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Natural Testosterone Boosters: The Complete Guide
Have you ever wondered what a testosterone booster is and what it does for the body? In this article, we shall cover every important thing you need to know about testosterone boosters (also known as “T boosters” or “test boosters”). By the time you are done going through this post, you’d not only familiarize yourself with what T boosters are, but you’d also know, among other things, who should use test boosters, why they are useful to the average person, how safe they are, their pros and cons as well as some of the most effective natural testosterone boosters that are commercially available. If you are ready for all this knowledge, sit back, relax and let this concise guide offer you an insight into the world of testosterone and T boosters.
What is a testosterone booster?
As its name implies, a testosterone booster is a supplement that is taken to improve testosterone levels in the body. A testosterone is a male hormone that is mainly produced in the testicles of males. It is widely regarded as one of the most important male hormones due to the immense crucial benefits that come with it. And surprisingly, despite being a male hormone, testosterone is also produced by females. Women produce testosterone through their ovaries and adrenal glands. However, they produce it at significantly reduced levels than men. In men, testosterone helps in the boosting of things such as the following: bone density, sperm production, body and facial hair, sex drive, mass and strength of the muscles, the production of red blood cells, fat distribution, etc. In women, testosterone also performs a lot of important functions. Some of these functions, which are similar to what testosterone does for males, include the following: enhancing bone strength, developing muscle mass and strength, improving energy levels, enhancing sexual mood, etc.
If you have low levels of testosterone, taking natural testosterone boosters will significantly help you increase these hormones naturally. These boosters are made from herbs and other plant based ingredients, thereby making them generally safe for use.
Testosterone boosters can be roughly divided into two major types. These are the synthetic and natural test boosters.
The synthetic T boosters help you raise your levels of testosterone in a way that isn’t natural. And in doing so, they can leave you with very unpalatable side effects. For example, they can cause your body to totally stop producing testosterone, which means whenever you stop taking the synthetic T boosters, you are in trouble. Anabolic steroids are perfect examples of synthetic t boosters or supplements. The natural test boosters, on the other hand, come with little to no side effects by virtue of the fact that all the ingredients used in making them are natural and work harmoniously with the body to increase the production of testosterone. It is for this reason that more and more people are opting for natural T boosters in the attempt to increase their T-levels in order to boost their overall physical health or libido.
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Free vs Bound Testosterone
When it comes to testosterone, there are two types found in the human body, namely free and bound testosterone. The majority of the testosterone in the body is bound testosterone, which as the name implies, is a kind of testosterone that is bound to either the Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) or a type of protein made by the liver called albumin. Despite being significantly larger in quantum than its free counterpart, the bound testosterone is generally useless for the body when it is attached to the Sex Hormone Globulin or albumin. On the other hand, the free testosterone, which flows freely throughout the body, is very minimal as compared to its bound up counterpart. It is the free testosterone that your body naturally uses to enhance your physical strength and libido. When we take effective T boosters, they work with our bodies to produce more free testosterone.
Common Ingredients Used in Making Natural Testosterone Boosters
Natural T boosters are made with a variety of ingredients. Most of these products contain a myriad of ingredients. If you want the best out of a T booster, then you should check the ingredients it is made of simply because some ingredients are better at boosting T-levels than others. Here are some of the most potent testosterone boosting ingredients you should be looking out for in the T booster that you purchase:- D-Aspartic Acid (D-AA): Not too many ingredients have the ability to boost a person’s T-levels like D-Aspartic Acid does. When D-Aspartic Acid, which is also known as D-AA, enters into one’s system, it boosts T-levels by making the brain to release luteinizing hormone (LH) which helps in the production of testosterone. LH is also very important for sperm production.
- Vitamin D: Another fantastic testosterone-boosting ingredient is Vitamin D3. Besides the numerous health benefits associated with Vitamin D supplementation, a number of studies have suggested that it also has the ability to boost natural testosterone levels in men.
- Boron: In addition to being one of the rarest minerals in the world, boron is also noted for being one of the most potent T level boosters found in nature – a property that is supported by a number of scientific studies, including this one published in the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). Besides being capable of increasing the amount of free testosterone the body produces, boron has other benefits ranging from improving a person’s sexual health to preventing bone diseases such as osteoarthritis.
- Zinc: Over the years, many effective commercial T boosters include zinc as one of their primary ingredients. And this is mainly due to the fact that zinc is a very potent ingredient that helps in the maintenance of T-levels during very strenuous activities.
