By Dr. Andreas Boettcher, D.C., Functional Medicine, B.S. Health/Exercise Science

3x Ironman Triathlete, Master's Men's Physique Competitor & Medication FREE at 55

www.ItsOnlyHalftime.com

Why Peak Performance Is Built From the Inside Out

In the modern men’s health conversation, few hormones generate as much confusion, fear, and misinformation as DHT (dihydrotestosterone).

Some claim it’s the ultimate driver of masculinity.
Others blame it for hair loss and prostate issues.
Some aggressively try to raise it.
Others aggressively try to block it.

And most men are left stuck in the middle—chasing symptoms, suppressing pathways, and never addressing the real issue:

Human physiology does not operate in isolation.

True health, performance, and longevity are not created by manipulating one hormone, one enzyme, or one lab marker. They are the result of a resilient, well-supported system.

This article will walk you through:

• What DHT actually is

• Why it matters—but is not the “king hormone” people make it out to be

• The real implications of 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors like finasteride

• What actually drives healthy androgen signaling in men

• And why micronutrient sufficiency is one of the most overlooked, high-impact levers in male optimization

What Is DHT?

DHT is a potent androgen formed when testosterone is converted by the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase (5-AR).

This conversion happens primarily in:

• The prostate

• Skin and scalp

• External genital tissue

• Certain nervous system tissues

DHT binds more tightly to the androgen receptor than testosterone and remains bound longer, which is why it is often described as “more potent” at the receptor level.

That potency matters—but only in context.

DHT plays roles in:

• Male sexual development

• Prostate physiology

• Hair follicle signaling (in genetically susceptible men)

• Certain aspects of libido and sexual function

• Neurosteroid pathways affecting mood and cognition

Already, you should notice something critical:

👉 DHT does not act alone.

It is downstream of testosterone and deeply influenced by:

• Thyroid hormones

• Cortisol and stress physiology

• Estradiol balance

• Insulin sensitivity

• Sleep and circadian rhythm

• Inflammation

• Nutrient status

Which brings us to the first major mistake most men make.

The Myth of “One-Hormone Fixes”

There is no such thing as optimizing DHT in a vacuum.

Men do not lose performance because:

• DHT is “too low”

• Testosterone is “too high”

• Estrogen is “evil”

They lose performance because the system is under-supported.

Sleep deprivation, chronic stress, inflammation, metabolic dysfunction, nutrient deficiencies, and poor recovery quietly erode hormone signaling long before any lab value looks “abnormal.”

Yet instead of fixing the foundation, most men are taught to:

• Block DHT

• Force testosterone higher

• Chase supplements

• Or suppress symptoms

That is mechanistic medicine, not performance medicine.

5-Alpha-Reductase Inhibitors: What They Do—and What They Don’t Do

Medications like finasteride and dutasteride inhibit the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme, reducing the conversion of testosterone into DHT.

They are commonly prescribed for:

• Male pattern hair loss

• Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

They can be effective for those indications.

But here’s what often gets left out of the conversation:

5-alpha-reductase does more than produce DHT

This enzyme family is also involved in the metabolism of neurosteroids—compounds that play roles in:

• Mood regulation

• Stress resilience

• Nervous system stability

• Cognitive clarity

This is why some men experience:

• Reduced libido

• Erectile dysfunction

• Emotional blunting

• Anxiety or depressive symptoms

Not every man experiences these effects.
But pretending they don’t exist—or that they’re “all in your head”—is irresponsible.

Regulatory agencies now explicitly acknowledge:

• Sexual side effects that may persist after discontinuation

• Increased risk of depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation in some men

This does not mean these medications should never be used.

It means they should never be used casually, especially for cosmetic reasons, without informed consent and systemic support.

The Question That Actually Matters

The right question is not:

“Is DHT good or bad?”

The right question is:

“Why is my body expressing this outcome?”

Hair loss.
Low libido.
Low energy.
Fat gain.
Brain fog.
Loss of confidence.

These are outputs, not root causes.

Blocking a downstream hormone rarely fixes an upstream problem.

What Actually Drives Healthy Androgen Signaling in Men

When we step back and look at the full system, a few patterns become obvious.

1. Sleep and Circadian Rhythm

Testosterone and androgen signaling are tightly linked to sleep quality and circadian rhythm. Poor sleep suppresses hormonal output and receptor sensitivity—period.

2. Stress and Cortisol

Chronic stress shifts the body into survival mode. Elevated cortisol competes with androgen signaling and impairs recovery.

