Increase Your T Levels with These Testosterone Boosting Herbs
Testosterone is the key male sex hormone but is also important for women. It plays a crucial role in muscle growth, fat loss, and optimal health. However, testosterone levels in men are now lower than ever, partly caused by the unhealthy modern-day lifestyle. Testosterone boosters are natural supplements that can increase your testosterone levels.
They work by directly increasing testosterone or related hormones, but some work by preventing testosterone from being converted into estrogen. Many of these boosters have been scientifically verified in human studies. Here are the eight we consider the best testosterone boosting supplements.
D-Aspartic Acid
D-Aspartic acid is a natural amino acid that can boost low testosterone levels. Research suggests that the primary way it works is by increasing follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone. This is important, because luteinizing hormone makes the Leydig cells in the testes produce more testosterone.
Initial research in animals and humans has found that as little as 12 days of D-aspartic acid seems to increase luteinizing hormone as well as testosterone production and transportation around the body. It may also aid in sperm quality and production. One 90-day study gave D-aspartic acid to men with impaired sperm production. Sperm count doubled, rising from 8.2 million sperm per ml to 16.5 million sperm per ml.
In another study, athletic men with healthy testosterone levels followed a 28-day weight-lifting routine. Half of them were given 3 grams of D-aspartic acid per day. Both groups showed significantly increased strength and muscle mass. However, there was no increase in testosterone in the D-aspartic acid group.
Taken together, these findings suggest that taking D-aspartic acid may be most beneficial in people with low testosterone or in those with impaired sexual function, but not necessarily in individuals with normal testosterone levels.
BOTTOM LINE: D-Aspartic acid may work by stimulating some key testosterone-producing hormones. Doses of 2–3 grams seem to be effective for those who are testosterone deficient.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin produced in the skin when exposed to sunlight. Its active form functions as a steroid hormone in the body. Nowadays, a large portion of the population has very little exposure to sunlight, resulting in low or deficient levels of vitamin D. Increasing your vitamin D stores may boost testosterone and improve other related health measures, such as sperm quality.
One study found a close correlation between vitamin d deficiency and low testosterone. When participants spent more time in the summer sun and their vitamin D levels increased, so did their testosterone levels. In a year-long study, 65 men were split into 2 groups. Half of them took 3,300 IU of vitamin D every day. The supplement group’s vitamin D levels doubled, and their testosterone levels increased by around 20%, from 10.7 nmol/l to 13.4 nmol/l. To get more vitamin D, increase your sun exposure. You can also take around 3,000 IU of vitamin D3 daily and eat more vitamin D rich foods.
BOTTOM LINE: Vitamin D is an important vitamin that may boost testosterone levels, especially if your vitamin D levels are deficient.
Tribulus Terrestris
Tribulus Terrestris, also called “puncture vine,” is derived from a plant that has been used around the world, and for centuries, for its healing properties. Today, It is widely known that It improves sexual function in humans and is used by body builders, professional athletes and those looking to get an edge in physical fitness.
Tribulus has been used around the world in “folk medicine”. In Turkey, it is commonly used for blood pressure and cholesterol. In Europe, it has been used throughout history, as far back as the Greeks, for wide-ranging conditions such as headache, nervous disorders, and sexual dysfunction. In China and India, this herb has been touted for use in liver, kidney, urinary, and cardiovascular remedies.
Tribulus Terrestris as a supplement can do many great things for you and your body. Tribulus naturally supports & balances hormone levels in the body, which can provide many benefits, from cardiovascular to improving sexual function and desire. Scientist are not exactly sure how Tribulus provides all these benefits, but studies have supported many of these claims.
How Tribulus Terrestris Works:
The active ingredient in Tribulus Terrestris extract is PROTODIOSCIN, which is a natural precursor to the human sex hormone, testosterone. Protodioscin supports levels of the hormone testosterone, dihydrotestosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). Shown to successfully promote the body’s natural production of testosterone, resulting in improved muscle mass, fat loss, strength, endurance and athletic performance.
Several studies have been done linking Tribulus supplementation to improved hormone levels in the body. Studies have also shown that Tribulus Terrestris can boost your circulatory system which will help your body pump important oxygen and nutrients to your muscles. Tribulus boosts production of luteinizing hormone which is a regulator of testosterone, as well as one of many testosterone stimulators. As we age testosterone levels fall precipitously and this support and rebalancing of hormone levels is most likely why it restores virility and libido.
Tribulus was mostly unheard of until the late 1980s and early 1990s. Word got out that Eastern European countries had been giving Tribulus to their Olympians for quite some time. Then Tribulus became and international sports supplement phenomena. Today Tribulus is used for a wide variety of sexual and other health benefits. It has been safely used by millions and is a non-banned substance.
INCREASES SEX DRIVE, LIBIDO & VIRILITY! Often referred to as the “ultimate natural sex drive enhancer”, Tribulus Terrestris has been used for centuries in Asian medicine to improve virility. Studies have shown Tribulus enhances virility for men and libido for women! According to WebMD, Tribulus improves sex drive, stamina and satisfaction for both men and women! It is safe to take and generally well tolerated.
BOTTOM LINE: Tribulus may help with sex drive and improve sperm health, as well as increase testosterone in men and women supporting improved sexual function.
