Testosterone is a male hormone. Besides promoting libido it has other
important functions such as maintaining muscle mass and forming bone,and
regulating heart muscle and cholesterol. It also helps to improve the
oxygen levels throughout the body as well as controlling blood glucose
and strengthening the immune system. As men age, the pituitary gland
produces less free testosterone while more free testosterone is being
converted to estrogen which results in many health problems. In this
article, we will discuss the causes, symptoms, prevention and treatment
of testosterone deficiency.
I. Causes
1. Aging
As we mentioned in the previous articles, human aging
is the biological and pathological processes that vary from person to
person and that are controllable to some degree. Starting at age 40
levels of testosterone start to diminish. The levels of the by-product
prolactin of testosterone of men increases, stimulating the production
of the enzyme 5-alpha reductase that causes the conversion of
testosterone to gihydro-testosterones DHT thus triggering low levels of
testosterone.
2. DHEA deficiency
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is a substance made by the adrenal gland.
It is the precursor of the sex steroids estrogen and testosterone. DHEA
has some male hormone effects and deficiency of DHEA contributes to
fatigue, poor concentration and diminished overall body functions.
3. Zinc
Zinc is a natural aromatase enzyme inhibitor. It helps to block the
conversion of testosterone into excess estrogen. Inadequate zinc levels
block the pituitary gland from releasing lutein and follicle stimulation
of hormone which stimulates the production of testosterone.
4. Aromatase
Aromatase is an enzyme of the cytochrome P450 superfamily, whose
function is to aromatize androgen and produce estrogen. As men age they
produce greater amounts of aromatase enzymes that cause the conversion
of testosterone into estrogen resulting in male hormone deficiency.
5. Liver disease
Damage to liver causes extra estrogen and sex-hormone binding globulin resulting in lower levels of testosterone.
6. Frequent sexual activity
Normal sexual activity helps to improve the yang qi in the kidney
according to Chinese herbalists (that is the reason why most kings in
Chinese history have some sources of sexual dysfunction). Frequent
sexual activity (more than once a day and every day) will cause the
depletion of yang qi resulting in low levels of testosterone, sexual
dysfunction and libido in the future days.
II. Symptoms
1. Decreased sexual function
As we mentioned in the last article, starting at age 40 levels of
testosterone start to diminish. The levels of the by-product prolactin
of testosterone of men increases, stimulating the production of the
enzyme 5-alpha reductase that causes the conversion of testosterone to
gihydro-testosterones DHT thus triggering low levels of testosterone
resulting in sexual dysfunction.
2. Loss of bone density
The brain and bone are the important tissues that have the primary
effect of testosterone is by way of aromatization to 17² estradiol in
the bones. 17²-estradiol accelerates maturation of cartilage into bone,
leading to closure of the epiphyses (a rounded end of a long bone) and
conclusion of growth.
3. Loss of muscle mass
As men start aging or
damage of pituitary gland, extra estrogen builds up in the body causing
low levels of testosterone being produced resulting in loss of muscle
mass. Testosterone effects can be classified as anabolic effects that
include growth of muscle mass and strength, increased bone density and
strength, and stimulation of height growth and bone maturation.
Testosterone effects can also be classified by the age of usual
occurrence.
4. Memory loss
Low levels of testosterone allows beta-amyloid, a toxic peptide to
accumulate in certain regions of the brain causing memory loss.
5. Abdominal fat
Fat cells create aromatase enzymes that contribute to fat build up and
low levels of testosterone which allows the forming of abdominal fat
that produce more aromatase enzymes resulting in more formation of
estrogen. It also causes insulin resistance by increasing fat around the
stomach/waist area and fat mass.
There are more symptoms of low levels of testosterone such as timidity, feeling of weakness, and passive attitude.
III. Prevention and Treatment
a) With Foods
1. Oyster and crustaceans
Oyster and crustaceans contain high levels of magnesium and zinc that is
a natural aromatase inhibitor playing a key role in regulating
testosterone levels as well as improving circulation of blood to the
penis vessels.
2. Cabbage
Cabbage contains vitaimn C, iron, calcium, and potassium. It not only
helps in exhibiting the estradiol-restricting properties as other
cruciferous vegetables, but its fiber also helps to control weight gain
resulting in a decreased risk of estrogen binding.
3. Dark green leaf
Dark green leaf juice contains high amount of vitamin C and E, besides
helping to reduce levels of cholesterol, high blood pressure and
regulate blood glucose resulting in improved blood circulation to vital
organs in our body. It also helps to fight the forming of free radicals
and rejuvenates our cell and cleans up the clogged up receptor sites
that helps to raise levels of testosterone.
