Weight lifting and ADT

Posted by johnernest @johnernest, Aug 17 7:59am

I have been on ADT for 9 months now, I have continued my weightlifting program all during this time, I have always lifted weights 4 days per week, since I was 20 yrs old, so I was not going to stop because of prostate cancer and ADT. I have actually gotten stronger while on ADT, probably because I am more disciplined now fighting cancer. I just wanted to post this information to help others deal with ADT and why weight lifting will help you much more than other forms of exercise
ADT drastically lowers testosterone, causing muscle atrophy, bone loss, and metabolic slowdown. Resistance training directly stimulates muscle protein synthesis and strengthens bones through mechanical loading—effects that aerobic exercise or yoga alone can’t match. Studies show men on ADT who lift weights maintain lean mass, improve strength, preserve bone density, reduce fatigue, and support long-term metabolic health. Simply put, lifting is the most potent exercise to counteract ADT’s side effects.
Can Muscles Still Grow on ADT? Yes—With Resistance Training
Despite ADT’s muscle-wasting effects, research shows that men can still gain muscle through resistance exercise.
Key Findings:
Muscle Mass Gains: A 20-week study with 60 prostate cancer patients on ADT found that resistance training increased muscle mass and strength, even without additional protein supplementation.
Strength Improvements: A meta-analysis of 7 randomized controlled trials revealed that supervised physical training significantly enhanced muscle strength in men undergoing ADT, even if muscle mass didn’t increase.
Muscle Memory: Previous training can provide a “muscle memory” effect, allowing for faster muscle regrowth after periods of inactivity.
Conclusion: While ADT poses challenges, consistent resistance training can help build and maintain muscle mass and strength. It’s a powerful tool to combat ADT-related side effects.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Prostate Cancer Support Group.

bluegill | @bluegill | Aug 25 8:57am

I miss red wine. And craft beer. 🙁

johnernest | @johnernest | Aug 25 9:55am

In reply to @bluegill "I miss red wine. And craft beer. :(" + (show)

Me too! Missing a Dogfish Head, double IPA right now.
Sitting on our deck last night, my wife had a nice glass of wine, while I sipped on my glass of water, ☹️

dpayton | @dpayton | Aug 25 10:12am

In reply to @bluegill "I miss red wine. And craft beer. :(" + (show)

OH NO! I've been on ADT for almost a year and still partake in wine about 3-4 days a week, albeit small amounts. Please don't tell me I need to stop! 🙂

johnernest | @johnernest | Aug 25 10:50am

In reply to @dpayton "OH NO! I've been on ADT for almost a year and still partake in wine about..." + (show)

My doctor told me a little wine or beer is okay, but in my particular case it makes me feel bad later, but I don’t usually stop with one glass!

kenk1962 | @kenk1962 | Aug 25 11:46am

In reply to @nbuff "Excellent thank you so much that was very helpful." + (show)

One more observation - recent studies support the notion of creatine as also providing cognitive benefits.

That's something encouraging that I was not anticipating.

nbuff | @nbuff | Aug 25 2:59pm

In reply to @kenk1962 "One more observation - recent studies support the notion of creatine as also providing cognitive benefits...." + (show)

I'm just concerned about it's a cellular effect and the possibility of it reigniting the prostate cancer is cells.... Please tell me your thoughts

bluegill | @bluegill | Aug 25 3:54pm

I'm not sure that all alchohol is prohibited for me, but besides ADT I'm on 3 other drugs that cause drowsiness, among other things.

I will say that there are some excellent N/A beers, specifically Athletic Brewing Company Free Wave.

kenk1962 | @kenk1962 | Aug 25 5:20pm

In reply to @nbuff "I'm just concerned about it's a cellular effect and the possibility of it reigniting the prostate..." + (show)

I try to stay up-to-date on my health readings, including supplements. In fact, I found some helpful information a few months ago that caused me to curtail certain supplements during my SBRT radiation treatments. I think it's highly advisable to question and evaluate whether certain supplements might be problematic for prostate cancer purposes.

Speaking for myself, I've found certain AI programs to be quite helpful in assisting my prostate cancer researching. In particular, I have been very pleased with the relatively low subscription cost "Perplexity.AI Pro" program. This AI program provides analysis and reports which include direct links to supporting evidence-based information sources.

So...what does this AI say about whether creatine supplementation increases prostate cancer risks? According to the attached report - which includes the consideration of 37 separate scientific resources - the conclusion suggests the answer is "no".

Here's the opening paragraph of this report:

"No Evidence of Increased Prostate Cancer Risk from Creatine Supplementation
Current scientific evidence does not support claims that creatine monohydrate supplementation increases prostate cancer risk in men. In fact, the research suggests either neutral effects or potential protective benefits."

Shared files

Do Creatine Supplements Increase Prostate Cancer Risk (Do-Creatine-Supplements-Increase-Prostate-Cancer-Risk.pdf)

johnernest | @johnernest | Aug 25 5:39pm

In reply to @nbuff "I'm just concerned about it's a cellular effect and the possibility of it reigniting the prostate..." + (show)

I did a little research:
In men on ADT, a controlled trial found creatine did not improve strength/muscle gains beyond training, but also showed no harm or disease progression signal.
Large ongoing trials (like CREATINE-52) are directly testing whether creatine affects cancer progression in men with advanced prostate cancer. Results are pending.
Population data even suggest higher dietary creatine intake is linked to lower odds of cancer overall (observational, not proof).
Lab studies are mixed, but some show creatine may support immune responses against tumors rather than feed them.
For men on ADT:
Creatine may give a modest brain boost, and current human data show no evidence that it promotes prostate cancer progression. Ongoing trials will give us clearer answers, but right now it looks like a safe option for most men on prostate cancer treatment.