Testosterone is a steroid hormone which stimulates growth in men. It is produced in the testicles and it belongs to the androgen or male group of hormones. It is produced naturally in the body and its production peaks in puberty.
Women also have natural testosterone, which is produced in the ovaries, but their levels are considerably lower than in men. Its function in women is to stimulate the sexual desire and to protect the bone structure, while in men it promotes the development of secondary sex characteristics, such as hair growth, muscle growth and strength, as well as the changes in voice which occur in puberty.
Low testosterone levels can be caused by many factors, such as drug abuse, alcoholism, stress, trauma, and by diseases like cancer. Chemotherapy for cancer patients is also known to affect the testosterone production.
When the testosterone levels in the body decrease, it results in low sex drive, lethargy and sometimes even depression.
Testosterone can be increased through supplements but it may have some considerable side effects, so it is good to know that there are natural ways to increase it with no harm to the health.
Increasing testosterone naturally in men
Low testosterone levels can be measured effectively with a testosterone test. If it shows low levels of this hormone, there are several things a man can do instead of starting a course of synthetic supplements.
For example, exercise can be very effective in increasing testosterone in men, especially lifting heavy weights, doing squats and bench press routines. Exercise works by stimulating the pituitary gland, which is responsible for the production of testosterone.
A healthy diet is vital for those who have problems with testosterone. Diet should be balanced and rich in zinc, which can be found in oysters, beef and lamb, but also in beans, dairy products and cauliflower.
Stress can have negative impact on the production of testosterone so it should be reduced to minimum. Sleeping and resting sufficiently is vital. There are many different techniques for reducing stress, like yoga, tai chi, aroma therapy, but a simple walk in the park can help too.
Increasing testosterone naturally in women
Women whose testosterone levels are lower than normal may lose their sex drive because of reduced lubrication of vagina, which leads to painful and uncomfortable sex.
Women who need to boost their testosterone levels should eat more onions and garlic, as well as cabbage, broccoli, and radish. They should avoid alcohol, cigarettes and drugs.
Some herbs can be effective as well, especially the remedies which contain tribulus terrestris and wild yam powder.
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