If you’re reading this and you’re over 35 better than even odds say you’ve noticed some not so great changes happening to your body, your energy and your libido. If that’s the case read on because this definitive guide to low testosterone and aging is going to answer the question and all of your other questions about testosterone, testosterone boosters, why it sucks getting old and how to reclaim some of your lost youth!
Since low testosterone can affect many aspects of a man’s well-being, it’s important to know the signs and symptoms. Having said that, and while we’ll be focusing a lot on low testosterone levels, the symptoms of Aging Male Syndrome (AMS) can manifest even in men whose testosterone levels are considered to be within the “normal range”. Better still, there are fantastic natural herbs that can both boost testosterone levels and more importantly get you feeling like your old self again. If learning about those is what you’re really interested in, you can fast forward to here.
The lethargy and general lack of “pep” associated with low testosterone can range from minor nuisance to extreme, and the decreased energy and feeling of malaise can hang-on even when efforts are made to ensure sufficient rest. This has led some medical researchers to theorize that there may be a causal relationship between low testosterone levels in men and chronic fatigue syndrome.
A study in Int J Endocrinol. 2012 found a causal relationship between lagging low testosterone levels and depression in aging men. While not fully understood – more research is certainly needed – little doubt remains that there is a definitive relationship between testosterone levels and elevated feelings of anxiousness, irritability, emotional stability, edginess and a perceived overall lower quality of well-being.
If there is one thing that everyone knows about testosterone it is that testosterone helps build muscle and vanquish fat. That’s why so many body builders “hit the juice” in order to pile on their massive “gainz”. However, more germane to the average man is the fact that the reverse is also true. Lower levels of testosterone can lead to loss of muscle and the accumulation of body fat, especially the unsightly belly fat commonly seen at any gathering of guys over the age of 40. Interestingly enough, a study published in the peer reviewed journal PLoS One in 2016 showed that even while muscle mass is may diminish, muscle strength or function doesn’t necessarily have to be impacted.
“Low Libido and a lowered interest in sex are two of the symptoms of aging male syndrome that are most vexing, troubling and downright embarrassing for men.”
A guy needs a sufficient level of “T” to get the flag to fly at more than half-mast. Here’s why. As the arousal process unfolds, testosterone stimulates the production of nitric oxide (NO) [not to be confused with Nitrous Oxide] a potent vascular dilator that dilates blood vessels and relaxes smooth muscles resulting in greater blood flow to Mr. Happy. It should be noted that there can be many reasons why the flag isn’t flying high and fixing your “T” levels may not solve your issues.
It’s perfectly normal for a man’s sex drive to diminish with age but that doesn’t mean you or you partner have to be happy with this natural drop and fortunately, there are safe natural supplements that can put more tiger in your tank. So whether you are experiencing the normal decline associated with aging or a more rapid drop you might want to consider taking some of the proactive actions we’ll be covering later on in this post.
Many men report an increase in sleeping disorders as they get older. Interestingly enough, poor sleep may lead to lower testosterone levels and lower testosterone levels may lead to poor sleep creating a destructive feedback loop. In 2014 a research study was performed that confirmed this interrelationship
As if it it’s not bad enough that your muscles are getting weaker and smaller, and your belly is getting fatter, low testosterone can negatively affect bone health, and lead to osteoporosis in men. That’s right, the same osteoporosis you thought was only an issue for little old ladies can make you into a brittle old man before your time!
Your body’s ability to make red blood cells is enhanced when you have sufficient testosterone levels so you can potentially add the thin blood of anemia to your list of issues if your “T” is lagging. And guess what? A low red blood cell count can lead to feelings of fatigue and weakness.
You may be experiencing low testosterone levels and aging male syndrome if this sounds like you:
MENTAL Symptoms
• Depression
• Reduced self-confidence
• Difficulty concentrating
• Sleep disorders
BODY Symptoms
• Reduced muscle and bone mass
• Increased body fat
• Fatigue
• Swollen or tender breasts
• Flushing or hot flashes
SEXUAL Symptoms
• Lower sex drive
• Fewer spontaneous erections
• Difficulty sustaining erections
We’ve covered the symptoms of not having enough “T” but what exactly is it anyway?
