The Role of Testosterone in the Bodies of Athletes by:Evan O'Rourke

Testosterone is often mentioned in conjunction with athletes and body building

. What exactly is the role of testosterone and body building? Why do athletes need to have increased testosterone?

The Back Story

Testosterone is a naturally occurring steroid hormone. Testosterone has both anabolic and androgenic properties in the athlete's body. This hormone is responsible for building lean muscle mass, giving the body energy, bone building and health, activating the immune system, and the male libido.

Testosterone is naturally secreted into the male body through the testes and into the female body through her ovaries. The adrenal glands also provide a small amount of the hormone to the body. As the body ages testosterone levels are decreased in the body.

SHBG

Testosterone circulates throughout the body using the bloodstream. During this process it can become attached to binding proteins. The protein that most concerns athletes is the Sex Hormone Binding Globulin, SHBG. This protein may inhibit testosterone from reaching the cells in the body. Once testosterone attaches itself to SHBG it can no longer perform as needed.

In order to combat the problems caused by testosterone becoming bound to SHBG an athlete must strive to keep his testosterone bioavailability high. If the athlete is able to convert excess testosterone in the body to estrogen the estrogen will bind to SHBG first and leave the testosterone found in the body available to do its job - build lean muscle mass.

Testosterone Building

Athletes must work hard to keep their testosterone levels from getting too low if they want to build lean muscle mass. There are many bodybuilding supplements available that help athletes accomplish this task naturally.

Any supplement containing nettle root is recommended for testosterone building. This supplement is known to combine with SHBG and leave testosterone free to do its job in building muscle mass. Nettle root also has the extra benefit of preventing testosterone from transforming into a more forceful form of itself leading to prostate swelling and other health problems. One form of the body building supplement now being studied has shown potential to actually decrease SHBG levels in the body.

Another natural supplement is pygeum. This body building supplement works much the same way as nettle root and inhibits testosterones ability to bind onto SHBG.

Avena Sativa is also a supplement used by many body builders. Unlike nettle root and pygeum, this supplement frees testosterone that has already attached to SHBG. This leads to increased testosterone levels in the body and an increased chance for building lean muscle mass.

The Bottom Line

No athlete should ever attempt to build lean muscle mass without the use of approved supplements. A healthy diet and exercise program combined with body building supplements will increase the viability of lean muscle mass in the athlete's body. In addition to the supplements noted above, the body builder should include vitamin C, protein, (protein bars are an excellent source of protein), zinc, and magnesium. Protein powders and protein shakes are two of the best ways to ensure you are getting the supplements your body needs to build muscle mass.

About the author

Supplements Plus offers the best range of supplements at the lowest prices, guaranteed. We'll beat any advertised price in Australia and we offer free shipping for orders over $150! To view our range of products, http://www.supplementsplus.com.au

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