
Testosterone is a hormone with amazing effects, and its proper levels are necessary to simply feel healthy and full of vigor. It can be raised with lifestyle manipulations such as diet and physical activity, but to maximize the effects, it's also worth using the right dietary supplements.
- Why should you care about high testosterone?
- Supplements to raise testosterone levels
- Complex testosterone boosters
- Lifestyle effects on testosterone
Why should you care about high testosterone?
Testosterone is a steroid hormone commonly referred to as the "male" one, although it is needed in the right amounts for either sex. This hormone has an anabolic effect on muscles and bones, so it is essential for keeping the body fit. When it starts to be in short supply, the risk of injury, fractures, decline in muscle strength and overall physical performance increases. Without an adequate amount of testosterone, it becomes very hard to strive for a figure, and this figure, contrary to appearances, has not only aesthetic but also health values. The higher the ratio of muscle to fat mass, the better a man's metabolic health and control of inflammation.
Testosterone has a major impact on mood. It makes us feel more confident, have more energy and motivation for action, and recover more efficiently. With high levels of this hormone, decision-making comes easier and we don't feel as much anxiety.
Supplements to raise testosterone levels
There are many preparations to which the label of supplements for high testosterone clings. Some have achieved it completely deservedly, others less so. Let's have a little overview of what to look out for.
Eurycoma Longifolia
A root called Malaysian ginseng or longjack. Mo excellent reputation as a typically masculine herb. Reviews repeat reports of improved libido, less fatigue and better mood. Traditionally, Longjack was used mainly as an aphrodisiac. Modern medicine also points to fertility-enhancing effects, manifested by better semen parameters. An increase in hormone levels has also been noted, provided they were low to begin with.
Tribulus terrestris
Tribulus is known as Mace in Polish. As a testosterone and libido booster it became famous when bodybuilding in Poland was still in its infancy. Nowadays it is somewhat less popular on the market, but we have more concrete information about Tribulus' effects and it can be used more precisely. Unfortunately, a review of the research does not favor the claim that Tribulus increases its concentration, BUT it can enhance its effects in some way. Namely, Tribulus supplementation can increase the number of androgen receptors (by which the hormone acts) in the brain. This makes it possible for testosterone in the brain to act more strongly and have a stronger effect on mood and libido, even when its levels are not raised. This has its advantages, which will be appreciated especially by those with excess estrogen or DHT. When its levels aren't raised, conversion to other hormones doesn't increase either, and we still benefit from increased libido, less anxiety and greater self-confidence.
DAA
DAA, or d-aspartic acid, is an amino acid that acts on NMDA receptors in the brain. Its role is to stimulate the brain to produce a greater output of hormones (LH, FSH, growth hormone), which, among other things, stimulate the testes to produce testosterone. DAA can raise its levels, but this effect is usually short-lived, lasting roughly 7-10 days and depending on the starting level, which should be low. If DAA is used for too long, or in people who have testosterone high and don't need to raise it, the effect can be just the opposite of what is expected and levels can drop.
Saw palmetto
Sabal palm is a plant used to relieve symptoms of androgenization. Its action is to inhibit the conversion of testosterone into DHT (dihydrotestosterone), which is much more androgenic, but does not have, for example, the same effect on muscles as its counterpart. When using Saw palmetto, one can expect to increase the ratio of testosterone to DHT, i.e. simultaneously raising the hormone in question and lowering DHT. It can also be used as an adjunct to other remedies, as part of prevention against hair loss, skin deterioration and prostate problems.
Boron
Boron is a mineral, a trace element. For humans, it is of particular value in the context of calcium metabolism and bone health, as well as the regulation of sex hormones. In hormonal matters, its action is modulating, as it adjusts to a certain extent. For example, in studies on postmenopausal women, increases in both testosterone and estradiol were noted, while in men, a few days of supplementation yielded an increase in free testosterone with a decrease in estradiol.
