What Are The Symptoms Of Low Testosterone
- Loss of facial and body hair
- Development of breast tissue
Its normal for men to experience these kinds of symptoms in their later years, because there is a natural, slow decline in testosterone production. However, in men with hypogonadism symptoms will come on suddenly, and usually much earlier than they should.
Maintain A Balanced Diet
Research has long shown that eating well is essential to maintaining testosterone levels and overall health. According to one report in the , low testosterone levels and being overweight may contribute to a variety of inflammatory conditions and impaired neurological function.
Additional research showed overeating and yo-yo dieting disrupted hormone levels. This effect is most evident in athletes and people who are very active.
The best diets are ones that include mostly whole foods and offer a healthful balance of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins. Eating a healthful and nutritious diet can keep all hormones levels in the body balanced and promote optimal long-term health.
Testosterone Supplements And Their Benefits
If youre looking to boost your testosterone levels, you may be considering taking a supplement.
Testosterone is a hormone that plays an important role in many bodily functions, including muscle growth, bone density, and sex drive.
Although testosterone levels naturally decline with age, there are many potential benefits to taking testosterone supplements, including increased muscle mass and strength, improved libido, and increased energy levels.
Here are three of the best testosterone supplements on the market today.
Testo Prime is a natural supplement that contains ingredients like D-Aspartic Acid, Panax Ginseng, and Fenugreek, which have been shown to help increase testosterone levels. read more >
Testo Gen is another natural supplement that contains herbs like Nettle Leaf Extract and fenugreek seed extract, which have been traditionally used to support healthy testosterone levels. read more >
Finally, Testo-Max is a natural supplement that contains the active ingredient Panax ginseng, Boron, and D-Aspartic Acid, which has been clinically shown to increase testosterone production. read more >
Whichever supplement you choose, be sure to follow the manufacturers directions and consult with a healthcare professional if you have any questions or concerns.
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Foods That May Help Boost Testosterone
Testosterone is a sex hormone that affects:
- sex drive
- sperm production
- blood cell production
Testosterone declines as you age, but other factors can also cause low testosterone, including certain medications, high body-fat levels, and some health conditions .
Low testosterone, also called hypogonadism or low T, occurs when testosterone levels fall below 300 nanograms/deciliter . Low testosterone can be medically treated through testosterone replacement therapy .
Hypogonadism is very common. In fact, around 40% of men over 45 years old and 50% of men in their 80s are considered hypogonadal .
A health-promoting lifestyle, including diet, is important for maintaining optimal testosterone levels. Some studies have found that diets high in ultra-processed foods and low in nutrient-dense foods may reduce testosterone levels .
If you have low testosterone levels, follow a medical professionals recommendations. Additionally, you may consider adopting a dietary pattern rich in foods that contain nutrients important for maintaining healthy testosterone levels.
Many nutrients, including vitamin D, magnesium, and zinc, are important for maintaining optimal testosterone levels .
However, theres limited research investigating the impact of specific foods on testosterone levels.
This article covers 7 foods that are rich in nutrients that may help promote healthy testosterone levels.
Other Natural Testosterone Boosters
In addition to consuming more foods that boost testosterone, the following lifestyle changes can help with T levels.
1. Intermittent Fasting
The first of the natural testosterone boosters is intermittent fasting.
One of the biggest intermittent fasting benefits? Its been shown to increase testosterone by nearly 200 percent or even up to 400 percent.
In addition, a study by the University of Virginia Medical School noted that growth hormone levels increased 2,000 percent over the baseline in men who ate no calories for 24 hours, and growth hormone levels are correlated with testosterone.
Intermittent fasting allows your organs to rest, especially your liver, which is so crucial for naturally balancing hormones, especially testosterone.
2. Heavy Weight Training and Interval Training
If you want to naturally boost testosterone and HGH, then combine weight training with HIIT workouts .
Go to the gym at least three days a week, and lift heavy weights. Lifting heavy weights for six to 12 reps with larger muscle groups like your quadriceps, hamstrings, back, shoulders and chest will help your body pack on the maximum amount of muscle.
Researchers at Ball State University found that strength training can induce growth hormone and testosterone release.
Burst training involves exercising at 90 percent to 100 percent of your maximum effort for a short interval in order to burn your bodys stored sugar , followed by a period of low impact for recovery.
3. Liver Detox
5. Vitamin D
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Men Naturally Lose Testosterone As They Age But There Are Low
Testosterone is the hormone that gives men their manliness. Produced by the testicles, it is responsible for male characteristics like a deep voice, muscular build, and facial hair. Testosterone also fosters the production of red blood cells, boosts mood, keeps bones strong, and aids thinking ability. Lack of testosterone, often nicknamed, low-t, can cause unwanted symptoms.
