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Cited by 72Hormonal and reproductive studiesSperm and Testicular FunctionSexual function and dysfunction studies

Long-Term Effects of a Randomised Controlled Trial Comparing High Protein or High Carbohydrate Weight Loss Diets on Testosterone, SHBG, Erectile and Urinary Function in Overweight and Obese Men

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Moran, Lisa J., Brinkworth, Grant D., Martin, Sean, Wycherley, Thomas P., Stuckey, Bronwyn, Lutze, Janna, Clifton, Peter M., Wittert, Gary A. +1 more·2016·PLOS ONE
DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0161297PMC PMC5008754
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Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Obesity is associated with reduced testosterone and worsened erectile and sexual function in men. Weight loss improves these outcomes. High protein diets potentially offer anthropometric and metabolic benefits, but their effects on reproductive and sexual outcomes is not known. AIM: To examine the long-term effects of weight loss with a higher protein or carbohydrate diet on testosterone, sex hormone binding globulin, erectile dysfunction, lower urinary tract symptoms and sexual desire in overweight and obese men. METHODS: One-hundred and eighteen overweight or obese men (body mass index 27-40 kg/m2, age 20-65 years) were randomly assigned to an energy restricted higher protein low fat (35% protein, 40% carbohydrate, 25% fat; n = 57) or higher carbohydrate low fat diet (17% protein, 58% carbohydrate, 25% fat, n = 61) diet for 52 weeks (12 weeks weight loss, 40 weeks weight maintenance). Primary outcomes were serum total testosterone, sex hormone binding globulin and calculated free testosterone. Secondary outcomes were erectile function as assessed by the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) (total score and erectile function domain), lower urinary tract symptoms and sexual desire. RESULTS: Total testosterone, sex hormone binding globulin and free testosterone increased (P<0.001) and the total IIEF increased (P = 0.017) with no differences between diets (P≥0.244). Increases in testosterone (P = 0.037) and sex hormone binding globulin (P<0.001) and improvements in the total IIEF (P = 0.041) occurred from weeks 0-12 with a further increase in testosterone from week 12-52 (P = 0.002). Increases in free testosterone occurred from week 12-52 (p = 0.002). The IIEF erectile functon domain, lower urinary tract symptoms and sexual desire did not change in either group (P≥0.126). CONCLUSIONS: In overweight and obese men, weight loss with both high protein and carbohydrate diets improve testosterone, sex hormone binding globulin and overall sexual function. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Anzctr.org.au ACTRN12606000002583.

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  • In 68 men participating in a weight-loss diet, men lost a mean of 10.3-10.8±1.2 kg over 52 weeks and experienced significant increases in total and free testosterone.

    “Similarly, Moran et al. reported on 68 men participating in a weight-loss diet. Men lost a mean of 10.3–10.8±1.2 kg over the 52-week study period and experienced significant increases in total and free testosterone (P<0.001 and P=0.002, respectively).”

    From Non-testosterone management of male hypogonadism: an examination of the existing literature (2020) · cites this paper as [20]

    The Results (Anthropometric and metabolic outcomes; page unavailable) report that 68 men completed 52 weeks and that the two diet groups lost 10.8±1.2 and 10.3±1.2 kg. The Results (Primary outcomes; page unavailable) report significant overall increases in total and free testosterone. However, the cited P=0.002 for free testosterone applies to weeks 12–52; its overall 0–52-week increase had P<0.001. (LLM, conf=0.89)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Men with moderate to severe baseline erectile dysfunction had significant increases in IIEF erectile function domain following weight loss.

    “Additionally, men with moderate to severe baseline erectile dysfunction had significant increases in the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) erectile function domain following weight loss (20).”

    From Non-testosterone management of male hypogonadism: an examination of the existing literature (2020) · cites this paper as [20]

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Authors
Moran, L. J., Brinkworth, G. D., Martin, S., Wycherley, T. P., Stuckey, B., Lutze, J., Clifton, P. M., Wittert, G. A., & Noakes, M.
Affiliations
  • The University of Adelaide (AU)
  • Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (AU)
  • Freemasons Foundation Centre for Men's Health (AU)
  • University of South Australia (AU)
  • The University of Western Australia (AU)
Corresponding author
Moran, Lisa J.
ORCID
Venue
PLOS ONE
Publisher
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Published
2016-09-01
Volume
11
Issue
9
Pages
e0161297
ISSN
1932-6203 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1371/journal.pone.0161297
PMC
PMC5008754
OpenAlex
W2513596750
Cited by
72
References
6
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 12 · 2020: 10 · 2019: 13 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 5
FWCI
7.71
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • PLoS ONE (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • UniSA Research Outputs Repository (University of South Australia) (acceptedVersion, other-oa)
  • Monash University Research Portal (Monash University) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • UWA Profiles and Research Repository (UWA) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
  • Adelaide Research & Scholarship (AR&S) (University of Adelaide) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
  • Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
  • Meat and Livestock Australia
  • National Heart Foundation of Australia
  • Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Hormonal and reproductive studies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Sperm and Testicular Function
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Sexual function and dysfunction studies
Keywords
high-protein diet, high-carbohydrate diet, weight loss, obesity, overweight men, testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin, free testosterone, erectile dysfunction, lower urinary tract symptoms, sexual desire, caloric restriction, sexual function, weight maintenance, male reproductive health, low-fat diet, dietary macronutrients
MeSH terms
Adult, Aged, Dietary Carbohydrates, Dietary Proteins, Humans, Erectile Dysfunction, Male, Middle Aged, Obesity, Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin, Testosterone, Urination, Weight Loss, Overweight, Young Adult

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