Are testosterone-boosting supplements effective? Not likely, says new study
Are testosterone-boosting supplements effective? Not likely, says new study
After age 30, most men experience a gradual decline in testosterone, sometimes causing these features to diminish or new symptoms to occur, like erectile dysfunction. In an attempt to turn back the hands of time, some men will turn to T boosters. For starters, a healthy sex life is important in regulating your sex hormone and testosterone levels.
In some cases, therapies such as clomiphene citrate or hCG may be recommended to preserve fertility while managing low testosterone levels. Studies show that testosterone therapy can benefit your sexual health and performance. It also shows that there is a maximum level of testosterone before there’s no increased response. For men who don’t have hypogonadism, increasing your testosterone may not benefit your libido. Those with low testosterone may see benefits like improved mood and increased muscle mass after testosterone-based HRT.
TRT has certain risks and benefits, so your healthcare provider will carefully evaluate if it’s safe and right for you. This medication is only approved for use in men who have low levels of testosterone related to certain medical conditions. Heart attacks and strokes have been reported with the use of this medication. Talk to your care team about the risks and benefits of this medication. Raising testosterone levels from low to a normal range improved sexual function modestly (i.e., sexual activity, sexual desire, and erectile function) as well as mood and depressive symptoms. However, testosterone supplementation didn’t improve walking ability or vitality.
Whole eggs contain cholesterol, which your body needs to make testosterone. A study published in 2020 followed young men on a weight training program over 12 weeks. The researchers found that men who ate eggs daily increased their testosterone levels. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital.
However, it is important to note that many of these symptoms have other potential causes. Strangely enough, fenugreek supplementation causes urine and sweat to smell like maple syrup. This libido enhancer obviously works best when taken in Canada, complete with a buffalo plaid shirt and hairy chest (we’re Canadian-based, so we can vouch for this). If you treat these supplements for what they are (libido boosters), you may be happy with the results.
Boron is well known for increasing levels of sex hormones including testosterone. While it's safe to consume avocado to elevate your testosterone, avoid consuming boron supplements without the consultation of your physician. If symptoms of low testosterone are interfering with your quality of life, know that you don’t have to just grin and bear it. Together, you and your healthcare provider will weigh the risks and benefits of TRT to see if it could help.
This study has not been replicated, but since then, vitamin D has been making its way into a variety of dietary supplements under the guise of raising testosterone levels. Since supplementing L-DOPA suppresses prolactin (by increasing dopamine activity), supplementing L-DOPA would increase testosterone if prolactin was abnormally high. The average, healthy male does losartan lower testosterone not have elevated prolactin (unless he’s on steroids), so supplementing with L-DOPA will not increase your testosterone levels. Two vitamins in particular—vitamin D and zinc—have been shown to increase T levels in deficient patients. "But if your levels are normal, then supplementation probably won’t make much of a difference," he adds. There are, however, few downsides to taking these vitamins in the recommended doses, so it’s worth a shot.
Our healthcare providers can diagnose you with low testosterone and provide treatment tailored to you. Our team may prescribe TRT in the form of testosterone injections, which directly enter the bloodstream for fast, effective results. D-aspartic acid is sometimes used in T boosters because it’s an amino acid that may increase luteinizing hormone in your brain, which is what tells the testes to create testosterone. However, results are mixed, with some scientific studies finding that D-aspartic acid supplements either made no change to testosterone levels or in fact reduced them. Nevertheless, many supplement companies have tried to capitalize on men suffering from low testosterone by using marketing ploys.
Testosterone treatment for men 34 to 70 years old has shown an improvement in spatial memory. A person can only purchase testosterone with a valid prescription from a healthcare professional. A person may receive testosterone injections from their doctor, or a healthcare professional might allow them to inject themselves at home. Research suggests that excessive alcohol consumption can decrease testosterone levels.
Males with low levels of testosterone who use prescription testosterone may have increased libido and erectile function. Supplements are a great option for those looking to improve their overall health. Many supplements can have positive health effects on the body, including improving testosterone production. Also, as you progress in your treatment plan, you may need dosage adjustment to balance your hormones. Visiting your testosterone clinic for testosterone injections will allow your physician more dosage control to help you maintain optimal levels.