- Ginseng: Ginseng has featured in many good T boosters on the market because it is believed to support the production of T-levels and enhances libido and energy levels. In men, it has the ability to improve erection because it allows for a healthy flow of blood around the body.
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- Magnesium: This mineral, which has been proven time and again to benefit virtually all the organs in your body (most notably your kidneys, heart
- and muscles), is an excellent testosterone booster. According to research, the more magnesium supplements a person consumes, the higher their likelihood of increasing the total and free testosterone levels in their body. Magnesium does its job of increasing the levels of free testosterone in the body by lowering the amount of SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin) available in the body. How does this help improve T-levels? You should know that the more SHBG that exists in the body, the lesser the number of free testosterone the body is going to have. This is because SHBG naturally binds to free testosterone, and in doing so makes it bound and no longer useful.
- Stinging Nettle: We cannot talk about powerful natural testosterone boosters without mentioning stinging nettle (also known as common nettle). Just like magnesium, stinging nettle also prevents SHBG(Sex Hormone Binding Globulin) from doing its job of binding to free testosterone and making them useless. In doing this, the common nettle increases the amount of available free testosterone in the body just like magnesium does.
What about Fenugreek? Does it help increase testosterone levels?
Another plant based ingredient that most T booster manufacturers claim is very effective in boosting test levels is fenugreek. It is for this reason that many bestselling T boosters on the market include fenugreek as one of their ingredients. This plant, whose seeds and leaves are commonly used in preparing food in South Asia, has so many medicinal benefits. However, there currently isn’t any concrete scientific evidence which supports the claims that fenugreek helps in increasing testosterone in a person.
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PROS and CONS of Natural Testosterone Boosters
Virtually everything in this world comes with pros and cons, and T boosters are no exception to this fact. So without any further ado, here are some of the pros and cons of these test supplements we think you should be aware of.
PROS
There are literally over a dozen reasons why taking good natural T boosters are beneficial for you. Below is a list of some of the proven advantages of taking these test boosters:
- Natural: One of the biggest advantages of these T boosters is the fact that most of them are hundred percent natural because they are made of only natural ingredients such as Ginseng, Magnesium, Zinc, Vitamin D, etc. Owing to the totally natural nature of most T boosters, they work harmoniously with your body to increase your T-levels and rarely come with very nasty side effects.
- Safe: By virtue of the fact that they are mostly natural, these boosters tend to be relatively safe for use. As a matter of fact, they are considered one of the safest options for raising testosterone levels in our bodies. At the very least, they are safer than anabolic steroids.
- Effective: Not only are these supplements largely safe to be used in increasing testosterone, but they are also very effective in getting the job done.
- Muscle Gain: Taking T boosters and regularly engaging in resistance training exercises such as weight lifting, pushups, body weight squats, etc enables you to grow muscles faster. This is why many men (and even women) looking to enhance the development of their muscles tend to rely heavily on testosterone supplements.
- Enhanced Reproductive Health and Libido: There are several reasons why a man would suffer from low libido (reduced sex drive), and one of such reasons is as a result of low testosterone. And since these test boosters increase testosterone, they also likely help increase libido or boost sex drive. This is one of the biggest reasons many people (especially men) take testosterone boosters.
- Improved Energy Level: These supplements can also give you more energy to do your workouts or go about your daily activities.
- Strong bones: Using testosterone can give the bones strength, thereby reducing your likelihood of suffering from osteoporosis – a medical condition that makes your bones weak and more prone to breaking easily.
Other common benefits of T Boosters
- Helps in mood elevation
- Betters erectile function
- Decreases dangerous levels of cholesterol in the body
- Improves self-confidence
- Improves overall health
- Enhances your stamina
CONS
These are the most common cons associated with testosterone boosters:
- Side effects: T boosters often come with side effects – especially when you use them too much. Some of the common side effects associated with T boosters include hair loss, acne breakouts, sleep problems, etc.
- Ineffective supplements: While many test supplements work effectively, some simply don’t. And the market today is sadly littered with many supplements that don’t work. This means if you are not careful in your research, it becomes very easy for you to end up purchasing one that doesn’t work.
How safe are Testosterone Supplements?
