Risks Of Testosterone Therapy
Studies are mixed on whether TRT is beneficial for normal men as they age. Some research has brought up serious risks with the therapy, particularly when taken long term. This has led doctors to be cautious about recommending it.
A large, 2010 meta-analysis of 51 studies looked at the safety of TRT. The report concluded that safety analysis of TRT is of low quality and fails to inform the public about potential long-term effects.
The Mayo Clinic cautions that TRT also may:
- contribute to sleep apnea
Previously, there were concerns that TRT raised the risk of developing prostate cancer.
Most current data, including two reports in 2015, no longer supports a link between testosterone replacement and the development of 1) prostate cancer, 2) more aggressive prostate cancer, or 3) prostate cancer that returns after treatment.
If you have male hypogonadism or low testosterone, talk with your doctor about whether TRT may be a good option for you. Discuss the risks and benefits of TRT.
What Are The Risks Of Low Levels Of Testosterone
Testosterone is a vital hormone so its no surprise that when you do have low levels of it, many bodily functions start to suffer.
Signs of low testosterone levels in men include low sex drive, muscle mass, mood and energy, says Woodman.
Because testosterone helps regulate your muscles and bones, men with low levels may also notice muscle and strength loss. They are also at increased risk of osteoporosis .
Although there is no evidence to say that low testosterone levels directly increase your chances of developing cardiovascular disease, men with low levels are more at risk of having higher cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure levels.
What Causes Low Testosterone
Low levels of testosterone can be caused by a variety of different factors.
Age is one of the most common causes of low testosterone. According to Dr. Joseph M. Brito, an assistant professor of urology at Yale University School of Medicine, testosterone levels can start to decline as early as age 30.
Additionally, men who have had surgery for testicular cancer or those who are receiving home treatments for conditions, like prostate cancer, may have lower levels of testosterone. In rare cases, pituitary abnormalities or brain tumors may also be a cause.
Brito explains that several other factors can also contribute to low testosterone, including:
- hot flashes
If you suspect you may have low testosterone, your doctor can test your blood levels.
Home tests are also available, most of which use either a blood or saliva sample to test your testosterone levels. However, as Brito points out, theres limited research on the effectiveness of these tests and how they compare to lab tests.
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Maintain A Healthy Weight
Science has shown that by maintaining a steady and healthy BMI, you can boost your testosterone levels. Avoiding being overweight is the key to success .
Insulin resistance is related to a high BMI. This is, in turn, related to lower testosterone levels. When you have low testosterone, your body fat levels go up. This leads to your body not using insulin efficiently, i.e., insulin resistance.
You can see how this is a problematic cycle to be in. By keeping a steady weight, you avoid yo-yo dieting and the stresses that rapid weight loss/gain puts on your body. This also promotes good health and allows you to maintain healthy levels of testosterone.
Elm & Rye Testosterone Support
This has been our personalfavorite and also the best out of the numerous support supplements we have had the opportunity to review. The many reviews we have read has proven it to be an effective supplement that can help people deal with low testosterone levels regardless of age or lifestyle factors. A single one-month supply can be had for $69.99, and you can save an additional 20% by signing up for a monthly subscription.
Each dose has been carefully formulated in order to provide you with the six active ingredients needed to naturally and effectively boost your testosterone levels. After a couple of days, you should begin to see the results through increased energy and the ability to recover from the most strenuous of exercises more easily.
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Take Magnesium To Increase Testosterone
Low levels of magnesium will lead to effects similar to low boron levels. A deficiency in either mineral increases the loss of calcium. This loss may weaken your bones and places you at risk for osteoporosis.
These findings suggest that magnesium can also increase testosterone. A 2011 paper in Biological Trace Element Research tested this hypothesis in healthy athletes. The participants received magnesium doses of about 1,000 mg each day for four weeks. Compared to controls, magnesium supplementation increased testosterone.
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Nugenix Natural Testosterone Booster
We found this brand available on the shelves at our local Walgreens, a rarity for hyper specialized supplements like testosterone boosters. As such, we were immediately intrigued and went about finding out as much about this brand as possible. We found out that it is among the most highly rated testosterone boosters we have had the opportunity to review, a given considering its more prominent view in the marketplace.
A one-month supply is $34.99, making this an easily affordable supplement for anyone looking to boost their testosterone levels in an all-natural manner.
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Reduce Plastic And Bpa Exposure
Plastic makes our life easier. We pack our foods in it, drink our water and other beverages from it. In fact, its so ingrained in our lives that its started to leach into our bodiesliterally.
Bisphenol-A , a chemical found within many plastics is absorbed by the body. Once in there, your body treats it like estrogen, which means it decreases your testosterone production and can raise your risk of other diseases, including cancer .
