5 Factors That Effect Testosterone Levels

Testosterone is an essential hormone for everything that makes a man...a man. This hormone allows us to bulk up, grow hair, and reproduce.

Unfortunately, testosterone levels plummet up to 2% every year after the age of 30. Over the last 40 years, the male infertility rate has doubled, seeing a 1.4% increase annually.

So, aging isn’t the only thing negatively affecting our testosterone levels. Here are some of our silent testosterone killers.

Lack of Blood Flow

According to the World Health Organization, 39% of adults are considered overweight, with another 13% diagnosed as obese. There is an undeniable correlation between weight gain and cardiovascular disease.

The reason for this strong link is that foods high in saturated fats (like the Western Diet) leads to calcium deposits getting lodged in our arteries.

These fatty tissues harden and block efficient blood flow. Inevitably, this causes high blood pressure. However, it also may negatively impact testosterone levels.

When we experience arousal, blood rushes to our groin. A lack of sufficient blood flow will cause erectile dysfunction. Consequently, a lack of adequate blood flow due to obesity or ingesting too many bad fats will also complicate ejaculation and semen production.

The first step in improving this issue is to get blood circulation back on track. Cut back on saturated fats and take all-natural supplements that improve blood flow, such as Nutretics Heart Health. 

Heart Health Blood Pressure support contains 5 botanicals scientifically proven to combat the negative effects of poor circulation.  Green tea extract, which is high in epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), helps burn fat, while omega-3-rich olive leaf extract offsets damage caused by eating too many saturated fats.

You can also eat more foods that boost nitric oxide production. Our body uses this gas to help flush out the system. Nitric oxide helps break up calcium deposits and removes dead cells from cluttering up the pathway. Foods that boost nitric oxide include beets, pomegranates, leafy greens, garlic, and dark chocolate.

Hormones in Foods

Everything from our muscles to our bones to our body parts is made up of chemical compounds. Anything we introduce to our system interacts with these chemicals.

That's why viruses and bacteria can cause us to feel sick. We ingest germs from a person's sneeze or get an infection from eating undercooked meat. These infestations interact with our body's chemicals and cause these horrible reactions.

Foods we eat can do the same. Many factory-farmed foods are bred using hormones.

Hens are treated with hormones so that they remain fertile and lay eggs. When we consume poultry, these hormones are still present in the meat. Only purchase egg and poultry products that say "hormone-free," "antibiotic-free," and "pasture-raised."

Like humans, cows only produce milk when they're pregnant. So, female cows are also treated with estrogen. That way, they always make milk. One meta-analysis found that "milk and dairy products may contain more than 70% of the animal-derived estrogens" in a person's diet.

Cut back on dairy-based milk wherever you can. Opt for plant milks when baking, coconut milk for creamer, and drink kefir as a refreshing beverage.

There are other foods that are just naturally estrogenic. They contain compounds known as phytoestrogens. If you believe you have low testosterone, try limiting your intake of soy, sprouts, flaxseeds, and Brussels sprouts.

Overexposure to Plastics

Our dependency on plastic is becoming a severe problem. Not only are oceans drowning in plastic, we are too.

Human-made chemicals used to make plastic leach into water found in our beverages, soap, and laundry detergents. Then, we drink our bottled water, lather up in the shower, and put on our clean clothes. So, we drink these chemicals, scrub them onto our skin, and wear them all day long. 

One study assessed 450 plastic items found in Whole Foods and Wal-Mart. 70% of these plastics contained an ingredient described as a "hormone disruptor."

Most common hormone disruptors include: 

• Bisphenol A (BPA)
• High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
• Polyvinyl Chloride (V or PVC)

While these are the most common, there are plenty of other plastics that can be detrimental to hormonal health. So, don’t assume the packaging saying “BPA-free” that the product is safe. That’s like Dorito’s proudly touting, “Trans Fat-free” on their label.  

Here's a tip on toxic plastics, don't go broke throwing out all your plastic items just yet. Just replace them with other health-conscious items when the plastic ones have outlived their usefulness. Copper cooking ware, bamboo utensils, and stainless steel water bottles are excellent steps for the environment and your health.

Adrenal Fatigue

There's a lot of pressure put on men today. Not only must we live up to the idea of masculinity in the eyes of the world, but we still live in our day-to-day reality. Being a provider and protecting your family can be extremely stressful. 

When we are under stress, our adrenal glands produce cortisol. This hormone enacts our fight-or-flight instinct. Our body stops producing cortisol when the perceived threat causing us stress stops.

Unfortunately, stress doesn't always stop. The job you hate, the relationship that's on the rocks, and the bills that keep coming all add to the pressure. This stress adds to cortisol production.

When your adrenal glands are in overdrive, it causes even more stress on the system. Inevitably, cortisol makes it so other hormones, like testosterone, aren't produced. Simply put, there's not enough room! Make room with all-natural supplements like Nutretics Stress & Anxiety supplement box. 

Nutretics Stress & Anxiety contains multiple nutrients associated with lowering stress levels, such as ashwagandha, sour cherry, passion fruit extract, chlorella and more! 

In addition, Nutretics Stress & Anxiety has vital vitamins, like Vitamin B6, which helps the body produce hormones, such as dopamine and serotonin. This supplement is rounded out with Vitamin C to fight cancer-causing free radicals created by excess cortisol.   

Find ways to minimize stress in your life. Try meditating, going for walks in nature, or doing yoga. Also, maintain a work-life balance. Make more time for loved ones. They're what matters most.

Medical Conditions

In some instances, low testosterone (male hypogonadism) can be caused by an underlying medical condition.

Some medical conditions known to impact testosterone levels include: 

• Depression
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Cardiovascular Disease
• Cancer
• Sarcoidosis
• Histiocytosis
• Tuberculosis
• Type 2 Diabetes
• Sleep Disorders
• HIV/AIDS
• Pituitary Tumor
• Hemochromatosis
• Klinefelter Syndrome
• Obesity

There are many other conditions that might cause an autonomous process, such as hormone production, to be thrown off. It’s important you talk to your physician if you suspect you have low testosterone. 

Many of these conditions are inflammatory. That means they might be preventable or reversible, depending on the diagnosis. Whichever condition you may have, there is no harm in improving your diet and exercise. Maintaining an active lifestyle and eating balanced meals will help counteract symptoms of many health concerns.