Would You Take Steroids? Your Answers Are In...

A few days ago, I asked:

“Would you take testosterone replacement therapy? Maybe if the health risks aren’t there? Even if they are? Should testosterone be legal without a prescription?”

And people weren’t shy about their answers. Some of my favorites:

“Yes. Yes. And yes.”

I’ll assume a fourth yes was meant to be weaved in there somewhere.

“Yes, I would.”

Sweet!

“Hi Doug,

“The simple answer to your question is: I would you take testosterone replacement therapy if the health risks aren’t there. But if the risks are there, I still would consider taking testosterone if I would have knowledge and full understanding of those risks. I would like to know what the science says about the health risks. In my opinion, testosterone should be legal without a prescription.”

Thanks for writing in. And next time I see Doug, I’ll mention you mistook me for him. Hearing that will be the highlight of Doug’s day for sure…

“I have been taking a pharmacy-compounded testosterone cream for over 10 years with no adverse side effects. When I started, my testosterone level was almost zero.”

I’m not a doctor, but zero sounds pretty low. And no adverse side effects seems like an acceptable amount.

“Yes and yes if benefits outweigh risks. Life is not without risk.”

Indeed. If one thinks of his or her body as a vessel, than William G.T. Shedd’s quote seems especially appropriate: “A ship is safe in harbor, but that’s not what ships are for.”

There were plenty more comments, and a few were negative. But the ratio was roughly 20-1 in favor of better living through chemistry…

… as long as it’s the right chemistry. And as safe as possible.

So come Monday, I’ll reveal some surprising facts about one of the biggest safety concerns of all when it comes to testosterone replacement therapy: prostate cancer. You’re definitely going to want to tune in for this one.

In the meantime, I’ll close with this comment:

“I would consider supplementing testosterone if there weren’t any side effects. But generally, there are two conditions in our bodies, neurological and biochemical. If our testosterone levels are dropping, isn’t there a natural way to change the biochemistry to help produce higher levels of production?”

Yes! At the risk of boring you, I have to harp on it again:

Resistance training. Specifically, intense weight training will get the ole “low T” rising to the occasion. According to a study out of the Human Performance Laboratory at the University of Connecticut, “Protocols high in volume, moderate to high in intensity, using short rest intervals and stressing a large muscle mass, tend to produce the greatest acute hormonal elevations…” like testosterone.

In other words, lift those weights, work hard, don’t lollygag, and do exercises in which you use your bigger leg, chest, and back muscles.

Have fun at the gym,

Nate Rifkin
Underground Health Researcher

Nate Rifkin

Written By Nate Rifkin

Nate Rifkin is an obsessed health and mind-power researcher and author. To hear more from Nate, sign up to receive Living Well Daily for free, here.

View More Free Articles

A New Reason to Ditch Processed Junk

If you’ve ever walked the inside aisles of your local grocery store and thought, “This is all just junk,” your instincts were spot on. A new study published in the journal Thorax just added another red flag to the list of dangers linked to ultra-processed food—a 41 percent higher risk of lung cancer. That’s right....

Read This

When Being Winded on Stairs Is Serious (And When It Isn’t)

I had an athlete visit me recently because he experienced shortness of breath while climbing stairs. He is in great shape, so he was worried about what it might mean. “Doc,” he said, “I run five miles three times a week. Why am I huffing and puffing after two flights of stairs?” His concern is...

Read This

Study EXPOSES Hidden Danger Lurking in Your Car

We think of our homes and cars as safe havens. But according to a startling new study, they may be flooding your lungs with microscopic plastic particles—every single day. Researchers in France recently found that adults inhale an average of 68,000 microplastic particles daily from indoor air alone. To put that in perspective, that’s about...

Read This

Mailbag: Is Modern Food Making You Snore?

“What can cause snoring, and is there a way to correct this issue?” —Seeking  Silence Hi Seeking, Snoring happens when the soft tissues in your throat relax and vibrate as air passes through during sleep. While several factors can cause snoring—from sleep position to nasal congestion—I want to share one trigger that might surprise you....

Read This

Simple Food Swap SLASHES Dementia Risk 28%

Let’s be honest… who would jump at the chance to cut their dementia risk by 28 percent. And no, you don’t need to run marathons, survive on broccoli, or learn to play the zither (whatever that is) to make it happen. All it takes is one easy swap—something that’s probably already in your refrigerator. Researchers...

Read This

This SMART Floss Exposes Hidden Health Danger

Scientists have created dental floss that doesn’t just clean between your teeth—it also tracks your stress while you’re flossing. Now, I know what you’re thinking… “Great—now even flossing is going to stress me out by telling me how stressed I am.” But this fascinating new tool from Tufts University could be a game-changer for understanding...

Read This

Is This "Safe" Sweetener Damaging Your Brain?

The headlines are alarming… “Popular Sugar Substitute Linked to Brain Cell Damage” and “Erythritol Could Damage Critical Brain Barrier” are just two of the dozens I’ve spotted recently. But before you toss every sugar-free product in your pantry, let’s take a closer look at what this study actually shows—and what it doesn’t. The latest research...

Read This

This Summer Threat Could SPIKE Your Blood Sugar

Picture this… It’s another scorching hot summer day. You crank up the air conditioning while watching the weather forecast, which predicts yet another “record-breaking” heat wave. It’s starting to feel like just another miserably uncomfortable summer. But what you might not realize is that—if you have diabetes—those rising temps could do far more damage to...

Read This

Move Over Yogurt—5 Foods That Pack MORE Probiotics

Let’s talk about your gut. The microbiome is the collection of trillions of bacteria and other tiny organisms that live in and on your body—especially in your gut—and help keep you healthy. I’ve written often about how vital it is to maintain a healthy microbiome. And you might have dutifully added yogurt to your shopping...

Read This

Is Your Heart Older Than YOU?

Maybe you feel young for your age. Good energy, decent sleep, eating your veggies. But what if I told you your heart might be a decade older than the rest of you? That’s exactly what researchers at Northwestern University found in a new study published in JAMA Cardiology. The average American woman’s heart is about...

Read This