Evidence supporting the use of: Cholesterol
For the body system: Testosterone

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 4

Cholesterol plays a fundamental role in the biosynthesis of steroid hormones, including testosterone. Biochemically, cholesterol is the precursor molecule from which all steroid hormones are synthesized. The process begins with cholesterol being converted to pregnenolone in the mitochondria within steroidogenic tissues, such as the testes and adrenal glands. Pregnenolone is then further metabolized through a series of enzymatic steps to produce testosterone and other steroid hormones. This pathway is well-established in endocrinology and biochemistry literature.

Several scientific studies have demonstrated that severely low levels of cholesterol can impair steroid hormone production, including testosterone. For example, individuals with abnormally low cholesterol due to genetic conditions or aggressive cholesterol-lowering therapy may exhibit reduced levels of testosterone. However, in healthy individuals with normal cholesterol levels, dietary cholesterol intake has limited impact on circulating testosterone, as the body tightly regulates cholesterol homeostasis and can synthesize cholesterol de novo as needed.

While cholesterol supplementation is not commonly recommended as a therapy to boost testosterone, the scientific basis for cholesterol’s essential role in testosterone synthesis is strong. The evidence does not suggest that increasing cholesterol intake above normal dietary levels provides additional benefit for testosterone production in healthy individuals. Nevertheless, the connection between cholesterol and testosterone biosynthesis is well-validated in scientific literature.

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Products containing Cholesterol

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