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Showing posts with label Muscle. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Muscle. Show all posts

Friday, December 28, 2012

Key Roles of Testosterone in Men


Testosterone is a steroid hormone produced in men by the testes and to a lesser extent by the adrenal glands and even the skin in minute amounts. It is derived from the biosynthesis of cholesterol in the body and plays a very important role, right from conception and all throughout life. Testosterone production is regulated by the pituitary gland. When levels dip, the pituitary gland releases LH (luteinizing hormone) and FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) which signal the testes to increase testosterone production. When levels increase, it serves as an inhibitor for the testes to stop producing testosterone. Its functions directly affect every system in the human body, as described below.

Key Roles of Testosterone
·         Maturation of sex organs (formation of penis, scrotum, and prostate gland in the womb before birth)
·         Increasing bone mineral density
·         Changes in adolescent boys such as deepening of voice and growth of chest and facial hair and hair on upper lips.
·         Increase in muscle bulk
·         Presence of body odor in teenage boys
·         Increasing the oiliness of skin by increasing the size of sebaceous glands, which can lead to acne
·         Growth of Adam's apple
·         Normal development of sperm
·         Responsible for platelet aggregation which is necessary for wounds to heal faster
·         Maintains energy levels
·         Enhances sex drive
·         Helps to lose abdominal fat

This proves the importance of testosterone in a man's life. It's crucial to maintain optimum testosterone levels for overall health. For most men, testosterone production begins to abate as they reach 40. A decline in these levels can have significant effects on a man's health, which can include muscle atrophy, diminishing libido, sluggishness, excess belly fat, and inability to focus on tasks at hand. Many men associate these signs with advanced age and aren’t really aware that low testosterone could be the reason.

Low testosterone is very common and the good part is it can be easily managed through diet, exercise, and the use of nonprescription products such as Ageless Male. A diet which consists of fruits and vegetables and foods high in omega-3 fatty acids, proteins, and carbohydrates is essential to increase the body's testosterone production. Additionally, nutritional supplements can also trigger testosterone production and bring it up to the normal range. If you go through Ageless Male reviews, you'll see that these pills work best when men stick to a daily workout regime, because exercise encourages the body to enhance its testosterone production.

Just as low testosterone has a negative impact, an over-abundance of this hormone can have behavioral and physical side effects. It can cause aggression and violence, and also lead to man boobs and baldness. So educate yourself about the importance of testosterone in your life and why it is imperative to maintain a healthy range, because very low or very high levels may result in potential health concerns for men.

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Testosterone Supplements and You

Often testosterone boosters are taken by body-builders for the sole purpose of gaining muscle. Athletes use testosterone to be able to work out longer and harder. Many of the testosterone supplements or boosters they use are artificial and boost testosterone levels way over the healthy limits. There are millions of these products floating about because marketers know that there is they can sell almost anything with a pretty label. Here we want to answer some basic questions like: What is testosterone? What is a natural testosterone supplement? Should the non-athlete think about testosterone supplements?

What is testosterone?
· Testosterone is a hormone. At puberty, testosterone plays a key role in giving teenage boys manly characteristics like facial hair and a deeper voice. Testosterone might be more noticeable at puberty but it is an essential part of every day for adult men as well. It allows the body to have enough energy, build more muscle and increase libido.
· While many take testosterone supplement what you may not know is the human body is able to produce its own testosterone. Usually cholesterol is converted into testosterone. That is why, diets that are rich in lean red meat and eggs (rich in cholesterol) are bad for heart disease, but are good for testosterone levels.

What is a natural testosterone supplement?
Supplements that are an amalgamation of different plant extracts alone are called natural testosterone supplements. There are a handful of plant extracts that have had significant success in boosting testosterone levels up to healthy limits. These extracts usually come alongside the body’s testosterone producing mechanism and lend a helping hand. They increase the free testosterone levels.

