Are you looking to boost your natural production of Testosterone? Then look no further than Testosterone Boosters 101! In this article we will define what a Test booster is. We will also review the natural hormone Testosterone, its benefits, and define “free” Testosterone. Plus, we’ll look at the most common Test boosting ingredients. Finally, we’ll look at the best way to take a Test booster. Ready? Let’s get going!
What Are Testosterone Boosters?
A Testosterone booster is a product primarily marketed for men. It will feature ingredients that naturally increase your body’s natural Testosterone production. The better options will include compounds that fight excess estrogen. This type of product is marketed to any male of legal age but older men (30 and up) will most likely see the best results.
Let’s Look At Testosterone
Before we dive into the list of common test boosting ingredients, let’s review what testosterone is and what it can do for you. Testosterone is a steroid hormone (also called androgen) derived from cholesterol and produced by the interstitial cells of Leydig (these are cells in the testes). Also, the adrenal glands secrete smaller quantities. Levels fluctuate but the average adult male produces about 5-10 milligrams daily. Unfortunately levels begin to gradually decline when men reach their mid-20s.
Benefits of Testosterone include:
- Promotes muscular development primarily through protein synthesis stimulation
- Develops male sexual characteristics and sex drive
- Supports energy and mood
- Helps keep body fat levels under control
- Supports the production of red blood cells
For those that may not know, protein synthesis is the synthesis of new skeletal muscle proteins and is a primary trigger of muscle growth. (1)
What’s A “Steroid Hormone”?
Primarily, hormones carry specific messages to specific receptors throughout the body. By signaling these target receptors, hormones cause a precise, specific function to take place. There are three main types or classes of hormones: amine, protein, and steroid. They are part of the Endocrine System, which is the network of glands and organs that are responsible for producing hormones. (2)
Free Testosterone
Of the total amount of Testosterone that’s in the body, only a certain percentage is deemed available (or “unbound”) for muscle growth. This is called free testosterone. Let’s take a closer look. Increasing free, or usable, testosterone is crucial. That’s because it’s what your body uses for muscle growth. In fact, the amount of free, or usable, testosterone is responsible for all of Testosterone’s anabolic effects. So it’s not how much total Testosterone can be produced, it’s how much of the available or free Testosterone can be used.
As mentioned, the amount of free Testosterone to total testosterone is minimal, about 2-3% of total Testosterone. The remaining 97-98% of Testosterone produced by your body is “bound”, or unavailable. It’s not involved in the process of muscle growth. (3)
List Of Common Testosterone Booster Ingredients
Vitamin B6
B6 is a member of the water-soluble B vitamin family. It plays a role in norepinephrine production. That’s a neurotransmitter that plays a major role in mood. Finally, like all B vitamins, it helps convert food into cellular energy and helps the body cope with stress. (4)
Magnesium
This mineral, especially as part of a complex with Zinc and B6 (ZMA, a popular Testosterone booster) is popular for Testosterone support, and has a positive effect on hormone balance. (5)
Zinc Aspartate
Zinc is one of the more important minerals a hard training bodybuilder, athlete or fitness-minded individual should take. That’s because it’s involved in immune system health, protein metabolism and maintaining hormone balance which includes stimulating production of Testosterone. (6)
Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is an evergreen shrub that mainly grows in Asia and Africa. Its main function is to act as an adaptogen. That means it helps the body adapt to stress. It’s released in response to excess stress. This includes the physical stress of your intense workouts.
One of the biggest ways it combats stress is by inhibiting cortisol, a destructive catabolic hormone. By that action, Ashwagandha indirectly affects muscle growth because excess cortisol will inhibit the body’s Testosterone production. Ashwagandha allows the availability of more Testosterone by helping to keep cortisol levels in check. (7)
Boron Citrate
This is an essential trace mineral that has been clinically studied and shown to support increased levels of total and free testosterone. In one study conducted by Naghii et al, 20 male test subjects received 6 mg per day of Boron for only 7 days. At the end of the 7-day test period, it was discovered that levels of free Testosterone increased. (8)
D-Aspartic Acid
D-Aspartic Acid (also called DAA) is an amino acid that plays a direct role in the functioning of the endocrine system. DAA occurs naturally in the gonads and pituitary gland. Its major benefit from a bodybuilding perspective is that it activates the release of Testosterone and luteinizing hormone. The effects of DAA on Testosterone production have been researched on both animals as well as human test subjects.
