How to Increase Androgen Receptors in Your Body?
Androgen receptors are a type of nuclear receptor that is activated by binding any of the androgenic hormones such as testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in living cells of your body. The key function of an androgen receptor is as a DNA-binding feature that regulates gene expression. In other words, it determines the body's sensitivity to testosterone. Synchronized genes by androgens are vital for the development and preservation of the male sexual composition.
In short, all those testosterone of a male body is useless unless it is able to carry out its functions with the help of androgen receptors. They bound androgens to blood and help them transport it to enter DNA. This is a natural process of your body. However, one can increase androgen receptor density enabling them to augment their activity in exploiting male hormones.
If you are convinced you to have decent testosterone levels but still suffers fatigue, low mood, apathy and loss of strength, then you probably lack essential androgen receptors to activate the testosterone you possess.
Don't worry; there are ways you can naturally increase androgen receptors. They are-
Caffeine
It sometimes feels as if nothing could make life better than the pleasant smell of coffee. There was a significant increase in the interest in caffeine's use as an ergogenic aid ever since the International Olympic Committee lifted the partial ban on its use. Caffeine has beneficial effects on various aspects of athletic performance. Nevertheless, its effects on training have been neglected. A study published in 2008 concludes that caffeine has some potential to benefit training outcomes via the anabolic effects of the increase in testosterone concentration.
In another study published in European Journal of Applied Physiology, it was found out that caffeine could actually increase testosterone levels. Well, in calculated consumption of course. Caffeinated chewing gums were given to competitive cyclists. Following caffeine treatment, testosterone increased by 14% as compared to those cyclists who were given placebo chewing gums.
International Journal of Experimental Pathology published a study that investigated whether chronic caffeine intake could increase androgenic stimuli, epithelial cell proliferation, and hyperplasia. The study was done on rodents. It was found that low-dose caffeine consumption can increase testosterone levels, DHT levels, and androgen receptor expression.
Intermittent Fasting
Intermittent fasting raises testosterone by regulating all the right hormones that support healthy testosterone production all the while restraining the hormones that thwart with testosterone production.
A study was conducted in 1987 to investigate whether short-term fasting affects serum testosterone in normal subjects. The researchers studied 10 healthy men of normal weight on two occasions: after an overnight fast (8 h) and after an additional 48 h of fasting. They found out that fasting could, in fact, increase testosterone levels.
A study which investigated whether short-term fasting affects the pituitary-testicular axis in obese subjects found that fasting up to 56 hours could increase testosterone response by 180%.
L-Dopa
L-dopa is a precursor to neurotransmitters dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine (adrenaline). It is an amino acid that prompts a positive mental state of action and assertiveness, and it can cross the blood-brain barrier, and it can improve dopamine concentrations. Mucuna pruriens or velvet beans are a rich source of L-dopa.
A study conducted in 2008 proved that mucuna pruriens significantly recovered male subjects who had a low sperm count. Even some of the subjects who were infertile got better sperm count, adrenaline and noradrenaline levels after the treatment with mucuna pruriens.
The study titled Androgen-regulated genes differentially modulated by the androgen receptor coactivator L-dopa decarboxylase in human prostate cancer cells found that L-dopa can enhance androgen receptor activity.
Another study which was published in Human Pathology also proved that L-dopa could successfully increase the efficiency of androgen receptors.
No products found.
L-Carnitine
L-carnitine is naturally found in meat and is a proven way to increase androgen receptors.
Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research published a study which examined the influence of L-carnitine L-tartrate (LCLT) supplementation using a balanced, cross-over, placebo-controlled research design on the anabolic hormone response. The results showed that L-carnitine L-tartrate would invoke receptors to be available for hormonal interactions.
The sole purpose of this study was to determine the effects of three-week supplementation of L-carnitine L-tartrate (LCLT) and post-resistance-exercise (RE) feeding on hormonal and androgen receptor responses. In the study, ten resistance-trained men were supplemented with LCLT with a dosage equivalent to 2 g of L-carnitine per day. It was found that LCLT supplementation considerably amplified androgen receptor contents.
Resistance Training
There is no doubt that resistance training is able to help the body release testosterone. But what about androgen receptors? Well, resistance training can effectively increase them too.
The purpose of this study was to determine the relationships between post-exercise changes in systemic (testosterone, growth hormone) or intramuscular (skeletal muscle androgen receptor) factors in moderately-sized young men undergoing different resistance training-mediated muscle hypertrophy. The results were taken from twenty-three adult males who completed four sessions of resistance training for 16 weeks. It was found out that resistance training is likely to boost the number of active androgen receptors in the body.
The study titled Effects of Sequential Bouts of Resistance Exercise on Androgen Receptor Expression examined three sequential bouts of resistance training on serum testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and free androgen index, skeletal muscle androgen receptors and protein expression and myofibrillar protein content. The results showed that there was a significant increase in serum testosterone and free androgen index after each exercise bout. A considerable increase in androgen receptors was also seen after second and third exercise bouts.
Conclusion
Lack of androgen receptors is not something very common. Yet, if you feel you need to utilize all your testosterone to building manly qualities on your body, then you would probably need to pump up androgen receptor density.
The above-mentioned ways to increase androgen receptors aren't hard to adopt. Of course, there are supplements of L-dopa and L-carnitine easily available in the market. Still, you can find the natural food sources without completely depending on supplements. With few changes in diet and routines, you can enhance androgen receptor to take advantage of your testosterone effectively.