Should the non-athlete think about testosterone supplements?
If you’re not an athlete why would you need or want testosterone supplements? You might not know this but past the age of 30 testosterone levels in many men begin to decline. If you’re experiencing the following symptoms, it might be time to get a blood test done for testosterone levels.
· Constant fatigue
· Loss of muscle
· Lowered libido
· Depression
· Mood-swings
· Weight gain

Men who have low testosterone often chalk up these symptoms to mere old age. But that only worsens the condition. If left unattended, low testosterone levels can make bones porous, a condition called osteoporosis. Low testosterone also makes you more susceptible to being over-weight. Having low testosterone as you grow older just steals the joy of life away. That’s why it’s important to keep an eye on your testosterone levels and how natural supplements can help you.
One such natural supplement that has received very positive reviews of Ageless Male. Ageless Male supplement contains an extract from ripe fenugreek seeds called Testofen and has been clinically shown to increase levels of free testosterone in healthy men.
You might not need testosterone supplements yet but it’s good to know what the best products are and why. It’s also good to be prepared to tell others to check their testosterone levels so that everyone can live a normal healthy life for years to come.

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Age well with Ageless Male


It’s always said that men age better than women. For the most part that is true—men can have wise attractive eyes even if they are wrinkled while wrinkly eyes on women are usually not considered a good thing. From the perspective of how your body is doing under your skin though, age takes its toll on men and women equally. One of the many problems aging men might face is low testosterone. It often goes unnoticed but silently affects overall health.

What would it feel like to have low testosterone levels?

·         If you have low testosterone, you would feel like you began the day with no energy and even if you didn’t do anything you’d still be very tired. Fatigue is a symptom of low testosterone.
·         Another symptom is decreased libido. Older men think that feeling tired and feeling a lack of sexual desire are completely normal for men their age but that is not true. Millions of men actually have low testosterone that can be easily remedied.
·         If you lost muscle mass steadily over a period of time, you might have low testosterone. It is common knowledge that some athletes and body-builders take heavy manufactured testosterone supplements to enhance muscle development. That is why having low testosterone will make you lose muscle mass.
·         If left unattended, low testosterone also affects your bones and makes them more susceptible to breakage—a condition call osteoporosis, “porous bones”.

The difficulty with low testosterone is that its symptoms are easily masked in older men. So if you have even a shadow of a doubt that you might have low testosterone, getting a blood test is the easiest and safest way to either rule it out or work on it.

How can you boost your testosterone levels?

There are various foods you can eat that naturally boost your testosterone levels. Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cabbage have high levels of anti-oxidants and other active ingredients that help increase testosterone levels. Eating a diet that’s high in protein and low in fat is a good for healthy testosterone levels. Fat free diets are not recommended for men. Although keep in mind that changing your diet drastically in any way might affect other health conditions you have like heart disease. Foods high in protein tend to be high in cholesterol which is good for testosterone but bad for the heart. A good physician will be able to guide you in the right direction.

How do supplements like Ageless Male help?

Talking about going in the right direction, supplements like Ageless Male contain all natural testosterone boosters. Ageless Male is clinically researched and based on that research they found that one of the natural testosterone boosters is the extract of fenugreek herb, called Testofen. That is the primary ingredient in Ageless Male but it also contains B6 which keeps you energized all day. Many testimonials of Ageless Male are available to read online but as we have said before ask your doctor first.

Aging well means recognizing that your body is limited is what it can do but that does not mean you give up. Find out if you have low testosterone and work on regulating your testosterone levels so that you can enjoy a full life to the end. 

Wonder Foods for Testosterone

Calling them wonder foods might be a bit of a stretch but the truth is they help maintain healthy testosterone levels. Millions of men in America do not know that they are suffering with low testosterone levels. They usually just think they are getting old.

Even though it only takes a simple blood test to know if you have low testosterone, many men are too embarrassed to consult a doctor about their symptoms. Common symptoms of low testosterone are tiredness, lack of sexual desire, loss of muscle mass, irritability and in some cases inability to sleep through the night. If you’re experiencing any some of these symptoms, do not delay in getting professional help because in the long run low testosterone can make you more susceptible to other health conditions like diabetes, obesity and osteoporosis.

All men experience a gradual decrease in testosterone levels as they grow older. If your testosterone levels are not too low yet tweaking your diet to include the following foods might be a great help.

