Dr. Berg’s Healthy Keto and Intermittent Fasting Podcast

The Forgotten Hormone

Dec 2, 2024

Discover the surprising benefits of progesterone in men, including its role as a precursor to testosterone and its anti-inflammatory properties. Learn how it can enhance brain health, support muscle mass, and even protect against dementia. Cholesterol emerges as the key ingredient in hormone production, while magnesium, zinc, and vitamin B3 are highlighted as critical cofactors for optimal testosterone levels. The conversation dives into how lifestyle choices and stress can impact hormonal balance, offering practical nutritional tips.

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Transcript

Episode notes

INSIGHT

Progesterone's Importance in Men

Progesterone, often associated with women, plays a vital role in men's health, acting as a precursor to testosterone.
It offers benefits like improved brain health, sperm production, muscle maintenance, and prostate health.

ADVICE

Cholesterol Sources

Cholesterol is essential for steroid hormone production, so avoid statins that block it.
Obtain cholesterol from sources like sardines, organ meats, fatty meat, and whole-milk cheese.

ADVICE

Cofactors for Hormone Production

Three cofactors aid conversion from cholesterol to pregnenolone: magnesium, zinc, and vitamin B3.
Consume magnesium-rich foods or supplements, zinc from shellfish or red meat, and B3 from nutritional yeast.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

In this video, we’re going to talk about progesterone in men. Progesterone is a precursor for testosterone and helps maintain healthy testosterone levels. Potential progesterone benefits for men include the following:

•Anti-inflammatory

•Decreases inflammation in the brain

•Increases neurogenesis

•Protects against dementia, Parkinson's, and Alzheimer's

•Anti-depressant effects

•Helps increase the production of sperm

•Helps maintain muscle mass

•Supports the immune system

•Prevents the enlargement of the prostate

•Helps reduce the risk of breast tissue in men

Cholesterol is the raw material for all steroid hormones in the body. Statins block cholesterol and can inhibit your ability to make important hormones, leading to hormonal imbalance. Sardines, organ meats, fatty meat, and whole milk cheese are the best sources of cholesterol.

Cholesterol is turned into pregnenolone, a “happy” hormone that helps increase other hormones. Pregnenolone is the precursor to progesterone.

These 3 cofactors allow you to turn cholesterol into pregnenolone.

1. Magnesium

Many people are deficient in magnesium. Increasing magnesium can often solve low testosterone. Avocados, leafy greens, pumpkin seeds, dark chocolate, or magnesium glycinate supplements are good sources of magnesium.

2. Zinc

Zinc can increase testosterone levels. Shellfish, oysters, and red meat are the best sources of zinc.

3. Vitamin B3

Nutritional yeast supplements are the best source of niacin.

Chronic stress, insulin, and endocrine disruptors can interfere with the biochemical pathways that support healthy hormone balance. Alcohol also decreases testosterone.

Inflammation can negatively affect progesterone in men. Vitamin D can indirectly increase progesterone and testosterone by decreasing inflammation. You need at least 10,000 IU per day! If you have low progesterone or low testosterone, you’ll need around 20,000 IU per day.

If you want to boost testosterone, you need to consume quality protein. Grass-fed red meat is the best source. High-intensity interval training and resistance training stimulate the body to make more testosterone. Avoid overtraining!