Testosterone is one of the most important hormones that the human body produces. It’s responsible for a range of essential body functions, especially in males. Not only does it help in developing male characteristics but it also supports lean muscle mass growth and improved stamina.
People who are suffering from low T levels can experience a variety of unwanted symptoms such as shrinking bone mass, rapid weight gain, reduced sex drive, and even erectile dysfunction. One of the best ways to increase testosterone levels in your body is to take testosterone boosters. Other than increasing your T levels, these boosters can also increase your muscle mass.
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Testosterone and Increased Muscle Mass
Testosterone levels below 300 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL) in males are considered low and this condition is known as hypogonadism. Men with such conditions will find it difficult to build muscle mass because the lower T levels also mean lower MPS (Muscle Protein Synthesis).
Testosterone is a male sex hormone that helps the body with the MPS process according to an NLM (National Library of Medicine) study. This process increases the size and length of your muscles.
If this process doesn’t take place in your body, you won’t be able to build muscle mass no matter how much time you spend on workouts. Testosterone also increases the production of growth hormone that helps you to gain muscle. The growth hormone is released in your body during a workout and also helps with MPS.
It’s important to note that lower testosterone is not the only reason that decreases your muscle growth. You need to eat healthy food that’s rich in protein, carbs, and calories as well. But it’s also a fact that without testosterone, MPS cannot take place.
Taking testosterone boosters can increase your T levels which promotes muscle protein synthesis. This way your body produces more growth hormone and performs MPS with better efficiency to improve your muscle mass.
So, High Testosterone Levels Mean More Muscle Mass?
Generally speaking, the higher the T levels in your body, the leaner muscle mass you’ll have. However, it’s important to note that taking testosterone boosters or supplements in excessive amounts can lead to serious health problems, especially in terms of endocrine balance and cardiovascular functions.
Additionally, taking testosterone, whether in the form of anabolic steroid or TRT (Testosterone Replacement Therapy), can also increase your muscle mass. According to a Maastricht University study, people who take anabolic steroids and perform resistance training gain 4.5 to 11 pounds of muscle mass over a short period of time.
The largest muscle growth amount that the study revealed was 15.5 pounds over the course of six weeks. While the muscle growth results seem impressive, it’s a very dangerous way to build muscles. You must not take testosterone in any form without taking medical advice from an expert doctor or health specialist.
Is it Legal to Use Testosterone Boosters for Building Muscles?
It’s perfectly legal to use testosterone boosters to build muscle mass. They’re made of natural ingredients and don’t contain testosterone. The main purpose of testosterone boosters is to help your body increase its natural production of the male hormone.
While you can buy these supplements over the counter, we recommend you only use them after consulting a professional doctor. It’s critically important to use them in moderation and under medical supervision. Otherwise, you’ll end up having unwanted results that can negatively affect your health.
On the other hand, misusing anabolic steroids to build muscle mass is not legal in the United States. You can use such supplements if they have been prescribed by a licensed doctor. If your T levels are low then you can use testosterone supplements to normalize the level of this hormone in your body.
However, some people, especially bodybuilders, use steroids to increase their T levels far beyond the normal limit to gain bulk. This practice is extremely dangerous and can lead to several health problems such as heart diseases, liver problems, aggressive behavior, and erectile dysfunction.
As we have mentioned that testosterone boosters contain natural and safe ingredients so taking them on your own is not against the law but it can affect your health negatively. That’s why it’s not advisable to start taking testosterone boosters or undergo testosterone replacement therapy if your T levels are normal.
How Much Testosterone is Required to Build Muscles?
It’s important to have normal levels of testosterone in your body to make sure that your body performs the muscle protein synthesis process effectively. According to the University of Rochester Medical Center, the normal levels of testosterone in males are 280 to 1,100 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL).
However, you want to make sure that you remain close to the upper limit of the range if you’re involved in bodybuilding. The dosage of testosterone booster that doctors prescribe varies from individual to individual depending upon their unique needs. The primary goal is to provide a person with a treatment that alleviates the symptoms of low T levels.
Therefore, the amount of testosterone your body needs depends upon your current levels of this hormone. Some people need less dosage and others need more to gain the desired muscle mass.
According to the Journal of Gerontology, the ideal range of T levels in your body to build lean muscle mass range from 898 to 1,046 ng/dL. It means, if your T levels are below 898 ng/dL, you should talk to your doctor to discuss treatment options that can increase your male hormone levels.
Are Testosterone Boosters Safe to Build Muscle Mass?
Just like fat burners and pre-workout supplements, testosterone boosters also don’t have a very great reputation. However, it certainly doesn’t mean that they’re unsafe. You just need to make sure that you buy a product offered by a reputable brand.
The best way to choose the most suitable testosterone booster is to talk to your doctor. It’s also important to read online reviews and make sure that the manufacturer offers clear information regarding the ingredients used. Additionally, you must never take more than a recommended dose.
