How Much do Testosterone Boosters Increase Testosterone?
Written by Ben Bunting: BA, PGCert. (Sport & Exercise Nutrition) // British Army Physical Training Instructor // S&C Coach.
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What is testosterone?
Testosterone is a sex hormone produced by both men's gonads (sex organs) and women's ovaries, belonging to a class of androgen hormones known as androgens.
Testosterone affects sexual drive, muscle strength, bone density and red blood cell production as well as sperm production.
Peak levels typically occur during puberty before gradually decreasing with age - this decrease is referred to as male menopause or age related changes; leading to problems such as reduced body bulk or increase fat storage resulting in skin that appears "parchment".
Men get testosterone from cells known as Leydig cells in their testicles; women's ovaries produce it in small quantities.
Testosterone helps puberty come about through facial hair growth and deepening of voice production, as well as through its effects on sperm production, maintaining bone strength, fat storage patterns and the way our bodies store energy.
In short it plays an essential role in sexual desire development and protecting against bone disorders.
Testosterone and the other sex hormones - estrogen, prolactin and DHEA - play an integral role in growth, development and sexual function for both males and females.
Naturally higher testosterone levels exist among individuals assigned male at birth (AMAB) than among those assigned female at birth (AFAB).
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, or PCOS, is characterized by high levels of androgens such as testosterone that can result in irregular periods, excess or coarse hair on the face, trunk, arms and chest; thinned and darkened skin; an increase in waistline size with weight gain; as well as large prostate gland size with male-pattern baldness.
Treatment options may include using diuretics like Spironolactone for managing symptoms associated with PCOS.
Anabolic steroids which contain synthetic testosterone may be taken by athletes to enhance performance or build muscle mass, but it's essential that they understand the risks.
Abusing such supplements could result in reduced sperm counts or an increased risk of prostate cancer. Testosterone supplements come in pill, cream and gel forms.
There are also herbal products containing vitamins, minerals and plant extracts which can help increase the naural production of testosterone by the body.
How do testosterone boosters work?
Testosterone is an essential male hormone that affects muscle and bone strength, sexual desire and more.
Unfortunately, testosterone naturally decreases as men age, potentially leading to erectile dysfunction and other issues. Natural testosterone boosters aim to restore normal levels of the hormone to reverse these issues.
These products typically include ingredients designed to increase libido and energy levels, as well as herbs and vitamins known to boost performance.
Fenugreek is one such ingredient used in boosters, having been shown to both improve sexual function and athletic performance.
Its furostanolic saponin compounds can increase testosterone production in the body..
Other popular supplements include ashwagandha, eurycoma longifolia (longjack plant), boron, d-aspartic acid and zinc - most have been studied thoroughly and shown safe.
For maximum effectiveness, look for testosterone boosters with money-back guarantees, so that you can test them without risk.
Also make sure that the ingredients listed on their labels are all-natural and safe - nothing that may cause side effects should be included in them.
Potential benefits of increased testosterone levels
Testosterone is an essential hormone for men's health, and plays an essential role in bone density, muscle mass and sexual drive.
Additionally, testosterone regulates how fat is stored in the body as well as processing of cholesterol and other blood lipids.
In turn this facilitates red blood cell production while aiding platelets clotting when needed.
Testosterone production occurs via signals from the brain to testes which then act upon "feedback loop" systems which regulate levels in the blood.
Studies have demonstrated that older men with higher natural testosterone levels often suffer less heart disease than those who have lower levels, although it's hard to isolate cause and effect in such studies.
One possible explanation may be testosterone's ability to dilate blood vessels and lower cholesterol, possibly explaining some of this protection against heart disease in these men, yet another could be its effect on fat metabolism, immunity and endocrine systems which could increase or decrease heart disease risk respectively.
While some may require testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), the most beneficial approach to maintaining optimal levels is through living well.
Regular exercise and healthy diet have been found to reduce body fat, improve blood pressure levels and raise testosterone circulating levels.
Factors to consider before trying testosterone boosters
Considerations should be made when taking testosterone boosters, such as their ingredients, potential drug interactions and how the product fits with diet and exercise.
Consult a healthcare professional prior to taking any supplement (even those available over-the-counter) so they can offer guidance as to which product would best meet your individual needs and warn of any possible side effects.
