{"version":"https://jsonfeed.org/version/1.1","title":"Stephen Ajulu","home_page_url":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/","feed_url":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/tags/pandemic/feed.json","description":"Hello, I'm Stephen Ajulu, a seasoned multidisciplinary tech professional with over a decade of experience. I build impactful solutions using design, tech, and engineering in the pursuit of impact.","icon":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/images/me.jpg","authors":[{"name":"Stephen Ajulu","url":"https://stephenajulu.com","avatar":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/images/me.jpg"}],"items":[{"id":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/posts/the-testosterone-pandemic/","url":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/posts/the-testosterone-pandemic/","title":"The Testosterone Pandemic","summary":"Testosterone has been dropping each year by 1% since 1950.\nMen are becoming less manly, not only in behavior and appearance but also in their biological makeup.\nIn men, testosterone helps maintain and develop:\nSexual features Muscle mass Adequate levels of red blood cells Bone density Sense of well-being Sexual and reproductive function Peak mental function(memory, problem-solving and critical thinking) Signs, Symptoms, and Effects of Low Testosterone Signs and Symptoms of Low Testosterone Low sex drive Erectile dysfunction(difficulty achieving and maintaining an erection) Decreased sense of well-being Depressed mood and suicidal thoughts Difficulties with concentration and memory Fatigue Moodiness and irritability Loss of muscular strength A decrease in hemoglobin and mild anemia A decrease in body hair and hair loss Thinning of the bones (osteoporosis) Increased body fat Breast development (gynecomastia) Infertility A decrease in critical thinking and problem-solving Docile behavior Smaller penis and testicles Sleep disturbances and even sleep apnea Low ambition and desire to succeed Weakness How To Increase Testosterone And Get Your Life Back Food Avoid processed, prepackaged, and non-organic foods as they lack necessary micronutrients and often contain a plethora of harmful chemicals that severely inhibit testosterone production.\n","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eTestosterone has been dropping each year by 1% since 1950.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMen are becoming less manly, not only in behavior and appearance but also in their biological makeup.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn men, testosterone helps maintain and develop:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSexual features\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMuscle mass\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdequate levels of red blood cells\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBone density\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSense of well-being\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSexual and reproductive function\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePeak mental function(memory, problem-solving and critical thinking)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"signs-symptoms-and-effects-of-low-testosterone\"\u003eSigns, Symptoms, and Effects of Low Testosterone\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"signs-and-symptoms-of-low-testosterone\"\u003eSigns and Symptoms of Low Testosterone\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLow sex drive\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eErectile dysfunction(difficulty achieving and maintaining an erection)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDecreased sense of well-being\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDepressed mood and suicidal thoughts\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDifficulties with concentration and memory\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFatigue\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMoodiness and irritability\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLoss of muscular strength\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA decrease in hemoglobin and mild anemia\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA decrease in body hair and hair loss\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThinning of the bones (osteoporosis)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIncreased body fat\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBreast development (gynecomastia)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInfertility\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA decrease in critical thinking and problem-solving\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDocile behavior\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSmaller penis and testicles\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSleep disturbances and even sleep apnea\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLow ambition and desire to succeed\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeakness\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"how-to-increase-testosterone-and-get-your-life-back\"\u003eHow To Increase Testosterone And Get Your Life Back\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"food\"\u003eFood\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvoid processed, prepackaged, and non-organic foods as they lack necessary micronutrients and often contain a plethora of harmful chemicals that severely inhibit testosterone production.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInstead, opt for healthier and organic foods i.e eggs, fish, fatty beef, cruciferous vegetables, pomegranate, shellfish, and oysters. Increase intake of Vitamin D(sun), Vitamin C, and Magnesium as these can help reverse the detrimental decrease of testosterone in men.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlso, note that testosterone production decreases significantly after eating. Hence constant snacking is bad for testosterone.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eObesity leads to low testosterone as fat cells metabolize testosterone into estrogen. Obese men also have low levels of SHGB(Sex Hormone Binding Globin) which is a compound responsible for transporting testosterone in the bloodstream.