4. Goat Meat
Goat meat contains high amounts of protein, iron, magnesium, and zinc.
Iron specifically offers the added benefit of raising levels of oxygen
in the blood that is essential for providing nutrition to cell needs. High protein and zinc are two nutrients that help to optimize free testosterone levels and muscle-building.
5. Egg
Egg contains zinc, iron, vitamin A, antioxidants, protein and
testosterone. The antioxidants and testosterone present in egg have an
effect in testosterone-boosting ratio of saturated fat to
polyunsaturated . The high amounts of vitamins B5 and B6 in egg also
helps to balance the hormone levels in our body and fight stress.
Overloading with eggs may increase levels of cholesterol but eating one
egg a day is ideal for vitalizing and regenerative effects in resulting
more production of testosterone.
7. Blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and strawberries
Blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and strawberries contain vitamin
P (bioflavonoid) that helps to promote health by strengthening
capillaries, protecting blood vessels from clogging up, other connective
tissues and muscle building in the body resulting in improved blood
circulation and immune system in fighting the forming of free radicals.
8. Cold water fish
Besides plenty of omega 3, cold water fish is an excellent source of
vitamin A and zinc that help the binding of sex hormones, specifically
testosterone and estradiol.
b) With herbs
1. Sting nettle roots
Sting nettle root binds to sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) in place
of testosterone resulting in a reduction of SHBG binding of free
testosterone, therefore helping increase the levels of free
testosterone. It also promotes healthy prostate gland that helps to
stimulate the sexual desire.
2. Muira Pauma
Muira pauma is stems and roots of a ptychopetalum plant in South
America. It has been used as an aphrodisiac, tonic and cure for muscle
paralysis and strengthening the liver function that helps to cure the
hormone imbalance in aging men. Study shows that muira pauma is a libido enhancer.
3. Yohimbe
Yohimbe contains the compound yohimbine that has been used as a major
ingredient in several prescription drugs for impotence. Yohimbine helps
impotence caused by poor circulation and emotional problems resulting in
raising your testosterone levels and your libido.
4. Milk thistle
Milk thistle helps restore the liver function that helps to eliminate
the surplus of estrogen and sex hormone binding globulin that allow the
increasing of levels of free testosterone.
5. Saw palmetto
Saw palmetto help to promote prostate health and increase sexual
stimulation. It also helps estrogen and estrogen receptor activity
resulting in a healthy hormone balance, thus increasing sexual desire in
men.
6. Maca
Maca is a vegetable root or tuber that grows in the high Andean plateaus
of Peru at high altitudes. It helps our body to nourish the pituitary
gland that help to increase the production of our own human hormones
such as testosterone.
7. Tongkat ali
Tongkat ali has been shown to raise testosterone by stimulating the
leydig cells of the testicles to produce more testosterone. Tangkat ali
also helps in supporting erectile function and ejaculatory function as a
direct consequence of increasing the size of male penis and sexual
desire.
c) With Chinese herbs
1.Gou Zhen (Chinese pine pollen)
Gou zhen contains high amounts of amino acids, vitamins, trace-elements,
enzymes, flavonoids, nucleic acid and unsaturated fatty acids that help
to stimulate the activity of liver cells and regulate bile secretion
and endocrine resulting in increased production of free testosterone
that in turn promots men's libido.
2. Cordyceps
Cordyceps is one of the primary herbal substances used in tonic herbalism as an anti-aging
agent and for the purposes of rejuvenation. It also helps to nourish
and strengthen the kidneys and lungs and tonifies qi, relieves depression of liver qi as resulting of eliminating the surplus of estrogen and sex hormone binding globuline.
3. Ginseng
Ginseng in Chinese medicine is used as a pituitary strengthening herb. It also contains herbs
that benefit the endocrine system which results in tonifiying the
entire endocrine system and helping the release of human growth hormone (HGH).
4. Reishi
Reishi is a supreme protector that helps to strengthen the immune
system, anti-forgoing stress, improves blood, and qi circulation and
memory. Reshi also helps to protect the liver from toxins and protect
the lungs from pollutants as a resulting of eliminating the surplus of
estrogen and sex hormone binding globulin and helping the release of
human growth hormone (HGH).
5. Tribulus terrestris
Tribulus terrestris is a sexual enhancer and testosterone stimulator
that benefits the sexual functions of men resulting in increased sexual
potency in men. Studies show that intake of tritbulus terrestris will
help to increase the amounts of free testosterone in the body systems.
