Category: T-Boosting Ingredients

As we get older, our testosterone levels naturally decline. Whilst testosterone therapy can be an option; it’s not always the best option for everyone. In contrast, Testogen uses only the highest quality ingredients that are sourced from nature and backed by science.

Unlike many other testosterone boosters on the market that have no scientific evidence, plus many are filled with unhealthy fillers and ingredients, we’ve extensively researched the 100% natural ingredients that form Testogen.

This means you get trusted, proven results with no risks, no side effects, just 100% natural ingredients and the results you want.

Inside every testosterone-boosting serving of Testogen has…

D-Aspartic Acid (2352mg)

An amino acid, D-aspartic acid (D-AA), supports the production of luteinizing hormone in your pituitary gland. By luteinizing hormone, it stimulates the Leydig cells in your testes to produce and release testosterone.

Therefore, D-AA can significantly boost your testosterone production by increasing your luteinizing hormone levels. Thanks to its powerful testosterone-boosting effects, Testogen contains more D-AA per serving than any other product.

Fenugreek Extract (40mg)

Fenugreek contains compounds called furostanolic saponins; these are believed to boost testosterone production by energizing the enzymes that convert testosterone into estrogen.

Numerous studies have shown that fenugreek improves testosterone levels and overall symptoms of low T. Study volunteers experienced significant improvements in their energy levels, strength, body fat, mood, libido, and overall well being.

Vitamin D3 (50mcg)

Studies have shown that men with good levels of vitamin D have significantly higher testosterone than those with low levels. This means that your testosterone levels could be affected if you’re not getting enough vitamin D. Don’t worry, your daily serving of Testogen will ensure you get the vitamin D you need to support healthy testosterone production.

In addition, Testogen uses vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol), which studies have revealed is the most effective form of vitamin D for a testosterone boost. Plus, vitamin D works even better when taken with magnesium, Boron, and vitamin K, all included in the Testogen formula.

Zinc (10mg)

Zinc plays a crucial role in testosterone production, even a mild deficiency can interfere with your testosterone levels. However, most men don’t get enough of this essential mineral in their diet. The zinc in Testogen helps protect you against zinc deficiency, supporting healthy testosterone levels. In Testogen, we use Zinc citrate because it’s been proven to be better absorbed than other sources of zinc.

Korean Red Ginseng Extract (40mg)

One of the world’s most famous natural medicinal herbs, Korean ginseng (also known as Panax ginseng), has been revealed to enhance testosterone levels. But the main reason it’s in Testogen is its proven libido-boosting benefits. Experts believe that compounds in ginseng called ginsenosides are to thank for its beneficial effects on your sex life.

Ginsenosides increase levels of dopamine and acetylcholine in the brain, neurotransmitters linked to desire and arousal. Ginsenosides are also thought to improve nitric oxide production, boost blood flow to your penis, and enhance your erections.

Boron (8mg)

Boron is believed to increase testosterone metabolism, which means more of the total testosterone in your body is converted into free testosterone – the type that gives you all the benefits.

Studies have revealed that even a small amount of Boron is enough to boost testosterone levels and decrease estradiol levels significantly. Estradiol is a type of estrogen, and too much of it can cause your testosterone levels to decline.

In addition, Boron also significantly improves the absorption of the magnesium and vitamin D in the Testogen formula – making magnesium and vitamin D even more effective.

Nettle Leaf Extract (40mg)

Stinging nettle roots contain compounds called lignans which prevent a protein called SHBG (sex hormone binding globulin) from binding itself to testosterone. Once testosterone is bound to SHBG, your body cannot use it, becoming useless.

By reducing the amount of SHBG that binds with testosterone, stinging nettle allows more free testosterone to circulate in your body. In addition, research has suggested that stinging nettle may help stop testosterone from being converted into estrogen.

Magnesium (200mg)

Studies have shown magnesium to increase both free and total testosterone, with men who exercise benefitting from the most significant increase. The more active you are, the bigger the testosterone boost you’ll get from magnesium.

Despite the link between magnesium and testosterone production and the vital role in many other physiological functions within the body, research shows that most men don’t consume enough magnesium, with older men at higher risk of deficiency. We’ve added a generous 200mg dose to every Testogen serving to ensure you get enough to support continued healthy testosterone production.

Vitamin B6 (20mg)

Studies have shown that vitamin B6 deficiency is linked to lower testosterone and increased estrogen levels, suggesting that vitamin B6 is vital to the testosterone production process. Vitamin B plays an important role in your overall health and wellbeing.

Also Read: Testogen Reviews

Your body cannot store vitamin B, so you must receive a daily dose. It’s essential to increase your intake of vitamin B6 as you get older, especially for testosterone production, which declines as you age.

Vitamin K1 (20mcg)

Vitamin K helps your body absorb the vitamin D in the Testogen formula more efficiently, increasing the vitamin D’s testosterone-boosting effects.

Bioperine® 95% Piperine (5mg)

Derived from black pepper, Bioperine increases the bioavailability of Testogen’s ingredients by up to 30%, so your body can use up to 30% more of each of the active ingredients in Testogen than it would do without Bioperine.

Don’t just take our word for it…

Franco, USA

“I’ve been using it for a month now, I’m 44, and I work out all the time, but I had been feeling really sluggish, been feeling kind of down, my energy was low. Now my workouts are great; I’m feeling good, full of energy. I’m getting some more cuts in my abs that I didn’t have before.”

Cale, Australia

“I purchased the product due to feeling a little low on energy (2 kids), work life, and recently having a vasectomy; I felt as if my testosterone levels could do with a boost. I also wanted to get active again via strength training. I came across your product, and it looked like you had many happy customers, so I thought I would try it out.

I have been using your product for about seven weeks now, and I honestly must say I do feel and see the changes. I definitely without a doubt, feel more energetic even after a long day’s work. I have always been a healthy eater, so this boost has definitely come from Testogen and nothing else. I have been able to train five days a week for 45mins per day and still find the energy to cook dinners for the family. Thanks for the boost in confidence, happiness… and testosterone!”

Brent, USA

“I’ve been using Testogen for over about a month now. I loved it! I’ve noticed that I have a lot more energy throughout the day, especially for workouts. I feel like I look better than I ever have. I feel like I’m in my early 20s again. I would highly recommend that anyone use this. It will improve your quality of life.”

Pero, North Macedonia

“I have been using the product for two months to boost my strength, testosterone levels and to lose body fat. After two weeks, I started to feel much more endurance during training. Greater libido, defined body and reduced fat deposits. After the second week of using the product, my training lasted much longer than before.

Also Read: Testogen Drops

When I started consuming Testogen, my body weight was 89.5 kilograms. Now my weight is 85 kilograms. I feel much better; my libido is higher, my strength for training is great. It is important to say that my sleep has improved.”

Other natural ways to boost your testosterone

Generally, maintaining some healthy habits and following a balanced diet can help you to keep your T levels higher for longer. Here are the top lifestyle changes you can make to boost your testosterone:

• Exercise can increase your T levels. The best types of exercise to increase your testosterone are weightlifting and high-intensity interval training (HIIT). Building muscle triggers your body to produce testosterone.
• Maintain a healthy weight as obesity is directly related to low testosterone levels.
• Getting enough sleep is essential for your health. A consistent lack of sleep can mess with your testosterone production and lead to weight gain.
• Reduce stress as stress causes your cortisol levels to rise and work against your testosterone levels, plus increased cortisol can cause you to overeat and gain weight.

We’re all about finding natural boosts to your T levels, so we’re so passionate about only including the highest quality and 100% natural ingredients in Testogen.

Feeling exhausted, low on motivation, and generally feeling like you’re running on empty could signify low testosterone. So, if you’re looking for a natural option to boost your testosterone, you’ve come to the right place!

Testogen can safely and naturally increase your testosterone with just four daily capsules. Reverse the signs of low testosterone with Testogen’s 100% natural ingredients, and experience more energy, heightened libido, and enhanced muscle growth.

• What is Fenugreek and why is it thought to increase testosterone?
• What are the health benefits of Fenugreek?
• Are there any side effects of taking fenugreek?
• What are the myths and facts about Fenugreek capabilities?
• What are the scientific study results for Fenugreek and testosterone?
• What are effective ways to increase testosterone?
• Conclusion

What is Fenugreek and why is it thought to increase testosterone?

Fenugreek is a South Asian plant whose seeds and leaf extracts are regularly used within dietary supplements/medicinal products to help treat an array of conditions.

But herein lies the problem…

Whilst this natural extract is broadly advertised as being able to improve your bodily functions e.g. your libido, your energy, etc., there is very little research to substantiate these claims.

Take for example testosterone. Fenugreek is widely promoted as a testosterone booster; however, the evidence supporting this claim is limited.

When is Fenugreek for testosterone encouraged?

What little research that does exist suggests that the presence of furostanolic saponins (compounds) within Fenugreek can help with testosterone production. It is believed that this compound can help stimulate the creation of new testosterone, thus helping to raise declining testosterone levels.

So does Fenugreek increase testosterone?

Like we mentioned before, there is very little to support this assumption; however, we aim to find out the truth…

What are the health benefits of Fenugreek?

It is only in recent years that the ‘Fenugreek testosterone’ claim has really taken hold. Skip back a decade and you’d see that Fenugreek has got a much stronger reputation for offering the following health benefits:

• Improved bone density
• Enhanced sexual performance, drive and libido
• Higher energy levels
• Improved fertility
• Greater physical/sports performance
• Increased lean muscle mass
• Improved mental focus, concentration and memory
• Increased immunity
• Reduced blood sugar
• Lower cholesterol
• Relief from heartburn

Now, once again – each of these claims needs to be taken with a pinch of salt, because whilst preliminary research DOES suggest that Fenugreek can help; like the Fenugreek and testosterone boost, more studies need to be done to help back them up.

Are there any side effects of taking Fenugreek?

Fenugreek may be natural and extracted from seeds and leaves, but it has been known to trigger some side effects (when taken in excess dosages).

Fenugreek has also been linked to the following:

• Maple syrup type smell to urine and sweat (this is caused the compound sotolon passing through your body unchanged)
• Upset stomach
• Bloating
• Sensitive nipples (most common in women – as Fenugreek can increase lactation – it has also been known to happen to men too)

Most of these have a minimal chance of happening – if at all. However, should they occur, the advice is to either reduce your dose or stop taking Fenugreek supplements altogether.

Now, sadly this is not all you need to remember when considering Fenugreek. It should also not be taken if you suffer from any of the following:

• Low blood sugar levels – NEVER take alongside diabetes medication as it could prove harmful.
• Heart disease – it has been known to reduce potassium, so anyone already taking medication to lower their potassium levels or who has got an underlying heart problem should NOT take Fenugreek supplements.
• Allergies to chickpeas, peanuts and coriander – it may cause cross-reactivity.
• Iron deficiency – Fenugreek may lower iron absorption so should be used with caution if you have anemia.
• Pregnant or nursing.

What are the myths and facts about Fenugreek capabilities?

And this is the big question: Can Fenugreek really help to elevate testosterone, or is this supposed ‘Fenugreek testosterone booster’ actually a fraud?

Below we have outlined all the facts, myths and theories surrounding Fenugreek’s capabilities:

1 – Can Fenugreek increase testosterone?

More myth than fact

There is no scientific evidence that proves – definitively – that Fenugreek boosts free or total testosterone levels.

Sure there is the odd study, but in most cases, they were done by Fenugreek manufacturers, who weren’t testing for testosterone (or looking for a long term boost), but based their theory on how participants felt.

The few that have been done externally (such as the one published in the International Journal of Exercise Science), revealed that Fenugreek had no impact on free or total testosterone levels.

2 – Does Fenugreek increase strength?

More myth than fact

Evidence suggests the possibility is slim.

In a 2011 study, where 47 participants were given a combo of Placebo and dextrose (a simple sugar), Creatine and dextrose or Fenugreek and Creatine (over an 8 week resistance training program); by the end of the study, those who had had Creatine with Fenugreek and Creatine with dextrose, both saw an increase in strength.

Now, whilst some might say that this is proof that Fenugreek works, what it actually shows is that Creatine can improve strength (a fact that is also widely known, proven and appreciated).

The presence of Fenugreek and sugar in both formulations made no difference, as participants saw an equal increase in strength.

3 – Can Fenugreek increase your libido?

More myth than fact

The main study which explores this idea was 1) paid for by a Fenugreek manufacturer and 2) only consisted of a paid questionnaire asking participants how they felt.

After 6 weeks, their sexual arousal score rose from 16.1 to 20.6.

Now, this study is not the only one to claim that Fenugreek can raise your libido. There are also a fair few anecdotal studies which suggest it. However, in all cases it is nowhere near the most effective at boosting your sexual drives. There are better options.

4 – Can Fenugreek help relieve arthritic pain?

MYTH

Sadly, this is a complete myth and there are no studies to support it.

5 – Can Fenugreek improve blood sugar?

FACT

A 1990 study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition proved that Fenugreek can be used as a glucose disposal agent. During the study it was found to improve glucose levels making it beneficial to anyone with diabetes.

6 – Can Fenugreek increase lactation?

FACT

That’s right! In breastfeeding women, taking just 3,500mg (max.) of Fenugreek per day can increase lactation in as little as 24 hours.

Now, this is great news if you’re a new mum. But if you’re in the gym and wanting to gain bigger muscles, then this is the last side effect that you want to happen – especially if you’re a guy.

This is where the whole sensitive nipple side effect comes into play…

So, is Fenugreek a secret testosterone booster?

Whilst there is no disputing that this extract is a rich source of phytonutrients and saponins (which are good for the body); there is just not enough evidence to back up its testosterone claims.

What are the scientific study results for Fenugreek and testosterone?

This question is a double-edged sword, as there are an equal amount of studies claiming it does work compared to those which say it doesn’t.

