Testosterone, a male hormone produced in the testes, is responsible for the development of male secondary sex characteristics, including deepening of voice, hair growth and muscle strength. Testosterone levels peak in the early 20's and gradually decline after the age of 30. Research indicates that certain supplements can enhance testosterone production in the body. Consult your health care provider before taking any supplements.
Vitamin D
Scientists from the University of Heidelberg in Germany studied the association between vitamin D status and testosterone levels. Lead author Elisabeth Wehr and colleagues reported in the April 2010 issue of the journal "Clinical Endocrinology," that male subjects' with adequate vitamin D levels had higher testosterone levels than those with inadequate vitamin D levels.
Resveratrol
The antioxidant compound resveratrol might increase testosterone levels, according to an animal study conducted by lead author Sunhee Shin and researchers from the Chungbuk National University in Korea. Scientists investigated the impact of resveratrol on sperm count, sperm motility and testosterone levels in mice. The report, which was published in the January 2008 issue of the journal "Archives of Pharmacal Research," revealed that mice taking 50mg of resveratrol for 28 days experienced increases in testosterone levels.
Zinc-Magnesium-B6
The supplement ZMA, which contains 30mg of zinc, 450mg of magnesium and 10.5mg of vitamin B6, might boost testosterone levels. Lead investigator L.R. Brilla and researchers from Western Washington University discovered that college football players supplementing with ZMA for seven weeks experienced improvements in their testosterone levels compared to those receiving a placebo. Scientists reported their findings in the October 2000 issue of the "Journal of Exercise Physiology."
L-Carnitine
Researchers at the University of Connecticut examined the effects of the compound L-carnitine on androgen receptors, which receive testosterone on muscle cells, in weight training subjects. Lead author W.J. Kraemer and colleagues reported in the July 2006 issue of the journal "Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise," that subjects taking L-carnitine for three weeks while performing resistance exercise increased their quantity of androgen receptors on muscle cells. Increasing androgen receptors on muscle cells enhances testosterone uptake, thereby boosting testosterone effects.
References
- Clinical Endocrinology: Association of vitamin D status with serum androgen levels in men
- Archives of Pharmacal Research: Trans-resveratrol relaxes the corpus cavernosum ex vivo and enhances testosterone levels and sperm quality in vivo
- Journal of Exercise Physiology: Effects of a Novel Zinc-Magnesium Formulation on Hormones and Strength
- PubMed.gov: Androgenic responses to resistance exercise: effects of feeding and L-carnitine
