Testosterone


MaxLiving Perspective

Incorporating 5 Essentials™

Testosterone is a sex hormone primarily associated with males.(1) Even though women have small amounts, testosterone’s main function is to support bone and muscle development, produce male characteristics, like a deep voice and facial hair, and produce sperm.(1) However, testosterone may also affect mood, mental health, cardiovascular functions, and the perception of pain.(2) 

Studies show that about 13.8 million men over 45 have low testosterone.(3) Signs and symptoms of low testosterone include: reduced sexual desire, sleep disturbances, reduced muscle strength, increased body fat, low energy, and emotional changes such as depression.(1) 

Although testosterone production naturally declines with age, males can take a proactive approach to optimizing testosterone levels with these dietary and lifestyle modifications.(1)
Core Chiropractic

Core Chiropractic

  • Get a chiropractic exam. Chiropractors can remove interferences in the central nervous system that may be causing inflammation that affects hormone balance.(4)
Nutrition

Nutrition

  • Consume a diet rich in magnesium. Because both magnesium and testosterone support bone and muscle development, men who increase their magnesium intake have been tested to have higher testosterone levels.(5) Someoptions for foods containing magnesium are spinach, avocados, and almonds.(6)

  • Get more vitamin D, which has been shown to increase testosterone levels in men.(7) You only need five to 15 minutes of sunlight exposure on your skin, two to three times a week, for your body to produce adequate amounts of vitamin D.(8) Or, eat more wild-caught, fresh water fatty fish, such as salmon, to get more vitamin D (but these are not the best sources, natural sunlight is).(8)

  • Avoid soy and soy products. Plant isoflavones, called phytoestrogens, mostly found in soy, act like estrogen in the body.(9) High estrogen levels lower testosterone levels in men.(10)

  • Include ginger in your diet. Ginger is an antioxidant and can increase male hormone activities, like the production of testosterone.(11,12) Include ginger as a spice in food, make as a tea, or add to a smoothie.(13)

  • Make sure to get enough zinc. Zinc may play a role in regulating the production of testosterone.(14) Include high zinc foods in your diet, such as organic grass-fed beef, chickpeas, and cashews.(15)

Mindset

Mindset

  • Get 7 - 9 hours of sleep per night.(16) One study found that testosterone levels significantly decreased after sleep deprivation.(17)

Oxygen and Exercise

Oxygen & Exercise

  • Perform high-intensity interval training (HIIT). HIIT has you perform very intense exercise, like sprints, for a short duration, only about 30 seconds, then rest, and repeat. HIIT has been shown to increase testosterone levels more in men than normal endurance exercise.(18) High intensity exercise also stimulates the release of human growth hormone (hGH0), which promotes the secretion of testosterone.(19,20)

    Please consult with your healthcare practitioner before starting any exercise program.

Minimize Toxins

Minimize Toxins

  • Don’t smoke or drink alcohol. Smoking appears to influence free testosterone levels by changing levels of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG).(21)  Because SHBG is produced in the liver, this may be why many individuals with metabolic syndrome diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, have low testosterone levels.(22) Alcohol (especially in excess amounts) can rapidly lower testosterone levels.(23)

  • Use plastic and personal care products free of toxic chemicals, especially endocrine disruptors, like phthalates. Phthalate, found in PVC plastics and personal care items, may block the effects of testosterone.(24)

Minimize Toxins

Tests

  • If you have concerns about your testosterone levels, please consult with your healthcare practitioner about performing the proper blood tests.

Minimize Toxins

Nutrient Support*

Talk to your healthcare practitioner about including these and/or any other nutraceuticals in your dietary practices.

Testosterone Health Nutraceutical Recommendations

Nutraceutical

Max Vitality

DHEA 25mg

Instructions for Use

2 capsules daily

1 capsule daily

Daily Essentials for Men

Contains

Two (2) capsules of Men's Multivitamin

One (1) capsule of Vitamin D3 + Probiotics

One (1) capsule of B-Complex with Delayed Release

Two (2) softgels of Optimal Omega

Two (2) capsules of Magnesium Glycinate

Instructions for Use



One packet daily with a meal.



Testosterone Bundle

Daily Essentials for Men

Never modify any medications or other medical advice without your healthcare practitioner’s support.

*For optimal results, we recommend you perform a metabolic analysis profile test, which tests for key biomarkers that identify nutritional deficiencies, toxicities, bacterial overgrowth, and drug effects. Talk with your MaxLiving Chiropractor about the Metabolix Program to get tested and be able to obtain a more customized health plan.

References

1. Fletcher, J. What are the symptoms of low testosterone? Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322647.php. Updated August 1, 2018. Accessed May 7, 2019. 

