Levels of testosterone, the male sex hormone responsible for producing masculine characteristics, decline gradually as you age. Certain illnesses and conditions also can cause a drop in your testosterone levels, leading to such symptoms as decreased sex drive, erectile dysfunction, lower sperm count, increase in body fat and loss of muscle mass and bone density. Fortunately, some natural substances can help push testosterone levels back to normal. Always consult your doctor before beginning a regimen of self-treatment.
Tongkat Ali Extract
A water-soluble extract from the roots of tongkat ali, a flowering shrub native to Southeast Asia, appears to boost testosterone levels in males, according to Nicholas Perricone, M.D., author of "Dr. Perricone's 7 Secrets to Beauty, Health and Longevity." He cites the work of Dr. Ismail Tambi, head of Malaysia's Specialist Reproductive Human Research Center, who found that daily doses of 100 mg standardized tongkat ali extract significantly increased testosterone in test subjects. Tambi reported that 91 percent of test subjects experienced an improvement in libido, 73 percent said sexual function had improved and 82 percent felt that their overall psychological outlook, particularly as regards sexuality, was much better.
In an article in the August 2006 issue of the Indian Journal of Urology, Peter Lim Huat Chye, cites another study showing that tongkat ali, known scientifically as Eurycoma longifolia, increased the free testosterone index in 62 percent of test subjects. The author, adjunct professor of urology at Australia's Edith Cowan University, explains that those test results indicate that tongkat ali has a role in the biosynthesis of steroids. He also points out that the herb increased sperm concentration and motility in test subjects.
T-Boosting Foods
Jillian Michaels and Mariska van Aalst, authors of "The Master Your Metabolism Cookbook," identify several types of food that can increase testosterone levels; some of these are most effective when taken in combination with other foods. They write that foods rich in B-complex vitamins, such as beans, organic beef, B-fortified grains, eggs, fish, pork and poultry, help to elevate testosterone levels. Garlic and onions, which both contain high levels of allicin, deliver a twofold-benefit when it comes to the body's testosterone levels, according to Michaels and van Aalst. Allicin, when taken with protein, enhances protein's ability to increase testosterone production. This useful chemical compound also inhibits cortisol, which otherwise can interfere with testosterone's function. The authors also recommend foods high in zinc, particularly for the elderly. They cite a study showing that daily zinc supplementation doubled testosterone levels in older men.
Nettle Root Extract
As men age, some of the testosterone in their bodies may be effectively deactivated when it binds to a component in the blood called sex hormone-binding globulin, or SHBG, according to Sam Graci, author of "The Food Connection." A highly concentrated extract of the root of the nettle, or Urtica dioica, can short-circuit this testosterone-robbing process, he reports. As an added bonus, nettle is helpful in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH, a noncancerous enlargement of the prostate gland. Graci reports that German authorities have approved nettle for the treatment of BPH. Consult your doctor before initiating a regimen of self-treatment with nettle, tongkat ali or any other herbal remedy.
References
- "Dr. Perricone's 7 Secrets to Beauty, Health and Longevity"; Nicholas Perricone; 2006
- Indian Journal of Urology; Traditional Asian Folklore Medicines in Sexual Health; Peter Lim Huat Chye; August 2006
- "The Master Your Metabolism Cookbook"; Jillian Michaels and Mariska van Aalst; 2009
- "The Food Connection: The Right Food at the Right Time"; Sam Graci; 2010
