You’ve probably heard me and many others say that testosterone is one of the primary hormones that control your sex drive and libido… in both men and women. In fact, almost all animals.
However, a recent study presented by urologists in Boston, stated that total testosterone does NOT control your libido.
Apparently, your FREE testosterone levels contribute to your sex drive. Even more so, the specific ratio between free testosterone and estradiol levels – which is the most potent type of estrogen.
The Study
To simplify the study for you, the researchers measured the patients’ total testosterone, estradiol, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), and free testosterone levels… And then compared these hormonal values with their reported libidos.
The Results
What the researchers discovered was that total testosterone levels were NOT correlated with libido and how often you want to have sex.
However, what did matter was FREE testosterone levels, especially when compared to estradiol levels.
Basically, higher FREE testosterone levels and lower estradiol levels were correlated with higher libido.
Unfortunately, the researchers didn’t say what was the best or ideal ratio between these hormones. However, it is interesting because one major problem over the past couple of decades is that men’s total AND free testosterone levels are dropping lower and lower, while estradiol and female hormones are going higher and higher.
Not only is this bad for your sex performance and desire… but it also means muscle and strength loss, depression and moodiness, more body fat, lower energy levels, man boobs and gynecomastia, and well… the simple fact that you are going to look and feel like an old man.
The Solution
So, now that we know the problem and this is something I’ve stated many times in previous videos, let’s talk about the solutions.
Of course, we’d like to increase your total testosterone levels because that still has many positive benefits.
However, let’s focus on increasing your FREE testosterone levels even more – this is the more active testosterone.
To do this, we need to lower SHBG.
Additionally, we want to lower excess levels of estradiol. Interestingly, higher estradiol levels increase SHBG… So by decreasing estradiol, we’ll have two benefits at the same time.
So, what are the best ways to accomplish these two tasks and to do so naturally and safely?
Lowering SHBG & Increasing Free Testosterone
Let’s first focus on lowering SHBG and thus, increasing your free testosterone levels.
As far as your diet, both protein and carbs are important. So, no or low-carb diets – such as ketogenic or carnivore or similar diets have been shown to actually LOWER free testosterone, which is NOT what we want.
You can also take supplements. The best are:
- Vitamin D3
- Zinc Picolinate, which should be taken with copper to balance it.
- Boron
- Utilize herbal extracts such as Testofen Fenugreek, Stinging Nettle, Tongkat Ali, and ashwagandha are some of the best.
You can get all of these in one supplement called AlphaViril.
Lowering Estradiol
Next, we want to lower excess estradiol levels.
Losing body fat is very important because your fat cells produce more aromatase enzyme, which converts testosterone to estrogens.
Eating more vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, and brussels sprouts also help because of the chemicals these vegetables contain which help lower estrogen.
Also, two of the best supplements are DIM and white button mushroom extract.
Both of these ingredients are also found in AlphaViril.
Remember, as I’ve stated many times in previous videos – your goal should never be to “only” increase testosterone levels. The body and endocrine system are very complicated.
And what we’ve learned today, is you also want to increase your FREE testosterone levels, while decreasing high estradiol levels.
Mind you, today we didn’t even discuss three other important hormones – DHT, Prolactin, and Cortisol, which are also very important and need to be balanced.
Which I’ll cover in future articles, so make sure you stay tunned.