Men's testosterone levels drop by 1-2% each year after they turn 40. This natural decline leads to various health issues that become more noticeable in their 60s. The impact shows up as lower physical energy, reduced mental sharpness, and decreased vitality. Studies link advancing age to gradual increases in fatigue. Research now points to Ashwagandha testosterone support as a natural way to deal with this age-related hormone change.
Research shows impressive results for Ashwagandha's male hormone support. One study revealed a 14.7% boost in testosterone compared to placebo. On top of that, it boosted DHEA-S levels by 18%. DHEA-S is a vital male hormone that drops 1-4% yearly between ages 40-80. The link between Ashwagandha and testosterone levels matters even more for older men because stress and cortisol can push hormone production even lower. KSM-66 testosterone formulations have proven their worth in clinical studies. These formulations help with several aspects of male health, from lower anxiety to better physical performance.
This piece looks at how this time-tested adaptogenic herb helps men over 60 deal with dropping hormone levels. You'll find clinical research, the best ways to take it, and safety guidelines that matter most to older men.
Understanding Testosterone Decline in Men Over 60
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Men's testosterone levels start dropping earlier than they realise. Women experience sudden hormonal changes during menopause, but men's testosterone decreases slowly and steadily from age 30-40 [1]. This natural decline happens at 1-2% each year, and by 70, a man's testosterone production drops about 30% below its peak [2].
Why testosterone levels drop with age
Age-related testosterone decline happens because of changes in testicles and hormone regulation systems. The Leydig cells that make testosterone become less responsive to luteinizing hormone (LH) stimulation in men over 65 compared to those under 50 [3]. Older men also have fewer Leydig cells. Studies show elderly men's testosterone increases only 85% after hormone stimulation, while younger men show a 142% increase [3].
The hypothalamic-pituitary axis changes with age too. The body releases less gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and becomes more sensitive to testosterone's negative feedback [3]. These gradual changes lead to what doctors call "late-onset hypogonadism" (LOH), also known as andropause, male menopause, or partial androgen deficiency of the ageing male (PADAM) [3].
Symptoms of low testosterone in older men
Low testosterone shows up differently in each person. Men over 40 mostly notice sexual symptoms like fewer morning erections, less sexual thoughts, and erectile dysfunction [3]. Other common symptoms include:
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Physical changes: Less muscle mass and strength, more body fat (especially around organs), weaker bones, and unexplained anaemia [4]
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Energy issues: Constant tiredness, less stamina, and reduced physical abilities [4]
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Psychological effects: Depression, irritability, poor focus, and memory problems [4]
Not every man with low testosterone has symptoms. Studies reveal 10-25% of men over 60 have below-normal levels [4]. The numbers get worse with certain conditions. About 30% of overweight men and 25% of diabetic men have low testosterone, compared to just 6.4% and 13% in healthy men [4].
How it affects quality of life and health
Low testosterone does more than cause discomfort - it poses serious health risks. A study tracking men aged 50-91 found those with testosterone below 241 ng/dl were 40% more likely to die over 20 years than men with higher levels [5].
The health risks touch many body systems. Men with low testosterone face 38% higher risk of dying from heart disease and 129% higher risk from respiratory disease [5]. They also risk weaker bones, metabolic syndrome, and insulin resistance [3].
Life quality takes a big hit when testosterone drops. It disrupts seven key areas: energy, emotions, social life, mental state, physical abilities, and sexual function [6]. Both doctors and patients say low energy and poor sexual performance create the biggest problems [6]. Understanding these changes helps men explore solutions like Ashwagandha testosterone support or other ways to keep their hormones balanced as they age.
What Clinical Studies Say About Ashwagandha and Male Hormones
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Recent years have seen more clinical research that breaks down the connection between ashwagandha and male hormones. The results look promising for men who face hormone changes as they age.
Overview of key trials in men aged 40–70
Scientists have conducted strong studies about how ashwagandha works in middle-aged and older men. A notable 16-week, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study looked at how ashwagandha changed hormone levels and vitality in overweight men aged 40-70 years who felt mildly tired [3]. The men took either a placebo or ashwagandha extract with 21 mg of withanolide glycosides each day for 8 weeks [3]. This research design made sense because it focused on men most affected by age-related testosterone drops.
A systematic review of herbs that affect testosterone found something interesting. Only two herbal extracts showed positive effects on men's testosterone levels - ashwagandha root and root/leaf extracts were among them [4]. All the same, most studies used younger participants, and just some looked at men over 40 [4].
Effects on testosterone and DHEA-S
The hormone changes from taking ashwagandha have stayed consistent across studies. The trial with men aged 40-70 showed ashwagandha led to 14.7% more testosterone compared to placebo [3]. The participants' DHEA-S levels (a hormone that helps make testosterone) went up 18% more with ashwagandha [3].
