Testosterone in males supports lean body mass, mitochondrial function, all aspects of sexual function, calm and confident performance under pressure, and general well being.
Have had amazing results with pine pollen tincture along with nettle root powder which were recommended in Stephen Harrod Buhner's book Natural Remedies for Low Testosterone:
How to Enhance Male Sexual Health and Energy.
I have only used the tincture from Woodland Essence he recommended. The nettle root from Swanson in caps.
I use Buteyko breathing to raise carbonate blod levels. See Originally learned of this from Ray Peat but Patrick McKeown's many books have expanded my knowledge greatly. I get overheated in a hurry wearing a respirator when exercising or mowing the lawn (to avoid exhaust fumes.
I noticed some misinformation in this article: Tadalafil actually does not "boost" nitric oxide. It inhibits the action of PDE5, an enzyme that breaks down cGMP. It is increased levels of cGMP that lead to relaxation of smooth muscle in blood vessels in the corpus cavernosum (and elsewhere). cGMP is released by nitric oxide, but the effects of tadalafil are situated one step downstream from nitric oxide.
The fact that both tadalafil and arginine are capable of boosting testosterone suggests looking downstream on the nitric oxide biochemical signaling pathway for a mechanism of action. It could be that PDE5 is expressed in all reproductive tissues, and increased bloodflow to the testicles (due higher levels of cGMP caused either by an increase in nitric oxide, or a decrease in PDE5) results in elevated T.
I am curious what you think about this?
PS. Anecdotally, I feel that tadalafil raises my T level (due to broad spectrum subjective effects that I would normally associate with higher T levels, not limited to higher erection quality)... but I have not verified this with bloodwork.
Yes, misinformation. "Misinformation" is simply incorrect information; the word does not imply intent to deceive. "Disinformation" is incorrect information with the intent to deceive.
I don't think you were trying to lie or fool anyone, just that you made an error.
You sound like a CIA operative or one of their press lackeys. I understand the words but in today's context they should just be banished. Just say "error."
I fixed it.
My point was not about tadalafil but about arginine being required to generate nitric oxide. I did not go into as much detail but there are nitric oxide-independent mechanisms of arginine activating mTOR so if the arginine has to be converted to nitric oxide for this effect in this population it makes all of the mechanisms of that conversion relevant.
So I reworded it to fix the error but keep the focus on nitric oxide.
I don’t know. The implication is that you need approximately 30 hours per week of hypoxia that you then recover from. That either implies that chronic hypoxia from that altitude would lower T, or that you would be long-term adapted and need 30 hours of *greater* hypoxia than baseline to boost T over baseline.
Duuude. I literally spent 4 hours today working on my second Substack post, which, in the interim I titled "X ways to boost your testosterone naturally." (So far I have three, planning on about ten.) Then I check my email and I see a notification from Substack referencing "5 ways to boost your testosterone naturally." And I thought, wait a minute, I don't remember putting the number 5 in there, and, furthermore, why am I getting a notification about my own Substack post, which I haven't even published yet? And then I realized it was your post. Crazy. I'll have to change my title now. Fortunately, I see there are already a lot significant differences in content, and so when I eventually post it, hopefully I will not be accused of plagiarism. Mine will go beyond diet and exercise, and even regarding diet and exercise, I'll respectfully disagree on a couple points. Of course, your post is awesome, and filled in several gaps I hadn't thought of. I'll give you credit if I decide to incorporate them.
Testosterone is tricky because there are so many things that can cause negative levels. Things that you mentioned in other articles even. But if you mentioned everything, this article would be insanely long.
For example manganese toxicity which effects Coq10 synthesis which effects anti oxidant status and energy metabolism. Which then begs that ANYTHING affecting redox status AND energy metabolism will negatively impact testosterone, which is A LOT of scenarios. A deficiency is anything will most likely drop levels below where they should be.
Unrelated to the article but I've been trying to reach you for a couple of months by your email but not heard back. I purchased a consulting package from you for $999.99 USD in early 2021. I had one skype appointment with you. A lot of time has passed due to some medical emergencies that required first line care but, if it is possible, I'd really like to resume this package or, at least, know what my options are going forward. I hope you see this and will be able to respond.
Thank you so much for this. Your Masterpass is priceless.
Can any of you tell me whether it is ever actually physiologically normal and healthy for a woman to have undetectable levels of testosterone (total and free both)? I've looked everywhere for this information and cannot find it. Opinions and/or references to data will be appreciated!
