You’ve all seen those men’s health magazines. You’ve seen the six packs, the big biceps and the bulgy necks. You can even throw some popping veins in there for good measure. Exercise is one of the most important and critical element of ensuring a healthy, exuberant, and rewarding experience – but it’s not everything!

I am going to be sharing with you my view of the other half of men’s health – some of the inner workings of the endocrine system and the body’s hormones. As well, I will recommend some herbs you can be taking to increase your testosterone levels, and keep your hormone levels balanced and in check.

When it comes to men’s health and hormones, there’s one hormone in particular that seems to stand out above the rest. You know it. It’s testosterone. Testosterone is the main male hormone that does pretty much everything that men (and women) want it to. It increases strength, lean muscles mass, vitality, and maybe most importantly, increases libido and sexual function! But before we talk about testosterone, it is mandatory that we also discuss estrogen.

You may have heard of the term “estrogen dominance” and even possibly heard about endocrine disruptors and estrogen mimickers. Let’s travel back in time to high school chemistry class and pull out our periodic table of elements, looking more specifically at the halogen group. It’s 4 out of these 5 elements that can make or break any and all attempts to maintain healthy hormone control for both men and women. Fluorine (F), chlorine (Cl), bromine (Br), and iodine (I). Sadly, our environment has become saturated and overcome by hundreds, if not thousands of toxins, chemicals, and even radioactive isotopes. They’re in our air, our waters, and our food, majorly impacting our body’s endocrine system – the main producer and distributor of the body’s hormones. Endocrine disruptors and estrogen mimickers play major tricks on our bodies by

• increasing production of certain hormones
• decreasing production of others
• imitating hormones
• turning one hormone into another
• interfering with hormone signalling.

These are just a few of their harmful effects.

Apart from BPAs and Phthalates, three of the most prevalent and harmful endocrine disruptors are, in fact, fluorine, chlorine, and bromine. This is where iodine comes in.

For decades, iodine has been known and used as a health supplement, and has even been linked to the raising of IQs. But here’s the best part: iodine will compete with the other halogens, as well as, radioactive iodine in such a way that it will protect us from absorbing these unhealthy toxins once we are exposed to them. Consider iodine as your first line of defence. You can take all of the testosterone supplements you want, but if you’re not capable of defending against these estrogen mimickers and endocrine disruptors, then you won’t get very far. Unbound, nascent iodine is easy to find and can be taken internally or topically.

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Now we can focus on the testosterone supplements. The following are the herbs that I have found useful and personally use. You will notice that they are all whole foods/herbs, as opposed to a single solitary extracted compound. The benefit of taking the whole food/herb is that plants naturally provide us with a full chemical spectrum so as to reduce symptoms and side effects that may result from single solitary chemicals. 

Tongkat Ali

My top pick and recommendation. This is the powerhouse go-to herb for increased testosterone production, as well as, increased libido and sexual function. It is a tonic herb in that it is safe to consume and may be consumed for long periods of time (with occasional short breaks). Both men and women in Asia have used it for millennia to improve their sexual function, or to bring it back to youthful levels when there has been an age-related decline.

Pine Pollen

Great source of testosterone production and hormone regulation. Contains over 200 bioactive nutrients including twenty amino acids. For men, it is best taken as a tincture and absorbed sublingually (under the tongue).

Tribulus terrestris (aka Puncture Vine)

Stimulates testosterone production and regulation, as well as, enhances libido and sexual function. It is also famous among athletes because it significantly increases endurance and is anabolic.

Nettle Root

Good for boosting testosterone and an excellent herb for prostrate health. Nettle root is used as a treatment for prostate problems, including prostatitis and benign prostatic hyperplasia. Also best taken as a tincture and absorbed sublingually (under the tongue).

Polyrhachis Ant (aka Mountain Ant)

Zinc is probably the most important mineral for overall prostate health, and Mountain Ant is one of nature’s most bioavailable sources of zinc. Used for thousands of years throughout Chinese Traditional Medicine, this “Herb of Kings” increases strength and stamina, overall energy, as well as, enhances libido and sexual performance in both men and women.

So there you have it. That’s some of my perspective on the importance of our inner world of hormones, as well as which herbs and supplements that I both use and recommend. Have fun and keep fit!