3. Thyroid Function

Thyroid hormones regulate metabolic rate, mitochondrial efficiency, and steroid hormone metabolism. Suboptimal thyroid output quietly undermines androgen expression.

4. Metabolic Health

Insulin resistance, chronic inflammation, and excess visceral fat disrupt hormone signaling far more reliably than any single dietary variable.

5. Training and Recovery

Heavy resistance training and sprint-style intervals can acutely support androgen signaling. Chronic endurance volume, overtraining, and under-recovery suppress it.

6. Micronutrient Sufficiency

This is where most men are unknowingly operating at a deficit.

Micronutrients: The Silent Bottleneck in Men’s Health

In my clinical experience, micronutrient deficiencies are one of the most common, overlooked issues in high-performing men.

Not because men don’t care—but because:

• Soil depletion has reduced mineral content in food

• Stress increases mineral demand

• Sweat depletes electrolytes

• Poor absorption limits uptake

• And most men are magnesium-, zinc-, selenium-, and potassium-deficient without knowing it

These minerals are not optional.

They are required for:

• Enzyme function

• Hormone production and conversion

• Nervous system regulation

• Sleep quality

• Stress resilience

• Insulin sensitivity

• Recovery and repair

Including—yes—healthy androgen signaling.

But more importantly, they are essential for diurnal rhythm.

Why Minerals Matter at Night

Your body follows a circadian rhythm—a daily hormonal orchestration that governs:

• Cortisol in the morning

• Melatonin at night

• Growth hormone during sleep

• Testosterone production and recovery cycles

Minerals like magnesium, zinc, potassium, and selenium play critical roles in:

• Nervous system down regulation

• Parasympathetic activation

• Sleep depth and quality

• Nighttime hormonal repair

This is why I recommend nearly all of my clients take a high-quality, fully chelated mineral complex in the evening.

Not as a stimulant.
Not as a “testosterone booster.”

But as a signal of safety to the nervous system.

The Role of Our 5X Chelated Minerals

This is exactly why we formulated 5X Chelated Minerals the way we did.

Not with cheap oxides.
Not with poorly absorbed forms.
Not with megadoses that create imbalance.

But with fully Chelated Albion® minerals, designed for:

• Superior absorption

• Gentle digestion

• Synergistic balance

• Nighttime use

This formula supports:

• Magnesium for nervous system calm and sleep

• Zinc for reproductive and immune function

• Selenium for thyroid and antioxidant pathways

• Potassium for cellular hydration and recovery

• Boron and trace minerals that support overall hormone metabolism

I recommend this to nearly all clients—not because it’s flashy, but because mineral sufficiency is foundational.

You cannot optimize hormones on a deficient system.

The Bigger Picture: Peak Performance Is Built, Not Hacked

Whether a man chooses to:

• Remain natural

• Use TRT

• Take medications

• Or do none of the above

There is work that cannot be avoided.

You cannot bypass:

• Sleep

• Stress regulation

• Nutrition

• Training intelligently

• Recovery

• Inflammation control

• Micronutrient sufficiency

TRT does not replace this work.
Medications do not replace this work.
Supplements do not replace this work.

They sit on top of the foundation, not instead of it.

This is the philosophy behind the Peak Performance Protocol:

• Build the system

• Restore the foundation

• Optimize physiology from the inside out

• And only then layer interventions with precision and intent

DHT matters.
But it is not the master switch.

A peak performance man is not defined by a single hormone—
He is defined by resilience, clarity, strength, and capacity.

And those are built through consistent, foundational work.

If you’re ready to support that foundation...

⚡️ Ready To Declare It's Only Halftime® With the Most Comprehensive Natural Approach to Mens Health?

If you’d like to go deeper — to uncover the root causes behind your energy, hormones, metabolism, and performance — I invite you to book a complimentary consultation.

Together, we’ll review your health history and goals and determine if our Peak Performance Protocol based on your lab analysis, genetics, and lifestyle data is right for you!

👉Click here to schedule your complimentary consultation.

To learn more about our approach and success stories, visit www.ItsOnlyHalftime.com where we help men like you turn your second half into your best half naturally!

Finish Strong,

Dr. Andreas

Still Kickin' A** Medication Free at 55 Despite What the "Narrative" and what traditional doctors wanted me to believe!

Medical Disclaimer:

The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. It should not replace professional consultation, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before making any changes to your health regimen or lifestyle.

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