How to naturally increase testosterone: 8 testosterone boosters

Many people know that testosterone is responsible for changes like body hair growth and voice deepening that come with male puberty. But after puberty, testosterone's work is far from done. Testosterone levels typically decline with age, and other causes of low testosterone (or low T) may cause undesirable symptoms like low sex drive.

If testosterone levels drop below a certain level and cause unwanted symptoms, healthcare professionals typically recommend treatments, such as testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) or other medications, like clomiphene. But besides injections and pills, there are several ways to naturally increase testosterone levels through certain lifestyle modifications. For instance, the American Urological Association (AUA) recommends that exercise and weight management have the potential to increase total testosterone levels and reduce signs and symptoms that come with low T (Mulhall, 2018).

Read on to learn more about how to increase testosterone naturally. 

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Testosterone, along with DHT (a related hormone), is the sex hormone responsible for developing male secondary sexual characteristics. During puberty, testosterone and DHT levels increase and lead to:

• Penis and testicle growth 

• Increased muscle mass  

• Voice deepening 

• Increase in height  

• Increased sex drive 

Testosterone plays a vital role in your health throughout life—not just during puberty. It regulates libido, erectile function, sperm production, bone density, muscle mass, mood stability, and more. While testosterone is widely considered a “male sex hormone” and is present in much higher levels in men, it’s an essential hormone in women, too. 

Testosterone begins to decline in older adults starting in their 30s and 40s. Low testosterone can cause a lower libido, erectile dysfunction, fatigue, weight gain, and a loss of muscle mass, just to name a few symptoms (Nassar, 2022).

Some research suggests you may be able to promote healthy testosterone levels naturally, reaping the health benefits that result. Let’s look at eight possible ways to increase your testosterone naturally.

1. Exercise

You can be your own source of testosterone therapy by engaging in more physical activity. The effect of exercise on testosterone levels is likely due to a combination of factors, including the type of exercise, intensity, age, weight, etc.

Some studies show that building muscle via strength or resistance training is the most effective way to support testosterone levels. However, others recommend high-intensity interval training or HIIT, especially for older adults. HIIT has become a hot topic in recent years. During a HIIT workout, you engage in periods of intense cardio, alternating with periods of less-intense activity. One small study showed that combining intensity and resistance training led to an increase in testosterone levels that lasted up to 48 hours after the workout (Riachy, 2020; Hayes, 2019).

Regardless, exercise is one of the best things you can do for your health. It helps you maintain a healthy weight, is good for your heart, and may help restore your T levels. 

2. Improve your diet

Eating a healthy diet can increase your body's levels of testosterone. Studies suggest that adopting healthy eating patterns may promote T production. They emphasize whole foods, with a balance of lean protein and complex carbs. Within reason, it’s a good idea to limit simple carbs and overly processed foods (Skoraka, 2020). 

Most experts recommend eating heart-healthy fats such as olive oil, avocados, and nuts. Data shows that a diet too low in fat can lower testosterone levels (Pearce, 2019; Fantus, 2020).

3. Get enough quality sleep

It should come as no surprise that sleep is good for you. Studies show that shut-eye benefits the brain, metabolism, and heart; it's crucial to preserving your health, including your sexual health. 

Sleep is a natural testosterone booster. That’s because your body produces most of your testosterone while you sleep. If you're not getting enough sleep or your sleep is low quality (e.g., you have trouble falling or staying asleep or have sleep apnea), you might see your testosterone levels decline (Liu, 2019).

4. Minimize stress

Managing stress helps preserve your sanity, heart health, and relationships. When you're under a lot of stress, the adrenal glands pump out cortisol, a stress hormone. Research suggests that higher levels of cortisol lead to decreases in testosterone levels (Harden, 2016). 

Moreover, high cortisol levels encourage weight gain, and obesity is associated with lower testosterone levels.

5. Consider natural testosterone supplements

Research on testosterone supplements is limited, but some studies suggest that certain ingredients in supplements may help support testosterone, including:

• Vitamin D: Some research suggests that people with low testosterone and low vitamin D levels may benefit from taking vitamin D supplements. However, other studies offer conflicting results, and more research is needed. If you have low levels of testosterone, consider having your vitamin D levels checked with a blood test and talk to your healthcare provider about vitamin D supplementation (Pilz, 2011; Lerchbaum, 2017).

• Magnesium: Magnesium plays a crucial role in several bodily processes, including bone structure and muscle function. Some data suggests that there may be a relationship between magnesium and testosterone levels. Magnesium acts as an antioxidant and may protect testosterone from the effects of oxidative stress. While scientists are not certain of the mechanism, magnesium supplementation may play a role in testosterone maintenance. More research is needed (Zamir, 2021). 

• Zinc: Zinc positively affects the hormone responsible for stimulating testosterone production, luteinizing hormone (LH). It also helps convert testosterone to DHT. Currently, there’s not much research on whether zinc supplementation impacts testosterone levels, but it may be worth exploring if your zinc levels are low (Zamir, 2021).

• Ashwagandha: This medicinal herb is an adaptogen, a natural agent that helps the body manage stress. In a small 2019 study, men with excess weight who took an ashwagandha supplement for 16 weeks saw an almost 15% increase in testosterone levels on average compared to men who received a placebo (Lopresti, 2019). 

• Fenugreek: This herb can be found in over-the-counter supplements. The jury is still out as to whether fenugreek can promote higher testosterone levels. A review of the medical literature found that some studies suggest it may improve testosterone, while others show that fenugreek has no effect. More research is needed (Balasubramanian, 2019).

• DHEA: Dehydroepiandrosterone, or DHEA, is a hormone produced in the adrenal glands. It is the precursor to the precursors of testosterone. This means it may increase levels of the hormones that eventually become testosterone (like androstenedione and androstenediol), but it does not seem to affect testosterone levels directly (Kovac, 2016).

6. Avoid alcohol in high amounts 

Drinking alcohol in excess can cause a decline in testosterone. But how much is too much? Although no specific recommendations have been made for preserving testosterone, experts advise no more than two drinks per day for men and one for women to reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease (Rachdaoui, 2017). 

7. Try to avoid xenoestrogen and estrogen-like products

Certain chemicals, known as "endocrine disruptors," have negatively affected hormone levels in animal models. These include BPA (a common element in plastics), phthalates, and parabens (synthetic compounds used in personal-care products and laundry detergent, among other products). They may act as xenoestrogens or synthetic estrogens, meaning your body thinks they are estrogen, potentially throwing off your normal hormonal balances (Wang, 2021). That said, the research is still quite limited.

Human studies have not shown that xenoestrogens or phytoestrogens (like soy) affect testosterone levels (Reed, 2021). However, some xenoestrogens have been linked to other health conditions (Wang, 2021).

8. Take a look at your prescription medications

Some prescription drugs, such as certain antifungal medications and some antidepressants, may lower testosterone levels in some men. If you're experiencing symptoms of low testosterone and suspect your medicine may be responsible, talk with your healthcare provider. That might be the case, or it might not. In any event, don't stop taking any prescribed medications without consulting a medical professional.  

If low testosterone is causing you less-than-desirable symptoms, don’t despair. You can explore natural methods to boost your testosterone or medical alternatives like testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) or Clomid. Make an appointment with your healthcare provider to find a treatment plan that’s right for you.

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Current version

October 03, 2022

Written by

Michael Martin

Fact checked by

Felix Gussone, MD

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About the medical reviewer

Felix Gussone, MD, Ro

Felix Gussone is a physician, health journalist and a Manager, Medical Content & Education at Ro.