Best Shape Ever, Lowest T Ever

Introduction

What occurs to your hormones when you achieve stage - lean or Instagram - worthy ripped physique? The answer is far from positive. This article will explore how to prevent this hormonal decline.

Bodybuilders and physique athletes are in a unique position as their competitions are judged solely on appearance. To quote coach Christian Thibaudeau's sentiment, by the time an athlete steps onto the stage, they present their most aesthetically pleasing selves but are simultaneously in the unhealthiest state of their lives.

The combination of rigorous dieting, intense training, and stress exacts a heavy toll on the body, particularly on hormones. Let's delve into what scientific studies reveal and how to mitigate the damage.

Hormonal Chaos

Based on several studies involving competitive physique athletes, here's a breakdown of the hormonal changes during contest preparation (or for individuals following an extremely strict diet paired with intense exercise):

• Total Testosterone: In male physique athletes, as they approach stage - ready leanness, total testosterone (T) levels can plummet by 30 - 50%. For instance, research has documented a reduction from normal baseline values (500 - 700 ng/dL) to levels nearer to 200 - 300 ng/dL during the peak of contest preparation.

• Free Testosterone: This is the biologically active form of testosterone. Free testosterone levels can decline by 50% or more, intensifying the consequences of low total T. This decrease is associated with an elevation in sex hormone - binding globulin (SHBG), which binds to testosterone, reducing its bioavailability.

• Cortisol and SHBG: Due to the cumulative stress of contest dieting and arduous training, cortisol levels can increase significantly. Elevated cortisol further inhibits testosterone production, and SHBG levels may rise by 20 - 40%.

Typically, hormone levels revert to baseline after a competition, yet this process can span weeks or even months. In females, T3 and testosterone can take up to four months to recover. Evidently, numerous physique competitors engage in consecutive shows, further disrupting their hormonal balance.

Why Does This Happen?

• Energy Conservation: Your body perceives extreme calorie restriction and very low body fat as a survival emergency, and in response, it reduces T levels. Reduced energy availability affects the hypothalamic - pituitary - gonadal (HPG) axis, which is responsible for regulating testosterone production.

• Increased Cortisol and Stress: When training and psychological stress are added to a diet, especially a very low - carb diet, cortisol levels spike. High cortisol levels lead to a decrease in testosterone.

What To Do About It

Many researchers contend that even the use of anabolic steroids fails to completely avert these hormonal problems. The body's survival mechanisms can still supersede the effects of steroids. For example, while total T may be elevated, free, unbound T can be low due to SHBG.

Practically speaking, individuals could adopt a slower dieting approach and perhaps avoid the overly strict final few weeks. Training can also be adjusted: reducing volume and intensity in the final weeks, as muscle gain is unlikely during this period.

In terms of supplementation, Longjack (also known as Eurycoma or Tongkat Ali) can increase free testosterone levels by regulating and reducing SHBG production. Longjack also decreases cortisol levels (assisting the body in managing stress) and enhances androgen receptor sensitivity, improving the efficacy of available testosterone and countering suppression.

During contest preparation, weight - cutting for a sport, or any strict fat - loss phase, take 300 mg of Longjack daily. Ensure to use only the LJ100 form with a self - emulsifying delivery matrix to guarantee bioavailability. Biotest Omega - Man High Absorption Longjack (available for purchase on Amazon) meets these criteria perfectly.