It’s a fact of life that testosterone (T) levels in men decline with age and obesity. By age 45, 40% of men in the United States have low T levels. But just because low T is common, that doesn’t mean that you must accept it. In fact, you can make changes that help your body produce more T.
Our expert team at the Low Testosterone & Weight Loss Center helps men boost their T levels with customized testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). However, TRT alone isn’t enough.
To maximize T, you need to feed your body the right foods to keep your T levels high and weight low. That’s why we also offer nutritional support to maintain or restore your T at our Allen, Texas, office.
The following is a brief rundown on how what you eat — not just how much you eat — affects your T, weight, and health.
Foods that boost your T
You already know that eating right is part of optimizing your health. But with so much information on the web, it can be hard to know which foods are best for you, especially if you’re looking to increase your T levels.
Healthy T levels help maintain muscle and bone mass. Both muscle and bone need high-quality protein to create new cells. Some of the best foods for producing T are high-quality forms of protein, such as:
- Tuna fish
- Egg yolks
- Beef
- Oysters
- Shellfish
- Fatty fish, like salmon
- Beans
- Nuts and seeds
As you can see from the list, you can’t complain about feeling deprived when you’re eating to boost your T! You have plenty of delicious choices, just from the protein category.
We also help you add high-quality fats, such as olive oil, to your diet, as well as plenty of leafy green vegetables and other fresh vegetables and fruit.
The “bad” news is you need to nix the tasty, addictive “nonfoods,” such as processed foods, fast food, and food packaged in plastic or cans. You may also need to limit alcohol.
Supplements that boost your T
Food alone is no longer sufficient to maintain optimal health, especially as you age. Due to depleted soil and lack of crop rotation, fruits and vegetables have fewer nutrients today than they once did.
We also live in highly stressed and polluted environments that affect how our bodies function, including how we produce hormones. As part of your nutritional support, we recommend supplements to make up for any deficiencies that are unique to you.
We also recommend supplementing to raise your levels of essential vitamins and minerals that your body needs to keep your cells healthy. Supplements and herbs that help increase or maintain testosterone levels include:
- Fish oil
- DHEA
- L-arginine
- Zinc
- Vitamin D
- Magnesium
- Garlic
- Ginseng
- Ashwagandha
Once you’re eating a nutritious diet, supplementing appropriately, and exercising, your sleep should improve, too. A good night’s rest is essential to T production.
Losing weight boosts your T
Losing excess weight and attaining a healthy body-mass index (BMI) can help balance your T levels. Fatty tissue, also known as adipose tissue, produces the hormone estrogen. When you have too much estrogen in relation to T, you accumulate even more adipose tissue.
By losing excess fat, you speed up your metabolism. A faster metabolism helps you put on muscle. Greater muscle mass helps your body produce more T.
If you’re having trouble losing weight on your own, you might benefit from medically supervised weight loss. We conduct a thorough physical exam and administer diagnostics, including those that determine your T levels.
Based on the results, we custom-design a weight loss plan that works best for your body. We also recommend exercises that help you lose fat and gain muscle, such as weight lifting or other resistance training.
If you’re ready to maximize T levels with sound nutritional support, call us at 469-912-2113 or use our online form to schedule an appointment.