Testosterone is the main male sex hormone, acting on different parts of the body and influencing physical and sexual behavior and performance.
This hormone acts mainly in the development of male reproductive tissues, such as the testicles and prostate. In addition, it is related to the production of muscle mass, bone health and hair and body hair growth.
Testosterone is considered a hormone that is related to well-being and health.
Testosterone function
In the human body, testosterone acts in several ways and, if it changes, some symptoms are noticed.
Find out below how this important male body hormone acts in the body.
- Motivation : testosterone acts on the nervous system, contributing to energy production, ability to concentrate and mood.
- Loss of bone mass : because it is related to the growth and development of bones, testosterone can influence bone density.
- Hair growth : testosterone production starts in men around 12 years of age, representing male puberty , which stimulates hair growth throughout the body.
- Sexual desire : this is a behavior that is more related to the performance of testosterone in the body, since it influences sexual desire.
- Muscle development : as well as hair growth, it is at puberty that muscles develop in men, since it is the beginning of the production of this hormone. However, it is between 20 and 30 years that the peak of testosterone in the blood occurs.
Testosterone production
Testosterone production is related to the hormones LH and FSH. They are released by the pituitary gland and together they carry out their activities at the level of the testicles, where LH acts on Leydig cells, stimulating the production of testosterone.
Cholesterol is the precursor of most sex hormones, because in the hormone-producing glands it undergoes reactions until it becomes testosterone.
The production of testosterone in the body is not limited to men, women also produce this hormone, but in smaller quantities, presenting the same benefits and effects that occur in men.
To maintain testosterone production, it is recommended to exercise regularly, sleep well and keep your body weight balanced.
Foods that help testosterone production
The intake of some foods can contribute to the increase in testosterone production, see below what these foods are:
- Foods rich in zinc : the main sources of zinc are from animals, oysters, shrimp, beef, chicken, fish and liver. They can also be found in vegetables, tubers.
- Foods rich in vitamin D : the main sources of vitamin D are meat, fish and seafood, especially salmon, sardines and seafood, as well as dairy products and mushrooms.
- Foods rich in vitamin A : the main sources of vitamin A are egg yolk, fish oils and liver, but it can also be found in vegetables and fruits, such as carrots, spinach, mango and papaya.
Testosterone deficiency in the body
Testosterone deficiency in the body can have different origins causing some reactions in the human body. The need for supplementation of this hormone must be made by medical indication from the blood test.
Several factors may be related to the drop in testosterone in the body, the most common are:
- Lack of sexual interest;
- Frequent tiredness;
- Mood changes;
- Fat accumulation;
- Difficulty in defining muscles;
- Little amount of body hair;
- Lack of sleep and night agitation;
- Fragile bones.
In addition, with advancing age, the level of testosterone tends to decrease by an average of 1% per year from the age of 40. Thus, it is important that the dosage of this hormone is done regularly, as the low dosage may indicate some health problems.
In general, the level of testosterone varies between 300 to 900 nanograms per deciliter of blood.
Risks of excessive testosterone intake
Excessive testosterone intake is a practice that causes serious damage to health, being caused mainly by the use of anabolic steroids.
Testosterone is one of the main anabolic steroids used, being harmful to use above what is necessary for the body. Testosterone intake should be performed by prescription and controlled use.