The anabolic steroid testosterone plays an important role in human health. Important for sexual maturation and reproductive fertility, it also affects many other bodily processes. Disease and aging often cause testosterone levels to decrease and produce deficiency syndromes. Prescription drugs, nutritional supplements, and behavioral changes can increase circulating testosterone. Although many substances enhance testosterone, these items may also cause unwanted reactions. Thus, people wanting to increase testosterone should first consult with their doctor.
Black Galingale
The herb Kaempferia parviflora, also known as black galingale, is a member of the ginger family. Traditional healers in Thailand use this herb for its anti-malaria and anti-fungal properties. Thai men take it to treat impotency due to its alleged effects on the reproductive system.
A report by H. Trisomboon and co-workers in the April 2007 edition of "Journal of Reproduction and Development" looked at the impact of Kaempferia parviflora on testosterone levels. One group of male rats received black galingale and another group received an inert treatment for five consecutive days. Relative to controls, rats given the Thai herb showed large increases in testosterone production.
This study tested castrated rats, and such results may not generalize well to healthy humans. Also, the long-term effects of Kaempferia parviflora remain unknown. People should, therefore, wait for additional research before ingesting black galingale.
Sea Buckthorn
Hippophae rhamnoides or sea buckthorn is a shrub which produces an edible berry. Juice from that berry supposedly has healing properties. Russian cosmonauts, for example, have used sea buckthorn to treat minor injuries.
A study by X. F. Qiao and H. Y. Pan in the August 2010 issue of "Chinese Journal of Applied Physiology" assessed the effects of sea buckthorn on testosterone levels. Rats received either the Hippophae juice or an inert treatment nightly for six weeks. The juice markedly increased testosterone levels relative to baseline and placebo.
This investigation tested rats for only a short period of time. Thus, concerns similar to those noted for black galingale apply to sea buckthorn as well. In addition, the rats given Hippophae juice also underwent a training regimen which could have affected the results. Patients wishing to increase their testosterone levels with Hippophae juice should therefore proceed with caution.
Zinc Supplement
The mineral zinc, included in most multivitamins, remains critical for many physiological functions. For example, zinc deficiencies cause body wasting, hair loss, and skin lesions. This trace element also affects the endocrine system being heavily prevalent in bodily fluids like semen.
An experiment by G. R. Jalali and associates in "Renal Failure" evaluated the relationship between zinc and testosterone. These researchers gave people with kidney disease zinc supplements daily for six weeks. Relative to baseline, the subjects showed greater testosterone levels following treatment.
These results were obtained in kidney patients undergoing hemodialysis and may not generalize to other populations. The subjects also received unusually large doses of zinc which may cause unwanted side effects. Thus, this mineral should only be taken to increase testosterone on a physician's advice.
References
- "Journal of Reproduction and Development": Effect of Daily Treatment with Thai Herb, Kaempferia parviflora, in Hershberger Assay using Castrated Immature Rats
- "Chinese Journal of Applied Physiology"; Effects of Hippophae Juice on Free Radical Metabolism of Rat Skeletal Muscle and the Content of Hb, Ck, T in Blood; X. F. Qiao & H. Y. Pan; August 2010
- "Renal Failure"; Impact of Oral Zinc Therapy on the Level of Sex Hormones in Male Patients on Hemodialysis; G. R. Jalali et al.; May 2010
