How Testosterone Levels Affect Muscle Growth and Fat Loss

Higher testosterone levels are often equated with more muscle growth and fat loss. Is it that simple?

If you ask the average gymgoer what single physical factor most affects muscle growth and fat loss, they would probably answer “testosterone levels.” And they’re right.

Testosterone is certainly a primary hormonal driver of muscle growth. Research has shown that anabolic steroids, which drastically raise testosterone levels, given to even young, healthy men can induce muscle growth and fat loss without any exercise whatsoever.

Thus, it would be fair to assume that the higher our testosterone levels are, the more muscle we build and the leaner we get, right?

Testosterone Levels and Muscle Growth

We already know that dramatically elevating testosterone levels induces muscle growth.

Yes, if you take enough of the right steroids, your testosterone levels will skyrocket, and if you lift weights regularly, you will be able to achieve more muscle growth than if you were drug-free.

But here’s something that most people don’t know:

Fluctuation of testosterone levels within the physiological normal range does not affect muscle growth.

That is, if your testosterone levels are right-down-the-middle normal, and you increase them to a high-normal, you may feel a little better and notice a boost in libido…but it won’t enable you to build more muscle.

I know that sounds kind of blasphemous, but it’s actually been scientifically proven.

Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science conducted and published a study about a decade ago wherein they administered varying amounts of  testosterone enanthate along with drugs to inhibit natural testosterone production to young, healthy men for 20 weeks.

While higher testosterone levels did produce greater muscle gains, it wasn’t as pronounced as you might think.

What researchers found was that so long as testosterone levels were within the physiological normal range, between 300-1,000 ng/dl, muscle growth didn’t change very much. That is, the subjects on the low end of normal weren’t that far behind subjects on the high end in terms of muscle growth.

A statistically significant increase in muscle growth wasn’t seen until testosterone levels surpassed the top of “normal” by about 20-30%.

Now, this study does have a limitation: subjects weren’t exercising. While total amounts of muscle and strength gained would clearly have been higher if they had been weightlifting, the relationship between testosterone levels and overall muscle growth would still be seen.

This was partially demonstrated by another study, this time conducted by McMaster University with young, resistance trained men.

Subjects lifted 5 times per week for 12 weeks, and followed a standard dietary protocol (high-protein intake, post-workout nutrition, etc.). The primary finding of the study was that the exercise-induced spikes in anabolic hormones like testosterone, growth hormone, and IGF-1, which all remained within physiological normal ranges, had no effect on overall muscle growth and strength gains.

That is, all subjects made gains in muscle, but the variations in the size of the hormone spikes among them had no bearing on the results.

The key takeaway here is not that you should take steroids, but that things you can do to naturally raise your testosterone levels are unlikely to affect your muscle growth.

And speaking of steroids, the above findings are in line with steroid research as well.

For instance, researchers at Maastricht University conducted an extensive review of literature related to the use of anabolic steroids and found that the muscle gains in people engaging in resistance training while on anabolic steroids mostly ranged between 2-5 kg (4.5-11 pounds) over the short term (less than 10 weeks). The largest amount of muscle growth researchers found was 7 kg (15.5 pounds) over 6 weeks of weightlifting while on steroids.

The point is this:

Even steroids don’t always dramatically increase the amount of muscle you can build (it depends what you take, in what dosages, and for how long), so what does that tell us about how fluctuations of testosterone in the normal physiological range relate to muscle growth?

As I talk about in my article on the best supplements for muscle growth, this is why buying natural testosterone boosters for muscle growth purposes is a complete waste of money. Even if they work (and most don’t), it’s just not going to help you build more muscle.

The only exception might be someone whose testosterone is at the absolute bottom of the physiologically normal range, or even below that, and who is then able to naturally increase it to the top of the range. That person would probably notice an improvement in muscle growth, not to mention overall well-being, libido, cognitive function, and so forth.

Now, I’m not saying that there’s no reason to do anything to naturally improve your testosterone levels. Improving muscle growth just isn’t on the list. Losing fat, however, is…
Testosterone Levels and Fat Loss

Unlike muscle growth, researchers at the Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science did find that fluctuations of testosterone within the physiological normal range had significant effects on body fat percentage.

The higher the testosterone levels, the leaner subjects were. And conversely, the lower the testosterone levels, the fatter they were. When researchers decreased certain subjects’ testosterone levels from the baseline average of 600 ng/dl to around 300 ng/dl, they saw a dramatic 36% increase in fat mass.

Although the exact mechanisms behind this aren’t fully understood just yet, research has show that testosterone directly inhibits the creation of fat cells and that low testosterone is a contributing factor to obesity.