Doesn’t Work:

1 – One study published in ‘Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise’ (in 2009) revealed that Fenugreek supplementation had no effect on the hormonal profile of participants – including their testosterone levels.

2 – A 2006 study published in ‘Contraception’ discovered that Fenugreek lowered circulating androgens, including testosterone. The result was reduced fertility in both gender groups.

Does Work:

There are a couple belonging to this group, which is where all the doubt and claims come from.

1 – A study in 2011 – published by ‘Phytotherapy’ – found that by supplementing Fenugreek extract with other minerals, participants were able to maintain normal testosterone levels.

2 – 60 male participants were involved in the 6-week trial and they were given either a placebo or a supplement containing Fenugreek and a mineral formulation. By the end, those given the combo of Fenugreek with minerals saw an increase in their libido, sexual arousal, and orgasms, as well as a positive change to their testosterone levels.

This suggests that with the right combination of Fenugreek (with minerals), it can help you to achieve and maintain healthy testosterone levels.

Published in 2010 by the ‘Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition’; during their study of 49 men, those who took a supplement containing Fenugreek (and paired it with resistance training for 8 weeks), saw an increase in testosterone, as well as reduced body fat and improved performance levels.

NOTE: Fenugreek was not the sole ingredient in this supplement, so the results cannot be 100% attributed to Fenugreek.

3 – A study in ‘the Journal of Sports Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism’ (2010) explored the idea of whether Fenugreek affected strength, body composition and hormone levels in men (when taken alongside 4 days of resistance training per week). They were given either 500mg of Fenugreek capsules or a placebo. By the end of the 8 week study, those who had taken the Fenugreek capsules had experienced increased total testosterone and free testosterone levels, but not DHT. They also lost body fat.

What can we learn from these studies?

Simple. Given how much they contradict each other, what is really needed are more detailed and in-depth studies. Only then can we be certain of Fenugreek’s testosterone booster capabilities.

What are effective ways to increase testosterone?

Increasing your testosterone levels doesn’t have to be achieved artificially or with the help of supplements. There are simpler, much more effective ways of giving it a boost:

Food

Vitamin D and zinc are both essential for testosterone production, so it makes sense that adding these to your diet can help to replenish your testosterone supplies.

Take the following foods. Each is rich in Vitamin D and/or zinc:

• Tuna – this protein-rich food is also high in Vitamin D (you can also try salmon and sardines if you’re not a fan of tuna).
• Low-fat milk – strong in Vitamin D, it is also a good source of protein and calcium.
• Egg yolks – Vitamin D
• Fortified cereals – these are usually fortified in Vitamin D and other nutrients that are good for your heart.
• Oysters – these are a fantastic source for zinc.
• Shellfish – crab, and lobster are particularly for zinc. One 3oz serving of Alaskan King crab can give you 43% of your daily zinc requirement.
• Beef – beef liver is brilliant for Vitamin D, whilst ground beef and chuck roast contain zinc. NOTE: just be careful to eat lean cuts and don’t have it every day to prevent cholesterol issues.
• Beans – white, kidney and black beans all contain Vitamin D and zinc, making them the perfect addition to your diet.

Exercise

Believe it or not, exercise itself can help to raise your testosterone levels.

1. Sprint – 5-10 six second short sprints with a brief recovery time can help. Aim to do them 2-3 times a week.
2. Lift – you can either do high reps with low weights or low reps with high weights. In either case, they can boost testosterone levels when paired with heavy exercises such as squats, deadlifts, bench presses or Olympic lifts (at 85-95% of your 1RM). These should be done 2-3 times a week.
3. Rest strategically – studies suggest taking longer rest periods of 3 minutes between sets can help to build your testosterone levels.
4. Practice forced reps – performing weight lifting exercises for as many reps as you can – and then using a spotter to assist you with completing several additional repetitions – is believed to generate more testosterone. For optimal results, you should do multi-joint, large motor movement exercises e.g. warm up with barbell squats and then with a partner, choose a weight and do 5-6 reps on your own, and then a further 3-4 reps as they spot you. NOTE: these don’t need to be done every workout.
5. Don’t skip leg day – adding lower body training to your upper body training can significantly increase your testosterone levels.
6. Branch out from cardio – long endurance sports such as cycling can, in fact, lower testosterone in the way weight lifting can increase it. For that reason, avoid doing long stints on the treadmill or intensive cardio.

Complex supplementation (Testogen)

One thing is clear about Fenugreek. On its own, it may not be able to give you the boost you crave, but when used as part of a complex supplementation it can make a difference.

Testogen has harnessed all the antioxidant and insulin-releasing properties of Fenugreek, and have combined it with other testosterone boosting ingredients to offer you a natural and safe way to elevate your strength, stamina and vitality, as well as your muscles.

For more information on Testogen, click here.

Conclusion

There is no denying that Fenugreek is surrounded by both fact and fictitious claims. On the one hand it has the potential to offer an array of health benefits; but on the other, due to its lack of scientific studies and testing, knowing exactly what it can and cannot do is difficult.

This is especially true of testosterone. Its testosterone boosting capabilities fall into both myth and fact due to the minimal amount of investigation that has been done.

However, despite all of this one thing IS clear…

When used as part of a complex formulation, Fenugreek CAN increase testosterone levels. It is just a matter of getting the right pairing.

Similarly, testosterone supplementation should not be done on its own. Combining products such as Testogen (which uses Fenugreek extracts as part of their formula) with regular exercise, sufficient sleep, the right foods (those rich in Vitamin D and zinc) and minimal stress; can ALL help you to take back control of your testosterone levels.

So if you’re looking to boost your testosterone, just remember – don’t use Fenugreek on its own. Instead, consider it as part of a healthy lifestyle and a complex formula.

Do you feel overwhelmed by the number of supposed testosterone boosters on the market? Looking for something that’s proven to work and won’t break the bank?

According to a number of peer-reviewed studies, there is a strong positive correlation between maca, testosterone, and overall health.

Maca root is a health staple used in homes across South America, but it’s only been within the last decade or so that it has made its way into the West. Used as a means to support longevity, thyroid health, and workout recovery, many experts are now recommending maca root testosterone supplements to naturally increase men’s hormone levels.

But does maca increase testosterone?

For guys who are searching for a natural and effective way to safely increase their testosterone levels, maca root could be the answer. Let’s take a look at the maca benefits for men.

• What is Maca root?
• Benefits of Maca root
• Can Maca boost testosterone?
• How to use Maca for the best results
• Has Maca any side effects?

What is Maca root?

Maca root is a staple in households across Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador. Studies show that it has been in the Andean diet for thousands of years to promote sexual performance, longevity, and overall wellness.

Related article: Does high testosterone make you mean?

Famously grown in the Andes or Sacred Valley of Central Peru, maca root is one tough vegetable. It thrives at high altitudes between 11,000 and 14,500 feet during growing season, and depending on the elevation level, you will find it might have a slightly changed but still beneficial nutrient content.

What’s more, there are three different colors of maca. While all are beneficial, containing most of the same benefits, they do differ slightly. Many health experts suggest matching the maca color to your specific health needs. The three colors are yellow, red, and black:

Yellow Maca

This color of maca makes up more than half of the total amount of harvested maca. Depending on the growing season, yellow maca can account for up to 70% of the harvest, making it the most cost-effective and readily available.

Yellow maca is commonly used to increase energy levels including mental focus. Women tend to use it for hormone health and to promote fertility.

Red Maca

Red maca is the second most common color of maca, accounting for up to 25% of the harvest, depending on a number of factors during the growing season.

Red maca is very similar to yellow maca, but many women will use it to alleviate symptoms of menopause. Men and women can use red maca for fertility, thyroid, and skin issues.

Black Maca

Black maca makes up the smallest percentage of the harvest, but it’s considered by many to be the most potent and valuable, making it the most expensive of the three colors.

Black maca is almost exclusively recommended for men because it is used to promote prostate health, boost hormone (testosterone) levels, and support exercise performance.

Benefits of Maca root

As a powder or capsule, maca is a convenient supplement that can support your health. Here are the proven benefits of maca for men:

Libido Booster

Arguably the number one marketing claim for maca is based on its potential as a libido booster.

As we age or when our lifestyle decisions negatively impact our hormone health, sexual desire and cravings tend to decrease. This tends to be more prevalent with men as many experts agree that males hit their sexual peak earlier than women.

If you have noticed a dip in your mojo, maca root can help. Studies show that consistent supplementation with maca root can effectively increase libido, sexual drive, and sexual desire.

One study found that it only took eight weeks of maca supplementation before subjects – men and women – noticed a significant boost in their libido.

Do You Have Low Libido? Find Out If You Need A Libido Booster >>

Fertility Enhancer

Continuing with the point above, as men age, they become less fertile. Your fertility is also dependent upon a few other factors such as lifestyle choices and diet.

For example, sedentary men who smoke are going to be far less fertile when compared to a man of the same age who exercises and doesn’t smoke.

If you’re trying to conceive or if you recently got bad news from your doctor and you want to boost your sperm production and sperm count, try maca root.

One study showed that maca root increase sperm concentration and mobility of the men involved. Another study confirmed that maca root supplementation can boost sperm production.

The catch? You have to be consistent with daily maca supplementation to maximize the benefits.

Improves Mood

Did you know that our hormones have a direct effect on levels of depression and sadness? It should come as no surprise that if you’re having issues with your hormones, you might feel off or not like yourself.

Men who have low testosterone levels and women with menopause tend to report increased feelings of depression.

Studies show that incorporating a maca supplement into your daily routine can improve symptoms of depression. The catch here is that all of the studies have been performed on women with menopause.

However, if maca can support testosterone levels then it might be able to help with depression for men. More on this below.

Supports Exercise Performance

Everyone from the average Joe to the professional bodybuilder is looking for a way to have higher energy levels during their workouts.

Most people will turn to artificially flavored pre-workouts that are high in caffeine and not much else. Maca root could be a healthier and equally effective alternative.

One study found that maca root supplementation helped to improve endurance in animals. Another human-based study showed that maca root decreased fatigue and boosted exercise performance. Both studies had small sample sizes, but there is a lot of promise here. This could be why many supplements are putting maca into their whey protein and pre-workout products.

Suggested Read: How To Speed Up Your Muscle Growth By Boosting Your Testosterone >>

Promotes Cognitive Function

Did you know that the brain doesn’t stop developing at the age of 25 as many experts once suggested?

Brain and cognitive development is ongoing. But it’s important to use it or you lose it. Nutrition and dietary choices also play a major role in your brain health. Maca root is a proven way to promote a healthy brain.

One study found that maca root actually protects your brain from age-related breakdown. How does it do that?

The nutrients in maca root help to increase autophagy or the process by which your brain cleans itself out and gets rid of harmful environmental byproducts and compounds. Maca root can also support the health of mitochondria, the powerhouse of the cell, especially brain cells.

Maca’s effect on your brain goes beyond age and condition; many studies suggest that maca root can help to improve the learning process and memory.

One study found that rats who were given maca root demonstrated higher levels of spatial and performance memory. One thing to note for guys: Black maca was found to be the most potent in regards to cognitive benefits.

Overall Wellness

Even if you are in great health and you aren’t having issues with your hormones, mental state, or thyroid, maca root can be used to promote longevity and overall wellness.

Given its highly nutritious content, maca root is a powerhouse of important vitamins and minerals. If you’re considering a multivitamin, maca root may be a healthier and more natural substitute. Maca root contains high or considerable levels of vitamin C, copper, iron, potassium, vitamin B6, and manganese.

Can Maca boost testosterone?

Now, for the most important question: What is the relationship between maca and testosterone? Can maca root increase your levels of testosterone?

The short answer is maybe.

Now for a bit more detail: Maca root supplementation has been shown in studies to increase luteinizing hormone and testosterone levels in rats. And these results have been replicated a number of times. However, just because maca root boosts testosterone levels in rats doesn’t mean it’s an effective method for humans.

With that said, a fairly recent study found that maca root does have androgenic effects on humans. Researchers did not confirm that maca root had a direct influence on testosterone levels, but they did note that it can support androgenic properties. Here’s the quote from the study:

“Our case of assay interference suggests that maca contains a compound with similar moiety to the human testosterone molecule. Maca may be exerting its androgenic effects through actions at the testosterone receptor on target organs without affecting level of testosterone or gonadotrophins.”

With that said, maca root might not directly increase testosterone levels, but it certainly supports all of the systems responsible for healthy testosterone production. Maca root contains compounds called alkylamides, which influence the endocrine system. The very system that plays a major role in testosterone production.

To sum it up: Taking maca root supplements provides only benefit and no side effects (as we’ll get into more below).

How to use Maca for the best results

Maca is a root vegetable that cannot be consumed raw. You can cook it and serve it as a side dish, but the most popular way to consume maca is in powder form.

Growers of maca will dry the root, pulverize it into a powder, and sell it as is or in capsule form. You can even find maca in tincture (liquid) form, but this is not as common as a powder-based supplement.

If you do choose the powder (non-capsule) form, you will notice that maca has a very distinct taste. Many people note that maca root powder has a nutty and earthy taste, making it ideal for protein shakes or comparable flavors such as oatmeal. You can even include it in your baking for an extra nutritional boost.

Dosage of Maca Supplements

The majority of the studies that we mentioned above used three grams (3,000 milligrams) of maca root. Following those guidelines, we recommend using a daily dosage of three grams of maca root.

Yes, you can certainly use more and you won’t have to worry about side effects. But to save money, stick with three to five grams per day. You can split it up in the morning and afternoon.

If you’re using the powder form, put 1.5 grams (1,500 milligrams) into your morning shake, cereal, or coffee. Take another 1.5 grams in the afternoon or evening, preferably before a workout.

If you’re taking a capsule-based supplement, keep in mind that you might need to double or triple the dosage each day to hit that three-gram goal.

