Gaining muscle is hard work; especially when your body is working against you. Unfortunately, this is the sad truth for many men; especially after you pass the magic 30 marker.
Why is this? In a word; testosterone.
Chemical structure of testosterone
From the age of 30 your body will produce less testosterone; this appears to be a natural by-product of aging.[1]
Increased levels of fat are one reason why testosterone levels drop as fat encourages the production of estrogen; this hormone is in fact made from testosterone!
As testosterone plays such an important part of the male body it would seem logical to replace the testosterone in your body.
There are two ways in which you can achieve this; via testosterone boosters or through Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT).
Steroids should not be considered an option. They put an artificial equivalent of a natural hormone into your body and can have serious side effects.[2]
The role of testosterone in the body
Testosterone is vital for your ongoing health.
To understand its importance you can reflect upon the classic symptoms displayed when your levels are low:
Muscle loss: this can be a particular issue when you are trying to improve your strength. You may simply think you have reached a plateau in your workouts.
Low sex drive: If you are struggling to find the desire for sex then it might not be your partner at fault; low testosterone has been linked with a reduction in your sex drive. [3]
Fatigue: Feeling tired all the time? This is likely to be a result of low testosterone levels.
Depression: The exact science is not fully understood but there has been a link established between low testosterone levels and the likelihood of feeling depressed. [4]
Memory issues: There are several factors which influence your inability to recall what you ate for dinner yesterday. Reduced levels of testosterone have been shown to affect your ability to recall information. [5]
Bone weakness: This is not usually a visible issue. However, low testosterone prevents the bones continuing to develop and increases your chances of suffering from osteoporosis. Just as muscle ass declines so does bone mass. Unfortunately you may not realize until you break your bone from a simple fall.
What is a testosterone booster?
Scientifically proven natural ingredients will support optimal levels of T
There are clear differences between a testosterone booster and TRT; although both profess to increase the levels of testosterone in your body.
An effective test booster will contain D-Aspartic acid, Ginseng and vitamin D3; amongst other nutrients. These ingredients are naturally sourced and work with your body to help it produce more testosterone itself.
A testosterone booster does not simply add testosterone to your body; it focuses on providing the right ingredients to ensure your body can produce more of this essential hormone.
You can purchase test boosters over the counter or online. There are many companies fighting for your business which is why it is essential to choose a product which has all the key ingredients.
Advantages
Boosting testosterone will reverse the side effects described above.
You will find that you have more energy, a better sex drive and, perhaps most importantly, your workouts will have more effect; your bone and muscle mass will grow.
But, these are not the only advantages when taking a natural test booster:
Improved Health
The test booster will, unsurprisingly, boost your body’s ability to create testosterone. It works in conjunction with your body; assisting it.
The positive side effect of this is that your fat levels will decrease and your body will start to work more efficiently and effectively. Over the long term you will see a variety of health benefits; including less risk of an array of chronic diseases, such as coronary heart issues and diabetes.
Convenience
As mentioned, you can order test boosters online or purchase them in your local health food store. There is no need to consult your doctor before you start taking them.
Once you have them you take a pill, just as you would any other supplement; it is very easy, safe and effective!
Concentration
Low testosterone levels have been linked with a reduced ability to concentrate for extended periods of time. Taking a natural testosterone booster has been shown to reverse this effect and actually improve your concentration. [6]
When you combine this with the additional energy gains there will be nothing you cannot achieve, even packing on that extra lean muscle.
Disadvantages
Of course, there are disadvantages when using any testosterone booster; these include the fact that your natural testosterone production will have a limit.
The test boosters can restore you to that optimal level of production but not past it.
However, this is sufficient for most men to see all the positive effects; including improved muscle mass.
Other disadvantages include:
Skin issues
In some cases T-boosters can make your skin more oily and prone to spots; it’s like returning to adolescence!
Muscle Growth
T-Boosters will help you to build your muscle rapidly. But, your body needs time to build the supporting structures; specifically ligaments and tendons. With a balanced muscle program this should not be an issue; providing you don’t assume you will experience massive muscle growth overnight.
Overdoing It
It is possible to take to produce more testosterone than you body needs; this can lead to aggression or mood swings. If this is happening to you, reduce your intake of T-Boosters immediately.
It may be worth having a test to ascertain your actual testosterone levels.
What is TRT?
The long term effects of TRT are still unknown.
The alternative to the natural T-Boosters is to see the doctor and have TRT. This is a process which must be approved by a doctor.
Instead of assisting the body to produce more testosterone, this method simply increases the level of testosterone in your body by adding it via an injection, mouth patch, skin patch or even a gel.
The idea is to ensure a continual supply of testosterone is available to the body. Of course, the synthetic substance produced is not an exact match for the hormone your body produces.
Advantages
The advantages of TRT are those similar to those achieved when using T-Boosters.
This is because both products boost the level of testosterone in your body; providing you with increased energy, sex drive and muscle growth.
Disadvantages
Unfortunately, there are a range of disadvantages associated with using TRT.
In fact, studies are still being conducted regarding the long term effects of TRT’s, so this list could be substantially expanded in the future.[7]
Current known issues include:
Cost
If you need to pay for TRT yourself you will quickly realize it is expensive. Costs vary but an average of $395 per month should be expected.
The fact that you will need to rely on this treatment for the rest of your life will illustrate just how much you could need to spend.
Unnatural
TRT places an unnatural substance into your body. As mentioned, clinical trials are still ongoing regarding the long term effects of TRT.
Adding a synthetic product to your body on a daily basis is likely to lead to long term issues; the problem is that these are not yet known; making you the guinea pig!
Skin Complaints
This is the same issue you face when using T-Boosters. Too much testosterone in your body can lead to oily skin and spots. TRT patients have also reported rashes and itchy skin.
Coronary Issues
Boosting your testosterone levels naturally should decrease your chance of coronary disease later in life. However, using TRT’s does not have the same effect.
The latest research suggests that TRT will increase the risk of a heart attack or even a stroke; because it is a synthetic chemical and not a natural hormone.
It is also known that TRT can make an existing condition, such as congestive heart failure, worse.
Prostate Hypertrophy
Testosterone Replacement Therapy has also been linked with increased rates of prostate cancer. The synthetic substance seems to promote growth of existing cancerous cells. IF you are considering TRT you must have your prostate checked first.
Blood Clots
TRT has been linked with blood clots; in fact the FDA has made it a requirement that all TRT products have a warning about this side effect.
Blood clots can be extremely serious as they can cut off the blood flow to parts of your body; including your heart. The result if this occurs is often death.
Summary
Boosting your levels of testosterone is important to your quality of life as you age.
It will make you feel fitter, allowing you to build lean muscle and ensure you are healthier for the future.
However, this should only be done with testosterone boosters.
These natural products work in harmony with your body and force you to produce more testosterone.
While there are a small number of disadvantages to test boosters, the advantages far outweigh these; and they do not come with all the dangerous side effects that TRT does.
A good quality T-Booster will be beneficial to your health and can be easily incorporated into your lifestyle; the improvement in muscle can almost be seen as a bonus!
Updated! The 5 Most Effective Testosterone Boosters in 2023
Find out for yourself the top 5 natural T-boosters currently available on the market right now.
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