Testosterone - Factors that Enhance

Introduction

This section outlines the nutrients, hormones, foods, herbs and other factors that enhance the function or production of Testosterone.

Amino Acids

 Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALC) may increase plasma Testosterone levels (via its influence on Acetylcholine neurotransmission in the Striatal Cortex of the Brain).  ^[1]

 Aspartic Acid (D-Aspartic Acid form) stimulates the release of Testosterone in the Testes and Pituitary Gland.  ^[2]

Antioxidants

 Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) possibly increases cellular Testosterone levels (by possibly inhibiting the Aromatase enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of Testosterone to Estradiol).  ^[3]

Carbohydrates

 Cyclodextrins are used as penetration enhancing agents to increase the sublingual absorption of Testosterone.  Cyclodextrins “embrace” Testosterone molecules, “smuggling” them into solution in watery fluid.  By “hiding” the Testosterone molecule, Water is “tricked” into permitting Testosterone into solution, where it can then disperse throughout the mouth.  When the Cyclodextrin-Testosterone complex reaches a lipid-based area or structure (for example the Oral Mucosal membranes), the Testosterone slides out of its “sleeve” (Cyclodextrin) and penetrates the cell.  The complex of a Cyclodextrin and Testosterone is known as a Sublingual Cyclodextrin Complex (SCC).  ^[4]

Enzymes

 3-Beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase catalyzes the conversion of Androstenediol to Testosterone.

 17-Beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase catalyzes the conversion of Testosterone to Androstenedione.  ^[5]

Hormones

 Androstenediol is an immediate precursor for the endogenous production of Testosterone:  ^[6]

 There are some claims that Androstenediol is three times more effective in terms of its ability to convert to Testosterone compared to Androstenedione.

 Other claims have been published that state that 4-Androstenediol converts to Testosterone 281% more efficiently than Androstenedione (15.76% for 4-Androstenediol vs. 5.61% for Androstenedione) and 3,500% more efficiently than either DHEA or 5-Androstenediol.  ^[7]

 The 4-Androstenediol form of Androstenediol is more effective for stimulating Testosterone production compared to the 5-Androstenediol form.

 Androstenedione is the immediate precursor for the endogenous production of Testosterone:  ^[8]

 Supplemental Androstenedione increases endogenous Testosterone levels.

 Following the ingestion of exogenous Androstenedione, endogenous Testosterone levels begin to rise almost immediately;  blood Testosterone levels peak after 1 to 1½  hours;  Testosterone levels remain elevated for a further three hours.

 Supplemental Androstenedione does not elevate Testosterone levels for long enough to permit the body to decrease its own endogenous production of Testosterone via the Negative Feedback Mechanism.

 Caution:  some studies have (paradoxically) failed to demonstrate the ability of supplemental Androstenedione to increase Testosterone levels.

 Chorionic Gonadotrophic Hormone (CGH) stimulates the Leydig Cells of the male Testicles to produce Testosterone.

 A single dose of 50 mg of DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone) may increase the serum levels of Testosterone in men to levels equal to those of younger men.  DHEA also (slightly) increases Testosterone levels in women:  ^[9]

 DHEA also enhances the ability of Albumin to transport Testosterone to various tissues within the body.  ^[10]

 Insulin may lower Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) levels (causing a rise in the quantity of “free” Testosterone available for uptake into tissues). 

 Luteinizing Hormone (LH) stimulates the production of Testosterone by the Leydig Cells of the Testicles.  ^[11]