6. Horny Goat Weed
Horny goat weed contains a variety of flavonoids such as icariin that
helps to relax the blood vessels leading to the penis, which allows them
to expand resulting in stronger and harder erection. It also helps to
treat low levels of testosterone and increased sexual desire at the same
time.
d) With Nutritional Supplements
1. DHEA
1. DHEA
DHEA allows our body to create other hormones such as testosterone.
Study shows that DHEA is a precursor to sex hormones. The deficiency of
DHEA causes the deficiency of other sex hormones resulting in loss of
bone density, increasing of body mass, hardening of blood vessels and
low sex drive.
2. Chorella
Chlorella containing beta carotene and chlorophyll is a powerful
antioxidant that helps to strengthen the immune system by blocking the
formation of free radicals, improving oxygen levels for cell needs and
nitric oxygen thus stimulating the enlarging of the penis through sexual
desire.
3. Garlic
Garlic is one of nature's superfoods that helps lower levels of
cholesterol, normalizes blood pressure and increases circulation of
oxygen levels in bloodstream. Garlic is also a stimulant that helps to
increase men's libido by promoting the production of sex hormone in the
pituitary gland. Please consult with your doctor if you have any
bleeding problems before taking garlic supplements.
4. Vitamin K
Vitamin K is needed for skin rejuvenation. The depleting of vitamin K in
the skin membrane causes the skin to become inelastic and wrinkle as a
result of low levels of testosterone in men due to aging. Restoring the
deficiency of vitamin K indirectly promotes production of levels of
testosterone.
5. Omega 3 and 6 fatty acid
Besides helping to lower levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) and
triglycerides, and improving circulation of the levels of oxygen in
bloodstream to cells, omega 3 and 6 fatty acid also helps to promote the
restoration of any damage of heart tissues and hormone imbalance in
aging men.
6. Nucleic acid
Nucleic acid besides promoting cell growth, boosting energy, smooth skin
and keeping hair sleek, also helps to maintain the healthy levels of
male sex hormone resulting in a normalizing desire of the sex drive.
7. Zinc and iron
Deficiency of zinc and iron causes the depletion of oxygen levels and
poor circulation of the bloodstream as indirectly resulting in erectile
dysfunction. Since zinc also promotes healthy prostate glands that
increase the release of prostate fluids that help to stimulate the
sexual desire by increasing the production of levels of free
testosterone.
8. Potassium and magnesium
Potassium and magnesium help to inhibit the conversion of testosterone
to estrogen resulting in more free testosterone that helps to normalize
sexual desire.
e) With natural approaches
1. Cut down intake of saturated fat and trans fat
Our brain needs fat to function better, but unhealthy diet
that is high in saturated fat and trans fat causes not only the build
up of the abdominal area but also increases the risk of hormone
imbalance by stimulating the binding of sex hormone binding globulin
which clogs up testosterone receptor sites resulting in low levels of
free testosterone and sexual desire. By reducing intake of above fats
and replacing them by fish which contain high amounts of omega 3 and 6
will help to block the binding of SHBG, thus increasing the amount of
free testosterone as well as libido.
2. Reduce intake of alcohol
Excessive drinking impairs the function of liver resulting in hormone
imbalance as well as increasing the levels of estrogen in both men and
women.
3. Stop smoking
Cigarette is a stimulant that not only increases heart beat but also
causes the depletion of oxygen levels in the blood stream. It also
increases binding of SHBG resulting in lowered levels of free
testosterone.
4. Replace carbonated beverages with dark green juice
Carbonated beverages are absorbed more readily and it suppresses the
testosterone production in men. Dark green juice contains a high amount
of antioxidants, zinc, iron, vitamin C, etc. that not only helps to
restore the damage of cells but also prevent the formation of free
radicals. Dark green juice also reduces the binding of SHGB, nourishes
the pituitary gland, thus increasing the production of free
testosterone.
5. Moderate exercise
Walking 50 minutes a week will help to improve the circulation of oxygen levels in the bloodstream and increase the human growth hormone as well as helping to regulate the testosterone levels in the body.
6. Vitamins and minerals
Vitamins and minerals are equally important to our body, as well as
maintaining sexual activity and vitality, and should come from whole
foods and balanced diets.
7. Put on a happy face
Stress drains your body energy by causing the metabolism to fluctuate,
thus changing your body normal physical and emotion functions resulting
in fluctuation of testosterone production and hormone imbalance.
Chinese Secrets To Fatty Liver And Obesity Reversal
Use The Revolutionary Findings To Achieve
Optimal Health And Loose Weight
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Health Researcher and Article Writer. Expert in Health Benefits of Foods, Herbs, and Phytochemicals. Master in Mathematics & Nutrition and BA in World Literature and Literary criticism. All articles written by Kyle J. Norton are for information & education only.
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