Can apple cider vinegar cure erectile dysfunction?(Testosterone facts and myths)
Remember if you have medical questions or concerns, please talk to one of our healthcare providers. All of the facts below are researched and backed by Peer-reviewed, but they don’t present the complete picture. These facts should not be used as a substitute for real, professional medical diagnosis, advice, or treatment.
In this article, were going to be talking about some common myths and surprising facts about the causes of low testosterone and treating testosterone or erectile dysfunction. We will also answer common questions that people ask about testosterone and erectile dysfunction.
For instance, ‘Can apple cider vinegar cure Erectile dysfunction’? ‘Does Testosterone therapy make you more aggressive’? These are all questions that men have in their mind but they are too afraid to ask their doctor. So, today you can get all the information!reember, it is important to distinguish the myths from the facts, so you can seek the help you need. We are also going to explore some natural cures for erectile dysfunction.
We have seen all the tricks and lies the supplement industry has thrown out there and surprisingly, a few of these things actually help! This article will help guide you so that you can make a well-informed decision. We have helped thousands of men treat their low testosterone throughout southern California. The list of questions in this article come from these people. We took these questions from our conversations with them and then backed them with peer reviewed articles.
So here are some common questions that people ask about testosterone.
Is Low Testosterone a Normal Part of Aging?
If you want a plain and simple answer, then we have to say, yes and no. Confused?
Well, let’s clear things out. Testosterone does decrease as you get older. In fact, you lose 1.6% every year.
(Not sure if you have low T? Take this Quiz)
And on average, men in their 60’s have 20% less testosterone than men in their 20’s. Here, we are talking about the bioavailable testosterone— the one that your body produces naturally.
Low testosterone can lead to:
Infertility
Low libido
Impotence
Loss of body hair
Loss of muscle mass
Reduced body and facial hair
poor concentration and depression
and more!
However, even though it seems inevitable, research has shown that it is possible that aging has nothing to do with low testosterone levels. With a healthy diet, regular and specific workouts and proper supplements, you can decrease this curve. But for many people, even when they maintained a healthy lifestyle, their testosterone levels were still low. Well, that’s where Testosterone Replacement Therapy comes in.
2. Is Apple Cider Vinegar a Proven ED Remedy?
Many people have asked us this question, especially over the last few years, and at first, we just laughed at it. It did seem like a joke at the time. But then we found out that there is some serious science behind it.
Currently, there are no direct studies saying that apple cider vinegar is a proven remedy for ED. But it can treat one of the major contributors to Erectile Dysfunction… diabetes. ACV can regulate blood glucose, aid weight management and even help prevent heart diseases.
However, it works only if taken with HIGH glycemic meals, aka lots of carbs.
So, do not just take a spoonful of Apple cider vinegar and expect it to solve all your problems. Remember that ACV is not a substitute to weight management and a healthy diet. But if you are looking for that little edge to maintain healthy weight or manage diabetes, it might be the fix you need. And once you get your diabetes in control, it can actually help in treating erectile dysfunction!
3.How Do You Take Testosterone Replacement Therapy?
Testosterone Replacement Therapy comes in several different forms and have varying levels of success. It is hard to say which is the most effective one because TRT works differently for everyone, but we have our favorite one that well share below. Just remember that each one has its own set of pros and cons.
Gels: You have to rub gels into your skin daily. They are convenient to use. But you have to be careful that no one comes into contact with the treated area for several hours after you have applied it. Otherwise, they could get testosterone in their system. A nasal gel is now available that eliminates the risk of exposure to others, but is incredibly expensive compared to the other methods.
Injections: This is our preferred method, Injections can be given each week or bi-weekly. They are cheaper as compared to other treatments. The only problem is that your testosterone levels will go back down between doses so its important to create a good routine with this method.
Patches: These are easy to apply. But patches can cause skin rashes, and you’ll have to apply them more than once a day.
Buccal patch: You have to put this on your upper gum twice a day. These patches are convenient but can cause irritation or gum diseases.
Subcutaneous pellets: Your doctor inserts these under your skin every 3 to 6 months. They are very convenient once they are put in, but they require minor surgery for each dose. We do these but they are hard to get the levels correct on the first try, you have to be patient on finding your personalized dose.
Hear from one of our patients on how TRT helped him in just a few months.
4. Can Ashwagandha Increase Testosterone?
YES, it can! But be careful. BUT! it could make your swimmers the next Michael Phelps!
Also called Withania somnifera, Ashwagandha is an amazing supplement. It is a traditional Indian medicine that increases male virility.
