The effects of a low carbohydrate diet on erectile function and serum testosterone levels in hypogonadal men with metabolic syndrome: a randomized clinical trial

• Published in: BMC endocrine disorders Vol. 23; no. 1; p. 30
• Main Authors: da Silva Schmitt, Caio, da Costa, Carla Martins, Souto, José Carlos Stumpf, Chiogna, Lorenzo Miron, de Albuquerque Santos, Zilda Elizabeth, Rhoden, Ernani Luis, Neto, Brasil Silva
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central Ltd 02-02-2023; BioMed Central; BMC
• Subjects: Blood pressure; Carbohydrates; Clinical trials; Diabetes; Diet; Diet, Carbohydrate-Restricted; Disease; Erectile dysfunction; Erectile Dysfunction - etiology; Gastrointestinal surgery; Hospitals; Humans; Hypertension; Hypogonadism; Hypogonadism - complications; Impotence; Insulin resistance; Low carbohydrate diet; Male; Medical research; Medicine, Experimental; Metabolic syndrome; Metabolic Syndrome - complications; Normal distribution; Nutrient deficiency; Nutrition research; Nutritionists; Obesity; Product development; Questionnaires; Risk factors; Serum levels; Statistical analysis; Testosterone; Type 2 diabetes; Weight control; Brazil; United States > US; Obesity; Low carbohydrate diet; Erectile dysfunction; Metabolic syndrome; Hypogonadism
• ISSN: 1472-6823; 1472-6823
• DOI: 10.1186/s12902-023-01278-6

Metabolic syndrome is a risk factor for several diseases. The relationship between metabolic syndrome and hypogonadism is well known. Our objetive is to assess whether a low carbohydrate diet can increase total serum testosterone and improve erectile function in hypogonadal men with metabolic syndrome.
An open label randomized clinical trial was conducted comparing a low carbohydrate diet and controls, during three months, in hypogonadal men with metabolic syndrome. Anthropometric measurements were evaluated as well as total serum testosterone levels, and symptoms of hypogonadism, using the ADAM and AMS scores, and sexual function using IIEF-5 score.
Eighteen men were evaluated. Anthropometric measures were improved only in low carbohydrate diet group. The intervention group also had a statistically increase in IIEF-5 score and a significant reduction in AMS and ADAM scores (p < 0.001). The increase in serum total testosterone levels was statistically significant in the low carbohydrate group compared to the control group as well as calculated free testosterone (p < 0.001).
Low carbohydrate diet may increase serum levels of testosterone and improve erectile function in hypogonadal men with metabolic syndrome. However, larger studies are necessary to strongly prove the effectiveness of low carbohydrate diet in treating male hypogonadism.