From 1999 to 2016, testosterone levels declined in adolescent and young adult men by 1%, according to a study at the 2020 American Urological Association Virtual Experience. While the specific cause of this is unknown, the decline may be related to the increasing amount of people with diabetes.
Testosterone is one of the most important hormones of men nowadays. Testosterone's main function is muscle development, but it is also essential in developing bone mass, red blood cells, sex drive (libido), and fat distribution. You might guess why it was #1 on our 6 Best Supplements for Men in 2024.
For most guys, who eat healthy, workout, don't watch 18+ content, and are disciplined, testosterone lacking is not a problem. However, with the amount of distractions nowadays, it's almost impossible to resist these things. This creates space for testosterone boosters, to SUPPLEMENT the lack of testosterone (with the emphasis on supplements: it does not compensate for an unhealthy lifestyle. Fix this first before thinking about a supplement on this list). Also: a low testosterone level may lead to an increased risk of death, according to this study, so take this seriously.
So, with that being said: let's dive into the Best Testosterone Boosters of 2024!
The Best Testosterone Boosters of 2024:
How do I Know my Testosterone Levels are Low?
While symptoms may vary per person, common symptoms are fatigue, lethargy, depression, anxiety, irritability, low libido, erectile dysfunction, reduced exercise tolerance & strength, excessive sweating & night sweats, poor concentration or memory, or needing to shave less often (lack of body hair).
However, these symptoms may be related to something else than a lack of testosterone. The only way to be sure is to have a blood test at your GP.
What Are Normal Testosterone Levels?
Research of Mount Sinai concluded that normal levels of testosterone for males are between 300 to 1.000 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL) or 10 to 35 nanomoles per liter (nmol/L) and for females 15 to 70 ng/dL or 0.5 to 2.4 nmol/L.
The research at the left is based on 1.486 men between 2011-2026.
DO YOU THINK YOU LACK TESTOSTERONE?
I experience one of the symptoms named above :(
I don't feel like I lack testosterone!
Best Testosterone Boosters of 2024
As listed in our blog about the 6 Best Supplements for Men in 2024, the first supplement on this list is DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone). DHEA is a hormone produced primarily in your adrenal glands. DHEA levels are the highest when you're about twenty but then decline by about 10% per decade.
DHEA is made out of cholesterol and is transformed into estrogen and testosterone inside your body. If you take 50 MG per day, it can help to prevent depression, bone density, adrenal insufficiency, and body composition.
DHEA is a naturally occurring hormone, making it completely safe to supplement your normal diet.
This DHEA cream is made out of natural ingredients, like MSM, Aloe Vera, Shea Butter, and Coconut Oil for the fastest absorption possible. it is suggested that DHEA powder or pills get broken down immediately by your liver, but this is not backed up by research.
How do I apply it?
Every package has 70 pumps of 50mg.
First, be sure to wash your inner forearm, inner arm, chest, or thighs with your regular soap.
Apply 1 dose of 50mg
Massage into your preferred place until fully absorbed
Do this once a day, or as directed by your health professional.
Pricing
A package of 1, which contains 70 pumps, does cost $59.97. This comes down to $0.99 per day.
In the second place, we have D-aspartic acid.
Aspartic Acid can be divided into L-aspartic acid, which is used to build proteins, and D-aspartic acid, which is used to make and release hormones.
Both are naturally produced by your body.
D-Aspartic Acid can increase the release of a hormone in the brain, that will lead to testosterone production.
One study in healthy men aged 27–37 examined the effects of taking D-aspartic acid supplements for 12 days.
It found that 20 out of the 23 men taking D-aspartic acid had higher testosterone levels at the end of the study, with an average increase of 42%.
Three days after they stopped taking the supplement, their testosterone levels were still 22% higher, on average, than at the beginning of the study. But it has to be said: the used men were not exercising daily. This may suggest that D-aspartic acid is not needed for people who exercise daily, but this is not backed up by scientific research.
How do I use it?
For optimal results, taking 3g per day for at least 2 weeks is necessary. Recommended to use 3g of D-Aspartic Acid on an empty stomach, so as soon as you wake up or go to sleep. Also, make sure to start eating 15-20 minutes after taking D-aspartic acid if you wish.
Pricing
This is a no-brainer. For $10.49 you get 200g of D-Aspartic Acid. This comes down to $0.16 per day.
At #3, we have the zinc from NOW Supplements. Zinc is essential for multiple reasons: optimal organ function, skeletal, immune, neurological, and endocrine systems. But zinc is also a necessary co-factor for hundreds of enzymatic reactions related to protein and carbohydrate metabolism, RNA/DNA synthesis, and intercellular signaling.
