Testosterone is an essential part of a man. It is responsible for producing several of the characteristics that are known to make a man such as body hair, their genitals and, of course, their ability to have sexual intercourse. According to Mayo Clinic, it is also responsible for lean muscle mass in the body of a man.
Health Line reports that a low level of testosterone in the body can cause a decrease in muscle mass, as well as an increase in body fat. Apart from these symptoms, a reduction in sex drive can also occur, as well as a lower semen volume.
Many men suffering with low testosterone also experience hair loss, a reduced level of energy and fatigue. In order to determine if these types of symptoms are as a result of a lower level of testosterone, medical tests for this deficiency can be conducted for a thorough diagnosis.
What Causes Testosterone Deficiency?
The most obvious cause for low levels of testosterone is age-related. Everyday Health explains that levels of testosterone reach their peak between the ages of 20 and 30, where after they start to decline. They also explain that, while levels start to drop after a man reaches the age of 30, it rarely drops at such a rapid rate to cause testosterone deficiency. For this reason, it is important to realize that several medical conditions, some also age-related, can cause levels of testosterone to drop below what is considered to be normal.
The medical conditions that may affect a man’s testosterone levels include diseases affecting the kidneys, liver and lungs, as well as heart failure, the HIV virus, obesity and type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, if the testicles suffered injury, levels of testosterone may also drop. Certain metabolic disorders and genetic causes can also play a role in men with testosterone deficiency.
After medical tests for testosterone deficiency has been performed, a medical history report can be compiled in order to determine a more accurate cause for the problem.
Boosting Testosterone Levels For Enhanced Muscles
One of the main reasons men seek treatment to boost testosterone levels is due to the fact that a low level of testosterone often leads to a reduction in muscle mass, as well as an increase in body fat ‘ especially in the tummy and breast areas. When the levels are enhanced in the male body, an increase in energy levels is often one of the first experienced benefits.
This also enhances the patient’s ability to perform during sexual activities, as well as increase their overall physical performance abilities. The result is usually an increase in strength during training routines, as well as the ability to build muscles faster and with less effort ‘ when compared to building muscles with low testosterone.
#1: Include more Meat in your Diet
One study by the University of Copenhagen in Denmark provided evidence that a diet with a larger amount of meat content can enhance the body’s natural ability to produce it, as well as increase muscle mass in individuals who undergo strength training. LiveStrong recommends eating more meat that is known to be rich in protein, such as chicken breast, beef steak or fish.
My Healthy Wire also reports that beef steak is rich in essential nutrients, including iron, vitamins, potassium, phosphorus and zinc. They also report that saturated fats and protein can assist with losing weight.
Furthermore, they also report that this kind of meat can provide an effective boost to the levels and can also help you build bigger leaner muscles.
#2: Lower Stress Levels
We all have to deal with stress, but the way you manage your stress levels can have a large impact on your body.
UT News reports that a new study provided evidence of a larger amount of cortisol being released in the body when stress levels are heightened. The go on to report that cortisol is known to block production in the body. This means that the more you stress, the lower your levels of testosterone drops.
To relieve your stress, Health Line recommends implementing some of these methods into your lifestyle:
- Listen to music when you feel stressed out
- Talk to a friend ‘ meet up with them or simply give them a call
- Watch something funny and have a laugh
- Perform a quick exercise routine, even if it’s just a quick walk around the block
- Do some breathing exercises
#3: Drink Less Alcohol
While a night out during the weekend can be very fun, especially after a particularly difficult week, drinking too much alcohol can cause your testosterone levels to drop very quickly. Anabolic Men report that alcohol acts as a depressant in the body, which, in turn, causes several functions of the body to slow down. They also report that a controlled amount of alcohol (meaning one to three drinks) would not cause any significant damage to your body.
So, while it is okay to drink some alcohol when you go out, be sure to practice self-control and not to drink too much as this can dramatically decrease your body’s testosterone.
#4: Take vitamin D supplements
Vitamin D is an essential nutrient that is often referred to as the “?sunshine vitamin”?. This vitamin helps to keep bones healthy, keep the skin in a healthy condition and have several other benefits for the human body.
What you may not know is that vitamin D has been linked to an increase in the concentration among men. The Public Health Agency of Canada reports that a recent study has provided evidence that vitamin D can lead to a boost testosterone levels among men, as well as a decrease in body fat. The decrease in body fat may be an additional benefit caused by the higher levels of testosterone concentration caused by the vitamin.
Conclusion
While the levels start to drop when a man reaches the age of 30 years, the rate at which the levels drop is not significant enough to cause testosterone deficiency. For this reason, it is highly recommended to get medical tests for testosterone deficiency performed should the symptoms of low testosterone be present.
In order to increase the levels for the purpose of building lean muscles, these tips would be a great way to get the levels rising without receiving potentially harmful testosterone replacement therapy.
