Someone might have told you to take testosterone boosters if you suffer from low testosterone.
But it might not be clear how they can help you. Also, you might be unsure whether they’ll eliminate the side effects of low T.
I spent hours researching studies and science-backed sources to help you find the answer and it turns out that boosters can do much more than just increase testosterone levels.
Discover the most important findings below.
Quick Summary
- Testosterone boosters naturally increase testosterone levels by boosting the body with the required minerals and vitamins for testosterone production.
- Some benefits attributed to testosterone boosters are improved libido, sperm quality, increased facial hair, and increased muscle mass.
- The common ingredients found in testosterone boosters are fenugreek, D-aspartic acid, and Asian ginseng.
What Do Testosterone Boosters Do?
Testosterone boosters increase testosterone levels naturally, i.e., by equipping your body with the essential vitamins and minerals for testosterone production.
As opposed to testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), boosters don’t contain testosterone [1].
What’s more, TRT can only be prescribed to you by a doctor, while boosters can be bought without a prescription.
In this article, we’ll focus only on boosters.
Besides boosting your T, boosters will also increase [2]:
- Libido (sex drive)
- Sperm production
- Sperm quality
- Muscle mass
- Facial hair growth
Boosters are recommended for those who suffer from low testosterone, as low testosterone may decrease the quality of sex life and cause hair loss. They can even lead to male infertility and erectile dysfunction [3].
T-Boosters can allegedly improve all these aspects, but maybe you’re wondering if testosterone boosters really work.
Here’s what an expert had to say [4]:
"I have seen them work for people (...) who combine that with a good diet and exercise and have noticed a change in their physique, their energy, their mood, and the sort of things that testosterone would naturally help."
- Dr. Sohere Roked, GP & Hormonal Therapy Expert at Omniya London
So, testosterone boosters can work, especially if you do your due diligence before choosing a supplement.
You should research it and find out whether the company behind it has any proof for its claims that its product can stimulate testosterone production.
Also, you should combine boosters with other testosterone-boosting habits and foods for the best results. For example, you could combine them with strength training and magnesium-rich foods. But I’ll give you even more ideas on what to do and eat to boost your T below.
Common Ingredients In Testosterone Boosting Supplements
Here are some of the most common ingredients found in testosterone supplements:
D-Aspartic Acid: Studies have shown that this amino acid can enhance testosterone levels in male animals [5].
However, human studies produced inconsistent results. More clinical trials are needed to conclude whether or not D-aspartic acid can boost low T. Still, you might want to give it a go.
Fenugreek: Fenugreek is an herb that might stimulate testosterone production. For example, one study found that taking 500 mg of fenugreek supplement over 12 weeks boosted testosterone levels by 44% [6]. That’s an incredible finding.
However, I should note that some other studies found fenugreek ineffective in raising low testosterone [7]. So, set your expectations accordingly.
Asian Ginseng: Ginseng’s been traditionally used in China and the Far East to improve sexual function in males, and science seems to confirm its positive effects on low testosterone. For example, one study found that ginseng intake skyrocketed testosterone levels in young women [8].
Other studies found that ginseng can help preserve sperm, increase libido, boost sperm production and quality, and treat erectile dysfunction [9]. However, they were conducted on animals and may not be applicable to humans.
The most effective boosters will contain these ingredients, along with zinc and vitamin D [11].
Potential Health Risks And Side Effects
Some common side effects of testosterone boosters include [12]:
- Skin problems (e.g., acne)
- Hair loss
- Prostate issues
- Mood swings
- Decreased kidney and liver function
But, in general, testosterone boosters are safe as long as you take them in prescribed amounts.
On top of that, you could take other preventive measures to ensure that your chosen supplement is healthy.
For one, you could choose only the supplements approved by your doctor or the FDA.
Secondly, you should avoid supplements that contain unhealthy ingredients. You can find out which ingredients are used in supplements by checking and reading their labels.
If a manufacturer doesn’t disclose the complete list of ingredients and the individual doses, that might be a red flag.
So, I suggest you stray away from supplements that don’t have a transparent list of ingredients and opt for those that do.
Other Ways to Boost Testosterone
If you have only slightly lowered T, you may try to boost it without using supplements. For a more severe deficiency, I suggest combining these habits and foods with boosters.
Here’s what to try to increase your T in the most natural way possible:
- Regular exercise: Studies show that men who exercise have higher T levels. Specific forms of training, such as resistance training and HIIT, seem to be especially effective in boosting low T.
- Testosterone-boosting foods: Egg yolks, fish, red meat, beans, and legumes are just some of the foods that have been linked with increased testosterone production.
- Testosterone-boosting music: Some studies have linked testosterone levels with musical preferences. For example, men with higher T prefer rock and heavy metal music. But it seems that the right music can also boost our T levels. It increases dopamine and decreases cortisol, a stress hormone that kills testosterone.
- Vitamin D: Vitamin D deficiency may cause low T. So, try to get out in the sun more, eat more foods rich in it, or consider taking a vitamin D multivitamin supplement.
Should You Take A Testosterone Booster?
If you want to boost testosterone, booster products might be the best way to do so.
For maximum results, combine boosters with testosterone-boosting foods and habits, and, of course, research the supplements you’re considering before spending your hard-earned money.
If you are looking to take the next step and raise your testosterone levels naturally, take a look at these highly recommended testosterone boosters.
References:
- https://lowtcenter.com/news-article/trt-vs-t-boosters/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5870326/
- https://www.webmd.com/erectile-dysfunction/erectile-dysfunction
- https://www.menshealth.com/uk/health/a759233/testosterone-boosters-complete-guide/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28280794/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5278660/
- https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol2/iss1/13/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7352699/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3861174/
- https://totalshape.com/supplements/how-do-testosterone-boosters-work/
- https://totalshape.com/supplements/testosterone-boosters-side-effects/
- https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/testosterone-supplements-linked-cardiovascular-problems-201412092316
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