This zinc from NOW Supplements is vegan, soy-free, kosher, non-GMO (Genetically Modified Organism), halal, and sugar-free.
But how does zinc support testosterone production? This study shows that men who received 30 mg of zinc per day have increased levels of free testosterone in their bodies.
How do I use it?
The recommended daily amount of zinc is 11 mg, but this is the bare minimum.
Some foods that contain the most levels of zinc are:
Oysters
Beef
Crab
Pork
Beans
Chicken
Yogurt
Nuts
Recommended is to take 1 tablet per day. Do not take more than 1, because this may result in headaches, nausea, abdominal cramps, or stomach pain.
Pricing
Again one of those must-haves when it comes down to the pricing. 1 package of 100 (!) tablets is priced at $7.18. This comes down to $0.07 per tablet. Surely worth a try!
EXTRA: their tablets are preservable for at least 5 years. So if you want to use it for periods, storing it in a dark place at 18 degrees is your way to go.
The #4 place is reserved for Doctor's Best Magnesium Tablets. Magnesium is also an all-rounder, which is a cofactor in more than 300 enzyme systems that regulate diverse chemical reactions in the body, such as protein synthesis, muscle and nerve function, blood glucose control, and blood pressure regulation.
75% of ALL Americans have a magnesium deficiency, while every organ of the body needs it. This research shows that supplementing 10 mg of magnesium per kg of body weight results in an increased amount of free testosterone levels in the blood.
This research about the relation between testosterone & magnesium also shows that magnesium intake can have an essential role in both muscle gain and testosterone increase. However, these results also showed that the best effect is found on active individuals.
How do I use it?
Recommended is to take 2 tablets of 100 mg a day. It does not matter how and when you take it. The rest of your magnesium intake should come from your daily nutrition.
Pricing
The pricing comes down to $18.19 per package of 120 tablets $0.09 per tablet.
Your supplement collection does not have to be expensive, you see :).
At #5, we have a more unfamiliar one: Ashwagandha. India has used it for decades, but in the Western world, it's yet far less popular. India has used it for anxiety and insomnia, but there is increasingly more research done about the effects of testosterone.
Te most important ingredient is KSM-66. This is a patented, highly concentrated, full-spectrum ashwagandha extract. meaning it maintains the balance of the active components found naturally in the herb. KSM-66 only uses the roots of the ashwagandha plant without the leaves.
This study researched 46 male patients between 22 and 40 years old with oligospermia (sperm count < 20 million/mL semen, the most prevalent cause of reduced male fertility). They received 3X 225 mg of KSM-66 Ashwagandha. The results were the following:
167% increase in sperm count
53% increase in semen volume
57% increase in sperm motility
17% increase in serum testosterone levels
All of the improvements were statistically significant, compared to minimal improvement in any parameter for the placebo group
Nearly 70% of the ashwagandha group reported the therapy was “excellent” compared to 12% of the placebo group.
In another study of 50 men (average aged 35) with lower sexual desire: each man was either given 300 mg of ashwagandha or placebo capsules twice a day for eight weeks. The results were as follows:
A significant improvement in testosterone, while there were no changes in prolactin to be seen (a hormone that has been linked to erectile problems in men).
40% improvement in DISF-M scores under men who took ashwagandha, compared to 25% in the placebo group (the performance under the sheets ;))
An 88.5% probability of superiority of the ashwagandha root supplements compared to the placebo.
The YouTheory Ashwagandha supplement is vegan, dairy-free, soy-free, and contains no gluten ingredients. Also, it is NON-GMO verified.
How do I use it?
Generally speaking, the recommended dosage is 2 capsules per day. However, if you feel like you need more, adding additional capsules over time should not be a problem. ALWAYS make sure to talk to your GP.
Pricing
One package of ashwagandha capsules costs $20.11 for 60 counts. This comes down to $0.34 per capsule.
Vitamine D couldn't be left out of this list. Vitamine D is especially important during dark and rainy days because our body produces vitamin D only with sunlight. During dark winter days, most of the sunlight will be gone.
What's the difference between vitamin D, D2 and D3?
The most important vitamin D supplements are vitamin D2 and D3. Vitamin D2 comes from plant-based nutrition, like mushrooms, while D3 comes from sunlight and fish, meat, eggs, and dairy. Vitamin D3 is essential for the absorption and utilization of calcium and phosphorus, which are vital for maintaining strong and healthy bones. Vitamin D3 supplementing is sufficient to meet your overall vitamin D needs. Basically, vitamin D3 is the only one your body is deficient in.
