Question: Are there any natural testosterone boosters that could raise my levels without having to resort to drugs? What about lifestyle choices?
Answer: Low testosterone is no fun. It leads to less muscle, more body-fat, depression and, of course, the inability to get it up.
This is a recipe for a disastrous, unhealthy, lonely life.
As far as testosterone boosting supplements go you have a few different options.
1) Renew Male
My colleague, Dr. Tom Incledon, a world renowned scientist in the field of anti-aging and natural hormone therapy since 1989 has come up with a product that I have used myself and with clients recently that does a very good job of increasing testosterone levels naturally.
As with any supplement I was a bit skeptical at first but knowing Tom’s reputation and level of knowledge I really shouldn’t have been. Before recommending it to clients I started using it and had my brother guinea pig it as well.
We both experienced noticeable testosterone increases within the first month.
That’s when I started trying it with some of my clients and most of them noticed positive results as well.
For more information about Dr. Tom’s awesome natural testosterone booster, Renew Male, click HERE now.
2) Maca
Maca is a cruciferous vegetable grown in Peru that contains plant sterols which have been shown to block and control the production of estrogen as well as boost testosterone production.
For maca to be effective you need to use 3-6 tablespoons per day of the whole maca root powder, not the extracts and not capsules.
3) Zinc Citrate
This has been shown to lead to increased testosterone production and is a worthwhile investment.
4) High Dose Vitamin E
This has been associated with an increase in male sexual hormones as well as several other positive health benefits. The problem is that almost all Vitamin E is made with soy.
The trick is finding a brand of vitamin E that has had most of the estrogen removed and is placed in a non estrogenic oil. To see noticeable results you will need 1500-3000 mg per day. The best Vitamin E is Toco 8.
5) Transdermal Magnesium
Transdermal magnesium is another great natural testosterone booster and should be applied twice per day, in the morning and right before bed, for optimal results. A 200 pound male should use 20 sprays for each application.
6) Omega 3′s
Using a high quality omega 3 supplement is also a good way to increase testosterone levels and should be part of your daily regimen.
Top 15 Testosterone Boosting Lifestyle Tips:
- Get 8-9 hours of sleep per night. Nothing will help boost testosterone production more than that. If you can’t sleep look into fixing that problem ASAP. One thing that has helped me is the Night Wave.
- Get to bed by 10:30 or 11 every night.
- Eat an adequate amount of healthy saturated fats like coconut oil and grass fed beef.
- Minimize your stress levels (meditation can help out big time with this).
- Avoid all processed foods.
- Avoid all factory farmed animal products and non organic produce (the drugs and chemicals contained in these foods can negatively affect your hormone levels).
- Compete (competition elevates testosterone levels).
- Avoid all whey protein that isn’t made from grass fed cows that haven’t been treated with dangerous drugs or chemicals that will lower your testosterone. The best grass fed whey on the market, made from raw milk is One World Whey.
- Keep your workout short and intense. Testosterone production starts to dip after about 45 minutes of intense training.
- Focus on big compound lifts like snatches, dips, chins, pushups, squats and deadlifts.
- Don’t train to failure. When you do so the adrenals get fried. When the adrenals are fried testosterone production drops.
- Lift heavy objects.
- Don’t do a ton of medium to high intensity, long duration, steady state cardio. This will boost your cortisol levels. Stick with short duration, high intensity conditioning methods for the most part.
- Have sex more often. Three times per week is ideal in most cases.
12. Aug, 2010
at 12:36 pm #
It’s totally old school, but the best testosterone booster is to stop drinking and particularly stop smoking pot. Just look at any pot head for the reason there.
Thanks for the great reminders. Even women need to watch their testosterone levels! ;)
15. Apr, 2012
at 9:31 am #
How does pot effect test?
12. Aug, 2010
at 12:54 pm #
Thanks for posting this Jason. I’ve been taking an organic Maca root powder from the Bulk Barn and it’s quite potent and ruined the taste of my shakes. I really like the last two suggestions on the list, and fortunately my job allows me to do the second last one daily, and well my fiancee helps out with the last one ;). Hope you’re having a great time in California :).
12. Aug, 2010
at 1:10 pm #
Thanks for the post J. Hope Cali is treating you well. You forgot ONE thing ;-) Driving Fast Cars increases testosterone as well. Thats right, boys….you now have one more good solid reason to splurge on a nice ride. :-)
12. Aug, 2010
at 1:47 pm #
Great post dude. I love maca.
Hi Claudia. I respectfully disagree with the stop smoking pot part.
13. Aug, 2010
at 12:10 pm #
@Ryan Orrico: Well, that explains a lot.
15. Aug, 2010
at 7:22 am #
@Claudia Hall Christian:
Any stoner? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqep14L2f7k
Also, according to this summary of available research, there is no conclusive evidence as to whether marijuana effects testosterone or not: http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=3475#13
However, alcohol -is- conclusively linked with decreased sexual function in both sexes: http://alcalc.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/18/4/313
From my own personal experience I can say that alcohol has a much stronger negative impact on my mind and body than marijuana.
