Myths About Testosterone- The Male Hormone
It is hard to imagine men without testosterone. Not only does this hormone grows boys into men but also gives them their aggressive behavior and high strength factor.
There is an influx of this hormone during puberty and it results in the growth of the size of the penis, facial, torso and pubic hair etc., It is this hormone that gives men their deep voice etc.,
However, there are some myths about this hormone.
Following are some of such myths about testosterone:
- Testosterone is Illegal. Testosterone is not an illegal drug. You can get it legally with a prescription. Testosterone is a naturally occurring hormone within the male body. It also occurs in women but in smaller quantities. Testosterone in men is produced in the testes. Smaller quantities are produced by the adrenal glands as well. It helps for changes during fetal development as well as during puberty which helps the male as he grows into an adult. Testosterone is only illegal when it is used without a prescription from a physician. However many organizations especially those involving sports have strict rules and regulations against testosterone for the chance it can affect athletic performance.
- Testosterone is a dangerous steroid. Yes, testosterone is a steroid. However a steroid is just a molecule made up of four rings of carbon. For example, progesterone, estrogen, cortisol etc are all steroids. Testosterone is proven to be relatively safe however the newer steroids don’t have any safety information to back up whether it’s dangerous or not.
- Testosterone can cause uncontrolled violent behavior. There isn’t any factual information to back up violence and a connection with testosterone. Even in men who were administered high doses of testosterone didn’t show any sign of aggression or violence they were actually mellower then guys with lower T counts.
- Testosterone causes prostate cancer. Evidence has conclusively shown that men with high t-count levels are at no greater risk of developing prostate cancer than those with lower t-counts.
- High levels of testosterone can cause baldness. In most cases men with male patterned baldness have the same or similar levels of testosterone. Baldness is more connected to genetics than testosterone levels
The importance of this male hormone cannot be overemphasized.
It is this hormone that is responsible for making men men. It not only gives men thier male characteristics but also controls their sexual function and sex drive or libido.
The production of this hormone is at its highest levels during puberty and adolescence but it begins declining with age.
Research reveals that men begin losing testosterone at about 1% a year after the age of 30. I know, this is a gradual decline but over time it adds up. As such by the time you are 40, you can feel the effects sharply.
Factors such as stress, obesity, lack of physical activity etc., can aggravate this decline.
This decline in testosterone results in :
- loss of lean muscle
- weight gain specially around the waistline
- mood swings
- decline in bone density
- irritability
- excessive sweating
- decline in libido and erectile disorder etc.,
Out of all the effects of decline in testosterone levels men find a decline in libido and sexual dysfunction to be the most disturbing ones.
However, testosterone can be enhanced naturally with the help of diet that can help increase testosterone and regular but intense exercise.
Foods that arr rich in zinc are known to enhance testosterone production. Not only this, regular and intense workouts in the gym are also great testosterone boosters.
Adequate sleep and reduced stress levels also help elevate testosterone levels.
Moreover, natural or herbal supplements can also be a big help.
There are certain herbal supplements which are a combination of potent herbs and other nutrients that can increase the production of testosterone without any side effects of hormone replacement therapy and this is why they are gaining popularity and are becoming a growing trend among middle age men.
Find out more on the most widely acclaimed Natural Testosterone Booster for men that is not just 100% natural, clinically approved, absolutely safe and recommended by doctors but has also become a big hit with men trying to boost their testosterone production naturally.
