The most well-known indication of low testosterone is sexual difficulties. These can range widely. Men with low levels commonly experience reduced or subpar sex drives. A reduced number of spontaneous erections, difficulty gaining an erection, and lower duration of an erection are all commonly seen as well. This is particularly common in men aged 30 or older, due to their naturally declining androgen levels as well as a higher amount of their remaining testosterone being bound to SHBG (sexual hormone binding globulin) which renders it unavailable for use. Infertility is less commonly seen than other more typical indicators, but is by no means unheard of.
Sleep problems and/or difficulty in remaining asleep for long periods of time may also be experienced. The role that testosterone plays in this issue has not been clearly defined yet, despite extensive research. What is known however, is that a definitive and strong relationship exists between having low levels of free testosterone in the male body and difficulty in getting a full night’s sleep. Science may have been unsuccessful in isolating the mechanism by which this relationship stands, but it clearly exists.
One of the other known functions of testosterone is that of emotional regulation. It has been established that mood swings and depression in men are more common among those suffering from low levels of testosterone. There is even a term for this condition, known as “irritable male syndrome.” It is typically defined as a state of constant frustration, hypersensitivity, and sometimes even anger. Men who have successfully raised their levels commonly describe an improved sense of wellbeing, as well as higher self-confidence and motivation. Better memory recall and concentration are reported as well. Less susceptibility to stress and irritation are also reported.
For those who seek to enhance their performance at the gym, a healthy testosterone level is a must. Testosterone promotes increased protein synthesis in lean muscle tissue. This is accomplished by stimulation of a growth hormone response in the pituitary gland, which in turn promotes amino acid uptake. It can also serve to escalate the number of neurotransmitters at the uptake site in muscle fibers and encourage faster tissue growth. It is also theorized that testosterone may have a relationship with satellite cells. Increased strength and endurance will be noted by the athlete who ensures healthy androgen levels in his body. The obvious and immediate effects of this will be the ability to move more weight in the gym, the inclination to train harder utilizing heavier lifts, and a quicker post-workout recovery time. Decreased soreness after training sessions is also a common benefit.
One common way of approaching this issue is to seek testosterone replacement therapy (known as TRT). This medical process is rapidly attracting more adherents, with some estimates stating that the number of men who seek TRT has more than tripled in the past ten years. The established means of procuring TRT begins by requesting one’s personal doctor to order bloodwork done utilizing a sample taken from the patient. After low testosterone levels have been established, a pharmaceutical prescription (commonly aiming for shots of around 100-200 mg. of testosterone per week) will be given, and the patient can begin injections.
Many athletes seek to elevate their testosterone levels through non-medical means. Some men turn to over the counter testosterone booster products. In recent years there has been an increase in use of plant based products. The plant hormone laxogenin in particular has seen elevated use among supplement companies. The metalloid boron is also a common ingredient in many booster products. Saponin compounds such as fenugreek extract have also been tried.
The health and fitness craze of today’s world leaves many seeking to acquire an edge over their competition when it comes to physical performance. Due in part to this, the use of natural testosterone boosters has skyrocketed. Whatever method that you ultimately choose to boost your testosterone level, the many health benefits will be worth it.
]]>It is often taken for granted but sex drive is a key marker of health. It involves a constellation of psychological and hormonal factors directly influenced by almost everything – genetics, gender, lifestyle, current health status, relationship and even personality. It is tricky, inconsistent, emotional and personal.
Most people think testosterone is what makes you a man. But the truth is, testosterone does not directly affect sex drive. Its dihydrotesterone (DHT).
What exactly is DHT?
Like testosterone, DHT is an androgen hormone. It is product from testosterone after conversion by 5-alpha-reductase. Unlike testosterone which mostly acts in the muscle tissues (anabolic), DHT works in the cells as a CNS stimulator. Compared to testosterone that can help build muscle mass, DHT does promote metabolism and boost strength.
How DHT Affect Your Sex Drive
While testosterone may be vital for men’s health, it is not the focal factor in the ideal male hormonal profile. In some ways, testosterone’s real benefit is by converting into a much stronger male hormone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
So, how powerful is DHT when compared to testosterone for boosting sex drive? According to Stephen Harrod Buhner, author of Natural Remedies for Low Testosterone, DHT is much more powerful than testosterone as it binds 10 times more to the androgen receptors, it cannot be converted to estrogen (unlike testosterone) and it can actually block aromatase enzyme – the enzyme that converts testosterone to estrogen. Hence, aside from being more potent than testosterone, DHT is powerful aromatase inhibitor too.