Testosterone is a potent steroid hormone whose chemical formulation is C19-H28-O2. Testosterone is also known as 17-beta-hydroxy-4-androstene-3-one.
Testosterone is an androgen hormone produced by the adrenal cortex, the testes (in men), and the ovaries (in women). It is generally recognized as the primary male sex hormone. Testosterone is responsible for triggering the development of male secondary sex characteristics during puberty such as body hair and accelerated muscle growth and is essential for the production of your little swimmers. In women, testosterone plays a role in egg development and ovulation.
Testosterone Chemical Diagram
Healthy males who have gone through puberty have concentrations of testosterone on average 20X greater than those a healthy female.
So, we know what happens when we don’t have enough, and we now know what testosterone is but you may be wondering “Hey, what are typical testosterone levels for a guy like me?”
That’s a great question and I’m glad you asked!
First, we need to define exactly what testosterone level we’re talking about. This is important because there are two different types of testosterone floating around in your blood.
If you have your testosterone levels tested, your doctor will look at both your free testosterone levels and your total testosterone levels. The difference between the two levels is your bound testosterone level.
Total testosterone levels vary throughout the day. They are highest in the morning and lower towards evening, dipping in the late afternoon.
“Normal” ranges for testosterone partially depend on the lab and your doctor’s interpretation. With that said, here are some general values.
For a male age 19 or older:
For a female age 19 or older:
If you are having your testosterone levels checked, the blood test will likely be scheduled for the morning and thus represent the upper end of your daily range.
Testosterone levels naturally decrease as a man ages past the ripe old age of 20 or so. You don’t have to like it and you don’t have to sit back and accept it, but barring any proactive measures you take your “T” is naturally going to drop, making you feel old and getting old sucks – just scroll back up and review the list of symptoms we covered at the beginning of this post if you’re still unsure whether or not you may be a victim of AMS and/or Low T. Note if you’ve forgotten the symptoms already it’s not a good sign.
After you hit the ripe age of 40, your circulating testosterone begins to drop by about 1.6% every year on average. By the age of 60, your “normal” levels of testosterone would lead to a diagnosis of hypogonadism (low testosterone) if you were younger.
If you find the idea of becoming less virile and masculine because your testosterone has slinked away over the years disturbing, you’re not alone! Sadly, until reading this you may not have even realized that your levels had dropped and you are suffering from AMS. This is because unlike menopause in women, the decline associated with lagging testosterone levels is slow and steady and doesn’t arrive in a flash. Thankfully, the impact of age related decreased testosterone levels and the associated symptoms of Aging Male Syndrome are receiving the attention they deserve and now have been officially classified as late-onset hypogonadism.
It’s obvious that we’re living longer and until evolution catches up and keeps our natural testosterone levels in line with our activities, lifestyles and expectations of youthfulness we’re going to have issues. This explains why since 2012 the number of older men diagnosed with low “T” has erupted by 170%.
But low testosterone levels can hamstring younger men too. About 40% of men have hypogonadism by the time they reach 45 years old.
Aside from aging, there are several other causes that can result in lowered testosterone. Below they are broken into two broad sub-categories; causes you can potentially manage and causes you have little control over. It’s been classified as a disease and is known as hypogonadism. Which means the body is unable to produce normal amounts of testosterone due to a problem with the testicles or with the pituitary gland that controls the testicles.
Bottom line? Get your basic health in order if you want to take the first step towards higher testosterone levels. Eat right, exercise regularly and get sufficient sleep.
Obesity
Obesity and testosterone levels are tied together in a no win feedback loop. Excess body fat inhibits testosterone production. Lower testosterone promotes higher body fat and so on and so on. As you ride this unhealthy merry-go-round you’ll eventually find your way to diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Once there you’ll likely be placed on drugs that can make matters even worse.
Smoking
Studies are mixed when it comes to the impact of smoking on testosterone levels. But since the science is pretty solid that overall, smoking is a big negative when it comes to healthy living and that healthy living has a positive impact on testosterone, if you are struggling with low testosterone levels and you are a smoker my recommendation would be to kick the habit.
