Testosterone production begins to decline in men after the age of 30, and while reduced testosterone is often dismissed as part of the normal aging process, this decline in testosterone can affect energy, performance, muscle mass and fat distribution, hair growth, and even emotional and cognitive well-being. (1) Ensuring a good intake of essential nutrients needed for testosterone production can help support male reproductive health, energy metabolism, and hormone health in men, whatever their age. Zinc is an essential nutrient for protein metabolism, healing, and sexual function. Zinc is also important for the regulation of testosterone levels, with research showing that in older men with marginal zinc deficiency, daily zinc supplementation for six months helps increase serum testosterone. (2) Zinc also non-competitively inhibits 5-alphareductase activity, decreasing the conversion of testosterone to its less desirable metabolite, dihydrotestosterone, which is linked to male pattern baldness and prostate enlargement. (3) Vitamin D3 is an essential nutrient needed for a range of physiological processes, including supporting bone and immune health. In one study, vitamin D3 was found to increase testosterone levels by 30% in overweight men. (4) Ashwagandha is a plant in the nightshade family, traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine. Its active constituents include alkaloids (isopelletierine, anaferine), steroidal lactones (withanolides, withaferins), and saponins. (5) Ashwagandha has demonstrated antioxidant and adaptogenic effects, as well as immunomodulatory effects, and has been associated with an increase in testosterone levels in men. (6,7,8) Testosterone Boost is formulated with KSM-66 that offers the highest concentration full-spectrum ashwagandha root extract available and is one of the best researched ashwagandha extracts on the market, having demonstrated benefits for stress, and enhancement of energy, endurance, and sexual function in men. One eight-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial looked at the effects of ashwagandha on men aged 18–50 years old with little experience in resistance training. The 57 men were randomly assigned to receive either a placebo or 300 mg of KSM-66 ashwagandha twice daily and both groups underwent resistance training for eight weeks. The ashwagandha group had significantly greater increases in testosterone level and muscle size and strength after eight weeks, compared to placebo. The men taking ashwagandha also had significantly greater reduction of exercise-induced muscle damage and body fat percentage, compared to placebo. (8) Piperine is the active alkaloid constituent of black pepper and has been seen to support digestive function and enhance the availability of nutrients including zinc and chromium, which are needed for testosterone production (9). Piperine also has antioxidant activity, helping to protect against systemic oxidative damage, and may even support normal levels of serotonin, an important “feel-good” neurotransmitter. (9,10,11) 🇨🇦 Made In Canada