Minimize your BPA exposure by opting for glass whenever you can.
Get Plenty Of Protein
It shouldn’t come as a shock that a diet high in protein also supports testosterone production. Protein feeds your muscles, helping them recover and grow. But it also helps boost your natural levels of testosterone. The science isn’t yet definitive on what drives this: Is it the protein that boosts your muscle mass, increasing testosterone? Or does the protein increase testosterone, increasing muscle mass?
This is a classic chicken-or-egg debate , but what you should do is clear: Consume at least a gram of protein per pound of body weight every day. You can also get in considerably more to support muscle growth and testosterone production. If you’re falling short, try one of my muscle-building protein recipes for hardgainers.
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Avoid Drugs And Alcohol
Abusing drugs and alcohol has been linked to lower levels of testosterone in men. According to the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, alcohol use severely impacts the glands and hormones involved in male reproductive health. Additionally, research has found that heavy alcohol consumption results in reduced levels of testosterone in the blood.
May Help Boost Testosterone And Increase Fertility In Men
Ashwagandha supplements have been shown in some studies to benefit male fertility and increase testosterone levels.
In one study, 43 overweight men ages 4070 who had mild fatigue took tablets containing ashwagandha extract or a placebo daily for 8 weeks.
The ashwagandha treatment was associated with an 18% greater increase in DHEA-S, a sex hormone involved in testosterone production. Participants who took the herb also had a 14.7% greater increase in testosterone than those who took the placebo .
Additionally, a review of four studies found that ashwagandha treatment significantly increased sperm concentration, semen volume, and sperm motility in men with low sperm count.
It also increased sperm concentration and motility in men with normal sperm count .
However, the researchers concluded that theres currently not enough data to confirm the potential benefits of ashwagandha for male fertility and that more high quality studies are needed .
Summary
Ashwagandha may help increase testosterone levels and may have some potential benefits for male fertility. However, more research is needed.
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Supplement Tongkat Ali To Boost Effectiveness Of Your Natural Testosterone
This supplement, also known as Eurycoma longifolia, promotes the benefits of the testosterone you’re already producing. Especially as men age, much of the testosterone they produce is bound to sex hormone-binding globulin , and testosterone canât carry out its important functions until itâs unbound.
Tongkat ali helps to increase what is known as free testosterone, so that it’s available to support muscle building, libido, and all the other benefits testosterone provides. Look for products that contain LJ100, a patented form of this ingredient, ensuring its purity, safety, and effectiveness.
Eat Fat Boost Testosterone
Often thought as a “physique destroyer,” dietary fat is actually one of the most critical players when it comes to optimizing natural testosterone production. It’s now recognized as a sure way to increase testosterone levels.
In fact, a study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology found that diets with higher amounts of monounsaturated and saturated fats have been shown to increase testosterone levels.1
In another study, men who switched from a high-fat diet to a low-fat diet experienced significantly lower testosterone production rates and lower circulating androgen levels.2
“Keep in mind that when it comes to dietary fat, it’s not just the amount of fat you eat, but also the type of fat,” says Don Gauvreau, MSc, co-founder of PharmaFreak.
Examples of quality monounsaturated fats:
- Olive oil, almonds, avocados, peanut butter
Examples of quality saturated fats:
- Red meat, coconut oil, egg yolks, dark chocolate, cheese
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How To Get More Testosterone
This article was co-authored by Inge Hansen, PsyD. Dr. Inge Hansen, PsyD, is the Director of Well-Being at Stanford University and the Weiland Health Initiative. Dr. Hansen has professional interests in social justice and gender and sexual diversity. She earned her PsyD from the California School of Professional Psychology with specialized training in the area of gender and sexual identity. She is the co-author of The Ethical Sellout: Maintaining Your Integrity in the Age of Compromise.There are 11 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 100% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 845,691 times.
Testosterone is a hormone that is produced in large amounts by males , in the testes and adrenal glands. High testosterone levels are associated with sexual performance, reproductive function, muscle mass, hair growth, aggressive, competitive behaviors, and other such manly things. Testosterone levels tend to peak at the age of 40, and slowly decline from there. Luckily, there are many things you can do to increase testosterone, so if you feel like your testosterone levels could use a boost, you’ve come to the right place.
Proven Ways To Increase Testosterone Levels Naturally
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Testosterone is the main male sex hormone, but females also have small amounts of it.
It is a steroid hormone, produced in mens testicles and womens ovaries .
The adrenal glands also produce small amounts.
During puberty in boys, testosterone is one of the main drivers of physical changes like increased muscle, deeper voice and hair growth.
However, having optimal levels is also important throughout adulthood and even during old age.
In adults, healthy levels are important for general health, disease risk, body composition, sexual function and just about everything else .
