Beef Testicles and Testosterone: Myths vs. Facts

Testosterone is a sex hormone that plays important roles within the body. Hormones are the body's chemical messengers, travelling through the bloodstream and affecting various bodily processes.

Testosterone controls functions such as the regulation of libido, bone mass, fat distribution, and the production of red blood cells and sperm. As the major sex hormone in males, it is essential for male development, growth, and masculine characteristics. Healthy hormones and testosterone levels are key to men's optimal health, energy, vitality, and overall well-being.

In males, the majority of testosterone is produced in the Leydig cells. In females, the ovaries contribute a smaller amount of testosterone, while the adrenal glands of both sexes also produce very small amounts. For women, having a healthy balance of oestrogen, testosterone, and progesterone is important for healthy functioning ovaries, fertility, mood, libido, energy, bone density, and muscle strength.

What is testosterone -  Harvard Health

Signals sent from the brain to the pituitary gland at the base of the brain control the production of testosterone in men. The pituitary gland then relays signals to the Leydig cells to produce and secrete testosterone. The testicles do not store testosterone.

A "feedback loop" involving the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland, and Leydig cells closely regulates the amount of testosterone in the blood. When testosterone levels rise too high, the pituitary receives signals to reduce production.

It's important to note that while testosterone is produced in the testes, ovaries, and adrenal glands, it does not get stored or accumulate in a specific location like some other substances in the body. Instead, it circulates in the bloodstream, bound to proteins such as sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) or albumin. Once produced, testosterone is released into the bloodstream and circulates throughout the body, interacting with various tissues and organs. This circulation allows testosterone to exert its effects on the entire body.

Unlike fat-soluble vitamins, which can be stored in our adipose tissue (fat cells), testosterone does not have long-term storage. It is synthesised as needed and promptly used by the body, with any excess being broken down and excreted. In simple terms, testicles do not store testosterone like a reservoir; they continuously produce it in response to hormonal signals. Testosterone is produced, released, and metabolised continuously.

What is testosterone -  Harvard Health

Luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) are released from the bull's pituitary gland, triggering the beef testicles' Leydig cells to create and secrete testosterone. The level of testosterone in the blood regulates the secretion of LH and FSH hormones from the pituitary gland via a feedback system very similar to that in humans.

This again demonstrates that testosterone is not stored in beef testicles. Instead, testosterone is produced and then released into the bloodstream to be used by different organs and body tissues.

Reproductive Anatomy of bull - Missouri Extension

The amount of trace element testosterone in consumable beef bull testicles or freeze-dried beef testicle supplements is similar to the testosterone present in other muscle tissues or organs of the bull. As mentioned earlier, testosterone is not stored in a specific location; instead, it constantly circulates in the bloodstream, bound to proteins, moving between various tissues, areas, and organs within the bull's body.

One study of 42 different bulls' testicle tissues showed a mean average testosterone content between 38 ng to 47 ng per gram. For perspective, let’s consider the higher end of this average and increase the amount of beef testicles to 1 kg, which would equal 47,000 ng or 0.047 mg per 1 kg of testes.

At this stage, you may be wondering about bull semen and consuming it through eating testicles. Studies show bulls aged 5 years have 36 ng of testosterone per ml of semen. One litre of semen equals 0.036 mg of testosterone.

Below is a summary of these findings:

• 1 kg of raw beef testicles = 0.047 mg of testosterone

• 1 litre of fresh beef semen = 0.036 mg of testosterone

• Total = 0.083 mg

On average, adult men naturally produce between 6-7 mg of testosterone per day. Shockingly, to consume a mere 0.5 mg of testosterone from beef testicles, you would have to eat 6 kg of raw beef testicles and wash it down with 6 litres of fresh semen… no thank you!

Study of 42 bull sex organs -  PubMed

As beef testicles do not store large amounts of testosterone, they should not be considered a source of testosterone for improving human testosterone levels for men's optimal health. The same can be said about freeze-dried beef bull testicles supplements. They are definitely not a testosterone booster and should not be considered a source of testosterone as they are unproven to contain any meaningful amounts of testosterone.

Even with extremely small potential trace elements of testosterone in beef testicles, the testosterone would still have to pass through our digestive system and our liver (first-pass effect), which is known to greatly reduce the amount of available testosterone when consumed orally.

The negative 'first-pass effect' occurs when a compound taken orally has its potency significantly reduced by extensive metabolism in the liver and intestines before it reaches systemic circulation. Due to this first-pass effect and hepatic metabolism, oral testosterone has low bioavailability.

In conclusion, this shows even further that beef testicles should not be considered a source of testosterone as any small nanogram trace elements will be poorly absorbed and ineffective.

First pass effect study -  PubMed

First pass effect expanded study - PubMed

Testosterone is not typically administered orally because extensive first-pass metabolism in the intestines and liver significantly reduces its bioavailability. When taken orally, testosterone is well-absorbed but is rapidly broken down by stomach acid, intestinal wall metabolism, and liver enzymes. Consequently, approximately 98% of the absorbed testosterone is inactivated before it can reach the bloodstream.

Hepatic metabolism in the liver involves enzymatic reactions that transform compounds, affecting their bioavailability, effectiveness, and elimination as waste. Poor absorption rates are the reason why many oral hormone therapies (HRT) have large doses, higher than what a healthy adult male produces per day.

Source -  NCBI

Beef testicle capsules are not a direct source of testosterone and do not function as hormone replacement therapy (HRT) . Because of this, you should not expect the typical side effects associated with testosterone supplements or HRT, such as hormonal imbalances, mood changes, or acne.

Unlike beef liver or other highly nutrient-dense organ meats, beef testicles have a lower concentration of vitamins and minerals . As a result, they are less likely to cause "detox symptoms", such as mild headaches, digestive discomfort, or flu-like symptoms, that some people experience when first introducing organ meats into their diet. These detox symptoms can rarely occur when the body is adjusting to consuming nutrient-dense foods such as beef organs.

If your goal is to improve overall nutrient intake, products made from more nutrient-dense organs like beef liver or kidney may be more beneficial. These contain higher levels of key nutrients such as Vitamin A, B12, Selenium, and Copper.

As always, consult with a healthcare professional before adding any new supplement to your routine, especially if you have underlying health conditions or are on medication.

• Good quality sleep

• Reduce stress levels

• Nutrient-dense foods/supplements

• Strength training and cardio

• Vitamin D and sunlight

• Eat healthy fats (animal-based)

• Increase muscle mass

• Decrease body fat percentage

• Adequate magnesium intake

• Avoid overtraining

• Less alcohol and sugar

• High quality protein

Consuming natural nutrient-dense foods such as ribeye steaks, animal fats & beef organs can provide vital nutrients which are key to laying down the foundations and nutritional platform that supports natural testosterone production within the body. Beef testicles are actually on the lower end of the beef organ nutrient density scale, we will discuss this further in an upcoming blog.

Instead of focusing on how to consume testosterone, we should focus on how to provide our body with the highest quality, most bioavailable (easily absorbed) nutrients (including protein & healthy fats) which are known to support healthy hormones and increase natural testosterone production.

Nutrition is only one aspect of improving hormones. Testosterone production can be complex and needs a holistic approach which considers everything from what we eat, to our sleep quality, stress levels, amount of physical activity, and even how much natural light our eyes are given.