Need a testosterone boost? Do something thrilling

Your hormones have a lot to do with how you feel and look and how active you are as you age. And, when levels of those hormones go down, you can end up with a lot of problems.

In fact, one particular hormone, testosterone, could be behind a number of symptoms you’ve been writing off as a normal part of the aging process. You see, although testosterone is the primary male sex hormone, it’s actually important to both men and women’s health.

It controls:

• Sex drive
• Body fat distribution
• Bone mass
• Muscle strength
• Red blood cell production

So, as your testosterone goes down, so does your libido and energy levels. Your muscles and bones can become weaker, your body fat can go up and you can end up with more rolls around your belly.

Both my husband and I had some “issues” in these areas, but we resolved them nutritionally (I’ll share more about that in just a bit).

But, if those symptoms I just mentioned sound familiar to you, and you’re a thrill-seeker, I’ve got a different kind of remedy to tell you about…

Taking a leap

A new study, published in the journal Biological Psychology, has found that you can raise your testosterone by skydiving…

Since testosterone is a hormone that is reactive to exciting and rewarding activities, researchers at Iowa State University theorized that it would rise in response to the experience of skydiving.

Past studies had looked only at stress response and the hormone cortisol when it came to taking a thrilling leap from a plane, but the Iowa team felt that since skydiving is both thrilling and stressful, that testosterone and cortisol could actually work together.

They studied the physiological and hormonal reactions of 44 skydivers, collecting saliva samples both before and after their jump to measure the two hormones. They also wore a device to monitor their heart rate before, during and after the jump.

They saw that testosterone increased leading up to the jump and then recovered afterward. This reactivity was especially pronounced among those who scored higher for being “thrill seekers.” The researchers also found that higher testosterone occurred along with greater cortisol reactivity and higher heart rate.

It’s important to note also that the reactivity of testosterone didn’t go up in men alone. In fact, the testosterone increase was similar across the board in both men and women.

And, according to the researchers, the rise in testosterone reactivity could have a greater physiological impact, with bigger benefits for women.

“Testosterone has gotten a bad reputation, but it isn’t about aggression or being a jerk. Testosterone helps to motivate us to achieve goals and rewards. For those who find skydiving desirable (and are willing to do it), testosterone reactivity reflects those thrilling reward,” said study author Elizabeth (Birdie) Shirtcliff, an associate professor at Iowa State University.

To jump, or not to jump

So, if you want to grab a quick testosterone shot, should your next outing include skydiving?

Well, Shirtcliff went on to say, “An important caveat is that the study was conducted on people who enjoy – and sought out – skydiving. The results should not be extrapolated to people where the thought of skydiving makes their stomach churn and palms sweat.”

It seems then that if you’re an adventurous spirit who would love to take a leap from 14,000 feet, the answer might be yes.

But if that doesn’t sound like you, it’s possible that other activities that give you that same sense of thrill could. Maybe your kind of excitement is riding roller coasters, jet skiing or swimming with dolphins.

Of course, there are less dramatic ways to support testosterone, like taking nutrients. Some known to help out with testosterone, include:

• Dimethylglycine (or DMG) – Created by your liver from the amino acid, glycine, DMG acts as a building block for your hormones.
• Di-Indole Methane (DIM) – A phytonutrient found in cruciferous vegetables, DIM helps keep your hormones balanced to prevent estrogen dominance.

You should also know that natural testosterone boost can be found by limiting alcohol intake, getting enough high-quality sleep and regular exercise, and by eating foods that encourage testosterone production such as beets, watermelon, Brazil nuts, oats, bananas, pineapple, and fish oil.

Loss of testosterone can cause multiple symptoms associated with aging from increased body fat and osteoporosis to lack of sex drive and even erectile dysfunction.

However, from thrill-seeking activities to natural supplements and food, there are easy ways to kick your hormone function back into gear and feel like you again.

Sources:

1. Understanding How Testosterone Affects Men — National Institutes of Health
2. New study reveals how skydiving impacts your testosterone and cortisol levels — PsyPost.org
3. 5 natural ways to increase testosterone — Easy Health Options®