According to the NHS, testosterone levels in males begin to decline around age 35 and drop by an average of 2% per year. Low testosterone levels do not require treatment on their own. However, testosterone replacement therapy may have adverse side effects, but the long-term effects and benefits are unknown.
Exploring medicinal mushrooms may be helpful if you want to balance your testosterone levels. Medicinal and culinary mushrooms have grown in popularity in recent years, with research demonstrating improvements in immunological function, cognitive function, and endocrine and hormone health.
So, what’s the link between mushrooms and testosterone? What are the mushrooms testosteronebenefits? And more importantly, do mushrooms increase testosterone? Let’s find out below!
Understanding Testosterone And Its Functions
The hormone testosterone is responsible for the development of male sexual characteristics. Hormones are chemical messengers that cause the body to undergo the required changes. Females produce testosterone as well, albeit in smaller proportions.
Testosterone is a form of androgen that is primarily produced by the testicles in cells known as Leydig cells. Along with sperm production, testosterone is thought to influence several activities in males, including:
- Bone mass.
- Sex drive.
- Muscle size and strength.
- Fat distribution.
- Red blood cell production.
Men become infertile when they do not have enough testosterone. This is due to testosterone's role in the development of mature sperm. Despite being a male sex hormone, testosterone helps women with sex drive, bone density, and muscle strength.
Mushrooms And Their Nutritional Composition
Mushrooms contain various antioxidants, including selenium, Vitamin C, choline, and glutathione. It also contains a lot of protein, fiber, and vitamin D. One cup of mushrooms (70g) has 15 calories, making it a low-calorie food, especially considering most people don't eat a whole cup at once and will consume even fewer calories.
It also has 2.3g carbohydrates, 2.2g protein, and 0.2g fat. In addition, mushrooms contain B vitamins, copper, iron, and potassium.
Researchers discovered that the conjugated linoleic acid in popular white button mushrooms has an anti-aromatase activity in the body, lowering testosterone and estrogen levels.
Potential Effects Of Mushrooms On Testosterone Levels
Mushrooms contain several bioactive compounds like ergosterol, beta-glucans, and antioxidants that can support testosterone levels. Let’s look at the best mushrooms for testosterone and the mushroom benefits for testosteronelevel regulation.
Ganoderma Lucidum
Reishi mushroom, or Ganoderma lucidum, is gaining popularity as a natural cancer treatment worldwide. Researchers from Kyushu University in Japan studied Reishi and its effects the male hormone production in a research published in "Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry(1)."
Reishi contains triterpenoids, which significantly inhibit the production of 5-alpha-reductase, a hormone that boosts testosterone production and is implicated in benign prostatic growth and prostate cancer. Researchers found that Reishi mushroom may be a promising treatment for males with prostate disease, while additional research is needed to prove therapeutic benefits in humans.
Cordyceps Sinensis
Cordyceps sinensis, often known as the caterpillar fungus, is native to Asia and is utilized for various medical conditions in traditional Chinese and Tibetan medicine. This performance-enhancing drug initially made waves when Chinese athletes used it to set a track and field record in 1993.
Because of its positive effects on sexual functioning and sexual stamina, the mushroom is also known as natural or Himalayan Viagra. An animal study(2) looked at the stimulatory effects of Cordyceps on mouse Leydig cells in vivo and in vitro. Compounds derived from the mycelium of Cordyceps sinensis enhanced testosterone secretion in mice.
By helping your body maintain androgen levels as you age, this fungus may have lifespan benefits such as preventing hypogonadism and prostatic enlargement. However, these two disorders might interfere with healthy erections.
Taiwan's National Cheng Kung University researchers studied Cordyceps' effects on testosterone production in mice in a study published in "Life Sciences(3)." The mushroom stimulated higher testosterone levels from Leydig cells in the animals' testicular tissues, which significantly influenced testosterone synthesis in the mice studied.
Researchers determined that Cordyceps could be used to treat male reproductive issues in the future. However, human clinical studies remain necessary. Now many people wonder, do mushrooms boost testosterone?
Cordyceps mushroom cultures may increase testosterone, improve erection and testicular function, and sex drive in rats, according to a 2020 study published in the journal BioMed Research International(4).