Testosterone levels peak by early adulthood and drop as you ageabout 1% to 2% a year beginning in the 40s. As men reach their 50s and beyond, this may lead to signs and symptoms, such as impotence or changes in sexual desire, depression or anxiety, reduced muscle mass, less energy, weight gain, anemia, and hot flashes. While falling testosterone levels are a normal part of aging, certain conditions can hasten the decline. Low t risk factors include:
- injury or infection
- chemotherapy or radiation treatment for cancer
- medications, especially hormones used to treat prostate cancer and corticosteroid drugs
- chronic illness
- alcoholism
- obesity
Foods That Increase Testosterone By 52 Percent
5. Cocoa Products
6. Dark, Leafy Greens
As we noted in the intro, testosterone declines as you get older, but there are other factors to consider when it comes to lowered testosterone levels. This includes high body fat levels, some health conditions, and certain medications.
Low testosterone is known as hypogonadism or low T for short. This typically gets diagnosed as such when levels fall below 300 nanograms. Sometimes men opt to have their levels treated medically with testosterone replacement therapy. While this is always an option you can discuss with your doctor, its usually reserved for immensely low levels of testosterone in men.
While you may think that hypogonadism is rare, its actually pretty common. This low T count impacts over 40% of men between the ages of 40-79 while impacting 50% of men who reach age 80+. Many men will be told that a healthy lifestyle and diet are important factors to maintain optimal testosterone levels.
We agree that diet and lifestyle changes play a key role in getting your testosterone levels back to a normal range. Thats why we wanted to feature the best foods that increases testosterone by 52 percent. Many men are more willing to adjust their diet and lifestyle before theyre willing to go see a doctor about low testosterone levels.
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What Is Testosterone And What Does It Do
Testosterone is a hormone that is produced by the testicles in men and by the ovaries in women. It plays an important role in regulating sex drive, bone and muscle mass, fat distribution, and red blood cell production.
Testosterone levels typically peak during adolescence and early adulthood. As men age, their testosterone levels gradually decline, which can lead to several health problems. In addition to its effects on sexual function, testosterone also contributes to male characteristics such as facial and body hair growth, deepening of the voice, and increased muscle mass.
Although it is often associated with masculinization, testosterone plays an important role in both sexes. In women, it helps to regulate ovulation and the menstrual cycle.
It also protects against osteoporosis and maintains muscle mass and strength. Therefore, both men and women need to maintain healthy levels of testosterone.
Making A Handful Of Smart Lifestyle Choices Can Help Promote Healthy Testosterone Levels In Men
by Health Writer
Just how important is testosterone, if youre a guy? Metabolism, muscle growth, mood regulation, and sex drive are all controlled by this hormone, even if most men lose about 1% of their testosterone per year after age 30, says Roy Guinto, D.O., clinical assistant professor of medicine at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in Pennsylvania, who calls the change a “natural part of aging. Still, by avoiding risk factors that can reduce testosterone prematurely and adopting lifestyle habits to promote healthy hormone levels, you can help keep your T levels in a healthy range for longer. Heres how.
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The Mens Fitness Guide To Testosterone Supplements
There are many supplements on the market claiming to enhance testosterone. In fact many of them are herbal supplements that, while improving libido and boosting confidence, do very little for testosterone levels. These libido enhancers include herbs such as tribulus terrestris, maca and fenugreek, all of which have a noticeable effect on sex drive but none on testosterone.
Other ingredients, such as eurycoma and ginger, can only increase testosterone when taken by men who are infertile or have testicular damage. Others, such as horny goat weed, havent been studied in humans so there is no reliable evidence for their effects.
Bottom line: most testosterone supplements on the market have no effect on testosterone levels. But there are a few proven to work, thanks to a research review from examine.com, especially if you have a vitamin or mineral deficiency.
Concentrate On Getting Adequate Sleep
Because the majority of testosterone is produced and released when you sleep, enough sleep is critical for maintaining healthy testosterone levels.
Between 50 million and 70 million individuals in the United States suffer from some kind of sleep disturbance. If youre one of the many individuals who have difficulty sleeping or just dont get enough hours of sleep every night, this may have an influence on your testosterone levels.
Its worth emphasizing that research on this subject is still in its infancy which explains the prior two studies very tiny sample sizes.
While there is no study on the best amount of sleep for testosterone, you may utilize the CDCs advice of seven or more hours each night as a starting point for good sleep. The National Sleep Foundation advises seven to nine hours of sleep every night for adolescents and young adults.
If you feel as if you need more or less sleep, you may change your sleep schedule to reflect your mood throughout the day.
If you have difficulty falling and staying asleep, even minor adjustments to your lifestyle might have a startling effect.
For instance, a 2011 small research discovered that young males who experienced a week of sleep restriction, sleeping just five hours each night, had testosterone levels in the daytime that were 10% to 15% lower than usual.
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Use Training Variables Associated With Greater T
When it comes to resistance training, both short-term and long-term research has shown that higher-volume training programs tend to elicit the greatest hormonal response.1,13
Stick to protocols that stress large degrees of muscle mass and are moderate- to high-intensity. Additionally, more seasoned gym-goers may want to incorporate forced repetitions periodically into their programs, as testosterone increases have been observed with this type of training.14 Incorporating other post-failure training techniques such as dropsets or partials may similarly be associated with higher T production.
References
Milk For A Lean Physique
Proof we are supposed to have hard bodies, University of Pittsburgh researchers found that fat blokes have more oestrogen.
