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Male Diet: Boosting Testosterone Levels
Testosterone. That magical substance in the body that
builds muscle, causes our body to sprout hair, and fuels
our libido, has long been touted as the stuff from which
bodybuilders and Sylvester Stallone movies are made.
The truth is, testosterone is a normal hormone within both
men and women that controls many critical processes within
the body. Normal levels of testosterone protect against
osteoperosis, diabetes, cardio-vascular disease, obesity,
anxiety, and depression. Testosterone treatment through
supplementation is commonly prescribed to deal with
outbreaks of these disorders.
Men typically have 40%-60% higher levels of testosterone
than women, who maintain higher levels of the hormone
estrogen. This is why women have curves and men like to get
their game on on the basketball court.
Once we reach our thirties, natural testosterone production
within our body begins to decrease at an increasing rate -
roughly 10% each decade. Lower levels of the hormone can
lead to issues ranging from cardio-vascular issues and
erectile dysfunction to anxiety and general mental decline.
Dropping levels in testosterone are one of the primary
causes of the visible and invisible signs of aging,
including decreases in muscle tissue, lack of energy, and
joint degeneration.
Keep Your Game Alive
There are ways to stall or even halt the decline in
testosterone levels. The two key contributors to
maintaining healthy levels of the hormone are adopting a
rigorous resistance-driven exercise program (yes, that
means weights and strength building machines) and ensuring
that your daily diet includes the following:
Eat Like A Caveman
Beef
Contrary to reports that condemn red meat as the bane of
all dietary evil, beef is actually full of the elements
essential for testosterone production: zinc, protein, and
fat. And although scientists have yet to discover the
relationship, studies show that weightlifters with low
levels of fat intake had far lower levels of testosterone
than those that maintained a diet that included lean cuts
of beef or some other source of dietary fat. In fact,
it has been shown that as little as a 10% drop in fat
intake will result in an immediate sharp decline in
testosterone production.
Remember, there are good fats and bad fats, so stick with
the good fats that come from sources such as lean beef,
olive oil, and nuts. Avoid the bad fats in foods such
as butter and lard.
Eggs
A great source of testosterone producing stimulants, food
doctors recommend 1-2 eggs a day to obtain those critical
nutrients. Don't go overboard though, as you want to
limit the cholesterol intake .
Oysters
Oysters have a reputation as an aphrodisiac. It's not
all myth. Oysters are an excellent source of zinc, a
critical component in testosterone production and prostate
health.
Cruciferous Vegetables
Vegetables don't directly contribute to the production of
testosterone, but broccoli, cabbage, cauiliflower, and
Brussels sprouts are all packed with indole-3-carbinol, a
compound that has been shown to reduce the production of
the female hormone estrogen.
Moderate Alcohol Consumption
It has been shown that consuming ten+ drinks a week results
in a significant dropoff in testosterone production.
Keep Your Fishies Swimming Of course, any decline in testosterone, whether it be from age, alcohol, or any of a number of other conditions, will result in an immediate drop in sperm count. There are many testosterone supplements on the market. Contrary to popular opinion, these supplements are not just used by bodybuilders or over-the-hill actors looking to keep a franchise alive. Over the counter testosterone supplements are routinely recommended by doctors to men in their thirties and older who come in looking to regain the energy and vitality of their youth. There are also prescription packages that can be obtained for more radical treatments. Looking to get your game back? And if you really want to go the Stallone route, check this out.
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