The 12 Day Study
The real test of Testosterone boosters are what they do in the real world. After all, that’s where hard training lifters expect actual results. In one 12-day study, actually the primary study for this ingredient, the male test subjects were given one daily dose of DAA 3,120 mg each morning. So what were the results? Testosterone production increased by 42% in every test subject! As well, LH increased by 33%. Finally, the blood levels of Testosterone remained elevated for 3 days after the 12-day study. I have used this ingredient myself and been pleased with the results, however I am older. (9)
Fadogia
This is another common Testosterone-boosting herb. Fadogia is actually a Nigerian shrub that has an extended use for medicinal purposes. It has been demonstrated by a number of studies to promote increased Testosterone production. (10)
Fenugreek Seed Extract
This popular herbal ingredient increases Testosterone levels by blocking the effects of two enzymes: aromatase and 5-alpha reductase. In and of itself, Fenugreek does not increase the production of Testosterone. Rather, it preserves the body’s levels of free testosterone, which is, as noted, essential for muscle growth to take place. In addition, it inhibits estrogen. (11)
Maca Root
Maca is also known as Peruvian Ginseng. It’s another popular Test-boosting supplement. It has a long history of use as a traditional medicinal. Studies suggest that Maca promotes the production of Testosterone. (12)
Longjack (Also called Tongkat Ali)
This is an Indonesian shrub that can grow as tall as 33 feet. It is a common testosterone booster with research supporting its use. For example, one study involved 320 male test subjects aged 28 to 70 years old. This study was conducted in a hospital in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The test subjects received a daily 200 mg dose for 4 weeks. At the end of the 4 weeks, they showed a 46% increase in free Testosterone. In addition, Longjack helps keep the catabolic stress hormone cortisol in balance, a critical element if you want to get the most out of your Testosterone booster and your workouts. (13)
Shilajit
This is a sap-like substance that comes from the Himalayas. It has a long history of use in Ayurvedic medicine. Shilajit contains Dibenzo-A-Pyrones (DBPs), DBP-Chromoproteins (DCP), Fulvic Acid as well as over 40 minerals. Studies have indicated that Shilajit increases levels of free testosterone. Plus it has a beneficial effect on the production of nitric oxide and endurance. It’s important to make sure that any Test boosting ingredient doesn’t just increase Testosterone. It should directly target free testosterone. (14, 15)
Safed Musli Extract
Safed Musli is a herb from India with a history of use in Ayurveda medicine. It contains special compounds known as steroidal saponins (or chlorophytosides). These compounds signal the brain to produce more luteinizing hormone (LH), which in turn signals the testes to produce more Testosterone. (16)
Stinging Nettle
Stinging Nettle is also known as Urtica Dioica, a plant with extended history in traditional medicine. It contains the active ingredient 3,4-Divanillyltetrahydrofuran. This is a lignan that is believed to increase levels of free, or usable, Testosterone. As noted, and worth repeating, that’s the amount of Testosterone the body uses for muscle growth. (17)
Tribulus Terrestris
This is one of the more common Testosterone boosters. It is an herbal extract with a long history in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicines. Its main use has been to increase sex drive. Despite its popularity, there are not many studies conducted on human test subjects. Still, Tribulus produces a noticeable increase in sex drive and testosterone levels primarily due to its saponin content. That is the active ingredient, and in supplement form should be standardized to 45%.
