Turmeric and Testosterone: A Spice to Boost T Levels?

This post is going to look at the link between turmeric and testosterone and prove how the consumption of turmeric can be very beneficial to the human body.

Known as a powerful superfood and given the name “holy powder” in India, turmeric is a powerful compound that can boost T levels for many reasons which you will find out about in this article.

Recent research states that almost 80% of adult men suffer from the symptoms of low testosterone.

So it is important to look for ways to increase your testosterone levels. And one of the best ways is the consumption of turmeric.

Turmeric is highly anti-estrogenic and can have positive effects on testosterone levels. So keep reading this article to find out about the power of turmeric.

What is Turmeric?

People living in the Far East countries are well acquainted with turmeric. It is the rhizome of the plant known as Curcuma longa. When the plant becomes ripe, its root is pulled out, dried, and then ground into small powder.

This powder is bright yellow in color and has a slighty peppery taste. The main ingredient which gives this taste is known as Curcumin.

It’s this polyphenol compound present in turmeric, known as Curcumin, that is responsible for the testosterone boosting qualities of turmeric.

Research has indicated that the curcumin present in turmeric can be used as a treatment for a number of different ailments and has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-cancerous effects.

Turmeric is very beneficial for the body and it has various medicinal properties. 

Some of the benefits of turmeric are that it can improve digestion, help joint function, boost the immune system, improve liver function, increase good cholesterol, and strengthen bones.

It is no wonder that this amazing powder is called “holy powder” in India and why it is used in many religious ceremonies and festivals.

The best turmeric to consume should contain piperine which can improve the absorption of curcumin by a massive 2000%. (See below)

Turmeric and Testosterone Levels

Turmeric can help to increase testosterone because it is has been shown to lower estrogen levels in the body. It’s a potent substance that can block estrogen on a cellular level and can also help men with man boobs.

Turmeric is so potent that some research has indicated that it might just be as effective as the estrogen-reducing drug tamoxifen.

The only difference between the two is that turmeric is natural and can be taken in large quantities and you don’t have to be prescribed it.

Turmeric is also a very powerful anti-inflammatory and as I have mentioned in this article, inflammation can negatively affect the Leydig cell functioning in the testes and reduce the production of testosterone.

But by lowering inflammation in the body, turmeric can help increase testosterone production in the body.

Insulin sensitivity is also significantly improved by taking turmeric. And research has shown that there is a strong link between insulin resistance and low testosterone levels.

So improving insulin sensitivity with turmeric will result in a boost in testosterone levels.

Another way that turmeric can increase testosterone levels is by how it improves liver function.

This is very important because 50% of your body’s estrogen is deactivated by the liver. By taking turmeric and strengthening liver function you will speed up the removal of estrogen from the body.

Now let’s take a look at some other ways that turmeric can increase testosterone levels.

Turmeric can Increase HDL Cholesterol and is a Potent Antioxidant

Recent research has shown that increased oxidative stress in the testicular cells, also known as Leydig cells, can lower testosterone production.

Scientists have also found that certain antioxidants, like Vitamin E, reduce oxidative stress which slows down the age-related decline of testosterone production.

Turmeric has been shown to be 5-8 times stronger than Vitamin E as an antioxidant.

These results clearly indicate that consuming powerful antioxidants, like curcumin, can reduce oxidative stress and increase testosterone levels in the body.

In order to see whether this was actually happening, a group of Nigerian researchers investigated whether curcumin consumption increases testosterone in the body.

1. In the research, the rats were divided into four groups; the first group was given gallic acid (a pro-oxidant which reduces testosterone levels), curcumin, curcumin plus Gallic acid and a placebo. The researchers noted many things at the end of the study.

The first finding was that the testosterone concentration in the gallic acid group was about 30 percent lower than the placebo group. The gallic acid group also showed a drop in the antioxidant molecules within the testes.

However, the results were surprising when it was noted that in the curcumin group, the testosterone production was about 260 percent higher than the control group, which showed that curcumin can stimulate testosterone production.

The group ingesting the gallic acid and curcumin also showed an increase in testosterone production, which was 180 percent. The interesting thing to note in the above study was that both the groups which took curcumin showed less oxidative stress.

So the researchers concluded in the study that curcumin reduces oxidative stress within the testes.

2. Here is another study. This study was done way back in 1992 in which researchers studied the effects of curcumin on cholesterol levels in human subjects.

About 10 healthy individuals were selected for this study who received 500 mg of curcumin for 7 consecutive days. The results showed an increase in HDL cholesterol and a decrease in total serum cholesterol.

The fact that the researchers discovered an increase in HDL cholesterol clearly indicates it may also help to improve T levels because HDL leads to the production of testosterone.

Activating Vitamin D Receptor

Vitamin D has the ability to regulate genetic expression. And it has been discovered that curcumin can activate the vitamin D receptor.

For better understanding, just consider the fact that vitamin D has been shown to regulate several genes involved in testosterone production.

Interestingly a recent study showed that curcumin can bind with Vitamin D receptors and turn on several genes.

So, this study encourages a good possibility that curcumin activates many genes involved in testosterone biosynthesis.

This is quite probable, considering the previous studies, which show how curcumin can increase testosterone levels.

Potential Risks of Excessive Turmeric 

Clinical data suggests that excessive intake of turmeric can lead to a number of health issues. Here are some side effects of excessive intake of turmeric:

• Allergic Reaction – Turmeric is generally safe if consumed at 1500 mg/day, however, some individuals develop vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea when turmeric is taken in higher amounts.
• Stomach Issues – Excessive turmeric consumption may interfere in a very bad way with antacid medications and cause stomach pain.
• Gallbladder Disorders –You should avoid turmeric if you have gallbladder problems. Turmeric can also worsen your condition if you have gall bladder obstruction.
• Drug Interactions – Turmeric can cause interactions with many other medications. So you should discuss all your current medications with your health care provider before adding turmeric into your diet. Turmeric causes stomach acid production which reduces the effectiveness of other drugs.

These side effects are usually only seen when excessive amounts of turmeric are consumed.

Where to Buy Turmeric Powder

The best way to take turmeric is to use a quality organic turmeric powder. The cheaper forms of turmeric can contain many contaminants such as pesticides and herbicides.

Turmeric has also been shown to be absorbed better when it is consumed with a meal that includes fats.

Research also shows that turmeric and Bioperine can improve the absorption of curcumin by a whopping 2000%

For this reason, if you would prefer to take turmeric as a supplement make sure to choose a pure supplement that does not contain additives and also comes with Bioperine to improve absorption.

Turmeric – A Dream Herb

I hope this article has explained the link between turmeric and testosterone levels. It is truly a dream herb that can benefit so many areas of health.

You can easily add turmeric powder to milk, yogurt, warm water, and almond milk. You can also take it as a supplement to benefit your health.

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