Powder or capsules: Which should you choose? If cost is an issue, consider the powder form, which is less expensive. If you don’t like the taste of maca root, go with the capsules.

Has Maca any side effects?

Plenty of studies have confirmed that maca root is safe to consume. No side effects have ever been reported. However, there is one catch.

Remember how we said that you cannot consume it raw? It has long been believed in Andean culture that you must first boil maca root before eating it. This might have something to do with your thyroid health.

Studies show that maca root contains goitrogens, which can negatively influence your thyroid health, especially if you already have a history of thyroid complications.

Maca Testosterone: Naturally High Levels

Did you recently get back a less-than-ideal blood test that shows you have low testosterone levels? Aside from improving your diet and exercising more, you might want to find a natural testosterone-boosting supplement.

We recommend resisting the urge of going with testosterone replacement therapy until it’s the only option left. Instead, look for tried-and-true (and scientifically proven) ingredients that can help to boost your testosterone levels. Maca root is that ingredient.

Studies show that supplementing with three to five grams of maca on a daily basis can support your hormone health, thyroid health, and cognitive health while improving exercise performance.

When you think sarsaparilla what usually springs to mind? A tasty drink? A root extract? A flavor of tea? Well, what if we were to tell you that sarsaparilla root may be able to increase testosterone levels in your body?

According to some sources they believe just that! Yet, is this just another bold claim, or is there any evidence to support the sarsaparilla root/testosterone theory?

In this article, we shall explore this idea and see if there is any truth to these sources. Do you know the answer? Find out below!

• What is Sarsaparilla?
• History of usage in traditional medicine
• Sarsaparilla health benefits
• Are there any risks or side effects?
• Sarsaparilla and testosterone
• What we recommend instead

What is Sarsaparilla?

The sarsaparilla plant (a tropical plant native to South America, the Caribbean, Mexico and Jamaica) goes by many names.

Some you are probably more familiar with than others: S. officinalis, S. japicanga, S. febrifuga, S. ornata, Ecuadorian sarsaparilla, Honduras Sarsaparilla and many more…

Related article: How does COVID-19 affect testosterone? 

However, what is really interesting about this plant is the variety of ways in which it is used.

You see, for centuries it has played a central role in traditional medicine, helping to treat skin diseases, arthritis, kidney disease and psoriasis (due to its ability to decrease joint pain, itching and bacteria, as well as combat pain and inflammation).

But that is not all it is well-known for. It is also:

• Used as flavoring in drinks, teas, foods and beverages.
• Mexican and Honduras sarsaparilla is used to treat gonorrhoea, fevers and digestive disorders.
• In North America, they use Honduran and Mexican sarsaparilla to treat arthritis, eczema, psoriasis and allergic reactions.
• It can be used to increase urination and sweating – deliberately!
• It is often paired with conventional drugs to treat leprosy and syphilis.

All in all, there are 6 types you should pay greater attention to – Honduran/Jamaican, Mexican, Chinaroot, Australian, Mediterranean and Canary sarsaparilla. And most importantly… not all sarsaparillas are the same…

For instance, it should not be confused with Indian or false sarsaparilla because not only are their compositions different; the false one – for example – is actually a common impurity found in sarsaparilla preparations and contains none of the active chemicals found in true sarsaparilla.

History of usage in traditional medicine

Sarsaparilla may have first earned an introduction into European medicine in the 16th Century after explorers found it to be a safer way to treat syphilis than mercury.

Hell, it was later registered in the US Pharmacopoeia as a recommended treatment for this condition, however, its use in traditional medicine extends much further than that…

For centuries it has been used by indigenous people to treat joint problems (arthritis), blood pressure and deal with an assortment of skin issues such as psoriasis, eczema and dermatitis. There was even speculation that it could ‘cure’ leprosy due to its blood-purifying properties.

But that is not all:

• In China it is considered an aphrodisiac and sexual stimulant. Chinaroot sarsaparilla has been used since the 1960s to treat vaginal and sexually transmitted diseases, as well as tuberculosis and scabies.
• In Thailand, Korea and Sri Lanka it is used to reduce inflammation, improve circulation (and blood vessel health), and help with kidney/liver disease.
• It has even been used (in the past) to treat blood poisoning, cancer and AIDs.

Since the 19th Century, its purpose has changed a little…

On top of being a remedy for leprosy, syphilis, STDs, Rheumatism, diabetes, weight loss, limb stiffness, bone/muscle pain and carbuncles; physicians started using it to reduce water retention and encourage sweating (due to its ‘blood-purifying’ capabilities).

Even more surprisingly, sarsaparilla root started making an appearance on the ingredients lists of licorice, anise and fizzy drinks. And we’re not talking about the 1800s sarsaparilla soft drink – that was actually made from sassafras which is a different plant. No, we’re talking about coke.

However, this didn’t last long as it was discovered to cause liver damage and cancer due to a compound it contains – safrole. This resulted in it being banned from soft drinks (in the US) from the 1960s.

What should you make of this?
Quite the history right? Well, the thing to remember is that its use in a lot of these treatments wasn’t based on any scientific evidence, so its ability to help in this regard may not be entirely accurate.

Then of course there is the US’s ban of it from drinks in the 1960s…

They were alone in this decision. Many other countries, such as China, still choose to use it. However, it does make you wonder if it is 100% safe, when a country as large as the US has deemed it not to be.

Sarsaparilla health benefits

You’re probably sick of hearing about all the various ways sarsaparilla has been used over the years to treat this, that and the other. And to be fair, a lot of the following sarsaparilla benefits we’ve mentioned above.

However, to help paint a clearer picture of what sarsaparilla is best known for treating, here is our list of top sarsaparilla benefits:

What condition can sarsaparilla potentially treat?

Sarsaparilla can potentially treat loads of different conditions and ailments. Below we’ll list a few:

1– Joint pain
Sarsaparilla is rich in saponins which are known to reduce joint pain (by decreasing inflammation), alleviate itching, protect your liver from damage, and kill bacteria.

NOTE: there are limited human studies to support these claims, and if we’re honest they are either very old or lacking in evidence.

2 – Psoriasis
We’ve mentioned this a few times. However, if you’re not already familiar with psoriasis, a symptom of it is skin lesions.

One study has found that sarsaparilla can dramatically improve your skin, as it contains sarsaponin, a steroid that binds to endotoxins (which are responsible for causing these lesions) and removes them.

3 – Arthritis
Sarsaparilla is a known anti-inflammatory, making it ideal for treating inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, as well as reducing joint pain and swelling.

Chinaroot in particular contains astilbin which has been found to decrease inflammation in arthritic mice.

4 – Syphilis
The physicians in the 16th Century may have been onto something when they started using sarsaparilla to treat syphilis. It has been found to act against any harmful bacteria and microorganisms.

True, it is not as powerful as modern antibiotics, but it would definitely have helped to alleviate symptoms of leprosy and syphilis.

In one study, they analysed the activity of over 60 phenolic compounds that had been isolated from sarsaparilla.

Researchers tested these compounds against six different types of bacteria and a single fungus, and found that: 18 of these compounds exhibited antimicrobial effects against the bacteria, and one against the fungus.

5 – Cancer
In one recent study, sarsaparilla proved to have anticancer properties in cell lines of more than one cancer type (in mice). In particular, preclinical studies on breast cancer tumors and liver cancer have highlighted the antitumor properties of sarsaparilla.

Now, most of these studies were done on mice or cells, so more research is needed to see if sarsaparilla benefits could really extend to cancer prevention and treatment.

6 – Protect your liver
Research on mice with liver damage has found that the flavonoids in sarsaparilla can help to reverse damage done to the liver and even make it function better.

Again, this research is exclusive to mice so more needs to be done to see if it can be applied to people.

7 – Improves bioavailability of other supplements
Sarsaparilla is regularly added to other herbal mixes to act as a synergist. This is due to the saponins it contains which are reputed to increase the bioavailability and absorption rate of other herbs.

8 – Improves gout
A traditional Chinese remedy combines Chinaroot with ash bark to help combat gout.

In one clinical trial of 90 people suffering with gout arthritis, this remedy helped to reduce blood uric acid and improve their arthritis.

9 – May fight infections
Cell based studies have revealed that sarsaparilla and its components can reduce the division of viruses which cause AIDS, oral herpes and lung infections.

Similarly, a clinical trial on 100 people with hepatitis B found that when given a Chinese remedy containing Chinaroot; it helped to kill off the virus and minimize liver damage.

In addition, it has been discovered to inhibit bacterium responsible for typhoid fever and parasites, which can cause Chagas disease and leishmaniasis.

10 – Reduce skin inflammation
During a study on mice with psoriasis, a Chinese remedy containing sarsaparilla reduced excessive skin cell division and inflammation.

Quercetin – a compound found in the root – has a similar effect, and can help to ease skin irritation and inflammation.

11 – Protect your brain
There are a number of animal and cell-based studies which shown the active components in sarsaparilla to have positive effects on your brain. In fact, they helped to reduce damage caused to cells by Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and strokes.

12 – Protect your heart
Normally after a heart attack, any new blood entering your heart could cause damage to the vulnerable tissues (ischemia-reperfusion infusion). When this happens, your recovery is hard and slow.

The astilbin in sarsaparilla was revealed to protect rats from this type of damage – as well as halt inflammation.

In addition to assisting you after a stroke, it has also been found to lower blood pressure in mice suffering with metabolic syndrome, and prevent heart cell swelling (due to its flavonoids).

13 – Obesity
When mice were fed a high-fat, high-sugar diet – and consequently gained weight, blood fat and sugar levels, and witnessed a build-up of fat on their livers – when they were given sarsaparilla, it increased fat breakdown and prevented fat storage.

14 – Reduce blood sugar
The active components in sarsaparilla were seen to lower blood sugar and reduce insulin resistance in mice. In test tubes, scientists noted how they blocked enzymes which break down complex sugars – helping to decrease blood sugar levels.

15 – Decrease water retention
Sarsaparilla is regularly used in the Canary Islands to combat water retention. During a study on rats, it increased the elimination of water and electrolytes in urine.

Looking at this list, there is no disputing the breadth of sarsaparilla benefits.

The fact that it can: block inflammatory proteins; activate anti-inflammatory AMPK-PPARgamma; reduce inflammatory messengers, cytokines and enzymes; decrease the development of immune cells (T-cells) by killing them and preventing them from reaching epicentres of inflammation, and combat free radicals; each makes it a valuable asset when dealing with skin problems.

HOWEVER, despite all of this, most of these claims are based on either its individual components or were done on rats and cells.

There are sadly very few human studies – three to be precise – which can confirm whether or not each of these benefits are transferable to humans.

So before you jump on the sarsaparilla bandwagon and add it to your basket; we suggest that you step back, do your research and lean on the side of caution. It is your body we are talking about after all – why subject it to something when there is no proof that it works?

Are there any risks or side effects?

Remember how we told you to be cautious? Well, we didn’t just say it for the hell of it. There was a reason. But not the one you’re probably thinking of.

For instance, sarsaparilla is generally considered safe – yay! It is only when it is taken in excess that it can cause stomach irritation, nausea and loose stools (or when its dust is inhaled that it can trigger a runny nose and symptoms of asthma).

However, given that herbs and supplements – such as sarsaparilla – are not subjected to rigorous FDA safety testing; then there is a danger that there may be more potential side effects to sarsaparilla than we are aware of.

Similarly, the fact that it is banned in the US because of suspected liver damage – ironic, we know given that some claim it can protect your liver – it does make you wonder – is there more to sarsaparilla root than we originally suspected?

Here is what we do know:

• Sarsaparilla may interact with certain medication i.e. Digoxin, Bismuth and Lithium, as it can increase the bioavailability of other drugs.
• Sarsaparilla may make kidney disease worse, so avoid if you’ve got kidney problems.
• May increase diuretics as it naturally boosts urination. This can lead to dehydration.
• One for the ladies – DON’T take If pregnant or breastfeeding.

Yet this isn’t the only risk sarsaparilla poses.

You see, aside from it majorly lacking in human studies (there are only three – yes THREE!), there are also tonnes of fraudulent marketing and misinformation in relation to this root.

1 – Sarsaparilla is wrongly marketed as containing anabolic steroids like testosterone
Now, whilst the plant steroids in this root can be chemically synthesized into these steroids in a lab; this WON’T happen in your body.

This means any bodybuilding supplements which contain sarsaparilla – and market this fact – are wrong as it doesn’t have any anabolic effects.

2 – False ingredients
You might recall us saying that not all sarsaparilla’s plants are the same. Indian sarsaparilla is a prime example, as it doesn’t contain the same active chemicals of sarsaparilla (Smilax genus).

They are vastly different, and won’t produce the same results.

3 – Only buy from reputable sources who can confirm the quality of their ingredients
Quite often sarsaparilla is grown in contaminated soils rich in heavy metals (lead, mercury and chromium). These metals are absorbed into the root and could make you ill.

Sarsaparilla and testosterone

And this is the big question – is there anything to the sarsaparilla root/testosterone connection? Unfortunately it’s not good news…

Like so many other sarsaparilla benefits, there is no evidence to suggest that sarsaparilla can increase testosterone. Nor is there any proof that it may help you to develop more muscles.

The idea is based on pure speculation.

You see, sarsaparilla is ripe with steroidal saponins, which are wrongly seen as prohormones that can be converted into testosterone by your body. THIS ISN’T TRUE.

Sure, you could extract this active compound and in a lab turn into something similar to steroids. But in your actual body, it won’t happen. It’s just not possible.

And this is a problem because there are a whole range of bodybuilding supplements which include sarsaparilla on the premise that it will help you to build muscle, burn fat and enhance your physical performance. NONE of this has been proven.

Should men use Sarsaparilla to boost testosterone?

