Men produce a hormone in their testicles called testosterone. The natural purpose of testosterone is to boost sperm production, fat distribution, red blood cell production, muscle strength, bone density, and libido. So obviously, men will want to produce as much testosterone as possible.
When a man reaches 40 years of age, testosterone production slows down in their body. They might experience reduced energy and lack of focus, among other symptoms. For this reason, an increasing number of men are turning to testosterone replacement therapy to boost testosterone production in their bodies.
There has been a 300% increase in the number of American men using testosterone supplement products over the last ten years. Drug and supplement companies are making millions of dollars off this trend. But do testosterone supplements actually help men build more testosterone or is it a myth? And is it safe for the heart?
Some critics claim that testosterone replacement therapy and supplement products can increase the risk of heart disease in men. The University of California Los Angeles conducted a study that revealed a 200% increase in heart attack incidents amongst men taking testosterone replacement therapy versus men who were not taking it.
On the other hand, the University of Texas Medical Branch conducted a separate study that found no link between heart attacks and testosterone supplementation. It is difficult to know which results to believe when you see these contradicting studies from various reputable sources.
The U.S. Food & Drug Administration has not found any conclusive evidence to declare testosterone replacement therapy as a threat to heart health in men. In fact, the FDA has not even found evidence to determine that age-related testosterone decline is responsible for low libido and low energy in men over 40.
Should You Take Testosterone Supplements?
The question of whether to take testosterone supplements may be a difficult one. Everyone wants to have more certainty when it relates to their heart health. If testosterone supplements are truly bad for your heart, you obviously wouldn’t want to take them.
However, it can be a nightmare living with low testosterone too. People with low testosterone always feel sluggish and lethargic, which ends up interfering with their daily lives. A testosterone supplement could be the very thing that boosts your testosterone and restores your life back to normal.
If you have worries about testosterone supplementation or therapy, it is best to talk with your doctor about them. Your doctor can evaluate your heart health and determine whether testosterone supplements are a low risk for compromising your heart health. That is the best way to proceed if you want to play it safe.
Testosterone replacement therapy comes in many different forms. If you go to a doctor to receive this therapy, they will give you injections, gels, pellets, or patches to increase the testosterone levels in your body. This would be a higher risk procedure compared to taking testosterone supplement products from a nutrition store.
The typical testosterone supplement product contains zinc and magnesium. These are two nutrients your body needs to increase its testosterone production naturally. It is the safest way to boost testosterone because you’re only putting natural ingredients in your body. There are no synthetic ingredients used as you would find with traditional testosterone replacement therapy.
Alternative Methods
Other things you can do to boost testosterone naturally are eating healthy and exercising. Numerous studies show that lifting weights can boost testosterone levels too. And rather than consuming zinc-magnesium supplements, try eating foods with zinc and magnesium in them. The best choices include collard greens, spinach, eggs, and kale.
You should only attempt testosterone replacement therapy when you have exhausted all other options for boosting your testosterone levels. Then you can reduce the risk to your heart significantly.
