There is currently a low-testosterone epidemic, with 25% of men (over 30) being diagnosed with low testosterone. This hormonal imbalance has led to many men all over the world taking exogenous testosterone in order to bring their male hormones back to normal levels.

Testosterone is the key hormone for men and women when it comes to muscular strength, hypertrophy and endurance. However, it’s also crucial for energy, confidence, determination, libido, sexual performance and positive mood. Thus, it doesn’t matter whether you’re a man or a woman — if your testosterone is high you’re likely to be more successful as a result of your mood and drive.

Note: Just because testosterone is significantly lower in women doesn’t mean that experiencing a reduction in this hormone won’t affect them negatively also. In fact, various women report feeling very down (mentally) when diagnosed with low testosterone. Consequently, females are prescribed DHEA by doctors to elevate their natural testosterone production to normal levels.

Since the 1980’s men’s testosterone levels have dropped 1% per year on average, but what is causing this?

In this article we’re going to list 5 culprits, thus helping you to keep your testosterone levels as high as possible (naturally).

1. Steroid Use

2, Plastic bottles

3, Low calorie diets

4. High-estrogen diets

5. Radiation

Steroid-Use

Over 1 million Americans have admitted to taking anabolic steroids. Thus, the true number is expected to be even higher than this.

Anabolic steroids will send testosterone levels soaring, however as the user’s body tries to keep homeostasis; it shuts down natural testosterone production via the testes.

Thus, testosterone levels can remain high until a cycle comes to an end — where testosterone levels often plummet. Consequently, it can take several months for natural test production to recover. However, if steroids are abused, then low testosterone can be a long-term reality.

Even the mildest of steroids can have a dramatic negative effect on testosterone, such as anavar. Read more about its testosterone suppressive effects in this guide – https://insidebodybuilding.com/anavar .

This can result in a low mood, less energy, confidence and motivation throughout the day. Sexual performance may also suffer.

Stay away from steroids if you want to keep your testosterone levels within a normal range for years to come. There is absolutely no need to take steroids if you work hard in the gym and follow a strict diet. You will receive more satisfaction achieving your goals without taking drugs; which is also sustainable long term, as opposed to taking drugs to later lose your gains.

Plastic Bottles

Do you drink water from a plastic bottle? If so, your testosterone could potentially be higher.

Plastic bottles contain BPA (bisphenol-A), which has an estrogenic effect in the body. Estrogen is the female sex hormone and thus when it rises, testosterone levels can take a dive.

Instead, you can use a re-usable water bottle, commonly made of plastic, glass or steel. The plastic re-usable bottles are specifically made to be free of BPA. Glass is potentially the best option, considering it doesn’t hold flavour (unlike metal or plastic bottles). However, the downside with glass re-usable bottles is the risk of them breaking.

Furthermore, drinking filtered water at home is the best way to remove impurities, keeping your body healthy and preventing your testosterone levels from being slashed.

Low Calorie Diets

When people starve themselves, or have been on a lower calorie diet for an extended period of time — testosterone levels can drop significantly. This is because when there’s a shortage of calories, cortisol (stress) levels rise in the body as a self-defense mechanism — alerting the person to find food.

Cortisol is destructive to high testosterone, which is why not only low calorie diets slash T levels; but also a lack of sleep and being stressed out in general.

Diet fads are more popular than ever before, with people being very focused on their body image and looking good. Thus, men and women are more prone to consuming fewer calories than in previous generations — sabotaging their testosterone count.

Make sure you eat well, sleep well and minimize stress as much as possible for high testosterone levels. If you are dieting make sure you include a refeed day every few weeks, to help regulate your testosterone levels; and make sure you’re getting 7+ hours of sleep per day.

If you’re feeling particularly stressed, you may wish to supplement with vitamin C, which has shown to blunt cortisol levels during stressful times.

High Estrogen Diets

There are many foods and drinks which can sap your testosterone.

Some of these are consumed regularly by millions of people, affecting their well-being, sexual performance and muscle mass.

Here is a list of estrogenic foods/drinks:

• Tofu

• Soybeans

• Milk

• Alcohol

• Flax seeds

There are also chemicals in your shower gel or washing powder than are waging war against your test levels, such as:

• Lavender

• Tee tree oil

• Red clover

Although a certain amount of estrogen is needed to regulate blood pressure in men and provide well-being, too much of it can cause a deficiency in testosterone.

Radiation

We can’t avoid all types of radiation, however we can be tactful in regards to minimizing the level of radiation around us.

Research has shown that radiation can cause hypogonadism in males, which then diminishes once the person is no longer exposed.

Thus, you may want to rethink sleeping with your phone switched on in your bedroom when you sleep, especially with the wi-fi left on. For optimal testosterone levels you may also want to refrain from leaving your phone switched on in your pocket throughout the day. Doing so exposes your testicles to notable levels of radiation that may result in infertility or clinically low testosterone (when done in excess over a lengthy period of time).

Summary

The cure for low testosterone isn’t always taking a testosterone booster or hopping on testosterone replacement therapy — although this is seemingly the easiest option.

Instead, the best way to maximize your testosterone and bring out your inner alpha male (or she-male) is to treat the cause and correct this. Following the tips in this article on a regular basis may give you the edge you need to not only improve your physique — but also your mindset and well-being everyday.