Testosterone-Boosting Foods?

#1

I’ve tried looking up information on this, but am getting mixed and confusing signals as to whether any of this is actually backed up by science. Are there foods that will naturally increase bioavailable testosterone? From what I’m reading, the focus seems to be on zinc and Vitamin D3, which are the micronutrients needed in order to produce the testosterone. And as far as actual food, I’m reading about beef, milk, shellfish, garlic, things I largely already eat. Is there anything substantial to back this up?

On the flip side, are there specific foods to avoid in order to help lower estrogen levels? Any assistance is appreciated.

(Scott) #2

You can always get those magic “man boosting” pills I see on TV. I think these are a crock. Vitamins and minerals if they even work sound more plausible.

When I decided I had low “T” I went out and bought a new truck! All fixed now.

#3

Are you basing your need for T on blood tests, or subjective feeling? You might want to add K2 to the list of nutrients required for testosterone health, especially if you’re adding D3.

https://chrismasterjohnphd.com/2016/12/09/the-ultimate-vitamin-k2-resource/

(Karim Wassef) #4

Stinging Nettle Root
Zinc (with copper balance)
Fasting

Avoid soy and phytoestrogen plants

#5

Subjective feeling. I will look into that source and read about the K2. Thanks!

Thank you. Since fasting was suggested, are testosterone levels closely influenced by insulin levels?

(Karim Wassef) #6

Testosterone downregulates insulin but I don’t know if it works the other way.

I think it’s a hormonal muscle sparing response during fasting.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/3106181

(Jane- Old Inky Crone) #7

This is the protocol my doc uses. The hormone pellets have been a lifesaver for me.

(Jeb Bower) #8

Willing to bet you don’t have low T. It’s not nearly as prevalent as GNC and Frank Thomas would like you to believe. From my doctor when I asked him about it my last checkup. He went ahead and did a blood test and checked it, along with several other things, and my T levels were fine.

#9

I’m trans masc, having low T comes with it, and I don’t have access to an external source. And researching all of these things in studies has been unremarkably unhelpful because it’s all focused on either how this will effect a cis man’s body, and very few studies on how all of this effects a cis woman’s body.

I’m not looking for foods that will turn my peach fuzz into a beard or nothing, just enough of a natural boost to help with muscle building and certain other things.

(Isa) #10

From a supplemental POV, you can try horny goat weed, Tribulus terrestris, or Maca, tho Maca is more of an adaptogen and might not have the necessary response.

(CharleyD) #11

Similarly, visceral fat will act as an estrogen producer.

@anon2571578 Your available testosterone will fluctuate especially if you’re using it, like by lifting, calisthenics, especially to failure, to provoke muscle adaptation. So keep in mind, if you’re going to have blood drawn to test it, I’d eat the boosting foods and recover for a few days or a week to get a truer idea of where you’re at.

(Karim Wassef) #12

I agree. Reducing body fat will reduce estrogen if compounds. If you go lean enough, I think it will also change your androgenic hormones. That could amplify the effect of exogenous supplements.

(Chris) #13

Most natural test boosters are bullshit, unfortunately. Best bet is treatment from an endo, especially in your case. If that’s not possible the next best thing is continuing with carnivore, apparently - it’s hypothesized by some that the diet actually increases T receptor sensitivity. No sources on it, though.

Cholesterol is a hormone precursor - so more animal fats and eggs!

(Chris) #14

Just to qualify my first sentence, I’ve spent a lot of time in the gym and spent and pretty damn near equivalent time researching everything about nutrition and supplements. You can get OTC prohormones still legally, but they are steroids, and will damage your liver with chronic use (methylated substances, injectable steroids don’t necessarily damage the liver, at least the majority of them including test). You’d still need to cycle them and use post-cycle therapy, because they’ll suppress you, and they still have side effects similar to steroids in many cases (raising estrogen being one).

#15

Thanks everyone for the suggestions.

That’s what I was thinking, that I might need to continue Carnivore, and possibly supplement zinc and D3 on top of it (obviously watching the levels). I did read something about cruciferous vegetables possibly helping, but there’s absolutely nothing about whether those need to be raw or cooked or anything like that.

I’m also reading that caffeine raises estrogen (except for coffee in those of European descent apparently). I did also see that the natural estrogen in whole milk apparently won’t effect the estrogen in our bodies, so at least I still got that.

It’s also making me wonder if my 26% body fat goal isn’t enough. I’ll have to see how I look then to determine. But my current 34% isn’t helping matters if it’s raising my estrogen even more.

(Karim Wassef) #16

Research stinging nettle root too

(Karim Wassef) #17
(Erin Macfarland ) #18

@Rclause hahaha! I don’t know why I decided to read this thread but I’m glad I did if only to see your response :joy: because if I could go out and buy myself a big ass truck all my problems would be forgotten!

#19

Aromatase inhibitors. They stop testosterone from being converted to estrogen. You don’t need to get grey market pharmaceutical ones or anything, but you want things that inhibit aromatase. That should be enough to get you going.

(Denis ) #20

8 Testosterone-Boosting Foods:
Tuna.
Low-fat milk.
Egg yolks.
Fortified cereals.
Oysters.
Shellfish.
Beef.
Beans.
But, bro, don’t think that only this will help achieve the results you want. You need to work in the gym and lift heavy weights, for example, on squats you need to work with a weight beginning with 100 kg, you still need to start eating food that increases testosterone and eat as much protein as possible. I followed all these rules and now my muscle mass is huge. The only thing I have now is a little fat, but I know it will go away during my sessions or fat-burners. You can read some info about such supplements on https://www.docarzt.com.