Thanks to science, people have learned that a huge role in human life is played by hormones - biologically active substances that affect physiological functions and metabolism. Among many regulators of these processes, testosterone, a hormone that is a vivid representative of androgens( steroid sex hormones), on which the quality of life of men depends, is of particular importance.
To emphasize the importance of testosterone, it should be noted that this hormone positively affects muscle growth, fat burning, metabolism, strengthens bone tissue, protects against cardiovascular ailments, provides erection and secondary sexual characteristics. The hormone is responsible for the ability to produce offspring, supports a heightened interest in the opposite sex, prolongs life and youth, provides a wonderful mood and such masculine qualities as courage, bravery and activity.
In the norm of its maximum level of testosterone reaches in the morning, and the minimum - in the evening. For a healthy male, testosterone is between 350 and 1000 ng / dl. There is this hormone in a small amount and in women, affecting sexual desire, sleep and emotional behavior. Therefore, no one will interfere with your hormonal balance.
Factors affecting the testosterone ratio
Depending on the effect, the factors are decreasing, at which testosterone levels go down and up, respectively.
The decreasing factors are:
- the age of the male( decrease by 1% is observed starting at about 30 years old),
- bad habits( alcoholism, smoking, overweight),
- malnutrition,
- weak immunity,
- chronic diseases,
- negative emotions,
- trauma,
- mental states.
To the increasing factors can be attributed:
- healthy lifestyle,
- moderate physical activity, physical education,
- positive emotions.
It should be emphasized that excessive physical exertion can also adversely affect the amount of testosterone in men, lowering it. In addition, there are cases of a sharp decline in the level of "male" hormone to 30 years due to overwork, excessive physical exertion, which can lead to unpredictable consequences, and the amount of testosterone in the blood is affected by psychological stress.
The effect of testosterone on health
Low or high testosterone levels can help identify early-onset certain diseases or problems. For example, infertility, problems, sexual life, early puberty, osteoporosis in men, in women - menstrual cycle disorders, and the presence of a low voice in women and excess facial hair and body, speaks of male symptoms.
The appearance of a man can tell about the level of testosterone in his body: normal hair growth, where it is supposed, beautiful muscles of the shoulders, voice of low tone - all this is a sign of a good level of hormone. According to the data of the social psychology of the American scientist, there is a formula according to which the presence of testosterone is determined, which predetermines sexual orientation and behavior in men.
If the amount of testosterone is less than 10-20 percent, such boys are potential homosexuals and transvestites, and their exemplary behavior is similar to the behavior of girls, and in the future, each of them may, at least once, flit the idea of sex change.
Excess sex hormone creates aggressiveness, blunting the instincts of self-preservation, which creates difficulties in life not only for men, but for close people. With age, the level of the hormone decreases by 1-2 percent, the time comes( by about 60 years), when it is already 1/5 less than the norm, then men experience men's menopause, when the work capacity decreases, potency decreases, muscle mass decreases and soFurther.
What you need to know
Testosterone levels can be determined only in two ways: by external signs and by blood analysis. Even the analysis of blood can not accurately measure the content of androgens, because in the absence of a standard method, the result of the analysis depends on which method of determination is used, and the amount of hormones varies depending on the time of day, nutrition, stress, etc.
In this connection, the test for testosterone needs to be taken in the morning, and some rules are required for the accuracy of the analysis:
- is not recommended before taking the analysis to eat( 8 hours),
- is not recommended to do physical exercises 24 hours before the analysis,
- is not recommendedsmoke 4 hours before the test.
Those who do not like to go to the hospital and take tests, but doubt the availability of normal levels of hormones, can test it, take advantage of a table of external signs of low testosterone levels, such as:
- memory and mental decline,
- depression, irritability,
- lossmuscular tonus,
- lack of hair cover,
- increase in adipose tissue,
- decrease in libido,
- erectile dysfunction.
Having detected at least 30 percent of these signs, it's worth to pass the test to find out your testosterone level.
Methods of enhancing
What should be done to increase the number of androgens and thereby improve the quality of life? First of all, a healthy lifestyle, implying:
- Proper nutrition: the diet should include minerals( zinc, magnesium, and calcium) that are contained in seafood;vitamins of group B and vitamins E, C, F, contained in fish oil, avocado, black currant;Fats, proteins and carbohydrates, which are part of lean meat;water, which should be drunk in pure form for 2.5 liters a day, as well as nuts - walnuts, pistachios and hazelnuts.
- Sports activities. It is recommended to practice 3 times a week. Especially useful exercises with weights. Squats, press and deadlift will help raise the level of the hormonal background.
- Herbal preparations on herbs. For example, Tribulus, which acts sparingly, without side effects. But, applying herbal remedies, one should remember about allergic reactions.
- Drugs that increase testosterone. These drugs include drugs that display anabolic and androgenic properties, which help increase strength and muscle mass. However, this is fraught with side effects: acne, testicular atrophy, growth of the mammary glands. Before using anabolic steroids, it is necessary to visit the hospital and take the medications under the supervision of a doctor, controlling the blood composition regularly.
