How Your Gut Health Affects Testosterone (Yes, They’re Connected)
Your gut health has a direct impact on your testosterone levels.
When men think about testosterone, they usually picture muscle, libido, maybe some hair loss.
But your gut? That usually doesn’t make the list.
Here’s the thing most guys—and even a lot of doctors—miss:
Your gut health has a direct impact on your testosterone levels.
It’s not just about digestion. It’s about inflammation, absorption, hormone conversion, and more.
Let’s break it down.
Your Gut Is More Than a Digestion Machine
Inside your digestive system lives something called the gut microbiome—a massive ecosystem of bacteria, fungi, and other organisms that play a role in everything from metabolism to mood.
When your gut is healthy, it supports hormone production, nutrient absorption, and detoxification.
When it’s not? Things start falling apart.
And your testosterone is one of the first to take a hit.
Gut Inflammation Wrecks Hormones
A damaged gut lining—often called “leaky gut”—allows toxins and undigested food particles to leak into your bloodstream. This triggers chronic inflammation, which increases your cortisol levels (your stress hormone) and decreases testosterone.
Put simply: Inflammation is a testosterone killer.
And if you're dealing with bloating, irregular bowel movements, skin breakouts, or food sensitivities, there's a good chance inflammation is at play.
Poor Gut Health = Poor Nutrient Absorption
You need certain nutrients to produce testosterone:
Zinc
Magnesium
Vitamin D
Healthy fats
B vitamins
If your gut isn't absorbing them properly, you're essentially running on empty—even if you're eating a clean diet.
Low absorption = low fuel for hormone production.
The Estrogen Factor
Here’s something most men don’t know: The gut helps regulate estrogen, too.
There’s a specific group of gut bacteria—called the estrobolome—that helps break down and eliminate excess estrogen from the body.
If your gut is out of balance, estrogen can build up. And when estrogen rises, testosterone falls.
It’s a hormonal seesaw—and your gut is right in the middle of it.
Gut Health Affects Sleep, and Sleep Affects Testosterone
About 90% of your testosterone is produced during deep sleep.
Your gut plays a role in producing serotonin, which your body converts into melatonin—the hormone that regulates your sleep cycle.
If your gut is off, your sleep is off. And if your sleep is off, your testosterone plummets.
How to Support Your Gut—and Your Testosterone
1. Cut the processed junk.
Sugar, seed oils, and artificial ingredients disrupt the gut microbiome.
2. Eat whole, anti-inflammatory foods.
Lean protein, healthy fats, fiber, fermented foods (like sauerkraut or kimchi).
3. Limit alcohol.
Alcohol wrecks your gut lining, increases estrogen, and suppresses testosterone.
4. Support digestion.
ry apple cider vinegar before meals, chew your food slowly, and don’t overeat.
5. Consider probiotics—smartly.
Not all probiotics are created equal. Choose evidence-based strains, or better yet, test and personalize.
CODEX
The Art of Aging Well
A revolutionary approach, created by award-winning, board-certified physician and surgeon, Dr. Peter Marta, combining the precision of conventional medicine and the nuance of functional medicine. At the heart of Codex is hormone optimization, with a comprehensive system addressing seven core areas vital for men’s wellness. What even many physicians overlook is that hormonal health and gut health are inextricably linked—you can’t have one without the other. Codex addresses these connections, unlocking vitality and balance through a tailored, easy-to-follow, scientific approach.
