Testosterone is the male sex hormone. It is key to sex drive, muscle growth and energy production. These are things you may already know. But there are a few things you may not know about testosterone. For example, did you know that testosterone is important for your bones? And that eating tuna can improve your testosterone levels? Below are 12 facts about testosterone you may not have known that can help you to better understand this hormone.
Women need testosterone too
While testosterone is associated mainly with men, it is an important hormone for women too. Testosterone is crucial to female libido, energy levels and maintaining muscle mass. Of course, women don’t need quite as much testosterone as men. In fact, men require 15 to 20 times more testosterone in order to live healthily. However, women can still experience issues like fatigue and low libido if they have no testosterone. The same goes for men with estrogen – men need small amounts of this female sex hormone, otherwise they too can experience fatigue or issues like erectile dysfunction.
Testosterone levels start slowly declining at the age of 30
You may have heard that men’s testosterone levels start to decline with age – but did you know that this decline starts as early as 30 years old? After this age, you can expect testosterone levels to drop by 1% per year. Of course, it’s possible to top up testosterone levels with the right lifestyle and TRT therapy. Those who live an inactive lifestyle with a poor diet or more likely to experience a significant drop in testosterone levels.
Low testosterone can make you gain weight
Testosterone can affect your metabolism. If you have low testosterone levels, you may find it harder to maintain a healthy weight. In fact, having a beer belly is commonly associated with low testosterone. By boosting your testosterone levels, you will likely find it easier to lose this weight, because you will burn calories faster.
Low testosterone can increase the risk of osteoporosis
This hormone is also key to bone health. Having low testosterone can affect your bones’ ability to regenerate and could contribute to low bone density. This may increase your risk of developing fractures and make you more susceptible to osteoporosis (brittle bone disease).
Low testosterone may increase your risk of dementia
Testosterone may be as important for our brains as it is brawn. Many people with low testosterone levels experience depression. This is because this hormone is believed to help regulate our mood. Brain fog is also a common symptom of low testosterone levels – boosting your T levels can help to sharpen your memory. Some studies have also found a link between low testosterone and dementia. If you want to avoid cognitive decline, it might be worth regulating your testosterone levels.
Heavy drinking can lower testosterone levels
Drinking alcohol in moderation has little impact on testosterone levels and can even cause testosterone levels to spike in some cases. However, if you’re drinking regularly, you experience a drop in testosterone levels. Smoking can also negatively impact testosterone production.
Getting less than 6 hours sleep per night can lower testosterone levels
Sleep deprivation is not good for T levels. If you’re regularly getting less than 6 hours of sleep per night, you may experience a 10% to 15% decrease in testosterone levels. Start prioritizing sleep at night to help you maintain healthy hormone levels. If you struggle with insomnia, consider taking sleep supplements or try to be more physically active during the day (exercise is another way to boost T levels).
Eating tuna can improve your testosterone levels
Incorporating certain foods into your diet can actually help your body to produce testosterone. An example of this is tuna. Why is tuna good for testosterone levels? Tuna is high in vitamin D and zinc, which are essential to the production of this hormone. Other foods that are high in these nutrients include salmon, egg yolks, oysters and some breakfast cereals.
Sprinting for just 6 seconds can improve testosterone levels
High-intensity exercise can boost testosterone levels. However, you don’t have to be doing lengthy weight sessions or HIIT circuit classes at the gym to see results. Sprinting for just 6 seconds can stimulate your pituitary gland and get your body producing testosterone. If you live a sedentary lifestyle, consider incorporating tiny bursts of physical activity into your day.
Soy products have no proven negative impact on testosterone levels
Recently, many blogs and social media accounts have started claiming that soy products are bad for testosterone levels – however this is largely anti-vegan propaganda. There is no significant evidence to suggest that consuming soy products has any negative impact on testosterone levels. If you don’t consume animal products, you can still enjoy soy products without harming your testosterone levels. Foods like nuts, seeds and beans can make up for the lack of meat in your diet and help stimulate testosterone production.
Testosterone therapy is available online
TRT (testosterone replacement therapy) can be an effective way to top up your testosterone levels – and you don’t have to regularly visit a clinic to undergo this therapy. TRT online is an option for those who want to increase their testosterone levels. After undergoing an online assessment, you can choose between an injectable solution or a topical solution and get it delivered to your door.
Too much testosterone can be bad for your heart, your skin and your fertility
It’s important to note that you can have too much testosterone. This can lead to emotional volatility, however it can also cause physical damage to your body too. You may develop high blood pressure, heart disease and blood clots. The skin may overproduce oil, leading to acne. And while your sex drive is likely to be high, your sperm quality may decrease if there is too much testosterone in your bloodstream. This is why it’s important to not overdo TRT and to make sure other hormones like estrogen are kept in check to help balance your testosterone levels.
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