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Testosterone 101 - The Basics:
Testosterone is a naturally occurring steroid hormone (hormone=a chemical messenger produced by a gland in the body that tells other organs what to do) produced mostly in the Testicles of a male, in the ovaries in a female, and in adrenal glands of both sexes. Women's bodies produce and use testosterone but at levels 1/10th that of an average male.
Steroid hormones are chemical compounds produced by the body which are essential for life. Other important steroid hormones besides Testosterone are cortisol, estrogen, progesterone, and aldosterone.
Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone that produces secondary sex characteristics such as: greater muscle and bone mass, growth of body/facial hair, enlargement of Larynx (Adam's Apple), deepening of voice, broadening of shoulders and chest.
Testosterone plays a big role in regulating a man's sex drive, his mood, his mental health, his initiative, energy and aggressiveness, and his general feeling of well being.
Testosterone is the hormone responsible for making a man a man - a happy healthy man.
CAUSES OF LOW T:
As a man ages, his T-levels will decline in a natural process at about 1% a year after the age of 40. For many men, the testicles just decide to "retire early" without any obvious cause and their levels plummet at a much faster rate over a short period of time. Several conditions can cause Testosterone to drop off at a faster rate and cause Testosterone Deficiency:
- Damage to the Testicles by injury, illness, trauma, or Varicocele (a varicose vein to the testicle) and undescended testicles.
- Chronic illnesses like Hypertension, Cirrhosis of the Liver, Kidney failure, Cancers, Diabetes, Hemochromatosis, Metabolic Syndrome.
- Pituitary Gland disorders or Genetic Disorders like Klinefelters, Kallman's syndrome, Prader Willi.
- Obesity or being overweight
- Poor diet high in sugar, transfats and corn syrup.
- Zinc Deficiency
- Medications - anti-depressants, antihistamines, painkillers, antacids, performance enhancing drugs (anabolic steroids)
- Smoking
- Excessive alcohol use
- Marijuana use
- Stress
- Lack of sleep / Sleep Apnea
- Lack of Exercise and a sedentary lifestyle
- Too much exercise - endurance athletes - marathoners - Ironman Triathletes - distance cyclists
- Being married or in a committed relationship - new fathers can have a drop by as much as 34%
- Exposure to toxic chemicals such as pesticides or lead
- Vitamin D Deficiency
- Vitamin A Deficiency
Natural Ways to Increase Testosterone:
- Exercise - specifically weight lifting or resistance training (not really cardio)
- Lose weight - low carb, high protein, high veggies and good fats like Omega 3 fatty acids - (fish, nuts, almonds, pistachios)
- Get more sleep (Minimum 6 hours with goal of 8hrs) - this can raise levels 20-30%
- Reduce stress in your life - Take Yoga, Exercise daily, have 1 glass of wine, go outside and take slow deep breaths.
- Compete - sports - even a chess game will work - every guy needs challenges/victories
- Minimize or correct any known risk factors for causing Low T
- Have more sex
Testosterone Solutions: Take Teeple's Testosterone Test to assess your risk.
Every man could benefit from a little more Testosterone so lower your risk factors for Low T and start doing the natural lifestyle changes to naturally boost your T level.
