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Diet and sex hormone-binding globulin.
C Longcope1, H A Feldman, J B McKinlay
1University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester 01655, USA.
The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
|January 14, 2000
Summary
Older men with lower protein intake have higher sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels. This may decrease testosterone
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Nutritional Science
- Andrology
Background:
- Serum sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels correlate inversely with body weight.
- Animal studies suggest an inverse relationship between protein intake and SHBG.
- SHBG influences the biological activity of testosterone and estradiol.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of dietary protein intake on SHBG levels in men.
- To determine the relationship between various dietary components and SHBG concentrations.
- To understand the role of diet in modulating sex hormone bioavailability.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional analysis of data from the Massachusetts Male Aging Study.
- Inclusion of 1552 men aged 40-70 years with known dietary information.
- Multiple regression analysis controlling for age, sex hormones, and other dietary factors.
Main Results:
- Age, body mass index (BMI), and fiber intake were positively correlated with SHBG.
- Protein intake and BMI were negatively correlated with SHBG levels.
- Caloric, fat, and carbohydrate intake showed no significant relationship with SHBG.
Conclusions:
- Age and BMI are primary determinants of SHBG in older men.
- Dietary protein and fiber intake significantly influence SHBG levels.
- Low protein diets in elderly men may reduce bioavailable testosterone, impacting sexual function, muscle mass, and bone density.