The effects of vitamin D3 on testosterone are scientifically proven. This Danish study concluded the following in 2018:
“We have been researching how vitamin D affects reproduction for many years. What is new about this study, is that we can show that vitamin D influences testosterone production. There appears to be a direct link, and one may speculate whether supplementation of vitamin D for vitamin D–deficient men may give a clinically relevant increase in testosterone,” says Martin Blomberg Jensen, doctor and Group Leader, Group of Skeletal, Mineral and Gonadal Endocrinology, Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen.
The study was based on 2 groups of men. One group of 41, who had a testicle removed because of testicular cancer, and the other group comprised 300 healthy young men. The researchers took a sample of blood from all of the men and tested the concentrations of testosterone, vitamin D, and the calcium-regulating hormone "parathyroid".
The results of another study, which originally researched the correlation between vitamin D and weight loss, concluded that participants who received vitamin D had statistically significant increases in testosterone compared to placebo. The total testosterone levels rose by 3 nmol/liter to 13.4 nmol/liter in 12 months.
How do I use it?
Recommended is to take 1 capsule of 50 mcg throughout the day for optimal results.
Pricing
One package is priced at $10, which comes down to only $0.10 per serving.
#7: EXTRA: Nicotine
Why is there no product here? "DANIEL YOU FORGOT SOMETHING PLEASE HELP".
Chill, the reason there is no product here, is that we as a brand do not want to be associated with the negative reputation nicotine has. There is a reason we listed it as "extra", which means taking nicotine is your own responsibility and we're not accountable for any related problems.
That being said - why is it on this list? My brother suggested this to me yesterday and I was pretty surprised about the research that has already been done about some of the positive effects of nicotine on testosterone. To make sure you don't waste your precious time on this subject, here is a quick summary:
Research in 2016 explored the effects of nicotine on testosterone under 13.000 men and 6.000 women. The result: men who smoked appeared to have higher testosterone levels than nonsmokers. Under women, there were no significant changes.
A small study in 2022 found that baseball players who chewed on nicotine gum had lower levels of salivary testosterone after 30 minutes. However, these low levels were compensated after physical exercise.
Another study in 2022 researched 600 Swedish men. The results were quite conflicting:
Men who chewed tobacco had a 24% lower sperm count than men who didn't. However, their testosterone levels were 14% higher on average.
The last study from 2020 tested the impact of nicotine on testicular function in men. Researchers found that e-cigarette and cigarette users had lower sperm counts than nonusers. However, men who did smoke cigarettes (so no e-cigarettes), had significantly higher testosterone levels.
So, what can be concluded from this? Absolutely nothing. More research needs to be done to determine whether nicotine has a positive or negative effect on testosterone levels. While nicotine gums are a huge hype right now, our suggestion is: wait until it's scientifically proven to have positive effects on testosterone.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the decline in testosterone levels among adolescent and young adult men from 1999 to 2016 is a concerning trend, with potential links to the rising prevalence of diabetes. Testosterone plays a crucial role in various aspects of men's health, including muscle development, bone mass, libido, and fat distribution.
The Best Testosterone Boosters of 2024 offer viable options for individuals seeking to address potential deficiencies. However, it's essential to emphasize that these supplements should complement a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet and regular exercise.
The featured testosterone boosters, such as BioLabs PRO DHEA Cream, Body & Fit D-aspartic Acid, NOW Supplements Zinc, Doctor's Best Magnesium Tablets, Youtheory Ashwagandha, and Whole Foods Market Vitamin D3, present diverse choices with supporting research. Each product addresses specific aspects of hormonal balance, and their affordable pricing adds to their appeal.
Additionally, the inclusion of nicotine as an "extra" highlights the complexity of understanding its impact on testosterone levels, urging caution and further scientific exploration. Overall, optimizing testosterone levels involves a holistic approach, combining these supplements with healthy habits for enhanced well-being. As individuals consider these options, it remains crucial to consult healthcare professionals and prioritize evidence-based choices.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Why have testosterone levels seen a decline in recent years?
2. What are the main functions of testosterone in the male body?
3. Who may benefit from testosterone boosters?
4. How do I know if my testosterone levels are low?
5. What are considered normal testosterone levels?
6. Are testosterone boosters safe?
7. Can lifestyle changes alone improve testosterone levels?
8. Is nicotine a recommended testosterone booster?
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Interesting supplements! Im gonna have a look at them. Also the research about nicotine is fascinating indeed.