Free Testosterone: 4 Surprising Factors That Can Affect It
Free testosterone is essential for good health and vitality. But as men age, their T levels decline, which can result in feeling more tired, out of shape, and less energized than before.
Though this slow decline is natural and happens to every man, your lifestyle changes can also affect how quickly your levels fall. Factors like, stress, heavy drinking, inadequate sleep, and an unhealthy diet, can decrease the very important free testosterone. Continue reading to learn how these factors can impact your free testosterone, as well as how to maintain or boost yourself up to healthy levels.
Stress
Feeling overly stressed can cause all kinds of health issues. This includes lowering your free testosterone. Constant stress can raise your cortisol levels, which is your body’s primary stress hormone. This can suppress the secretion of your reproductive molecules, including testosterone. Physical activity, meditation, and a better work-life balance can help you relax and minimize stress.
Beer
If you’re a big beer drinker, I have some bad news for you. The hops used to make beer have estrogenic properties, which can decrease your free testosterone. If you want to maintain healthy free testosterone levels, then it’s best to avoid hoppy beers— or at least drink them in moderation. An estrogen-inhibiting supplement, like Nugenix Estro-Regulator, can also help keep your estrogen levels in check and diminish their impact on your body.
Sleep
Are you getting enough sleep these days? Inadequate sleep is another factor that hinders your free testosterone. Like stress, sleep deprivation can raise cortisol levels, which you now know can decrease your available T.
Diet
Are you familiar with the saying, “You are what you eat”? This is true when it comes to your T levels. A healthy, balanced diet can support free testosterone production, while a poor diet can hinder it.
For instance, your body uses certain vitamins and minerals to produce free testosterone, including zinc and B vitamins. Eating nutrient-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, and lean organic meats can help optimize your T levels.
On the other hand, processed foods have been shown to lower available testosterone. They are high in sugar and refined carbohydrates, which can elevate your insulin and suppress free testosterone production. Non-organic meats and dairy products often contain unwanted hormones, which can also mess with your T levels.
Conclusion
Being overly stressed, chugging down beers, missing out on sleep, and eating a poor diet can all slump free testosterone production. When your free testosterone levels are already on the decline, it’s very important to avoid— or at least minimize— these factors that can hurt them further.
To restore healthy T levels, the Nugenix Testosterone Booster can help. Nugenix is a dietary supplement that increases free testosterone, so men over 45 can enjoy more vitality, drive, and staying power.