Natural testosterone supplements are pretty safe to use since the ingredients used in making them are all natural. That said, it is worth noting that some of these supplements can still come with some potential side effects. The good news is that the side effects associated with these natural T boosters aren’t really severe. Some of the most common side effects people often experience when using these supplements include the following:
- Difficulty sleeping
- Acne issues as a result of the skin reacting negatively to the supplement
- Restlessness
- Stomach discomfort
- Aggressive behavior as a result of abusing testosterone products
- Mood swings
- Hair loss
- Swelling in and around the ankles
- Anxiety
NOTE: Over the years, a number of studies have linked testosterone gels and supplements with more serious issues such as heart problems. For example, in 2010, a study revealed that men aged 65 and above increased their likelihood of suffering from heart issues when using testosterone gels. This research was published in The New England Journal of Medicine. Another study published in the Public Library of Science (PLOS) in 2014 showed that men below the age of 65 also increased their risks of heart issues after using T supplements.
Effects of Testosterone Products on Women and children
Just like men, women also use testosterone products and supplements for various reasons. And just like in the case of men, these supplements can also cause women to experience a number of side effects. Some of these side effects include the following:- Acne problems
- Irregular menstrual cycles
- Baldness (usually at the hairline)
- Excessive body hair growth
- Unusually large clitoris
- Hoarse or deep voice
- A reduction in the size of breast
- Development of more muscle mass
Some doctors have also expressed concerns about the possible risks women with low test levels can face when they undergo testosterone therapy. According to them, this group of women can increase theirrisks of developing breast cancer as a result of undergoing testosterone therapy. It is worth noting that there currently isn’t any solid evidence to support these claims.
Pregnant women are generally advised to stay away from all testosterone products. The reason these supplements are bad for a pregnant woman is simply because testosterone can easily lead to birth defects.
Testosterone supplements are bad for children of all ages. It is for this reason breastfeeding or lactating women are not supposed to use these supplements since by using them, they increase their babies’ risks of being exposed to them. And children who come into contact with testosterone products can end up developing inappropriately large genitalia, increased libido, premature pubic hair, violent behavior and bone aging.
But do women really need testosterone?
The answer is yes. In its moderate form, testosterone is good for females – especially those suffering from testosterone deficiency. These are the groups of women who need testosterone the most:
- Menopausal women: When a woman approaches her menopause or enters it, her natural production of testosterone drastically declines therefore making it imperative for her to use these supplements.
- Women whose ovaries have been surgically removed: For women, testosterone is produced in the ovaries and adrenal glands. It therefore goes without saying that the removal of the ovaries would result in a significant decline in testosterone levels. This decline can be as high as 50 percent.
- Bodybuilders and sportswomen: Because of the instrumental role testosterone plays in building muscles and enhancing one’s performance during sports, a significant percentage of female bodybuilders and athletes use testosterone products.
- Women with pituitary gland disorder may also have low levels of testosterone and would therefore need testosterone supplements to raise their T-levels.
What is the best age to start taking testosterone boosters?
In the average person, the levels of testosterone production naturally increase during puberty. However, as the person reaches their late 20s to 30s and above, the rate at which the body naturally produces testosterone begins to plummet significantly. So to answer the question of what’s the best age to start taking testosterone boosters, the right age is from the latter part of your 20s to your early 30s.
It is worth noting that besides age, other things that can significantly reduce the levels of testosterone in the body include obesity, alcoholism and chronic diseases such as liver cirrhosis, kidney disease and AIDS.
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Symptoms of Low Testosterone (low T) in Men and Women
Low testosterone or “low T” can negatively affect your mind, body and sexual function. Here are the common signs and symptoms that indicate you are suffering from testosterone levels:
Low T on the Mind
In affecting the mind, low T can lead to the following:
- Depression
- Problems with concentrating
- A decline in self-confidence
- Sleep disturbances and insomnia
Low T on the Body
Signs of low T on the body include the following:
- Reduction in bone and muscle mass
- Weight gain
- Overall feeling of weakness and fatigue despite not having overworked yourself
- Hot flashes
- Breasts become tender or swell
- Enlarged breasts
- Shrinkage of the testicles
Low T on Sexual Function
These are the most common signs of lowered levels of testosterone on your sexual function:
- Reduced sex drive (libido)
- Problems with having erections and maintaining them
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If you are man or woman in your late 20s or early 30s who is suffering from the above issues for no apparent reasons, then it’s likely that you might have low testosterone. The solution to your problem would therefore lie in raising your test levels. But the only way you can truly know that you have a low testosterone level is through a blood test, and that can easily be done at your doctor’s office. It is therefore advisable that you consult your doctor before you start taking any T booster.
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