How To Improve Your Testosterone Levels Part 2

how to improve your testosterone levels

How To Improve Your Testosterone Levels – Part 2

 

By Kevin DiDonato MS, CSCS, CES

In part one we explored diet, exercise, and some herbs, and how they can help to naturally increase your testosterone levels.  In part 2, we will explore how sex, body fat levels, and other herbs might help increase your testosterone levels naturally.
Here are four more ways to naturally increase your testosterone levels:
Sex
When testosterone levels decrease, so does the desire to be sexually active.  This can be due to the aging process, or to lower testosterone levels.  Believe it or not guys, the more sex we have, the higher our testosterone levels climb.
Research done by Fox et al. concluded that daily sexual encounters showed a marked increase in testosterone levels.  They also concluded that testosterone levels were higher in the morning than in the evening, and that LH hormone was not affected by the activity.
Research done by Kraemer et al. has similar conclusions as Fox.  They studied 20 males for a period of 2 months and concluded that there was a higher testosterone level after sex.  Research done by Ahn et al, determined that older men who engaged in sexual activity also had increased levels of testosterone immediately following sex.
Testosterone levels in young men are also highest in the morning and that level decreases as we age.  Having sex in the morning can result in increases in testosterone, since testosterone levels are typically high, and only increase during and after sex.
By increasing the frequency of sex, and when you have sex, can have a beneficial increase in your testosterone levels.
Lose that Belly Fat
So you have noticed that not going to the gym in the last few months, or years, might have altered the way your body looks in the mirror.   You look in the mirror and see your belly just isn’t the washboard look that you once had.
Carrying extra weight around your midsection can be harmful not only to your health by increasing your risk of Diabetes, heart issues, and cancer, but can also be a key component in lowering your testosterone levels.
Depending on how much extra weight you are carrying impacts the levels of free testosterone and SHBG, or your sex hormone binding globulin, which helps to determine how much free testosterone is in the body.   Selby describes SHBG as the main transport mechanism for steroidal hormones in the plasma, specifically testosterone and oestradiol.
Zumoff et al. concluded that the decrease in free testosterone and SHBG are directly proportional to the amount of obesity found on the body.
By decreasing your body fat and weight, you might possibly see an increase in your testosterone levels, which will help shed more weight, gain more muscle, and make you feel like you’re on top of the world!
Cordyceps Sinensis

One of the most widely used herbs in Chinese Medicine and Tibetan Medicine, this herb is well researched for its antioxidant capabilities.  Cordyceps Sinensis has also been shown to have beneficial effects on lipid oxidation, specifically LDL oxidation.

Yamaguchi et al, concluded that Cordyceps Sinensis has significant antioxidant capabilities and anti-lipid peroxidation.  They also concluded that this herb could possibly inhibit the accumulation of cholesteryl esters via the suppression of LDL oxidation.

Chiou et al, concluded that Cordyceps Sinensis can also help reduce mean arterial blood pressure in some people.  The research shows that Cordyceps Sinensis can possibly relax the vascular beds directly, which will account for the reduction in mean arterial blood pressure.
Rhodiola Rosea

Rhodiola Rosea is a plant that is found in cold climates around the world.   You can find this plant in the Arctic, the Mountains of Central Asia, the Rockies, and some mountains in Europe.

This herb plays a role in stimulating the nervous system, decreasing depression, eliminating fatigue, and improving work performance.  Russian scientists have classified this herb as an adaptogen because of increased resistance to chemical, biological, and physical stressors.

Rhodiola Rosea has been shown to be effective because of the ability to influence levels of monoamines.
Other benefits touted of this herb include the ability to help with hypertension, poor appetite, and central nervous system enhancement.
High Intensity exercise, adding healthy fats to your diet, sex, and losing weight around your waist are all sure fire ways to increase your testosterone levels naturally.   Incorporating the herbs that have been mentioned may help you increase your testosterone levels and mood.   Your body will thank you for the increases in testosterone by possibly increasing your muscle size and strength, and helping tone and shape your body.  Try these tips and see!

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References:

Bremner, W. Vitiello, M. Prinz, P. Loss of Circadian Rhythmicity in Blood Testosterone Levels with Aging in Normal Men.  J. Clin. Edno   Metabol.  1983; Vol. 56(6); pp. 1278-1281.
Fox, C. Ismail, A. Love, D. Kirkham, K. Loraine. J.  Studies on the Relationship between plasma testosterone levels and Human Sexuality.  J. Endocrincol. Jan. 1972. Vol 52. pp. 51-58.
Kraemer, HC. Becker, HB. Brodie, HK. Doering, CH. Moos, RH. Hamburg, DA. Orgasmic Frequency and Plasma Testosterone Levels in Normal Human Males. Arch. Sex. Behav.  March 1976. Vol. 5(2); pp.125-132.
Zumoff, B. Strain, G. Miller, L. Rosner, W. Senie, R. Seres, D. Rosenfield, R. Plasma Free and Non-Sex-Hormone-Binding-Globulin Bound Testosterone are Decreased in Obese Men In Proportion to Their Degree of Obesity. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. Oct. 1990. Vol. 71(4); pp. 929-931.
Selby, C. Sex Hormone Binding Globulin: origin, function and clinical significance.  Ann. Clin. Biochem. Nov. 1990. Vol. 27(pt6); pp. 532-41.
Kelly, GS. Rhodiola Rosea: a possible plant adaptogen. Altern. Med. Rev. Jun. 2001. Vol. 6(3); 293-302.
Yamaguchi, Y. Kagola, S. Nakamura, K. Shinozuka, K. Kunitoma, M. Antioxidant Activity of the extracts from fruiting bodies of cultured Cordyceps sinensis.  Phytotherapy Research. Dec. 200; vol. 14(8); pp. 647-649.
Chiou, WF. Chang, PC. Cou, CJ. Chen, CF. Protein Constituent contributes to the hypotensive and vasorelaxant activities of cordyceps sinensis.  Life Sciences. Feb. 2000. Vol. 66(14); pp. 1369-1376.