How to Increase Testosterone: 8 Effective Ways

April 08, 2022

5 mins

Testosterone is the primary sex hormone for men. The development of various sexual organs like the prostate and testicles are influenced by testosterone during puberty, as well as during fetal formation. While testosterone has the most significant impact during puberty, it still plays a vitally important role in several physiological functions in the body even after puberty. 

Along with various sexual functions like the production of sperm and dictating sex drive, testosterone also helps to maintain muscle and bone mass, affects the growth of body hair, the distribution of fat, and even has an impact on the production of red blood cells. 

The production of testosterone reaches its natural peak in men sometime during their late 20s or early 30s. After his peak, production and testosterone levels typically drop between one and two percent each year. 

Testosterone is created and primarily stored in the testicles, but the pituitary gland and hypothalamus are responsible for controlling testosterone's production. Issues relating to these three factors can result in hypogonadism, a condition in which the body fails to produce and maintain optimal levels of testosterone. 

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Some of the side effects of having low levels of testosterone can include:

• Brittle bones

• Depression

• Erectile dysfunction

• Fatigue

• Irritability

• Loss of body hair 

• Loss of muscle mass

• Low energy levels

• Low self esteem

• Low semen levels

• Mood swings

• Reduced sex drive

• Trouble sleeping at night

• Weight gain

8 Ways To Boost Testosterone Levels 

As you get older, the chances that you'll experience low testosterone begin to increase dramatically. In fact, nearly 40 percent of men 45 years or older are affected by low testosterone according to some estimates. Fortunately, a few lifestyle changes can offset this decrease in testosterone production that comes with age. Some of the most effective ways to boost testosterone levels without medication include:

1. Eating a healthier diet 

One of the easiest ways to significantly change your body is with dietary changes. It can’t be overstated just how important your diet is to your overall health. The next time that you're at the grocery store, remember: “You are what you eat.” 

Consuming considerable amounts of bread, pastries, and desserts can make you more likely to experience low testosterone levels, and you may be at an increased risk for developing hypogonadism. 

By cutting back on highly processed and high glycemic foods like white breads, you can help reduce the odds of hypogonadism and other health complications in the long run. For best results, you should also start including more of these foods in your diet:

• Seafood such as tuna, oysters, shellfish, salmon, mackerel

• Dairy that includes low-fat milk and fewer saturated fats

• Lean proteins like chicken, pork, and beans, generally with less red meat

• Nuts like peanuts, almonds, and cashews for snacking

• Vegetables, both raw and cooked

• Fresh fruits

• Whole grains

2. Weight lifting 

You surely know by now that exercise is a great way to prevent or reduce the risk of developing serious medical conditions and chronic illnesses, but did you know it can also boost the production of testosterone? While exercise is great, weight lifting in particular seems to have the largest impact on testosterone levels. 

In one study, for example, a group of 20 male college students were followed to measure the impact of weight lifting on testosterone. Over the course of four weeks, the participants underwent a strength training program where they worked out three days a week. By collecting urine samples throughout the duration of the study, researchers discovered that by the end of the study the men had significantly higher levels of epitesteorone, androsterone, and etiocholanolone.  

3. Getting enough sleep

When it comes to boosting testosterone levels, sleep can be just as important as diet or exercise. Both the amount and quality of sleep you get will influence overall levels of testosterone.You should be getting at least seven to nine hours of sleep each night to maintain optimal testosterone levels. 

If you're unable to clock these type of z's, or you rarely experience deep rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, this could be due to the common sleep disorder obstructive sleep apnea. This sleep disorder occurs when your breathing is repeatedly interrupted, waking you throughout the night even if you don't realize it. It's also associated with frequent and heavy snoring. Sleep apnea commonly affects those who are overweight or obese, another common cause of low testosterone.

The loss of REM sleep, loss of deep sleep, increased awakenings, and low sleep efficiency can all contribute to lower levels of testosterone. 

4. Cutting back on alcohol

While having a few drinks won’t result in significant changes to testosterone levels, drinking excessively and frequently might. Alcohol can have a severe negative impact on the various glands and hormones that are associated with the male reproductive organs and processes. Heavy consumption of alcohol may result in a condition called testicular atrophy, which can not only lower the production testosterone but cause infertility, impotence, and even shrink the testicles. 

Drinking large amounts of alcohol even converts testosterone into estrogen, which may increase your risk of prostate cancer. And chronic alcohol abuse is a contributing factor in all kinds of medical conditions, including ED.

5. Lowering your stress levels 

Experiencing high levels of stress for a long period of time can be significantly damaging to your health. When you're stressed, your body releases a hormone called cortisol. This stress hormone acts as a sort of alarm system for the body, triggering a “fight or flight” response in most of your organs. In this state, your body will focus primarily on essential functions only. 

Functions such as the production of testosterone, which is not essential to survival, can be severely reduced and lower your testosterone levels during periods of chronic stress. These two hormones have a balanced relationship, in that the higher your levels of cortisol, the lower your testosterone levels may be. 

6. Choosing the right vitamins and supplements 

A deficiency in the essential vitamin D is commonly associated with low levels of testosterone. One study involved a group of 54 men either receiving 3,330 international units of vitamin D or a placebo over the course of a year. When the trial ended, the men that were given the vitamin D had significantly higher levels of bioactive testosterone, free testosterone, and total levels of testosterone. 

Another supplement to consider is zinc. A deficiency in this mineral has a direct association with low testosterone levels. One study looked at the role of zinc in 37 men experiencing infertility for five years or longer. Once zinc levels were restored to normal via oral administration of supplements, testosterone was increased along with sperm count. Within two months of treatment, there were nine reported pregnancies. The group that didn’t have a deficiency seemed to be largely unaffected by the supplements. 

7. Dropping some weight 

Being overweight or obese can have a negative impact on several sexual functions, including the production of testosterone. One study looking into the testosterone levels of 25 lean teenagers and 25 obese teenagers found that those considered obese had between 40 and 50 percent lower concentrations of testosterone. 

8. Considering testosterone replacement therapy 

This medical treatment is available as an injection, topical gel, or patch and can replace the missing testosterone in your body directly, just as the name implies.  Depending on dosage and administration method, some treatments may last for a few months, while others last only a few hours. 

Testosterone replacement therapy is commonly used in older men and is typically a long-term treatment. With the Rex MD TestoRX program, you’ll have access to testosterone replacement therapies and other testosterone solutions that can help restore your vitality and get you back to feeling like yourself again.

How Rex MD Can Help

To find out if the program is right for you, just answer some about your symptoms and medical history. Your provider will order lab work for you to help determine if you’re eligible for testosterone injections or another treatment option.

Then, you’ll be able to schedule a virtual call with the Rex MD care team to further discuss your results, eligibility, and which treatment option would be most suitable for you, if any.

Get started today to feel good again, both physically and emotionally.