Ummm… no. No you shouldn’t.

Like we said above, saponins CAN NOT and will NEVER be able to be converted into testosterone. So despite products claims that it is an anabolic steroid, it is not.

This is a blatant lie, and anyone who continues to claim it is true is either openly lying to you or hasn’t done any testing or research into what sarsaparilla can actually do.

What we recommend instead

Whilst sarsaparilla may not be the solution to your testosterone woes; there are other routes you can take which can give you the boost that you crave.

Natural testosterone boosters such as TestoGen are specially formulated from proven herbal ingredients which have been purposefully chosen for their ability to trigger increased testosterone production in your body.

So unlike some synthetic products which opt to fill your body with fake testosterone. TestoGen differs because it chooses to support your body’s own natural ability to create testosterone, thus ensuring that your body is 100% safe and free from side effects.

How TestoGen Works >>

Conclusion

What’s really sad about the sarsaparilla situation, is that despite the numerous phytochemicals it contains, there is simply not enough proof to back up its anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and skin/joint healing claims.

There are only three human studies in existence – THREE – nowhere near enough to put you at ease.

Add into the mix, the fact that sarsaparilla root can in no way boost testosterone, and what you’ve got is a plant with the potential to improve your health, but with nothing solid to support it.

For that reason, if you’re serious about elevating your testosterone levels, we suggest sticking to proven natural testosterone boosters such as TestoGen who can validate every one of their claims.

Recommended reading: Marijuana and Testosterone – Does Smoking Weed Lower Testosterone? >>

When it comes to elevating testosterone and boosting your libido, you want to do so 100% confident that you are free from risk or danger. Maybe that is why we so readily turn to herbal products such as bulbine natalensis – we assume they are safe. But are they?

On the one hand, this natural aphrodisiac CAN raise testosterone production and keep your body functioning. But on the other, there is speculation over bulbine natalensis and its potential side effects.

So what is right and what is wrong? In this article, we shall explore the truth behind bulbine natalensis supplements and determine – does it really work?

• What is Bulbine Natalensis?
• Bulbine Natalensis benefits for men
• Bulbine Natalensis side effects
• Bulbine Natalensis supplements
• What you could take instead

What is Bulbine Natalensis?

Bulbine natalensis extract (also known as ibhucu, rooiwortel and ingcelwane) is an herb that originates from South Eastern Africa. For centuries, it has been harnessed for its aphrodisiac and testosterone boosting properties.

In fact, in three separate rat studies, researchers noted massive increases in circulating testosterone, whilst another saw a fall in estrogen levels.

Related article: The best testosterone supplements

However, despite its distinct ability to bolster your libido, sexual health and testosterone production; bulbine natalensis is also believed to damage organ function (in a similar way to steroids).

In particular, nasty bulbine natalensis side effects have been seen in the liver and kidneys of participants – at the EXACT dosage required to see elevations in testosterone.

Bearing this in mind, it does make you wonder – is taking a bulbine natalensis supplement worth the risk? Let’s find out…

Bulbine Natalensis benefits for men

When it comes to introducing anything into your diet or routine it is important to know all the facts. And who can fault you for that?

Only once you’re fully aware of all the pros and cons, can you safely make a decision about whether or not to use it to boost your testosterone levels.

In this section, we hope to enlighten you to all the benefits you can expect from this herb. Especially, as many of these perks are exclusive to only men.

Boost Testosterone levels

We’ve mentioned this a few times, but you’re probably wondering how? How is it able to increase testosterone? Well, this is partly due to its breadth of beneficial compounds e.g. saponins, anthraquinones, tannins, cardiac glycosides and alkaloids.

In one study on rats, when four separate groups were given different dosages (placebo, 25, 50 or 100 mg/kg body weight); by the end of the 14 day study, the 50mg/kg group experienced the highest anabolizing and androgenic activities (followed by 25mg/kg and then 100mg/kg). On day one, rats saw a 3.3ng/mL increase in testosterone, day 7 a 4.3ng/mL increase and by day 14 a 4.4ng/mL increase.

Similarly, the 50mg/kg group saw the greatest rise in testicular and serum testosterone concentrations, as well as higher testicular acid phosphatase activity, serum follicle stimulating and LH concentrations. This is due to bulbine natalensis elevating the activity of alkaline and acid phosphatases. Together, the phosphatase enzymes work to boost testicular and serum testosterone.

And these increases are not just exclusive to these particular studies…

Another witnessed an impressive 346% increase in testosterone when rats were given 50mg/kg a day.

In either case, as your testosterone levels rise, you can expect to see boosts in muscle development, muscle recovery, strength and endurance. Which is perfect if you’re trying to pack on muscle, as this combination of benefits will give you a head start. In fact, by the end of week three you will see a distinct improvement in muscle mass.

INTERESTING FACT: those given 100mg/kg a day saw lowered serum testosterone levels, suggesting dosages have to be precise in order for it to work.

Elevated Libido

A study published in the International Journal of Andrology reported that when rats were given oral dosages of bulbine natalensis extract (25-50mg/kg per day) they experienced an increase in libido, fertility, reproductive hormones and sexual behavior.

This is a result of the breadth of phytochemicals found in this herb which can assist erections and increase the frequency (and quality) of ejaculations, as well as elevate the presence of testosterone and luteinizing hormone. At the same time, researchers believe this herb could alleviate erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation.

Improve reproductive health

Alongside increasing testosterone creation, bulbine natalensis is also believed to boost progesterone, LH and FSH (when dosages range between 25-50mg/kg). In doing so, this can improve your reproductive health:

Progesterone
This hormone is a precursor to testosterone and can help counteract estrogen within male bodies. Instead, it can help regulate sperm function and assist sperm and testosterone production.

25mg/kg doses can produce 31% increases, whilst 50mg/kg can produce an incredible 70% boost (NOTE: 100mg/kg doses actually trigger falls in this hormone of up to 41%).

LH
Created in your pituitary gland, LH binds to receptors on Leydig cells, encouraging increased production of testosterone and sperm. In one study, when rats received 50mg/kg a day, they saw a 2ng/ML increase on day one and a 7ng/mL by day 14.

FSH
This hormone plays a key role in stimulating sperm production.

Assists in the treatment of wounds

Research suggests that when bulbine natalensis is applied topically it can help treat a range of skin ailments, including cutaneous wounds.

For instance, during a 16 day evaluation, those treated with leaf gel extracts managed to heal faster than those whose wounds weren’t treated. In addition, its leaf sap has been found to increase skin strength, protein and DNA content, as well treat cracked lips and burns.

Treat intestinal issues

It is reputed that this herb can be used to treat intestinal problems such as diarrhoea, vomiting and convulsions.

Decrease estrogen

As a guy, the last thing you want is too much estrogen as this will lead to the dreaded man boobs. Bulbine natalensis can cause falls in estrogen of up to 79.7% (when users take 25mg/kg) and 65.1% (when you take 50mg/kg).

Natural aphrodisiac and libido booster

Dosages of 25-50mg/kg of bulbine natalensis extract per day can produce aphrodisiac effects that come in a close second to testosterone. In fact, at 50mg/kg dose is considered more effective than Viagra. You have just discovered how to increase your libido naturally.

Increase immunity

Whilst this herb has no apparent impact on your red blood cells, in a study of healthy rats it was found to increase their white blood cell count. Upon receiving 25, 50 or 100mg/kg doses of bulbine natalensis over 14 days, their white blood cell count rose by 4.9%, 26.1% and 38.5% respectively.

Bulbline natalensis has also been complimented for its anti-diabetic and anti-rheumatoid properties. However, as is the case with a lot of its health benefits, the majority of its claims are based on studies done on rats NOT humans.

Until we can confirm that all of these benefits are equally accessible to people; we advise you to be cautious when using this herb. Especially as it has got an equally strong reputation for raising your cholesterol levels and damaging your liver and kidneys.

Bulbine Natalensis side effects

We’ve hinted a few times at the fact that bulbine natalensis isn’t completely safe – but what can you actually expect?

Well, the first thing to note is that many of the following bulbine natalensis side effects can be triggered at the EXACT SAME dosages you are advised to take in order to witness results. Ironic, right?

Negatively alters liver enzymes and kidney tubules

During one toxicology study on rats, when they were given 25, 50, and 100mg/kg of this herb; it was found to alter their liver enzymes and cause adverse changes. Similarly, distortions were seen in the architecture of their proximal and convoluted tubules (in your kidneys), which is suggestive of its toxic effects on your body.

NOTE: Honestly? All three of these popular dosages can harm your liver and kidney functions (well, in rats anyway).

Increases the risk of clogged arteries
All three popular dosages have been found to boost cholesterol and triglyceride levels within just two weeks; leading to a greater risk of you developing clogged arteries. Similar to steroids, the longer you use this herb, the bigger the danger.

Bulbine Natalensis supplements

Like a lot of testosterone boosters, there are a variety of bulbine natalensis supplements on the market. So, if after reading its negative side effects you’re still interested – then there are plenty of options for you to pick from on the market.

On average these supplements cost $100-$140 per 100g depending on the size and quality of the product, or to put it more simply $1.20 per serving.

Now in terms of dosages, most brands advise you to take 8-10mg of bulbine natalensis per kilogram of body weight, once a day (every morning with breakfast). This means, if you weigh approx. 100kg, then you could roughly take 800-1000mg of bulbine natalensis per day.

Sounds simple right? No, not really.

The problem is, this herb has a long history of becoming less effective at producing testosterone if you exceed the dose. In fact, take too much and its effectiveness – and your testosterone – will drop.

The next problem comes in the form of the danger it poses to your liver and kidney enzymes. Even at the recommended dosage, bulbine natalensis can damage organ function. For this reason, it is recommended that you take it for 4-8 weeks straight, before taking a 4-8 week break.

NOTE: this herb is NOT recommended for women.

What you could take instead?

Although there is no denying that bulbine natalensis has the potential to boost testosterone production, muscle/strength development and your libido – hell in two weeks it can hasten muscle recovery – it is also shrouded in negative side effects.

And what is worrying about these bulbine natalensis side effects is the fact that these risks – organ function, kidney/liver damage and clogged arteries – can all be caused by the VERY dosages you are advised to take. That’s correct! Not from excessive use or overdosing. But from its suggested 25, 50 or 100mg/kg dosage.

Then of course, there is the lack of human studies. For instance, most of the benefits it claims to produce are based on the results of rats – a creature that is not even close to us biologically. This means, all of this proof can only be taken with a pinch of salt as there is no certainty that they will happen in humans too.

Because of this, we recommend sticking to more complex herbal formulations such as those offered by TestoGen.

This popular testosterone booster has been specially formulated from eleven clinically proven and 100% natural ingredients that work in synergy to raise your natural testosterone levels so you can experience increases in strength, stamina, muscle size, focus and concentration.

With TestoGen’s help you can say goodbye to symptoms of testosterone deficiency – tiredness, irritability, excess body fat, and loss of libido, erection strength and muscle tone.

Conclusion

So is bulbine natalensis worth adding to your testosterone boosting arsenal? In our opinion – no it isn’t.

Sure, it can help to elevate testosterone, muscle recovery, your libido and immunity. However, given that its recommended dosages can also increase your chances of suffering from liver and kidney problems, as well as clogged arteries (which can lead to heart disease); its cons far outweigh its pros.

This point is further emphasised when you consider the number of proven natural testosterone boosters that exist – all of which are 100% safe and free from negative side effects. Why put your body at risk when you don’t have to?

That is why, if you’re serious about raising your testosterone levels, you should always stick to proven, natural products that are backed by years of studies as well as proof that they are safe.

• Introduction
• Ashwagandha and other adaptogens
• Health benefits of ashwagandha for men
• What are other ashwagandha health benefits?
• How to take ashwagandha for the best results?

Introduction

Over the years, ashwagandha has earned itself a strong reputation for being able to treat a number of male ailments. Yet is there any truth to its claim that it can stimulate and regulate testosterone production?

In this article, we shall examine all ashwagandha benefits for men, as well as see why it is so popular in male enhancement supplements.

Ashwagandha and other adaptogens

This herb has been used in traditional Indian medicine (Ayurveda – natural healing) for centuries thanks to its ability to improve male strength, vitality and virility.

Yet, whilst ashwagandha does possess adaptogen properties – relieving/managing stress, improving concentration and raising energy levels. It differs from most because it is one of only a few adaptogens that is also associated with masculinity e.g. boosting virility, strength and testosterone levels.

Related article: Does low testosterone cause depression?

However, can it really do all of this? Is one of the benefits of taking ashwagandha increased testosterone production?

Studies do seem to suggest so:

1. In a study on men suffering with infertility/low fertility, this potent herb was found to improve sperm quality, as well as offer subtle boosts in testosterone of 10-22%.
2. A separate study on healthy men (who weight trained) saw a small increase of 15% in testosterone after taking ashwagandha.

Yet, these are not the only ashwagandha health benefits you can expect…

It also has a knack for regulating hormone levels; improving immunity and supplying you with antidepressant properties, as well as helps to lower blood sugar levels; encourages a healthy weight balance; reduces cortisol; heightens brain function and alleviates symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Health benefits of ashwagandha for men

We’ve talked a little about ashwagandha’s adaptogen properties, including its capacity to promote homeostasis and combat stress. But what other ashwagandha powder benefits for men can you expect?

 

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Let’s take a look in detail:

• Improved testicular health and fertility

– this ties into the idea that ashwagandha may be able to boost your testosterone levels and in turn improve your sexual health and testicular output (where testosterone is produced).

Now, given that healthy testosterone levels are essential for optimal male health; by strengthening natural testosterone production, this can help to increase sperm counts, improve their motility and ultimately help with fertility.
During a study on 46 men with low sperm counts, they discovered that the Withanolides in ashwagandha helped to increase sperm counts by 167%, as well as improve their sperm quality and antioxidant levels.

