ASK-THE-EXPERT
Question:
Does eating soy products on a daily basis adversely affect testosterone
levels? Does eating a low-carb, high-protein diet affect testosterone levels?
Are there foods that should be avoided or consumed by a person with low
testosterone levels?
Answer:
Ordinary amounts of soy products would not be likely to affect male hormone
levels adversely. Soy products contain some phytoestrogens, plant products
that mimic estrogens in their effect. Eating a huge amount of soy could
theoretically lower male hormone levels, but I believe that other
estrogen-like effects would come first -- and this is also very unlikely.
A low-carbohydrate diet by itself should not affect male hormone levels.
An extremely low caloric intake could theoretically have an impact. But
again, I would not put this in the category of real concern.
I do not think that any foods need to be consumed or avoided if one has
low testosterone levels. If the levels are extremely low, excellent treatment
is available.