Low Testosterone: What it Means to Men's Health and How to Naturally Bring It Up - a podcast by Discussions with successful health experts such as Ben Greenfield, Terry Wa

Low Testosterone: what it means for men’s health and how to naturally bring it up – Dr. Jason Jones Elizabeth City NC, Chiropractor

Testosterone is the male sex hormone (though females have small amounts). This hormone is made in the testicles and is essential for normal male sexual developments.

From the puberty stage, testosterone helps the boy child to develop features like facial and pubic hair, muscle strength, and a deeper voice. This hormone also helps in the production of sperm cells.

However, some men suffer low testosterone levels and this is called Low Testosterone (Low-T) or Testosterone Deficiency Syndrome (TD). The American Urology Association (AUA) identifies Low Testosterone as less than 300 ng/dL.

What are the causes of low testosterone?

Some persons are born with conditions that cause Low-T such as Noonan syndrome and Klinefelter syndrome. However, some conditions can lead to Low-T in some men. These conditions include:

• Chemotherapy or radiation
• Damage to testicles by accident
• Infection
• Pituitary gland disease leading to hormone deficiency
• Autoimmune disease
• Removal of testicles because of cancer

Also, if your testicles keep producing less testosterone than normal, it leads to low blood levels of testosterone. That’s why many men who develop Testosterone Deficiency Syndrome have low testosterone levels linked to:

• Aging
• Metabolic syndrome (high blood sugar, high blood pressure, belly fat, and unhealthy cholesterol levels).
• Obesity
• Use of medications such as narcotic pain medications and antidepressants

How common is low testosterone in men

Studies show that about 2 in every 100 men may have Low-T. Also, as many as 50% of men over 80 years of age may have Low-T.

However, it is quite challenging to know how many men among us have low testosterone. Researchers often use different cut-off points, so you’re likely to hear different numbers being stated.

Symptoms of low testosterone

 Low-T can lead to a group of symptoms or conditions, including:

• Low sex drive
• Erectile dysfunction
• Depression
• Irritability
• Fatigue
• Reduced lean muscle mass

Natural ways to boost your testosterone level

There’s no magical remedy for Low-T, but some natural ways to boost your testosterone levels include:

Lose that excess weight

You’re likely to have Low-T if you’re overweight and diabetic. However, men who lose excess weight and maintain a normal weight have a lower risk of developing low testosterone.

In fact, studies have shown that losing some weight helps to boost your testosterone level. You don’t have to go on a crash diet to achieve this, instead, you only need to eat a sensible diet and exercise regularly.

Get adequate sleep

Lack of sleep has been shown by research to reduce testosterone levels in men. You are likely to have low testosterone levels after one week of reduced sleep.

Normally, during sleep-restricted days, testosterone levels drop between 2 pm and 10 pm. More so, you tend to have a decreased sense of wellbeing as your testosterone levels go down.

That said, getting adequate sleep has been shown to boost testosterone levels. Generally, most adults need between 7-9 hours of sleep to maintain a healthy life.

Add enough zinc to your diet

Zinc plays an important role in regulating blood testosterone levels, but most men with low testosterone often have zinc deficiencies.

Hence, a natural way to boost your testosterone level is to eat foods rich in zinc. Some good examples of zinc-rich foods include red meat, lobster, crab, whole grains, beans, and nuts.

Every adult male should aim to take 11 mg of zinc every day.  

Exercising

Engaging in exercises like resistance training has been shown to boost testosterone levels. More so, it improves your mood and stimulates your brain chemicals that boost happiness.

You also get to have more energy and endurance when you exercise. Besides, you also sleep better.  

Reduce your sugar intake

The human body is complex and needs a variety of minerals and vitamins to maintain health. Apart from increasing your zinc intake, you also need to decrease your sugar consumption.

Studies have shown that high sugar level decreases testosterone levels to as much as 25 percent in the bloodstream.

In conclusion, low testosterone, otherwise called Low-T often contributes to erectile dysfunction, decreased sex drive, fragile bones, and other health issues. Having Low-T may also indicate an underlying medical condition. So if you notice any of the symptoms above, try to see your doctor for a proper check.

However, you can boost your testosterone level naturally using the measures highlighted above. You can consult Dr. Jason Jones at our chiropractic office in Elizabeth City, NC to learn more about natural ways to deal with Low-T and maintain a healthy living.

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