Testosterone

What is Testosterone?

Testosterone is a steroid hormone produced by the testes in males and by the ovaries in females. Adult males produced 40 to 60 times more testosterone than do adult females. In males, testosterone helps maintain sex drive, muscle strength and mass, bone density, fat distribution, red blood cell production, and sperm production.
Although levels of testosterone tend to decline with age, the degree of decline can vary greatly among men. As the levels decline, it changes the ratio between this hormone and estradiol. It is critical to maintain a healthy balance between testosterone and estradiol both for prostate health and overall health. In fact, if the balance goes in favor of estradiol, a condition called estrogen dominance can occur. Estrogen dominance is associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer.

The normal range of testosterone is 350 to 1,200 ng/dL (nanograms per deciliter), and what is considered to be “normal” for any man depends on his age. Testosterone levels are highest in men in their early twenties, and up to 50 percent of all men at age 40 have testosterone levels lower than what was once considered normal, 450 ng/dL. Although there is no definitive figure that identifies testosterone deficiency, 300 ng/dL is usually viewed to be at the lower limit of normal for a healthy man.

10 Signs of Testosterone Deficiency

Factors that Decrease Testosterone

Several factors may inhibit or cause a decline in testosterone levels:

• Age: Blood levels of testosterone decline with advancing age. This decline usually begins between age 35 and 45.
• Medication use: Corticosteroids and medications that are used to treat prostate cancer can lower testosterone levels.
• Injury to testicles: Testosterone production can decline if both testicles are injured.
• Infection of testicles: A mumps infection during adolescence or early adulthood that involves the testicles can impact testosterone production.
• Prostate cancer therapy: Chemotherapy and radiation therapy may temporarily reduce testosterone production, but in some men this effect is permanent.
• Diseases: Chronic illness, such as cirrhosis, sarcoidosis, chronic kidney diseases, and others can lower testosterone levels.
• Alcoholism: Excessive use of alcohol causes a decline in testosterone
• Obesity: Increased weight leads to elevated estrogen levels, which in turn lowers testosterone levels.
• Prolonged endurance exercise: Testosterone levels decrease with prolonged activity, especially frequent endurance training. That’s because testosterone is needed to support muscle, but if extended exercise is too frequent, there is not enough time for tissue repair and recovery of testosterone levels.

Natural Ways to Increase Testosterone

To increase testosterone production naturally:

• Try Supplements. Some supplements have been shown to increase testosterone levels, increase libido and sexual health.
• Talk to your doctor about testosterone replacement therapy.
• Lose excess weight. Excess weight leads to elevated estrogen levels, which in turn lowers testosterone levels. Therefore losing weight can increase testosterone.
• Avoid a high-protein diet.
• Engage in frequent sexual activity
• Exercise regularly. Exercise effects testosterone by stimulating the pituitary gland. Testosterone levels increase most with short intense bursts of exercise although prolonged endurance exercise may actually decrease testosterone levels.
• Reduce your intake of alcohol.
• Manage stress, preferably daily, with techniques such as yoga, meditation and exercise.

Supplements That Increase Testosterone

Men may be able to boost their testosterone levels naturally using herbal supplements. Much of the evidence to support the claims made by testosterone supplement makers is based on anecdotal evidence and a few animal studies. However, these testosterone supplements are available and being used by men to increase their testosterone levels.

	Avena sativa: You may know this supplement better as oats. An extract from oats called avenacosides are reported to enhance the release of luteinizing hormone, which then stimulates production of testosterone. Read more about Avena sativa
	Carnitine: Research suggests that carnitine increases the number of androgen receptors in muscle cells, which in turn results in an increase in uptake of testosterone. Read more about Carnitine
	D-aspartic acid: D-aspartic acid is an amino acid found in the neuroendocrine tissues. Studies in both rats and humans show it promotes an enhancement of testosterone release. Read more about D-aspartic acid
	Dioscorea deltoidea: This climbing plant that grows in Asia contains a high concentration of furostanolic saponins, substances reported to boost testosterone levels. Read more about Dioscorea deltoidea
	Fenugreek: Fenugreek contains phytochemicals that are credited with raising testosterone levels, according to several studies conducted by manufacturers of fenugreek supplements. Read more about Fenugreek
	Forskolin: Forskolin is derived from the roots of the plant Coleus forskohili. In a study designed to examine weight loss, subjects who took forskolin had a significant increase in their level of free testosterone. Read more about Forskolin
	Pomegranate: One study shows that pomegranate juice raised testosterone levels in rats. Read more about Pomegranate
	Tongkat ali: Also known as Eurycoma longifolia, it is a small tree that grows in Southeast Asia. This herb reportedly works by freeing testosterone from sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) in the blood. Once testosterone is released from SHBG, its levels in the blood rise. Read more about Tongkat ali
	Tribulus terrestris: This herb contains a saponin substance called protodioscin, which is credited with boosting testosterone. The saponin seems to stimulate the release of luteinizing hormone (LH) from the pituitary gland. The LH makes its way to the testicles, where it stimulates production of testosterone. The herb may also increase production of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), which is a precursor of testosterone. Read more about Tribulus terrestris

See also

Supplements for ED and Sexual Health
Supplements for Prostate Cancer
Supplements for Prostate Health
Hormone Therapy for Prostate Cancer
Hormones and Prostate Health

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