Having an adequate DHT in the body offers a wide range of benefits:
Unfortunately, DHT levels decline for different reasons such excessive conversion of testosterone to estrogen or low production of testosterone (low T).
The symptoms of low T vary from person to person but here are the most common signs/symptoms of testosterone deficiency.
Testosterone and DHT are not the only key players that influence your sex drive. The other one is dopamine.
How Dopamine Influence Your Sex Drive and Erectile Functioning
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that plays a huge role in your sexual functioning. In fact, it is essential for an erection to happen. It is one of the primary chemicals that act during erection and it triggers a series of interactions among body chemicals such as testosterone, serotonin and nitric oxide.
Aside from erection, dopamine is vital for libido because it is released in the brain when a man anticipates or craves sex. Without the release of dopamine, there would be no urge or anticipation for sex and thus, no libido.
Testosterone is a basic ingredient for your sexual functions to work properly, and sufficient levels of T are needed to create a suitable environment for sexual activity to happen. Also, adequate testosterone level is required to produce dopamine. If a man is experiencing low testosterone, it means his body would not be able to produce sufficient amount of dopamine.
When responding to sex, testosterone is quite slow to act. It needs a neurotransmitter like dopamine to send signals quickly. Therefore, when a man is craving or anticipating sex, dopamine is released to send a message to the neurons. As such, dopamine is the chemical that stimulates sexual motivation.
Unfortunately, dopamine has the risk of being desensitized. This is when typical stimuli (like seeing your wife naked) cannot elicit enough sexual motivation. One reason is excessive viewing of pornographic material.
Porn overstimulates the brain’s reward system, bombarding it with high levels of dopamine until it gradually becomes less sensitive to a typical stimuli. When there is excessive dopamine, the dopamine-receiving neurons shuts down to protect from overstimulation.
This results to a non-response to dopamine or a depletion of dopamine. When this happens, you feel lazy and it becomes difficult to feel pleasure. Unfortunately, the only you can release more dopamine for you to feel pleasure is the increase in the use of porn. The only way to bring things back to normal is to wean off porn and allow your brain to adjust again.
Other benefits of dopamine to your sex drive include:
Poor Blood Flow May Be the Culprit
Sometimes, erection problems may not be caused by low testosterone or dopamine. In addition, erection problems often don’t affect your sex drive.
If this is the case, you may be experiencing reduced blood flow in your penis. One of the common reason for poor blood flow is plaque buildup in the blood vessel walls of your penis. An erection involves your hormones, nerves, brain and blood vessels. If there’s anything that interferes in one of them, it can lead to problems of getting an erection.
Having Low Sex Drive or Problems in Erection?
When it comes to addressing issues on erection and libido, there is no one-size-fits all cure or remedy. You need to visit your doctor to be checked, or at least, get a hormone panel test. Include your neurotransmitter levels checked too. You can opt for testosterone replacement therapy or choose the natural path.
There are a number of natural testosterone boosters (e.g Tongkat Ali, Maca, Mucuna Pruriens, Panax Ginseng, Tribulus Terrestris) and nitric oxide enhancers that you can use to help address your sexual dysfunction.