2. Tyagi V, Scordo M, Yoon RS, Liporace FA, Greene LW. Revisiting the role of testosterone: Are we missing something? Rev Urol. 2017;19(1):16–24. doi:10.3909/riu0716 

3. Mulligan T, Frick MF, Zuraw QC, Stemhagen A, McWhirter C. Prevalence of hypogonadism in males aged at least 45 years: the HIM study. Int J Clin Prac. 2006;60:762-69. 

4. Hardy K, Pollard H. The organisation of the stress response, and its relevance to chiropractors: a commentary. Chiropr Osteopat. 2006;14:25. doi:10.1186/1746-1340-14-25 

5. Cinar V, Polat Y, Baltaci AK, et al. Effects of magnesium supplementation on testosterone levels of athletes and sedentary subjects at rest and after exhaustion. Biological Trace Element Research. 2011;140(1):18-23. doi: 10.1007/s12011-010-8676-3 

6. Goldman R. Ten foods high in magnesium. Medical News Today. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-foods-high-in-magnesium. Updated July 26, 2017. Accessed May 7, 2019. 

7. Pilz S, Frisch S, Koertke H, et al. Effect on vitamin D supplementation on testosterone levels in men. Hormone and Metabolic Research. 2011;43(3):223-5. Doi: 10.1055/s-0030-1269854. 

8. Holick MF. Vitmain D and Bone Health. J Nutr. 1996;126(suppl_4)1159S–1164S. 

9. Barnes S. The Biochemistry, Chemistry and Physiology of the Isoflavones in Soybeans and their Food Products. Lymphat Res Biol. 2010;8(1):89-98. 

10. El-Sakka AI. Impact of the association between elevated oestradiol and low testosterone levels on erectile dysfunction severity. Asian J Androl. 2013;15(4):492–496. 

11. Ghlissi Z, Atheymen R, Boujbiha MA, et al. Antioxidant and androgenic effects of dietary ginger on reproductive function of male diabetic rats. International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition. 2013;64(8):974-8. doi: 10.3109/09637486.2013.812618. 

12. Mareš A, Najam WS. The effect of Ginger on semen parameters and serum FSH, LH & testosterone of infertile men. Tikrit Medl J. 2012;18(2):322-329. 

13. Ware M. Ginger: Health benefits and dietary tips. Medical News Today. Updated September 11, 2017. Accessed May 7, 2019. 

14. Wallace AM, Grant JK. Effect of Zinc on Androgen Metabolism in the Human Hyperplastic Prostate. Biochem Soc Trans. 1975;3:540-542. 

15. West H. The 10 Best Foods That Are High in Zinc. Healthline. Published April 19, 2018. Accessed May 7, 2019. 

16. Hirshkowitz M, Whiton K, Albert S, et al. National Sleep Foundation’s sleep time duration recommendations: methodology and results summary. ScienceDirect. 2015;1(1):40-43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleh.2014.12.010 

17. Leproult R, Van Cauter E. Effect of 1 week of sleep restriction on testosterone levels in young healthy men. JAMA. 2011;305(21):2173–2174. doi:10.1001/jama.2011.710 

18. Herbert P, Hayes LD, Sculthorpe NF, Grace FM. HIIT produces increases in muscle power and free testosterone in male masters athletes. Endocr Connect. 2017;6(7):430–436. 

19. Wideman L., Weltman JY, Hartman ML, et al. Growth Hormone Release During Acute and Chronic Aerobic and Resistance Exercise. Sports Med. 2002;32:987-1004. 

20. Rengasamy R, Maran M, Sivakumar R, et al. Growth Hormone Directly Stimulates Testosterone and Oestradiol Secretion by Rat Leydig Cells in vitro and Modulates The Effects of LH and T3, Endocr J. 2000;47(2):111-18. 

21. English KM, Pugh PJ, Parry H, et al. Effect of cigarette smoking on levels of bioavailable testosterone in healthy men. Clin Sci. 2001;100(6):661-665. 

22. Yao QM, Wang B, An XF, Zhang JA, Ding L. Testosterone level and risk of type 2 diabetes in men: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Endocr Connect. 2017;7(1):220–231. doi:10.1530/EC-17-0253 

23. Rivier C. Alcohol rapidly lowers plasma testosterone levels in the rat: evidence that a neural brain-gonadal pathway may be important for decreased testicular responsiveness to gonadotropin. Alcoholism, clinical and experimental research. 1999;23(1):38-45. 

24. Ferguson, Meeker. Ferguson, Kelly K. Phthalates found in plastics could block hormone involved in sexual cognitive function. Endocrine Society. https://www.endocrine.org/news-room/press-release-archives/2014/reduced-testosterone-tied-to-endocrine-disrupting-chemical-exposure

Disclaimer

This content is for information purposes only. Any statement or recommendation in this publication does not take the place of medical advice nor is meant to replace the guidance of your licensed healthcare practitioner. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. MaxLiving information is and products are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat, or prevent any disease or provide medical advice. Decisions to use supplements to support your specific needs should be considered in partnership with your licensed healthcare practitioner.