Understanding the role of testosterone in the body, and why it is a key component in supporting both male and female health.
Commonly referred to as the male ‘sex hormone’, testosterone plays a vital role in helping to maintain overall health. Some might be surprised to learn that women’s bodies both make and need testosterone as well, albeit in much less reduced amounts than what is required in men.
What is Testosterone?
To fully understand the role of testosterone in the body, it can be helpful to first understand how it is made.
Testosterone is a hormone produced primarily in the gonads (i.e., the testicles in men and the ovaries in women). It can also be made via conversion from a separate hormone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), which is produced by the adrenal glands.
When testosterone levels are low, the Hypothalamus produces a hormone called Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH). This in turn stimulates the Pituitary Gland to release Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing Hormone (LH), which tell the cells that it's time to produce more testosterone - what can also be referred to as "free" testosterone.
According to Prestige Men’s Medical, free testosterone is the unbound form of testosterone in the body that is able to be put to work and carry out its duties (like regulating metabolism, supporting cellular replication and growth, and more) [1]. Then there's "bound" testosterone, which is usually bound to either a protein or Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) and unfortunately is unavailable for the body to use.
What Does It Do?
In males, testosterone is the main androgen responsible for stimulating the development of male characteristics commonly associated with puberty. However, testosterone plays a number of important roles in the body to help support health and reduce the risk of disease.
Some of the many key functions of testosterone include:
- Stimulating male puberty
- Muscle size and strength
- Bone growth and strength
- Sex drive (libido)
- Sperm production
- Ovarian function
- Supporting energy and mood
In adults, however, it is usually related to sex drive, libido, and energy. This is in part due to an increase in sperm production which occurs simultaneously with that of testosterone production in men, whereas higher testosterone in women has been linked to enhanced desire, sensitivity, and energy.
Why Is It Important?
There are a number of different (unpleasant) conditions associated with low levels of testosterone, such as:
- Low energy
- Weight gain
- Hair loss
- Mood changes
- Low libido (sex drive)
- Increased irritability
- Decreased bone mass density & strength
Free testosterone levels naturally decline after the age of 30 for both men and women, gradually decreasing each year. Since free testosterone plays a vital role in cell replication and bone and muscle strength [2], it is vital we have enough in our bodies.
Ways To Help Support Free Testosterone Levels
There are many ways to naturally improve your free testosterone levels, including:
- Weight lifting to increase muscle mass
- Eating a healthy diet that limits both trans and saturated fats
- Ensuring you're getting adequate levels of Vitamin D
Or you can add in daily supplementation from a high-quality, natural source - Enter Everyday ALPHA BOOST by Health in Harmony.
Everyday ALPHA BOOST is a powerful formulation of the purest and most potent Eurycoma longifolia (or "Tongkat Ali"), which has been used for centuries in traditional for fatigue, loss of sexual desire, and more. It naturally stimulates the release of GnRH from the Hypothalamus, regardless of the body's existing levels of testosterone, helping to free any "bound" testosterone to increase the amount of testosterone that is able to be used.
Proven by Science
Believe it or not, the body uses approximately 2% of the testosterone that is produced (i.e., free testosterone). That's why we created a solution Everyday ALPHA BOOST, nature's solution to increasing free testosterone and delivering powerful maximum support for:
- Improved energy & vitality
- Optimal sexual performance
- Increased stamina & strength
- Healthy aging
Additionally, recent research has demonstrated that Everyday ALPHA BOOT promotes favorable anabolic balance during intense and prolonged exercise*
