If you suffer from a hormone imbalance, natural supplements for testosterone replacement may offer relief from your symptoms.
Symptoms of Low Testosterone
Testosterone deficiency is not something to ignore. In fact, it has been linked with an increased risk of heart disease and depression. Low testosterone levels can exhibit a broad range of symptoms. These include:
- Body hair loss
- Decreased sex drive
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Hot flashes
- Increased risk of osteoporosis
- Lower sperm count
- Reduced muscle mass and strength
- Thinning skin
- Trouble concentrating
- Weaker erections
- Weaker orgasms
- Wrinkling skin
Purpose of Testosterone Replacement Therapy
At first, many people may think testosterone replacement is just for men. That's a logical conclusion because testosterone is an androgen (male) steroid hormone and influences male secondary sex characteristics. However, as you can see in the list above, testosterone levels affect women, too. Women produce testosterone in low amounts. This testosterone is converted from cholesterol by the ovaries and adrenal glands. So while testosterone replacement is used as a therapy option for men whose natural testosterone levels are low, it is also used to treat:
- Postmenopausal symptoms
- Lack of libido in women who have received chemotherapy
- Anemia, weakness and muscle wasting syndrome related with AIDS
Standard FDA Approved Therapies
Testosterone replacement delivery methods in the medical community include administration by:
- Tablet
- Patch - worn for 24 hours
- Injection - given as needed according to health care provider. Can be every week or longer. This method creates exaggerated highs and lows in hormone levels.
- Implant
- Gels - applied once daily
What About Natural Supplements for Testosterone Replacement?
If you're looking for natural supplements for testosterone replacement rather than a synthetic supplement, there are two kinds of herbal supplements that have been shown to improve low hormonal levels. These include phytoestrogenic herbs and non-estrogenic herbs. For low testosterone levels, the non-estrogenic herbs work best to restore hormonal balance. Eating certain foods is said to aid in the natural production of testosterone, too.
Recommended Foods and Herbs
- Beef
- Broccoli
- Brussels sprouts
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Eggs
- Garlic
- Oysters
- Radishes
- Turnips
- Tribulus terrestris - this herbal nutritional supplement stimulates the pituitary gland to produce testosterone
Essential Fatty Acids
You've heard of good fats and bad fats. When it comes to improving your testosterone levels, essential fatty acids are an ideal way to do it. These fats are important to the production of sex hormones, especially testosterone. Testosterone is created from cholesterol and when your diet is deficient in these essential fats this production is inhibited. Diets higher in protein, lower in carbohydrate and moderate in fat produce the best sustained levels of testosterone. These fatty acids are found in healthy sources like:
- Peanuts
- Avocados
- Fish
- Flax seed oil
- Olive oil
- Canola oil
Creams
Are bioidentical hormones natural or not? The answer depends on your outlook. They are manufactured, so if that makes them less than natural in your book they will not fit into the natural supplements for testosterone replacement category for you. However, unlike synthetic hormones, bioidentical hormones have the same molecular structure as hormones created by your body. They can be metabolized and side effects are minimal. Bioidentical hormones are found in topical creams designed to help balance your hormone levels. These creams include products like:
- Testatropinol (Biopharma)
- Maxabol II (ASN)
- Hard & Natural (Body & Fitness)
- Test-Rx - prescription is necessary (Biopharma)
- BOLD (I Force)
- Test-a-Boost (Xtreme Nutrition)
- Testosterone Cream (BioEntopric Lab)
Although testosterone is most often thought of as a male hormone, now you see that it also plays a role in women's health as well. If you think you may be suffering from testosterone deficiency, ask to be tested and treated by a professional. Testosterone must be dosed properly to avoid unwanted side effects.
