In males, testosterone is a crucial hormone that helps maintain their muscle mass, sperm production, metabolism, and bone density. Hence, it barely comes as a surprise that upon reaching a certain age, most males prefer to boost their body’s testosterone levels.
This is where testosterone supplements come in!
To put it in layman’s terms, testosterone supplements are products that help boost testosterone levels in men. However, you may be wondering if it’s safe to consume such supplements? The question has induced several debates, especially in the medical community.
Testosterone Supplements: Treatment for Low Testosterone Levels
Doctors commonly prescribe testosterone supplements as a treatment for low testosterone levels.
Methyltestosterone, one kind of testosterone supplement, has received approval from the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) in the US. However, owing to the speed with which the human liver metabolizes testosterone, guidelines recommend that medical professionals don’t prescribe this particular supplement.
Although doctors may prescribe testosterone supplements legally, they usually avoid doing so, as this may result in liver toxicity.
Some doctors also agree that up until stronger evidence surfaces to support the safety and advantages of testosterone supplements, only aged individuals showing clinical symptoms (severe) of low testosterone levels should take such supplements.
Can I Increase my Testosterone or Not?
Working and authentic testosterone supplements do exist. However, the bad news is that most of them are not life-changing or very exciting.
That is because they will boost levels of testosterone at most by 20-50 percent. This statistic is in stark contrast to a steroid cycle (low-dose), which provides a staggering 300 percent increase at least.
Without getting a blood test, you might not be able to tell whether a particular testosterone supplement is working or not. Even then, a blood test takes your testosterone levels only at that precise moment, which may ebb and flow based on several different variables.
The bottom line is that it is no problem at all to promise a boost in testosterone when only very few individuals are actually checking their levels actively.
Testosterone Prescription Hormone Supplements
Reducing testosterone levels may bring about disruptive and unpleasant symptoms. However, experts have mixed opinions on how you should treat low testosterone levels and whether you should treat it or not.
Testosterone supplements are linked to certain risks. These include:
- More likelihood of developing heart disease
- Prostate growth
- Sleep apnea
- High counts of red blood cell that can bump up the risk of clotting
- Breast tenderness or swelling
- Acne
- Ankle swelling
Owing to the presence of these risks, supplements that comprise actual testosterone are controlled substances, and you can get them by prescription only.
The following are common ingredients found in testosterone supplements. Read on learn about their efficacy and their associated safety concerns.
Creatine
Creatine is naturally made in your kidneys and liver. People have long been using it as a testosterone supplement to muscle. Research from the Mayo Clinic shows provides strong evidence that it can boost muscle strength and mass. However, creatine does not appear to improve aerobic endurance considerably.
Manufacturers add creatine in testosterone supplements and boosters because reduced muscle mass is a side effect of waning testosterone levels (this decline takes place naturally). However, no evidence of any kind is currently available to substantiate this claim.
DHEA
DHEA is available as a testosterone supplement and is an abbreviation for Dehydroepiandrosterone. The human body naturally makes this hormone.
A recent study in the European Journal of Applied Physiology Trusted Source identified that DHEA testosterone supplementation could boost free testosterone levels in middle-aged males. However, there is limited research on how DHEA supplementation affects the human body.
Dehydroepiandrosterone comes with some safety issues. Potential side effects include an upset stomach, hair loss, and increased blood pressure. DHEA may also interact with particular supplements and medications. Before you try it, it is very important to thoroughly discuss DHEA with your medical doctor.
L-arginine
L-arginine is an amino acid that your body makes naturally. It acts in the capacity of a vasodilator when you use it as a testosterone supplement. This means it assists in widening the blood vessels. Medical professionals have used L-arginine to treat high blood pressure, heart disease, and ED (erectile dysfunction).
Testosterone boosting supplements occasionally comprise L-arginine. Some individuals believe it can improve athletic performance and ED. However, there is no extensive evidence to support that belief. More research is necessary before professionals can learn how L-arginine impacts exercise performance and ED.
L-arginine can be lethal in doses greater than 30 gms and might even interact with particular medications as well. Moreover, using L-arginine has other safety issues that include:
- Greater bleeding risk
- Abnormally high blood potassium levels
- Impacted blood sugar levels
- Low Blood Pressure
Testosterone Supplements to Counter Ageing Effects
As a person ages and grows older, their testosterone levels reduce, and that can result in the following:
- Erectile dysfunction
- Libido reduction
- Bones and muscles weakening
To offset these natural aging effects, some individuals might want to increase their testosterone. However, the likely advantages of taking testosterone have to balance the greater perils of cardiovascular events.
The FDA does not advise that an individual take testosterone supplements to offset aging effects because of these greater risks.
How do you Know if You Have Low Testosterone and Need to Take Supplements?
Low levels of testosterone might contribute to reduced sex drive, fragile bones, erectile dysfunction, and other primary health concerns. Having low levels of testosterone might also indicate an underlying medical problem/condition.
If you feel that you have low testosterone, make sure that you see your doctor as soon as possible. A blood test is enough to find out whether your testosterone levels fall within the normal range. Your doctor may advise you to take safe supplements if your levels are considerably low.
Benefits of Testosterone Supplements: A Discussion
Although testosterone supplements are not beneficial for everyone (doctors advise younger males from taking them unnecessarily), they can be advantageous to older males. Some of these advantages include:
Healthier and Stronger Bones
Bone mineral density is largely contingent on the testosterone level in a male’s body. Testosterone levels tend to decline with age, and the bones start to weaken.
That is the primary reason why osteoporosis is quite common in aged men. The greater the level of testosterone, the stronger and healthier your bones can stay.
If you are old and have weak bones, taking testosterone supplements or opting for testosterone replacement therapy is one way to address the issue.
Greater Sex Drive
Sexual performance and sexual arousal are two main roles that testosterone plays in your body. Sexual performance is directly proportional to levels of testosterone in males; the higher the testosterone levels, the more improvements you see in sexual activity.
In senior and aged people, using testosterone supplements might bump up the drive to involve in sexual activities. However, it is very important to know that majority of erectile dysfunction cases are not a result of low testosterone levels. Two out of three cases occur because of conditions unrelated to testosterone levels.
You should also keep in mind that there comes a point where greater testosterone levels stop providing extra advantages. After all, you can only benefit from testosterone supplements so much.
Better Spatial Abilities and Verbal Memory
Several medical studies have shown that male patients who have greater testosterone levels have a significantly lower chance of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
There is a correlation between thinking abilities and testosterone levels. When treated with testosterone therapy and/or supplements, males (who fall in the 34-40 age bracket) experience a boost in mental processing speed, verbal memory and spatial memory.
Conclusion
There is no denying that testosterone is very important for your body and assists in numerous body functions. However, if you are a young individual and need to boost your testosterone levels, it is best that you try alternatives to pills and boosters, such as regular exercise and a healthy diet. Doctors recommend that you opt for testosterone supplements once you pass a certain age.
When it comes to testosterone supplements, you can choose from products galore in the market. However, if you want our suggestions as to the best testosterone supplement that stands ahead of the curve, Male Ultra Core is what you should go for!
The chief essential ingredients in this terrific supplement include Long Jack, ZMA complex, Fenugreek, and Ashwagandha. All of these important ingredients are highly advantageous for testosterone production and ultimately better your health.
Hence, it always pays to do your research when buying testosterone supplements for yourself.
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