Cut the blubber by boosting your T-levels with milk: its amino acids boost production of anabolic hormones, which in turn build muscle and trim fat. The Department of Health recommends three 200ml glasses a day.
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Getting More Vitamin D And Zinc
In one study, subjects who received vitamin D supplementation showed significant increases in testosterone compared to those in the control group. The American Academy of Family Physicians recommends that men with low testosterone get 600 IUs of vitamin D daily and also 11 milligrams of zinc, another testosterone-boosting mineral, per day. You can opt to eat more foods rich in zinc, which includes meat, poultry, shellfish, whole grains, beans, and nuts or take a zinc supplement. Both vitamin D and zinc supplements are available over the counter.
Are Testosterone Boosters Worth It
Though many of the ingredients listed above have been shown to improve testosterone levels or improve other markers of male sexual function, its important to keep in mind that over-the-counter supplements are not evaluated by the FDA.
For this reason, not all products are created equal and some may not be effective. In fact, one review found that only 30% of people actually experienced an increase in testosterone levels after using five OTC testosterone boosters .
In addition to using ingredients that have been clinically studied, choosing high quality products from a trusted supplier and picking supplements that are third-party tested may be beneficial.
Furthermore, Brito notes that some people may need to be cautious when using supplements, especially if theyre taking other medications or have underlying health conditions.
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Ways To Increase Testosterone Levels Naturally
* Always speak to your primary care provider when starting a new supplement and to ensure whether testosterone boosters are right for you.
You’re probably familiar with the term “testosterone.” While the female hormone estrogen is also present in males, testosterone is the primary male sex hormone. However, both sexes rely on testosterone to maintain proper body composition and healthy sexual function.
So – can you learn how to increase testosterone naturally? Yes, you can.
Unfortunately, testosterone levels decline as you age. Testosterone levels peak in the late teens to early twenties after age 30, they begin a consistent decline of 1%-2% each year. As a result, men start to lose all those great health benefits, like increased libido, stronger bones, bigger muscles, and a healthier body, starting in their thirties.
If you don’t feel as strong and virile as you once were, the culprit could be low testosterone levels. Yes, you could go to the doctor and try testosterone therapy, but you can also find ways to increase your levels naturally, without harsh side effects.
If youre ready to build muscle faster and increase your sex drive, here are ten natural ways to help increase your testosterone levels.
Hit The Weights And Get Walking
Lifting weights is a good way to maintain muscle mass and build more muscle mass, Dr. Dobs notes, which can help counteract the effects that extra body fat can have on testosterone. But exercising in general can also promote healthy testosterone levels, in and of itself. One study found that physically active men have healthier hormone levels than sedentary men. And another study on men with obesity found that upping physical activityspecifically, adding in cardio exercise four or more times per weekincreased testosterone levels more than restricting calories did.
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Testosterone And Vegetarian Diets
Another common concept is that vegan and vegetarian diets will contribute to lower levels of testosterone. Still, one study found vegans to have higher testosterone levels than both vegetarians and meat-eaters .
The vegans and vegetarians in this study were younger and had a lower body weight than meat-eaters, which can affect the results. If these men were healthier in general, they would also tend to have higher testosterone levels.
Nonetheless, the study seems to prove that you can have a vegetarian or vegan diet and enjoy optimal hormonal balance and health.
Need a boost?
Total Testosterone Levels In Males By Age
Up to 9 years of age 7-20 ng/dl
Low testosterone can also have a serious impact on your cardiovascular health. Experts are still researching the connection between testosterone and heart health. They do know that men with low levels are more at risk to have heart attacks and stroke. However, when symptomatic men with lab-confirmed low testosterone receive testosterone therapy, their risk of cardiovascular events decreases. In one study, men under 55 with symptomatic low testosterone levels had a 25% reduced risk of heart attack and stroke when they received adequate testosterone therapy. Men over 60 had a 15% lower risk.
A too-low or too-high testosterone level is not favorable, says S. Adam Ramin, MD, a urologist and medical director of Urology Cancer Specialists in Los Angeles. And studies have shown that mid-range levels are cardio-protective, meaning they can help guard the heart from potential damage. The goal is to replace testosterone so that it is within the normal range. Some men desire testosterone replacement when their levels are within the normal range to help with symptoms of hypogonadism. This is harmful to the patient and has not been significantly shown to help with symptoms. If the testosterone is within the normal range, then the physician should look for alternate diagnoses for why the patient is symptomatic.
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Do Testosterone Boosting Supplements Work
There are lots of natural or herbal remedies that are touted on the internet as testosterone boosters. But the truth is, theres rarely enough evidence to suggest that these kinds of remedies have the effects they claim to.
While they may not have a harmful effect, so-called testosterone boosters are unlikely to do anything for your symptoms.
When To Consider Testosterone Boosters
If youre looking for a simple way to increase testosterone levels naturally, some supplements on this list may be beneficial.
If youre experiencing severe symptoms of low testosterone such as low energy levels, decreased libido, or muscle loss, or fertility issues, please talk to your healthcare provider about possible treatment options.
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