Restore Youthful Testosterone Levels

Men worry that low testosterone will decrease muscle growth and libido.

This is just the tip of iceberg.

Research indicates that low testosterone may affect mood and cause depression.¹

It is also linked to an increased risk for heart disease and greater risk of death from any cause.^2-7

Serum testosterone declines over time. Beginning as early as age 30, testosterone levels start falling about 1% per year.^8,9

Scientists have identified plant-derived nutrients that help safely boost production of this hormone.

In one clinical study, a blend of pomegranate and cacao extracts was shown to increase free testosterone as much as 48% in aging men.¹⁰

In preclinical studies, the flavonoid luteolin was shown to support testosterone production and reduce its conversion into estrogen.^11-14

Declining Free Testosterone

The hormone testosterone is primarily produced in the testicles in men.^15,16 It is crucial for normal development of the male reproductive system and impacts the healthy function of organs and tissues throughout the body.

To perform its vital roles, testosterone must be in a “free” or biologically active form to attach to testosterone receptors on various body cells.

However, only about 2% of all circulating testosterone is in this free, unbound form.¹⁷ The rest circulates in the blood already bound to proteins.^15,18

And, free testosterone declines with age.

Overweight men have a higher risk for low testosterone. That’s because being overweight or obese is associated with increased levels of the enzyme aromatase, which converts testosterone into estrogen.^9,19

Dangers of Low Testosterone

As testosterone levels decline with age, men experience well-known low testosterone symptoms. These include diminished sexual desire, erectile dysfunction, fatigue, reduced muscle mass and strength, and loss of youthful well-being.

But the effects go beyond these. Testosterone deficiency in men correlates with a greater risk of:^6,7,18,20-24

• Cardiovascular disease,
• Osteoporosis,
• Chronic inflammation,
• Neurodegeneration, including cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease,
• Metabolic syndrome and type II diabetes,
• Depression, and
• All-cause mortality.

A misguided fear that testosterone may cause prostate cancer hampered clinical progress for decades. In reality, low testosterone is associated with increased prostate cancer incidence in most studies.^25,26

Clearly, there is a critical need to boost free testosterone levels in most aging men.

Promising Plant Extracts

Seeking a safe and drug-free way to elevate testosterone, scientists took note of a study presented at an endocrinology conference a decade ago.

In that study, healthy men and women who took pomegranate juice for just two weeks increased salivary testosterone levels by 23%-27%. Mood and well-being measures also improved.²⁷

After screening hundreds of plant extracts, scientists believed that both pomegranate and cacao seed extract, from the beans used to make cocoa and chocolate, might promote higher testosterone levels.

A study using testes cells from mice confirmed that both extracts could significantly raise testosterone production.²⁸

In a rodent model, investigators found that a pomegranate-cacao seed combination boosted testosterone production by over 72% in just six weeks.²⁹

Boosting Testosterone in Men

To evaluate pomegranate and cacao extracts in humans, scientists gave men ranging from 36 to 55 years old either a combination of these extracts or a placebo.¹⁰

After eight weeks, free testosterone levels in men receiving 400 mg of the pomegranate-cacao blend were elevated by over 48% compared to baseline.¹⁰

In addition, in men taking the pomegranate-cacao blend:¹⁰

• Overall well-being improved,
• Measures of stress dropped by 26%, and
• Hand grip strength increased by almost 25% compared to baseline.

The pomegranate-cacao group also reduced their symptoms on the Aging Males’ Symptoms scale by 19%.¹⁰ These symptoms include:³⁰

• Joint pain and muscle aches,
• Excessive sweating,
• Sleep problems and exhaustion,
• Anxiety and irritability,
• Depression and feeling burned out, and
• Decrease in libido and other sexual problems.

A similar study was done on younger men, aged 21 to 35.¹⁰

Even in these younger men, a blend of pomegranate and cacao extracts increased free testosterone by 25%. Hand grip strength and the circumference of the upper arm increased as well.¹⁰

How Luteolin Helps

Luteolin is a flavonoid found in certain fruits, herbs, and vegetables, including celery, broccoli, parsley, and thyme.

This compound may support higher testosterone production and levels in two ways. Cell and animal studies demonstrate that luteolin:

• Increases an enzyme called StAR (steroidogenic acute regulatory protein), which is required for testosterone production to occur,³¹ and
• Inhibits the enzyme aromatase, which converts testosterone into estrogen.^11,12

A combination of luteolin and pomegranate-cacao extracts may support the production and maintenance of healthy free testosterone levels in men as they age.

Summary

Beginning around age 30, levels of the hormone testosterone in men begin to decline.

Low testosterone can result in symptoms like erectile dysfunction, fatigue, and reduced muscle mass, and poses a serious risk to overall health.

Pomegranate and cacao seed extracts boost testosterone production. In a clinical study, this combination increased free testosterone by 48% and improved measures of stress-resilience and strength.¹⁰

Preclinical data found that the flavonoid luteolin also supports higher testosterone levels.

Together, these nutrients may help aging men support higher testosterone levels and quality of life.

If you have any questions on the scientific content of this article, please call a Life Extension Wellness Specialist at 1-866-864-3027.

References

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