Testosterone Booster

There’s no two ways about it, testosterone is one of the most important hormones we produce. Both men and women require this primary androgen, although men require about ten times as much. In any case, when levels fall we suffer, and if we desire to perform at a higher level, you bet, we need our total levels to increase. For this reason, many are often in search of a quality testosterone booster, but a quality testosterone booster is something that eludes many people. Let’s be clear right from the get go; there is only one absolute testosterone booster, but there are other things that can have a boosting effect. While there may indeed only be one true blue booster, the remaining items of notable worth will make a difference in more ways than one.
The Easy Testosterone Booster

To increase your total testosterone levels in the easiest way possible, all you have to do is lay your head down and go to sleep. When we rest, this is when our levels peak, and when we are denied rest or rather fall short our levels begin to decline and adverse stress hormones being to buildup. When you think about it, this shouldn’t come as a surprise, for when we rest this is when our body rejuvenates. As our body rejuvenates when we rest, this is the perfect time for testosterone levels to increase, as testosterone is essential to repair. You’ve heard the old saying “you grow when you rest” and much of this revolves around testosterone production. In many ways, sleep is nature’s ultimate testosterone booster, and to reap this reward you need to ensure you’re getting enough each and every night.
Food

It’s no secret, the food we eat plays a vital role in how we perform. You must provide your body enough calories to function, but calories aren’t enough; you must also provide the right kinds. While sleep is nature’s ultimate testosterone booster, nature also provides a boosting effect in many of the foods we eat; this can especially be seen when looking at the often neglected nutrient fat. Fat is an extremely anabolic nutrient, and in many ways plays a more vital role than proteins and carbs. No, not all fats will have a total positive effect, as there are five specific foods that have been shown to be excellent testosterone boosting foods. Such foods include:

    Lean Cuts of Red Meat
    Whole Eggs
    Salmon
    Nuts & Legumes
    Peanut Butter

With these foods in our diet, our testosterone levels will go up, but that’s not all they will do. These fat based foods will also greatly provide energy, as fat is the most stable energy source of all. Further, by its nature, fat itself is as said highly anabolic, and will significantly aid in both building and preserving lean tissue. When you stop and think about it for two seconds this makes sense; after all, anabolic steroids are fat based.
The True Blue Testosterone Booster

Specific foods and sleep, when it comes to what nature can provide, combined these two aspects represents nature’s best testosterone booster. However, all the sleep in the world coupled with a perfect diet will not come anywhere close to the true blue testosterone booster. What might this booster be you ask? What else but testosterone itself. We’re talking about the primary anabolic androgenic steroid testosterone, and while there are several pure testosterone forms, any will do. You can diet perfectly, you can train your tail off and ensure you’re sleeping perfectly, but you will still never receive the bump just a little exogenous testosterone can provide. Many will argue with this for reasons that make as much sense as saying two plus two equal’s potato, but you can’t argue with the truth. If you want to increase your testosterone levels, the best thing you can do is to give your body testosterone. If you are looking for a true blue testosterone booster your best choices will be:

    Testosterone-Cypionate
    Testosterone-Enanthate
    Testosterone-Propionate
    Testosterone-Suspension
    Sustanon-250
    Omnadren

Side-Effects of Testosterone

Of all the anabolic steroids available, for the healthy adult male there are very few as well-tolerated as testosterone. While this is true, there are possible side-effects of testosterone that can occur due to exogenous use. Fortunately, for the healthy adult male the side-effects of testosterone use are very controllable; in-fact, with responsible use there is no reason a healthy adult male should fall prey to a single one. For the man receiving testosterone replacement therapy, these side-effects will be of very little concern; after all, in his case he will only be replacing what is deficient. For the performance enhancer, this is where the game changes, as it will be supraphysiological doses that can open the door to problems. However, supraphysiological doses can be used very safely, but there is something important you need to keep in mind. As is with most anabolic steroids, there is a strong risk to reward ratio; the more you take, the greater the reward, but the more you take, the greater the risk. Let's discuss the possible side-effects of testosterone use.

Possible Side-Effects of Testosterone
When we supplement for testosterone in amounts that take us far beyond our average range, there are five possible side-effects that may occur. Again, we must emphasize the word 'possible' as this in no way implies guaranteed. Total dosing and more importantly individual response will dictate the total outcome more than anything else, but so will ones general overall lifestyle. In any case, the reason such effects may occur is largely due to the aromatase process, by-which testosterone converts to estrogen. Such effects include:

    Gynecomastia
    Excess Water Retention
    High Blood Pressure
    High LDL Cholesterol
    Low HDL Cholesterol

Combating the Possible Side-Effects of Testosterone

To combat the side-effects of testosterone there are a few things we can do. Most importantly is supplementing with an Aromatase Inhibitor (AI) such as Arimidex or Letrozole. AI's do exactly what their name implies, they inhibit the aromatase process, meaning, they inhibit the conversion to estrogen. Further, by their nature, AI's also reduce the total amount of estrogen in the body, thereby preventing what doesn't exist from causing a problem. In any case, AI's remain the primary line of defense.

Beyond AI's, and this will greatly protect your blood pressure and cholesterol levels, we're speaking of our overall diet. Eating foods that promote healthy levels and avoiding activity such as smoking and drinking that have a negative impact will greatly protect you. Avoiding heavy alcohol consumption and ensuring your diet is full of plenty Omega Fatty Acids will do wonders for you and greatly protect against the side-effects of testosterone.