In a separate cross-section study on men aged between 22 and 45, they noted that this herb practically eliminated the cause of stress-related infertility, and instead helped 14% of them to successfully conceive with their partners.

Another observation made during these many fertility studies was the fact that ashwagandha helped to trigger significant increases in testosterone.

• • Alleviates stress and anxiety

– a common side effect of stress disorders is damage to your immune system PLUS reduced brain/memory function and issues with your gastrointestinal tract. Fortunately, ashwagandha boasts many anxiolytic effects including being able to reduce cortisol levels (a stress hormone). In a study of 64 chronically stressed adults, those given 300mg of ashwagandha twice a day (for 60 days) saw significant drops in cortisol, as well as a 69% reduction in anxiety and insomnia.

A similar study on patients with severe anxiety disorder saw distinct improvements in well-being after taking this herb. In just 6 weeks, 88% of participants reported a drop in anxiety.

Now for men this is great news, as stress, anxiety and depression have all been linked to erectile dysfunction. This means that by helping to reduce symptoms of anxiety, men can experience greater confidence in the bedroom.

 

• • Reduced insomnia and fatigue

– direct links have been made between ashwagandha and sleep. This is due to it containing triethylene glycol, an active component that can help you to fall asleep easier. Combined with its ability to alleviate stress and anxiety, adding ashwagandha to your diet can help you to combat insomnia in the long run.

• • Boost physical performance

– there has been some suggestion that certain components in this herb can help to elevate energy output – even in those who don’t normally train. At the same, it can heighten your physical performance in the following areas, including:

• • Cardiac endurance

– this type of exercise relates to you using your muscles for a prolonged period of time e.g. swimming, long distance running, cycling or long workouts, etc. Ashwagandha can help to improve your stamina in these scenarios. In fact, during a study on 40 cyclists, those that received 500mg of this herb twice a day (for 8 weeks) showed greater endurance than those who didn’t receive it.

 

• Improved muscle strength, growth and recovery – during a study on 57 men aged 18-50 years old (who had no previous experience with resistance training), when they received 300mg of this herb for 8 weeks (twice a day), they saw improvements in muscle strength and size. They also benefited from faster recovery rates from exercise induced muscle damage.
  Similarly, in another study on healthy men – when they took 750-1250mg of powdered ashwagandha per day, not only did they see reductions in body fat; they gained muscle strength in 30 days.

• Aid in the treatment of prostate cancer – studies have shown that it can reduce cancer cell growth and assist with recovery rates.

 

What are other ashwagandha health benefits?

Admittedly, a lot of the benefits of ashwagandha do appear to target men. However, it can have positive effects on women too. Ashwagandha can offer the following health benefits to both men and women:

• Reduced anxiety and stress (as discussed above by reducing the release of cortisol – some studies saw a 30% reduction) – it also achieves this by blocking stress pathways and regulating chemical signals in your nervous system.
• Improved cholesterol levels and lowered triglycerides – ashwagandha can help improve the health of your heart by lowering cholesterol, triglycerides and blood fats. A 60 day study revealed a 17% fall in bad cholesterol and a 11% drop in triglycerides.
• Reduced blood sugar levels – during one test-tube study, ashwagandha helped to increase insulin secretion whilst improving insulin sensitivity in muscle cells. Similarly, multiple human studies have shown falls in blood sugar levels in both healthy people and in those with diabetes.
• Contains anti-cancer properties – alongside preventing prostate cancer, ashwagandha can induce apoptosis (the killing/death of cancer cells) and prevent the growth of new cancer cells. It manages this by creating reactive oxygen species (ROS) which is toxic to cancer cells BUT not normal cells. To date, it is reputed to help in the treatment of breast, lung, colon, brain and ovarian cancer. NOTE: a study on mice with ovarian tumors saw a 70-80% reduction in tumor growth after taking this herb (it also stopped them from spreading to other organs).
• Alleviates depression – a 60 day study on 64 stressed adults saw a 79% reduction in severe depression (when they took 600mg of ashwagandha a day).
• Reduced inflammation – research suggests this herb may be able to help lower inflammation by increasing the activity of immune cells (which fight off infection). It can also decrease markers of inflammation i.e. C-reactive protein (that has been linked to heart disease). When 250mg was taken daily, participants saw 36% falls in CRP.
• Improved brain function (including memory) – ashwagandha can help to reduce brain and memory problems caused by disease and injury. By boosting antioxidant activity, it can help protect nerve cells from the harmful effects of free radicals. It is also believed to boost memory. For instance, during one study where participants received 500mg of this herb daily; they witnessed improvements in reaction time and performance. Whilst in another 8 week study, participants given 300mg of ashwagandha a day benefited from greater memory and attention.

How to take ashwagandha for the best results?

As you can see from the various studies listed above – for optimal results, the amount you need to take will depend on what you are using it for. For instance, for ashwagandha and sleep you can take anywhere between 250 and 500mg a day (for at least a month). Whilst for:

• Fertility – 5g per day for 3 months
• Muscle mass and strength – 500mg a day for at least 8 weeks.
• Inflammation – at least 250mg a day
• Memory – 500-600mh per day

Your dosage will also depend on what part of the ashwagandha plant you’re receiving e.g. its extract has been proven to be much more effective than taking ashwagandha root or leaf powder.

For this reason, we strongly recommend reading the label and speaking to your doctor first to make sure you get your dosages right. In addition, we advise sticking to the extract (in supplement form) as this will ensure you benefit from optimal results.

Conclusion

To say that ashwagandha has got its fingers in a lot of pies would be an understatement. Its ashwagandha benefits for men appear to be endless – as seen by the numerous positive studies that exist which all demonstrate its aptitude for supporting heart health, memory, anxiety/stress, strength, muscle development, fertility and physical performance.

But what about testosterone? Is that one of the benefits of ashwagandha? Studies into fertility appear to suggest so. However, more research is needed before a definitive answer can be given.

For that reason, if you’re serious about boosting testosterone, building muscle mass and protecting your health; we recommend sticking with proven testosterone boosters such as TestoGen. Every one of its ingredients has been specially chosen for their ability to stimulate natural testosterone production, and keep you in tip top shape. What more can you ask for?

Discover also pine bark extract benefits >>

 

• Introduction
• What is Pine Bark Extract?
• Health benefits of pine bark
• Can pine bark increase your testosterone?
• Possible side effects of Pycnogenol
• How to use pine bark extract?

Introduction

Pine bark extract (pycnogenol) is another in a long line of male enhancement ingredients that claims it can help to boost your testosterone levels. But is that actually true? Can it really boost testosterone production or is it just another pill that lacks the science to back up its claims?
In this article, we shall explore the idea of pine bark and testosterone, and will examine its many pycnogenol benefits. More importantly, we shall uncover the truth behind its bold claims…

What is Pine Bark Extract?

Pine bark extract (popularly traded under the name of Pycnogenol) is an extract taken from the inner bark of the Pinus Pinaster tree. It is well-known for being a rich and natural source for numerous bioactive compounds, phenolic acids, bioflavonoids and antioxidants, including proanthocyanidins and catechins which make up to 75-80% of its weight.

Now, Pycnogenol has been linked to many treatments – heart health being one of them. Yet this versatile extract is mostly marketed as a product that can assist with muscle soreness, poor circulation, osteoarthritis, ADHD, skin problems, menopause, chronic venous insufficiency, erectile dysfunction, high blood pressure, sports stamina, inflammation, diabetes and tinnitus (ringing you sometimes hear in your ears).

In fact, its high antioxidant content means it can help to repair tissues; increase Vitamin C absorption and reduce the impact of oxidative stress on your body (primarily on your circulation) because it is able to scavenge for free radicals.

Similarly, the presence of proanthocyanidins means you can benefit from its antibacterial, antiviral, anticarcinogenic, anti-aging, anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties.

However, the one we’re most interested in today is its ability to boost testosterone levels. Can it really help to elevate your T levels? Let’s find out…

Health benefits of pine bark

Okay, we now know that when it comes to the pine bark extract vs pycnogenol debate, they are basically the same thing – only marketed/branded differently. Yet how do they work? What pine bark extract benefits can you expect?

Below, is just a number of the pycnogenol benefits you can enjoy:

• Reduced risk of heart disease/strokes – by inhibiting lipid peroxidation, platelet aggregation and capillary stability, whilst also affecting your enzyme systems. In addition, it has been celebrated for its ability to reduce high blood pressure, inflammation and other problems that can increase your chances of developing heart disease.
• Improved diabetes – pine bark extract may be able to lower blood glucose levels. During a study by the Chinese Medical Science Research Institute, when the 77 male participants (with Type 2 Diabetes) were given 100mg of pycnogenol a day for 12 weeks (alongside continued anti-diabetic treatments), the extract helped to significantly lower their blood glucose levels and improve their endothelial function (compared to those given the placebo). In a separate small study on 48 people (who had Type 2 Diabetes and high blood pressure); when given this extract every day for 12 weeks, it caused significant improvements in blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels. NOTE: this extract has also been found to improve the vision of those with early stage diabetic retinopathy (which can lead to blindness due to leaking blood vessels damaging your retina) by stimulating circulation in your retina and preventing swelling.
• Prevents hearing loss and improves balance – ear poisoning (ototoxicity) can happen when you’re exposed to chemicals such as cisplatin. This can damage your inner ear impairing your balance and hearing (by sending signals to your brain). Studies suggest pine bark extract may be able to alleviate these symptoms due to its high antioxidant content – making it an ideal ear infection remedy.
• Fights off infections – numerous reviews of this extract into its effects on pseudomonas infectious wounds (often seen in hospitals or on people with weak immune systems – after surgery), staph infections and E. coli have found that its antibacterial properties can help stave off infections (as it helped to inhibit their growth). It was particularly effective at preventing infections and showing anti-pseudomonas activity.
• Protects your skin (from UV exposure) – once more this antioxidant dynamo has been revealed to offer users beautiful skin by protecting it from the damaging effects of the Sun’s rays (UV). It achieves this by offering your skin photoprotection, as well as reducing the hyperpigmentation of your skin (by improving the functionality of your skin barrier and extracellular matrix homeostasis).
• Decreased Erectile Dysfunction – according to a Japanese study, taking a combination of pycnogenol and L-arginine may help to reduce symptoms of erectile dysfunction. When given to 47 participants (with mild erectile dysfunction), after 8-16 weeks it helped to elevate sperm concentrations, as well as improve the quality of their orgasms. Similarly, its knack for boosting blood flow and nitric oxide production can help you to stay harder for longer. In fact, studies have shown that 92.5% of participants experienced normal erections after 3 months.
• Reduced inflammation – pine bark extracts rich antioxidant content can help to scavenge damaging free radicals helping to decrease inflammation. During a study on patients who’d undergone abdominal surgery, when they were given pycnogenol for 10 days it helped to enhance their healing/recovery time as it proved effective against surgery related lesions.
• Boosts athletic performance – research implies pine bark extract can increase an athlete’s physical endurance by increasing serum NAD+ levels. In addition, pycnogenol can alleviate oxidative stress and inflammation; increase recovery time, and reduce cramping and muscle pain.
• Relieve menopausal symptoms – this is achieved through a combination of pine bark extracts antioxidant properties and its ability to improve the functionality of the endothelium (the thin membrane found inside your heart). By increasing the availability of nitric oxide, this helps to improve circulation whilst maintaining vascular homeostasis.
• Chronic venous insufficiency – studies have found that pycnogenol can reduce swelling and pain within people suffering from this condition by improving circulation and ensuring that blood flows are efficiently returned from your legs to your heart.
• Tinnitus – if you’re unfamiliar with this one, Tinnitus is triggered by low/high blood pressure, and is when you can hear continuous noise or ringing in your ears. Pine bark extract was found in one 6 month study to make 45% of participants completely asymptomatic after 3 months, compared to 23% of controls. In addition, it bolstered better blood flow.
• Skin – pine bark extract is believed to increase collagen and hyaluronic acid production which can help to hydrate your skin, improve elasticity and keep you looking youthful.
• Respiratory issues – taking 100mg of pycnogenol a day for 6 months has been found to assist asthmatic patients and reduce their medication. In addition, in just 8 weeks it improved their blood flow and blood pressure.

Can pine bark increase your testosterone?

We’ve talked a lot about pycnogenol benefits, but what about pine bark and testosterone? Is there a positive link?

Well, there is no denying that this extract crops up a lot in male enhancement supplements, so its presence would suggest that it is able to help. But let’s take a closer look and see if any of it is true…

Now, the purpose behind most male enhancement supplements is to help bolster testosterone (an androgenic hormone). And this is an important job as healthy testosterone levels are essential for strength, muscle mass development, optimal body composition, endurance, energy, libido and a balanced sex drive.

As we mentioned earlier, there are multiple studies pointing towards pine bark extracts’ ability to reduce symptoms of erectile dysfunction, and as a result of this, this ingredient is fairly common in male enhancement products.

YET, in all of these studies on its impact on erectile dysfunction; none actually measured its role in testosterone production. And the ones that have? Well, the relationship between pine bark and testosterone hasn’t been promising; weak at best.

1. A Japanese study that gave participants 60mg of pine bark extract a day (with l- arginine and D-aspartic acid) saw improvements to ED after 8 weeks, but only a small, statistically insignificant boost in testosterone. NOTE: researchers believe it was the presence of D-aspartic acid (a known testosterone booster) that enabled pine bark extract to raise their T levels.
2. A study published in BJU International in 2010, measured the pine bark and testosterone relationship. Of the 124 patients (aged 30-50 years old) given pink bark and arginine over 6 months; they saw testosterone improvements of 15.9nmol/L to 18.9nmol/L. NOTE: given the youthful age of the participants – and the length of the study – this T level increase is considered quite low. Similarly, the presence of other nutrients makes it difficult to determine how much of these gains came from pine bark extract.
3. There are NO human studies in existence that have tested the reliability of pine bark extract to boost testosterone levels without the assistance of other nutrients. This makes it hard to determine if this extract can boost testosterone.

