Show Notes

Scott discusses the benefits of therapeutic testosterone replacement therapy, its effects, the symptoms it treats, and how it widely differs from stacked steroid usage.

Coach Scott has lectured at Michigan State University on performance enhancing drugs and was referenced by the Canadian Government as an expert on the subject. He recently wrote a blog posted in T-Nation documenting on why he quit steroids. Accessible also through his website: scottabelfitness.com/quitsteroids

“There’s little point to adding years to your life if you can’t just as equally add life to your years.”

• Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT, aka Hormone Replacement Therapy) is completely different than steroid use found in bodybuilding.
• TRT [when prescribed and monitored by a physician] is safe and effective.
• Testosterone is involved in many biological functions beyond sex drive; it affects mood, thinking, cognition, muscle and fat distribution, bone strength, and sense of well-being.
• Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) can help men and post-menopausal women.
• Testosterone production declines with age. That doesn’t mean it should be accepted and lived with if there are scientifically proven ways to treat it. Not doing so would be like not wearing eyeglasses [or contacts] to improve vision.
• Symptoms of low testosterone: low libido, lack of enthusiasm, low energy and overall vitality.
• A blood test can determine if you have low testosterone. Low T is often misdiagnosed as low thyroid.
• Testosterone in the low normal range can produce symptoms. Some labs only label testosterone as low if it’s in the very low range. Borderline low T is often left untreated when TRT would help relieve symptoms.
• The increased vitality resulting from TRT can improve adherence to training and diet strategy.
• The positive effects of TRT may take a few weeks to exhibit themselves.

[References]

Morgentaler,A, “The Truth about Men and Sex.” St. Martin’s Press, 2015.

Morgentaler A, “Testosterone for Life.” McGraw Hill, 2009.

Morgentaler A, Bruning CO, DeWolf WC. “Incidence of Occult Prostate Cancer with Low Serum Testosterone Levels.” Journal of the American Medical Association, 996 Dec 18;276(23):1904-6.

Morgentaler, A, “Testosterone replacement therapy and prostate risks: where’s the Beef?” Canadian Journal of Urology, 2006 Feb;13 Suppl 1:40-3.

Training Resources by Scott

Physique After 50
The Aging Proposition

Show Notes

Think protein is the macronutrient that satisfies best? Think again. Scott shares peer-reviewed scientific research that says differently.

Recent science refutes paleo dogma

• Short chain fatty acids (SCFA) produced by the gut provide a number of positive effects on health, notably reduction in Type II diabetes, obesity and heart disease.
• SCFA influence hunger, size of appetite and cravings.
• Acetate, propionate and butyrate are the short chain fatty acids produced in the gut.
• High-fiber foods are linked to an increase in SCFA.
  Fruits and vegetables contain fiber. Animal proteins don’t.

“Evidence suggests that for most of history [humans] consumed more indigestible plant material, such as grasses, sedges and tubers, than is present in a typical western-style diet (>100 g per day dietary fibre compared with <15 g per day in the average modern-day diet)…” – International Journal of Obesity

• This study contradicts paleo dogma.
  The more fiber you eat, the less you eat overall.
• Evidence suggests that colonic propionate production helps reduce the amounts we eat and may curb reward-based eating.
• Data from a 2015 study published in Gut show that increasing [the amount of] colonic propionate prevents [further] weight gain in overweight adults.
• High fiber diets help automatically protect against over-eating.
• Science disagrees with gym-floor folklore about which foods satiate best.

[References]

Byrne CS, et al. “The role of short chain fatty acids in appetite regulation and energy homeostasis.” International Journal of Obesity. 2015 Sep; 39(9): 1331–1338.

Byrne CS, et al. “Increased colonic propionate reduces anticipatory reward responses in the human striatum to high-energy food.” American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2016 Jul; 104(1): 5–14.

Chambers ES, et al.  “Effects of targeted delivery of propionate to the human colon on appetite regulation, body weight maintenance and adiposity in overweight adults.” Gut. 2015 Nov;64(11):1744-54.

Lin HV, et al. “Butyrate and propionate protect against diet-induced obesity and regulate gut hormones via free fatty acid receptor 3-independent mechanisms.” Public Library of Science PLosOne. 2012;7(4):e35240.

Diet Resources by Scott

Lean Without Trying

The Cycle Diet