People used to think that declining testosterone levels were just a natural result of aging. Currently, however, it’s already widely recognized that low testosterone levels can also be caused by lifestyle, dietary, and health factors.
In truth, though, not everyone is aware of all the factors that can contribute to significant decreases in your testosterone levels. Continue reading to learn about the various reasons why your testosterone levels are declining.
Increased Conversion to DHT
When you reach 30 years, that’s when 5-alpha-reductase starts to get more active. It’s an enzyme that converts your circulating testosterone into DHT or dihydrotestosterone. The increased conversion of testosterone into another hormone results in a gradual decline in your testosterone levels.
But that accounts for just a one percent decline every year after you reach 30. This means that 5-alpha-reductase only causes a gradual decline in your testosterone levels. The problem, though, is not that your testosterone levels are dropping, but that DHT is associated with various male health problems.
For instance, DHT is considered a major cause of balding and hair loss. It’s also the culprit in prostate enlargement or benign prostatic hyperplasia. Plus, DHT can also increase your risks of certain cancers.
Medical Conditions
While it’s true that your risks of certain diseases increase when you have abnormally low levels of testosterone, it’s also true that certain medical conditions can also drastically reduce your testosterone levels.
Diabetes, for instance, can negatively affect your testosterone production. If you’re diabetic, it means that you’ve got high blood sugar levels that results in your pituitary gland not secreting enough luteinizing hormone.
That’s a problem because the cells in your testicles called the Leydig cells only produce testosterone when they get the signal from LH. This means that the lower your LH levels are, the lesser testosterone your Leydig cells will produce.
Environmental Toxins
If you get exposed to various environmental toxins like phthalates and pesticides, your endocrine system will suffer from the disruptive effects of these chemicals, thus impacting your testosterone levels. You can find these endocrine-disrupting chemicals in many household products such as household cleaning items and personal hygiene products.
If you already have low testosterone levels, try to avoid getting exposed to environmental toxins and endocrine-disrupting chemicals since those will cause your testosterone levels to further decline.
Phthalates, in particular, can cause reduced production of testosterone. Phthalates are actually notorious for their feminizing effects on male infants, especially if the mother was exposed to phthalates while pregnant.
Poor Diet
Eating lots of sugar-rich foods, processed foods, and saturated fat can make your testosterone levels nosedive. In contrast, a diet rich in plant-based foods can greatly improve your hormonal profile, as well as your overall health.
Your body needs several important nutrients in order to produce testosterone efficiently. Zinc, for example, is very important not only for your testosterone production but also for your reproductive health. Men with low testosterone levels can greatly benefit by increasing their intake of beans, oysters, and shellfish which are all rich in zinc.
Preventing Low Testosterone Levels
If you want to prevent your testosterone levels from dropping drastically, taking herb-based supplements can be beneficial for you. That’s especially true if you’re taking a supplement that contains known testosterone boosters such as fenugreek, Ashwagandha, and Tongkat Ali.
You can gain a lot of health benefits from fenugreek and not just an increase in your free testosterone levels. Fenugreek can actually stop 5-alpha-reductase from making DHT out of your free testosterone.
On top of that, fenugreek is also good for those with diabetes since the herb increases your insulin sensitivity and helps lower your blood glucose levels. The anti-diabetic properties of fenugreek are especially beneficial for men, considering that diabetes not only makes your testosterone levels drop but it can also cause erectile dysfunction.
Ashwagandha is another excellent aphrodisiac and testosterone booster. Plus, it can also help increase your reproductive capacity. The herb is actually popular as a fertility enhancer, thanks to its positive effects on sperm count, motility, and morphology.
Ashwagandha not only raises your testosterone levels, but it also reduces stress and anxiety, as well as improves your erectile function and boosts your energy. These are similar to the benefits you can gain if you take Tongkat Ali supplements.
One of the most popular supplements for both sexual performance enhancement and athletic performance enhancement, Tongkat Ali offers a wide array of excellent benefits not only for your sexual health or reproductive function but also for your overall health.
Because it contains so many powerful antioxidants, Tongkat Ali has anti-aging, anti-cancer, pro-cardiovascular, pro-fertility, and pro-sexual effects. It’s known to improve the quality and quantity of your sperm, as well as boost testosterone levels and improve libido.
On top of that, Tongkat Ali is also beneficial for your sexual performance since it helps improve your erectile function and allows you to maintain your erection for much longer. And because it can ward off feelings of fatigue and increase your energy levels, Tongkat Ali is also beneficial for your stamina in between the sheets.
As if these benefits are not impressive enough, Tongkat Ali is also known as an effective stress-reducer. What this amazing herb does is that it improves your stress hormone profile, thus helping your body respond to stress better. This means that Tongkat Ali can help lower your cortisol levels when you’re stressed while raising your production of testosterone.
Other herbs that are also known to have positive effects on testosterone levels include Tribulus terrestris and Horny Goat Weed, both of which are rich in antioxidants, as well as potent sexual function enhancers.
On top of that, both Horny Goat Weed and Tribulus terrestris are also good for increasing your sperm concentration and semen volume, as well as improving your sperm morphology and motility.
But the best thing about these two herbs is that they’re very effective in improving your erectile function. While Horny Goat Weed can inhibit PDE5, Tribulus terrestris can increase your production of nitric oxide, the neurotransmitter and vasodilator that’s very important for your erection.
