Testosterone is a hormone found in humans, as well as in other animals. In men, the testicles primarily make testosterone. Women’s ovaries also make testosterone, though in much smaller amounts.
The production of testosterone starts to increase significantly during puberty and begins to dip after age 30 or so.
Testosterone is most often associated with sex drive and plays a vital role in sperm production. It also affects bone and muscle mass, the way men store fat in the body, and even red blood cell production. So in this article, we will try to cover what is Testosterone? Testosterone Booster Foods, Testosterone Symptoms, Types of Testosterone Injection, and how to use them.
What is Testosterone?
Testosterone is a naturally occurring sex hormone that is produced in a man’s testicles. Small amounts of testosterone are also produced in a woman’s ovaries and adrenal system.
Testosterone injection is used in men and boys to treat conditions caused by a lack of this hormone, such as delayed puberty or growth. It is only recommended for males with a known medical condition, such as a genetic disorder, problem with certain brain structures (called the hypothalamus and pituitary), or previous chemotherapy.
Testosterone injection is also used in women to treat certain types of breast cancer that have spread to other parts of the body.
It should not be used to enhance athletic performance or to treat normal male aging.
Testosterone injection is also used “off-label” for the treatment of gender dysphoria. Injections are typically administered weekly by the user in a home setting.
Testosterone Booster Foods
Testosterone is a key hormone in the male body. It plays an important role in almost every system in the body: cardiovascular, muscular, endocrine, nervous, circulatory, and—of course—reproductive.
Keeping your body healthy and your testosterone in balance takes more than the occasional workout. To help your body maintain a healthy balance and combat low testosterone, your doctor may suggest increased exercise, testosterone replacement therapy, or—in most cases—a change in diet. So here is the list of testosterone booster foods.
Low-fat Milk
The phrase “milk builds strong bones” is a saying for a reason. It truly does! Milk is an outstanding source of protein, calcium, and vitamin D. It can also keep testosterone in check for men with low levels.
Drinking the correct type of milk matters, however. Select milk that is fortified with vitamin D and is low-fat or skims. These kinds of milk have the same or similar nutrient content as whole milk but leave out saturated fat.
Pomegranates
The pomegranate is an age-old symbol of fertility and sexual function, and its antioxidant levels may support heart health and stress reduction.
Also, results of a study from 2012 indicate that pomegranate may boost testosterone levels in men and women. Sixty healthy participants drank pure pomegranate juice for 14 days, and researchers tested the levels of testosterone in their saliva three times a day.
Garlic
Garlic is helpful for those suffering from low testosterone. In one study, this plant lowered cortisol and increased testosterone levels in rats fed with a high-protein diet.
Adding garlic to your cooking is one of the best testosterone boosters, but it’s even more potent when eaten raw. It can be more upsetting to your stomach—and those around you—raw, so take it slow.
Oysters
Zinc is necessary for testosterone production and overall health. If you’re looking to stack up on this mineral, you should turn to oysters.
They have a massive concentration of zinc, even higher than meat or fish. These hormone-enhancing properties are likely the origin of the conventional wisdom that oysters are an aphrodisiac.
Almonds
Almonds contain high levels of the mineral zinc which is known to raise testosterone levels in people who are zinc deficient. If you are low in zinc this could stop the pituitary gland from releasing some of the key hormones for stimulating testosterone production.
By eating zinc-rich foods, you can help make sure this doesn’t happen and avoid a reduction in your testosterone levels.
Spinach
Popeye had it right when he discovered his love and reliance on spinach. Spinach is an outstanding source of magnesium to add to your diet. This leafy, green vegetable plays a large role in both muscle development—as it did for Popeye—and reproduction.
An increase in magnesium can bind to testosterone and help you increase any low levels over time.
Lemons
Lemons, along with other citrus fruits, are great testosterone-booster foods! Much like garlic, they help to lower your levels of cortisol which means testosterone can be more readily produced.
Not only that but they contain vitamin A which is required for the production of testosterone and can help lower estrogen levels which means testosterone can be more effective.
Types of Testosterone Injection
Testosterone injections can come in several varieties. These include:
- Testosterone cypionate (Depo-Testosterone)
- Testosterone enanthate (Xyosted and also available in its generic form)
- Undecanoate (Aveed, which is a long-acting formulation)
Low Testosterone symptoms
Men naturally start losing some of their testosterone when they hit their 30s or 40s. A more rapid decline in testosterone levels may indicate a problem called low testosterone (low T). Common symptoms of low T include:
- Erectile dysfunction (ED)
- Changes in sex drive
- Decreased sperm count
- Depression or anxiety
- Weight gain
- Hot flashes
- Some men may also have changes in the size of their penis and testicles. Others may have breast swelling.
How to use them
When a person receives a testosterone injection, the hormone directly enters the body through the muscle. People can choose between two methods:
- self-administering the injections at home, using a home injection kit to inject the hormone into the thigh.
having a doctor administer them into the buttocks muscle during a visit to the doctor’s office. - When having testosterone injections, people will usually visit their doctor every few months for monitoring. Treatments could last for a lifetime or be short-term, depending on the individual’s circumstances.
What are the risks of testosterone therapy for normal aging?
Testosterone therapy has various risks, including:
- Worsening sleep apnea — a potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts.
- Causing acne or other skin reactions.
- Stimulating noncancerous growth of the prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia) and growth of existing prostate cancer.
- Enlarging breasts.
- Limiting sperm production or causing testicles to shrink.
- Stimulating too much red blood cell production, which contributes to the increased risk of forming a blood clot. A clot could break loose, travel through your bloodstream, and lodge in your lungs, blocking blood flow (pulmonary embolism).
Also, some research shows that testosterone therapy can increase your risk of heart disease. More research is needed.
Before Taking This Medicine
You should not receive testosterone if you are allergic to it, or if you have:
- Prostate cancer
- Male breast cancer
- A serious heart condition
- Severe liver disease
- Severe kidney disease
- If you are pregnant or may become pregnant
To make sure testosterone is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
- Heart disease or coronary artery disease
- A history of heart attack, stroke, or blood clot
- Diabetes
- Enlarged prostate
- High cholesterol or triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood)
- Breast cancer (in men, or in women who have hypercalcemia)
- Liver or kidney disease
- High calcium levels
- If you are bedridden or otherwise debilitated
- If you take a blood thinner (warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven)
Also read: How Many Days Does It Take To Recover From COVID?
This medicine can harm an unborn baby. Do not use testosterone if you are pregnant or may become pregnant. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment. Use effective birth control while you are receiving this medicine.
It is not known whether testosterone passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breastfeed while using this medicine.
Also read: How To Increase Testosterone: Natural Ways To Boost Testosterone