Stress
The symptoms of stress and the symptoms of low testosterone are quite similar. Is this a case of correlation or causality? Hard to say according to the experts but for certain lowering your feelings of stress and anxiety can only help your interest in sex and your testosterone levels.
Recreational Drugs
Studies have shown that Ecstasy and marijuana use may negatively impact testosterone levels so you may want to limit your recreational use if you are having trouble with the more intimate forms of recreation.
Environmental Factors
Endocrine disruptors abound in the environment and some are easier to avoid than others. Whenever possible do your best to avoid exposure.
So, much like Austin Powers you’ve lost your mojo and you’re wondering what you can do about? Well fortunately were going to explain your options in detail next. Essentially you can either go to the Doctor or go natural. Both can work and the choice is yours.
Prescription testosterone therapy typically takes the form of injections, creams, patches implanted pellets, oral capsules or gels and as the name suggests requires the services of a medical doctor. These prescription drugs are marketed under names such as Androderm, AndroGel, AndroGel Pump, Aveed, Axiron, Depo-Testosterone, First-Testosterone, First-Testosterone MC, Fortesta, Natesto, Striant, Testim, Testopel, Vogelxo, and Vogelxo Pump.
With prescription therapy you are introducing testosterone into your body and, as you can imagine, making the decision to introduce a powerful hormone (testosterone is a controlled substance under the Anabolic Steroids Control Act) into your body is not something you should do without understanding the potential negative consequences.
Prescription testosterone therapy risks can be divided into immediate and long-term.
While definitely the minority, a small number of men experience immediate negative effects after beginning prescription testosterone therapy. These negative side effects can range from potentially serious such as elevated red blood cell counts (which could increase the risk of
blood clots) to more annoying and embarrassing such as acne, sleep-disordered breathing, man boobs (gynecomastia) or breast tenderness, testicular shrinkage and cankles (swollen ankles).
Longer term, recipients of testosterone therapy appear to have a higher risk of cardiovascular problems, like heart attacks, strokes, and deaths from heart disease. For example, in 2010, researchers at Boston Medical Center halted a clinical trial of testosterone treatment in older men when results early on in the study indicated that men on gel testosterone treatments had noticeably more heart problems.
“In December 2009, the board found that 23 of the 106 men who had received testosterone experienced adverse cardiovascular-related events during the study, compared to five of the 103 men who received placebo.”
Also of concern is the mixed data surrounding Testosterone Replacement Therapy and Prostate Cancer Incidence. With evidence mixed, some physicians suggest men err on the side of caution.
“Because of the marketing, men have been flooded with information about the potential benefit of fixing low testosterone, but not with the potential costs,” says Dr. Carl Pallais, an endocrinologist and assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. “Men should be much more mindful of the possible long-term complications.” “I frequently discourage it, particularly if the man has borderline levels,” Dr. Pallais says.
If you are thinking that prescription testosterone therapy may not be the way to go, you wouldn’t be alone and a natural approach to regaining your mojo may be just the ticket you need to feel young, confident and ready to deliver the goods again. And in the end, isn’t that the result you really want?
As the old saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure and that is certainly true when it comes to keeping a healthy testosterone level. In the western world it is all too easy to fall into a health and “T” sabotaging lifestyle. An abundance of high calorie, low nutrient processed foods combined with a couch potato lifestyle leads the average American to gain 1lb of fat each year after turning 30 while at the same time losing lean muscle and bone density. An unhealthy recipe for low testosterone.
So you’re currently not the paragon of health? Few are! And in some respects that means that the potential for you to turn around your low “T” and kick off the shackles of Aging Male Syndrome is actually better than the most healthy guy who still has low testosterone levels. A proper diet, combined with exercise reduces body fat and increases muscle mass and strength and these in turn promote higher levels of testosterone.
You should strive with intent for a lower level of body fat by avoiding processed foods and opting instead for high-nutrient fresh or minimally processed foods. Add to this at least once weekly strength training sessions (especially critical as you get older), and sufficient cardio or at the very least vigorous walking to slowly and steadily retool your body. As an added benefit your invigorated exercise program should help lower your stress and anxiety levels but if you are still experiencing “T” killing levels of stress, take action to address it.