Another important factor to keep in mind is that these boosters can solve your fitness and health problems. What you eat and how much you work out have a bigger impact on your muscle mass and T levels.
You should eat natural food that’s rich in healthy protein, fat, and carbs if you want to improve your T levels and gain more muscle mass. If you eat junk food and don’t work out at all, taking testosterone boosters will not help you in any way.
What Ingredients to Look for While Buying Testosterone Boosters to Build Muscle?
When it comes to test-boosting products, there is a wide range of ingredients that manufacturers use. If you’re experiencing low T levels and also want to increase your muscle mass, consider choosing a testosterone booster that comes with the following ingredients.
Fenugreek
Fenugreek is a plant that’s used in many food items such as pastes, pickles, and curry powder. It comes with anabolic properties which means it can help your body to build muscles. According to an NCBI study, fenugreek significantly increased strength in people who were involved in resistance training during the first four weeks.
Magnesium and Zinc
These two minerals are usually used in testosterone boosters individually. However, there are products available in the market that contain both of these nutrients. The combined form of zinc and magnesium is known as ZMA. It contains vitamin B6 magnesium aspartate and zinc monomethionine aspartate.
ZMA is a popular ingredient that you can find written on many testosterone boosters as well as other types of supplements such as sleep aids. It promotes the deeper levels of REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep and allows your body to regulate hormonal profiles and muscular strength.
The combination of these two minerals is important for athletes because many of them suffer from magnesium and zinc deficiencies. Not only can it lead to decreased performance and strength but it can also cause increased cortisol, impaired immune function, and poor anabolic hormone profile.
Ashwagandha
It’s yet another herb that’s used in testosterone boosters and recovery-focused supplements. It can help your body to reduce fatigue levels, anxiety, and cortisol to increase your T levels. Studies also show that this ingredient can help in muscle growth and improve your body strength.
DAA (D-Aspartic Acid)
DAA is a type of amino acid that your body naturally produces in the testicular Leydig cells. This substance works as a messenger between your Leydig cells and brain and helps your body to convert cholesterol to testosterone. It’s believed that D-aspartic acid increases your testosterone levels by improving the communication between your testicles and brain.
According to an NCBI study, people who took about three grams of this amino acid for 12 days consecutively experienced a 12 percent increase in their T levels. However, there are also other studies suggesting that DAA doesn’t increase T levels in people who are involved in resistance training.
So, it’s safe to say that more research is needed to prove the claims that DAA actually increases your T levels. But it’s a safe ingredient that supports your energy levels and strength that can help you perform more intense workouts to gain more muscle mass.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is one of the essential nutrients that supports bone health and regulates healthy muscle and nerve functions. In addition, the symptoms of vitamin D deficiency and low testosterone levels are also pretty similar.
For example, decreased sex drive and erectile dysfunction that are caused by low T levels can also occur due to a depressed mood that’s usually the result of vitamin D deficiency. Other symptoms that both low T levels and vitamin D deficiency have in common are:
- Decreased muscle mass and bone strength
- Fatigue
- Weakness
Research shows that taking vitamin D can also increase your testosterone levels. An NCBI study shows that people who were suffering from vitamin D deficiency experienced increased testosterone levels after they started taking vitamin D supplements. However, it’s important to note that taking vitamin D supplements helps people who are already suffering from low T levels.
Benefits of Testosterone Boosters
There are several advantages of using testosterone along with regaining your capacity to create lean muscle. A few of them are listed below.
- When you are able to gain more muscle, your digestive system improves and it allows you to burn fat more effectively and lose weight. You will also notice a boost in stamina, energy, and workout ability.
- T-boosters have been found in studies to considerably enhance bone density, therefore helping to maintain your bones healthy and strong throughout your life.
- Low testosterone levels have also been related to depression, stress, and a poor quality of life. In fact, males with low levels of testosterone are more prone to be dissatisfied, angry, and tired. Taking testosterone-boosting pills can reduce fatigue, enhance your mood, and improve your overall quality of life.
- Testosterone aids males in burning fat more quickly and effectively. This hormone does this mostly by reducing the synthesis of estrogen, which inhibits the body’s capacity to metabolize fat and build muscle.
Side Effects of Testosterone Boosters
Testosterone boosters and other test-boosting drugs, like any other medicine, have a few side effects. They can cause mood fluctuations in certain people, while testosterone patches can cause skin irritations. Therefore, you must not start talking about testosterone boosters or any other way to increase your T levels without consulting a medical specialist.
Final Words
T-boosters may be beneficial if you’re seeking to increase lean muscle mass. Testosterone stimulates the production of neurotransmitters in your brain, which leads to increased tissue and muscle growth. It also increases GH (growth hormone) levels in your body.
The majority of testosterone boosters contain a number of active ingredients that promote both testosterone production and muscle protein synthesis. D-aspartic acid, fenugreek extract, ashwagandha, ZMA, and vitamin D are examples of such ingredients.
In order to increase strength and muscular growth, you should combine testosterone boosters with a healthy diet and an efficient strength training plan.