How Does Testosterone Help Muscle Growth?
- In many competitive sports, supplementing with testosterone is seen as illegal doping. If you are part of any sports organization, please check with your administrators before adding any new supplement that may include some form of testosterone.
- While both sexes manufacture testosterone in their adrenal glands, the greatest amount of the 19-carbon steroid hormone is created in the Leydig cells within the testes of the male. Men produce approximately 7 milligrams per day, which is around 15 times the amount produced by women. After the testosterone goes into the blood stream, 96 percent to 98 percent of it connects to proteins called albumins and globulin and is used for transport, the kidneys and the bloodstream. The remaining testosterone, known as "free testosterone," is able to react with other cells with the possibility of creating body changes. Theoretically, the more "free testosterone" available, the better chance that the hormone can build bigger muscles.
- Various studies have shown that supplementing more than the typical "free testosterone" has lead to an increase in muscle in several different ways. Testosterone has been found to increase muscle mass by increasing the amount of muscle protein synthesis in the body. This has led to both the increase in fat-free muscle mass and muscle size. Testosterone, an anabolic hormone, has also been found to limit the effects of Cortisol, a catabolic hormone. Increased testosterone trumps the Cortisol, which usually breaks down muscle mass. Testosterone has also been linked to an increase in the number of red blood cells. This improves oxygen flow throughout the body and can help to increase endurance in athletes.
- There are many unproven claims of testosterone, as well, that supplement manufacturers tend to reference frequently. They say that testosterone strengthens bones with additional calcium. Also stated is that testosterone aids certain muscle satellite cells, increases nitrogen content in muscles, and that it stimulates another hormone IGF-1. All of these claims may or may not be true, which means they could contribute to the effect of testosterone on muscle growth.
- One of the reasons that testosterone supplementation is so frowned upon is because of the negative side effects. Additional testosterone may cause a further deepening of the voice by enlarging the larynx. It has also been linked to an increase in body hair growth and a decrease in hair growth on the top of the head. While unproven, testosterone supplements have been linked to incidents of rage, and there is speculation that they were involved in the 2007 murder-suicide case of professional wrestler Chris Benoit.