The mention of testosterone boosters usage brings up an image of a weight lifter or body builder and usually carries negative connotations. On the other hand, physicians have been taught that testosterone should be used only in severe cases where the patient cannot function in normal society.
In the last several years, and, more specifically, with the development of testosterone in a form that simplifies administration and dosage, our understanding of low testosterone in men has changed. It is proven that raising testosterone helps gain muscle, enhance mood and increase libido. Recent estimates show that approximately 13 million men in the United States experience testosterone deficiency and less than 10% receive treatment for the condition. How exactly does the testosteron booster work? Is it healthy? Is is even legal?
What is Testosterone?
Testosterone is a powerful anabolic hormone that stimulates and controls the development of different organs such as muscle, bone, skin, sex organs, and most other masculine, physical features. Male testosterone is produced in the testes by a group of cells known as the Leydig cells. They begin secreting high doses of testosterone during puberty to trigger increased lean muscle mass, sex organ development, bone formation and higher energy levels. Testosterone levels peak during a man's early to mid twenties.
Testosterone effects on humans
Prenatal effects:
%26bull; Genital virilization
%26bull; Development of prostate and seminal vesicles
Early postnatal effects:
%26bull; Adult-type body odor
%26bull; Increased oiliness of skin and hair, acne
%26bull; Axillary hair
%26bull; Accelerated bone maturation
Advanced postnatal effects:
%26bull; Increased libido and erection frequency
%26bull; Pubic hair extends toward umbilicus
%26bull; Facial hair
%26bull; Chest hair
%26bull; Subcutaneous fat in face decreases
%26bull; Increased muscle strength and mass
%26bull; Deepening of voice
%26bull; Growth of the Adam%26rsquo;s apple
%26bull; Growth of spermatogenesis tissue in testes, male fertility
%26bull; Shoulders widen and rib cage expands
%26bull; Completion of bone maturation and termination of growth.
As a man ages, the amount of testosterone produced by the Leydig cells decreases. It is proven that, by the age of 60, the average man will have lost nearly 50% of his testosterone supply.
Not only age interferes with testosterone production. Other factors such as stress, lack of sleep, physical inactivity, the use of prescription medication and drinking alcohol can cause testosterone levels to significantly decline.
Symptoms of testosterone deficiency include:
%26bull; depression
%26bull; fatigue
%26bull; low sex drive
%26bull; irritability
%26bull; loss of facial or body hair
%26bull; thinning or wrinkling of skin
%26bull; weight gain
%26bull; weakening of both bone and muscle tissue
%26bull; disrupted body's blood sugar metabolism
%26bull; obesity
%26bull; diabetes
Therapeutic use of testosterone
Testosterone was first isolated from a bull in 1935 and since then there have been many pharmaceutical forms and they include:
%26bull; injectable (such as testosterone cypionate or testosterone enanthate in oil)
%26bull; oral (Andriol)
%26bull; buccal (Striant)
%26bull; transdermal skin patches
%26bull; transdermal creams or gels (Androgel and Testim)
The original and primary use of testosterone is for the treatment of males who have too little or no natural endogenous testosterone production, in other words males with hypogonadism. Other medical conditions treated with testosteron are infertility, lack of libido or erectile dysfunction, osteoporosis, penile enlargement, height growth, bone marrow stimulation and reversal of anemia, and even appetite stimulation.
To take advantage of its effects, testosterone is often administered to female-to-male transsexual and transgender people as part of the hormone replacement therapy.
How Do Natural Testosterone Boosters Work?
Since these supplements have been invented, the use of testosterone boosters has been a very controversial issue among the bodybuilding group. Although these steroid boosters were illegal in the beginning, due to technology, there are many simulated testosterone boosters, that are legal and do not have very bad side effects.
Many serious weight trainers take such supplements so that they can increase their strength and size. People don%26rsquo;t use them just for gaining muscle weight but because of the increased sex drive they experience while on them.
Many experts and doctors disagree with this type of testosterone boosters usage. They say that even though they are natural, they are not needed to boost your strength and that the same results can be achieved naturally with a little effort.
Close monitoring
If someone decides to take some testosterone boosters, they should first make sure that they visit a doctor before begin taking anything. The doctor will give them a physical and tell them what supplement if any should they use. Any type of testosterone booster is very powerful, and you will probably have to be monitored by your doctor as you are taking them. Just because they are legal it does not mean, they are completely safe.
How to naturally raise testosterone levels?
There are several ways to increase your testosterone levels naturally so that you can look and feel better.
%26bull; Specific kinds of food
Several researches on this subject have been conducted and the conclusion is that testosterone levels raising can happen if a person eats the right kinds of foods. Proteins in eggs and whey allow the adrenal glands to keep the levels of testosterone in the body steady. Fruits and vegetables can also have a positive effect on the levels of testosterone in your body. It is proven that fat contains enzymes that convert testosterone to estrogen, which means that having a lot of fat in your body increases the chances for developing low testosterone levels. Eating meat can also help you raise your testosterone levels. The protein in nuts can also be very beneficial for raising your testosterone levels. Studies have shown that nuts, particularly peanuts, can raise testosterone levels better than other foods.
%26bull; Weight bearing exercises
Most experts say that weight bearing exercises are also an excellent way increase the levels of testosterone in body. Train large muscle groups to get the maximum effect of these exercises on your testosterone levels, instead of training one or two small muscles. Instead of doing many repetitions with a low amount of weight, do five repetitions with a weight that is difficult for you to lift.
%26bull; Limiting alcohol intake
One proven method of increasing your testosterone levels is to limit the amount of alcohol you consume.
Consuming alcohol makes your body slow down its production of testosterone and other hormones because it is busy processing the alcohol to clear it out of your system. It is easy to see that cutting down on alcohol can boost testosterone levels.
%26bull; A lot of sleeping at night
Scientific research shows that people who get a good night%26rsquo;s sleep are able to maintain higher testosterone levels than those who are sleep-deprived. If your testosterone levels are low, try changing your sleeping habits to get a better night%26rsquo;s sleep.
Not so %26ldquo;natural%26rdquo; alternatives
In the last couple of years the so-called steroid %26quot;alternatives%26quot; are being heavily marketed in strength magazines for men. The ingredients of these supplements include %26quot;Glandulars%26rdquo;. What exactly are Glandulars? These are ground-up animal hearts, livers, spleens, brains, pituitary glands, adrenal tissue, and bull testicles. These substances, often mixed with who knows what, are said to boost testosterone. Doctors are strongly against these supplements.
The most famous boosters are filled with bull testicles extracts, under the explanation that they are filled with testosterone which is wrong because testicles produce but do not store, testosterone.
The majority of products advertised as 'steroid alternatives' have not been tested on man or animal, and certainly not in the doses recommended.
Some of the most famous such products are: BSN, T-bomb, Hot Stuff Super X, Alpha Male, Leukic, 6-OXO, Animal Stak 2 and many others.
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