16. Aug, 2010
at 12:43 pm #
@Claudia Hall Christian: Doesn’t it? It’s laced with pure awesome.
12. Aug, 2010
at 2:13 pm #
Thanks for the tips.
I have been a non meat eater for about 4 years(fish & eggs OK) a 47 y/o male and I try workout with weights as heavy as I can.
I worry about not having enough testosterone but any ideas like Maca will help.
Thanks Raymond
16. Aug, 2010
at 12:43 pm #
@Raymond – ZenMyFitness: Raymond, if you’ve cut out red meat entirely, you’re getting almost no dietary carnitine. Consider supplementing carnitine. Or, eat a big steak once a week…! Grrrr. — Jesse
12. Aug, 2010
at 3:33 pm #
Hey Jason, is it a good idea for a woman to take maca if she is estrogen dominant?
13. Aug, 2010
at 1:49 am #
I have a question….. I have read some of the studies on DHEA, do you advise its use, and can you give me some of the horror stories if you know of any?
13. Aug, 2010
at 7:36 am #
Sex and squats: is there anything they can’t do?
13. Aug, 2010
at 9:35 am #
I’m a doctor and I get this question from my male patients frequently. Unfortunately, I have to remind them of a study in the New England Journal of Medicine which showed alcohol consumption increases the breakdown and removal of testosterone from the blood stream, and it also decreases the production of testosterone. Oh well, so much for those MichUlta commercials … if you want to boost (or at least protect) your testosterone levels, avoid the booze.
13. Aug, 2010
at 9:46 am #
PS Alcohol also increases the production of cortisol, and as previously mentioned, cortisol decreases testosterone production, and this effect can last for 24 hours following alcohol consumption.
13. Aug, 2010
at 12:00 pm #
What about Tribulus – I have heard that is also good and doesn’t have side affects. I know one of my sons is using it and just wanted to be certain it is OK
13. Aug, 2010
at 10:02 pm #
@Dave H:
I find tribulus terrestris to be a natural herb that boost testoterone along with expanding muscles. I think it’s quite safe if taken in the right form and the right way – you got to take it at the right time in the right #.
If you want a pack of 60 tablets of tribulus terrestris for increasing testoterone levels at $21.95, you can contact me at facebook.com/ronakshah1
If you’re not happy with the performance after consuming the pack, you can seek a replacement as well. You can increase upto 41% of testoterone levels in just a week using these tablets.
13. Aug, 2010
at 12:10 pm #
does pot really cause low test?
13. Aug, 2010
at 12:50 pm #
And/or you could get a doctor to prescribe testosterone injections. Don’t worry, this isn’t juicing like a bodybuilder who might inject daily; medical ethicals recommend one shot very three weeks. This the real deal, its safe, and its measureable. (Isn’t odd that health conscious trainers will try the weirdest potions manufactured under who-know-what conditions, but they won’t try stuff that is known to work?) T injections will lift your T up within the normal range. Don’t be silly and and tell the doc it is for athletic performance – its for libido, better intellectual functioning, weight creeping up, etc. Oh, and if you’re under about 30 your levels are probably through the roof anyway – in which case stop mucking around – live a healthier lifestyle and train harder.
13. Aug, 2010
at 2:00 pm #
Are there any age limits to the supplements?
13. Aug, 2010
at 6:30 pm #
Yes to all these above, I also use Get Diesel. AWESOME for jacking up the T levels, naturally. I can’t say enough about how great they work.
Good info, thanks.
13. Aug, 2010
at 8:09 pm #
Yohimbee,,,, Damiana,, Tribulus,,,sawpalmeto,,shilajit,,,horny goat,, ginseng,,,sarsaparilla, coka-leaves, Yerba Mate,,,Ginkgo bilboa,,garlic,,ginger,,,cascara sagrada,,kelp,,Zinc, Withanea somniferous -Ashawwa,,,,,Catuaba,,Mandrake root,,,Gokshura—tribulus-testeris,,,,Long Jack ,,,kava kava,,,,Kaapii Kachu,,,,, Maca ,, Muira Puama,,, Oat seeds,,,Asparagus, Shatiwari,,Shilajit,,, Honey,,,Bee-Polen,,,,Queen-Bee-Food extract,,Saffron,,,,For sure I missed a few but the list goes on and on ,,
13. Aug, 2010
at 8:19 pm #
I forgot the Rhodiola Rosea , that is another one .
13. Aug, 2010
at 9:45 pm #
Excellent article on Natural Testosterone Boosters. Natural testosterone boosters don’t necessarily mean you have to take a testosterone supplement. There are many ways to increase your testosterone levels from exercise alone!
14. Aug, 2010
at 3:06 am #
I don’t need any supplements, just more pictures of the second girl. Who is she?!
14. Aug, 2010
at 3:38 am #
thanks for the info!its short and sweet!
14. Aug, 2010
at 8:35 am #
Great article. Nice summary of a lot of different related ideas.
