The normal testosterone levels in male peaks between the ages of 20 and 30, afterwhich, it starts to decline. In order to maintain good overall health in men, the testosterone levels must be optimal, and low levels of the said hormone has become a prominent health issue.

During puberty, male characteristics begin to develop through testosterone — deep voice, muscle mass increase, body hair, and more. It is also linked to sex drive, strength, aggressiveness, and confidence.

Healthy testosterone levels mean a healthy metabolism, proper distribution and maintenance of fat and bone density, healthy sperm, fertility, libido, good mental and physical energy, sufficient red blood cell production, regulated sleep patterns and good response to pain.

Low Testosterone Levels

Testosterone Deficiency Syndrome, and Hypogonadism are two of the most common conditions involving testosterone issues. Look for the following signs and symptoms:

• Erectile dysfuntion
• Low sex drive
• Tiredness and Lack of motivation
• Weight gain
• Low mood
• Concentration problems
• Decrease in muscle mass
• Decrease in red blood cells
• Osteopenia or osteoporosis
• Changes in cholesterol levels
• Reduced body hair

High Testosterone Levels

When testosterone levels are elevated, it could have a detrimental effect on both mental and physical health. Since the hormone is linked with the level of confidence, aggression, and strength, these social markers will be manifested greatly. Some signs that testosterone levels are high include:

• Reduced fertility
• Acne mainly on back and shoulders
• Testicle shrinkage
• Hair loss
• Higher risk of prostate enlargement
• Greater consumption of alcohol and frequency of smoking
• Participation in behaviour that are risky, such as sexual promiscuity, extreme activities like extreme sports, and doing criminal actions

Thus, it is important to consult with a practitioner if you suspect that your testosterone levels may be low and need to be increased as too much may put your health in danger.

Different Approaches to Boosting Testosterone

Synthetic testosterone products, that help men with low sex drive, mood swings, and brain fog, are available over the counter although not recommended as a means of “natural” support. One of them is DHEA, which helps the body produce testosterone and other hormones.

For boys who are experiencing a delay in puberty, anabolic steroids are administered. Same with those who have low testosterone levels, low muscle mass caused by HIV or AIDS, and anemia. Steroids are popular among athletes and those who are building muscles to increase mass, performance, and for cosmetic purposes.

Artificial supplements, however, only imitates the effects of testosterone, causing serious side effects, including infertility, increase in body hair, high cholesterol, heart disease, high blood pressure, fluid retention, sleep apnea, cyst in the prostate, gynecomastia, aggression, violence, and skin problems. This is due to testosterone being part of the endocrine system. And thus, if the it is increased tremendously or unnaturally, it will consequently throw the other hormones and the whole system out of balance.

The other approach is natural medicine. The initial step would be to detect what is causing the testosterone levels to decrease in the first place. In most cases, the patient’s lifestyle will tell a lot about what might be causing the disorder, and below are the different natural approach:

• Get the right support and herbal medicine prescription
• Improve sleep quality
• Stick to regular physical activity
• Learn to manage stress
• Increase vitamin D. It also helps maintain sperm count and semen quality, aside from regulating the testosterone levels. Get at least 20 minutes to half an hour of early morning sun daily. Or consult with your practitioner before taking any OTC supplements as excessive vitamin D is also harmful.
• Eat less sugar. A diet high in sugar raises the blood sugar level, causing the body to produce more insulin. And when there is excessive insulin in the body, testosterone is lowered.
• Zinc. It assists in regulating the whole endocrine system. Modern farming methods have made it difficult to rely on food alone to get enough zinc because of the pesticides and other chemicals that are being used. As with vitamin D, it is best to consult with a practitioner as excessive or low levels of zinc is harmful to health. It is important to be tested first in order to know how much you should be taking.
• Eat healthy fats. Saturated fats from meat, fish, dairy, and some oils are beneficial to the body’s healthy function. There are three different types of healthy fats. One is the saturated fat that are found in coconut, dairy, meat from organic animals, organ meat from organic animals, and eggs. Second type is the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish, chia seeds, flax seeds, and walnuts. The third type is the monounsaturated fats found in avocado, olives (olive oil), pecans, and almonds.
• Intermittent fasting. It is a pattern of dieting by following a certain schedule. You may pick any of the following, but be sure to stick to it:
  1. Only eat between 12noon and 8pm. During the 16 hours that is outside this time span, you are not allowed to eat.
  2. Skip 2 meals out of 3 meals. You may opt to skip breakfast and lunch, and only eat dinner between 6pm and 8pm.
  3. Under a practitioner’s supervision, the fasting period may be increased to 48 to 72 hours.

Be sure to consult with a practitioner before doing any methods mentioned above in order to be thoroughly assessed first and be given the proper treatment that your unique body needs.