There is further one more thing we must mention, and this revolves around excess water retention. As testosterone aromatizes, often it is blamed for the water retention gained, and absolutely, this can be a problem. However, with AI's it is easily controlled, but even with an AI water retention can still occur, but nine times out of ten it is for one simple reason. If you're supplementing with testosterone, supplementing with a quality AI yet still holding water, the odds are you're eating too many carbohydrates. If you eat more carbs than you need you're going to bloat, this doesn't mean the testosterone is the problem, it simply means you're overeating.

Guaranteed Side-Effects of Testosterone
There are two side-effects of testosterone use that are absolutely guaranteed in all men who supplement, and they are interconnected. When we supplement with anabolic steroids, even testosterone, our natural testosterone production will be suppressed. It does not matter how special you believe you are, it does not matter what your friend or some big guy at the gym told you; if you supplement your natural levels will fall. Of course, if you are supplementing with testosterone this is of little concern, as you are providing your body with what it needs.

As testosterone levels will be suppressed, as production occurs in the testicles and is no longer occurring your testicles will shrink. This does not mean they shrivel up and disappear, it simply means they lose some of their fullness, but there is good news. Once anabolic steroid use is discontinued and all the hormones have left your system natural testosterone production will begin again, and your testicles will return to their normal size.

The Truth
The truth is so simple it's almost scary. What you've been told your entire life regarding anabolic steroids, and in this case testosterone, in most cases it's all been a lie. Testosterone is one of the most beneficial hormones you'll ever supplement with, and through supplemental use can dramatically improve your life. While the side-effects of testosterone use are real, this is not a foreign substance to the body, it is not something your body will view as an enemy. Testosterone is welcomed by the body, and with responsible use the side-effects of testosterone can be kept at bay.

Low Testosterone Symptoms

If you’re a human being, and if you’re reading this it is assumed you are, then low testosterone may be a concern for you. In the U.S. alone more than 20million men suffer from low testosterone, and while women can suffer too it is men who most commonly fall prey to the problem. The low testosterone symptoms can be very easy to spot; however, as the often gradually occur many men become accustomed before they realize they have a problem. Fortunately, while this is a condition that is beyond bothersome there is a remedy for the problem, and it is quite simple. Such a remedy will not alter your life, it will not be inconvenient, and regardless of anything else it will greatly improve your overall quality of life.

The Low Testosterone Symptoms

There are several low testosterone symptoms that may point to you having a problem. In most cases, you will display at least two symptoms, and in most cases one of the sexually related will occur. As the problem is left ignored, other symptoms will begin to show, and each one will get worse the longer the problem is left unattended to. It is true, low testosterone symptoms are not life-threatening, but not only are they very problematic they can be an open door to many far more serious complications. The following chart displays the low testosterone symptoms, the gateway effects that can occur if the condition is ignored, as well as the possible severity of the initial low testosterone symptoms:


 

Low Testosterone Symptoms	Possible Severity	Gateway Effects
Loss of Libido	Severe	Diabetes
Erectile Dysfunction	Moderate to Severe	Osteoporosis
Loss of Muscle Mass	High Moderate	Alzheimer’s
Loss of Strength	Moderate to Severe	Anxiety
Increased Body-Fat	Moderate to Sever	High Cholesterol
Inability to lose Fat	Severe	Infertility
Loss of Energy	Severe	Polyuria
Loss of Concentration	Moderate	Constant Soreness & Aches
Depression	Moderate to Severe
Insomnia	Low to Moderate
Decreased Sense of Well-Being	Severe

  

   
Combating Low Testosterone Symptoms

There is only one thing on this earth that will combat the low testosterone symptoms, and that is testosterone. For some reason, by the manner in-which testosterone has been demonized in popular culture due to it being an anabolic steroid this surprises many people. This should not be a surprise; for example, if you’re hungry you need food, if you’re lacking in food the only thing that will fix it is more food. The same can be said of testosterone, if you’re lacking in testosterone the only thing you can do is provide your body more of the hormone. This isn’t brain surgery, although it’s often treated as such. In the U.S. to combat low testosterone symptoms there are many options regarding the type of testosterone therapy you receive. There is the most efficient injectable testosterone, topical solutions, implant pellets and even somewhat indirect measures through Aromatase Inhibitors (AI’s) and Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERM’s). AI’s and SERM’s work by stimulating the release of LH and FSH into the body, thereby stimulating natural testosterone production; they can work, but often they are not enough. There is also a peptide hormone, Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) that is sometimes used for early initial stimulation. In any case, to combat the low testosterone symptoms, we have listed all possible common measures, the type of measure or form, and its ability to remedy on a 1-10 scale:

Treatment	Form	Recovery Rating
Androderm	Topical Testosterone Patch	5
AndroGel	Topical Testosterone Gel	6
Arimidex	AI	4
Clomiphene Citrate (Clomid)	SERM	3
hCG	Peptide	5
Letrozole	AI	4
Tamoxifen Citrate (Nolvadex)	SERM	3
Testopel	Subcutaneous Implant Pellet	8-10
Sustanon 250	Injectable Testosterone	10
Testosterone-Cypionate	Injectable Testosterone	10
Testosterone-Enanthate	Injectable Testosterone	10
Testosterone-Propionate	Injectable Testosterone	10

Testosterone Replacement Therapy

“Testosterone Replacement Therapy” these words have become more common with every passing year but many still have no clue as to what testosterone replacement therapy really is. You’ve seen the commercials for “Low-T” and if you ask most men they sound great but many still have no clue “Low-T” is nothing more than testosterone replacement therapy and this therapy unknown to even more is nothing more than a legal prescription for anabolic steroids. That’s right, anabolic steroids; testosterone replacement therapy refers to a treatment in-which low levels of the naturally occurring hormone testosterone are brought back into an adequate range. To perform this function the anabolic steroid testosterone, a synthetic version of the hormone our body produces must be administered.