I. Sexless Marriages On the Rise: 15 to 20 Percent Of Couples Have Sex No More Than 10 Times a Year. Retrieved from http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/newsweek-cover-no-sex-please-were-married-71373437.html
II. Buhner, S.H. Natural Remedies for Low Testosterone. Retrieved from https://books.google.com.ph/books?id=ImEoDwAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false
III. Hamdi, M.M & Mutungi, G. Dihydrotestosterone activates the MAPK pathway and modulates maximum isometric force through the EGF receptor in isolated intact mouse skeletal muscle fibres. Retrieved from http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1113/jphysiol.2009.182162/abstract
IV. Ly, LP et.al. A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial of transdermal dihydrotestosterone gel on muscular strength, mobility, and quality of life in older men with partial androgen deficiency. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11549629
V. Casey, RW & Wilson, JD. Antiestrogenic action of dihydrotestosterone in mouse breast. Competition with estradiol for binding to the estrogen receptor. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6542571
VI. Kerr, JE, et.al. Androgens modulate glucocorticoid receptor mRNA, but not mineralocorticoid receptor mRNA levels, in the rat hippocampus. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8809674
VII. Giuliano F, Allard J. Dopamine and male sexual function. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11805404
VII. Ben-Jonathan N1, Hnasko R. Dopamine as a prolactin (PRL) inhibitor. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11739329
IX. S Li, G Pelletier. Role of dopamine in the regulation of gonadotropin-releasing hormone in the male rat brain as studied by in situ hybridization. Retrieved from https://academic.oup.com/endo/article-abstract/131/1/395/3034704/Role-of-dopamine-in-the-regulation-of-gonadotropin?redirectedFrom=fulltext
]]>Everyone and their mother is constantly looking for the “best” or most “optimal” supplement stack to implement into their daily regimens in order to increase their growth potential, increase lipolytic processes, enhance recovery, or some combination of them with the ultimate goal of improvement. I decided with that in mind, I wanted to bring you a “How to Build Your Own Supplement Stack Series” and covera everything under the sun! Increasing testosterone, improving endurance, increasing fat loss, and everything you can imagine to help you further your progress! Today, just as the title reads, I wanted to talk about how to create a natural testosterone stack that I’ve personally used on well over two hundred various clients that works (always check the ingredients with your federation before ingesting ANYTHING just to be on the safe side.) As always, it not only worked in practice but has more than enough research to back up their claims as many over the counter (OTC) testosterone products simply do not work….some do…so I hope to break this down for you so you can look for specific ingredients on these testosterone products and make an informed decision on whether or not it would be beneficial to purchase. The ingredients we’re going to be looking at are fenugreek, dehydroepiandrosterone, eurycoma longifolia jack, zinc, and vitamin D.
Fenugreek, has been shown to increase testosterone levels by increasing serum testosterone levels as well as 5-alpha reductase properties which reduce DHT. According to the literature we have available to us, a clinical dosage of fenugreek looks to be in the 400-800mgs per day range depending on which other ingredients it is going to be blended with (1, 2, 3.) Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), has probably been the most proven ingredient for increasing testosterone levels as well as aiding in sexual dysfunction, libido, some increases in bone mineral density, and some reductions in LDL particle size. From a dosage perspective its extremely clear that a dosage between 25-50mgs per day is all that is needed for an adult in their late thirties, early fourties. For the younger generation, I’ve seen research as high as 100mgs all the way up to 200mgs per day. This is an ingredient that like fenugreek, needs to be taken with consideration to the entire supplement stack (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.) Eurycoma longifolia jack is a testosterone enhancement ingredient that doesn’t seem to get the spotlight very often. In terms of increasing libido, aiding in weight loss, reducing cortisol, and increasing testosterone (up to 37% in one study), “long jack” does a tremendous job. Sadly I could not find enough conclusive evidence supporting its true mechanism of action but with it becoming more and more popular, given time we will be able to learn how it works on a molecular level sooner rather than later (10, 11.) A dosage of long jack is typically in the 200-400mg range if it is a 100:1 extract.
I feel its appropriate to up zinc and vitamin d within the same category as these are two supplement ingredients that VERY FEW people remember to consider when thinking about “optimal” testosterone levels. Typically both of these are only going to actually increase testosterone levels if someone is deficit in them…but thats more of a common issue than people think. Being deficit in zinc will reduce serum testosterone levels dramatically, thus, supplementing with it will bring those serum concentrations back within normal ranges being that it is an essential mineral thats involved in a number of enzymatic bodily processes (12, 13, 14.) From a dosage aspect it will depend on how severe your deficiency is.
Finally, we look at vitamin d which, as we know, can be synthesized by interaction with sunlight. Sadly, many are deficient in this essential vitamin because they do not get enough time outdoors and thus, less sun exposure. Being that I work the majority of my day indoors, I clearly fall into this category. There was only one study that holds proper data that I could find on how supplemental vitamin d aided in testosterone levels. In this study, they had men day take a little over 3000IUs of vitamin d per day for an entire year. They saw increases in both bioactive and free testosterone levels. This dosage, I feel is somewhat inadequate as 1,000-2,000IUs is the minimum effective dose, and although more is not always better, many would be better off ingesting 5,000-8,000IUs (some even go upwards of 10,000IUs but that is right at the upper safe limit.) As long as you’re ensuring your within that range and utilizing Vitamin D3 (which is more effectively utilizing within the body) then you will be good to go (15.) In closing, this is a very effective natural testosterone stack that I’ve seen bring up levels that were in the gutter to within the normal ranges or even within the upper limits. This will obviously depend on how well or how poor you metabolize these ingredients as well as why your testosterone levels are low in the first place.