Testosterone supplements typically consist of a blend of herbs and nutrients designed to stimulate the body to produce more testosterone, such as fenugreek, nettle leaf extract and d-aspartic acid, amino acids which build protein; minerals like zinc, boron and mucuna pruriens.
They're often promoted as ways to increase libido and improve male health; however they can also be used as treatment methods for issues like low sex drive or erectile dysfunction (ED).
Note that testosterone supplements, while proven to boost levels, cannot completely replace it.
Low sex drive or other symptoms associated with low testosterone may stem from different causes and cannot necessarily be corrected with simply taking an supplemental dosage of testosterone.
Results of any testosterone supplement may take time to emerge, so it's essential that you carefully follow the recommended dosage instructions.
Skipping doses could significantly decrease their effectiveness; some people should begin seeing results within six weeks while others could see them sooner or later than that. It's also crucial that you take the supplement at regular intervals; this will ensure consistent outcomes.
How Much Do Testosterone Boosters Increase Testosterone?
Testosterone is the sex hormone responsible for giving men their "masculine" characteristics such as deep voices, broad shoulders and hairy chests.
Testosterone also plays an integral part in sperm production, muscle strength and energy levels as well as sexual drive - though with age these levels decline naturally and this can lead to fatigue and muscle mass loss - so many turn to testosterone boosters containing vitamins and herbs which claim to protect and increase it.
The top test boosters contain a combination of safe ingredients. Ashwagandha is one such ingredient commonly found in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries and considered an adaptogen, meaning it helps the body deal with physical and emotional stress.
Other popular ingredients used to optimize exercise performance include vitamin K and zinc.
Men can supplement natural test boosters with other approaches to maintaining healthy testosterone levels, such as getting sufficient rest and eating a diet high in vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin B6 and Magnesium; both essential for supporting healthy testosterone levels.
Reducing exposure to environmental toxins like pesticides and plastics also can contribute to maintaining balanced hormone levels.
When taken correctly, taking testosterone boosters can have many positive side effects for health including increased energy and muscle growth, improved libido, and less belly fat.
Is there a specific amount of increased testosterone?
Results will differ from person-to-person. Natural testosterone boosters, as with all nutritional supplements (ergogenic aids) and even medications effect people in different ways.
Your current testosterone levels will have a big impact, as will your current lifestyle habits such as nutrition, exercise levels and even sleep.
Lifestyle
If a person has a poor level of physical activity, poor nutrition and poor sleeping habits, it is likley that person will have low testosterone levels.
As such a natural testosterone booster may help and have a bigger impact than someone who leads a healthier lifestyle.
However, for a bigger impact, that person who leads an unhealthy lifestyle would reap greater benefits if they turned their habits around.
Physical activity levels
On the other side of the coin, those athletes or soldiers who are engaged in grueling training are also at a high risk of low testosterone due to increased nutrient turnover.
This means they are at risk of nutrient deficiencies which can result in catabolic response, exhaustion and increased recovery times - overall leading to a drop in performance.
As such, these people who also benefit by taking a evidence-informed testosterone booster such as Military Muscle. Again, results will vary, as every person is different but our customers report exceptional improvements in performance.
Conclusion
Testosterone is an important hormone, essential to muscle growth and bone density, energy production, mood improvement, and sexual desire.
Unfortunately, as we age our levels naturally decline which can result in various symptoms that could hamper performance - however over-the-counter testosterone boosters can provide assistance in maintaining or increasing them.
Common ingredients found in supplements for sexual health are herbs and vitamins.
Fenugreek extract has been widely used to prevent hormone-binding globulin from binding with testosterone; vitamin D regulates hormones to maintain normal levels; while ashwagandha acts as an adaptogen that boosts production of luteinizing hormone - thus increasing both testosterone production and sperm count.
The amount of testosterone that can be increased will depend entirely on the product itself. Not all testosterone boosters are the same, with some including ingredients with out any evidence that they'll improve testosterone levels.
Then, it will depend on that person taking it and what lifestyle they lead. As such, it is difficult to ascertain how much one person will benefit.
However, Military Muscle has been used by ten of thousands of people around the world and has great customer feedback.
