As you age, your testosterone levels naturally begin to decrease. For males above the age of 30, testosterone levels decline at a rate of 1-4%.
Despite lower testosterone levels being more common in older males, they can drop below a healthy range. There are several reasons why you might have low testosterone (low T), and it can lead to a range of negative health consequences.
It’s important to be aware of testosterone’s key signs and symptoms so that you know when you need to consult a medical professional.
Here are some of the common symptoms of low T in males:
- Low sex drive
- Low mood or depression
- Erectile dysfunction
- Reduced muscle mass
- Osteoporosis
- Loss of body hair and facial hair
- Inability to concentrate or focus
- Chronic fatigue
- Infertility
You will likely experience a combination of several of the symptoms above if you have low testosterone levels. These symptoms are present due to the important roles that testosterone normally plays in the body.
When you get diagnosed with low testosterone, your first instinct might be to head online and search for some testosterone supplements. Although supplementation with testosterone is common practice amongst those with low T, it may not be suitable for everybody.
It’s important to do your research before spending your hard-earned money on testosterone supplements. The effectiveness of these ‘T boosters’ depends on a variety of factors, including the cause of your low testosterone and your genetics and lifestyle.
Most of the positive claims about testosterone supplements are based on anecdotal evidence. However, the United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) has stated that the zinc contents of these supplements may be responsible for the testosterone-boosting effects and it is generally considered to be safe to use testosterone booster supplements.
Alongside the B vitamins, zinc may naturally improve your body’s ability to produce testosterone and increase energy production. This may combat the negative side effects of low T by boosting energy levels and sex drive, enhancing mood, and encouraging muscle growth.
On the other hand, many studies highlight the ineffectiveness of testosterone supplements. Such studies claim that T boosters are nothing more than vitamin supplements with a fancy name.
To summarize
There is no magic pill for increasing your testosterone levels, but that doesn’t mean you won’t benefit at all from taking testosterone supplements which may be worth spending money on. Doing your research and finding a credible brand that offers high-quality products is vital to ensuring you experience the benefits of these supplements.
Alongside taking T boosters, you should also make lifestyle changes to maximize the testosterone-boosting effects. Adapt your diet to include more healthy fats and vitamin D, such as oily fish, avocadoes, and green leafy vegetables. This will support natural testosterone production in your body.
Ensure you exercise regularly and focus specifically on strength training to increase your muscle mass and bone density. Studies show that following a resistance training program can help to boost your testosterone levels by encouraging muscle growth.
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