A different study of people under chronic stress found testosterone increased by 11% in the ashwagandha group. The placebo group barely changed, showing just a 0.1% increase [7]. Men specifically saw their testosterone rise by 11.4% when taking ashwagandha [7].
Placebo vs Ashwagandha: what changed?
The differences between ashwagandha and placebo tell an interesting story. The hormone changes stood out clearly—testosterone (p = .010) and DHEA-S (p = .005) [3]. Both groups reported feeling less tired and more energetic and sexually active, without much difference between them [3].
This suggests the placebo worked well for symptoms people could feel, but the hormone changes came from ashwagandha itself. One study also found that ashwagandha reduced morning cortisol by 23%, while the placebo group's levels went up slightly by 0.5% [7].
Duration and sustainability of results
Men who think about taking ashwagandha often ask if the benefits last after stopping. The research shows you need to keep taking it to maintain the effects. The crossover study of men aged 40-70 proved this point. After switching from ashwagandha to placebo, DHEA-S dropped from 9.98 nmol/L to 8.24 nmol/L, and testosterone fell from 332.77 pmol/L to 295.41 pmol/L [3].
The DHEA-S drop was significant (p = .035), which shows you need to keep taking ashwagandha to maintain its effects [3]. This matches how people have traditionally used ashwagandha as a long-term tonic herb.
Men who want to learn about Ashwagandha stress testosterone benefits should see supplementation as part of their ongoing Ashwagandha male hormones health routine rather than a quick fix.
The Stress-Testosterone Connexion: How Ashwagandha May Help
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The balance between stress hormones and testosterone is vital for men's health, and it becomes more important after age 60. Men who face chronic stress see their hormone levels drop faster. This creates a chain reaction that ashwagandha seems perfectly suited to help with.
How cortisol affects testosterone
The body releases cortisol, known as the "stress hormone," when we're stressed. This directly blocks testosterone production. Research shows high cortisol levels disrupt how the testes work by interfering with Leydig cells—these cells make most of our testosterone [8]. The interference happens in multiple ways: cortisol reduces how well luteinizing hormone (LH) receptors work and blocks LH from binding to the testes. This directly stops the steroidogenesis process [8].
Cortisol suppresses testicular cAMP production and blocks 17α-hydroxylase activity at the enzyme level. Both are needed to make testosterone [8]. Men under constant stress face two challenges—their testosterone drops due to age and stress makes it worse. Research confirms this by showing that long-term high cortisol levels consistently link to lower testosterone [3].
Ashwagandha's role in HPA axis regulation
Ashwagandha stands out among adaptogenic herbs because it works so well on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis—the body's main stress control system [1]. A systematic review found that taking 250–500 mg of ashwagandha extract daily for 4-13 weeks reduced morning cortisol levels by a lot in stressed adults [1].
Ashwagandha lowers cortisol in part because its compounds (mainly Withaferin A) interact directly with glucocorticoid receptors in the brain. This affects how cortisol and stress are regulated [1]. Beyond the chemical changes, people who take ashwagandha report feeling less stressed when measured by tools like the Perceived Stress Scale [1].
Ashwagandha stress testosterone link explained
Ashwagandha's effect on testosterone isn't direct—it helps by lowering stress and cortisol, which usually block testosterone production. The body uses the same building blocks to make both cortisol and testosterone. Lower cortisol means more of these materials can be used to make testosterone [9].
This connection between stress and testosterone explains why ashwagandha works better in stressed people. A study showed men taking ashwagandha had an 11.4% increase in testosterone, while the placebo group saw just a 0.1% rise [7]. This stress-reducing effect is a great way to get results for men looking for natural ways to boost low testosterone, especially when modern life stress makes hormone problems worse.
The timing makes this clear—testosterone goes up after cortisol goes down. This suggests stress relief needs to happen before hormone levels can improve. This is especially important for men over 60, as their ability to handle stress drops along with their testosterone. This creates a chance to benefit from ashwagandha supplements.
Choosing the Right Ashwagandha: Extracts, Dosage, and Timing
Men who want to boost their testosterone levels naturally need to know the key differences between extracts, proper dosages, and the best time to take ashwagandha supplements.
KSM-66 vs Sensoril: what's the difference?
These two popular ashwagandha extracts work differently. KSM-66 comes only from the root and uses traditional extraction methods to keep all its beneficial compounds intact. It contains about 5% withanolides and has proven its worth in 22 "gold standard" clinical trials [5]. Sensoril uses both leaf and root extracts to achieve a higher 10% withanolide concentration through water extraction, backed by 12 clinical trials [5].
