Does Oyster Extract Increase Testosterone?
Many people have heard that oysters can be an aphrodisiac, but not many people understand why.
We look at the evidence behind the nutritional content of oysters and how they can benefit us.
LAST UPDATED: March 2019 by Ben
This particular article has 16 citations that can be found at the bottom of the page.
Testosterone and Oysters
You may have heard about oysters being aphrodisiacs, but can it really increase testosterone?
Champagne and oysters go hand in hand for a great date, but shall we start gulping them back in the gym, too?
The science suggests so…
That’s because modern research techniques have discovered why it is an aphrodisiac, and we should start looking at our hormones.
So, what’s the story?
No-one can shy away from the natural power of the oyster, and here’s why!
What is an oyster?
Okay, to many, they look quite revolting. You can eat them cooked but for those who want to get kinky it is traditional to scoop them back in to your mouth raw and swallow in one.
As you can imagine, it is cold and slimy.
But an oyster is mollusk that grows and is farmed from salt water. They have a hard, shell like exterior and when prized away from their colony and reef the interior looks almost unpalatable.
The interior flesh is gray in color and quite alien like in appearance.
However, they are actually very tasty and abundant with vitamins. [1]
Nutritional Value
You my be surprised at the nutritional benefits of something that looks like phlegm.
However, oysters contain about as much protein as an egg and are less than 50 calories.
They contains all of the 9 essential amino acids and even no-essential amino acids such as D-Aspartic Acid. [2]
Oysters are rich in minerals such as zinc, magnesium, iron, potassium and even contain Omega-3 fatty acids – fatty acids that cannot be produced by the body and must be consumed.
Vitamins are not to be left out either, because oysters are rich in A, B12, C and Iodine [3].
So, as you can see, oysters are loaded with nutrients.
Oyster Health Benefits
With all of these vitamins and minerals in oysters, it is easy to see why they can benefit our everyday health. [4] [5] [6] [7]
So let’s go through what they can do and why.
Immune health
The vitamin A and zinc in oysters help your immune system working correctly to help defend against any illness or infections.
Vision
In low level light vitamin A is able to help you see more effectively.
Skin
Vitamin A and C maintain healthy skin and lining of the body such as inside of your nose.
Nervous System
B12 contained in oysters helps keep the nervous system healthy and operating correctly.
Red Blood Cells
Your body requires red blood cells to carry nutrients and oxygen to the muscles and organs. Luckily B12, iron and the fatty acids from Omega-3 in oysters can help produce more red blood cells.
Vitamin C also helps maintain healthy blood vessels and cells.
Alleviates Cellulite
You read that right, B12, is able to help alleviate the symptoms of cellulite.
Wound Healing
Vitamin C, amino acids and Zinc helps wounds heal better.
Metabolic Rate
If you want a healthy metabolic rate and help to burn calories as energy, you need iodine and B12 in your diet. Luckily oyster has both in abundance.
Heart Health
Potassium and Omega-3 found in oysters help keep the heart functioning properly.
Muscle Function
Oysters are high in potassium and Magnesium.
Potassium helps prevent muscle cramp which can have a negative effect on sporting performance.
Magnesium helps muscle function and development aiding with protein synthesis along with amino acids.
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With all of these great benefits in mind, you would think we could just stop there, sit back and relax knowing that oyster is a brilliant addition to your diet.
But there’s more, and this is the real reason whey we are here…
Hormones
Yep, oysters can have a beneficial effect on hormones.
This is true for both men and women.
So, when we spoke of oysters having an aphrodisiac effect, a theory which dates back to Greek Mythology and Ancient China, there’s more to it than you may think.
You see, the aphrodisiac effect has to come from something, it’s just they didn’t know exactly what chemical and biological reactions we taking place back then.
However, modern science can now confirm why oysters are so popular as a dining delicacy on first dates.
We have already run through the health benefits of the vitamins and minerals that are in high amounts in oysters, but we held back a little.
Because, after all, you started reading this for the bit about testosterone. So here it is…
Testosterone
Oysters contain high amounts of Zinc and Magnesium.
Studies in to zinc and magnesium confirm that if you are deficient of these minerals you will suffer from low testosterone.
Studies in to magnesium have proven that the mineral can increase the testosterone levels of athletes and even sedentary people when supplemented. [8]
Similar results were also established in a group of men whereby the average age was 74. [9]
Zinc is not to be left out in the cold either. It has been concluded that those who participate in exhaustive exercise can experience low levels of testosterone.