Diindolylmethane (DIM)
While not a Test booster, this ingredient supports Testosterone by keeping estrogen levels under control. You will find it is in the majority of test boosting products. DIM works by blocking the aromatase enzyme. That’s important because this enzyme converts excess levels of testosterone to estrogen. Too much estrogen will result in negative side effects such as bloating and fat gain. By stopping this conversion, you optimize levels of free Testosterone. (18)
How To Use Testosterone Boosters
For best results, take your chosen Testosterone booster’s recommended number of capsules per day with food. Space out the dosage. For example, if your product calls for 10 capsules a day (yep, it can be that many) take 4 capsules with breakfast, 3 with lunch, and 3 with dinner. Another option would be to take 2 capsules with 5 separate feedings. I suggest using it for 8 weeks, then taking 2-4 weeks off.
So you’ve decided to give Testosterone boosters a try? Check these out!
Summary
In this article, Testosterone Boosters 101, we have covered what Testosterone is and its benefits. We have seen the importance of free Testosterone and looked at the most common Test boosting ingredients. If more mass is your goal, give a test booster a try and see what it can do for you. Stop by illpumpyouup.com today and stock up!
References:
- Griggs, R. C., Kingston, W., Jozefowicz, R. F., Herr, B. E., Forbes, G., & Halliday, D. (1989). Effect of testosterone on muscle mass and muscle protein synthesis. Journal of Applied Physiology (Bethesda, Md.: 1985), 66(1), 498–503. https://doi.org/10.1152/jappl.1989.66.1.498
- Biology by Campbell and Reece, p.975, 977, & 932
- (PDF) Testosterone Physiology in Resistance Exercise and Training (researchgate.net)
- https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminB6-HealthProfessional/
- https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Magnesium-HealthProfessional/
- https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Zinc-HealthProfessional/
- Chandrasekhar, K., Kapoor, J., & Anishetty, S. (2012). A prospective, randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study of safety and efficacy of a high-concentration full-spectrum extract of ashwagandha root in reducing stress and anxiety in adults. Indian journal of psychological medicine, 34(3), 255–262. https://doi.org/10.4103/0253-7176.106022
- Pizzorno L. (2015). Nothing Boring About Boron. Integrative medicine (Encinitas, Calif.), 14(4), 35–48.
- Topo, E., Soricelli, A., D’Aniello, A., Ronsini, S., & D’Aniello, G. (2009). The role and molecular mechanism of D-aspartic acid in the release and synthesis of LH and testosterone in humans and rats. Reproductive biology and endocrinology : RB&E, 7, 120. https://doi.org/10.1186/1477-7827-7-120
- Kotta, S., Ansari, S. H., & Ali, J. (2013). Exploring scientifically proven herbal aphrodisiacs. Pharmacognosy reviews, 7(13), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.4103/0973-7847.112832
- The Effect of 5-Alpha Reductase on Testosterone in Men – Full Text View – ClinicalTrials.gov
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667031322001075#sec0037
- Low, B. S., Choi, S. B., Abdul Wahab, H., Das, P. K., & Chan, K. L. (2013). Eurycomanone, the major quassinoid in Eurycoma longifolia root extract increases spermatogenesis by inhibiting the activity of phosphodiesterase and aromatase in steroidogenesis. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 149(1), 201–207. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2013.06.023
- Keller, J. L., Housh, T. J., Hill, E. C., Smith, C. M., Schmidt, R. J., & Johnson, G. O. (2019). The effects of Shilajit supplementation on fatigue-induced decreases in muscular strength and serum hydroxyproline levels. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 16(1), 3. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-019-0270-2
- Pandit, S., Biswas, S., Jana, U., De, R. K., Mukhopadhyay, S. C., & Biswas, T. K. (2016). Clinical evaluation of purified Shilajit on testosterone levels in healthy volunteers. Andrologia, 48(5), 570–575. https://doi.org/10.1111/and.12482
- Rath, S. K., & Panja, A. K. (2013). Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3902593/)
- Schöttner, M., Gansser, D., & Spiteller, G. (n.d.). Interaction of lignans with human sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9463941
- https://examine.com/supplements/diindolylmethane/#ref32