Lion’s mane
Lion's mane mushrooms can influence hormone production by stimulating nerve cell proliferation, notably in the hypothalamus. In addition, Hericium erinaceus, a well-known nootropic, boosts neurogenesis. Studies on the neurogenetic potential of Lion's mane show that this mushroom can help with cognitive deficits by boosting nerve cell development.
Compounds in Lion's mane mushrooms enhance the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factors. BDNF, in turn, affects hypothalamic hormone production (growth hormone, vasopressin, adrenocorticotropic hormones, and others).
As a result of increasing BDNF, these adaptogenic mushrooms may influence the production of certain hormones, such as testosterone. This calls for more investigation into the effects of Hericium erinaceus on hormones, particularly in humans.
There hasn't been enough scientific research on the effects of Lion's mane on testosterone to reach definitive conclusions. We don't know how Lion's mane influences dihydrotestosterone production because of a lack of studies. DHT is a hormone produced in the hypothalamus. Hericium erinaceus, by increasing hypothalamic neurogenesis, may stimulate this hormone's production.
Tremella Mesenterica
Tremella mesenterica, sometimes called the yellow jelly mushroom, is an edible mushroom traditionally used to treat diabetes and other health issues. Researchers from Changhua Christian Hospital in China made an unexpected discovery in a study published in"The Archives of Andrology(5)."While the fungus did not affect the blood sugar levels of diabetic mice, it did drastically lower hormone levels. Tremella decreases progesterone and testosterone production after consumption without causing toxicity. However, testosterone levels returned to normal four hours later.
Agaricus bisporus
The white button mushroom, Agaricus bisporus, is the world's most extensively cultivated and consumed mushroom. Beckman Research Institute researchers investigated the antihormone effect of the white button in mice in a study published in "Cancer Research(6)."
Agaricus lowered estrogen and testosterone production while also being beneficial to malignant tumors. This was attributed to the anti-aromatase impact of the conjugated linoleic acid in white button mushrooms.
Incorporating Mushrooms Into Your Diet
Mushrooms like Chaga and Reishi can be boiled whole to extract their medicinal compounds. Drink as a tea, use soup foundation or chill the liquid for smoothies.
Finding certain species of mushrooms in their most natural and whole form might be challenging at times. Hence, another rather popular option is buying adaptogenic mushroom powder. The mushroom powder is also ideal for people who dislike the texture of natural mushrooms but wish to include them in their diet. Adaptogenic mushrooms are commonly obtained in powdered form at various health food stores.
FAQs About Mushrooms Testosterone
Can Mushrooms Be Used As A Natural Alternative To Testosterone Replacement Therapy?
Mushrooms can supplement testosterone replacement instead of replacing it. If you have low testosterone levels, mushrooms like Reishi, Cordyceps, and even the common white button mushroom may just be what you need.
Are There Any Potential Side Effects Or Risks Associated With Consuming Mushrooms For Testosterone Support?
Consuming mushrooms for testosterone support is safe for most people. However, if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, and on medications, it’s wise to speak to your doctor beforehand.
Can Women Benefit From Consuming Mushrooms For Hormone Balance?
Both Maitake and Reishi mushrooms can help women maintain hormonal balance. In addition, they can be used as an all-natural supplement to promote healthy ovulation and fertility.
Key Takeaways
Depending on the mushroom species, mushrooms contain bioactive compounds that influence testosterone levels and can either hinder or increase testosterone production. According to research, mushrooms such as Cordyceps have numerous physiological benefits, such as improving athletic performance and sex drive and promoting longevity by increasing testosterone levels.
So, now that you know the incredible mushrooms testosterone benefits, it’s time to stock up on your supplement supplies. Just one more thing, speak to your doctor first!
References
- Structure-activity relationship for inhibition of 5alpha-reductase by triterpenoids isolated from Ganoderma lucidum, (1)https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16962782/
- In vivo and in vitro stimulatory effects of Cordyceps sinensis on testosterone production in mouse Leydig cells, (2)https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12899935/
- Cordyceps militaris Fruit Body Extract Decreases Testosterone Catabolism and Testosterone-Stimulated Prostate Hypertrophy, (3)https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7824671/
- Effects of Cultured Cordycep militaris on Sexual Performance and Erectile Function in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Male Rats, (4)https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33274209/
- Effects of Tremella mesenterica on steroidogenesis in MA-10 mouse Leydig tumor cells, (5)https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16036636/
- Anti-aromatase activity of phytochemicals in white button mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus), (6)https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17178902/
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