Many of us go through life misunderstanding our bodies. We feel irritable. We are constantly tired. We become bald. We age and fall from grace. We accept this as a normal part of the journey of life.
BUT.
There are botanicals that have been used to empower our ancestors for centuries. Botanicals that now through science can be investigated and used to support our health. Particularly in regards to managing the levels of vital health related hormones such as: Testosterone.
What is Testosterone and why does it matter?
Testosterone is an androgen (fancy way of saying sex hormone) produced in both men and women. It is classed as one of the sex hormones as it is predominantly produced in our reproductive organs - the testes of men and ovaries of women - and often facilitates the defining characteristics for each sex.
Testosterone is the more dominant and necessary androgen in men, maintaining:
- Male Reproductive Organs
- A sense of well being
- Muscle Mass
- Bone Density
- Erythrocyte Count (Red blood cells that carry oxygen to tissues)
How do you know if you have low testosterone?
Low Testosterone for adults is anything below 250 to 300 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dl). This could be considered male hypogonadism.
Low Testosterone signs include (*1)
- Changes to your emotional stability
- Decreased Muscle Mass
- Decreased bone density
- Difficulty with your reproductive organs
- Fatigue (despite plenty sleep)
- Hair Loss
- Hot Flashes
- Increased body fat
- Low Libido
- Lower blood Count (i.e. Anemia)
What do you do if you have low testosterone?
The signs mentioned above are not sufficient in and of itself to diagnose anybody with a hormonal disorder, but if you do find yourself with some or many of these symptoms, it is essential that you bring it up with your doctor. A proper diagnosis often requires blood tests and a thorough evaluation.
Pharmaceuticals like testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) work well, particularly in severe cases when low testosterone levels impacts the quality of your life. These, however, should only be pursued under medical supervision due to potential side effects. The role of natural remedies is more for daily self - management, improvement over time, and would also be best discussed with a medical professional before consumption.
Two quick notes:
- One could create a longer list as there are many herbs traditionally known to boost men's health. Scientific evidence supporting natural products, however, is limited.
- Some teas might not be... as palatable as you would prefer. Nevertheless you're going to have to find ways to get it in your system. In such cases, the ideal way would be ingestion via capsules.
Alternatives ways would be mixing your botanical with better tasting treats. For instance, what I do is mix a powdered version of the herb with a baobab pre-biotic that is OUTSTANDING for gut health and overtakes the taste... mostly.