If you possess any understanding of the performance enhancing world, on its surface the idea of testosterone replacement therapy may bring you a sigh of relief but more than likely it probably irritates you at the same time. After all, for years we’ve been told anabolic steroids are brewed in the bowels of hell but if you receive testosterone replacement therapy this same hormone from which all anabolic steroids are derived from, now it’s a welcomed beacon of hope. Yes, you are correct; episodes of the Twilight Zone make far more sense than this confusing conundrum.

Let’s from this point on be clear and precise; these advertisements for “Low-T” treatment and things of this nature are nothing more than advertisements and promotions for anabolic steroids. When you inquire about testosterone replacement therapy understand you’re inquiring regarding anabolic steroids; let’s call a spade a spade. We are still a long way off from anabolic steroids being generally accepted by the whole of society but it is within testosterone replacement therapy this acceptance holds its most promising form. ,/p>

If you are still unfamiliar with testosterone replacement therapy the idea is very simple. Testosterone replacement therapy is simply providing the body the testosterone it needs in-which it no longer produces naturally. Further, this same therapy is many times provided to increase testosterone levels in men who may not have a decline per say but who naturally do not make enough testosterone. This is where things find themselves a little murky; there isn’t a set level of testosterone production that is considered “Natural,” for the amounts produced vary from person to person. Even so, the idea is sound and very well received by most all men who receive it.

There are those who desire to see testosterone replacement therapy thrown into the trash pile of life; why? We don’t have a good specific answer for you because they have yet to give one themselves. Men who receive testosterone replacement therapy enjoy a higher quality of life, they feel better, and they become sick far less often and are generally happier individuals. Why on earth anyone would ever want to legislate testosterone replacement therapy into the ground is beyond reason and comprehension.

SARM’s Comparison to testosterone

Currently used androgens for male hormone replacement therapy are typically injectable or skin delivery formulations of testosterone or testosterone esters. Injectable forms of testosterone esters (such as testosterone enanthate, propionate, or cypionate) produce undesirable fluctuations in testosterone blood levels, with overly high levels shortly after injection and overly low afterward. Skin patches do provide a better blood level profile of testosterone, but skin irritation and daily application still limit their usefulness.

SARMs provide the opportunity to design molecules that can be delivered orally, but that selectively target the androgen receptors in different tissues differently. The goal of research in this area is to allow a customized response: Tissues that are the target of the therapy will respond as they would to testosterone; other tissues where undesirable side-effects are produced will not.

None of the SARMs yet developed are truly selective for anabolic effects in muscle or bone tissues without producing any androgenic effects in tissues such as the prostate gland, however several non-steroidal androgens show a ratio of anabolic to androgenic effects of greater than 3:1 and up to as much as 10:1, compared to testosterone, which has a ratio of 1:1.

This suggests that, while SARMs are likely to show some virilizing effects when used at high doses (e.g., use by bodybuilders), at lower therapeutic doses they may well be effectively selective for anabolic effects, which will be important if SARMs are to have clinical application in the treatment of osteoporosis in women. One substantial advantage of even the first-generation SARMs developed to date is that they are all orally active without causing liver damage, whereas most anabolic steroids are not active orally and must be injected, and those anabolic steroids that are orally active tend to cause dose-dependent liver damage, which can become life-threatening with excessive use. Research is continuing into more potent and selective SARMs, as well as optimising characteristics such as oral bioavailability and increased half-life in vivo, and seeing as the first tissue-selective SARMs were only demonstrated in 2003, the compounds tested so far represent only the first generation of SARMs and future development may produce more selective agents compared to those available at present.

How to Raise Your Testosterone Naturally

Testosterone is more than just a term used by men to justify athletic prowess and manliness; it is the essential hormone in maintaining several aspects of men's health. Testosterone levels are associated with bone density, muscle strength and mass, sex drive and even fat distribution.

Testosterone peaks during adolescence. Conversely, medical authorities indicate testosterone levels begin to decline by about 1% a year after age 30. Many people, especially athletes, turn to synthetic forms of testosterone also known as anabolic steroids to combat age-related and deficient-levels of testosterone for ergogenic improvements. However, did you know there are ways to raise testosterone naturally without anabolic steroids? By making some adjustments in your life, you will be able combat decreasing testosterone.

Get Sufficient Sleep
Getting adequate sleep is one way to optimize healthy hormonal levels. Sleep deprivation can be dangerous to your health, and according to a study published in the June issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), men who slept less than five hours a night for one week experienced notably lower testosterone levels than when they were able to get a good night's rest  Eve Van Cauter, PhD, a professor of medicine and director of the study says 15% of the US population get less than five hours of sleep a night.

