Testosterone

Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone and an anabolic steroid. In male humans, testosterone plays a key role in developing male reproductive tissues such as the testes and prostate, as well as promoting secondary sexual characteristics such as increased muscle and bone mass and the growth of body hair.

If a male has a low level of testosterone, the symptoms can include erectile dysfunction (ED), reduced bone mass, and sex drive. The hormone has many important functions, including the development of bones and muscles, the deepening of the voice, hair growth, and other factors related to appearance. Testosterone levels can be raised naturally by exercise and weight lifting, a sound diet, minimizing stress and cortisol levels, sun exposure or vitamin D supplement, vitamin and mineral supplements, eight hours of sound, and quality sleep during hours of darkness. The brain and pituitary gland control testosterone levels.

Finally, obesity can throw a wrench in the process of testosterone production. There is evidence that high levels of the aromatase enzyme are present in fat, especially belly fat. The aromatase function is to build estrogen out of testosterone molecules. Thus, more fat results in lower testosterone levels because of the conversion of testosterone to estrogen by the aromatase enzyme. One solution to this problem is to lose weight.

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