Supplementing with testosterone boosters can be a confusing subject.
How does it work? Will it be beneficial for me?
Are testosterone boosters legal?
This guide addresses all of your frequently asked questions.
Table of Contents
What Is Testosterone?
Testosterone is a male growth hormone.
It’s the key driver of sexual development, controlling pubertal changes, libido, sperm production, and body hair.
It’s also a key influencer for muscle growth and bone strength, which is why it’s so important for optimising health and performance.
Testosterone production peaks at the end of puberty, then slowly starts to decline. Women also have testosterone, but at much lower levels than men.
Who Needs More Testosterone?
From the age of 30 onwards, our natural testosterone production drops by between 1-2% per year.
That means by 80 years old you could be left with only 20% of the testosterone you had in your prime.
And if your goal is to build muscle mass, you need to have optimal levels in your system at all times. Testosterone triggers an anabolic response to your weight training, which allows you to build more muscle.
Sub-optimal levels of testosterone is also linked with an increased risk of many health conditions such as weight gain, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and much more.
How Do I Know If I Have Low Testosterone?
Andropause is the name often given to testosterone deficiency. It’s the male equivalent of women’s menopause.
The symptoms of low testosterone levels are:
- Decrease in libido (sex drive)
- Erectile dysfunction
- Lack of energy
- Decrease in strength and/or endurance
- Loss of muscle mass/difficulty increasing mass
- Depression
- Decrease in athletic performance
- Decreased stamina
- Hair loss
- Lack of concentration
- Disrupted sleep
- Increased anxiety
- Weak bones
- Fat gain
- Cognitive decline
The above symptoms may occur gradually, making it difficult to identify them with low testosterone levels.
A guaranteed way to check is with a blood test at the doctor. If your results show low testosterone levels then you should consider supplementing with a testosterone booster.
What Are Testosterone Boosters?
Testosterone Boosters, also known as T-Boosters, are nutrition supplements designed to increase the body’s natural production of testosterone.
They do this by encouraging the testes to produce more testosterone or by neutralising hormones which bind and inhibit testosterone function.
Unlike steroids, which are illegal, testosterone boosters do not provide extra testosterone to the body.
What Benefits Will I Get From A Testosterone Booster
Optimising your testosterone affects all areas of health influenced by deficiency, just in the opposite way.
You will experience:
- Increased lean muscle mass
- Decreased body fat and cellulite
- Increased bone density
- Boosts mental sharpness
- Reduces stress and helps ward off depression
- Enhances cardiovascular efficiency by increasing blood-flow and enlarging blood vessels
Are Testosterone Boosters Safe?
Yes. Testosterone boosters are completely natural supplements.
They are designed to encourage the body to produce more testosterone naturally. When taken in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines, they are perfectly safe.
How Do Testosterone Boosters Differ From Steroids?
Testosterone boosters contain natural ingredients that boost the body’s production of testosterone.
Anabolic steroids are comprised of synthetic testosterone that mimics the effects of the real testosterone in your blood stream. This ‘fake’ testosterone is made in a laboratory, and carries numerous health risks with long-term use.
Steroids are also illegal in most countries, whereas T-boosters are legal.
What Is The Best Testosterone Booster?
The best testosterone booster depends on what your goal is.
Boosters that are designed for muscle building may contain different ingredients than those aimed at boosting low levels.
There are, however, some key ingredients that you will want to look out for:
- D-Aspartic Acid
- Zinc
- Magnesium
- Vitamin B6
- ZMA
- Mucuna Pruriens
- Boron
Of course, we advise you do some reading before you buy, and you should only buy from reputable companies that list the entire ingredients list as well as the doses.
Are Testosterone Boosters Necessary For Bodybuilding?
They are not necessary but they will speed up your results.
This is because the more testosterone in your system the greater your training strength and maximum strength will be.
You will also be able to recover from your workout faster. After training your body will more readily switch from a catabolic (muscle depleting) to an anabolic (muscle building) state.
What Is The Minimum Age For Taking A Testosterone Booster?
You should not take a testosterone booster until after puberty has run its course.
During puberty, your body will be manufacturing testosterone like crazy. Generally, from age 25, your natural production will level off. At this stage, you should consider supplementing.
How Long Before I See Results?
If you are taking a testosterone booster for low levels, you will see results in as little as 7-14 days.
Those who are taking the supplement as a bodybuilding aid can expect to see noticeable muscle and strength increases in 6-8 weeks, provided they are training consistently and increasing their protein intake, which complements T-booster use.
How Do You Take Testosterone Boosters?
The majority of testosterone boosters are taken orally in the form of a tablet or capsule.
More recently some T-boosters that are applied topically to the skin have come on the market, but their effectiveness has not been studied.
Do I Need To Cycle Testosterone Boosters?
Cycling means that you intersperse periods on and off a supplement. Cycling your testosterone boosters is a good idea as it prevents your body from getting too used to them. Cycling will also make sure that your hormonal balance is not interrupted. You should take a 4 week break after 20 weeks of continuous use of a testosterone booster.
Are There Laws Or Regulations On Testosterone Boosters In Australia And New Zealand?
As long as the ingredients contained in the product do not contain androgens (synthetic sex hormones), there are no special regulations regarding the sale or importation of testosterone boosters in Australia and New Zealand.
However, some supplements sold as testosterone boosters have been found to be secretly fortified with androgens, without this being listed on the product label.
This makes them banned substances.
It is vital that you only purchase your testosterone booster from a reputable supplier and that the brand is a credible one.