Testosterone therapy: Potential benefits and risks as you age

10 Foods That Increase Testosterone Naturally

Wells points to studies that show weight training or even bodyweight circuit sessions can cause a short-term increase in testosterone. If you mostly focus on cardio, it might be time to mix things up. In the United States, the FDA does not regulate dietary supplements the way it regulates prescription medications. As a result, some supplement products may not contain the ingredients listed on the label. When choosing a supplement, look for products independently tested or certified by organizations such as NSF, U.S. Pharmacopeia, or ConsumerLab.com. For personalized guidance, consult your healthcare provider, registered dietitian nutritionist (RD or RDN), or pharmacist. The belief that herbal supplements are safe because they are natural is a common misconception.

Some human trials show increased T levels, while other research shows no noticeable improvement. Foods that are high in antioxidants, zinc, magnesium, selenium, and vitamin D may help boost low testosterone levels. These include oysters, shellfish, fatty fish, eggs, leafy greens, cocoa, and more. A two-month study from India reported that young males given a supplement containing cocoa seeds increased testosterone levels compared to those given a placebo (inactive supplement), who had no increase. Anyone concerned about their testosterone levels should see their doctor for a testosterone test but also to discuss lifestyle changes and whether testosterone therapy or supplementation may help.

Plus, both types of exercise — strength training, especially — can help you rebuild some of the muscle mass you might have lost as a result of low testosterone. But it’s not the only reason you might be looking to boost your testosterone levels. Seeing a specialist, such as a urologist, is the best way to find testosterone-boosting solutions that will work. A healthcare professional can run tests that give clues as to why your testosterone level is low.

For people dealing with low testosterone, these natural remedies and foods that boost testosterone may be able to help normalize your levels. Several supplements may also help increase testosterone levels naturally. To maintain healthy testosterone levels, it’s important to consume good-quality protein sources. Studies indicate that protein restriction or a protein-energy deficiency affects testosterone biosynthesis. If you have low testosterone (known medically as hypogonadism), including these 13 foods may bring testosterone levels closer to where they should be for your age and sex. Avoiding alcohol and cigarettes, exercising, and getting off testosterone replacement ample sleep will further enhance the testosterone-boosting effects of these foods. Because testosterone therapy is not suitable for everyone, the best way to increase testosterone levels is naturally.

In females in perimenopause or postmenopause, as well as males who don’t make enough testosterone, prescription testosterone replacement therapy may help boost energy levels and combat fatigue. Testosterone increases bone mineral density (BMD) in males, especially in the spine. It’s unclear whether this translates into a reduced risk of bone fractures.

InsideTracker Ultimate + Membership analyzes the concentration of magnesium in your red blood cells (RBCs) through a test called RBC magnesium. This method is more sensitive than measuring serum levels, which are the fluid portion of your blood. Read about ashwagandha, a popular herbal supplement that is often used alongside TRT to help with libido, energy and more. Bioperine® is a standardized extract of black pepper fruit enriched in piperine.

You’re probably most familiar with testosterone as the sex hormone responsible for defining “manhood.” And yes, it does. Maintaining the right level of testosterone can be challenging. Healthy women make up to 300 micrograms of testosterone in their ovaries and adrenal glands every day.

Your doctor will likely measure your testosterone levels at least twice before recommending testosterone therapy. Go it alone with testosterone drugs and you could well end up with an array of unintended side-effects. Food aside, it turns out there are some simple lifestyle changes that can help sustain and even boost T levels.

[2] Below, we’ll explore how you can naturally increase its levels with enough dedication. We know it’s not easy to lose weight, but a healthy diet and regular exercise is a great place to start. A study published in 2020 found that less than one-quarter of supplements studied had no evidence to back their claims.

A review published in 2021 found that some herbs show promise, although more research is needed. Call your care team if you are not sure how to handle a missed dose. This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions. The deadline to have twice the impact to advance healthcare research is May 15. Diindolylmethane (DIM) is a bioactive metabolite of indole-3-carbinol (I3C), a phytochemical found in cruciferous vegetables like cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower. DIM appears to regulate estrogen metabolism by selectively modulating the aryl-hydrocarbon receptor, which plays an important role in gene expression in both men and women [5]. Shilajit is a rare exudate (thick fluid) found naturally in rocks of the Himalayan mountains; it’s formed over the course of centuries by microorganisms that decompose plant material.