Natural Step 2 – Eat With a Focus on Health and “T”Food is medicine. Put better fuel in your engine and guess what? Your body will thank you with better performance in all aspects of your life. Limit alcohol, red meat and saturated fats, eat more fresh fruits and fiber rich vegetables. Focus on foods that are proven to extend life and foods that boost testosterone, ensuring that you get enough calcium, potassium, vitamin D and zinc along the way.
At this point you have your lifestyle and diet heading in the right direction and now it’s time to take things to the next level through natural supplementation that has been proven to both increase testosterone and give a backhand slap to Aging Male Syndrome.
DHEA has been shown to help slow aging, improve thinking skills in older people and slow the progress of Alzheimer’s disease. Additionally, because it as a “parent hormone” and a precursor to testosterone it has a positive effect on libido and sexual function in both men and women. Multiple studies show the positive effects of DHEA and it is therefore perplexing why DHEA is not the cornerstone of more testosterone boosting supplement blends, especially when it works so well in concert with the other supplements listed here.
D-Aspartic Acid is an amino acid occurring primarily in the pituitary gland and testes. Research has shown that it plays a role in regulating how LH and testosterone are both synthesized and released. Beyond boosting testosterone it has also been shown to spark libido and to improve the quantity and quality of sperm in men with infertility issues.
Tribulus Terrestris is an excellent herb for combating two of the biggest issues aging men face – low libido and erectile dysfunction. Tribulus terrestris is a herb from Ayurveda that is often recommended by practitioners for male health including virility and vitality. Exactly how it works is not clear but most studies have found that while very effective it does not seem to increase testosterone levels. For this reason some of the gym rat muscle guru’s poo poo tribulus as a T-booster but alas, they miss the point. We’re interested in RESULTS! Period. And this is what the researchers have to say “While the mechanisms underlying TT aphrodisiac activity remain largely unknown, there is emerging compelling evidence from experimental studies in animals for possible endothelium and nitric oxide-dependent mechanisms underlying TT aphrodisiac and pro-erectile activities.”
Another ancient herb with its roots in Eastern Medicine, Eurycoma Longifolia has been recognized for centuries as a potent aphrodisiac and libido enhancer. Until recently though, its effect on testosterone levels were less clear. However, two recent studies both show that this herb delivers not only results but also higher testosterone levels. “Eurycoma longifolia (Tongkat Ali; TA) is natural alternative to testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) and has been shown to restore serum testosterone levels, thus significantly improving sexual health. This includes significant positive effects on bone health and physical condition of patients. In addition, a significant antihyperglycaemic effect and cytotoxicity against PCas cells has been shown. Thus far, at therapeutic concentrations, no significant side effects of the treatment were obvious. Therefore, TA might be a safe alternative to TRT.”
Trigonella foenum-graecum, more commonly called fenugreek, traces its roots to the Arabic and Indian regions of the world where it has traditionally been used to boost libido and enhance overall male virility. In addition, fenugreek is prized for its ability to help control blood sugar metabolism. Scientific studies abound that confirm what the ancient healers already apparently knew – fenugreek works and it also boosts T-levels. “There was a significant decrease in AMS score over time and between the active and placebo groups. Sexual function improved, including number of morning erections and frequency of sexual activity. Both total serum testosterone and free testosterone increased compared to placebo after 12 weeks of active treatment. Trigonella foenum-graecum seed extract is a safe and effective treatment for reducing symptoms of possible androgen deficiency, improves sexual function and increases serum testosterone in healthy middle-aged and older men.”
L-Arginine is an important amino acid not produced by your body but rather extracted from your diet or supplementation. It is commonly used by athletes because it is the amino acid that directly produces nitric oxide in the body and improved NO levels in turn dilates blood vessels and allows working muscles to receive more oxygen and nutrients and remove metabolic waste. So what can it do for you? “In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study published in the British Journal of Urology International researchers evaluated the nitric oxide levels of 50 men with erectile dysfunction. The men were given either L-Arginine or a placebo for six weeks. Nine of the 29 men (31%) given L-Arginine reported a significant improvement in their sexual performance. These nine men had low nitric oxide levels at the start of the trial, but their levels doubled by the end of the study.”
So again we have a supplement that doesn’t increase T-levels but is important because it delivers stamina, energy and results.
