Testosterone! That word that has always been connected to the muscular and manly appearance in adult males, get to know what it is, where is produced and what it does in your body in this article.
The what and where about testosterone:
T is a member of a group of compounds known as “anabolic steroids”, which are man-made substances related to male sex hormones and muscle building. It is produced by the Leydig cells of the testes (in men), the ovaries (in women) and smaller amounts from the adrenal glands in both sexes. Women's total testosterone levels are about a tenth to a twentieth of men's levels, that’s one of the reasons why women shouldn’t be scared of weight lifting.
Testosterone functions:
T has many primary functions in males, it is responsible for: erectile function and libido, building muscles mass (T is the primary hormone that interacts with skeletal muscle tissue), increasing bone density, red blood cell production, sperm production and other secondary male-sex characteristics such as hair growth and deeper voice. It also affects: mood, immune function, sex drive and energy level.
Unfortunately; T declines gradually with aging, starting as early as in mid-30s, which has been linked by many scientific researches to drawback in all or most of the previously mentioned T functions, as men get older. Read more in what every man should know about aging.
Testosterone - bodybuilding relationship
In addition to its role in stimulating muscle mass increment, T has also been seen to: inhibit fat storage by blocking a key enzyme (lipoprotein lipase) that is necessary for the uptake of fat into the body’s fat cells, increasing insulin sensitivity and improving lipid and insulin metabolism, plus stimulating fat burning.
Is there any bodybuilder who doesn’t want these fabulous effects of T hormone!! That’s why increasing T levels and availability became center of interest in the field of bodybuilding. So from this point, the use of Testosterone replacement therapies and boosters has emerged.
Do you have any question regarding testosterone or anything else concerning training and bodybuilding? Visit fitnessyard’s forum.
References:
http://lowtestosteronecure.org/testosterone-booster/
http://lowtestosteronecure.org/natural-testosterone-supplements-testosterone-replacement-therapy/
http://www.muscletalk.co.uk/articles/article-testosterone-boosters.aspx\
http://www.livestrong.com/article/220964-the-effects-of-testosterone-boosters-on-the-body/
http://hprc-online.org/dietary-supplements/dietary-supplement-classification-system-1/class-9-supplements-1/copy4_of_branched-chain-amino-acids
http://www.lef.org/Magazine/2008/7/Optimizing-Testosterone-Levels-in-Aging-Men/Page-01
http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/sexual-health/in-depth/testosterone-therapy/art-20045728
http://cid.oxfordjournals.org/content/37/Supplement_2/S142.full