5 Fish Oil Benefits For Men: Does It Increase Testosterone? – Introduction
Men and women have long used fish oil as a health supplement, citing many health advantages. Yet, in the intervening decades, focus has remained on the specific health effects that might ensue for men when men took fish oil supplements. Perhaps the most debated point is whether fish oil boosts testosterone in men. Testosterone is the male hormone responsible for the functions of masculinity, like muscle mass, bone density, and sexual desire. In this article, we’ll see what fish oil can do for men, particularly if it helps boost testosterone.
1. Promotes Heart Health
The most popular benefit of fish oil is its cardiovascular impact. There is evidence that fish oil lowers triglycerides, blood pressure, and keeps the blood from clotting. Such factors are essential to a well-functioning cardiovascular system which is crucial for men’s overall health. Moreover, fish oil has been found to lower the risk of heart disease and stroke, which both occur more frequently in men than women.
2. Supports Brain Function
Fish oil contains omega-3 fatty acids that aid brain function. DHA in particular is one of the structural fats in the brain, and has been found to improve cognitive functions such as memory and attention.
According to a 2014 study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, eating more DHA-rich fish was associated with higher cognitive function in middle-aged and older adults. Similarly, according to a paper in the Journal of Nutrition, Health, and Aging, taking fish oil was good for cognitive function in the elderly with mild cognitive decline.
Fish oil can protect the brain in addition to supporting cognitive function. In a 2013 paper in the Journal of Lipid Research, DHA supplements decreased beta-amyloid plaques, the hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease.
3. Reduces Inflammation
Fish oil is known for its anti-inflammatory effects, which can help men. Chronic inflammation has been connected to numerous health issues, including heart disease, cancer, and autoimmune conditions. The omega-3 fats found in fish oil can reduce inflammation by reducing the generation of pro-inflammatory cytokines. In a study in the journal Circulation, researchers found that fish oil-eating men exhibited decreased levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker for inflammation. This indicates that fish oil could be a great option for men who want to minimize inflammation.
4. Improves Muscle Mass and Strength
Maybe one of the most intriguing potential advantages of fish oil in men is its effects on testosterone. Testosterone is the dominant male sex hormone that drives masculine traits, including muscle mass, bone strength and sexual attraction. It’s normal for men to lose testosterone as they grow older and can lead to all sorts of health problems like muscle loss, low energy, and mood swings.
While further studies are needed on this issue, some have speculated that it could work to increase testosterone in men. In a paper in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, supplementing men with fish oil resulted in greater testosterone levels than those not supplementing. Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil suppress inflammation and enhance insulin sensitivity, likely causing testosterone to be produced at high levels.
Not only does fish oil have the potential to influence testosterone, it also appears to increase male muscle mass and strength. Indeed, the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that male responders who took fish oil after performing resistance exercise had more muscle mass and strength than those who did not. The researchers argued that the omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil could reduce muscle inflammation and boost muscle protein production, increasing muscle mass and strength.
Researchers working for the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition reported that supplementation with fish oil led to improved muscle function and a sense of reduced muscle soreness following workouts. From these findings it is envisioned that fish oil could be one of the most significant supplements to consider if you want to gain muscle and strength at the same time as working out so as to minimize muscle soreness, and simultaneously increase the post-exercise recovery time.
What’s more, if promising, the promise of fish oil for men must be surrounded by more studies. While this is the case, it’s always best to always talk to a physician before embarking on any supplement regime.
5. Does Fish Oil Increase Testosterone?
Testosterone is the dominant male sex hormone, and it regulates masculine traits like muscle, bone density, and sex drive. There are studies that have concluded that fish oil can increase testosterone levels, but the data is far from conclusive.
According to a paper in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, healthy men who took 6 grams of fish oil a day for eight weeks increased testosterone levels significantly more than their peers taking a placebo. Yet, no other research has matched this finding.
A potential explanation for the study gap involves the amount and duration of fish oil taken. Perhaps larger amounts or more time may be required for the fish oil to take hold and affect testosterone levels in a meaningful way. Further studies are required to determine the appropriate dosage and time to take fish oil to increase testosterone in men.
Conclusion: 5 Fish Oil Benefits For Men: Does It Increase Testosterone?
Simply put, fish oil will do men an immense amount of good: improving heart health and brain health, fighting inflammation, and building muscle mass and strength. Some research also indicates a correlation between taking fish oil and having high testosterone, but more research is required to confirm the connection between taking fish oil and having high testosterone. Nonetheless, fish oil is still among the best supplements men can take to keep their overall health and well-being. Only the doctors should be taken into consideration by anyone thinking about consuming fish oil.