Horny Goat Weed is known for being an aphrodisiac. In studies it has been shown to positively influence testosterone levels. Folklore has it that goats and sheep that ate it became “horny” hence the name. Its active ingredient is Icariin is responsible for the aphrodisiac properties and its positive impact on testosterone. Icariin has also been shown to have positive impacts on cognitive abilities and health which isn’t a bad thing at all! “These results showed that ICS II could reverse Aβ-induced cognitive deficits, possibly via the inhibition of neuroinflammation and apoptosis, which suggested a potential protective effect of ICS II on Alzheimer’s Disease”
Maca root primarily comes from Peru where it is prized for its abilities as an aphrodisiac and a small libido and libido booster. It is another “testosterone booster” that doesn’t actually boost testosterone but yields positive results similar to those derived from an increase in testosterone. While how it works isn’t entirely understood, clinical research supporting its effectiveness can’t be denied. “Randomized clinical trials have shown that maca has favorable effects on energy and mood, may decrease anxiety and improve sexual desire. Maca has also been shown to improve sperm production, sperm motility, and semen volume.”
So without getting too graphic, if you are looking for a way to help your rig deliver a bigger load, Maca should definitely be on your short list of supplements.
Zinc is an essential mineral for your body and delivers a solid body shot to many of the symptoms of AMS. The list of “good” things zinc does for you is long and includes boosting immunity, promoting prostate health, lessening depression, boosting sperm count and boosting testosterone which is why oysters, a great source of zinc, are often credited with having aphrodisiac qualities. The problem is, many men around the world and in the USA are zinc deficient. That’s a problem when your goal is to maximize your “T” and feel young again. “Dietary zinc restriction in normal young men was associated with a significant decrease in serum testosterone concentrations after 20 weeks of zinc restriction (baseline versus post-zinc restriction mean +/- SD, 39.9 +/- 7.1 versus 10.6 +/- 3.6 nmol/L, respectively; p = 0.005). Zinc supplementation of marginally zinc-deficient normal elderly men for six months resulted in an increase in serum testosterone from 8.3 +/- 6.3 to 16.0 +/- 4.4 nmol/L (p = 0.02). We conclude that zinc may play an important role in modulating serum testosterone levels in normal men.”
Boron is a trace element that has been shown to have a large impact on testosterone production. The problem is that much our soil is deficient in boron so most of us are deficient in Boron as well and need to supplement our diets in order ensure we are getting enough for it to do its job. “Subjects were requested to consume a capsule of 10 mg boron every day with their breakfast, and on the day 7, the blood collection was carried out at 8.00 A.M, again. Boron in plasma increased significantly following hours and weekly consumption.”
Niacin or Vitamin B3 is pretty much an all-around superstar but not something that increases testosterone. The benefits from taking Niacin include; raising your HDL, lowering your LDl, lowering your tri-glycerides, improving skin elasticity AND improving the function of men suffering with moderate to severe ED. As the one study concludes “Niacin alone can improve the erectile function in patients suffering from moderate to severe ED and dyslipidemia.”
To say that the natural testosterone boosters discussed above are the fountain of youth is a bit of a stretch. Can they help alleviate the symptoms of AMS and low testosterone? I think scientific research would say “yes”.
Are their thousands, even tens-of-thousands of men getting good results and feeling younger from taking these natural supplements. The unequivocal answer is “yes”. How do we know? Because working with a Medical Doctor we formulated one of the top Natural Testosterone Boosters in the world based upon these exact ingredients and since 2017 we’ve shipped over 40,000 bottles to men just like you.
That’s a great question! Probably, but as with all supplements and medications there is a high degree of bio-individuality. Some users report almost immediate positive results. For others it has taken upwards of 6 weeks to notice improvements. Sadly, for some it never works. The good news for you is that we stand behind our Natural Testosterone Booster 100% with a no-risk, ironclad guarantee. This means that you can try our MD Certified Natural Testosterone Booster and if you do not get the results you were hoping for you can simply contact us and we’ll refund 100% of your purchase price! Try to get that guarantee at your Doctor’s office!
So if you’re thinking it might be time to feel young again you’re right and we’ve made your best option 100% Risk Free for you!
