormone). High levels of testosterone cause the brain to produce more oxytocin, making it easier for people to get along and connect socially.
"There is a lot of evidence that testosterone enhances memory and learning," said Mark Spritzer, a behavioral neuroscientist at Middlebury University. He points to several studies showing low testosterone as a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia in older men.
To improve testosterone levels, experts recommend that men reduce carbohydrates in their meals, especially processed foods, and increase their consumption of fat and protein. The standard recommended diet is red meat, fish, chicken, eggs, Greek yogurt, green leafy vegetables, and avocados.
On the other hand, slow and steady intensity training also boosts testosterone. Besides diet and exercise, good sleep is fundamental to testosterone production. Research published in 2011 in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that sleeping less than 5 hours a night can lower testosterone levels by 15%.
Thuc Linh (Follow NY Post)