Fenugreek
Fenugreek is another popular herb-based testosterone booster. Some research suggests it may work by reducing the enzymes that convert testosterone into estrogen. One of the most comprehensive studies tested two groups of 15 college men over an eight-week period. All 30 participants performed resistance training four times a week, but only the participants in one of the groups received 500 mg of fenugreek per day. Both free and total testosterone levels increased in the fenugreek group, whereas the group that only weight trained actually experienced a slight decline. Those who took fenugreek also experienced a greater increase in fat loss and strength. Another study examined how fenugreek affects sexual function and quality of life. The researchers provided 60 healthy men between 25 and 52 years old with either 600 mg of fenugreek or an empty placebo pill every day for six weeks. The participants reported improvements in strength after taking the fenugreek supplements. The researchers also found:
- Increased libido: 81% of the group
- Improved sexual performance: 66% of the group
- Greater energy levels: 81% of the group
- Improved well-being: 55% of the group
BOTTOM LINE: 500 mg of fenugreek per day seems effective for boosting testosterone levels and sexual function in both deficient and healthy men.
Ginger
Ginger is a common household spice that has played a role in alternative medicine for centuries.
It has many health benefits, with strong research showing it may reduce inflammation and maybe even boost testosterone levels. Several studies in rats have found ginger has positive effects on testosterone levels and sexual function. In one 30-day study, researchers found ginger increased testosterone and luteinizing hormone in diabetic rats. In another study, the rats’ testosterone levels nearly doubled. A third study found greater increases in testosterone when they doubled the amount of ginger they gave the rats. In one of the few human studies, 75 infertile men were given a daily ginger supplement. After three months, they had experienced a 17% increase in testosterone levels and their levels of luteinizing hormone had nearly doubled. When measuring sperm health, the researchers found several improvements, including a 16% increase in sperm count. Although it is still early days in the research on ginger and testosterone, eating ginger is very safe and provides numerous other health benefits.
BOTTOM LINE: Ginger may increase testosterone levels and sperm count in infertile men. Effects on healthy humans need to be studied.
DHEA
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a naturally occurring hormone within the body. It plays a role in boosting testosterone and controlling estrogen levels. Based on its biological effects, DHEA has become an extremely popular way to boost testosterone. Out of all the testosterone boosting supplements, DHEA has the best and most extensive research behind it. Several studies have found that 50-100 mg of DHEA per day can boost testosterone levels by up to 20% when compared to a placebo.
However, as with most supplements, the results are mixed. Several other studies used similar dosing protocols and found no effect. For this reason, the effects of DHEA on testosterone levels aren’t clear. Nevertheless, DHEA use is banned in professional sports and therefore not suitable for competitive athletes. As with some of the other supplements, it may benefit those with low DHEA or testosterone levels.
BOTTOM LINE: Although DHEA is one of the most popular testosterone boosters on the market, the research is still mixed. Around 100 mg seems to be a safe and effective daily dose.
Zinc
Known as an aphrodisiac, zinc is an essential mineral involved in more than 100 chemical processes within the body. As with vitamin D, zinc levels within the body have been closely associated with testosterone levels. One study that measured this association found that restricting zinc intake from foods lowered testosterone levels in healthy men. As expected, zinc supplements in zinc deficient men also increased testosterone levels. Another study measured the effects of zinc on infertile men with either low or normal testosterone levels. The researchers found significant benefits for those with low levels, including increased testosterone and sperm count. However, they found no additional benefit for men with normal levels. In elite wrestlers, taking zinc each day also helped reduce a decline in testosterone levels following a 4-week high-intensity training regimen. In light of these studies, zinc may help boost testosterone levels if you have low testosterone or are deficient in zinc. Taking zinc also appears to be helpful if you struggle to recover from high-intensity exercise.
BOTTOM LINE: Taking zinc may be effective in those with low zinc or testosterone levels, or those who are currently in stressful training.
Ashwagandha
Also known as Withania somnifera, is another herb used in ancient Indian medicine. Ashwagandha is primarily used as an adaptogen, meaning it helps your body handle stress. One study tested its benefits on sperm quality in infertile men, who received 5 grams per day over a three-month period. The men in this study had a 10-22% increase in testosterone levels. In addition, the partners of 14% of participants became pregnant. Another study suggests ashwagandha increases exercise performance, strength and fat loss, while also boosting testosterone levels significantly. At present, it seems likely that ashwagandha could help increase testosterone levels in stressed individuals, possibly by reducing the stress hormone cortisol.
BOTTOM LINE: New research shows ashwagandha may help increase testosterone levels, while also improving sexual function and body composition.
Healthy Natural Testosterone Levels Are Crucial!
Testosterone is absolutely crucial for many aspects of health and body composition. Interestingly, hundreds of testosterone-boosting supplements are now available. However, only a few have significant research behind them. Most of these supplements will likely only have noticeable benefits in individuals with fertility issues or low testosterone levels. Many elite athletes and weekend worries use these and many other herbal testosterone boosters as part of their supplement regimens. Competitive athletes or dieters, who often experience significant decreases in testosterone due to a restrictive or stressful regimen can also benefit.
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