science nutrition blog

By Robert Schinetsky

Testosterone is the male sex hormone that makes a man feel like a real man. It peaks in the 30s and slowly starts to decline with each passing year. Testosterone impacts libido, vitality, reproduction, and aggression, but that just begins to scratch the surface. It also affects mood, cognition, bone density, muscle mass, body fat percentage, and cardiometabolic health. Finding natural ways to increase testosterone can help maintain these benefits.

With healthy testosterone levels, you feel energized, motivated, and ready to tackle whatever life throws at you. On the other hand, low testosterone levels are known to come with a host of potential downsides (some of the life-threatening), including:

• Disrupted sleep
• Low libido
• Depression
• Reduced exercise capacity
• Decreased muscle mass
• Increased body fat
• Greater risk of major adverse cardiac events and mortality caused by cardiovascular event

Exploring natural ways to build testosterone can help mitigate these risks and improve overall well-being.

Beyond nutrition, exercise, and sleep, certain dietary supplements are known to support healthy testosterone levels. Common ones include DHEA, zinc, fenugreek, and tongkat ali. These supplements for testosterone can provide essential support for maintaining optimal levels.

One lesser-known, but formidable, supplement is D Chiro Inositol, which has been shown to act as a natural testosterone booster.

What is D Chiro Inositol?

D-Chiro Inositol (DCI) is a natural molecule that has been studied for its ability to support healthy hormone levels, metabolic health, and brown fat thermogenesis. It is primarily found in tissues that store glucose, such as the liver and skeletal muscles, as well as those involved in androgen production. This makes DCI a vital component in the myo inositol & d chiro inositol combination for enhanced health benefits.

DCI is particularly effective in improving metabolic health by acting as an insulin sensitizer, which can help manage blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of insulin resistance. This is crucial for individuals looking to maintain a healthy weight and body composition. Additionally, research suggests that DCI may answer the question: does inositol increase testosterone?

Sources of Inositol

Myo-inositol is easily obtainable from whole food sources, including corn, beans, fruits, and nuts. DCI, on the other hand, is scarce in foods, with buckwheat, soy-lecithin, carob, and lentils among the few foods that contain significant amounts of the molecule.

In order for the body to obtain significant quantities of DCI, it must synthesize it from myo-inositol or get it via supplementation. Supplementing with D Chiro Inositol can be an effective strategy for those seeking to increase testosterone hormone naturally and improve insulin sensitivity.

What Does DCI Do?

DCI exhibits a two-faceted mechanism, playing a role in both insulin signaling and aromatase-facilitated conversion of androgens to estrogen. It is a strong modulator of steroidogenesis and regulates various steroidogenic enzymes, including 17α-hydroxylase and 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. DCI also functions as a second messenger of insulin, which stimulates testosterone synthesis in Leydig cells, thereby helping to increase testosterone hormone naturally.

Put another way, DCI impacts mechanisms that benefit insulin (a nutrient shuttling hormone that has considerable ramifications in muscle building, fat loss, and cardiometabolic health) as well as testosterone.

DCI Research

Landmark research published in 2021 found that men (average age: 37 years) receiving 500mg d-chiro-inositol twice daily (1 g/day) for 30 days experienced significant reductions in both estrone (-85%) and 17β-estradiol levels (−14.4%) and increases in testosterone (+23.4%), dehydroepiandrosterone (+13.8%) and epiandrosterone (+39%)!

Another study from the same year in older men found that supplementation with 600mg of DCI twice per day (1200mg, daily total) for 30 days. At the end of the month-long study, men receiving the 1,200mg d-chiro-inositol supplement demonstrated increased serum testosterone and androstenedione, and reduced oestradiol and oestrone.

Most recently, a narrative review on DCI concluded that it "acts through a variety of mechanisms, acting as an insulin sensitizer, inhibiting the transcription of aromatase, in addition to modulating white adipose tissue/brown adipose tissue transdifferentiation."

Why is Brown Fat Thermogenesis Important?

Our bodies primarily contain three types of fat cells:

• White fat -- relatively inert form of stored energy composed of a single, large fat droplet
• Brown fat -- cells composed of many small droplets loaded with mitochondria. Brown fat is more metabolically active, burns calories at a higher rate than white fat, and helps maintain core temperature when exposed to cold weather.
• Beige fat -- a newer type of fat cell that lies somewhere between white and brown in terms of its thermogenic properties, meaning it burns more energy than white but less than brown

Brown fat reserves are highest in infants where they help generate heat to maintain a stable body temperature. As we age, though, brown adipose tissue declines.

Therefore, if it's possible to shift the balance of white fat to brown fat or stimulate the existing brown fat stores, then you may be able to burn more calories (from thermogenesis), thereby reducing overall body fat, bodyweight, and waistline measurements. As it turns out, obesity researchers have been exploring ways to increase brown fat thermogenesis as a safe and effective means to combat the increasing obesity crisis.

Cell studies published in the International Journal of Molecular Science indicate that DCI increases the expression of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) -- the main brown adipose tissue marker and can help to transition white fat to brown fat. DCI administration also increased mitochondrial copy number as well as oxygen consumption ratio.

Since DCI has been found to support the "browning" of white fat, it warrants consideration for those interested in improving body composition (as well as those looking to support healthy testosterone levels and improve insulin sensitivity). This makes it a potential belly fat burner by enhancing metabolic health. For individuals seeking testosterone support for men, DCI offers a promising option.

Takeaway

DCI is an untapped reservoir in the modern age of sports nutrition. This advanced supplement supports testosterone, healthy insulin function, body composition, and cardiometabolic well-being.^† As a testosterone supplement, it offers a natural solution for those looking to enhance their hormonal health.

AML DCI Test Booster is a scientifically advanced dietary supplement containing D-Chiro-Inositol (DCI) per capsule. Taken twice daily, AML DCI Test Booster delivers impressive support where you need it most.^†

For added natural testosterone support, we've eliminated the guesswork by creating a powerful stack in AML Test and AML DCI Test Booster, which deliver 50mg DHEA and 1,200mg DCI -- the same dosages used in human research studies!^†

For best results, we suggest taking a serving of AML Test and AML DCI Test Booster prior to training as this will work in combination with your intense workouts to support healthy testosterone levels.^†

^{† These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.}

^{© Published by Advanced Research Media, Inc. 2024}

^{© Reprinted with permission from Advanced Research Media, Inc.}

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