So, turn off the late night television and set a regular bed time. Sleeping for 7-8 hours is ideal. But if you are ruled by your busy schedule, try to make up for lost sleep with naps. Keep in mind, napping too late in the afternoon might affect your night's sleep.

Mediate Oestrogen Levels
That's right, oestrogen is also found in men. Aromatase is a synthase responsible for converting testosterone to oestrogen. Fortunately, zinc inhibits aromatase, reducing testosterone's conversion into oestrogen.

Groups at risk for zinc deficiency include vegetarians and those with gastrointestinal diseases. Healthy daily levels of zinc in adults range from 8mg - 40mg. Some people may consume more than this in a single day, and medical authorities warn excessive long term zinc consumption may result in abdominal cramps and nausea. Cruciferous vegetables such as cauliflower, cabbage and broccoli contain indoles. Indoles are clinically shown to regulate harmful oestrogen levels in the body. Eating said vegetables will not only raise testosterone but a study shows high cruciferous vegetable intake is associated with decreases in prostate cancer.

Lose Weight
There is a good chance that if you are overweight, you are crippling your testosterone production. Obese men are less likely to have normal free-testosterone concentrations.

Go Easy on the Sugar
Although found in many tasty foods, sugar can be detrimental to testosterone levels. One study perfectly illustrates sugar's negative effects: Researchers gave 74 men a sugary solution of 75g pure glucose. After ingestion, testosterone levels were measured in all test subjects. Researchers discovered, regardless of whether the men had diabetes or not, testosterone blood levels decreased as much as 25%. The study indicates insulin didn't seem to affect results, nor did other hormonal levels. If you must snack on something sugary, make it healthy. To fulfil that sugar craving, try adding 1 tablespoon peanut butter to celery sticks for under 5g carbohydrates. Or look for sugar-free confectionary.

Get Enough Vitamin D
Studies surrounding vitamin D reveal its testosterone boosting effects. One study published in 2011 shows, 83mcg vitamin D a day for a year resulted in an increase in total testosterone levels, compared to placebo. The sun offers the finest source of vitamin D, but it may be difficult to set apart some time to catch rays during the week. Eating foods richer in vitamin D will help. Such foods include salmon, tuna, milk, and orange juice. Vitamin D supplements may also help increase testosterone levels.

Exercise
Strength training increases testosterone levels. Testosterone levels were measured in both young (23 years) and elderly (63) test subjects prior to and after participating in resistance training during a 12-week study. According to the blood samples collected, testosterone levels increased in both groups, although the younger group experienced greater increases. Additionally, high testosterone levels and exercise synergistically affect muscle size.

Optimize your workouts by doing compound exercises. Compound exercises incorporate muscle fibres from various muscle groups. Exercises include dead lift, squat and bench press. Also lift heavier weight at lower reps so more force is placed on the muscles.

Manage Stress
There are several promising studies and hypothesis showing psychological stress may negatively affect testosterone. Though how and why stress affects testosterone is still being studied. Some claim higher stress-induced cortisol levels may be a reason, but this is subject for debate.

5 Testosterone Myths

Thanks to stories about doping athletes, the words "testosterone" or "anabolic steroids" create unsavoury associations. However, testosterone is a key hormone that has numerous important and beneficial functions in men. In fact, if it weren't for testosterone, all little boys would be born with a labia instead of a scrotum! In adults, testosterone is important for normal sexual function, sperm production, as well as muscle development and tone. In my work as a urologist at Men's Health Boston, I treat men with infertility (i.e., vasectomy reversal) and sexual problems. Many of these men are diagnosed with low levels of testosterone, or what I call "low T."

