Testosterone boosters affect most of your manly characteristics positively. Not only do they support bone development, boost energy levels, and improve muscle mass but they can also help you lose weight.
As men age, the production of testosterone naturally reduces in their bodies. According to NCBI (National Center of Biotechnology Information), the production of testosterone reduces by one percent every year in most men after reaching the age of 30.
Because of the lower levels of testosterone, they start gaining weight. Taking testosterone boosters is an effective way to increase the production of this male hormone that can also help you with weight loss.
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What is Low Testosterone?
Low testosterone levels in the human body referred to a hormonal imbalance that can inhibit the sexual functions in both women and men. It can lead to reduced bone and muscle mass and increased body fat. Most men start experiencing a decrease in their testosterone levels once they reach the age of 30.
In women, the levels of this hormone start to decrease at the age of 50 when they experience perimenopause. The production of this hormone continues to decrease as they go through menopausal and post-menopausal stages.
According to the University of Rochester Medical Center, men should have around 280 to 1,100 nanograms of testosterone per deciliter in their blood. On the other hand, the normal levels of this hormone in women are around 15 to 70 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dl).
The Boston University School of Medicine states that 300 ng/dl testosterone level is considered low in men and for women, the value is 25 ng/dl in women. It can lead to the following symptoms:
- Depression
- Irritability
- Fatigue
- Reduced bone mass
- Reduced muscle mass
- Erectile dysfunction
- Low libido
If you think you are suffering from low T levels, testosterone boosters can help you with that. However, you must not start taking these supplements without consulting your doctor. That’s because they can cause both minor and major side effects if you don’t follow the right dosage schedule advised by a medical expert.
Low Testosterone Levels and Weight Gain
Other than promoting muscle growth and bone health, testosterone also suppresses fat gain according to an NCBI study. Resultantly, men with low T levels usually start gaining fat which increases their overall weight as well.
Your body muscles can burn more calories as compared to fat. So, if muscle mass in your body is low, you won’t be able to burn enough calories that will further increase your weight. In fact, studies suggest that reduced muscle mass is one of the main reasons why people start gaining weight.
In simple words, the lower the T levels the higher the body fat and lower the muscle mass. As a result, your body will not burn enough calories and your overall body weight will increase.
Obesity and Low Testosterone Levels
Interestingly, obesity can also lead to low testosterone levels. An NCBI study shows that obese people usually have about 30 percent lower T levels than people with normal weight. In addition, over 70 percent of morbidly obese individuals experience testosterone deficiency, which is also known as male hypogonadism.
There is an enzyme, called aromatase, present in large amounts in the belly fat. This enzyme converts male hormones into estrogen. The higher the levels of aromatase the higher the conversion rate of testosterone to estrogen. So, you’ll end up with lower levels of testosterone.
Additionally, the high activity of estrogen and aromatase in your body reduces the GRH (Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone) production. It leads to lower levels of luteinizing hormone that reduces the testosterone production in your body. In simple words, the high amount of belly fat is responsible for suppressing your T levels.
Testosterone Supplements and Weight Loss
Testosterone supplements can refer to three different things including testosterone boosters, illicit anabolic steroids, and TRT (Testosterone Replacement Therapy). Let’s talk about the effects of all these on your body in terms of weight loss.
Testosterone Boosters
Testosterone boosters are also called natural testosterone supplements. These boosters contain nutrients that help your body to naturally increase the production of male hormones. The best thing about these supplements is that they don’t contain testosterone in any form as they have all-natural ingredients.
Most testosterone boosters contain ingredients like fenugreek seed extract, D-aspartic, and ashwagandha. These ingredients can increase T levels in your body that can help with muscle mass growth and weight loss. Another NCBI study shows that taking testosterone boosters decreases fat in men.
It’s important to note that these supplements don’t affect your body weight directly. Their main purpose is to increase your T levels which can improve muscle mass and increase the calorie-burning rate of your body.
Anabolic Steroids
Anabolic steroids contain testosterone and they must never be used without taking advice from a medical professional. Some people misuse these supplements to increase their T levels beyond normal levels to accelerate their muscle mass growth. This practice can lead to adverse side effects that’s why misusing these supplements is illegal in many countries.
If you’re healthy and are not suffering from low T levels you must not use these supplements to increase your T levels any further. According to an NCBI study, the side effects of misusing anabolic steroids include heart diseases, liver problems, kidney issues, aggressive behavior, and sexual dysfunction.
Some studies show that the side effects associated with anabolic steroids are not caused by testosterone. They take place because of the synthetic derivatives they contain. In fact, the testosterone content of these supplements can actually help people by treating several medical conditions.
TRT (Testosterone Replacement Therapy)
The male sex hormone is sometimes legally prescribed to people who are suffering from some medical conditions such as Hypogonadism. Testosterone is induced in the human body with the help of TRT but it must never be done without medical supervision. There are several ways to administer this hormone in the human body including injections, creams, skin patches, and supplements.
Scientific studies show that this treatment can help people with weight loss, especially if they’re suffering from obesity caused by low T levels. It promotes muscle growth in men which leads to weight loss by burning more calories within a day.
TRT can also promote better physical activity, enhance motivation, increase energy levels, and reduce fatigue. All these factors help you to lose weight gradually. Bear in mind that only those people who are suffering from low T levels can benefit from TRT. If you already have healthy T levels, TRT will bring no positive effect. It can even lead to side effects that can damage your overall health and well-being.
Natural Ways to Increase Testosterone Levels
As mentioned, the primary symptoms of suffering from low T levels include low energy levels, increased body fat, and weight, low muscle mass, fatigue, and mood swings. A simple blood test will allow you to determine whether your testosterone levels are low or not. If they’re low and you don’t want to take testosterone artificially, consider using the following tips to increase your testosterone levels.
Strength Training
Resistance or strength training refers to physical exercise that increases your strength and endurance. Scientific studies show that it can increase the production of testosterone in your body. It can also help you reduce weight.
Get Enough Sleep
If you don’t have a good night’s sleep, your testosterone levels will decrease. Making sure that you get enough sleep so that your body can recover from fatigue is one of the most critical aspects of a healthy lifestyle.
Minimize Stress
Chronic stress can significantly reduce your T levels indirectly. This medical condition is associated with high levels of cortisol that can suppress testosterone production in your body. Relaxing pastime activities and a stress-free environment are important for a healthy life.
Get Adequate Zinc
Zinc deficiency can also reduce your T levels. That’s why you should eat food that offers zinc in an adequate amount. These foods include seeds, nuts, and meat and studies show that they can normalize your T levels.
Take Vitamin D
You should eat food that is rich in vitamin D because the deficiency of this nutrient is also associated with low T levels. You can also start taking vitamin D supplements as they can normalize the levels of testosterone in your body.
Living a healthy lifestyle is one of the best ways to ensure your health and well-being. The practices mentioned above will not only increase your T levels to lose weight but they’ll also allow you to prevent certain diseases to live a healthy and happy life.
Final Thoughts
Testosterone helps you maintain your muscle mass to burn more calories, and will keep you motivated to be physically active. Not only will they allow you to prevent obesity but they’ll help you to cut some kilos. Consult a medical specialist for a simple blood test if you’re overweight and feel your T levels are low.
Your doctor might advise you to start taking testosterone boosters to improve your T levels to reduce weight. You should also follow a healthy lifestyle to naturally increase your T levels by decreasing belly fat, physical training, and getting adequate sleep.