Magnesium Bolsters Testosterone Levels in Athletes

KARAMAN, TurkeyMagnesium supplementation may bolster testosterone values in both sedentary and active individuals, with higher increases in people who exercise, according to a new study (J Biol Trace Elem Res. ePub 29 Mar 2010; DOI:10.1007/s12011-010-8676-3). Researchers from Selcuk University assessed how four weeks of magnesium supplementation affect free and total plasma testosterone levels in three groups of practicing athletes and sedentary adults. Testosterone levels were determined at four periods: resting before supplementation, exhaustion before supplementation, resting after supplementation, and exhaustion after supplementation. The sedentary controls received 10 mg/kg body weight magnesium. Tae kwon do athletes practicing 90 to 120 min/d were separated into two groups: an intervention with 10 mg/kg body weight magnesium, and no supplement.

Both free plasma testosterone and total testosterone levels increased at exhaustion before and after supplementation compared to resting levels in both athletes and sedentary controls. The increases were greater in the athletes than in the sedentary individuals.