References
1.Effects of a purported aromatase and 5α-reductase inhibitor on hormone profiles in college-age men. Colin Wilborn, Lem Taylor, Chris Poole, Cliffa Foster, Darryn Willoughby, Richard Kreider. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2010 Dec (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21116018)
2. Physiological Aspects of Male Libido Enhanced by Standardized Trigonella foenum-graecum Extract and Mineral Formulation. Steels, E., Rao, A. and Vitetta, L. Phytotherapy Research. 2011. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21312304)
3. The effects of a commercially available botanical supplement on strength, body composition, power output, and hormonal profiles in resistance-trained males. Chris Poole, Brandon Bushey, Cliffa Foster, Bill Campbell, Darryn Willoughby, Richard Kreider, Lem Taylor, Colin Wilborn
J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2010; 7: 34. Published online 2010 Oct (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20979623/)
4. Effects of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) supplementation on hormonal, metabolic and behavioral status in patients with hypoadrenalism. R. Libè, L. Barbetta, C. Dall’Asta, F. Salvaggio, C. Gala, P. Beck-Peccoz, B. Ambrosi. J Endocrinol Invest. 2004 Sep (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15636426)
5. Supplementation with DHEA: effect on muscle size, strength, quality of life, and lipids.
Molina Dayal, Mary D. Sammel, Jing Zhao, Amy C. Hummel, Krista Vandenbourne, Kurt T. Barnhart. J Womens Health (Larchmt) 2005 Jun (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15989411)
6. Androgens and sexual function: a placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind study of testosterone vs. dehydroepiandrosterone in men with sexual dysfunction and androgen deficiency. Alvaro Morales, Angela Black, Laurel Emerson, Jack Barkin, Irwin Kuzmarov, Andrew Day. Aging Male. 2009 Dec (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19883295)
7. Effects of dehydroepiandrosterone supplementation on cognitive function and activities of daily living in older women with mild to moderate cognitive impairment. Shizuru Yamada, Masahiro Akishita, Shiho Fukai, Sumito Ogawa, Kiyoshi Yamaguchi, Jun Matsuyama, Koichi Kozaki, Kenji Toba, Yasuyoshi Ouchi. Geriatr Gerontol Int. 2010 Oct (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20497239)
8. Dehydroepiandrosterone combined with exercise improves muscle strength and physical function in frail older women. Anne M. Kenny, Rebecca S. Boxer, Alison Kleppinger, Jennifer Brindisi, Richard Feinn, Joseph A. Burleson. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2010 Sep (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20863330)
9. Effects of dehydroepiandrosterone and atamestane supplementation on frailty in elderly men.
Majon Muller, Annewieke W. van den Beld, Yvonne T. van der Schouw, Diederick E. Grobbee, Steven W. J. Lamberts. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2006 Oct (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16804050)
10. Randomized Clinical Trial on the Use of PHYSTA Freeze-Dried Water Extract of Eurycoma longifolia for the Improvement of Quality of Life and Sexual Well-Being in Men. Shaiful Bahari Ismail, Wan Mohd Zahiruddin Wan Mohammad, Annie George, Nik Hazlina Nik Hussain, Zatul Mufiza Musthapa Kamal, Eckehard Liske. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2012 (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23243445)
11. Effects of Eurycoma longifolia on Testosterone Level and Bone Structure in an Aged Orchidectomised Rat Model. Abdul Shukor Tajul Ariff, Ima Nirwana Soelaiman, J. Pramanik, Ahmad Nazrun Shuid. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2012 (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22966245)
12. Effect of zinc administration on plasma testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, and sperm count.
A. Netter, R. Hartoma, K. Nahoul. Arch Androl. 1981 (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7271365)
13. Zinc status and serum testosterone levels of healthy adults. A. S. Prasad, C. S. Mantzoros, F. W. Beck, J. W. Hess, G. J. Brewer. Nutrition. 1996 May (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8875519)
14. Relationship between abnormal sperm morphology induced by dietary zinc deficiency and lipid composition in testes of growing rats. Krystal J. Merrells, Heather Blewett, Jennifer A. Jamieson, Carla G. Taylor, Miyoung Suh. Br J Nutr. 2009 Jul (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19222874)
15. Effect of vitamin D supplementation on testosterone levels in men. S. Pilz, S. Frisch, H. Koertke, J. Kuhn, J. Dreier, B. Obermayer-Pietsch, E. Wehr, A. Zittermann. Horm Metab Res. 2011 Mar (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21154195)
]]>