Thank you. The reference ranges for women go so very low that anything below the reference range is "undetectable". The woman in question only asked to have sex hormones tested because wellness influencers are urging women to get sex hormone levels checked when they are younger and healthy to get a baseline for future reference. She has comfortable and regular menses and no issues with weight, mood, fatigue, sexual function, or cognition. I hesitate to pathologize the situation.
I’m a 55yr old woman trying to sort out my HRT and extrapolate what I’ve read here to me!
I was on Oestrogel and 100mg micronised progesterone. When a progesterone coil was removed I had to double the progesterone to try and stop bleeding. ( Ultrasound is normal). I then noticed I was putting on weight and felt much hungrier - just like during my three pregnancies. I have been low carb, paleo with dairy, IF 18/6 for 8 yrs. Carbs were probably in the 50g range back then. I started testosterone gel HRT this year for many reasons, but blood tests show I’m poorly absorbing. I was told to double the dose after 4 months and so I thought I’d get a bit stricter as I was seeing no effect. So I started keeping carbs 20g or less, I increased my protein to 120g a day (5’2” & 65kg then), and began fasting up to 48hrs every week. Blood tests showed total testosterone the same ( actually slightly less, and still well below ‘normal’ levels), but also a doubling of my SHBG meaning I was only getting half as much benefit - not that I’d seen any! I’ve since added in 4 x 30 seconds of HIIT ( 12 burpees) every morning to try and put my glucose somewhere as it transpires that my HbA1c is 5.7% and ketomojo meter shows I wake at 6mmol/L and go up to 7 all morning. Meals are 5.5 ish prior, up to 7, then back within 2 hrs. I’ve also added a weighted vest (11.5kg) to my hour long hilly dog walks. I was already doing 3 x Pilates, 1 x circuits with weights for 40mins, and 2-4 sessions of weightlifting with the X3 Bar system ( Jaquish Biomedical) and getting zero improvements, and if anything losing ability over time. My fasting insulin is 2.6. I’ve been on double, double dose of testosterone for the last month.
I feel like the progesterone is making me fat, and that fat is converting the testosterone to oestrogen ( which is going to need the increased progesterone to counteract its effects on uterine lining) and I’m never going to get the benefits of testosterone ( one of which I’m told will be easier weight loss!) until I’m thinner. The only way to get thinner is to be ketogenic, fast, increase muscle with increased protein and exercise more with HIIT and resistance training ( which gets no results because I’ve got no testosterone) and all these things raise my SHBG and do the opposite to what I need.
This seems like a spiral of doom that no matter what I try to do, it is being thwarted by something else in the chain! Should I just continue on with the weight loss efforts in the hope that if that goes down then some of the other things could start to work more efficiently and then I could increase my carbs a bit and hopefully boost the testosterone? My main reason for low carb and keto, apart from obvious general health and weight loss, are because I don’t want to get dementia like my mother ( I’m ApoE 3/4).
I'm not CMJ, but I'll venture an opinion. Reconsider your statement that the "only way to get thinner is to be ketogenic, fast, increase muscle with increased protein and exercise more with HIIT and resistance training." I would never dream a 55-year-old person could gain lean mass doing 48-hr fasts weekly. Perhaps you stop fasting except 12-16 hrs overnight, include whole food carbohydrates, avoid a general calorie deficit or excess, and stop the HIIT at least for a while. Track food intake and activity in Cronometer and average it each week to see where you are coming out. You can gain muscle while you lose fat but probably not in a calorie deficit. You don't have to eat a ketogenic diet to avoid dementia and other diseases associated with aging. If your fasting insulin is 2.6 you shouldn't think A1C 5.7 puts you in the pre-type-2-diabetes category. You may be overtraining, under-slept, stressed, etc. I hope you get the results you are looking for.
Thanks for the reply. Perhaps I should rephrase that comment to ‘ the only way for ME to lose weight is to…’. Since starting this in August it is the first time I’ve been able to lose weight in years. Since doubling the progesterone I am hungrier than I used to be and I cannot control myself at mealtimes and so the only way I can reduce calories is to endure the pain of fasting ( which I hate as basically eating is the most exciting thing I do each day). This way I’m probably averaging a normal intake over a week as I’m definitely overeating on eating days. The HIIT is only 4 lots of 12 burpees in the mornings and I rest between until I feel ready to go again. I only just get to anaerobic with the last two and I’m deliberately only doing a little and often so that I don’t stress my system. Frankly I’m incapable of overtraining- one of the reasons I wanted testosterone is because I have no get up and go to do anything and never get a high from exercise anymore. I’m supposed to do the X3 Bar 6 times a week, but I only do it 2 about half the time because my muscles ache so much from my weighted circuits that I need longer to recover. I sleep well, except for the blasted progesterone making my hips ache every night such that I have to turn over every hour - I had this from 6 weeks of pregnancy each time too. I suspect if I could halve the progesterone all my problems would be solved, but I won’t ever have another coil fitted as I thought it was perforating and I was dying when the last one was fitted.
