Ask the Doctor: ‘What is gout, and are there any lifestyle changes that can keep attacks at bay?’
Ask the Doctor: ‘What is gout, and are there any lifestyle changes that can keep...

Sarah Gill

How to conquer imposter syndrome and self-doubt
How to conquer imposter syndrome and self-doubt

Shayna Sappington

Eye-catching mirrors to add interest to your walls
Eye-catching mirrors to add interest to your walls

Megan Burns

How to foster a ‘growth mindset’ with sports psychologist Dr Kate Kirby
How to foster a ‘growth mindset’ with sports psychologist Dr Kate Kirby

Shayna Sappington

Chef, writer and Spanish food and wine expert Blanca Valencia shares her life in food
Chef, writer and Spanish food and wine expert Blanca Valencia shares her life in food

Sarah Gill

Ten Olympic athletes on why young girls should stick with their sport
Ten Olympic athletes on why young girls should stick with their sport

Sarah Gill

Sweet Bobby and a Dame Jilly Cooper Disney series – what to watch this week
Sweet Bobby and a Dame Jilly Cooper Disney series – what to watch this week

Sarah Finnan

Before and after: This Kinsale cottage has been given a contemporary overhaul while retaining its charm
Before and after: This Kinsale cottage has been given a contemporary overhaul while retaining its...

Megan Burns

This incredible Howth home is on the market for €5.5 million
This incredible Howth home is on the market for €5.5 million

Sarah Finnan

The velvet red wines to try this autumn
The velvet red wines to try this autumn

Michelle Lawlor

Image / Living

Six testosterone boosting foods to improve confidence, drive and libido in men AND women


By IMAGE
02nd Nov 2020
Six testosterone boosting foods to improve confidence, drive and libido in men AND women

Testosterone is one of our key hormones for both men and women. The Marion Gluck Clinic has put together a list of vegetarian foods that help boost testosterone, which is a hormone important for improving confidence and drive, enhancing libido and is essential for maintaining strong bones.


Testosterone is one of our key hormones for both men and women and as such it’s important that we pay attention to how it is being managed in our bodies. If you have low levels of testosterone, then adding these testosterone boosting foods into your diet can help give you that boost you need. Whether you’re trying to boost your testosterone levels naturally or using these foods to supplement a hormonal treatment plan there are lots of ways you can build these ingredients into your meals.

Garlic

Garlic contains a compound called allicin which can be useful for lowering your cortisol levels. Cortisol is produced in the adrenal gland, which is where testosterone is produced. When your body is under stress it produces cortisol and this has an impact on other bodily functions, including the production of testosterone. Therefore, by reducing the amount of cortisol in your system you allow testosterone to be produced more effectively by the adrenal gland. So whilst garlic doesn’t itself act as a testosterone boosting food, it is a cortisol reducer and by association boosts testosterone levels. 

Almonds

Almonds contain high levels of the mineral zinc which is known to raise testosterone levels in people who are zinc deficient. If you are low in zinc this could stop the pituitary gland from releasing some of the key hormones for stimulating testosterone production. By eating zinc rich foods, you can help make sure this doesn’t happen and avoid a reduction in your testosterone levels.

Spinach

Spinach has long been considered one of the best testosterone boosting foods around. One of the most popular super foods, it was Popeye’s food of choice for a reason! Spinach is a natural source of magnesium which has been shown to correlate positively with testosterone levels. Spinach also contains vitamin B6 and Iron which are both excellent testosterone boosters.

Lemons

Lemons, along with other citrus fruits, are great testosterone boosting foods. Much like garlic they help to lower your levels of cortisol which means testosterone can be more readily produced. Not only that but they contain vitamin A which is required for the production of testosterone and can help lower estrogen level which means testosterone can be more effective.

Bananas

Bananas contain an enzyme called bromelain which is known to help boost testosterone levels. Bananas are also excellent for maintaining energy levels and reducing antioxidants so make the perfect on the go snack.

Porridge Oats

Porridge oats are an excellent source of B Vitamins which are key for good testosterone production. There are a number of different B Vitamins, many of which are found in testosterone boosting foods. One B Vitamin which plays a very direct role in testosterone production is Vitamin B6 which supresses the production of estrogen, thereby helping testosterone levels to rise! Oats are an excellent source of a variety of B Vitamins and therefore are one of a range of excellent testosterone boosting foods!

If you think you may have low testosterone levels, always visit your GP.

The Marion Gluck Clinic treat a range of symptoms that can be reduced and even irradicated by bio-identical hormonal replacement treatment.


Related: 3 anti-ageing pilates exercises you can do at home

Related: Inside the West Cork cottage Saoirse Ronan has just bought

Related: Doomscrolling: How to break up with your phone, according to the IMAGE crew (who are still working on it)