ZMA
ZMA is a very popular blend of magnesium, zinc and vitamin B6. Of this composition, zinc has the most effect on testosterone and hormones, which for raising testosterone is also used separately. The entire blend, used in the evening before bed, is also praised for improving nighttime recovery and enabling better sleep, which promotes both hormonal efficiency and improved athletic performance. It's a basic composition, useful for many people, and it will work on testosterone especially with zinc deficiencies.
Complex testosterone boosters
If you do not want to choose the ingredients yourself to compose your own mix, it is worth using any of the supplemental complexes.
AH Terminator
Terminatorfrom Apollo's Hegemony is one of the hits in the testosterone booster category. It is made up of ingredients from different categories: herbs, polyphenols, vitamins, minerals. The whole allows to raise, testosterone when there is not enough of it, inhibit conversion to estrogen and improve mood. It is readily used by athletes, including those using anabolic agents.
GAT Testrol
A complex of herbs and minerals that affect testosterone. The profile of ingredients used also has a pronounced effect on sexual desire and erection, as well as on overall well-being and vitality.
Magnum Thrust
Another herb-dominant complex with an established great reputation. Its ingredients are divided into 4 complexes: blocking conversion to estrogen, supporting testosterone action, optimizing testosterone production and supporting anabolism. Especially the latter complex is interesting, as it consists of, among other things, the lauded ecdysterone.
Biotech Vianabol
A very abundant complex of herbs and plants with the addition of flavonoids, coenzyme Q10, creatine, arginine and other interesting ingredients. Contains saponins and flavones with beneficial effects on testosterone.
Olimp Testoxeed
Herbs, minerals, vitamins and d-aspartic acid (DAA). Has a noticeable effect on both hormones and mood.
A related category of products are supplements for raising libido. They often have herbs and other ingredients in the formulation that also raise testosterone levels. In addition, they may also have in their composition substances that improve mood, mainly by affecting the dopamine (she is involved in regulating sexual desire and feeling satisfaction) and GABA (responsible for relaxation and reducing inhibitions) systems. The composition of supplements for libido also often uses l-arginine, an amino acid that benefits blood flow and improves penile blood supply during erection.
Lifestyle effects on testosterone
A good night's sleep, adequate levels of physical activity and proper body weight have a not insignificant effect on hormones. Each of these factors should be taken care of when you have testosterone problems. Unfortunately, but even the best supplement may not have the desired effect when several hours of sleep are missing each night. A good diet can be used to supplement the components necessary to maintain the biochemical balance within the hormonal economy, and a proper body composition prevents the development of chronic inflammation that lowers testosterone. Regular physical activity is a clear signal to the body that it needs more testosterone to support recovery.
Remember, if you have low testosterone or symptoms indicating it, it's worth looking for the cause of this condition in addition to supplementation.
Sources:
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Eurycoma longifolia: Medicinal Plant in the Prevention and Treatment
of Male Osteoporosis due to Androgen Deficiency. Evid Based
Complement Alternat Med. 2012;2012:125761. doi: 10.1155/2012/125761.
Epub 2012 Jul 15. PMID: 22844328; PMCID: PMC3403331. - Gauthaman K, Adaikan PG. Effect of Tribulus terrestris on
nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-diaphorase activity and
androgen receptors in rat brain. J Ethnopharmacol. 2005 Jan
4;96(1-2):127-32. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2004.08.030. PMID: 15588660. - Marks LS, Hess DL, Dorey FJ, Luz Macairan M, Cruz Santos PB, Tyler
VE. Tissue effects of saw palmetto and finasteride: use of biopsy
cores for in situ quantification of prostatic androgens. Urology.
2001 May;57(5):999-1005. doi: 10.1016/s0090-4295(00)01052-9. PMID: - Pizzorno L. Nothing Boring About Boron. Integr Med (Encinitas). 2015
Aug;14(4):35-48. PMID: 26770156; PMCID: PMC4712861.

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