11 Jan Diet And Nutrition Tips For Overcoming Testosterone Deficiency
Age-related decline in testosterone levels in males significantly impacts their overall quality of life. Primary symptoms encompass diminished libido, alterations in body weight, exhaustion, fluctuations in mood, and diminished bone and muscular density. Management is maintaining a well-rounded diet that includes an appropriate amount of protein, beneficial fats, and complex carbs, as well as essential vitamins such as Vitamin D. Consistent physical activity, moderate alcohol use, stress management, and adequate sleep are essential. If symptoms continue, it is recommended to seek medical evaluation and consider testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). Effective management of low testosterone levels requires a proactive approach and a conscious effort to make lifestyle changes.
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Book TRTAccording to the Urology Care Foundation, at least 2% of all men struggle with low testosterone (low T.) However, that number steadily increases with age, as an estimated 50% of men over the age of 80 have low T. Testosterone levels naturally decrease with age and can also result from medical and physical conditions that can’t be avoided. However, some forms of low testosterone are preventable and treatable with simple lifestyle changes.
While low testosterone levels don’t put your life in jeopardy, they can decrease your quality of life. As such, it’s important to be aware of the symptoms of low testosterone and take corrective measures if you start to notice them. It’s also important to note that if lifestyle modifications and dietary changes aren’t working, you may have an underlying condition that needs more extensive treatment.
How to Know If You Have Low Testosterone
While lab and blood tests are needed to confirm low testosterone levels, many noticeable symptoms could indicate a potential problem, including the following:
- Reduced sex drive
- Erectile dysfunction
- The inability to lose weight
- Rapid weight gain
- Loss in energy
- Chronic fatigue
- Lack of motivation
- Being prone to depression and mood swings
- Loss of bone density and muscle mass
- Loss or lack of hair growth
- Infertility
If you notice several of these symptoms, it’s important to talk to your doctor so that you can have your testosterone levels tested. In the meantime, here are a few tips and tricks to naturally increase testosterone production through diet, nutrition, and exercise.
When it comes to food that affects your testosterone levels, protein is one of the most prolific. However, it’s also one of the most finicky. Not eating enough protein can lead to low T, but eating too much protein may also cause a decrease in testosterone production.1 Therefore, it’s a good idea to speak to a nutritionist or dietician so that you know the optimal amount of protein for your body.
While certain fats and starches are not good for your overall health, other fats are. Specifically, fats from fish and fish oil have been shown to increase testosterone levels when consumed within reason. Trout, mackerel, sardines, salmon, and herring are some of the best fish for this purpose, as they are highest in Omega-3 fatty acids.
While proteins, carbs, and fats are a good start, it’s important that you don’t forget your fruits and veggies if you have low T. Specifically, dark and leafy greens such as spinach, broccoli, and kale do wonders for your hormones. As for fruits, certain berries (including cherries, blueberries, pomegranates, and strawberries) increase testosterone and decrease inflammation.
In addition to eating more of certain foods, you can also boost your testosterone naturally by consuming more vitamins, specifically Vitamin D. In addition to benefits for your bones, teeth, and skin, vitamin D increases your testosterone levels. Although this benefit of vitamin D has been observed in studies, research is still ongoing as to how it works to increase testosterone.
You can consume more Vitamin D naturally by soaking in sunlight and consuming dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt. You can also opt for a Vitamin D supplement if you are not getting enough of this vital nutrient naturally.
Certain Supplements Increase Testosterone
Along with Vitamin D, there are other vitamins, minerals, and supplements that can boost your testosterone levels, including:
- Zinc
- Magnesium
- B vitamins
- Vitamin E
- Folate
- Niacin
- Creatine
In addition to putting certain things into your body that increase testosterone, there are also certain things you should limit, namely alcohol.2 Heavy alcohol consumption has been shown to have a negative impact on testosterone production and fertility.
Alcohol in moderation does not appear to have as significant of an impact on testosterone levels, so it may not be necessary to avoid consumption entirely. If you are concerned that your alcohol consumption may be affecting your testosterone levels, you should talk to your doctor for further guidance.
In addition to eating a healthy, well-balanced diet of fruit, vegetables, carbs, fats, and proteins, you can increase the amount of good they do by doing certain exercises and workouts. Mixing cardio with weight training is the best way to do this. Cardio will help you maintain a healthy weight, while weight training will help you build muscle mass and bone density, both of which are important for testosterone.
After getting in a good workout, it’s important to get plenty of sleep at night. Not getting enough sleep at night or not getting quality sleep can severely impact your body’s ability to produce testosterone. It’s recommended that you get at least seven to nine hours of sleep each night to maintain production.
Along with getting plenty of sleep and rest, it’s also important to reduce your stress levels as much as possible. Stress causes your body to naturally produce cortisol, which causes inflammation that may reduce testosterone production. Occasional stress is both normal and unavoidable, but chronic stress should be addressed to avoid long-term impacts on your health.
Talk to a Medical Professional
If you’ve tried everything and still struggle with the symptoms of low testosterone, it’s essential to talk to a medical professional. If natural remedies, diet, and exercise aren’t increasing your testosterone levels, you may want to consider testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). TRT involves supplementing testosterone via injections or oral pills to bring levels into a normal range.
Along with TRT, you may require additional treatment if you have an underlying condition that is causing your low testosterone. However, the only way to determine the underlying cause is with a health evaluation and diagnostic testing done by a licensed and trained healthcare professional. With the guidance of a doctor, you can determine the safest and most practical treatments to increase testosterone levels according to your individual needs.
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