Do Omega 3s boost testosterone? Well my friend it has quickly become one of the most popular supplements over recent years as a result of the positive findings.
Their use has been associated with decreased risk of heart disease, cancer, reduced inflammation and has shown to improve cognitive function as well.
Some guys may be wondering if these fatty acids can boost Testosterone as well. The answer is a resounding yes. Not only does research back this up, but supplementing with Omega-3’s helps promote things like reducing inflammation in the body which will help promote T production in the long run.
A lot of people may be familiar with Omega-3’s, but they are perhaps more familiar with fish oil—a supplement high in these fatty acids. So we will look at both below in more detail.
What are Omega-3’s
Omega-3 fatty acids are a type of polyunsaturated fat. They are considered a ‘healthy fat’ because they don’t clog arteries or raise blood pressure (as misinformed people often assume fats do). Consuming a diet rich in Omega-3’s is essential for the production and balance of hormones like testosterone, as well as keeping the heart and cardiovascular system healthy.
One major reason people should supplement their diet with Omega-3 fatty acids is because they need to strike a proper balance between omega-3’s and its counterpart omega-6. Ideally, the ratio of these fats should be 1:1, meaning that for every mg of Omega-3’s you consume, you’d consume one mg of Omega-6’s. The problem is that today most people do not have a balance of these fats. In fact, the average ratio of Omega-3’s to Omega-6’s in Americans are 1:15!
Eating too many Omega-6 fatty acids causes inflammation in the body, which effects blood flow, heart tissue, the digestive system, the brain—your whole body essentially. This is the cause for so many of the ailments, such as heart disease and cancer that we see in the modern world. Therefore getting your profile of Omega fatty acids in proper balance is of the utmost importance for not just Testosterone levels, but for feeling great in general.
Why Omega-3’s Boost Testosterone
It’s important to know that fats are important precursors to the production of testosterone and other hormones.
A decrease or lack of consumption of fats will potentially lead to negative effects on hormones. And while fats are plentiful in most diets, most people aren’t getting the right types of fats.
Most fats in the modern Western diet are harmful to human health as they are trans-fats and poly-saturated fats which have detrimental health effects.
What you should be consuming are essential fats that are only found in certain food sources, one of which are Omega-3’s.
Omega-3’s and fish oil have been closely tied to increases in testosterone. There are a couple of reasons for this.
One is that Omega-3’s can lower SHBG, and SHBG binds to free testosterone and inhibits its proliferation. Another reason is that Fish Oil has demonstrated that it can increase Luteinizing Hormone (LH), which is a precursor to T production.
It’s difficult to find a natural source of fats that contain only Omega-3’s. Fish oil comes pretty close, because it contains six times the amount of Omega-3’s over Omega-6’s.
Best Sources of Omega-3’s
There are a number of different sources out there to get plenty of Omega-3’s. These include both natural, whole foods as well as supplements.
If you want to start with a supplement, Fish Oil is an excellent choice. These softgels are quite common and a convenient way to get your Omega-3’s. Make sure to shop around though as many fish oil supplements are low quality.
You may have heard of people getting ‘Fishy burps’ after consuming fish oil. Not only is this nasty, but it shows that the product has been spoiled!
Make sure your fish oil comes in a dark container to prevent exposure to harsh light, and is stored preferably in a cool place.
Cod liver is another excellent option for getting lots of Omega-3’s. Like fish oil, the essential fatty acids are derived from the fish, but cod liver oil offers more than just fats.
It contains vitamin A and vitamin D, both of which are crucial for producing Testosterone.
It also contains Omega-3s, some products even more than fish oil. Cod liver oil often comes in bottles that need to be refrigerated. Serving size varies, but usually it is just about a teaspoon a day.
Krill Oil is one of the newer Omega-3 supplements on the market and is among my favourite. The praise for it so far has been excellent.
Krill Oil not only contains a great ratio of Omega 3 to Omega 6’s, but also contains antioxidants which lowers inflammation and reduces cellular damage, beneficial for a healthy hormonal profile over time.
In general, many fishes contain lots of Omega-3’s. Sardines, anchovies, and salmon are filled with Omega-3, and really pack a punch of nutrients. Nuts are an excellent choice too as walnuts, sunflower seeds, and almonds are full of healthy fats.
There are also general Omega-3 supplements out there. They often contain a variety of extracts that contain Omega-3 rich substances like flaxseed and fish oil.
How to Get Plenty of Omega-3’s in Your Diet
The topic of how much Omega-3’s to consume can throw some people off. For example, you might here a recommendation to consume 2g of Fish Oil per day. And while some would do that without second guessing it, what people really should focus on is the actual Omega-3 content, not the total amount of their supplement.
The actual amount of Omega-3’s is usually just a fraction of the supplement. So if a serving of fish oil is 2g, then there may actually be around 500 or so grams of Omega-3’s. This is something you really want to keep an eye on if you’re going to buy a supplement. Look for products that contain the highest concentration of Omega-3’s, in particular EPA and DHA, which are potent fatty acids.
Conclusion
There are few supplements out there that have as much as a proven track record for overall health and testosterone than Omega-3 fatty acids. It’s highly recommended you get our hands on a quality supplement or consume fishes and oils rich in Omega-3’s as your testosterone levels will benefit greatly.
