The importance of testosterone on mood and energy

The importance of testosterone on mood and energy

Optimal testosterone levels are essential for a positive mood and healthy dopamine levels and are a key piece in the longevity puzzle.

 

Sorry I wanted an image for this blog: Alan Huberman, a respected neuroscientist, has shared a detailed testosterone-boosting regime on his podcast, combining lifestyle changes, natural supplements, and dietary adjustments. His holistic approach includes the use of Fadogia Agrestis and Tongkat Ali, along with suggestions that could be further enhanced by adding elements like boron and zinc.

Huberman's Integrated Strategy

 

Exercise and Physical Activity: Emphasising weight training and high-intensity interval training to naturally elevate testosterone levels.

 

Quality Sleep: Focusing on adequate, restful sleep as a cornerstone for hormonal balance.

 

Diet: Incorporating a balanced diet rich in nutrients that support testosterone production.

 

Stress Reduction: Utilising stress management techniques to lower cortisol levels, which can negatively impact testosterone.

 

Supplementation:

 

Fadogia Agrestis: Taken to stimulate the testes to produce more testosterone.

Tongkat Ali: Used for its potential to increase testosterone by stimulating LH, reducing oxidative stress, and inhibiting testosterone conversion to estrogen.

Enhancing with Boron and Zinc

 

To maximise the efficacy of this regime, incorporating boron and zinc could offer significant benefits:

 

Boron:

 

Enhances free testosterone availability by reducing SHBG levels.

A small daily supplementation can lead to marked improvements, but medical consultation is advised.

 

Zinc:

 

Crucial for testosterone production and in preventing its conversion to estrogen.

Zinc supplementation, especially for those with a deficiency, can significantly support hormonal health.

Dive Deeper with Huberman's Podcast

 

For an in-depth exploration of Huberman's methods and scientific insights into testosterone enhancement, his podcast offers valuable information and practical advice. Listen to Alan Huberman's Podcast.

 

Conclusion

 

Alan Huberman’s approach to boosting testosterone is comprehensive, blending exercise, diet, stress management, and supplements like Fadogia Agrestis and Tongkat Ali. The addition of boron and zinc can further optimise this regimen, creating a robust strategy for maintaining and enhancing testosterone levels. As always, individual considerations and medical advice should guide the implementation of any supplementation regime.

 

T-Vital natural testosterone support - pure tongkat, fadogia, boron

At humanpeople, we have formulated a potent natural testosterone boosting supplement that contains 400mg Faogia agrestis, 600mg of tongkat ali and 2mg of Boron.

Comprehensive testosterone stack including T-Vital 

This stack includes the T-Vital supplement, Vitamin D3 & K2, DIM, Magnesium Glycinate, and Zinc & Selenium. If you are already taking Vitamin D3 we do recommend taking this out of the stack as 4000IU of vitamin D3 is the optimal level.

Prolactin and its impact on Testosterone, dopamine, libido, mood and Motivation (links to article)

If your prolactin is raised, this can be due to lifestyle. High-strength active vitamin B6, zinc, and vitamin E all help reduce prolactin levels. If your levels are very high, this can be caused by a small growth in the pituitary gland.

Conclusion

Understanding and managing testosterone levels involves a holistic approach. From lifestyle modifications to carefully chosen supplements, there are numerous ways to boost testosterone naturally. Our Advanced male hormone & testosterone test offers a detailed analysis, providing insights necessary for informed health decisions. Remember, the key to managing 'manopause' lies in a balanced approach – it's about optimising health, not just hormone levels.

Testosterone - the hormone that makes effort enjoyable.

The impact of testosterone on mood, motivation and mental health is often overlooked. Yet testosterone and dopamine levels in the brain are deeply connected.

In this video I explain a bit more about this and the science that backs it up.

 

 

In men, testosterone levels reduce by around 1% per year from the age of 30. That has a big impact on, yes, muscle and strength, but it also affects cholesterol profiles, the perception of energy, mitochondrial health, mental health and motivation.

There is increasing evidence that testosterone plays an important role in mitochondrial dysfunction as we age. The mitochondria are where nearly all our energy for life is made, so ensuring optimal testosterone levels is a key element in healthy ageing and longevity.

Testosterone optimisation may also be a viable approach to managing the cognitive-behavioural deficits and neurodegenerative conditions that we associate with unhealthy ageing.

Advanced Testing for Testosterone 

Understanding testosterone levels requires more than just the measurement of total testosterone.

If your testosterone is low, you want to know why.  Is the production messenger (LH and FSH) not strong enough? Is overall production too low? Is the active testosterone being reduced by too much binding protein (SHBG)? Or is prolactin too high and therefore inhibiting release? Proper testing, looking at a range of biomarkers, allows for more successful management of testosterone.

When we were putting together our advanced male hormone test we wanted to offer a comprehensive assessment that allows you to understand what is really going, including:

  • Free Androgen Index (FAI): indicates the amount of active testosterone.
  • SHBG and Albumin Levels: these proteins bind to testosterone, affecting its availability.
  • LH and FSH: hormones that signal the testes to produce testosterone.
  • Prolactin
  • Free testosterone

References

1. Yan W, Zhang T, Kang Y, Zhang G, Ji X, Feng X, Shi G. Testosterone ameliorates age-related brain mitochondrial dysfunction. Aging (Albany NY). 2021 Jun 17;13(12):16229-16247. doi: 10.18632/aging.203153. Epub 2021 Jun 17. PMID: 34139672; PMCID: PMC8266321.

2. Purves-Tyson TD, Owens SJ, Double KL, Desai R, Handelsman DJ, Weickert CS. Testosterone induces molecular changes in dopamine signaling pathway molecules in the adolescent male rat nigrostriatal pathway. PLoS One. 2014 Mar 11;9(3):e91151. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0091151. PMID: 24618531; PMCID: PMC3949980.

3. Pirchio R, Graziadio C, Colao A, Pivonello R, Auriemma RS. Metabolic effects of prolactin. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2022 Sep 27;13:1015520. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1015520. PMID: 36237192; PMCID: PMC9552666..

4. Donovan A, Wood RI. Effort-based decision making in response to high-dose androgens: role of dopamine receptors. Behav Pharmacol. 2022 Oct 1;33(7):435-441. doi: 10.1097/FBP.0000000000000687. Epub 2022 Sep 14. PMID: 36148834; PMCID: PMC9512319.

5. Shemisa K, Kunnathur V, Liu B, Salvaterra TJ, Dluzen DE. Testosterone modulation of striatal dopamine output in orchidectomized mice. Synapse. 2006 Oct;60(5):347-53. doi: 10.1002/syn.20309. PMID: 16838357.

6. Ebinger M, Sievers C, Ivan D, Schneider HJ, Stalla GK. Is there a neuroendocrinological rationale for testosterone as a therapeutic option in depression? J Psychopharmacol. 2009 Sep;23(7):841-53. doi: 10.1177/0269881108092337. Epub 2008 Jun 18. PMID: 18562400.

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