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Using Testosterone To Reduce Abdominal Fat |
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Written by By Dan Gwartney, MD
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Friday, 30 January 2009 |
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Page 3 of 8
The potency of testosterone as a fat-reducing agent has never been directly studied, and the exact mechanism(s) behind this effect remains undetermined (it likely involves multiple pathways). It is known that testosterone directly interacts with receptors on and in many different organs that are involved with energy balance (fat mass, appetite, metabolism, etc).3-6 Testosterone interacts with the output of other hormones involved in regulating the metabolism, regulates genes and enzymes involved in fatty acid oxidation (calorie burning) and may increase motor activity (movement).7-11 Testosterone also prohibits the formation of new fat cells at the level of the stem cell, promoting muscle cell development in its place.10
Several studies have reported on the fat-reducing effect of testosterone, including a recent multicenter study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.12 This study looked at the effect of testosterone therapy (10 grams of 1 percent testosterone gel supplying approximately 10mg of systemic testosterone daily) on whole body and abdominal fat mass in HIV-positive men with abdominal obesity. HIV-positive men were used as the subjects because they often suffer fat gain as a result of certain drug treatments, and the use of testosterone to maintain lean mass in HIV-positive subjects is generally accepted by the medical community and the HIV-positive population; HIV is the virus that can induce AIDS.
The subjects of this study were divided into two groups, one of which received testosterone gel; the other was given a placebo gel that contained no testosterone— both groups used the respective gels for 24 weeks. The subjects were told not to change their diet or exercise, and only men who were not receiving other hormonal support were included in the study. Measurements of body fat, as well as specific regions (trunk, arms, legs, etc.) were taken before and after treatment. At the end of the first 24 weeks, all subjects were offered the opportunity to use the testosterone gel for an additional 24 weeks; most accepted.
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Research and Review 
