Supplements to boost testosterone: Do testosterone boosters work?

It’s a bad idea for anybody to engage in hormone supplementation without a healthcare provider’s supervision. Just because hormones occur naturally in the body does not mean that they can be taken without negative effects. Nutrition plays an indirect yet important role in regulating testosterone levels. A diet rich in fruit, vegetables, lean protein and healthy fats is the first line of defense against systemic inflammation. According to a review published in the Aging Male journal, testosterone deficiency is closely linked to an increased production of pro-inflammatory signaling proteins. One study published in the Nutrition journal has shown that zinc supplementation in marginally deficient elderly men for six months resulted in almost a double increase in serum testosterone.

Your consent to text messaging is not required for a case review and you may opt out of text messages at any time by texting STOP. If you are a man having problems with fertility, make sure to bring all supplements you take into your doctor’s visit (you can also take photos of the labels). Fertility specialists often know what to look for that you might miss. To be on the safe side, it is best to stop taking any supplement that has a chance of including testosterone. We surveyed 387 urologists and found that 25 percent treated patients for male infertility with a form of testosterone. If an individual is transitioning, they may choose to have testosterone therapy to make the aspects of their body that society understands as masculine more apparent. Anabolic steroids contain testosterone that is either natural or synthetic.

Lifestyle changes, such as exercise, improving diet, and maintaining a moderate weight, may have a more significant effect than taking these supplements. Transdermal testosterone is a gel that people apply directly to the skin. Often, we find that anxiety or depression – not hormonal imbalances – are the root cause of low-T-like symptoms. Suppressing your emotions can interfere with normal testosterone levels in men by age functions, such as focusing at work or maintaining an erection. If you truly have low-T, underlying stressors can make symptoms worse. Low-T clinics also tend to overtreat, making blanket recommendations around the patient’s total testosterone and not their individual health needs.

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a hormone that occurs in the body, and people can purchase it as a testosterone supplement. However, a 2016 article suggests there was little evidence for its effectiveness. Usually, a person should only take testosterone supplements if they have a medical condition that causes low testosterone.

Testosterone, the primary androgen in the human body, plays an important role in physical development, repairing bone and tissue, and building muscle mass. While it’s considered a “male” sex hormone, every gender synthesizes and needs some amount of testosterone. A person may have a condition that causes low testosterone levels — most commonly hypogonadism.

If you are a good candidate for testosterone therapy, we will discuss your options and help you find a treatment plan that fits your condition and lifestyle. We know how important your time and way of life is, so we designed our assessments and treatments to be as convenient as possible. Ashwagandha is classified as an adaptogen, which means it helps the body manage stress more effectively. It is believed to support testosterone levels by reducing stress and balancing hormone production, which is vital for maintaining hormonal health. Over-the-counter (OTC) testosterone supplements, also called “T boosters” are often taken by men who wish to increase their testosterone levels. Testosterone replacement therapy is a hormone replacement therapy for men to treat hypogonadism or low testosterone levels.

However, studies examining its effects on humans are inconclusive and mainly of poor quality. The paper says there is an urgent need for more research on this chemical, which occurs naturally in some human tissues. Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone and the reason why men produce sperm and have Adam’s apples. It’s also why men develop more “masculine” features like bulging muscles, a deep voice, broad shoulders and a hairy chest.

By contrast, testosterone supplements are not approved by the FDA and do not treat low testosterone. They’re not an alternative to TRT and instead contain various mixes of herbs and vitamins. Using testosterone supplements if you think you have low testosterone is a form of self-medication that can be ineffective, harmful, or even deadly. A lot of these supplements actually contain harmful levels of ingredients like boron and zinc, both of which can cause death in high doses. You’ve probably been blasted by online pop ups, found them in your mailbox, and even seen them on TV commercials featuring one of your childhood football heroes. They generally make all kinds of claims about boosting performance in the gym and in the bedroom. However, for men who are looking to improve their low testosterone because it is impacting their health, these supplements can do much more harm than good.