If you’re experiencing decreased muscle mass, reduced concentration, or a decline in libido, you may want to take a look at your testosterone levels. This hormone is a key player in both men’s and women’s health. While it’s natural for testosterone to decrease with age, studies have found that levels have been declining in young adult men in recent decades [ 1 43] 2 3
Testosterone is an androgen hormone produced by the adrenal cortex, the testes, and the ovaries [ 4 5
Testosterone levels are much lower in women, but this hormone still plays a role in a female’s bone health, reproductive system, and sex drive [ 6
Science shows that many factors play a role in testosterone levels, so here are some things that have an impact on this specific hormone.
Age. Research indicates that males’ testosterone levels decline, on average, 1.6% each year [ 7 17
Genetics. Studies have found that testosterone has a high heritability and is greatly influenced by genetics [ 8 9
Lifestyle. Physical activity levels and weight management play a role in testosterone levels; for instance, engaging in little exercise and being obese can decrease testosterone, whereas moderate physical activity and maintaining a healthy weight can improve levels [ 10 44 11
Diet. Diets low in nutrient-dense foods and rich in processed foods have been associated with low testosterone levels [ 12
Medication and steroids. Researchers have found that many antidepressants can impact testosterone and estrogen levels [ 13 14
Health conditions. Studies show that chronic health conditions (such as AIDS, kidney disease, alcoholism, and liver cirrhosis) can negatively impact testosterone levels [ 15 16
You can determine your testosterone levels with a simple blood test. However, since these levels vary throughout the day, a second test may be needed to confirm results.
Here are some average testosterone levels by age and gender [ 4
Men ages 13-17: 208 to 497 ng/dL
Men over 19 years old: 280 to 1,100 ng/dL
Women ages 13-17: 17 to 32 ng/dL
Women over 19 years old: 15 - 70 ng/dL
If your testosterone levels fall outside of this range, talk with your healthcare provider to see what options are right for you.
Low testosterone symptoms vary depending on your gender and age, but some symptoms associated with men include [ 5 18
Low sex drive (libido)
Weight gain
Mood swings
Increased body fat
Reduced muscle mass
Low self-esteem
Hair loss
Difficulty getting and maintaining an erection
Trouble concentrating
Depression
Some symptoms of low testosterone in women may include [ 6
Decreased libido
Reduced bone strength
Trouble concentrating
Depression
While it’s normal for testosterone levels to decrease with age, a lack (or very low levels) of this hormone can sometimes have long-term, serious effects on the body, especially for men. Research indicates that very low levels of testosterone in males has been linked to osteoporosis and an increased risk of death [ 42
If you’re looking for ways to increase testosterone, you may want to start by examining what you put on your plate. Here are some science-backed foods that can help boost testosterone levels.
Fatty fish (like salmon, herring, and trout) can increase testosterone levels due to their high vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acid content. In fact, studies have found that men who have low levels of vitamin D and omega-3s often have lower testosterone levels compared to those with higher levels of these nutrients [ 19
Dark leafy greens (such as spinach, kale, and swiss chard) are well-known for their numerous health benefits, but notable research suggests that they may also promote testosterone levels. These vegetables are often high in magnesium 20 21 22
Egg yolks are rich in many vitamins and minerals, including selenium. This mineral may enhance testosterone production, as some research has found a correlation between high testosterone and elevated selenium levels [ 23 24
Shellfish (such as shrimp, crayfish, crab, lobster, clams, scallops, oysters, and mussels) are excellent sources of zinc, selenium, and omega-3 fatty acids, all of which may help to support optimal testosterone levels [ 25
While the food you eat makes a difference in your testosterone levels, you may not get all of the nutrients you need from diet alone. Here are some of the best supplements to boost testosterone, according to science.
This herb has numerous benefits for men, as scientific evidence suggests ashwagandha 26 27
Vitamin D 28
Studies show that 42% of Americans are deficient in vitamin D, with that number increasing to 74% in older adults and 82% in people with dark skin [ 29
Since vitamin D is only obtained through sunlight exposure and a few foods, supplementation
Fenugreek extract may have a positive impact on testosterone, as researchers found that 90% of men who took 500 mg/day experienced a 46% increase in testosterone after 12 weeks [ 30
Studies indicate that saw palmetto extract may increase testosterone levels by blocking 5-alpha reductase, an enzyme which converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone [ 31 32
This mineral plays a large role in testosterone levels, as a deficiency has been shown to negatively affect men’s sexual health and fertility [ 33 34
Studies show that men who took 0.5 - 1 g of ginger/kg of body weight/day experienced an 18% increase in testosterone compared to those who didn’t take a supplement [ 35
Tongat Ali Fadogia Agrestis 36
To test this, Elo co-founder and CEO Ari Tulla took both of these supplements to see if they had an impact on his testosterone levels; however, after 45 days, there was no measurable change. While Ari’s results were unsubstantial, other research shows positive results, so it’s best to consult with your healthcare provider before taking these (or any) supplements.
Food and supplements aren’t the only way to increase testosterone levels; lifestyle factors also play a role. Here’s what science has to say about how your weight, physical activity, and stress levels affect testosterone.
Maintain a healthy weight. Research indicates that maintaining a healthy weight (or losing excess weight) can keep testosterone levels at an optimal level, as it’s been found that obese men have 30% lower testosterone levels compared to men at a healthy body weight [ 37 38
Exercise. Strength training (in the form of full body weight exercises), specifically, has been shown to help improve testosterone levels in men, which in turn, contributes to muscle growth and improved athletic performance [ 39
Increase your REM sleep. Getting enough sleep each night is important for your overall health, but studies also suggest that it can help with testosterone production. Since testosterone production takes place during REM sleep, it’s suggested to get at least one hour of REM sleep/night 40
Minimize stress. Research shows that elevated cortisol levels (caused by stress) can reduce testosterone levels [ 41 this article
Testosterone is an androgen hormone that plays a role in libido, sexual function, mental health, muscle mass, hair growth, and more. While it’s natural for testosterone to decrease with age, a lack (or very low levels) of this hormone can sometimes have long-term, serious effects on the body, especially for men. Studies suggest that including testosterone-friendly foods (such as fatty fish, egg yolks, and dark leafy greens) and supplements (like ashwagandha, Vitamin D, fenugreek, and zinc) in your diet may help to boost levels. You can also help increase testosterone by maintaining a healthy weight, engaging in strength training, prioritizing REM sleep, and minimizing stress.
Disclaimer: The text, images, videos, and other media on this page are provided for informational purposes only and are not intended to treat, diagnose or replace personalized medical care.
Testosterone is an androgen hormone, and is produced by the adrenal cortex, the testes, and the ovaries [ 4
Age, genetics, diet, lifestyle choices, medications, steroids, and certain health conditions all impact testosterone levels.
Scientific evidence suggests ashwagandha 26
Shellfish (such as shrimp, crayfish, crab, lobster, clams, scallops, oysters, and mussels) are excellent sources of zinc, selenium, and omega-3 fatty acids, all of which may support optimal testosterone levels [ 25
Dark leafy green vegetables are often high in magnesium, which is a mineral that helps increase testosterone by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation levels in the body. As such, studies have found that people with higher testosterone also had elevated magnesium levels when compared to those with lower testosterone [ 20 21 22
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