Red Light Therapy and Testosterone: Not a Shred of Evidence

Red Light Therapy and Testosterone: Not a Shred of Evidence

Okay so obviously Tucker Carlson is a danger to American democracy. That goes without saying. But I’d never thought I’d have to come on here and dispel claims related to health and fitness perpetuated by him. Doing red light therapy on your testicles is as dumb an idea as it sounds.

Now look, I’m a big fan of red light therapy. It has its place. We’ve written about the pros and cons of red light therapy here, and even reviewed the best red light therapy devices. Yet, when it comes to testerone, there’s no evidence that it will help directly. There’s definitely no evidence that it will help you increase testosterone.

There’s even less (someone less than zero) that if you put it on your testicles it will do anything. Personally, I’m keeping experimentally therapy away from my huevos.

Beware of Companies That Claim This

You may read several articles that claim red light therapy’s use for doing things like increasing sperm motility. While this preliminary science is interesting, it’s a far cry from the type of intervention that will “restore your manhood,” as someone like Tucker might say. It definitely is not the first place to look for restoring your testosterone levels.

The Checklist for Naturally Increasing Testosterone Levels

It’s true that the average testosterone levels are on the decline, and this absolutely has individual and societal consequences. We’ve been writing about declining T levels since 2013.

Testosterone, the key male hormone, is crucial for overall health, muscle growth, fat loss, and numerous other physiological functions. While there’s no magic bullet for skyrocketing testosterone levels, certain lifestyle changes and practices can help maintain and potentially increase your natural testosterone production.

1) Get Your Diet Right

Protein Intake: Ensure adequate protein, around 1g per pound of bodyweight. It’s essential for countless bodily functions and for hanging on to your muscle.

Healthy Fats: Incorporate sources of healthy fats like avocados, nuts, and olive oil. These fats are essential for testosterone production. Don’t be scared of dietary cholesterol (think, eggs) either.

Cruciferous Vegetables: Vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower help in naturally balancing estrogen levels, which can positively impact testosterone.

2) Hit The Gym

Strength Training: Engage in weight lifting and resistance training. These activities are known to boost testosterone levels in the short and long term.

HIIT Workouts: High-Intensity Interval Training can provide a spike in testosterone levels.

3) Center on Sleep

Adequate Sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night. Poor sleep patterns can significantly lower testosterone levels. Check out this article on how to get higher quality sleep.

4) Kick Stress to the Curb

Stress Reduction: Chronic stress elevates cortisol, which negatively impacts testosterone. Make sure your job doesn’t consume your life, have leisure activities, do some yoga, take some ashwagandha. You know what I mean.

5) Take Vitamin D

Vitamin D: Often linked with higher testosterone levels. Consider supplementation, especially if you have limited sun exposure.

6) Get Tested

Regular Health Check-Ups: Regular check-ups can help you keep track of your testosterone levels and overall health.

What To Use Red Light Therapy For

1) Skin Health

A 2014 randomized controlled trial found two sessions of red light therapy per week reduced signs of aging after 30 sessions. It increased collagen density and improved overall skin texture.

2) Reduced Pain and Inflammation

Aside from its skin benefits, many people buy a handheld red light device to alleviate joint pain and soothe sore muscles.

This study found that RLT may help alleviate chronic lower back pain, one of the most common reasons people seek physical therapy or chiropractic care.

3) Faster Wound Healing

In fact, it’s FDA-approved for this.

4) Cognitive Support

This study found red light therapy may help shift workers stay alert and perform well. However, the cognitive benefits are more well-studied in those with conditions, like traumatic brain injury.

As I said, we’ve covered this in depth, so check on this article on the benefits of RLT.