What is testosterone? How does it apply to fitness and bodybuilding? You may have heard the term used in a variety of every day phrases. Why did “so and so” get in a fight with “so and so”? Sometime’s you’ll hear an answer like “too much testosterone.” Some people hear the word and just associate it with bodybuilding, but are not sure what it’s relation is to fitness, muscle repair, quality of life, etc.

Testosterone is a steroid hormone from the Androgen group. Your body produces this naturally, although many bodybuilders and fitness enthusiasts want to increase the levels of this hormone within their body due to the muscle building and fat burning effects it has on the body.

Testosterone maintains reproductive tissue, stimulates sperm production, stimulates and maintains sexual function, maintains bone strength, and increases muscle mass and strength. Having increased testosterone, according to research studies, gives an improved sense of well being (reduction in depression / mild euphoria), improved confidence, improved energy, as well as many other side effects, both considered good and bad.

Having TOO much testosterone, such as those using anabolic steroids, may lead to baldness, increased acne, increase in aggressive behavior, infertility, prostate cancer, and more. On the same note, having very little testosterone is often associated with unpleasant side effects, both short and long term. One should note that many of the side effects associated with the level of testosterone in the body also greatly depends on the individuals genes. Increasing testosterone of a person that is naturally more likely to become aggressive will obviously give more noticeable side effects in terms of agitation and aggressiveness.

As men age, their natural levels of testosterone begin to lower, causing a number of unpleasant side effects, just like men who have excessive amounts of testosterone. Diminished libido, erectile dysfunction, infertility, body composition changes, and even greater degrees of anger are symptoms of having low testosterone.

Testosterone in Bodybuilding

As you may known, testosterone is important in bodybuilding as it is a great determiner of the amount of muscle mass you are able to build. It is very possible to increase your testosterone levels naturally by eating a well balanced diet, resting enough, life style changes, and sometimes  natural supplementation.

 

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