The Role of Non-Aromatizable Testosterone Metabolite in Metabolic Pathways
April 2011
in “
Physiological Research
”
TLDR Normal levels of DHT can reduce belly fat and increase muscle, but too much can lead to hair loss, prostate issues, and possibly heart disease.
The 2011 review examines dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a potent androgen, and its impact on metabolic pathways, body composition, and cardiovascular disease risk. It notes that physiological levels of DHT can reduce abdominal fat and increase muscle mass, but excessive levels are linked to conditions like androgenic alopecia and benign prostatic hyperplasia, which may increase the risk of metabolic syndrome and atherosclerosis. The review also discusses how DHT metabolism is altered in obese individuals, potentially contributing to metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. It mentions that men with conditions preventing DHT production do not experience baldness or prostate enlargement, and that treatments like finasteride, which inhibit DHT production, are effective for androgenetic alopecia. The document suggests that both low and high levels of DHT can negatively affect adipose tissue and that maintaining DHT within a physiological range is beneficial for body composition and cardiovascular health. However, it also points out that some studies have limitations, such as small sample sizes, which may impact the validity of their conclusions.
