#769 - Dr Shanna Swan - Why Are Men’s Testosterone Levels Plummeting?
Apr 11, 2024
01:26:17
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Dr. Shanna Swan discusses the impact of harmful chemicals on testosterone levels, fertility rates, and sperm count. Topics include the importance of testosterone, male fertility rates, chemicals affecting reproductive health, tips to increase sperm count, and ways to limit exposure to harmful substances.
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Quick takeaways
Testosterone levels among men are declining, impacting factors like libido, masculinity, and overall health.
Global trends show a consistent decline in sperm counts, with potential geographical variations in trends.
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals like phthalates and BPA can adversely affect male offspring's reproductive development through prenatal exposure.
Deep dives
Testosterone Trends and Decline
Research indicates a concerning decline in testosterone levels among men, with studies showing a decrease over time. While testosterone supplementation is increasingly used, especially by young men, indicating potential issues with low testosterone, there are signals suggesting a decline. The importance of testosterone spans from fetal development to adulthood, impacting factors like libido, masculinity, and overall health.
Male Fertility and Sperm Count
Sperm count decline has been a growing concern, with global trends showing a consistent decrease year by year. Extensive research, utilizing meta-analysis techniques, reveals a significant decline in sperm counts worldwide, with an accelerating pattern post-2000. Denmark appears to have a more stabilized decline compared to other regions, suggesting potential geographical variations in sperm count trends.
Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals
The impact of endocrine-disrupting chemicals on reproductive health is significant. Chemicals like phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA) found in various products such as plastics and skincare items can disrupt hormone systems. Studies have shown that prenatal exposure to these chemicals, especially in pregnant women, can lead to adverse effects on male offspring's reproductive development, known as the phthalate syndrome. Understanding the sources and pathways of these chemicals, primarily through food ingestion, inhalation, and skin exposure, is crucial in mitigating their detrimental effects on human health.
Plastic use in food storage and its impact on health
The podcast discusses the dangers of plastic use in food storage. It highlights how endocrine-disrupting chemicals from plastics can leak into food and be absorbed by our bodies. Suggestions include avoiding microwaving food in plastic and opting for glass or silicone containers for storage. The podcast also emphasizes the importance of choosing unpackaged produce, like lettuce, at supermarkets to reduce exposure to harmful chemicals.
Link between chemicals and behavior development
The podcast explores the link between exposure to chemicals and behavior development, especially in children. It discusses how phthalate levels may influence language development in females. Additionally, it delves into a study on play behavior, indicating that phthalate exposure in boys may impact their typical male behaviors. The conversation highlights the potential effects of chemical exposure during pregnancy on brain masculinization and gender identity.
Dr. Shanna Swan is a Professor at the Icahn School of Medicine, an environmental and reproductive epidemiologist and an author.
Many of us have heard about about harmful chemicals in plastics, food and water that can mess with our hormones. But just how much truth is in this? How much of our health is disrupted by our modern environment?
Expect to learn what is happening to male and female reproductive health, how important testosterone is for everyone, the problems with male fertility rates and sperm count, the chemicals that are most impacting reproductive health, what men can do to improve and increase their sperm count, how to limit your exposure to bad chemicals and much more...