Low-fat high-fiber diet decreased serum and urine androgens in men.
To validate our hypothesis that reduction in dietary fat may result in changes in androgen metabolism, 39 middle-aged, white, healthy men (50-60 yr of age) were studied while they were consuming their usual high-fat, low-fiber diet and after 8 wk modulation to an isocaloric low-fat, high-fiber diet. Mean body weight decreased by 1 kg, whereas total caloric intake, energy expenditure, and activity index were not changed. After diet modulation, mean serum testosterone (T) concentration fell (P < 0.0001), accompanied by small but significant decreases in serum free T (P = 0.0045), 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (P = 0.0053), and adrenal androgens (androstendione, P = 0.0135; dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, P = 0.0011). Serum estradiol and SHBG showed smaller decreases. Parallel decreases in urinary excretion of some testicular and adrenal androgens were demonstrated. Metabolic clearance rates of T were not changed, and production rates for T showed a downward trend while on low-fat diet modulation. We conclude that reduction in dietary fat intake (and increase in fiber) results in 12% consistent lowering of circulating androgen levels without changing the clearance.
Wang
Christina
C
Department of Medicine and Pediatrics and the General Clinical Research Center, Harbor-University of California at Los Angeles Medical Center and Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute, Torrance, California 90509, USA. wang@labiomed.org
Catlin
Don H
DH
Starcevic
Borislav
B
Heber
David
D
Ambler
Christie
C
Berman
Nancy
N
Lucas
Geraldine
G
Leung
Andrew
A
Schramm
Kathy
K
Lee
Paul W N
PW
Hull
Laura
L
Swerdloff
Ronald S
RS
D000728:Androgens / Q000097:blood* / Q000652:urine*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D018752:Diet, Fat-Restricted; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012016:Reference Values
D000728:Androgens; D004043:Dietary Fiber