TESTOSTERONE BOOSTERS
Testosterone is a steroid hormone from the androgen group, and is primarily secreted in the testes of males and the ovaries of females although small amounts are secreted by the adrenal glands. It is the principal male sex hormone and an anabolic steroid, and in both males and females, testosterone plays key roles in health and well-being. Examples include muscle growth, enhanced libido, energy, immune function, and protection against osteoporosis. In general, androgens promote protein synthesis and growth of those tissues with androgen receptors. Testosterone effects can be classified as virilizing and anabolic effects, although the distinction is somewhat artificial, as many of the effects can be considered both. Anabolic effects include growth of muscle mass and strength, increased bone density and strength, and stimulation of height & hair growth, and bone maturation.
While testoterone is produced in both men and women, on average an adult human male body produces about eight to ten times more testosterone than an adult female body. But after age 30, the male body starts to slow down its natural production of testosterone and begins, instead, to begin producing more estrogen.
SUPPLEMENTS TO RAISE YOUR NATURAL TESTOSTERONE LEVELS
1) Supplements to stimulate the brain to increase LH:
TRIBULUS TERRESTRIS - Tribulus terrestris is an herb that has been used to treat sexual dysfunction because of its ability to raise testosterone. Its active component is protodioscin, and it influences the pituitary gland to release more luteinizing hormone (LH) into the the bloodstream, straight to the testicles to increase testosterone production. Try this supplement in a dose of approximately 500–2000 mg, broken down into 3 separate doses per day (one dose should be taken about 1 hour before working out). Tribulus should be cycled for a maximum of 8 weeks on, and 2–4 weeks off before repeating.
AVENA SATIVA - Avena sativa is the scientific term for oats, but not the same type of oatmeal you eat. Avena sativa extract is rich in avenocisides, which are similar to the sponins in tribulus terrestris, and are capable of boosting testosterone levels. When buying this supplement, look for 100–300 mg of a 10:1 Avena sativa extract, to be taken 2–3 times per day (30–60 minutes prior to working out). Cycle Avena sativa for 8 weeks on, and then 2–4 weeks off.
FENUGREEK - Fenugreek is a plant whose seeds are used for making spice, and whose leaves are used as an herb for its health benefits – including the ability to raise testosterone levels. The active components in fenugreek are saponins which boost the release of LH (much like Tribulus terrestris). Take products that provide 500–2000 mg of fenugreek per day. Cycle this supplement the same way as tribulus or avena stiva (8 weeks on, 2–4 weeks off).
2) Supplements to help increase muscle growth through the digestive system:
SAFED MUSLI - Safed Musli is a wild plant whose roots have be used to treat sexual dysfunction for centuries. Its effectiveness comes from the two saponins – hecogenin and stigmasterol – that are contained in it. Hecogenin can be converted to compounds within the body that are structurally similar to testosterone. Stigmasterol is also similar in chemical structure to testosterone, and believed by many that it binds to the same receptors in the body that testosterone does, thus causing a similar effect to that of testosterone. Take 200–400 mg of Safed Musli extract 3 times a day, cycled on for 8 weeks, and off for 2–4 weeks.
SMILAX - Smilax is a species of sarsaparilla used to extract natural plant steroids. Inside the body, these compounds can be converted into compounds that look and act like testosterone. Look for Smilax aristolochiaefolia in doses of 200–400 mg 3 times per day. One dose should be taken 30–60 minutes prior to workouts. Cycle Smilax for 8 weeks on, 4 weeks off.
WILD-YAM EXTRACT - Wild yams from South America have long been known for their energy- and libido-boosting effects on the body, due to a component they contain known as diosgenin. This component is very similar in structure to human testosterone and its precursors (such as DHEA). The diosgenin extracted from wild yams is a major source for DHEA supplements worldwide. Take doses of 100–200 mg 3 times daily, including one dose about an hour before working out. Follow the same 8 weeks on, 2-4 weeks off cycle as previously described.
DIOSCOREA DELTOIDEA - The roots of the Dioscorea deltoidea plant contain diosgenin, as also found in wild yams, in addition to saponins, similar to those found in trubulus (which increases the release of LH into the bloodstream). Take Dioscorea deltoidea in doses of 150–300 mg 3 times a day, following an 8-week cycle.
3) Supplements that increase the amount of active testosterone in the blood:
EURYCOMA LONGIFOLIA JACK - Eurycoma longifolia, or Tongcat Ali, is a plant from the rainforest used for centuries as a medicinal herb. It also enhances production of testosterone by different mechanisms… One of these involves freeing the testosterone from SHBG (sex hormone-binding globulin). When testosterone is bound to SHBG, it can’t enter muscle cells to stimulate growth. Studies have shown that eurycoma can reduce SHBG by almost 30% and noticeably INCREASE testosterone levels. Another way eurycoma works is to directly increase testosterone productin in the testes via stimulation of the Leydig cells. Take 200–300 mg of a 20:1 eurycoma extract 3 times per day for 8-week cycles.
STINGING NETTLE ROOT - Stinging nettle root works to boost testosterone levels in different ways. One way is that it helps keep the testosterone molecules free from the SHBG, so you will have higher levels of free testosterone in the body capable of influencing muscle growth. Stinging nettle root also prevents the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, which will help prevent negative effects (such as prostrate growth). Preventing this conversion means you have more of the anabolic testosterone available. For best results, you will need to take 100–500 mg of stinging nettle root extract 2–3 times daily on an empty stomach. No cycling is necessary.
4) Supplements that boost adrenal activity:
HUMANOFORT - This herb, the active component derived from the roots of the Coleus forskohlii plant, has many health benefits including testosterone enhancement, increased blood flow, and enhanced fat burning. This is due to the herb’s ability to activate the enzyme adenylate cyclate — an enzyme also found in the Leydig cells in the testes where it helps stimulate testosterone production. Take 20–50 mg of Coleus forskohlii supplements at least 2 or 3 times a day.
DHEA - Your adrenal glands produce small amounts of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), which gets converted to testosterone. This popular supplement is backed by research showing that it is responsible for helping cut body fat (particularly abdominal fat), boosting immune function, and protecting against heart disease. Intense atheletes, especially people over thirty years old or who live with a lot of stress are likely to achieve good results while using DHEA supplements. Take 25–100 mg each day for optimal results.
5) Supplements that increase testosterone production in the testicles:
FORSKOLIN - This herb, the active component derived from the roots of the Coleus forskohlii plant, has many health benefits including testosterone enhancement, increased blood flow, and enhanced fat burning. This is due to the herb’s ability to activate the enzyme adenylate cyclate — an enzyme also found in the Leydig cells in the testes where it helps stimulate testosterone production. Take 20–50 mg of Coleus forskohlii supplements at least 2 or 3 times a day.
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Tags: DHEA, FORSKOLIN, HUMANOFORT, Supplements, testosterone