It not only helps in increasing testosterone levels and sperm count, but it also has mental benefits.
The supplement helps decrease stress, too. According to a 2015 study, Ashwagandha also enhances muscle strength significantly. Its not a cure, but it might be something to give a try to find out if it will work for you.
5. Are There Risks to Testosterone Replacement Therapy?
Yes, there are a few risks involved, but again, they vary from person to person. For instance, TRT can increase the red blood cell count, which raises the chances of stroke or thrombosis. A 2015 study also found that TRT can increase the risk of prostate cancer and even prostate enlargement. That is why it is recommended that men with prostate cancer or preexisting prostate problems should avoid TRT.
6. How Long After Taking TRT Before It Works?
The duration of Testosterone Replacement Therapy depends on your symptoms, age, and weight. Usually the therapy takes a few weeks. If it is your first time, the treatment take last 8 weeks, and you will start to experience improvements within the first 3-5 weeks.
7. Does High Testosterone Drive Aggression?
Now it is time for some myth busting, and we will start with the most common myth— testosterone drives aggression and sexual violence. This is a common misconception that testosterone drives aggression. And we can back this claim with a study, which found that high doses of testosterone are not behind cases of aggression. They don’t cause hostility, aggression or anger. They may exaggerate preexisting aggressive and sexual intentions, but they cannot suddenly cause a man to exhibit these symptoms.
8. What Happens When You Have Too Little Testosterone?
There are many signs that can indicate that your testosterone levels are low. But it is important that you measure it first. If the levels are below 300 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL), you can experience any one of the following symptoms:
Hair loss
Fatigue
Mood swings
Low sex drive
Low semen volume
Increased body fat
Loss of muscle mass
Decreased bone mass
Difficulty in getting or maintain an erection
So, that was all there is to know about TRT. Now, let’s explore some more burning questions that men have about increasing testosterone levels and natural cures for erectile dysfunction.
9. Are Athletes with Higher Testosterone Better?
This is true. There is no doubt that testosterone supplements can increase their performance and spur them to work harder. Increased dosage of the hormones can give competitors an unfair advantage over other athletes; hence, testosterone levels are usually checked before a tournament. However, there are many experts who still believe that testosterone supplements do not improve athletic performance instantly. It does boost energy suddenly but instead works slowly to fortify muscles and build stamina. There’s also evidence to prove the large divergence in testosterone concentrations between men and women. But the side effects of testosterone supplements is still a debatable topic. Most people believe that increasing testosterone levels will suddenly turn them into an athletic star. It is science, not magic so such a sudden result is impossible. However, if someone is talented, regulating their testosterone supplement intake can take them to the next level.
10. Low Testosterone Only Affects a Man's Sex Drive?
We understand that loss of libido is a major concern for you, but that is not the only drawback to having low testosterone levels. Here are a few ways low testosterone levels can affect your health.
Energy Loss: Just a general feeling of reduced strength, especially if you used to be fairly active before.
Loss of Muscle Mass: The muscle mass can decrease significantly to let you know that your testosterone levels are decreasing rapidly.
Depression and Anxiety: You may start to feel anxiety more often. You may also have trouble concentrating but the worst thing is the depression that slowly takes over you.
Increased Body Fat and Waistline: Low levels of testosterone also invite some more fat so you can expect your waistline to increase in a matter of few weeks.
These are the most common effects, but weaker bones and increased risk of heart diseases are also some health concerns.
11. Does Testosterone Supercharge Your Love Life?
Claiming that Testosterone can supercharge your love life is a great way to sell testosterone supplements, but unfortunately, this is not true. Higher testosterone levels do not mean that the amount of sexual activity in your life will also increase. Over the years, there have been numerous studies to explore the relationship of sexual behavior and testosterone. The results clearly show that there is a weak and sometimes no connection between the two. But! the quality of the sex you can have can increase, just think about stronger erections, increased desire, and longer erection duration. :)
12. Does D-Aspartic Acid Help My Testosterone?
Some good news for you all. Yes, D-aspartic acid does help your testosterone levels.
These amino acids perform numerous functions in the body and play the part of building blocks. There are a few benefits of this element, which is why it is an essential ingredient in most testosterone supplements.
So, let’s see how it helps replenish your testosterone. …
It helps increase the release of testosterone, precursor, a hormone in the brain. This causes the brain to order the production of more testosterone. The hormone also facilitates the secretion of testosterone in the testicles. A 12-day study concluded that a supplement with D-aspartic acid increased testosterone by 42% after 12 days of continuous use. But this does not work for everyone, unfortunately.