So what does this all mean? Well, whilst it is clear that pine bark extract can definitely help to improve your health in a number of different ways. This lack of scientific evidence between pine bark and testosterone means you cannot reliably trust it to help you in this particular area.

If anything, its presence in testosterone boosters is more of an assistive role due to its ability to increase your physical performance/endurance and blood flows, as well as alleviate symptoms of ED (two areas of which are often negatively affected by drops in testosterone).

Possible side effects of Pycnogenol

Whilst many of the studies we have listed above have shown no indication that pycnogenol can cause any major side effects; it has been linked to the following issues which you should take into consideration before trying:

• Irritability
• Fatigue/low energy levels (when used to treat ADHD)
• Bad breath
• Upset stomach
• Dizziness
• Sores in mouth
• Headaches
• Blood thinners – if you use these, DO NOT take pine bark extract unless your doctor has approved it.
• Increased blood pressure – this only occurs if you have hypertension and take pycnogenol and Vitamin C supplements at the same time.

There are instances where you should avoid taking pine bark extract altogether – if you’re a child, pregnant, a nursing mum or if you’ve got medical conditions i.e. autoimmune disease (as it may stimulate your immune system) or a bleeding disorder. Although considered safe, it may interfere with certain drugs used in chemotherapy, radiotherapy or diabetes (as it lowers blood sugar).

How to use pine bark extract?

Pine bark extract/pycnogenol traditionally comes in three forms: liquid, tablet or capsule form. Yet it can also be found in creams, lotions and ointments (with 0.5-2% concentration).
The amount you need will depend on your needs. For instance:

• 3 xt 50mg tablets (taken in the morning) has been found to be useful for treating retinopathy in those with diabetes
• 100mg dose a day can help to lower your blood sugar levels
• 45- 360mg a day can improve your circulation (or 50-100mg three times a day)
• 2 x 50mg a day can help with allergies
• 200mg a day can help reduce mild high blood pressure
• 200mg a day can improve your physical endurance and capabilities.

Now, to keep your body safe, we recommend following the dosage instructions on the label and listening to your doctor. They’ll be able to tell you an accurate dosage to suit your requirements.

Conclusion

It is clear that pine bark extract does have a lot to offer. The fact that it is so rich in antioxidants means you can enjoy numerous pycnogenol benefits – improved sexual function, physical performance, diabetes, heart health, skin etc.

Yet, can pycnogenol really help to raise your testosterone levels? That one is hard to confirm, as it has never been tested on its own to see if there is a connection. To date it has only been used to support other well-known testosterone boosters.

For that reason, we recommend sticking with proven testosterone boosters such as TestoGen. Naturally formulated and ram-packed with high quality ingredients; every element of this formulation has been designed to boost natural testosterone production and ensure that your sexual and physical health remain in tip top condition.

Check also:  Can Fadogia Agrestis Boost Your Testosterone Levels? >>

Black pepper is a common enough household spice, but it has much more to offer than just a spicy flavor. This spicy flavor is responsible for a myriad of health benefits of pepper that we will discuss in this blog.

Black pepper tastes spicy because of a chemical known as Bioperine, or as it is interchangeably called, Piperine. When used in the right amounts, it delivers multiple health benefits.

The following blog will discuss what Bioperine is, Bioperine health benefits, how it works and why it’s used in various supplement formulas. It will conclude with a comment about why you should prefer supplement formulas that are made with Bioperine rather than those without.

• Bioperine and Piperine
• Health benefits of Bioperine
• What are signs that you may need Bioperine
• What are potential side effects?
• Why Biopetine is used in supplement formulas

Bioperine and Piperine

Let’s start off by making one thing clear: bioperine and piperine are exactly the same thing. It’s the same substance, just two different names used to describe it.

Bioperine is one of a range of naturally occurring chemicals called alkaloids. It has been widely used in traditional medicine across Asia and recent interest in its medical value has found that the Piperine has immense therapeutic value.

An increasing amount of evidence points toward the medical value of the chemical in providing multiple therapeutic benefits, including:

• Reducing insulin resistance
• Anti-inflammatory benefits
• Improvement in liver function
• Normalizing blood pressure

Given the effects of the chemical in helping prevent various chronic diseases, increasing the amount of Piperine in your diet can help you live a much healthier life.

Additionally, the chemical has also been associated with improving memory, nutrient absorption, and fulfilling other similar functions. When used as a supplement or complement to other treatment mechanisms, Piperine has the potential to deliver significant and observable health benefits.

Health Benefits of Bioperine

We’ve already spoken of some of the potential benefits of Bioperine to your general health. However, there is still a need to discuss some of these in detail.

Bioperine works on the basis of a complex chain of chemical reactions to deliver a wide range of health benefits. These affect all parts of the body including but not restricted to the liver, kidneys, and the brain. Some of these benefits include:

Improve Metabolism

Research shows that Bioperine can improve the rate at which fats and carbohydrates are oxidized during exercise. When you work out for long periods of time, your body runs out of energy and accumulates internally produced acids which can slow you down after a certain point.

According to the research, Piperine can increase the rate at which carbohydrates and fats are metabolized to help provide unparalleled boosts of energy to help you exercise longer without tiring out.

This increase in metabolism during exercise also points out that you will lose weight much quicker than you would otherwise. The effects of Piperine also indicated a reduction in the production of lactic acid, which induces muscle pain, leading to longer durations of time before you start feeling the strain in your muscles.

As such, the use of Piperine can help with better workouts and potentially even better muscle development due to the increased metabolism that the chemical induces in the body.

Improve Nutrient Absorption

Piperine has also been seen to improve the bioavailability of nutrients and various drugs that allow it to enhance the nutrient/pharmacological effects of each, respectively.

Bioavailability refers to the portion of any chemical that can be absorbed into the bloodstream once it has entered circulation. The higher bioavailability of any nutrient, more of it would be absorbed into the blood and thus have a much more significant nutritious impact.

Piperine or Bioperine, research indicates, increases the bioavailability of nutrients to increase the amounts of nutrients being absorbed through the intestines into the blood. When taken with various nutrients like vitamins, proteins or carbohydrates, Piperine can increase the nutrition uptake to help enjoy the fullest value of these nutrients.

Additionally, the substance has also been known to improve gastrointestinal functioning, which is also linked to its ability to enhance metabolism in the body.

Has Anti-Cancer Properties

Cancer is a genetic condition where the target cells evolve and grow to a point where they begin to destroy the surrounding cell structures.

Certain cancers spread faster than others and preventive strategies usually revolve around the role of preventing the chemical and molecular changes that serve as precursors to the development of cancer. Piperine has been observed to help completely prevent the progression of these changes or slow them down.

As such, Piperine is widely considered to offer immense anticancer potentials in improving the efficacy of chemotherapy, preventing drug resistance in cancer cells, and prevent the growth of cancer.

When used in the right proportions, it can enhance the effectiveness of cancer treatments and even prevent the growth of cancer altogether.

Raise Dopamine And Serotonin Levels

Depression is one of the most prevalent psychological conditions in modern times. The chemical processes involved in the development of depression point toward deficiencies of serotonin and dopamine, which ultimately cause depression.

Additionally, these two neurotransmitters (serotonin and dopamine) are also responsible for increased stress and anxiety in individuals.

Studies show that Piperine interacts with certain neural functions which are involved in the production of both serotonin and dopamine to present a potentially organic way of managing depression.

The chemical properties of Piperine enhance the production of these two neurotransmitters to help reduce the risk of developing mood disorders and also possibly eradicate it altogether.

Although many of these studies have been directed towards animal cognitive models, it was observed that animals who were administered with Bioperine exhibited higher levels of both serotonin and dopamine.

Beyond this, animals administered with Bioperine were much more physically active, displayed relatively overt sexual behaviors, and other non/anti-depressive behaviors.

Improve Immune System

Piperine has also been associated with anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic effects to help provide immediate relief from joint pains and infections of various kinds.

Although there is a lot of evidence for the use of Piperine in acting as an immune-suppressant, there is a lot to be said for how it can help treat various illnesses.

Furthermore, there is an increasing amount of evidence for the role of Piperine in helping prevent the spread of bacterial infections, which testifies to the role of chemical in replacing traditional antibiotics.

According to research, Bioperine increases the rate at which amino acids are consumed in the body in the production of antibodies, which can fight off bacterial infections. As such, the chemical can be used to enhance or suppress immune system activity as meets medicinal requirements.

Improve Memory

Neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s disease or even dementia manifest in the form of steadily worsening memory. Medical experts are of the opinion that much of this happens because an inflammation of neural pathways, which ultimately leads to brain degeneration and thus the development of these conditions.

Piperine has been known to affect the nervous system and the human brain with antioxidant mechanisms which can help prevent or slow down the development of these diseases.

As such, it stands to reason, that the chemical presents a myriad of benefits for memory improvements by improving the health of neural pathways responsible for the memory.

Additionally, with the improved absorption of nutrients through Piperine, the brain remains healthy because it receives ample nutrition and thus won’t be subjected nutrient-deficiency led degeneration.

Improve Mental Skills

Just as Piperine can improve memory by affecting specific regions of the brain, it can also enhance mental skills and speed up cognitive processes.

With the antioxidant effects of Piperine, the brain remains protected from any form of neural damage and with the increased reuptake of nutrients by the body; neural pathways stay well-nourished to help improve cognitive performance.

What Are Signs That You May Need Bioperine

Although Bioperine isn’t an essential nutrient, it can serve as a great supplement to ensure your health and wellness. Considering the broad range of benefits of using Bioperine, there could be multiple reasons why you should try out Bioperine to improve your health.

Some reasons why you might want to try out Bioperine include:

• If you’re suffering from mood disorders, Bioperine can help stimulate dopamine and serotonin to help alleviate the symptoms.
• If you’re trying to change up your diet to enjoy greater health benefits, then Bioperine can improve the rate at which nutrients are absorbed by the body.
• You should try to increase Bioperine intake with your cancer treatments to help enhance the activity of your therapy.
• If you’re looking to increase the intensity of your workouts and increase muscle gain, Bioperine can be used to help you work out longer and harder.
• If you have trouble concentrating or if you think your memory is being compromised, you should try out Bioperine to use as a cognitive aid.

What Are Potential Side Effects?

The market is currently inundated with products that have been manufactured with Piperine extracts from black pepper. Although Piperine has immense health benefits, it only continues to do so if you’re using it in the right quantities.

Additionally, you might have an allergic reaction to the chemical and might have an adverse reaction to the consumption of the substance. As such, you should consult with your primary healthcare provider before you use Piperine as an active supplement in your dietary regimens.

Some commonly observed side-effects of Piperine include:

• Confusion
• Depression
• Anger management issues
• Nausea
• Gas
• Itching
• Appetite loss
• Rashes
• Sleeping disorders
• Abdominal swelling
• Lung spasms while breathing

If you ever take any supplements or if you have been consuming high amounts of Bioperine in your diet and experience these side-effects you should consult your doctor.

In the event that the Bioperine is adversely interacting with your medication or worsening pre-existing conditions, getting a medical evaluation can only help reduce the risk of any complications from the use of the chemical.

Why Bioperine Is Used In Supplement Formulas

Supplement formulas bring with themselves a wide range of nutrients that are supposed to help improve your general health and well-being. Many people look for fast-acting formulas which might help enhance testosterone levels in the body, increase the rate of muscle development or even help them feel more energized.

As we’ve mentioned before, Bioperine has the tendency to increase the rate of metabolism, the rate of nutrient intake and can also enhance the bioavailability of many nutrients/supplements.

As such, it has the potential to increase the efficacy of the supplements and deliver results much faster than those supplements that do not have Bioperine as an ingredient.

With a combination of Bioperine and other supplements like zinc, magnesium and fenugreek, you will find that the effect of the formula is almost instantaneous. From the moment you take the supplement, you will feel much more energetic, your workouts will become a lot more intense and that the muscle development is quicker than before.

Additionally, if you’re trying to lose weight; the increased metabolism through Bioperine will ensure that you meet your weight loss goals much faster than you could have expected.

Many supplement manufacturers capitalize on these chemical properties of Bioperine to help deliver an end product that is sure to work. With the added health benefits of Piperine on your cognitive abilities and also on the rest of your body, any supplement that uses Bioperine is generally going to be a lot more effective than others.

Conclusion

Bioperine is a completely organic compound that presents an unprecedented number of advantages to anyone looking to improve their health and well being.

This blog has spoken of the numerous advantages of using Bioperine and the ways in which it works to help improve your health. People generally think that artificially manufactured drugs are much more effective, but the fact of the matter is that these have side-effects which are usually not accounted for.

Bioperine or Piperine offers a completely organic substitute to these artificial supplements and is a vital part of why natural formulas are preferred over artificial ones. As such, the substance is of much medical and therapeutic value to make sure that you can continue living a better life.

Falling testosterone levels are inevitable as you get older. As time progresses, you’ll feel less energetic, your libido might mellow out, and you’ll lose a lot of muscle mass.

These effects, although completely natural, can induce self-esteem issues and in some cases might even inhibit your physical activity to make you feel less capable than you once were.

Fadogia Agrestis has recently come to light as a testosterone booster, increasingly being used by athletes in place of anabolic steroids. However, owing to the lack of research on the herb, people are confused about whether they ought to make Fadogia Agrestis a part of their diet regimens.

Therefore, this blog will discuss what Fadogia Agrestis is, what the benefits of the herb are, what science has to say about it, and many other relevant questions. You might want to read on!

