We often think of low testosterone as something that causes erectile dysfunction and only affects older men, but low testosterone affects both men and women and has several other consequences.
Men and those assigned male at birth naturally have much higher levels of testosterone than women and those assigned female at birth.
It’s not just for men - why you need testosterone
Testosterone is produced by the testicles in men and by the ovaries in women. It is also produced when the hormone DHEA is converted into testosterone, Testosterone is the primary androgen in the body. It is mainly responsible for producing male characteristics. It is considered an anabolic hormone which means it helps to promote growth. Let’s look more closely at some of the functions of testosterone.
Here are the functions of testosterone in men:
Necessary for the production of sperm
Promotes muscle growth
Promotes bone density
Enhances libido
Promotes a sense of well being
Here are the functions of testosterone in women:
Converted to estradiol (the primary form of estrogen in reproductive years)
Promotes muscle growth
Promotes bone density
Enhances libido
Promotes a sense of well being
And, when boys reach puberty it is responsible for an increase in growth, growth of body hair, and reproductive maturity.
What happens when your testosterone levels are low
If your testosterone levels are lower than normal you may experience any of these symptoms:
Low libido (both men and women)
Lower fertility from decreased sperm production
Increased fat storage and weight gain
Depression
Mood swings and trouble concentrating
Low self esteem
Lower bone density
What causes low testosterone?
There are several causes of low testosterone:
Age - testosterone levels in both men and women decline with age
Diseases like AIDS, kidney disease, alcoholism and cirrhosis of the liver
Injury to the testicles and cancer treatments
Removal of the ovaries.
Can testosterone levels be too high?
High testosterone levels in men can cause excessive facial and body hair, aggressive behaviour, and infertility. Most often this is the result of anabolic steroid use or testosterone supplementation.
In women, high testosterone levels result in acne, excessive body hair, deeper voice, irregular menstrual cycles and infertility. This is usually caused by polycystic ovarian syndrome or other hormonal conditions.
How to boost testosterone
There are several ways to increase your testosterone levels.
Include enough Zinc, magnesium and vitamin D in your diet. Low levels of these nutrients can cause lower production of testosterone. Include foods like spinach, black beans, and salmon in your diet or ask a health professional about supplementation.
Eat enough protein. Lower protein means lower availability of testosterone.
Manage your weight. When your body fat levels are higher your testosterone levels drop and estrogen levels rise.
Get enough sleep. Not getting enough sleep is a risk factor for lowered testosterone. And to make matter worse, not enough sleep leads to fat storage.
Include strength training in your exercise routine. Strength training provides a boost to testosterone levels in both men and women. It also helps to maintain your body fat levels.
But don’t get too much exercise. Too much high intensity cardio or interval training can reduce testosterone levels. It’s all about balance. High intensity interval training can increase testosterone levels for men but may lower levels for women.
Manage your stress levels. While short term stress can cause a temporary increase in testosterone levels, chronic stress leads to higher cortisol levels and lower testosterone levels.
How can I help?
As a holistic nutritionist and hormone specialist, I can help you balance your hormones naturally with meal plans and lifestyle advice that will help you boost testosterone levels and keep them balanced.
Warm wishes,
Vicki Witt | Clinical Nutritionist | Holistic Coach | Reiki Master | Certified LEAP allergy therapist Over 25 years of successfully helping you achieve optimal health and weight loss 🍏| www.vickiwittweightloss.com
About Vicki:
Vicki Witt is a Clinical Nutritionist, Holistic Health Coach, and Reiki Master. She has been practicing over 25 years and specializes in holistically customizing diet and lifestyle plans to each individual for weight loss and hormonal control. Her clientele often report they feel the best they have ever felt and wish they had started sooner. One of the USA and Australia's top Nutritionists, she has won multiple awards for her services in the industry.
Certified and Registered Nutritionist
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