Many studies claimed that the effects of D-aspartic acid do not extend to unhealthy men. Ya, so if you’re already having issues this means if you are physically active and fertile, you would not get any benefits with the supplement.
13. Does Vitamin D Help My ED?
Yes, it does but treating erectile dysfunction is not the end result in all cases. Studies found that Vitamin D deficiency can cause men to experience sexual problems. It can range from mild symptoms to severe sexual dysfunction. Your body uses the vitamin to synthesize this hormone. But to help the conversion of Vitamin D, your body needs magnesium. Many people who start taking Vitamin D supplements often forget to increase their magnesium intake.
Remember to also keep an eye on your magnesium levels when you take vitamin D supplements. If you do not, you will have to deal with magnesium depletion on top of ED.
Now back to the question. The best part is that you have Vitamin D receptors right on your testes. So, the next time you take a sunbath in your backyard, make sure you let your nuts get some sunlight too.
14. Does Fenugreek Help My Testosterone?
Yes, it does. In fact, it is a great remedy for treating erectile dysfunction. It can increase testosterone naturally. Fenugreek contains furostanolic saponins, a compound that many researchers believe has the power to boost testosterone levels.
An 8-week study concluded that fenugreek has the power to slightly increase testosterone levels. Another study conducted over a period of 12 weeks had even more impressive results. Over 90% of the participants experienced a whopping 46% increase in their testosterone levels!
Curious about your Testosterone Levels? Check this quiz out…
15. Does DHEA Increase Testosterone Levels?
Yes, it does. The adrenal glands in your body produce this hormone. A study gave DHEA supplements to men with low testosterone levels and with time, they experienced a significant increase in their testosterone levels. Another study deduced that the supplements can also help prevent the decline of testosterone levels. It is better to take DHEA supplements that include other essential vitamins too.
Some other benefits of DHEA are:
Increase muscle mass
Promote adrenal gland
Boost energy and strength
16. Does Ginger Fix Low Testosterone?
This is another common question people ask about testosterone. It does, and it is one of the few natural foods that help in treating erectile dysfunction. Ginger helps to lower stress in your body and boost testosterone in the process. The simple and cheap spice provides this advantage by increasing nitric oxide production. It also increases blood flow in the testicles. The only human study conducted to assess the relationship between ginger and testosterone levels took place over a period of 3 months.
The findings include:
Increase in sperm count
Increase in sperm motility
Increase in ejaculate volume
Increase in testosterone levels
Increase in sperm viability and normal sperm morphology
You can take ginger supplements or use fresh herb in teas for a significant advantage.
17. Can Soy Products Lower My Testosterone?
YUP!, they can and a study has proved it. The researchers who drank soy protein for 54 days showed a significant decrease in testosterone levels. But how does it happen? Soy foods contain a high level of phytoestrogen, which mimics the function of estrogen. It can alter the hormone levels of your body, which works to significantly reduce testosterone levels.
Apart from this study, there aren’t major studies that measure the effect of soy products on testosterone levels. However, there are a few smaller researches that found that soy products have no effect on reducing testosterone levels. Since the results are not quite clear, it is best to refrain from consuming soy products.
18. Does Dairy Products Hurt My Testosterone Levels?
Absolutely, it can because milk from some cows contains a synthetic or natural hormone that has a direct effect on your testosterone levels. If the cows are fed soy, it can significantly increase the estrogen level in the milk. That is why it is important to avoid dairy products, especially if you experience low testosterone levels.
19. Can Alcohol Lower My Testosterone?
Unfortunately yes, it can. Sorry gotta limit those old fashioneds. Most people know that alcohol consumption promotes a healthy lifestyle. But when you go overboard, the alcohol can actually harm your physical, mental, and sexual health. Here are a few reasons why alcohol affects your testosterone levels negatively. Alcohol damages Leydig cells that produce testosterone and secrete it.
Alcohol increases cortisol, a stress hormone that decreases testosterone synthesis. Alcohol consumption releases certain endorphins, which can interfere with the testosterone synthesis. So, remember that one or two shots will have no effects on your testosterone levels. If you increase consumption and get to a moderate level, it can actually help your body by providing health benefits. But the danger occurs when you drink excessively. Refrain from drinking heavily, especially when you have low testosterone levels.
We hope you enjoyed this comprehensive question and answer session must have answered all the doubts you had in your mind. So, if you ever come across any ED or Testosterone issues or know that your testosterone levels are depleting, please consider talking to us. We are happy to run our tests and consult you on the best treatment to get you performing at your best!