Simple ways to boost your testosterone naturally

When men reach the mid-forties, their testosterone levels start to decrease at around one to two percent in measurable blood levels every year. After the age of 60, this decline in testosterone levels leads to full-blown “andropause.” Testosterone, the male sex hormone, plays an important role in the production and maintenance of bone and muscle strength. Thus, the decline in testosterone levels can result in many negative effects, including muscle loss, insulin resistance, low libido, and depression.

Because of this, a lot of men seek ways to regulate their testosterone levels. Many opt for testosterone replacement therapy or drugs that are harmful to their health. Instead, you can opt for natural ways to boost your testosterone levels. (Related: Boost Testosterone Naturally and Avoid Heart Damaging Drugs.) Listed below are five natural treatments that may help increase testosterone levels:

1. Zinc – Zinc is important to the male reproductive system as the male prostate has one of the highest concentrations of zinc in the body. Zinc deficiency can result in testicular suppression, which includes the suppression of testosterone levels. This nutrient also provides protection against cadmium linked to DNA damage to the testicles, which in turn preserves the organs’ ability to produce testosterone. Moreover, zinc can enhance erectile function, as well as optimize levels of prolactin and testosterone.
2. Vitamin C – Preserving testosterone’s activity and regenerating it when it naturally transforms into a transient hormone metabolite is one of the best ways to optimize testosterone levels. Research has shown that vitamin C, a known electron donor, has the ability to regenerate testosterone and reduce the levels of its toxic hormone metabolite.
3. Magnesium – This mineral can help regulate the anabolic and catabolic equilibrium, which is often disrupted in elderly people. Magnesium is beneficial for increasing testosterone levels because it prevents the binding of testosterone to sex hormone-binding globulin, resulting in an improved bioavailability of testosterone.
4. Saw palmetto and astaxanthin – Research has shown that saw palmetto and astaxanthin increase testosterone and reduce estrogen and dihydrotestosterone in healthy males. These two substances are natural aromatase enzyme inhibitors and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors. They prevent testosterone from turning into dihydrotestosterone and estradiol, thus increasing testosterone levels naturally.
5. Phosphatidylserine – Phosphatidylserine is a critically important cell membrane component that reduces cortisol and increases testosterone levels after moderate physical activity. Although it is primarily found in meat, fish, and organic dairy products, it can also be found in soy and sunflower lecithin.

Other causes of declining testosterone levels

Although testosterone decline is common in older men because it comes with aging, it can still occur in young men because of contributing factors. These include the following:

• Being overweight or obese
• Drinking too much alcohol
• Having elevated cholesterol levels
• Having high blood pressure
• Taking certain prescription medications, such as steroids and opiates
• Using anabolic steroids
• Using illegal drugs

In some cases, testosterone decline is also associated with other medical conditions:

• Cancer treatments such as radiation and chemotherapy
• Diabetes, liver disease, or acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)
• Hypothalamic or pituitary disease or tumors
• Inherited diseases, such as Kallman’s syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, Klinefelter syndrome, or Down syndrome
• Injuries, tumors, or other conditions affecting the testicles, including inflammation related to childhood mumps

Your testosterone levels are low if you experience signs such as reduced sexual desire, erectile dysfunction, infertility, changes in sleep patterns, emotional changes such as low self-confidence or lack of motivation, and physical changes including increased body fat, reduced muscle mass and strength, and decreased bone density.

Read more news stories and studies on natural treatments by going to NaturalMedicine.news.

Sources include:

GreenMedInfo.com

YourHormones.info

Healthline.com 1

Healthline.com 2