Definition: "An ergogenic aid is any substance or phenomenon that enhances performance "
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12.12.2019 |
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The disappearance of fruit and vegetables from our diet lowers men's testosterone levels
Study
Results
The researchers gave the mice injections with LH and GnRH. These hormones boosted the testosterone level of the mice, but the effect of these hormones was stronger in mice that had received sufficient potassium. Potassium deficiency apparently makes the testes less responsive to LH.
The researchers looked in the pituitary gland at the amount of cells that produced LH. Those cells were larger - and contained more LH - if the animals had consumed enough potassium. Potassium deficiency apparently also disrupts the production of hormones in the brain that must determine how much testosterone the testes should produce.
Conclusion
Although you cannot always extrapolate the results of animal studies to people, the Spanish study may well be relevant to people. Potassium intake in developed countries is relatively low. According to American scientists, the optimum intake of potassium is 4700 milligrams per day. An epidemiological study from 2012 showed that only 2 percent of American adults actually consume this amount. [Am J Clin Nutr. 2012;96(3):647-57.]
Good sources of potassium are beetroot, soy, potatoes, sweet potatoes, avocado, salmon and spinach.
Source:
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