Additionally, increasing your testosterone levels can cause rapid gains in muscle mass and vitality in only a matter of weeks (
13 ).
The research is pretty conclusive: both genders should ensure they have healthy levels of testosterone, especially as they age (
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How Does Exercise Help Raise Testosterone
Exercise can help to raise testosterone levels by improving the body’s overall fitness. One study found that men who exercised regularly had higher testosterone levels than those who did not exercise. Regular exercise can also help to improve mood and reduce stress, which can also lead to higher testosterone levels.
How Can I Increase My Testosterone How To Increase Your Testosterone Naturally By Avoiding The Common Mistakes Most People Make
If you are asking yourself How can I increase my testosterone? there are many ways to increase your levels. Some are more effective than others, but all of them will help you achieve your goals. I am going to share with you the most effective ways of increasing your testosterone in this article. Lets get started!
The first thing you should do is modify your diet and watch what you put inside of it. There are certain foods that are going to affect your body in different ways. For example, if you eat a lot of red meat then you should definitely cut back on it or take it out completely. Red meats contain high levels of testosterone. So, by removing it from your diet youll be able to increase your testosterone level. This doesnt mean just removing the red meat, it means changing the way you eat so it has a smaller impact on your body.
Another thing you can do when trying to answer the question How can I increase my testosterone? is worked out. This may seem like a strange way to increase your bodys production of this vital hormone but by working out you will be giving your body more opportunities to produce it naturally. It doesnt matter how intense your workout is, as long as you exercise regularly and get plenty of rest afterward, youll be helping your body to produce more Testosterone naturally.
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How To Increase Your Testosterone
Testosterone is a hormone that regulates male characteristics and sexual function. Just like other hormones in your body, testosterone naturally fluctuates from day to day and over the course of your life.
Your testosterone levels start increasing when you enter puberty, and peak in your late teens. Around age 30, testosterone begins declining at a rate of about 1% per year.
Lower testosterone levels are normal as you get older, but testosterone that drops too low can have a range of negative effects on your health and well-being.
Symptoms can include low sex drive, erectile dysfunction , weight gain, and more. If youre concerned that you have low testosterone, you might be wondering if theres anything you can do to increase testosterone levels.
Our team at Advanced Urology specializes in diagnosing and treating low testosterone. In your consultation at one of our offices in Redondo Beach, Culver City, San Pedro, and Los Angeles, California we review your symptoms and perform a few tests to identify any hormonal imbalances. Then, we recommend ways to increase your testosterone.
What Is Normal Testosterone By Age
Testosterone levels generally peak during adolescence and early adulthood. As you age, your testosterone level gradually declines typically about 1 percent a year after age 30 or 40. It is important to determine in older men if a low testosterone level is simply due to the decline of normal aging or if it is due to a disease .
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How Can One Increase Their Testosterone Levels
Low libido, depression and decrease in muscle size and strength are just a few of the symptoms of low testosterone. As bodybuilders, testosterone is one of our key hormones for packing on muscle and staying in shape.
How would you know if you had low testosterone levels? What are some of the signs?
How can one increase their testosterone levels? What are some natural ways to increase testosterone?
Have you or someone you know used supplements to increase testosterone? If so, how were the results?
Show off your knowledge to the world!
What Is The Best Natural Testosterone Booster
You can look to increase levels of zinc and vitamin D with diet. Both have been shown to boost testosterone naturally.
There are a lot of solutions available over-the-counter to help you naturally increase testosterone levels. Herbal supplements with added minerals and vitamins are also effective.
There are many on the market currently, but the most popular are Testogen, Test RX, and Testo Prime.
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Exercise And Lift Weights
Exercise is one of the most effective ways to prevent many lifestyle-related diseases. Interestingly, it can also boost your testosterone.
A large review study found that people who exercised regularly had higher testosterone levels. In the elderly, exercise increases testosterone levels, fitness and reaction time .
New research in obese men suggests that increased physical activity was even more beneficial than a weight loss diet for increasing testosterone levels .
Resistance training, such as weight lifting, is the best type of exercise to boost testosterone in both the short- and long-term .
High-intensity interval training can also be very effective, although all types of exercise should work to some extent .
Taking caffeine and creatine monohydrate as supplements may further boost your levels when combined with a training program .
Summary
All forms of exercise may increase your testosterone levels. Weight lifting and high-intensity interval training are the most effective.
Therefore, you must pay attention to your long-term calorie intake and diet strategy.
Constant dieting or overeating may disrupt your testosterone levels .
Eating enough protein can help maintain healthy levels and aid in fat loss, which is also associated with your testosterone (
Carb intake also plays a role, with research showing carbs can help optimize testosteronelevels during resistance training (
37 ).
40 ).
Summary