Testosterone is a hormone associated with muscle mass, libido, and strength gains, which are all highly important factors to being a man. However, this is only a part of what testosterone is responsible for, as it can impact everything from bone health to mood and memory. It is also a deciding factor when it comes to endurance and athletic performance. The problem is that it is quite difficult for some men to keep their testosterone at the optimal level. Naturally, they look for ways in which they can increase the testosterone level in their body. By now, you probably know that there are many supplements that you can buy online. You might even find sites that review them. Before you go and spend your money, it is time to talk more about testosterone booster and its effect on the body. Without further ado, let’s dive into a world of testosterone supplements.
The Reasons Behind The Low Level of Your Testosterone
Even though testosterone is vital to a man’s body, its falling levels don’t have to worry you when you hit a certain age. According to studies, men in the middle of their thirties can experience a testosterone drop od 2% each year. If you experience a drop like this, you can rest assured that it is unlikely to cause any type of health problem.
However, when your level of testosterone falls quicker than this, then it’s not the doings of nature, rather poor lifestyle habits or other health issues. The symptoms of low testosterone are as follows:
- Erectile dysfunction
- Loss of libido
- High-levels of stress
- Anxiety
If you are experiencing some of the symptoms of low testosterone, you should contact your doctor to find out what causes the drop in the hormone levels and what is the best way to treat it. If your lifestyle and the condition of your mind are not a problem, and you still believe you have low levels of testosterone, it could be hypogonadism. It occurs when your testes produce a few or no hormones.
Testosterone Boosters 101
When you are experiencing a low level of testosterone, this is when a booster comes in to save you. A testosterone booster is a term that stands for supplements that increase your level of the hormone. Please know that there are two types of testosterone supplements, herbal and steroids. It is highly recommended to try to support your testosterone production with natural boosters first before you choose a more powerful medical substance. Which one you should choose will depend on your age, lifestyle, and health. You should always consult with your doctor before you purchase a supplement.
What Do Testosterone Boosters Do?
Your body and physical capabilities, unfortunately, do not get better over time. The reason behind that, the low level of testosterone in a man’s body. So, you try to supplement this precious hormone. The question is, what do testosterone boosters actually do?
Testosterone supplements are aimed at increasing your testosterone levels in a natural way. Usually, they are full of micronutrients that men are commonly deficient in, like zinc or Omega 3, and which have been connected to healthy testosterone levels by researchers. The supplements may also contain adaptogens, which are a class of supplement that is thought to help the body adapt to stress and fight it. You can also find ingredients which have been connected to improved sleep.
Testosterone boosters can increase testosterone levels within a normal range or provide indirect hormone support. Either way, these supplements are meant to give you all the advantages and benefits a healthy testosterone level can provide, which is faster recovery from exercise, stronger and more massive muscles, and increased libido, for example.
Are They Safe?
Just as pre-workout supplements and fat burners, testosterone boosters usually don’t have a sterling reputation. Look on the shelf in a supplement store, and in all three cases, you’ll probably see a few products that look not professional and have mysterious-looking labels.
This doesn’t mean that testosterone boosters are unsafe. It just means that you need to be careful when buying supplements.
Always read reviews before buying anything, and choose a testosterone booster from a respected, established supplement company. Take only the recommended dose, and keep your doctor in the loop, and you will be perfectly fine!
Testosterone boosters might come in handy when you experience some symptoms of low testosterone. A man’s body needs to maintain a certain level of this hormone and making sure it is at the right level is a great thing to do for yourself.
Do Testosterone Boosters Have Side-Effects?
Testosterone boosters that are prescribed to you by a doctor are generally safe, and for good reason: your doctor will run extensive testosterone and other hormonal tests to determine whether your body will benefit from a testosterone boost. Of course, even if it was prescribed a doctor, some people might still have adverse reactions, such as, but not limited to:
- Increasing a person’s chances of developing heart disease in the future
- Swelling of the ankles
- Development of Sleep Apnea
- Swelling and tenderness of breasts
- Prostate Growth
- Acne
Again, prescription testosterone boosters will only be given by a doctor after they’ve determined that your chances of experiencing these side effects are slim-to-none; but if you develop any one of these symptoms, consult with your doctor immediately.
For people who don’t want to go through the hassle of getting a prescription and would like to boost their testosterone in a ‘natural’ way, Over-The-Counter testosterone boosters are available, with most of these OTC supplements being completely herbal. These OTC supplements don’t actually contain the testosterone hormone: rather, they’re rich in compounds that are known to encourage testosterone production in the body.
However, just because it’s ‘natural’ doesn’t mean it doesn’t come with side-effects: most ‘all-natural’ testosterone boosters contain dehydroepiandrosterone, or DHEA, a naturally-occurring hormone that your body produces. European scientists have seen how effective DHEA is at helping the body produce free testosterone in the body, they’ve also observed the occurrence of upset stomachs, hair loss, and abnormally high blood pressure in some users.
So, we come to the crucial question:
Do Testosterone Boosters Work?
Short answer: prescription testosterone boosters work. These are prescribed to you by a doctor who has spent time and effort and lots of testing to determine what mix of hormones your body needs to help boost your testosterone levels. But note we said prescription testosterone boosters.
Do over-the-counter testosterone boosters work? Well, scientists aren’t exactly sure. Some brands of over-the-counter testosterone boosters have shown some efficacy for some users, but it’s not enough to definitely say that these testosterone boosters work.
Our advice: if you want to boost your testosterone, go see a doctor and have them run tests. Otherwise, don’t risk it with the OTC stuff.