Low testosterone can also cause chronic fatigue, depression, and reduced muscular/athletic performance. Treatment with testosterone can improve erections and sex drive, restore muscle and reduce fat, and increase energy and motivation. I have written a book, Testosterone for Life (McGraw-Hill), to help men figure out if they have low testosterone, and if so, how best to obtain treatment. New evidence suggests that normal testosterone levels are important for reducing the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease, and men with normal levels live longer than men with low T. However, stories about cheating athletes and muscle-crazed bodybuilders have given testosterone a bad name, and have created a number of myths. Here are five of the most common testosterone myths.
1- Testosterone is an illegal drug
Nope; testosterone is a perfectly legal prescription medication. It is also a key hormone present in every man that is responsible for fetal development of the male genitalia, the physical changes that occur during male puberty, and that contributes to a variety of functions in the adult man including sperm production, erections, sex drive, muscle tone, and bone health, among others. Testosterone is only illegal when it's used without a physician’s prescription. However, many sports organisations have strict rules regarding substances such as testosterone that may influence athletic performance. Athletes who violate the rules of their sport are cheating, and lying about it to Congress may lead to prison time.
2- Testosterone is a steroid, and steroids are dangerous
Testosterone is a steroid, but that doesn’t make it dangerous. In fact, we’re all naturally loaded with various kinds of steroids. The word "steroid" simply refers to a molecule with a “backbone” of four rings of carbon —  examples include estrogen, progesterone, cortisol, and even cholesterol. Clearly, when an athlete tests positive for “steroids,” no one is concerned that he injected himself with cholesterol. In the sports world, the word “steroid” is shorthand for an “anabolic steroid hormone,” meaning steroids that specifically act to build muscle and bone, like testosterone. Whereas testosterone has been shown to be relatively safe, even at high concentrations, there is almost no information at all about the safety of the newer “designer” steroids produced to escape detection in drug testing.
3- Testosterone causes uncontrollable violent behaviour
There is absolutely no reliable evidence that testosterone causes “’roid rage” or any type of violent, aggressive or uncontrollable behaviour. No violence, aggression or unpredictable behaviour has been seen in studies where men were administered testosterone, even at extremely high doses. In fact, the opposite appears to be true; many men with low testosterone describe being more irritable, or having a short fuse, and this often improves with normalisation of testosterone levels. A recent patient treated with testosterone told me that his wife found him “unbearable” to be around before he was diagnosed with low T and subsequently treated; “I’m a nicer guy now,” he said.  
4- Testosterone causes prostate cancer
New evidence conclusively shows that men with higher levels of testosterone are at no greater risk of developing prostate cancer than men with low testosterone. Moreover, treating men with testosterone has not been shown to cause any increased risk of prostate cancer either. The basis for this myth originated from studies in the 1940s in which men with metastatic prostate cancer showed benefits when they were castrated. It appears that the only men at risk for prostate cancer growth with higher testosterone are men who have already been castrated. An exciting, but controversial, development is the use of testosterone to treat symptomatic men with low testosterone who have undergone prior therapy for prostate cancer (I have a special chapter on this in my book, Testosterone For Life).
5- Higher testosterone causes baldness
On average, men with male pattern baldness have the same testosterone levels as men with a full head of hair. Baldness seems to be genetically determined. The confusion arises because medicines like finasteride (Propecia) that block conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) can prevent or treat baldness. Since only very small amounts of DHT are needed by the scalp to do what the genes tell them to do (in this case, lose hair), men who are pre-destined to pull a Kojak will do so whether their testosterone concentrations are high or low.

The Duration of Sleep Affects the Level of Testosterone

If you want to improve body composition and hormonal regulation of take care of that, to get an adequate amount of sleep, and arrange to sleep.

Studies show that sleep duration and chronotype (a natural tendency to increase the level of energy in the mornings or evenings) significantly affect the level of testosterone levels and other related hormones in men. This in turn affects the metabolism of insulin, and body composition. Similar results, except for a slightly different hormonal response were detected in women.

A recent study found that men whose sleep up to their chronotype had higher testosterone levels than those whose sleep was not consistent with the natural inclinations. Subjects who were forced to go against their chronotype (for example, "owl" who had to get up early), showed a low level of testosterone. Therefore, you should listen to your chronotype and go to bed when you really want to. Also, try to avoid sudden changes in sleep for a week.

The duration of sleep affects the level of testosterone

Another study shows that a short or unnatural sleep affects all hormonal cascade that is why sleep is extremely important for body composition. Scientists have analyzed the effects of its restrictions on young healthy men. For five consecutive nights, subjects were allowed to sleep only four hours.

The results showed that only a few days of sleep managed slightly lower testosterone levels and significantly increase the average cortisol level throughout the day. The average cortisol level was higher by 15.5 per cent, and the associated adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), which also is a stress hormone, increased by 3.2 percent.

Moreover, due to deprivation of sleep disturbance was noted in the subjects blood glucose response after consuming breakfast and insulin level was higher by nearly 30 percent.

In addition, there were found some strange moments - was an increase in the level of leptin, a hormone that reduces the feeling of hunger, and low levels of triglycerides - in the long term, these effects are positive for the overall health. However, due to the fact that sleep deprivation causes complete dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary hormone that regulates levels, energy and hunger is likely more prolonged exposure to these biomarkers would have a detrimental effect.

It is also quite possible that the positive performance levels of leptin and triglyceride levels were the result of the fact that at the time of the study participants were allowed to consume food only under the regime and the only one that was issued. Other studies of sleep deprivation, during which the subjects were allowed to eat whatever they wanted, it was found that in the exhausted condition people often choose high fat foods with a high sugar content and thus consume about 300 calories more than usual.

So, if you want to improve your sleep and maintain good body composition, determine their chronotype and try to stick with it. Go to bed at the same time every night, and try not to change the sleep for a week, if possible. 

The Physiological Role of Testosterone in the Male Body.

The problem of declining fertility and potency particularly acute rises in our society today, because people are very intense hard life full of stress, the effects of environmental factors, it is all happening against the background of malnutrition, bad habits and physical inactivity. We can not ignore the effects of this for the sole reason that they accumulate slowly, silently creeping gradually deteriorating health.

Back in the mid-19th century, Charles Brown, Sekar, the great French scientist, he observed himself not only an increase in potency at the age of 75 years, but the telltale signs of a significant rejuvenation of the organism as a whole, it has emerged that after injecting extracts from the testes of monkeys. It was the beginning of a close examination of sex hormones in science, today it is these effects of testosterone are the subject of attention of gerontologists concerned with the problem of active longevity extension of humanity.

