Low Testosterone in Men, Zone Workouts, When to Drink Amino Acids, and the Best Vitamin D Supplement
Welcome to the Ask Dr. Cohen series, part #2!
Got a question? Submit it here or use the chat button and it may be featured in a future article.
Do long workouts lower testosterone in men?
Yes. Numerous clinical studies confirm that intense workouts lasting over one hour decrease testosterone. Why? At about the 60-minute mark, the body ramps up stress hormone output (especially cortisol) to protect itself from sustained effort. Cortisol directly suppresses testosterone production, hurting both recovery and muscle gains.
For strength, endurance, and testosterone optimization, keep Zone 4 workouts under one hour. In contrast, Zone 2 training—like walking or light cycling—can safely extend beyond an hour without harming testosterone. The key is balancing hard, short sessions with longer, easy ones for best results.
When is the best time to drink amino acids?
The ideal time is about 30 minutes before exercise. Pre-loading with amino acids primes your body to reduce muscle breakdown, limit soreness, and improve recovery. Just make sure you’re using a complete amino acid profile—not just BCAAs. Imbalanced formulas risk accelerating muscle breakdown rather than preventing it.
That’s why we recommend FundAminos™, our balanced blend of essential amino acids. It’s designed to support performance, recovery, and lean muscle health better than BCAAs alone.
What’s the best way to get Vitamin D in the winter?
There are three main ways:
- Direct sunlight — the most natural source when possible
- Oral supplements — pills for convenience, or liquids (best held in the mouth for ~1 minute for absorption)
- Vitamin D lamps — the most effective winter strategy, delivering full-spectrum light your body converts into vitamin D
Whichever method you choose, pair vitamin D with vitamin K2 to improve absorption and utilization. For those serious about winter health, we recommend the SPERTI Vitamin D Sunlamp. It’s a higher upfront investment but provides the strongest and most natural light exposure available.
Note: PCP VIP members receive special pricing on the SPERTI lamp.
Continue the series: Ask Dr. Cohen #1 | Ask Dr. Cohen #3
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