1.    Pumpkin Seeds: Pumpkin seeds contain zinc which is helpful in producing testosterone in the body. These days it’s not difficult to find salted roasted pumpkin seeds and if you don’t, you can always make your own from a real pumpkin.
2.    Garlic: Garlic can be easily added to almost all your savory food recipes. It’s delicious and can help your body produce more testosterone. Who knew that eating for testosterone was so easy!
3.    Red meat: It’s best to eat lean beef and avoid the fat that makes it twice as nice. Lean beef can be cooked to perfection just as well. The fat in it is useful in testosterone production just like the fats in avocados and olive oil. Eat lean beef two or three times a week and hopefully you’ll begin to notice a difference.
4.    Eat your Broccoli: Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and others in the same vegetable family all contain indole-3 carbinol that helps reduce estrogen and thereby allows testosterone to take prominence. These veggies also contain fiber which is always a bonus. Eat as much of these vegetables as you can and the fresher the better.
5.    Eggs: The male body needs cholesterol to make testosterone. That means eating the whole egg, not just egg whites. If you have a heart condition, talk to your physician before altering your diet. The great thing about eggs is that there are a million different ways to cook and flavor them. Eat away!
6.    Nuts: Most nuts are high in essential fatty acids. Almonds in particular contain zinc which like we have already said is good for testosterone boosting.

All these foods are easy to add to your diet and there are a few more. But if it seems difficult to eat these regularly, testosterone supplements like Ageless Male provide all you need to boost your testosterone in the form of Testofen which is an extract of fenugreek herb that has been shown to boost testosterone. Countless Ageless Male testimonials and the products long reputation add credibility to their claims but consult a physician and find out what he or she recommends. All the best on your journey to better testosterone levels!

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Diet to Enhance Testosterone Levels


The normal level of testosterone in men begins to go downhill once they turn 40. Though age is the most common factor, a sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy eating habits also affect testosterone. Making certain dietary changes can significantly boost your testosterone levels and keep you from falling prey symptoms like brittle bones, muscle shrinkage, poor energy, and low libido.

Diet that Enhances Testosterone Levels
  1. Foods high in zinc are a must if you want your testosterone levels to increase. Oysters are an excellent source of zinc, followed closely by pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds.
  2. Phytochemicals are compounds that enhance testosterone production and are found in abundance in cruciferous vegetables like cabbage, cauliflower, kale, and kohlrabi.
  3. Increase your intake of healthy fats through salmon, mackerel, avocados, walnuts, peanuts, and pecans. Monounsaturated fats and omega-3 fatty acids are essential for the body and also help in the synthesis of cholesterol, which aids in the production of testosterone.
  4. Allicin is an active ingredient found in plenty in garlic, onion, and leek and is required by our body to produce testosterone.
  5. Vitamin A is not just good for your eyes; it plays a vital role in reproductive health as well. So gorge on papaya, mangoes, beetroots, squash, carrots, and green leafy vegetables.
  6. Don’t follow a low-carb diet if you want to beef yourself up. Carbs are the fuel your body requires to make testosterone. Baked potatoes, russet potatoes, corn, and bagels are good sources of high carb foods.

  7. Don’t forget vitamin D. Spend some time in the morning sun every day, and if that's not possible, eat fortified dairy products and cereals to make up for the absence of this precious vitamin in your body.
  8. Your body needs proteins to build muscles. Include milk, yogurt, egg whites, fat-free mozzarella cheese, beans, and round cuts of meat in your diet to stock up on lean protein.
  9. Dietary supplements like Ageless Male can be very effective in promoting testosterone production and enhancing energy levels. It contains fenugreek seed extract, a compound that boosts testosterone production in men. It's also fortified with zinc, magnesium, and vitamin B6. 
Diet alone can't pump up testosterone production. Make sure you follow an active lifestyle and work out regularly. Avoid stress and maintain a positive outlook toward life. If you're feeling tired, losing interest in sex, and experiencing mood swings, the culprit could be low testosterone. 

Make the dietary modifications suggested above. If you wish to try any supplement, talk to your doctor and find out whether it's right for you. You can also go through Ageless Male supplement reviews to find out more about the product. All it takes is making certain changes to your lifestyle to naturally raise your testosterone levels!

Can Young Men Suffer from Low Testosterone

Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone contributing to muscle mass and bone density, affecting sexual performance, mood, energy levels. It peaks when a man is in his twenties, and slowly begins to dwindle with increasing age. Lack of exercise, poor eating habits, and obesity all severely affect testosterone production. Although low testosterone production is a common occurrence in older men, young men can also face this problem. Let’s take a look at some reasons that cause this deficiency.