Science has long known about the hierarchy of the regulatory systems of the body: any disruption in the body begins with the brain: on the bark or the hypothalamic-pituitary region. The above mentioned negative factors directly affect the higher echelons of regulation.

Hence the limitation of any hormone replacement therapy: it makes an artificial shortage of substances and do not address the root cause of the problem occurred. A failure by reducing the potency and fertility begins with pituitary region: reduced secretion of luteinizing hormone, which controls the production of testosterone by the testes. Meanwhile, testosterone acts on the whole organism.

Let us examine the physiological role of testosterone.
Male sex hormones (androgens) to have a biological effect on almost all body tissues, initiating the processes of synthesis and construction. That is all androgens, including testosterone, is an anabolic hormone.

Thus, the main effects of testosterone are:
-Stimulation of genital organs and central nervous structures (the hypothalamus and pituitary glands) of male pattern;
-Stimulation of body hair distribution of male pattern;
-Stimulation of linear growth of the body, stimulating muscle development, the development of the larynx and thickening of the vocal cords;
-Stimulation of red blood cell formation and distribution of adipose tissue in male pattern;
-Stimulation of the formation of sperm cells with FSH and LH (pituitary) the entire process of sperm formation takes about 74 days, after which the sperm is transported through the epididymis to the urethra close within 12-21 days;
-To establish the male psyche and sexuality.


The secretion of testosterone is not constant, but occasionally, that is the cause of significant fluctuations in its level in the blood. Maximum secretion occurs between 2:00 and 6:00 o'clock in the morning, and the minimum - at about 13:00. In the body there are only 2% of circulating free testosterone. About 68% of testosterone are associated with the transport of blood protein albumin, and another 30% - with a specific binding globulin sex hormones.

In the peripheral tissues by the enzyme testosterone 5-alpha-reductase is converted to its active metabolite most - dihydrotestosterone.

Decomposes testosterone in the liver and through urine and bile excreted.
The normal level of testosterone in healthy men in the first half of the day is 12-40 nmol / l.

The testosterone level less than 10nmol / l probably testifies for the deficiency of the hormone. Border data (between 10-12 nmol / l) requires clarification and further examination.

Together with the definition of the level of free testosterone is usually necessary to determine the level of binding globulin sex hormones (SHBG).

The decision to undergo a course of anabolic steroids - it is always a very important decision. Absolute contraindications to the use of steroids are prostate cancer and breast cancer. This is due to the fact that these tumors are generally hormone-dependent, i.e., arising due to hormone imbalance in the body, and their high performance. Steroid use in such cases leads to a sharp deterioration and prognosis.

What is the role of testosterone in men’s health ?

Testosterone is the most important sex hormone that men have. It is responsible for the typical male characteristics, such as facial, pubic, and body hair as well as muscle. This hormone also helps maintain sex drive, sperm production, and bone health. The brain and pituitary gland (a small gland at the base of the brain) control the production of testosterone by the testes. In the short term, low testosterone (also called hypogonadism) can cause
•     A drop in sex drive
•     Poor erections
•     Low sperm count
•     Enlarged breasts

What causes low testosterone?
Low testosterone can result from
•     Testicular injury (trauma, castration) or infection
•     Radiation or chemotherapy treatment for cancer
•     Some medications, such as opiate painkillers
•     Hormone disorders (pituitary tumors or diseases, high levels of prolactin)
•     Chronic diseases, such as liver and kidney disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and HIV/AIDS
•     A genetic condition (Klinefelter syndrome, hemochromatosis, Kallmann syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, myatonic dystrophy)

How is low testosterone treated?
Testosterone replacement therapy can improve sexual interest, erections, mood and energy, body hair growth, bone density, and muscle mass. There are several ways to replace testosterone:
•     Gel or patches that you put on your skin
•     Anabolic Steroids Injections (shots)
•     Tablets that stick to the gums
•     Pellets inserted under the skin or pills (in some countries outside the United States)
The best method will depend on your preference and tolerance, and the cost.
There are risks with long-term use of testosterone. The most serious possible risk is prostate cancer. African American men, men over 40 years of age who have close relatives with prostate cancer, and all men over 50 years of age need monitoring for prostate cancer during testosterone treatment. Men with known or suspected prostate cancer, or with breast cancer, should not receive testosterone treatment.

Other possible risks of testosterone treatment include
•     A high red blood cell count
•     Acne
•     Breast enlargement
•     An increase in prostate enlargement
•     Sleep apnea—the occasional stopping of breathing during sleep (rarely)
•     Fluid buildup (edema) in ankles, feet and legs (rarely)

Low Testosterone Treatment

Determining if you have Low Testosterone:

If you suffer from low testosterone, the first step is examining the general low testosterone symptoms listed above. You do not have to suffer from the entire list; if left ignored you more than likely will at some point but initially most physicians will want to examine you if you show two or more. Most commonly one of the two will be sexually related; erectile dysfunction or decreased libido plus another from the list; in any case, to determine your condition blood work will need to be done, and your testosterone levels will be checked via this route. In truth, if you suffer from any of the low testosterone symptoms, especially those of a sexually related nature the odds are strong you suffer from low testosterone but the blood work is still necessary to make an absolute determination.