I know I’m not officially diabetic but I am concerned about such high glucose numbers sloshing round in my blood all day long. Glycating everything in sight will lead to inflammaging and increase my risk for dementia ( as well as heart disease). I follow the work of Dr Dale Bredesen for dementia prevention and he advocates a keto diet.
I’m not stressed, just bored with life and fed up. I really want to see what testosterone can do for me but feel like I can’t get to ‘try it’ until I’m metabolically healthy enough for my body to absorb it properly. I’m kind of thinking that I should just get thinner no matter what, so that I can then benefit from it and would probably be able to eat more and exercise with some results finally.
I could write a book in response but I imagine CMJ would rather us not have this conversation here. In short, and with respect, it looks to me like strongly-held convictions are keeping you in a vicious cycle. You could get out of that cycle any number of ways, and in my view each way would require you setting aside beliefs you currently regard as facts. Check out the Half Size Me podcast and website. Consider coaching with her if you can, and also working with a level-headed and ethical functional medicine provider (not someone who does muscle testing, profits from supplement sales, or specializes in sex hormones and/or cosmetic procedures). Best of luck to you.
Have had amazing results with pine pollen tincture along with nettle root powder which were recommended in Stephen Harrod Buhner's book Natural Remedies for Low Testosterone:
How to Enhance Male Sexual Health and Energy.
I have only used the tincture from Woodland Essence he recommended. The nettle root from Swanson in caps.
I use Buteyko breathing to raise carbonate blod levels. See Originally learned of this from Ray Peat but Patrick McKeown's many books have expanded my knowledge greatly. I get overheated in a hurry wearing a respirator when exercising or mowing the lawn (to avoid exhaust fumes.
Thanks for sharing Chris!
For those considering supplementing with arginine, It does lower blood pressure.
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/22536-l-arginine
There are more complex articles about arginine on line if you are a fan of obtuse scientific language.
I noticed some misinformation in this article: Tadalafil actually does not "boost" nitric oxide. It inhibits the action of PDE5, an enzyme that breaks down cGMP. It is increased levels of cGMP that lead to relaxation of smooth muscle in blood vessels in the corpus cavernosum (and elsewhere). cGMP is released by nitric oxide, but the effects of tadalafil are situated one step downstream from nitric oxide.
The fact that both tadalafil and arginine are capable of boosting testosterone suggests looking downstream on the nitric oxide biochemical signaling pathway for a mechanism of action. It could be that PDE5 is expressed in all reproductive tissues, and increased bloodflow to the testicles (due higher levels of cGMP caused either by an increase in nitric oxide, or a decrease in PDE5) results in elevated T.
I am curious what you think about this?
PS. Anecdotally, I feel that tadalafil raises my T level (due to broad spectrum subjective effects that I would normally associate with higher T levels, not limited to higher erection quality)... but I have not verified this with bloodwork.
Yes you are right but “misinformation”? lmao
It was an error out of haste. Will fix.
Yes, misinformation. "Misinformation" is simply incorrect information; the word does not imply intent to deceive. "Disinformation" is incorrect information with the intent to deceive.
I don't think you were trying to lie or fool anyone, just that you made an error.
You sound like a CIA operative or one of their press lackeys. I understand the words but in today's context they should just be banished. Just say "error."
I fixed it.
My point was not about tadalafil but about arginine being required to generate nitric oxide. I did not go into as much detail but there are nitric oxide-independent mechanisms of arginine activating mTOR so if the arginine has to be converted to nitric oxide for this effect in this population it makes all of the mechanisms of that conversion relevant.
So I reworded it to fix the error but keep the focus on nitric oxide.
Thank you for pointing out the error!
So good to see people standing up to this nonsense! You are correct to use the word error.
Great stuff! Refreshing, since almost anything online about 'boosting testosterone ' is trying to sell some fringe supplement or protocol.
I'm curious about the hypoxia data. I live at altitude (1750m), I wonder if the hypoxia protocol would still have the same effect?
