Testosterone is a steroid hormone that is in charge of the development of various sexual characteristics in men. It is produced in the testicles, and it stimulates muscle growth and development. It is also present in women, but in lesser amounts, and is produced in the ovaries and the adrenal cortex.
Why Does the Body Need Testosterone?
Testosterone plays a big role in several bodily functions in men and women. Below are some good examples:
1. Production of sperm
If a man has enough testosterone in the body, his testicles can produce sperm that has good morphology and motility, increasing his fertility and reproductive functions.
2. Libido
Many studies have found that testosterone and libido have a directly proportional relationship to each other, meaning with high testosterone, you can increase your libido or sex drive.
3. Growth of body hair
In men, in order to grow a beard, mustache, pubic hair, underarm hair, and other body hair, their testosterone levels should be normal.
4. Deepening of voice
During puberty, boys undergo a lot of changes in their bodies, including the deepening of their voice, which is made possible by enough testosterone in the body.
5. Distribution of fat in the body
It is important that fat is properly distributed to the different parts of the body to avoid problems that can affect the vital organs such as the heart, kidneys, and brain, and this can be done with sufficient testosterone.
6. Bone mass
Having enough testosterone helps build bones that are strong and less likely to suffer from fractures and other injuries.
7. Production of red blood cells
Your body should have enough red blood cells to carry out key bodily functions, and to prevent the risk of diseases.
8. Muscle strength
To build strong muscles, your body should have high testosterone levels.
Can Testosterone Really Build Muscle?
Yes, the testosterone that is naturally produced by the body helps in building muscles. As long as your testosterone levels are normal, you should not have any trouble developing muscles with good mass and density for better physical fitness and health.
In men, the normal testosterone levels are between 270 and 1,070 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL). And, in women, they are between 15 and 70 ng/dL. If yours are lower, you have hypogonadism, or if higher, you have hypergonadism, and either is bad news for your muscle growth and other bodily functions.
What Happens if There is a Testosterone Imbalance in the Body?
There are several side effects that may rise from having low testosterone or high testosterone levels in the body.
If your T levels are low, you may suffer from:
- Decreased libido – Your desire for sex is diminished, and, over time, may lead to an inactive sex life.
- Low sperm count – In men, your testicles may start producing less amounts of sperm, endangering your fertility.
- Erectile dysfunction – In men, low T can affect the penis’ ability to get and maintain an erection for sex.
- Loss of body hair – In men, shortage of testosterone prevents the body from growing body hair.
- Increased fat – In both men and women, body fat percentage may rise, and lead to problems that affect the heart, blood vessels, and others.
- Reduced muscle density – Men and women with low testosterone may start to waste their muscles away, leading to loss of muscle bulk and strength.
If your T levels are high, you may encounter the following health issues:
- Irregular periods – Women who have high testosterone may experience irregularities in their menstrual cycles.
- Acne and other skin problems – Both men and women who have high testosterone may likely develop more acne and other skin blemishes.
- Growth of facial hair – Excess testosterone in a woman’s body may trigger the growth of facial hair, especially around the chin and lip areas.
How Do You Keep Your Testosterone Levels Normal to Promote Muscle Growth?
If you are unfortunate to have testosterone levels that are out of the normal range, you should not delay finding ways to fix the problem. There are many natural ways to improve your testosterone to not only help in the growth and development of your muscles, but also in the proper functioning of your different body parts.
Below are highly recommended natural and safe methods to boost your testosterone for muscle growth:
Balanced diet
It is important that you look closely at the kinds of foods that you eat, as these can significantly affect your body’s ability to produce testosterone. Your diet should contain foods that are rich in healthy proteins, fats, and carbohydrates to facilitate the formation of muscles that are strong and healthy. Get rid of soda, fast food, junk foods, and processed foods, as these contain ingredients that are not good for the heart, kidneys, and liver.
Healthy weight
Do your best to maintain a healthy weight in order to achieve your muscle goals. If you are overweight or obese, you have to start working now to get down to your healthy weight. There are many short-term and long-term complications that stem from having extra pounds in the body, and these can negatively impact your life in many ways. To lose weight, you should eat foods that are high in fiber, essential nutrients, and other good compounds, and be more physically active to be able to burn more calories.
Stress management
Stress is a testosterone killer. If you are often stressed because of family, finances, work, or school, your testosterone levels will take a hit, and bring about various side effects that can put you at great risk of illnesses and disorders. You should take the time to evaluate your stress levels, find what the triggers are, and figure out how to better deal with them.
Sleep
Lack of sleep is also bad for testosterone. You should make an effort to create an environment that is conducive to sleep, so that you can enjoy at least 7 hours of deep and uninterrupted sleep every night.
Doctor’s visit
Make sure to see your doctor on a regular basis for a testosterone levels test to keep track of your T levels.