• What is Fadogia Agrestis?
• Health benefits of Fadogia Agrestis
• Scientific research data
• Does Fadogia Agrestis extract have any side effects?
• Can Fadogia Agrestis extract be used as a testosterone booster?
• Alternatives you can use instead

What is Fadogia Agrestis?

Fadogia Agrestis is a shrub native to West Africa, specifically found in Nigeria and Sudan. The plant is a widely-used ingredient in traditional medicinal practices of the region.

The herb is used to treat a wide variety of conditions including diarrhea, kidney pain, bloating and most significantly as an aphrodisiac.

It’s become increasingly popular because of the belief that it can increase testosterone levels, which is why it can act as an aphrodisiac. Within traditional African medicine, the herb has been used to treat erectile dysfunction and to invigorate the libido as well.

Athletes have also begun using it to improve their performance and to enhance the intensity of their workouts, believing that the herb enhances testosterone in the body.

There is little evidence that points out whether Fadogia Agrestis can enhance testosterone production in the body, however, the herb does have other benefits besides boosting testosterone levels.

Health Benefits of Fadogia Agrestis

There isn’t a lot of research on whether Fadogia Agrestis has health benefits. Although it’s commonly used across the United States to help with digestion and increasingly for its testosterone boosting capabilities, the range of applications for the herb is limited.

Maybe over time we’ll find other benefits of the Fadogia Agrestis, but until that happens the list is restricted to:

• It’s possible that the herb has anti-infective properties
• The herb might have anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects
• Fadogia Agrestis might also act as an aphrodisiac
• Can help treat GI disorders like diarrhea, stomach aches, and certain infections of the genitals like blennhorrhea

Scientific Research Data

Not a lot of research has been directed towards the effects of Fadogia Agrestis extract on the human body. Much of the research has been oriented toward establishing its role in boosting testosterone levels because rats exhibited raised libido levels when treated with the herb.

Even those avenues of research have yet to include human studies; for now, we just have evidence from animals for the effects of Fadogia Agrestis.

The meager research conducted has discovered the following effects for the herb:

Anti-Infection Properties

Research suggests that Fadogia Agrestis might contain certain chemicals that can help fight off certain types of parasitic infections.

The study in question identified six different chemicals that were concluded to help treat many parasitic infections that are common to the African continent.

Fadogia Agrestis as an Aphrodisiac

A few years ago, researchers looked at the role of Fadogia Agrestis as an aphrodisiac in male rats. It was found that rats that were administered with the herb were much more sexually active and had delayed ejaculation times.

These changes were said to be dependent on the dose of Fadogia Agrestis being administered to them and were put down to increased levels of testosterone in the blood.

Analgesic Effects of Fadogia Agrestis

Animal model research shows that Fadogia Agrestis may also have a pain-relieving effect. When animals were subjected to pain stimuli, the analgesic effect of the herb was equally as effective as that of aspirin.

The research concluded that Fadogia Agrestis affects both the peripheral and central nervous system responsible for the sensation of pain to deliver its effects.

Does Fadogia Agrestis Extract Have Any Side Effects?

Considering the limited research on the effects of Fadogia Agrestis on the human body, we don’t really know if there are any side-effects of the herb either.

Although research indicates that it boosts testosterone levels in the blood, it concludes with a note on how the herb impairs testicular functioning in male rats.

Beyond this, some research points out that the herb might actually cause the breakdown of cell plasma and may be toxic for the liver and the kidneys.

There is no conclusive evidence either way. However, even though there might be little evidence for the effects of Fadogia Agrestis for you, we would still strongly suggest that you consult with your primary physician.

In the event that you are allergic to the herb or suffer from long-term side-effects, it’s better that your physician knows why it may be happening.

Can Fadogia Agrestis Extract Be Used As a Testosterone Booster?

Research done on rats suggests that Fadrogia Agrestis might increase testosterone levels in the blood, but the fact of the matter is that rat biology is different from human biology.

Just because the herb has had a specific effect on rats, doesn’t mean it’ll have the same effects on the human body.

As such, given the weak evidence for the testosterone boosting effects of the Fadogia Agrestis, using it as a testosterone supplement is a risk that won’t necessarily pay-off.

You could try it out at your own peril in consultation with your physician, but there can be no guarantees that it will work for you. Always be careful when trying out untested remedies and supplements, this is a word of advice that also applies to Fadogia Agrestis.

We would suggest that you don’t risk the herb and instead use other FDA-approved supplements instead. These approved supplements have been widely studied, the effects and side-effects have been established, and as such present a much safer alternative than the Fadogia Agrestis.

Alternatives You Can Use Instead

Even though there may not be reason enough to use Fadogia Agrestis to help boost your testosterone levels, there are still many other options on the market.

These are a range of herbs and natural supplements that have been medically proven to deliver pro-testosterone effects, to help improve your workouts, libido, and maybe even treat erectile dysfunction. These include:

Zinc

Hypogonadism is a common form of sexual and testicular dysfunction prevalent in the United States. The condition is a direct consequence of a lack of testosterone in the body and is linked to zinc deficiencies.

Research directed to the role of zinc deficiency in the development of hypogonadism also highlights the importance of zinc in the formation of testosterone in the body.

Taking zinc supplements has been linked to improving erectile functioning and the formation of testosterone in the body. As such, making zinc supplements a regular part of your diet can go a long way in helping enhance testosterone in the body.

Magnesium

Magnesium and zinc go hand in hand in the development of hypogonadism in men. Magnesium also increases the rates at which chemical reactions take place in the body, to provide you with boosts of energy to help increase your stamina.

Additionally, the mineral is also a component in the formation of an erection and the production of testosterone in the body. Foods like bananas, almonds, and leafy vegetables are a great source of magnesium.

Increasing the intake of magnesium will help improve the intensity of your workouts, which will lead to greater muscle gains and will also improve the quality of your sexual experiences. As such, magnesium is a great source of testosterone, which can help you maintain a fitter and happier lifestyle.

Vitamin B6

Vitamins are natural anti-oxidants that play a vital role in cell-formation, muscle development, and serving as a source of energy in the body.

Vitamin B6 in particular has been associated with increased testosterone levels and reduced estrogen levels in the body. Nutritional deficiencies like that are a leading cause of falling testosterone in ageing men.

Foods like vegetables, whole grain, eggs and making these foods part of your regular diet can help overcome vitamin B6 deficiencies and help boost the amount of testosterone in the body.

Vitamin D

Men who are deficient in Vitamin D are also equally as deficient in testosterone levels. Like other vitamins, vitamin D is a source of energy and an important ingredient in the formation of muscle in the body.

With additional amounts of vitamin D, you will find that your muscle gains have accelerated and you are full of much more energy. Common sources of vitamin D include eggs, seafood, orange juice, and dairy products.

For more information check our article on how vitamin D boosts testosterone levels in men.

D-Aspartic Acid

D-aspartic acid is used by bodybuilders to help improve muscle mass and increase their stamina. The acid is actually a basic amino acid that is used in the body to help with muscle formation and increases the blood flow to the muscles.

It does so by acting upon the testicles to help enhance the production of testosterone which leads to the development of lean muscle mass in the body. Increasing your D-Aspartic Acid intakes will ensure that you gain lean muscle, develop better stamina, and also allow you to enjoy a much more vigorous sex life.

If you’re looking to increase your D-Aspartic Acid intake, you should increase animal protein intake, sugarcane, and avocado.

Fenugreek

If you’re suffering from erectile dysfunction, then you might want to try out fenugreek. The herb is a well-known libido enhancer and has anti-oxidant effects which might improve testicular functioning.

The herb is commonly used as a natural remedy to various forms of sexual dysfunction and has been known to enhance your libido and reduce the frequency of erectile dysfunction in men.

Bioperine

Piperine or Bioperine is a naturally found component in black pepper; it’s responsible for the biting spicy taste of black pepper.

Bioperine increases the likelihood of the absorption of other vital nutrients in the body. As such, if you make Bioperine a part of your testosterone supplement regimens can make them a lot more effective.

Natural Supplements

You’ll find plenty of natural supplements in the market which use these natural ingredients to create complexes to provide the combined boosts of all these nutrients. Supplements like Testogen, are created with high-quality natural ingredients to help boost testosterone levels in the body to help you work out better and help improve the quality of your sexual experiences.

These supplements have no side-effects and provide multiple health benefits besides increasing the amount of testosterone in the body. Compared to other pharmaceutical and artificially manufactured anabolic steroids, these are a healthier alternative that can significantly boost testosterone production.

Conclusion

There is a long way to go with respect to Fadogia Agrestis and establishing its role in the enhancement of testosterone production in the body.

Until a time where we have more information on the exact effects of the herb on the body, it would be ill-advised to use these to improve testosterone production. There could be side-effects that we’re unaware of and it’s very likely that it doesn’t have a significant effect on testosterone production in the body.

With these considerations in mind, there are multiple other alternatives that have been shown to work without having to turn to the damaging artificial steroids, which can literally destroy your body.

These natural remedies and testosterone boosters present you with multiple health benefits that you should try out to help enhance your physical and sexual performance.

Stinging nettle root is a common herbal remedy that’s often enjoyed as a tea. Have you found a stinging nettle testosterone booster? That’s no surprise. Nettle root extract is being included in many test-boosting supplements. But is stinging nettle root a proven testosterone booster? Here’s what the science says.

• What is Stinging Nettle Plant?
• The Health Benefits of Stinging Nettle
• Stinging Nettle as Herbal Remedy
• Stinging Nettle and Testosterone
• How to Supplement Stinging Nettle

Stinging nettle root, also called common nettle, is a herb that is often prepared as a tea and used as a folk remedy. During the last decade, stinging nettle has become a staple ingredient in many testosterone boosters. Labeled as nettle root extract, this is a super-concentrated version of the root.

Many supplement brands promise that it can increase natural testosterone production by inhibiting hormones that bind to testosterone, making more of it available in your bloodstream. Should you believe the hype? Is a stinging nettle testosterone booster really worth spending your hard-earned money on?

Learn more about Tesogen >>

Let’s take a look.

What is Stinging Nettle Plant?

Stinging nettle (urtica dioica) is a leafy green that doesn’t have any distinctive physical features, but you’ll know if you’ve found it if you get a stinging rash from its leaves. Common nettle leaves are covered in what appear to be soft hairs. Once you touch them, you’ll find out the painful truth that these so-called hairs are sharp and cause instant numbness and inflammation. Most people also report a burning sensation as a rash develops.

The Health Benefits of Stinging Nettle

Before we uncover whether or not common nettle can increase testosterone levels, let’s explore other proven stinging nettle benefits.

Anti-Inflammatory: Ironically, stinging nettle root is a powerful anti-inflammatory. One study found that it was effective in treating rheumatoid arthritis inflammation.

Seasonal Allergies: While it may cause a rash and inflammation if you are unfortunate enough to get it on your skin, once prepared and consumed, stinging nettle is a natural antihistamine. Studies show that subjects reported a decrease in seasonal allergy symptoms when using stinging nettle.

Prostate Health: Up to 90% of men will experience an enlarged prostate. This uncomfortable condition can progress to the more extreme scenario of cancer if left untreated. Studies show that stinging nettle can support prostate health, helping to reduce inflammation and associated symptoms.

Stinging Nettle as Herbal Remedy

Despite its name and reputation, stinging nettle can still be used as an effective herbal remedy. Nutritionally, it contains a variety of compounds that support your health including plant steroids and oleanolic acid. Stinging nettle side effects are also very rare.

Traditionally prepared as a tea, stinging nettle plant was used to treat urinary tract infections, hay fever, and joint pain. While not all of these traditional usages can be verified as effective due to a lack of studies, it’s worth noting that stinging nettle has been used for these conditions for hundreds, if not thousands of years.

Stinging Nettle and Testosterone

Now, the most important question: Can nettle leaf extract boost testosterone levels?

Stinging Nettle and Free Testosterone: One study found that stinging nettle was effective in protecting testosterone from being occupied by sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG). In other words, it was able to increase the amount of free testosterone in the blood.

Stinging Nettle and Aromatization: The process of testosterone being turned into estrogenic compounds is called aromatization. One study suggests that stinging nettle displayed aromatization inhibitor properties. By stopping testosterone from being converted into estrogen, you naturally increase levels of available testosterone.

Stinging Nettle and 5-Alpha Reductase: The compound 5-alpha-reductase promotes the conversion of testosterone into one of two things: estrogen and dihydrotestosterone or DHT. The former can promote gyno-like symptoms such as man boobs, and the latter can make you go bald. Studies found that stinging nettle reduced levels of 5-alpha reductase and promoted higher levels of testosterone.

How to Supplement Stinging Nettle

The best way to supplement stinging nettle root testosterone boosters is with a blend-based formula. In other words, cover all of your bases and look for a herbal-focused testosterone booster that includes several scientifically proven ingredients. Here are a few ingredients that we recommend for naturally increasing testosterone along with stinging nettle root:

Vitamin D: Essential for sex steroid hormone production, vitamin D is a must for men’s health. Studies show that consistent vitamin D supplementation can support testosterone production. What’s more, vitamin D has been shown to promote a healthy mood and mental state. Vitamin D supplementation is especially important during the winter because of the decrease in sunlight exposure.

ZMA: A combination of zinc, magnesium, and vitamin B6, ZMA has long been used as a sports recovery supplement. Not only does it help you sleep better, but it may also increase testosterone levels. Studies show that zinc and magnesium on their own can help increase testosterone levels.

Ginseng: A potent herbal remedy hailing from Asia, ginseng has long been used for overall health and wellness. When it comes to men’s health, ginseng has been shown to support healthy testosterone production.

Don’t stress yourself out trying to find all of these individual ingredients. TestoGen has all of these ingredients in one place along with even more proven testosterone boosters.

