What John Gray says about testosterone

According to John Gray, world famous author Men are from Mars, women are from Venus:

  • The average American man has low levels of testosterone.

  • The average married man has low testosterone levels.

  • A man needs 30 times more testosterone than a woman.

  • Talking excessively increases estrogen.

  • Guys who have more time to themselves tend to have more testosterone.

Gray explained the need for men to work alone or “retreat to their caves” to restore their natural testosterone levels. This can be dirty and dangerous work, watching sports, doing car maintenance, or exercising. Guys need their time away from women, period. Gray describes the men’s actions as rubber bands. They run away, then they come back, they go away and they come back. It is nothing vindictive, but rather a natural behavior.

Women may think this is strange behavior. But you better pay attention, as not only has boy-girl behavior lowered testosterone, but the entire American lifestyle is depleting the male drive.

I have observed both in the workplace and in the media, a definite drop in North American male testosterone. It’s more than evident in the dizzying examples of:

  1. Depression. There is a significant increase in lack of sexual desire and poor concentration in men. In recent years, five of the funerals I have attended were for suicide men, mostly soldiers and a firefighter. All for high testosterone jobs.

  2. Weight gain. You can’t walk down a street without seeing guys wandering around with big guts and “man boobs.” It may be time to start marketing a “Manssierre” (designed by the Kramer character on the Seinfeld show). (I used to counsel a former Canadian Special Operations soldier on fitness to no avail, until one day, I told him flatly that I was building man boobs. This insult seemed to have snapped him out of his depressive daze and we began to exercise.)

  3. Lack of ambition. You see this with tame guys on campus or in the workplace. There is a true “who cares” attitude, irritability, complaining, and a lack of personal drive.

  4. Reduced muscles. It is men’s testosterone that builds bigger muscles. Low testosterone means lack of muscles.

  5. Tired. Again, lack of personal drive. I heard a very skinny guy with a depressed chest trying to pressure wash myself while claiming to have chronic fatigue. It looked more like a low tea

Aside from John Gray’s recommendations on general behavior, men can greatly increase their testosterone by taking action in their own personal lives. Namely:

  • Avoid soy products. They contain plant estrogens.

  • Avoid high sugar intake. Sugar inhibits the growth hormone needed to build muscle and burn fat.

  • Performing strength training. Get off the cardio machines earlier and lift heavier weights. Building strength increases growth hormone and testosterone and burns fat. It also trains your body to regenerate faster than cardio.

  • Get eight hours of sleep a night. Even five to six hours of deep sleep is more productive than eight to ten hours of restless sleep.

  • Eat foods rich in protein. Your muscles, skin, hair, brain, and nerves are made of protein. Women’s fashion magazine weight loss diets often DO NOT work for men. Protein is necessary not only to build tissue, but also to fight infection and remove excess water.

I’ve seen marked physical, mental, and emotional improvements in men (and women) when they improve their hormonal balance through proper exercise, nutrition, and rest. Before taking another pill, consider improving your overall health with lifestyle changes.