Key takeaways
- Food can impact the absorption of medications, which can influence their effectiveness. To optimize the absorption of some medications, including oral testosterone, you may need to consume them with food.
- Oral testosterone formulations, such as testosterone undecanoate, may benefit from being taken with high-fat meals. This improves absorption and helps ensure physiological levels of testosterone in the body.
- Some oral testosterone formulations use self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (SEDDs), which enhance absorption without the need for high-fat meals.
- Another innovative formulation of oral testosterone bypasses the liver and can be taken with or without food, though consuming healthy fats is still highly recommended.
Many medications should be taken with food to increase absorption, and oral testosterone is one of them. Some formulations of oral TRT are most effective when taken with a high-fat meal, but you want to make sure you’re choosing a healthy fat and integrating it into your diet in a balanced way. Other oral TRT formulations require a meal, but it doesn’t have to be high in fat.
Read on to find out more about why you should take oral testosterone pills with food, what kind of foods work best, and what foods you should avoid with your medication.
Why do some medications need to be taken with food?
Multiple studies show that food can significantly influence a drug’s efficacy by either enhancing, reducing, or delaying its absorption. The way a drug is formulated can also impact how food might affect its absorption. It’s important to know whether your medication should be taken with food, because if a medication is not absorbed properly, it can decrease the drug’s bioavailability, which refers to the amount and speed at which the drug enters the bloodstream and becomes available for the body to use or store. Typically, the lower the bioavailability, the lower its usefulness.
Should oral TRT be taken with food?
Many formulations of oral TRT should be taken with food. In the case of oral testosterone undecanoate, a high-fat meal aids proper absorption of the medication. Research shows that when oral testosterone undecanoate is taken with food, the molecules in the medication join chylomicrons, which are a type of lipoprotein produced in the small intestine during the digestion of dietary fats. Once joined, these chylomicrons then help transport the testosterone from the small intestine to the rest of the body through the bloodstream. This process supports testosterone oral bioavailability and allows a considerable portion of the medication to avoid the liver and enter the bloodstream through the intestinal lymphatic system, leading to higher levels of testosterone in the blood. This lymphatic absorption is what sets this oral TRT formulation apart from earlier products consisting of methyltestosterone, which was associated with liver toxicity.
In one study where subjects received oral testosterone undecanoate in both fasting and fed states, it was observed that very little testosterone was absorbed when taken on an empty stomach. But when the medication was consumed with food, its absorption significantly increased, indicating that oral TRT should be taken with food for best results. Though the subjects in the study were women, the researchers noted that this gender difference was not considered relevant when determining the effects of food composition on testosterone undecanoate absorption. The women were chosen because they already had low T levels and did not require a long-term washout period from other forms of TRT, which would have been required of male subjects.
What about self-emulsifying formulations?
Some formulations of oral testosterone undecanoate incorporate a self-emulsifying drug delivery system (SEDDS). This system uses a mix of ingredients including a surfactant, co-surfactant, and an oil. Surfactants are substances that have both hydrophilic (water-attracting) and lipophilic (fat-attracting) properties. When testosterone undecanoate is formulated with SEDDS, testosterone is broken down in the gut and easily absorbed into the lymphatic system without requiring a high-fat meal. This innovative approach is said to enhance the efficacy and delivery of the medication, as well as the ease of therapy, representing a significant advancement in the administration of oral TRT.
In a study that explored the relationship between dietary fat and self-emulsifying testosterone undecanoate in hypogonadal men, researchers found that the impact of food on serum testosterone levels was noticeable only when the subject had fasted or when the dietary fat content was very low (less than 10%). The findings suggest that a suitable dose of self-emulsifying testosterone undecanoate can maintain serum testosterone levels within the normal range across various diets with fat content ranging from relatively low (20%) to high (50%).
What about native testosterone?
Lipid-based native testosterone is yet another formulation of oral TRT, which also bypasses the liver to be absorbed through the lymphatic system. Studies show that this new oral testosterone formulation, which is bio-identical to the testosterone you create, can be taken with or without food and still maintain physiological levels of testosterone and DHT in men with low T.
However, there have been anecdotal reports as well as a small study that suggest taking native testosterone with a high-fat meal is still better for absorption, even if it is not required. Just be sure these fats are integrated into your diet in a balanced and nutritious way.
What to eat when taking testosterone orally
Whether you are taking native testosterone or oral testosterone undecanoate, it is recommended to pair your dose with a meal or source that includes at least 30 grams of healthy fat. Mixing testosterone with olive oil is highly recommended as this oil is high in monounsaturated fatty acids, which lower your “bad” cholesterol, and because olive oil has powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Even more, there is evidence that olive oil supports testosterone production as part of a healthy diet. For adequate absorption, simply drink 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil when taking your medication.
Other foods to consider to ensure optimal fat intake for testosterone therapy include:
- Coconut oil
- Avocado oil
- Nuts (especially almonds, macadamia nuts, pistachios, pecans, and hazelnuts)
- Fatty red meats
- Salmon
- Eggs
What shouldn’t you take with oral TRT?
When taking oral TRT, it’s recommended not to rely on MCT oil as your optimal fat intake. The type of triglycerides found in MCT oil are not absorbed through the lymphatic system. This doesn’t mean you should give up your bulletproof coffee if you look forward to that every morning; but maybe consider swapping out MCT oil for butter or heavy cream, which are more effective in helping you absorb your TRT dose.
If you choose to go on the Oral TRT+ Protocol with Maximus, which uses native testosterone, you’ll work closely with a physician and receive community support on how to optimize your diet while taking the medication. You’ll also learn about other healthy lifestyle habits to support your natural testosterone production and overall health.
Learn more at Maximus.
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