Reasons for low testosterone in young men

Abnormalities of the pituitary gland can cause low testosterone. Surgery or radiation carried out to treat pituitary gland problems can also affect testosterone.

Genetic disorders can also cause testosterone levels to dip below the normal, healthy range. 

Conditions where men have more than one X chromosome can result in the testicles not developing properly, hampering testosterone production. Another hereditary condition, which is caused due to a defect in the hypothalamus, also reduces testosterone levels. 

The reason for this is the hypothalamus controls the release of hormones from the pituitary gland, and thus abnormal functioning of the hypothalamus affects hormone production.

Underdeveloped genitals in young boys can also inhibit testosterone production.

Muscular dystrophy in young boys is also a factor for low testosterone.

Infection or injury to the testicles hampers testosterone production, especially if a man acquires an infectious disease at a very young age or in adolescence.

Inflammatory diseases can also affect testicular growth resulting in long-term damage which has a negative effect on hormone production.

Liver disease can also result in low values of testosterone.

Chronic alcohol abuse can severely impact testosterone levels.

Overweight boys are more likely to suffer from testosterone deficiency than boys with a healthy weight.

Overuse of steroids and certain drugs like opiate pain relievers can be harmful for testosterone production.

The presence of too much iron in the blood and body tissues is also a cause for low levels of testosterone.

Low testosterone in young men is evident from lack of development of secondary sexual characteristics, such as deepening of voice, absence of body hair and growth of penis and scrotum. Young men who suffer from such a hormonal deficiency should seek medical advice. This condition can be managed through hormonal implants, oral tablets, injections, and skin patches. 

These therapies have their share of benefits and risks, so consult a doctor before starting any of them. Oral dietary supplements, such as Ageless Male are safe to use and contain natural seed extract, which enhances testosterone levels and energy performance. If you wish to try it, discuss with your doctor whether it would prove helpful and go through Ageless Male testimonials to understand what men have experienced after using the product.

If you experience signs of hormonal deficiency, don’t delay visiting the doctor and never begin any hormonal therapy without consulting a medical professional.

Thursday, November 1, 2012

How Does Low Testosterone Affect Your Health?


A shift in the testosterone levels in your body can significantly affect your health in many ways. Low testosterone level is usually a sign of aging, but it can signal a host of other health concerns. Find out how this decline in hormones can have an adverse effect on your health.

Testosterone is the male sex hormone that plays an important role in the development of secondary sex characteristics, such as deepening of the voice, onset of puberty, and the growth of facial and pubic hair. It's very common for the testosterone level in men to drop as men reach middle age. Though this drop is natural and most men do not suffer any major health problems, for some it can have some serious health consequences, which might even require treatment.

Effects of low testosterone on health

·         Testosterone is what drives sexual performance. Declining levels mean low libido and a decrease in sexual function.
·         Low testosterone has a profound effect on a person's mood. Irritability, mood swings, and depression can all be brought on by low levels of this hormone.
·         Some men may also experience a diminishing ability to focus on everyday chores, and a gradual loss in memory.
·         Low testosterone can affect the bone mineral density, leading to brittle bones, thus increasing the risk of osteoporosis.
·         It can cause shrinkage in muscle mass.
·         It can cause substantial increase in body fat, putting you at high risk for diabetes, cancers and coronary artery disease.

So what can one do to reverse the effects of low testosterone? Testosterone boosters, like Ageless Male, patches and gels applied to the skin, testosterone injections, and subcutaneous implants are some ways to boost testosterone levels. Men who have tried any of these testosterone-boosting methods have seen a marked increase in their libido, energy levels, muscle strength, and an elevated mood.

To increase your testosterone levels, eat a healthy diet, exercise every day, limit the consumption of alcohol, and avoid smoking. Testosterone boosters can significantly help to promote healthy testosterone levels. But it's a good idea to go through customer reviews if you plan to use them. For instance, a majority of Ageless Male reviews indicate that most men who use them have seen a rise in their testosterone levels.

If you realize you're experiencing any effects mentioned above and don’t know the reason, make an appointment to go and see your doctor. Keep in mind, your overall health makes a big difference to your testosterone levels. So keep up with a healthy and active way of life and keep your weight in check. Normal levels of testosterone are important for a healthy and happy life!