New trend in fighting: Is Hormone Replacement Therapy really needed?

Hey guys! There's a new trend out there!


......STACKED fighters are claiming they have low test levels requiring Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)...perhaps they should address the real issue behind their low levels?

Nate Marquadt now joins the ever increasing list of fighters not cleared to fight due to high levels of testosterone level in his blood sample. 
See Marquadt coming clean in this interview:


Marquadt comes clean...

I'm not contesting wether or not they have low testosterone levels, but the REAL reason for this should be explored before a fighter commences HRT!


This could be:
- Overtraining
- Poor diet
- Excessive use of P.E.D's (Performance Enhancing Drugs)
- Not resting enough- not enough sleep.
- Adrenal overload
- Excessive use of stimulants
- Excessive stress
- Poor supplementation strategy.


Question is....where the above examined and addressed before giving Marquardt HRT?


Nate now joins the ever increasing list of fighters getting busted for Testosterone use. Recently we had Thiago Silva and James Irvin in 2011, and the high profile Chael Sonnen last year!

This seems to be becoming more common place each year.....


Steroid busts by year: 
’02: 1
’03: 1
’04: 1
’05: 1
’06: 4
’07: 14 (!)
’08: 5
’09: 4
’10: 2
’11: 2


Steroid busts by commission:
NSAC: 10
CSAC: 22
UFC’s independent testing: 3


Personally I would like to see these fighters exploring other avenues to get their hormone level up naturally, by addressing the above issues and working with professionals such as Mike Mahler who specialises in natural Hormone optimisation.
I always monitor my fighter's diet, work:rest ratio according to how their feeling, and ensure they do not show signs of excessive fatigue or injury.


If you're a fighter and have any of the following signs, you may have hormone issues:

• Lethargy- constant fatigue
• Lack of sex drive
• Insomnia
• Poor performance in training and fights
• Weight gain
• High stress levels
• Constantly injured
• Rapid weight loss

If you're showing any of the above signs, you should have your diet dialled in by a professional, and re- assess your training.

Remember REST is important too- so plan that in to your training schedule. In my experience fighters are more likely to over-train, than under-train.

There's a lot you can do before you go down the route of the needle!


Christian Vila.