I don’t know. The implication is that you need approximately 30 hours per week of hypoxia that you then recover from. That either implies that chronic hypoxia from that altitude would lower T, or that you would be long-term adapted and need 30 hours of *greater* hypoxia than baseline to boost T over baseline.
Duuude. I literally spent 4 hours today working on my second Substack post, which, in the interim I titled "X ways to boost your testosterone naturally." (So far I have three, planning on about ten.) Then I check my email and I see a notification from Substack referencing "5 ways to boost your testosterone naturally." And I thought, wait a minute, I don't remember putting the number 5 in there, and, furthermore, why am I getting a notification about my own Substack post, which I haven't even published yet? And then I realized it was your post. Crazy. I'll have to change my title now. Fortunately, I see there are already a lot significant differences in content, and so when I eventually post it, hopefully I will not be accused of plagiarism. Mine will go beyond diet and exercise, and even regarding diet and exercise, I'll respectfully disagree on a couple points. Of course, your post is awesome, and filled in several gaps I hadn't thought of. I'll give you credit if I decide to incorporate them.
Testosterone is tricky because there are so many things that can cause negative levels. Things that you mentioned in other articles even. But if you mentioned everything, this article would be insanely long.
For example manganese toxicity which effects Coq10 synthesis which effects anti oxidant status and energy metabolism. Which then begs that ANYTHING affecting redox status AND energy metabolism will negatively impact testosterone, which is A LOT of scenarios. A deficiency is anything will most likely drop levels below where they should be.
Yes, anything that hurts mitochondrial function will hurt testosterone synthesis.
This wasn't meant to be comprehensive. It was meant to be the top few things that would work for the largest number of people.
Hi Chris,
Unrelated to the article but I've been trying to reach you for a couple of months by your email but not heard back. I purchased a consulting package from you for $999.99 USD in early 2021. I had one skype appointment with you. A lot of time has passed due to some medical emergencies that required first line care but, if it is possible, I'd really like to resume this package or, at least, know what my options are going forward. I hope you see this and will be able to respond.
Best wishes,
Sam
Did you change your name? You're in the system with the same name here but the only email I can find is from a Sam with a different last name.
Chris, any nutritional recommendations if you are diabetic and taking Metformin? Anything different from what you mentioned in the article?
30% up testosterone with home made cordyceps fresh and raw,
Thank you so much for this. Your Masterpass is priceless.
Can any of you tell me whether it is ever actually physiologically normal and healthy for a woman to have undetectable levels of testosterone (total and free both)? I've looked everywhere for this information and cannot find it. Opinions and/or references to data will be appreciated!
I don't have any data on that but I can't imagine that is not a problem.
Thank you. The reference ranges for women go so very low that anything below the reference range is "undetectable". The woman in question only asked to have sex hormones tested because wellness influencers are urging women to get sex hormone levels checked when they are younger and healthy to get a baseline for future reference. She has comfortable and regular menses and no issues with weight, mood, fatigue, sexual function, or cognition. I hesitate to pathologize the situation.
Might help to run dutch complete from dutchtest.com.
Great--I'll do that
What is high protein?
I’m a 55yr old woman trying to sort out my HRT and extrapolate what I’ve read here to me!
I was on Oestrogel and 100mg micronised progesterone. When a progesterone coil was removed I had to double the progesterone to try and stop bleeding. ( Ultrasound is normal). I then noticed I was putting on weight and felt much hungrier - just like during my three pregnancies. I have been low carb, paleo with dairy, IF 18/6 for 8 yrs. Carbs were probably in the 50g range back then. I started testosterone gel HRT this year for many reasons, but blood tests show I’m poorly absorbing. I was told to double the dose after 4 months and so I thought I’d get a bit stricter as I was seeing no effect. So I started keeping carbs 20g or less, I increased my protein to 120g a day (5’2” & 65kg then), and began fasting up to 48hrs every week. Blood tests showed total testosterone the same ( actually slightly less, and still well below ‘normal’ levels), but also a doubling of my SHBG meaning I was only getting half as much benefit - not that I’d seen any! I’ve since added in 4 x 30 seconds of HIIT ( 12 burpees) every morning to try and put my glucose somewhere as it transpires that my HbA1c is 5.7% and ketomojo meter shows I wake at 6mmol/L and go up to 7 all morning. Meals are 5.5 ish prior, up to 7, then back within 2 hrs. I’ve also added a weighted vest (11.5kg) to my hour long hilly dog walks. I was already doing 3 x Pilates, 1 x circuits with weights for 40mins, and 2-4 sessions of weightlifting with the X3 Bar system ( Jaquish Biomedical) and getting zero improvements, and if anything losing ability over time. My fasting insulin is 2.6. I’ve been on double, double dose of testosterone for the last month.
