Testosterone: What It Is, Function & Levels
How to Increase Your Testosterone Naturally
Your healthcare provider may recommend testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) if you have hypogonadism, a condition where the body doesn’t produce enough sex hormones. TRT involves taking synthetic testosterone in the form of a tablet, injection, topical gel, transdermal patch, or skin implant. Focus on fruits and vegetables, lean sources of protein, and whole grains, while cutting down on refined carbohydrates, high sodium foods, and foods with added sugars. This will help to ensure that hormone levels are within a healthy range and natural testosterone is balanced. At the end of the day, a balanced diet paired with regular physical activity can help to regulate hormone levels within the body.
High stress levels lead to increased cortisol (the “stress hormone”), which can negatively impact testosterone production and contribute to infertility in men. Following a balanced diet and staying physically active are the first steps towards weight loss. Practice mindful eating and talk to your healthcare provider about how to decrease testosterone levels in male naturally to improve your relationship with food. Although the influence sex and masturbation has on testosterone produces mixed results, it’s clear that testosterone is linked to sexual stimuli in some way. A study in a sex club found that testosterone levels were elevated in men responding to sexual stimulus, and the levels were particularly high when participating in sexual activity, rather than observing. For most men, declining testosterone levels won’t cause any noticeable changes, but others experience various physical and psychological symptoms. The best way to check your levels of testosterone is to take a blood test.
If testosterone levels are too high or too low, it can cause certain symptoms. Leafy greens like spinach, kale and collard greens contain a lot of magnesium, which can help regulate total and free testosterone. Research points to magnesium deficiency as another nutrient that plays a role in low testosterone. Magnesium reduces oxidative stress, or the body’s imbalance of antioxidants and free radicals. Reducing oxidative stress benefits testosterone bioactivity because inflammation and oxidative stress can lower testosterone levels.
That relationship bears out in studies showing that men with low vitamin D have significantly lower testosterone levels than men with adequate vitamin D. Processed red meats are also known to have higher concentrations of hormone residues compared with other meats. In the United States, most cattle receive a cocktail of anabolic sex steroids, including estrogen and testosterone, for two to three months prior to slaughter. The science is inconclusive on whether those hormones affect the health of the people who consume the beef. It’s worth noting that the European Union banned the practice decades ago out of concern for human health.
Arrange your consultation with one of our hormone experts today. At some point in their lives, nearly all men will experience some degree of prostate enlargement. Understanding the risk factors can help you be proactive with your health and potentially… Believe it or not, erectile dysfunction can be a symptom of diabetes. In fact, half of men diagnosed with diabetes experience erectile dysfunction within 10 years of their diagnosis. Studies show that men who eat higher quantities of processed meats have abnormally shaped sperm compared with their peers who eat higher quantities of fish.
The hormone plays an important role in the development of young adults during puberty, the period when children become young adults through emotional and physical changes. Testosterone production doesn’t run on a circadian rhythm — it’s dependent on sleep no matter when you get it. But research hypothesizes that circadian rhythm disruption may lead to lowered testosterone levels. Some men and women experience immediate side effects of testosterone treatment, such as acne, disturbed breathing while sleeping, breast swelling or tenderness, or swelling in the ankles.
Your doctor will likely perform a physical exam and review your lifestyle to determine the problem. Men usually have between 300 and 1,000 nanograms (ng) of testosterone per deciliter (dL). If your test results show a low level, you may need to increase the hormone. Research shows testosterone levels drop within five days of consuming alcohol.
In fact, interval training has been proven to not only boost T levels, but it helps keeps your testosterone elevated and can prevent its decline. If you can follow these steps, you are going to see great results in naturally boosting your testosterone levels. Low T increases your risk of developing diabetes or various forms of heart disease. Pay attention to any early warning signs and address any issues that may arise, as having full-blown diabetes or cardiovascular disease may lead to further decreased testosterone.
Heart attacks and strokes have been reported with the use of this medication. Talk to your care team about the risks and benefits of this medication. Although some men believe they feel younger and more vigorous if they take testosterone medications, there’s little evidence to support the use of testosterone in otherwise healthy men. It plays a crucial role in male development and characteristics, influencing muscle mass, bone density, and sex drive.
Both of these may stimulate the body to release more testosterone. Like sleep, stress affects your entire well-being — including your testosterone levels. So, while 4 to 5 hours of sleep may seem like enough to get you through the day, it could be contributing to lower levels of testosterone. But it’s not the only reason you might be looking to boost your testosterone levels. This steroid hormone can increase fat deposition, resulting in more conversion of testosterone to estrogen.