One thought to add. There is a strong psychological component to hormone levels. Testosterone levels are not just a result of things you do physically, they are also heavily influenced by your perception of what is going on. You experience a testosterone increase following certain kinds of social situations and a decrease following others. For example it is an integral part of the primate social status mechanism. Individuals rising in status experience testosterone increases and those falling experience decreases. It doesn’t matter whether it is the result of a fight or just an embarrassing event where you perceive your status to change. Not that it is equally important to everyone, for example this is not that great a clinical solution, it pales in comparison to injectable supplemental testosterone.
For some with less diminished levels, testosterone changes are linked to their social environment. and changing how you perceive that can make as much difference in those cases as exercise and nutrition. It is less easy or straightforward to change how you perceive yourself though.
kind regards,
Todd
14. Aug, 2010
at 5:04 pm #
Great tips to increase testosterone levels. Thanks!
14. Aug, 2010
at 9:19 pm #
Awesome Jason, you also forgot to put in coconut cooking oil (I think). You mentioned this in Craig Ballantynes interview…
16. Aug, 2010
at 10:30 am #
Claudia- Good advice.
Kirpal- Thanks, man.
Peter- Good point.
Ryan- Thanks man.
Markl- I’m not really sure.
James- I have noticed results from this particular type of zinc.
Jeffrey- I’ve seen the studies but have never really seen anyone get any noticeable real world results. You could certainly give it a try, though.
Mike- No, there isn’t.
Scott- True.
Dave- Tribulus works also.
Steve- I completely agree with you. I would use that as a last result after you make sure your diet and lifestyle is in check and have tried some natural supplements. But yes, after 40 I would actually recommend HRT to most guys.
Nick- I hear ya. Straight thickness…
Todd- Great point, and very true.
17. Aug, 2010
at 6:29 pm #
Love the last two
- Stare at scantily clad women.
- Have sex more often
and it also ties in well with the second one
- Get to bed by 10:30 or 11 every night
19. Aug, 2010
at 11:32 am #
Jason,
What are your thoughts on resveratrol’s effects on increasing testosterone? I’ve also read that it has anti-estrogen effects, too? How does it compare to the maca supplement suggested above?
20. Aug, 2010
at 2:37 am #
well done great talk i will pass it on to my clients and family
22. Aug, 2010
at 8:23 pm #
Thanks Jason for this cool stuff about testosterone,
Due to my experience I do agree with the ideas of hard and heavy training and having more frequent sex.Anyway I’ll be ready to try the rest recommended.
Regards,
Tom
07. Sep, 2010
at 5:40 pm #
Maca is a fantastic super food, not only the increase in testosterone but also the energy lift in the morning.
just be careful, too much of it and you’ll have no choice but to walk around with a book in front of your erection. Its a powerful powder!
24. Jan, 2011
at 2:29 pm #
like the flavor!
20. Feb, 2011
at 12:24 pm #
i will have to try Maca
getting to bed by 11pm…if i didn’t work night shift 4 days a week, i could totally do it.
yes, i’m working on having sex more often.
and who IS that second girl..they’re both hot but the second one–i think i’d give up my G card for her. RAWR. :)
08. Jun, 2011
at 2:26 pm #
What is your take on the supplement Tribulus Terrestris for boosting testosterone levels? I recently read an article on this natural supplement and was considering giving it a try. I live by the creed that most supplements are inherently worthless, but this sounded like a low risk investment from a long term health standpoint.
06. Jul, 2011
at 9:06 am #
Jason,
How many servings of Toco-8 do you recommend per day? 1 scoop is 630mg, does that mean we should be taking 3 scoops per day to reach 1500-3000mg per day?
Thanks.
31. Jul, 2011
at 7:48 am #
@James Ingram:
Hi James,
The ZMA product has more to do with the production of nitric oxide to improve erections in men. The zinc, magnesium and arginine ZMA contains increases nitric oxide levels directly. ZMA may effect testosterone indirectly. Hope this helps.
Eric
30. Sep, 2011
at 9:20 pm #
Does staring at my scantily clad wife have a positive effect, or does it have to be someone I don’t know who’s scantily clad… ?
Just checking so I have my excuses in order ;)
09. Oct, 2011
at 4:30 pm #
@Neil hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
02. Dec, 2011
at 11:15 am #
Timing
Great list .. What is the consensus on heavy lifting before bed to time\max test levels while we sleep to promote muscle growth and anti aging benefits ?
15. Dec, 2011
at 6:00 pm #
Nice article , thank you for the info.
thanks
Edward,
19. Jan, 2012
at 4:32 pm #
Jason, I just ordered some organic maca powder and need to know how the heck you take 3-6 tablespoons of this stuff per day???
I have never had a problem with downing terrible tasting supplements but I can’t even get down 1 tablespoon mix in a glass of water without gagging.
James
23. Apr, 2012
at 7:54 am #
What about the estrogen in our water supply from:
A. Women using birth control pills?
B. Farmers dumping cow waste into the river?
Do you think bottled water is better than tap water considering the points listed above?
Thanks