Irritability, low sex drive, and decreased lean muscle mass are just some of the ways low testosterone levels can afflict otherwise healthy men.
I have talked to countless fitness clients who feel they are doing all the right things yet are still plagued by low testosterone. They express their frustrations in how low T- levels affect not only their sexual health but also their emotional and physical well-being.
I decided to tackle the topic head-on and spent months researching low testosterone and what testosterone booster options are available.
This article will provide my research results, including the effects of testosterone on men’s health, what testosterone boosters are, and the potential benefits and risks.
Quick Summary
- A testosterone booster is a supplement structured to stimulate the production of testosterone in the body the natural way.
- Many testosterone boosters contain zinc, D-aspartic acid, magnesium, and vitamin D.
- Testosterone levels can be restored by avoiding stress, eating healthy, exercising, getting enough rest, and getting enough sunlight.
How Do Testosterone Boosters and Replacement Therapy Enhance T-Levels?
A narrow answer is that T-boosters are supplements designed to stimulate natural testosterone production with many natural compounds like vitamins, minerals, herbs, and extracts.
These supplements usually contain scientifically proven ingredients like D-aspartic acid, Vitamin D, Zinc, or Magnesium, which have been studied for their role in increasing testosterone production in otherwise healthy people.
These supplements will be extensively discussed later in the article.
A broader answer to the question would be any vehicle through which you can boost your testosterone levels. This definition encompasses TRT, which is commonly prescribed by the doctor for specific health issues causing low levels of hormones in the patients.
When you have determined that your overall health is good and the issue lies simply in low testosterone, there are a couple of routes to consider to increase testosterone levels.
If there is not another medical condition affecting your T-levels, it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional first. They can provide expert guidance and recommend suitable treatment options, such as online TRT clinics.
These virtual clinics have revolutionized the accessibility and convenience of testosterone replacement therapy. By opting for remote TRT clinics, individuals can receive comprehensive care, including diagnosis, prescription, and ongoing monitoring, all from their homes.
This innovative approach ensures that you can address your low T levels effectively and conveniently with the support of qualified medical professionals.
Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT)
Testosterone replacement therapy, also called androgen replacement therapy or hormone replacement therapy, is FDA approved and can effectively treat testosterone deficiency caused by hypogonadism.
Many of the top-rated online TRT clinics offer comprehensive guidance on these treatments.
Testosterone therapy is currently available as [1]:
- Topical: a testosterone gel that provides easy application through skin
- Transdermal: a testosterone patch applied daily which can cause skin irritation in some instances
- Intramuscular: testosterone injection in the muscle requiring less frequent dosage administration. It is also known to cause skin irritation and pain at the injection site
- Subcutaneous: under-the-skin injection considered a better-tolerated alternative to intramuscular [2] [3]
- Subdermal Implants: testosterone pellets surgically implanted a few times a year remove the need for daily application or bi-weekly injections [4]
Testosterone Supplements
Testosterone supplements offer organic ingredients to aid the body’s natural testosterone production.
Many of the well-known testosterone boosters contain:
- D-aspartic acid: A natural amino acid that may increase levels of luteinizing hormone, which prompts the body to release more testosterone [5]
- Vitamin D: Studies show differing conclusions regarding the value of vitamin D related to increasing testosterone levels, but it remains a common supplement ingredient [6] [7]
- Zinc: Research has shown a direct link to zinc deficiency and low testosterone levels [8]
- Magnesium: An essential mineral in the body that has proven to have an impact on both total and free testosterone levels [9]
Ongoing research evaluates the efficacy of herbal ingredients like ashwagandha root, turmeric, fenugreek seed, and Tribulus Terrestris as testosterone boosters. [10]
Also Read: What Vitamins Will Increase Testosterone
What Affects Testosterone?
There is no shortage of reasons for the increased risk of low testosterone levels, some more manageable than others [11].
These include:
- Medications: including chemotherapy, steroids, and opioids
- Pituitary gland disorders
- Obesity
- Liver damage
- Stress levels
- Extreme weight loss
- Hypothyroidism
What You Need to Know About These Products
There are potential benefits and risks to consider when you are seeking advice, diagnosis, or treatment of the following items related to low testosterone:
- General sexual function: including erectile dysfunction or decreased sex drive
- Body composition: increasing muscle growth and lean muscle mass, or decreasing body fat
- Age-related hypogonadism: Even if you have good overall health, decreasing testosterone levels as you age are normal. After the age of 30, Testosterone levels can decline by approximately 1% per year
Restoring testosterone levels with testosterone boosting supplements or any TRT delivery method have shown to have positive effects on [12]:
- Sexual function
- Mood
- Lean muscle mass
- Muscle strength
- Bone density
- Cognitive function
Other Ways to Boost Testosterone
There are several everyday things you can do in conjunction with using trusted natural testosterone boosters to significantly increase blood testosterone, including:
- Exercise: especially high-intensity interval training (HIIT) [14]
- Eat healthy: especially foods that contain D-aspartic acid: beef, asparagus, avocado, and eggs contain this vital T-boosting nutrient.
- Get some sun: Foods like salmon, mushrooms, and milk contain vitamin D, but sun exposure is also an excellent source.
- Reduce stress: Stress, especially long-term, can wreak havoc on many body functions, including increasing cortisol levels, and when those levels are unnaturally elevated, it can quickly reduce testosterone levels [15].
- Get plenty of rest: Getting enough sleep can be effective in boosting testosterone and plays an essential role for the mind and body.
- Healthy sex life: Even though low T-levels can lower sex drive and cause sexual dysfunction, regular sexual activity can increase testosterone levels.
- Sexual function
- Mood
- Lean muscle mass
- Muscle strength
- Bone density
- Cognitive function
FAQs
How Long Do Testosterone Boosters Take To Work?
There is a lot of variation on how long testosterone boosters take to work, but first results can usually be seen after 3-6 weeks of use. Changes like fat mass reduction and improved muscle strength can take 4-6 months with less effective supplements [16].
What Happens When You Take Testosterone Boosters?
When you take testosterone boosters, you may experience improved sex drive, stronger bones, increased muscle mass, strength, sperm production, and energy levels.
Final Thoughts on Testosterone Boosters
After going through countless reviews, talking to my clients, and experiencing positive results myself, I must confirm that some testosterone boosters actually work great to aid the natural production of testosterone.
I test my blood testosterone somewhat often, and over the years in the fitness industry, I asked my clients to check theirs after to see if T-boosters actually made any difference. And a few effective testosterone boosters consistently proved to be successful in increasing free testosterone levels significantly. Check out our list of recommended T-booster supplements:
High T-levels can boost sex drive and sperm count, improve body composition by supporting muscle growth and fat burning, and improve mood and cognitive function.
In my opinion, these benefits for men’s physical and emotional health far outweigh any potential adverse side effects from T-Boosters.
References:
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5182226/
- https://academic.oup.com/jcem/article/102/7/2349/3008651
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34694927/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4431706/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3963304/
- https://academic.oup.com/jcem/article/102/11/4292/4096785
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21154195/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8875519/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20352370/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33150931/
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15603-low-testosterone-male-hypogonadism
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2701485/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5870326/
- https://www.healthline.com/health/does-working-out-increase-testosterone
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24431964/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3188848/
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