What is Testosterone?
Testosterone is a hormone produced in the testicles of males and in the ovaries and adrenal glands of women. This hormone is essential for the full development and masculine characteristics in men. Testosterone plays a significant role in facial and pubic hair, libido, thinking ability, and the development of deeper voices.
However, the same way women go through menopause when the estrogen level drops is the same way men can go through a phase where their testosterone level drops.
When a man has gone through the peak of his years – puberty and young adulthood, the testosterone levels would gradually begin to drop with age. Whether you are observant or not, you would feel a decline in your testosterone level, because you would stop progressively reaping the benefits.
There are so many benefits of increasing your testosterone level:
Stronger Bones
Yes, testosterone makes you stronger, as it is a critical player in bone mineral density. The bone density in the body is proportional to the testosterone level. As men age, the testosterone level drops, and at the same time, it causes a decrease in bone density. This, in most cases, results in fragile bones and osteoporosis; although this problem is prevalent in women, men can also suffer.
Strong bones are essential because they act as support systems to the muscles and internal organs, which of course, boost athletic performance. Having optimal testosterone would keep your bone density intact and guarantee strong bones even in your old age. Keeping your testosterone level optimized helps your bone stay stronger and minimizes the risk of fractures even at your old age.
More Muscles and Less Fat
Still, the results won’t be as mind-blowing as a man with normal testosterone, regardless of whether they use the same workout routine.
When muscle mass increases, it gives the body more efficiency to burn out unwanted fat. It implies that if you are working towards getting into shape, your testosterone level has to be at an optimal level to make the task easier. With a healthy level of testosterone, you would get the best results out of workouts.
Higher Libido
For most men, the first sign of a decrease in testosterone is a drop in their sexual performance. Once it affects and changes their sex routine, it becomes a thing of concern. Having optimal testosterone levels improves your libido and gives you stronger erections that would last.
Men who have higher testosterone levels have more exceptional sexual activities than those with low T levels. But raising your testosterone level doesn’t fix erectile dysfunction, as it can be caused by several factors – medications, injuries, and surgeries.
Boosts Confidence
Having optimal testosterone levels naturally increases your confidence among your peers; it gives you more energy, and in general makes you feel good. When you feel good, you tend to have confidence and believe you can succeed in everything from office meetings to a night of pleasure in the bedroom.
Sound Cognitive Function
As a young man, you may not precisely notice what low testosterone does to your cognition. But as you grow older, you begin to see a decline, and this puts you at risk of memory loss and concentration problems. Normal testosterone helps to lower the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s, and it also helps to fight brain tissue decay that may come with old age.
Strong Heart
Testosterone level doesn’t have a direct impact on the heart, but it does help in the production of red blood cells. Testosterone, however, is related to increased heart health in men because of the numerous benefits it has for the body. Testosterone gives you more energy and the zeal to lose excess weight and increase muscle mass, and this equates to a healthier cardiovascular system.
Better Mood
Low testosterone is associated with adverse mood effects like depression and irritability, while high testosterone is related to moods like aggression and rage. However, this doesn’t mean that a natural decline in your testosterone level due to age puts you at risk of having mood swings regularly. The mood swings are most frequent with men who have low testosterone levels.
Still, even as you grow older, you may feel the lack of energy and, at some points, get into irritable moods. Having an average testosterone level puts you in control of your emotions, you tend to feel happier and less depressed.
When to Consider Testosterone Therapy Treatment
If your testosterone level falls within the normal range, then there is no need for any treatment, it is unnecessary. It is beneficial only for men with low testosterone levels, and some side effects still accompany it.
Do not purchase any testosterone without a prescription from your doctor. If your doctor thinks you have a low T level, a blood test should be carried out to diagnose the problem before you begin treatment accurately.
How to Increase Testosterone Level
Prescription testosterone treatments are available in three forms, and they all come with their side effects. Note that these treatments are not recommended for men who have prostate or breast cancer. Plus, it may aggravate sleep apnea in older men.
- Intramuscular injections – which may cause mood swings depending on the individual
- Gel – if you make use of this, you should never share it with anyone.
- Skin patches – it can irritate the skin.
There are also some possible side effects of testosterone therapy, and it includes:
- Breast enlargement
- Aggressive behaviors
- Excessive fluid retention
- Acne/oily skin
- Reduction of testicular size
Natural Ways to Increase Your Testosterone Levels
Some vitamins and herbs can give your testosterone level the boost needed. These natural treatments are just as effective as therapy and even better because it doesn’t have any side effect. You can also opt for a supplement, but be sure that it contains natural ingredients like:
- Maca Root
- Zinc
- Horny Goat Weed
- Tribulus Terrestris
- Fenugreek
- Long-Jack
How to Boost One’s Strength
Boosting of strength requires constant exercise, and it is referred to as strength exercise.
You should schedule your workouts to include a minimum of 2 sessions per week. Such consistency, coupled with an optimal testosterone level, would give you the muscle build you want to achieve.
For you to know when you are doing your muscle-strengthening exercise effectively, your muscles need to get to a point where you would need a short rest right before continuing.
For instance, if you are doing weight-lifting, you would have to take a short break after doing several lifts, just before starting again.
There are quite a number of muscle-strengthening exercises you can engage yourself in:
- Weight lifting
- Cycling
- Push-ups and Sit-ups
- Heavy gardening
- Working with resistance bands
Flexibility Exercises
Flexibility exercises are activities that strengthen the joint to maintain stamina for carrying out daily physical activities. Flexibility exercises are also very efficient when you have optimal testosterone level because it gives you the boost required to make drastic improvements. Examples of flexibility exercises include:
- Stretching
- Yoga
- Pilates
Of what benefits are Strength and Flexibility Exercises?
Muscle-strengthening exercises combined with normal testosterone levels help you maintain the ability to perform everyday tasks and slow down the rate of bone and muscle loss that comes with aging in men. Such exercises work on your stamina while make you have a firm stand, and reduce your chances of falling.
Health professionals believe that flexibility and strength exercise can help improve your posture, reduce pains, and drastically lower your risk of careless injuries. Excellent flexibility would help you carry out daily tasks effortlessly.
Foods That Would Help Boost Your Strength
Exercises are not the only way to boost your strength; eating a healthy diet can also help build your strength and maintain lead muscle mass.
Salmon
Salmon is one of the best sources of Omega-3-fatty acids, which is necessary for healthy brainpower and the nervous system. The fatty acids present in salmon work to reduce the risk of depression and ward off cognitive decline that comes with age.
Spinach & Green
Spinach is a superfood, and it’s an excellent source of magnesium. Iron-rich dark green leaves and spinach are vital for bone health, shiny skin, and it provides a good source of protein.
Conclusion
Testosterone plays a significant role in increasing a man’s strength, but you can also engage in strength and flexibility exercises in order to attain your peak.