Shoden, another notable extract, packs an impressive 35% withanolide concentration from both leaf and root material [5]. While these extracts share ashwagandha's basic benefits, research shows KSM-66 works better for testosterone support and stress reduction in athletes. Sensoril seems to help more with sleep quality [5].
Recommended dosage for men over 60
Research on ashwagandha's testosterone effects shows daily doses between 300 mg and 5 g [10]. A study of overweight men aged 40-70 found positive results with 21 mg of withanolide glycosides daily [10].
The sweet spot seems to be 500-600 mg of ashwagandha extract each day [11][12]. Different extracts need different amounts - start with about 500 mg of KSM-66, 250 mg of Sensoril, or 70 mg of Shoden [5]. Men who exercise regularly might need up to 1,000 mg daily [13].
When and how to take Ashwagandha for best results
The best time to take ashwagandha depends on your goals. Morning doses help control cortisol throughout the day, while evening doses might help you sleep better [14]. Some people's stomachs handle it better with food - either breakfast or dinner works well [15].
You need to take it regularly to see results. Most people notice changes after 6-8 weeks of consistent use [14]. Traditional methods include mixing the powder with milk or honey, but most people today prefer capsules because of ashwagandha's bitter taste [15].
Interactions with other supplements or medications
Men over 60 should be careful about mixing ashwagandha with their regular medications. Watch out for these interactions:
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Thyroid medications: Ashwagandha might boost thyroid hormone levels too much [2]
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Blood sugar-lowering drugs: This combo could drop blood sugar too low [16]
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Blood pressure medications: Blood pressure might drop too much [16]
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Sedatives and sleeping medications: You might feel too drowsy [2]
The supplement interacts with 452 different drugs, including 7 major interactions [17]. Men who take medications for stress-related conditions should talk to their doctor before starting ashwagandha for testosterone support.
Is Ashwagandha Safe for Seniors? What the Research Shows
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The safety of dietary supplements becomes crucial as people age. Recent clinical studies that dissect ashwagandha's effects on seniors give a clear picture of its suitability for men over 60 who want to try natural testosterone support.
Reported side effects in older adults
Studies focused on older populations show ashwagandha has an excellent safety record among elderly users. Clinical research reveals that seniors experience only mild and temporary adverse reactions. A study that looked at ashwagandha's effects on elderly people's general health and sleep quality noted just a few mild side effects [18]. These included:
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Nausea (most common)
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Abdominal discomfort
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Headache
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Mild drowsiness
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Occasional diarrhoea
These symptoms were mild enough that participants could continue taking their supplements [18]. Seniors who take ashwagandha at therapeutic doses seem to handle it well when they use it to address stress-related testosterone decline.
Long-term safety and tolerability
Research consistently shows older adults tolerate ashwagandha well. A study of elderly participants found the test group handled the supplement well and reported it as both safe and helpful [19]. The PGAET and PGATT reporting systems showed most participants rated their experience as either "excellent" (73.70%) or "good" (26.30%) [19].
In spite of that, we don't have much data about truly long-term use beyond 3-4 months since most studies cover shorter periods. Experts currently say ashwagandha is safe for about 3 months [12]. Men who want to try natural remedies for andropause might want to cycle their supplements.
Some groups need to be extra careful. People with thyroid conditions should know that ashwagandha might change their thyroid hormone levels [12]. Men with liver issues should talk to their doctors since there have been rare reports of liver complications [12]. The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) is looking into these concerns right now [6].
UK supplement quality standards to look for
British law doesn't specify safe limits for ashwagandha in food supplements [6]. The UK Food Standards Agency has started asking the public about ashwagandha's safety because of concerns about its effects on thyroid, blood sugar, and liver health [20].
Quality standards matter a lot in this regulatory environment. Men should look for these features when choosing ashwagandha products:
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Root-only extracts are safer since most concerns involve leaf-containing formulas [21]
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Products that standardise withanolide content (usually 5% for root extracts) [21]
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Supplements with third-party testing
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Products that meet European quality standards (many follow German guidelines suggesting 300-500 mg daily) [6]
Root-only extracts like KSM-66 testosterone formulas appear to be safer options. India's Ministry of AYUSH warns against using ashwagandha leaf formulations and points to root extracts as the traditional, time-tested form [21].
Conclusion
Ashwagandha has emerged as a natural solution for men dealing with age-related testosterone decline. Research shows this adaptogenic herb helps counter the 1-2% yearly testosterone drop that men face after 40. Clinical studies reveal that standardised extracts like KSM-66 can boost testosterone by nearly 15% and raise DHEA-S levels by 18%.
Older men should understand the link between stress, cortisol, and testosterone. High stress levels speed up hormonal decline through increased cortisol, which blocks testosterone production. Ashwagandha's impact on the HPA axis provides two key benefits - it reduces stress and supports testosterone production.