I feel like the progesterone is making me fat, and that fat is converting the testosterone to oestrogen ( which is going to need the increased progesterone to counteract its effects on uterine lining) and I’m never going to get the benefits of testosterone ( one of which I’m told will be easier weight loss!) until I’m thinner. The only way to get thinner is to be ketogenic, fast, increase muscle with increased protein and exercise more with HIIT and resistance training ( which gets no results because I’ve got no testosterone) and all these things raise my SHBG and do the opposite to what I need.
This seems like a spiral of doom that no matter what I try to do, it is being thwarted by something else in the chain! Should I just continue on with the weight loss efforts in the hope that if that goes down then some of the other things could start to work more efficiently and then I could increase my carbs a bit and hopefully boost the testosterone? My main reason for low carb and keto, apart from obvious general health and weight loss, are because I don’t want to get dementia like my mother ( I’m ApoE 3/4).
I'm not CMJ, but I'll venture an opinion. Reconsider your statement that the "only way to get thinner is to be ketogenic, fast, increase muscle with increased protein and exercise more with HIIT and resistance training." I would never dream a 55-year-old person could gain lean mass doing 48-hr fasts weekly. Perhaps you stop fasting except 12-16 hrs overnight, include whole food carbohydrates, avoid a general calorie deficit or excess, and stop the HIIT at least for a while. Track food intake and activity in Cronometer and average it each week to see where you are coming out. You can gain muscle while you lose fat but probably not in a calorie deficit. You don't have to eat a ketogenic diet to avoid dementia and other diseases associated with aging. If your fasting insulin is 2.6 you shouldn't think A1C 5.7 puts you in the pre-type-2-diabetes category. You may be overtraining, under-slept, stressed, etc. I hope you get the results you are looking for.
Just read your comment above - my free testosterone was 0.01 about 5 yrs ago when I just started on oestrogen/progesterone HRT at 49yrs.
Thanks for the reply. Perhaps I should rephrase that comment to ‘ the only way for ME to lose weight is to…’. Since starting this in August it is the first time I’ve been able to lose weight in years. Since doubling the progesterone I am hungrier than I used to be and I cannot control myself at mealtimes and so the only way I can reduce calories is to endure the pain of fasting ( which I hate as basically eating is the most exciting thing I do each day). This way I’m probably averaging a normal intake over a week as I’m definitely overeating on eating days. The HIIT is only 4 lots of 12 burpees in the mornings and I rest between until I feel ready to go again. I only just get to anaerobic with the last two and I’m deliberately only doing a little and often so that I don’t stress my system. Frankly I’m incapable of overtraining- one of the reasons I wanted testosterone is because I have no get up and go to do anything and never get a high from exercise anymore. I’m supposed to do the X3 Bar 6 times a week, but I only do it 2 about half the time because my muscles ache so much from my weighted circuits that I need longer to recover. I sleep well, except for the blasted progesterone making my hips ache every night such that I have to turn over every hour - I had this from 6 weeks of pregnancy each time too. I suspect if I could halve the progesterone all my problems would be solved, but I won’t ever have another coil fitted as I thought it was perforating and I was dying when the last one was fitted.
I know I’m not officially diabetic but I am concerned about such high glucose numbers sloshing round in my blood all day long. Glycating everything in sight will lead to inflammaging and increase my risk for dementia ( as well as heart disease). I follow the work of Dr Dale Bredesen for dementia prevention and he advocates a keto diet.
I’m not stressed, just bored with life and fed up. I really want to see what testosterone can do for me but feel like I can’t get to ‘try it’ until I’m metabolically healthy enough for my body to absorb it properly. I’m kind of thinking that I should just get thinner no matter what, so that I can then benefit from it and would probably be able to eat more and exercise with some results finally.
I could write a book in response but I imagine CMJ would rather us not have this conversation here. In short, and with respect, it looks to me like strongly-held convictions are keeping you in a vicious cycle. You could get out of that cycle any number of ways, and in my view each way would require you setting aside beliefs you currently regard as facts. Check out the Half Size Me podcast and website. Consider coaching with her if you can, and also working with a level-headed and ethical functional medicine provider (not someone who does muscle testing, profits from supplement sales, or specializes in sex hormones and/or cosmetic procedures). Best of luck to you.