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"sleep\"\u003eSleep\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSeveral studies continue to show that good regular sleep of 8 hours can increase testosterone production by almost 60% in men especially if done in routine(same times). Human Growth Hormone has also been shown to increase during good REM sleep which also helps boost testosterone.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"plasticsmicroplastics-found-in-food\"\u003ePlastics(+microplastics found in food)\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlastics often contain xenoestrogens. Xenoestrogens are everywhere, they can be found in food coloring, furniture, industrial products, plastic tubing, clothing, and personal grooming products(more on this can be found here: \u003ca href=\"https://stephenajulu.com/blog/endocrine-hormonal-disruptors-in-grooming-products-and-cosmetics/\"\u003eEndocrine(Hormonal) Disruptors in Grooming Products and Cosmetics\u003c/a\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe list is endless.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eXenoestrogens work by mimicking estrogen in the body of males similar to how your body is producing more estrogen than necessary. When more estrogen is produced and found in your body, your brain shuts down testosterone production and halts spermatogenesis(the art at which the male body creates sperms).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis not only decreases testosterone but also causes inflammation of the muscles and joints. These xenoestrogens together with the estrogen your body produces also cause you to gain fat further promoting the vicious cycle with no end.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe sad truth is estrogen is replacing testosterone in many men and the effects are dire!\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut they don\u0026rsquo;t have to.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou can choose to negate these effects by drinking out of metal and glass containers.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou can also avoid overly processed foods, plastic-wrapped foods, unhealthy soaps, unhealthy cooking oils(see more here: \u003ca href=\"https://stephenajulu.com/blog/why-i-advocate-for-saturated-fats-over-vegetable-oils/\"\u003eWhy I Advocate For Saturated Fats Over Vegetable Oils(Updated)\u003c/a\u003e), and cosmetics.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTry \u003ca href=\"https://drsquatch.com/\"\u003eDR. SQUATCH\u003c/a\u003e soap\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs said previously, xenoestrogens are everywhere and can cause your libido to plummet, causes birth defects in children, and screws up your overall health.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA recent study showed that we consume the equivalent of one credit card worth of plastic every week! Shocking isn\u0026rsquo;t it?\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo if you can AVOID THEM!\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"exercise-and-fitness\"\u003eExercise and Fitness\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMen were made to hunt, gather, and be constantly active.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInstead, lots of men can be seen spending time at a desk docile and then going home only to sit on a couch.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe were not created to eat, sleep, sit, and text. We were created for more.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn the bright side, exercise is not hard to start. It can simply be a walk and if you are like me, it can be lifting heavy shit or spending hours at the gym lifting weights.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLifting weights has been shown to especially boost testosterone in men by almost 25%.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThough too much cardio can have the opposite effect by actually reducing testosterone. Sprinting however is a good choice as this boosts testosterone.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"sex-and-pornography\"\u003eSex and Pornography\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePornography and masturbation have been shown to decrease testosterone.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to 2 studies, people who stopped masturbating for a week saw a 150% increase in testosterone. So, yea NOFAP works!\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrequent masturbation nulls/dulls androgen receptors in the brain responsible for helping your body use testosterone.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn fact, frequent masturbation enhances estrogen receptors, according to a different study. So keep your hands off yourself!\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou\u0026rsquo;ll love this: In a different study, normal sex between a male and a female has been shown to increase testosterone production in men. So keep it up.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMen are becoming weaker and are told being masculine is \u0026ldquo;toxic\u0026rdquo; when on the contrary men are supposed to lead, guide, protect and stand up for what is right. Sadly these men are now rare and hard to find.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMen are nowadays encouraged to bend over to the government, to mandates, to bosses that make them do things that aren\u0026rsquo;t right, aren\u0026rsquo;t what they believe in, or don\u0026rsquo;t want to do.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo stand up for yourself KING.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd if you feel you can\u0026rsquo;t then maybe it\u0026rsquo;s time you start following the things written above and look into ways you can increase your testosterone.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHave a nice one!\u003c/p\u003e\n","date_published":"2022-08-16T21:32:00+03:00","image":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/images/800px-gigachad.png","tags":["testosterone","androgen","pandemic","men","endocrine","endocrinology"]}]}