Making changes to your diet and lifestyle can have a great effect on rebalancing hormone levels and increasing testosterone. Testosterone is a sex hormone often associated with males, though females have small amounts. If a male has a low level of testosterone, the symptoms can include erectile dysfunction, and reduced bone mass and sex drive.
Testosterone is more than just a male sex hormone that affects the sex drive. Testosterone is also responsible for:
- the development of the bones and muscles
- the deepening of the voice, hair growth, and other factors related to appearance
- the production of sperm
Testosterone production can slow as a person ages, and many older men have symptoms of low testosterone. Here are some signs and symptoms of low testosterone:
- Lowered sex drive: Men with low testosterone often experience a reduction in sex drive. A diminishing sex drive occurs naturally with age, but when the cause is low testosterone, a man will notice a significant decrease in the desire for sex.
- Difficulty sleeping: Men with low testosterone may find it difficult to fall or stay asleep. Many males with low testosterone also have sleep apnea. This potentially severe disorder causes a person to temporarily stop breathing, which can disrupt sleep.
- Reduced bone mass: Testosterone helps to produce bone tissue and maintain bone volume. Low testosterone can lead to a reduction in this volume, which can make the bones more susceptible to fractures.
Here are some things we can do as men to increase testosterone levels:
- Get enough Zinc (hemp, lentils, whole grains)
- Get enough Magnesium (legumes, avocados, leafy greens)
- Get more rest
- Exercise more
- Relax on the sugar intake (sweet tea's and alcohol)
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