Testosterone is the predominant sex hormone in men (women also have testosterone but in smaller amounts). It is a natural steroid produced by the body, and belongs to the class of androgenic hormones, which also includes dihydrotestosterone (DHT), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), androstenedione, and androstenediol.
Do check out the infographic at the end!
There are 3 types of testosterone that can be found fluctuating in the blood:
- Albumin,
- Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), and
- Free testosterone .
The first two are proteins that bind or bind to testosterone itself, and are not available for the functions that we will see below, while it is free testosterone that will ultimately provide the properties described. Testosteronerd helps to know more about Testosterone.
What are the main functions of Testosterone?
Testosterone is responsible for:
- Male sexual characteristics,
- Increased muscle mass,
- Force,
- Bone density,
- Distribution of fat,
- Patterns of hair loss,
- Libido,
- Fertility, and
- Mental and physical energy
Where is Testosterone manufactured?
The pituitary gland, located at the base of the brain, is responsible for controlling the production of testosterone by the sex gonads (the testicles and ovaries). For this, luteinizing hormone is released, which travels to the testes and regulates the production of testosterone. Testosterone varies during the day phases, reaching a maximum peak during the morning, and this being lower at night. Once testosterone is sent to the bloodstream, almost 98% binds with albumin and globulin, in order to protect it for transport, or to reserve or store it in deposits to solve some variation in blood plasma.
Symptoms of low testosterone levels
However, there are factors such as stress, lack of physical exercise, bad habits such as alcohol or tobacco, lack of sleep or inadequate nutrition can further aggravate the decrease in testosterone levels in men.
The symptoms that a man can experience with low levels of testosterone are reflected such that:
- Bone fragility
- Lack of energy
- Bad erections
- Less motivation
- Loss of muscle mass
- Lack of sexual desire
- Low sperm production
- Increase in fat percentage
Occasionally, this low testosterone production may be due to the person being involved through a certain situation, where the aforementioned factors appear; otherwise, it would be a priority to go to the doctor.
Diet to increase Testosterone
We look for food with the following premises to incorporate into our diet that allow us to maintain some favorable habits to establish a better hormonal environment:
- Monounsaturated and also saturated fats
- Foods rich in micronutrients, that is, vitamins and essential minerals
- Minimize refined foods, and with high sugar content
- Control alcohol intake.
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Supplements to Enhance Testosterone
Once mentioned the main foods that favor the hormonal boom , it is time to comment that there are other ways that also help to naturally optimize our hormonal environment.
Fenugreek
Fenugreek Seeds enhance the endogenous production of testosterone naturally thanks to the presence of a high concentration of phytochemicals. is a patent for fenugreek extract.
Aspartic acid
It is an amino acid with interesting properties in order to favor our endogenous hormonal levels.
Saw Palmetto
Saw Palmetto extract is an antiandrogenic, acts by inhibiting the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone.
Check out the cool infographic below.
