I see a lot of men in my office who’ve gotten mixed signals about testosterone. Testosterone is the hormone that makes a man a man, so to speak. But sometimes testosterone gets a bad rap. In the medical community some say it causes aggressive behavior or irritability, extra hair growth, and other problems. On the flip side of the coin you need testosterone to have a healthy libido, good muscle tone, and good energy.
So, what’s a guy to do?
Well, testosterone is a hormone. When it comes to hormones, balance is always a critical factor. Too little can lead to weight gain, weaker muscles, less energy, and a low sex drive and too much has many of the negative side effects mentioned above.
If you’re over 40, low testosterone is a more pressing concern than excess testosterone. That’s because at 40 your testosterone levels begin a steady decline. On average, your testosterone will fall by about one percent each year.
Fortunately, you can take steps to keep your testosterone levels balanced. By keeping your testosterone in the optimum range, you can continue to enjoy a healthy sex life, strong muscles, and good energy. In fact, my patients who keep their testosterone levels where they should be are generally more satisfied with their lives… they just feel better.
Natural Testosterone Boosters
One of the best ways to boost testosterone is to provide your body building blocks so that it can make testosterone on its own. As a precursor, DHEA works well. DHEA is a hormone that your body uses to make testosterone.
DHEA provides many health benefits. People with optimum DHEA levels:
• Experience lower stress levels.
• Enjoy more energy.
• Are slimmer and trimmer.
• Enjoy more sex.
I do add a cautionary note when recommending DHEA. It is a hormone, and like all hormones, you do not want to upset that natural balance. It’s a good idea to work with your doctor when you take a DHEA supplement. He or she can help you choose a dosage that will work well for your current hormone levels.
Tribulus terrestris is another natural supplement that can give your testosterone a natural lift. Animal research suggests that tribulus terrestris boosts blood testosterone levels and enhances libido. Take up to 650 mg of tribulus terrestris a day to improve your testosterone levels.
Finally, I recommend the topical gel, TestoJel.™ This gel absorbs into your skin and helps to gently increase your testosterone levels. It uses a bio-identical testosterone rather than a synthetic. Your body recognizes bio-identical testosterone as naturally occurring—it will use it just like it would the testosterone it makes on its own. TestoJel™ requires a prescription, so ask your doctor about it.
By taking steps to monitor your testosterone levels and keep them in their normal range, you can ensure that your sex drive, muscle tone, and energy levels don’t decline as you age. And that’s good news for any man over 40.
Stay Well,
Mark Rosenberg, M.D.
Photo Credit: healthline.com
