Studies have not proven that high levels of total testosterone in the blood cause prostate cancer. But some research has linked high free testosterone, which is the small part of the hormone that circulates in the blood without being bound to its proteins, to an increased risk of infection. Testosterone can stimulate the growth of some existing prostate tumors.
What is the difference between total and free testosterone?
Total testosterone includes all of the hormone present in the blood, whether bound to blood proteins or free. The majority of the hormone is bound to these proteins. Therefore, two men may have equal levels of total testosterone, while their levels of free fraction differ depending on the amount of proteins to which the hormone binds.
What did the studies find?
An analysis of data from 18 studies found no clear association between prostate cancer risk and levels of total or free testosterone. In a more recent analysis, blood tests showed that higher free testosterone was associated with a slight increase in the likelihood of being diagnosed with the disease overall, while there was no clear association with more aggressive tumors in all participants. When the researchers in the same analysis used genetic data to estimate free testosterone levels, they found an association between high levels of testosterone and an increased likelihood of developing these tumors.
How does testosterone affect tumor growth?
The US National Cancer Institute explains that testosterone activates receptors within prostate cells, so the cells receive signals that stimulate their growth. Some tumors respond to these signals, which explains the use of treatments that reduce the levels of male hormones or disrupt their effect to slow the growth of tumors that are sensitive to them.
What about reparative therapy?
A clinical trial followed more than 5,000 men with low testosterone. It did not detect a statistically significant difference in prostate cancer diagnosis rates between those who used a gel containing testosterone and those who used a placebo gel. The average follow-up was 33 months, and cancer cases were few. Men at high risk of infection were also excluded before the start of the trial, which limits the generalizability of the results to them.
A recent scientific study warned that eating snacks in the late hours of the night, especially right before bed, may be associated with an increased risk of liver disease, including fatty liver and cirrhosis, as a result of the effect of eating times on the liver’s biological clock and its ability to perform its functions normally.
The results showed that people who used to eat snacks after dinner or before bed had higher rates of liver-related health problems, as the risk of fatty liver increased by about 36 percent, and the risk of cirrhosis by 28 percent, even after taking into account factors such as body weight and level of physical activity.
Jay Yepuri, a gastroenterologist, said that the interpretation of these results is related to the liver’s biological clock, explaining that the timing of eating tells the liver the appropriate time to perform its functions. He pointed out that eating at 10 or 11 pm may force the liver to work at unusual times, which may reduce its efficiency in regulating insulin levels and breaking down fats.
Despite the importance of eating times, Yibori stressed that the quality and quantity of food remain the most important factors when evaluating the effect of diet on liver health.
Tips to protect the liver from the harm of eating at night:
* Stop eating at least three hours before bedtime.
* Eat the bulk of your daily calories during breakfast and lunch.
* Choose high-quality protein and vegetables if you have to eat at night.
* Avoid sugary and processed foods during the evening hours.
* Commitment to fixed times for eating meals daily.
* Stay away from drinks rich in sugar and avoid alcohol.
* Giving the liver a sufficient period of night fasting without eating.
One night of poor sleep can lead to an unpleasant experience the next day. If you suffer from lack of sleep several nights a week, you may have severe insomnia. As Emily Hilton-Jane explains, acute insomnia involves difficulty sleeping for at least three nights per week for a period ranging from three days to three months.
Treating acute insomnia without medications:
* Wake up at a specific time every morning.
* Avoid napping.
* Give yourself at least an hour before bed for calming activities.
*Wait until you feel really sleepy before going to bed.
* Get out of bed if you lie awake for more than 20 minutes.