Low Testosterone Treatment:

There are several options available to treat low testosterone. Some physicians will begin by prescribing SERM's or AI's that greatly stimulate the release of Luteinizing Hormones (LH) and Follicle Stimulating Hormones (FSH). Both LH and FSH, two pituitary derived hormones, are essential to testosterone production with a strong emphasis on LH. Without LH and FSH, there is no testosterone. If it is determined that your LH levels are low there is a chance your doctor may take the SERM or AI route, but in most cases this will be inefficient.

There is truly only one definite way to treat low testosterone, and that is with anabolic steroids; specifically the anabolic steroid testosterone. While this may surprise you it shouldn't; after all, if you're deficient in testosterone it only makes sense to give your body what it needs. The reason many physicians take alternate routes to begin with is due to a misplaced fear revolving around anabolic steroids. Most general practitioners know very little about anabolic steroids, as until recent years it has been something that was rarely discussed in medical school, but times are changing. You've seen the commercials talking about "Low-T" and treatment of the condition. Low-T refers to low testosterone, and the treatment they're speaking of is the anabolic steroid testosterone. To get the best help you can get, you are encouraged to seek out hormone specialist such as an endocrinologist but the best option of all is seeking out a Hormone Replacement Clinic (HRT). HRT clinics specialize in conditions of this nature, and you will get the best advice and treatment.

To treat your low testosterone symptoms most effectively, as mentioned you're going to need testosterone. Most commonly you have four options for treatment of this nature:

    Transdermal Patches (AndroDerm)
    Transdermal Gels (AndroGel)
    Subcutaneous Implant Pellets (Testopel)
    Injectable Testosterone

Of the four forms, we have listed them in order of effectiveness and efficiency in treating a low testosterone condition. All four forms may work, but in many cases, only the last two will do with the final injectable testosterone method being absolutely assured.

    Transdermal Patches: A patch you place directly on your skin that absorbs testosterone into the body. This is the mildest form of treatment and will not fully recover most men. Many men may also find the patch leaves skin irritation behind.
    Transdermal Gels: You simply massage the gel onto your skin; generally on the shoulders or upper-arms. Slightly more effective than transdermal patches, transdermal gels can be extremely irritating to the skin leaving rashes and even burns.
    Subcutaneous Implant Pellets: Rapidly becoming one of the more popular low testosterone treatments, subcutaneous implant pellets are small rice sized pellets comprised of pure testosterone. The pellet is placed under the skin, generally in the upper thigh/hip region and the needed hormone is absorbed into the body. This is a fast and relatively painless procedure that only takes a few moments and can be enough treatment to last the individual as long as 6 months.
    Injectable Testosterone: The only absolutely guaranteed remedy for low testosterone. Injectable testosterone is simply that; pure testosterone that is injected directly into the body, absorbed and used immediately. In most cases, application will be required once every week to once every 2 weeks depending on the specific injectable testosterone form used and the desired dosing prescribed by your doctor. Although injections may seem like a pain, when done properly they are painless and take only a few seconds.

Enjoying Sexual Life As You Age

“Catch the moment, otherwise you lose it”- this old saying may be refereed to most old people no matter about what the talk is: wisdom, power, body flexibility, or ability to lead sexual life. Regular exercises, diets, ability to fight stress are important for healthy aging and not only for youth. Good health and sex help men to be sexually active at 70 – 80 years and help women for the rest of their lives.

What should you do in youth in order to enjoy sexual life in older age? See next tips.

Do not make breaks
In case you turned your attention to sports or job which gradually prevented you from sex, testosterone production reduces and gradually disappears desire to make sex. After some time you would go to the bed only to have a sleep. This may affect shy young males who spend much time in the Internet instead of living real life. Also to this risk group belong males aged 30 who are occupied with their professional life and divorced males over 40.

Many males know what necessary continence is - army, business trips, quarrels with girlfriend interrupt sex life for some time. However, if you had a break lasting more than three months then it would take more time to restore your sexual function. Males with strong sexual constitution can hardly keep from sex and their body restores quickly after continence. And males with weak sexual constitution may easily keep from sex but their body restores hardly after continence.

If break in sex is inevitable, doctors recommend at this time to buy adult magazines and take the issue in your own hands minimum once a week.

Treat your diseases
Here the talk is not about prostatitis or syphilis. Here we talk about inflammatory diseases which are not connected directly with sex but affect it greatly. It is impossible to make sex with high blood pressure, headache, or stomach pains. So you understand what we mean.

Do not try to get half women of the planet in your bed
Everyone has its microbes. When you have permanent partner, your microbes get used to each other ones. New partner – new microbes, and when you frequently change partners your body weakens.

Never forget about foreplay
In youth it is enough to see a beautiful girl to get excited. With age male begins to appreciate in a female absolutely different things such as temperament and sexual activity.

A study, in which participated 100 impotent males, showed that they never started sexual intercourse with foreplay, as a result in women vagina was produced a substance called neuropeptide which caused male impotence.