However, when athletes were supplementing with zinc it prevented an inhibition of testosterone.
Yet, it does not end there.
Oysters have been found to contain the non-essential amino acid; D-Aspartic Acid.
D-Aspartic Acid causes a release of hormones in the body [10]. This consists of, but not limited to increases of growth hormone and testosterone.
What effect does the increased secretion of testosterone have on my body?
Okay, so we have three main elements of oyster that are of interest for those looking to increase testosterone levels.
These are:
- Zinc
- Magnesium
- D-Aspartic Acid
So how does a higher level of testosterone help us?
A healthy level of testosterone has many health benefits, this is the case for both genders.
Low levels of testosterone can be catalyst to many physiological issues that can reduce overall quality of life.
Let’s take a look at the most prominent areas where increased levels of testosterone can have a positive effect:
#1 Libido
For men, when they age and their testosterone levels reduce this can affect sexual desire, erectile function and orgasms.
Studies have found a correlation between low testosterone and a low libido. [11]
Women who increased their testosterone levels saw a positive effect on many aspects of sexual function. [12]
#2 Muscle Mass
This is where most people relate their knowledge of testosterone.
A higher level of testosterone increases lean muscle mass, strength and decreases fat levels. [13]
#3 Bone Health
Those who suffer from low levels of testosterone have less bone density and are likely to suffer from osteoporosis. This can then lead to fractures. [14]
#4 Cognitive Function
There are a large number of studies that suggest increased levels of testosterone in men improve cognitive function. [15]
5# Cardiovascular Health
Numerous studies conclude that low levels of testosterone are associated with an increased number of cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and death. [16]
Oyster & Testosterone Video Review
Oyster Benefits Conclusion
So, as you can clearly see, the humble, ugly looking oyster has many natural health benefits that far outweigh its size.
We’re talking increased immunity, blood flow, repair, vision, libido and testosterone levels.
And that is just a small snapshot.
Oysters are the main source, obviously, but there’s other ways to get reap the rewards.
If you do not like the sight, taste or thought of eating oyster you can get some great supplements with high levels of oyster extract.
This way, man or woman, you can benefit from a higher level of libido and testosterone.
Ensure that you include it (regardless of format) in your nutrition plan.
References
[1] https://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/why-are-oysters-good-for-me#1
[2] https://www.webmd.com/sex-relationships/news/20050316/want-romance-oysters-may-really-work
[3] THE NUTRITIONAL VALUE OF OYSTERS AND OTHER SEA FOOD. Jones DB. Am J Public Health (N Y). 1926 Dec;16(12):1177-82. No abstract available. PMID: 18012019
[4] https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/
[5] https://ods.od.nih.gov/search.aspx?zoom_query=zinc
[6] https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Magnesium-HealthProfessional/
[7] https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminB12-HealthProfessional/
[8] Effects of magnesium supplementation on testosterone levels of athletes and sedentary subjects at rest and after exhaustion. Cinar V, Polat Y, Baltaci AK, Mogulkoc R. Biol Trace Elem Res. 2011 Apr;140(1):18-23. doi: 10.1007/s12011-010-8676-3. Epub 2010 Mar 30. PMID: 20352370
[9] Magnesium and anabolic hormones in older men. Maggio M, Ceda GP, Lauretani F, Cattabiani C, Avantaggiato E, Morganti S, Ablondi F, Bandinelli S, Dominguez LJ, Barbagallo M, Paolisso G, Semba RD, Ferrucci L. Int J Androl. 2011 Dec;34(6 Pt 2):e594-600. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2605.2011.01193.x. Epub 2011 Jun 15. PMID: 21675994
[10] Three and six grams supplementation of d-aspartic acid in resistance trained men. Melville GW, Siegler JC, Marshall PW. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2015 Apr 1;12:15. doi: 10.1186/s12970-015-0078-7. eCollection 2015. PMID: 25844073
[11] https://academic.oup.com/jcem/article/91/7/2509/2656285
[13] https://www.physiology.org/doi/abs/10.1152/ajpendo.00370.2002
[14] https://academic.oup.com/jcem/article/84/6/1966/2864549
[15] http://www.eje-online.org/content/155/6/773.short
[16] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025619617308248
