The relationship between pituitary hormones or between testosterone and prostate cancer is not completely understood. In this clinical study researchers at the department of urology at Hacettepe University School of Medicine in Ankara examined the levels of testosterone, free testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) in men undergoing ultrasonography guided prostate biopsy. A total of 211 men undergoing biopsy due to their PSA reading or due to an abnormal digital exam were included in the study.

Researchers from the Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medicine at Chiba University note that androgens are essential for prostatic development. They also state that the traditional view that a higher level of testosterone is a risk factor for developing prostate cancer has little evidence to support it. Some studies have actually shown a relationship between lower levels of testosterone and more advanced and more dangerous prostate cancer.

Belly fat (visceral obesity) is linked to inflammation and inflammation leads to endothelial dysfunction (the cells lining blood vessel walls do not function appropriately). Obesity is also linked to a drop in the level of plasma testosterone which contributes to Hypogonadism and increases the risk of vascular disease. Endothelial dysfunction and Hypogonadism are both connected to erectile dysfunction (ED).

In a placebo controlled clinical trial adults were given different doses of plant phytosterols to gauge their effects on cholesterol. The diet supplied 50mg of phytosterols. Adding 400mg of phytosterols per day decreased their cholesterol very slightly, decreased the absorption of cholesterol from their food by 10% and increased the level of cholesterol excreted by 36%.