Men who want to try ashwagandha should get into the different extract options. Root-only extracts like KSM-66 are generally safer than leaf-containing formulations. Daily doses between 300-600mg work best for men over 60. Most studies show seniors tolerate ashwagandha well, but anyone with thyroid conditions or liver issues should ask their healthcare providers before starting.
Regular use matters a lot with ashwagandha for testosterone support. Benefits usually take 6-8 weeks to show up and fade after stopping. Men should see ashwagandha as part of an all-encompassing approach to managing age-related hormonal changes rather than a quick solution.
This herb can't stop ageing completely, but research suggests it helps alleviate some hormonal challenges men face later in life. Men with low testosterone symptoms who prefer natural remedies for andropause might find this ancient adaptogenic herb valuable for their hormonal health, energy levels, and overall wellbeing in their 60s and beyond.
Key Takeaways
Clinical research reveals how ashwagandha may help men over 60 combat age-related testosterone decline through stress reduction and hormonal support.
• Ashwagandha supplementation increases testosterone by 14.7% and DHEA-S by 18% compared to placebo in men aged 40-70 • The herb works by reducing cortisol levels, which directly suppresses testosterone production in chronically stressed men • Root-only extracts like KSM-66 at 300-600mg daily offer optimal safety and efficacy for seniors over leaf formulations • Benefits require 6-8 weeks of consistent use and diminish after discontinuation, making it a long-term commitment • Men with thyroid conditions or taking blood pressure medications should consult healthcare providers before starting supplementation
Ashwagandha represents a evidence-based natural approach to supporting hormonal health in older men, particularly those experiencing stress-related testosterone decline. However, it should be viewed as part of a comprehensive strategy rather than a standalone solution for age-related hormonal changes.
FAQs
Q1. Is ashwagandha effective for boosting testosterone in men over 60? Research suggests ashwagandha can help counteract age-related testosterone decline in older men. Clinical studies show it may increase testosterone levels by up to 14.7% compared to placebo in men aged 40-70.
Q2. What is the recommended daily dosage of ashwagandha for testosterone support? Most studies indicate that 300-600mg of ashwagandha extract daily provides optimal benefits for testosterone support in older men. However, dosage may vary depending on the specific extract used.
Q3. How long does it take to see results from ashwagandha supplementation? Consistency is key with ashwagandha supplementation. Most studies show it typically requires 6-8 weeks of regular use to demonstrate meaningful effects on testosterone levels and stress reduction.
Q4. Are there any safety concerns for seniors taking ashwagandha? Ashwagandha is generally well-tolerated by older adults, with most side effects being mild and transient. However, men with thyroid conditions or taking certain medications should consult their healthcare provider before starting supplementation.
Q5. Does ashwagandha interact with medications commonly taken by older men? Yes, ashwagandha can interact with several medications. It may affect thyroid hormone levels, enhance the effects of blood sugar-lowering drugs, and interact with blood pressure medications. Always consult a healthcare professional before combining ashwagandha with other medications.
References
[1] - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11800443/
[2] - https://www.health.com/medications-not-to-mix-with-ashwagandha-8758036
[3] - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6438434/
[4] - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2161831322001028
[5] - https://stromsports.co.nz/blogs/news/about-ashwagandha-and-the-differences-between-ksm-66®-sensoril®-and-shoden®-ashwagandha-extracts
[6] - https://www.vitafoodsinsights.com/regulations/uk-safety-body-to-conduct-risk-assessment-on-ashwagandha
[7] - https://journals.lww.com/md-journal/fulltext/2019/09130/an_investigation_into_the_stress_relieving_and.67.aspx
[8] - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3880087/
[9] - https://www.drvegan.com/blogs/articles/8-surprising-benefits-of-ashwagandha
[10] - https://www.healthline.com/health/low-testosterone/how-much-ashwagandha-per-day-for-testosterone
[11] - https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/ashwagandha
[12] - https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Ashwagandha-HealthProfessional/
[13] - https://www.weightworld.uk/health-wellness-hub/mens-health/how-much-ashwagandha-per-day-for-testosterone-find-out-here.html
[14] - https://wellbeingnutrition.com/blogs/essentials/best-time-to-take-ashwagandha-for-maximum-benefits?srsltid=AfmBOopkZfc_lTNgH2ThNaAmxadXsjELtPbK2Nm5faMZ2NotTcd327fk
[15] - https://www.menshealth.com/uk/health/a31147772/ashwagandha-benefits/
[16] - https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-953/ashwagandha
[17] - https://www.drugs.com/drug-interactions/ashwaganda.html
[18] - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32226684/
[19] - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7096075/
[20] - https://www.food-safety.com/articles/9601-uk-fsa-assessing-ashwagandha-food-safety-due-to-concerns-about-possible-toxicity
[21] - https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ptr.70096