Upgrade Your Lifestyle for More Testosterone

If you want to see testosterone levels spike, exercising more, eating a healthy and all-natural diet, and supplementing with a proven t-booster like TestoGen will kickstart your testosterone production.

Technology and innovation have allowed us to access more and more unique products sourced from all over the world, and we’ve gained access to a large number of superfoods and supplements that we never could have tried before.

One of these supplements is butea superba, a plant that has been used since ancient times in Thailand to help boost libido. Despite thousands of years of anecdotal evidence, modern science has indicated that butea superba might have a negative impact on testosterone.

This article aims to explain in detail what butea superba is, how it influences testosterone, and whether or not it’s worth using to boost your libido.

Table of Contents:

• What is Butea Superba?
• What are the benefits of using Butea Superba?
• Does it increase testosterone?
• What is the typical dosage of Butea Superba?
• Are there any known side effects of using Butea Superba?
• We do not use this ingredient in TestoGen

What is Butea Superba?

Butea superba is a plant medicine that has been popular for many thousands of years, particularly in the traditional medicine of Thailand. Nowadays, Butea can be found readily as a supplement or in its raw, unprocessed form.

The roots of the plant are most commonly used to help boost libido and improve sexual function, and they have been used as such for millennia in Thailand and nearby regions. Scientific evidence has learned of a number of interesting compounds that can be found in Butea superba, some of which are responsible for its effects.

Many of these compounds are from a family of nutritional compounds known as flavonoids. Flavonoids are antioxidants, and help to reduce the intensity and frequency of oxidative damage in the body.

Since oxidative damage can lead to illnesses like cancer, chronic pain, and the general degradation of the body, it’s important to get a good amount of antioxidants in your diet.

Butea superba also contains a number of other phytochemicals (plant-based compounds) and other acids and nutrients that can influence human health. These work together to provide the unique profile of benefits that Butea can offer us.

What are the Butea Superba benefits?

These unique compounds work together to offer a number of health benefits that can be useful for both men and women. While the plant is commonly associated with an improvement in male fertility and sexual function, there are a lot of other things that it can do. Butea superba extract and the fresh plant can provide you some of the following benefits:

Boosts Energy

While it’s true that the benefits of this plant can extend beyond men, its energy boosting properties seem to target the masculine better than the feminine. Some of the compounds found within Butea superba seem to mimic male hormones, which can improve our ability to recover after a workout, improve our strength, and boost our overall energy.

Improves Heart Health

There are lots of compounds found within Butea superba that target the heart and the cardiovascular system. Some of the flavonoids are particularly effective in this regard.

By doing this, they can effectively help to reduce the chances of developing heart disease as well as helping to balance out bad (LDL) cholesterol levels while having a positive influence on HDL (good) cholesterol.

Since cholesterol is important for the processing and production of testosterone, this can also be useful for men who are hoping to balance their T levels.

Improving Hair Loss

Butea superba testosterone benefits are often attributed to the fact that it can boost sexual health and help prevent hair loss. Despite this, it’s unsure as to whether or not the reduced hair loss has anything to do with testosterone levels or not.

Regardless, it’s shown to be useful for helping men who are struggling with premature hair loss or male pattern baldness. By strengthening and supporting the hair, Butea helps both men and women develop strong and healthy heads of hair.

Improves Sexual Health

In addition to boosting energy and recovery time, both of which can be considered important aspects of sexual health, Butea has been indicated to be useful for helping people manage erectile dysfunction.

By increasing blood flow, Butea helps bring blood to the penis, lowering the chances of being unable to develop or maintain an erection. This is one of its most popular and persistent traditional uses, and modern science has continued to support the notion that Butea helps improve sexual function.

Improves Bone Health

There is some indication that Butea superba helps increase the number of minerals that we can absorb in the bloodstream. It’s believed that this is what causes the plant to have a positive influence on the health of our bones.

People with osteoporosis or arthritis may find that Butea helps them manage their symptoms. Young folk would be wise to take care of their bones, as well, to prevent these conditions from emerging later in life.

Fights Inflammation

There are a number of inflammation-fighting compounds that can be found in Butea superba.

Inflammation is generally a good thing: it indicates to your immune system that there is a ‘focus area’ in your body that it needs to send attention to. Unfortunately, people struggling with chronic inflammation are sending unnecessary inflammatory responses to their immune system, which can lead to disease.

By reducing the inflammatory response, foods like Butea can help reduce the chance of developing inflammatory diseases.

Fights Cancer

One of the most impressive things that Butea has been shown to do is help fight off cancer. One study that was conducted in Thailand revealed that Butea actually contains compounds that are cytotoxic, meaning that they can prevent cancer cells from multiplying or outright kill them.

It’s important to note that in serious or late-stage cases of cancer, more serious treatments or extracts would be required to make a significant difference.

Does it increase testosterone?

Because of the myriad sexual benefits of this plant, one might suspect that it increases the amount of testosterone available to the body. Whether or not this is entirely true is a matter of some discussion.

One thing that Butea is known for is containing anti-estrogenic compounds. This means that it can prevent the body from producing too much estrogen – an important factor for men, as estrogen is essentially the anti-testosterone.

Testosterone also goes through a process known as aromatization, by which it converts to estrogen in the body. By reducing the amount of estrogen that your body produces, you can accentuate the more masculine effects of testosterone.

Butea has also been shown to boost levels of DHT (dihydrotestosterone) more so than it has been shown to boost levels of testosterone. DHT is the main active metabolite of testosterone, though, which has similar effects.

This could explain why Butea has been shown, in some studies, to actually decrease the amount of free testosterone in the body: by encouraging testosterone to metabolize into DHT while reducing the amount of estrogen being produced, Butea can significantly improve androgenic effects in the body.

What is the Butea Superba dosage?

There isn’t much evidence that can provide a solid dosage of Butea Superba.

It’s important to note that low dosages have been proven to be safe for human consumption – but what constitutes a low dose?

In rats, extremely high doses – more than 300 mg/kg in rats – have been shown to promote mutations and can be toxic. However, this only equates to about 48 mg / kg in humans.

Most supplemental forms of Butea superba will contain a pre-measured dosage that has been deemed safe for human consumption – usually no more than 100 mg daily. The Thai government believes that more than this can be dangerous.

Are there any known side effects of using Butea Superba?

It’s important to be aware of any potential side effects of any substance that you’re taking, especially something that could be as powerful as Butea. Any substance that influences your hormones needs to be treated properly.

One thing that is certain about Butea is that it can actually lower the amount of free testosterone in the blood. While this can be concerning, there is not enough research to indicate whether or not this poses a threat, due to the elevated levels of DHT and the continued benefits provided by the plant.

Most of the studies done on Butea have been done on rats – for example, this study shows that rats experience an increase in spleen size, damaged liver cells, and lowered testosterone when taking 150 to 200 mg/kg of the substance.

We do not use this ingredient in TestoGen

Because of the potential Butea superba testosterone interaction, we choose not to use this ingredient in TestoGen. Our products aim to improve sexual health and function, as well as boost energy levels, without causing a risk of side effects.

TestoGen does, however, focus on using natural products. Many of the ingredients that we use are safe, especially at the doses that we provide them in. Some of the ingredients in TestoGen include:

• Zinc, a very important mineral that’s needed for proper hormonal health – symptoms of zinc deficiency can be identical to those of testosterone deficiency
• Vitamin D, another vitamin that’s necessary for the production of testosterone
• Tribulus terrestris is a herb that’s been shown to be quite safe even in relatively high doses. It is known for causing a number of benefits similar to those that you’d see with boosted T levels
• Fenugreek, another herb that has been suggested to increase testosterone levels
• Panax red ginseng, a vitalizing adaptogenic herb that has been used for centuries as an aphrodisiac and a general energy booster

These ingredients work together to provide a healthy and reliable improvement to low testosterone, as well as boosting energy levels and sexual health regardless of your testosterone levels.

Check also our article about Horny Goat Weed herb if you want to boost your libido and testosterone.

In addition to having the greatest name of any herb, horny goat weed has been shown to have interesting effects on the sexual health of humans, particularly in men. Some scientific horny goat weed reviews report a link between horny goat weed and testosterone.

If you’re wondering, what is horny goat weed? Then you’ve found the right article. We’re going to go into detail about horny goat weed benefits, side effects, and other important information so you can decide for yourself whether or not this substance is one that you’d like to include in your stack.

Table of Contents

• What is horny goat weed?
  • How did it get its name?
  • What are the active ingredients?
• What are the potential benefits of taking horny goat weed?
  • How does this relate to estrogen?
• What are people saying about horny goat weed?
  • Quote some reviews for social proof
• Are there any side effects?

 

What is horny goat weed?

Horny goat weed is a popular aphrodisiac. It is a part of the Epimedium family of herbs and is known for helping increase sexual energy and fertility in men.

Horny goat weed is also sometimes referred to as Icariin. Icariin is one of the active ingredients found in horny goat weed, and as the principal cause of its benefits, some prefer to simply refer to the whole plant as such.

Much like many other aphrodisiacs, people have associated horny goat weed and testosterone due to the fact that it boosts sexual function. In this article, we’ll go into more detail about horny goat weed and its effects so you can know for sure whether or not it actually boosts testosterone.

How did it get its name?

Horny goat weed is aptly named.

The weed was first discovered on a farm. The farmer noticed that his goats would become a lot more sexually active when they would chew on a particular herb located at a certain place on the farm.

Upon observing this, the farmer tapped into the potential of utilizing the herb as an aphrodisiac not just for goats but for humans – and thus the name horny goat weed was born.

What are the active ingredients?

As we mentioned above, one of the main active ingredients in horny goat weed is known as Icariin. There are more than 60 species of horny goat weed (Epimedium family of plants) that have been identified, but only 5 of them are recorded in the Chinese Pharmacopeia. These are the plants most often used to make Icariin supplements, and include:

• Epimedium wushanense
• Epimedium brevicornum
• Epimedium sagittatum
• Epimedium koreanum
• Epimedium pubescens
• Epimedium acuminatum

Icariin is a flavonoid compound – a certain class of nutrients and phytochemicals that act as antioxidants, in addition to other things. Icariin is believed to be the main active compound and is largely responsible for the aphrodisiac effect of this plant.

There is also some indication that Icariin can help to boost testosterone levels, though this is more likely if the substance is taken at a much higher dose than you could easily acquire by using horny goat weed alone.

One of the ways that Icariin works is by working as a PDE5 inhibitor. Many of the drugs that are currently prescribed to help manage erectile dysfunction also make use of PDE5 inhibitors, and this suggests that horny goat weed could be a viable alternative. More on this below.

What are the potential benefits of taking horny goat weed?

There are a number of benefits that one might experience if they begin taking horny goat weed. Not all of these relate to sexual health, either – horny goat weed, much like other herbs, has a wide range of benefits that can help the average individual improve their general health.

Boosts Libido

Horny goat weed has long been used as a natural aphrodisiac, and people are still using it for this purpose today. Horny goat weed has a number of influences on our hormonal systems, and using it can help boost your sex drive.

One of the things that it can do is help to regulate the amount of cortisol present in the body. Cortisol is referred to as the stress hormone, and high levels of it can contribute to decreased sexual function and motivation.

Horny goat weed has also been shown to help balance out levels of testosterone and estrogen.

Fights Erectile Dysfunction

As we mentioned before, Icariin works as a PDE5 inhibitor, much like other drugs that are used to help fight erectile dysfunction. These drugs work because they increase the efficacy of nitric oxide, a compound that is produced in the body to help regulate and promote blood flow.

When a person becomes sexually aroused, the body releases nitric oxide to help dilate the blood vessels in the penis. This is what causes an erection. If you have problems producing or responding to nitric oxide, this could contribute to problems getting or maintaining an erection.

By increasing the efficacy and amount of nitric oxide available to the body, icariin helps to enhance blood flow throughout the body – and to the genitals. Healthy blood flow is required for a man to maintain an erection, and thus horny goat weed can facilitate this by boosting blood flow.

Boosts Testosterone

It’s possible that horny goat weed may actually boost testosterone levels, though current evidence mainly suggests that it works better as a hormonal regulator: if your levels are low, it could help restore them to a healthy baseline.

However, some animal studies have proven that taking doses of icariin extract can increase the amount of free testosterone available to the body. While this does not necessarily indicate that horny goat weed boosts T levels in people, its other effects can certainly mimic elevated testosterone production.

Helps Manage Female Hormones

In traditional Chinese medicine, the ‘yin’ energy governs most female issues – including things like menopause and menstruation. Horny goat weed is often prescribed for individuals who have a deficiency in their feminine yin energy. This is particularly effective for people who are going through menopause.

Horny goat weed contains a lot of prenylflavonoids. These compounds act as phytoestrogens – thus boosting estrogen levels, helping women deal with menopause. This can help to combat some of the related symptoms, such as low libido or a decrease in bone health.

Boosts Muscle Strength

Icariin, the main active compound found in horny goat weed, has been indicated in some studies to help increase the growth of our muscles. Icariin is believed to help the body produce proteins that are necessary for the growth and development of healthy cells, meaning that it can promote the speed at which we build new muscle.

Because of the way that icariin can help boost muscle strength and increase recovery time, it’s not rare to find it in bodybuilding or athletic supplements.

Improves Bone Health

Icariin has been shown to help improve the health of our bones. By increasing bone density, icariin can help prevent weak bones, breaks, fractures, and symptoms of bone-related diseases like arthritis.

How does this relate to estrogen?

Horny goat weed, despite being touted for increasing testosterone, can sometimes have more of an effect on estrogen – in fact, in terms of human studies, it shows more potential as an estrogenic than as a testosterone booster.

Don’t let this scare you off, though – many of the benefits of horny goat weed can be similar to those achieved by using testosterone supplements. Testosterone goes through a process known as aromatization anyways, which causes it to turn into estrogen. Perhaps horny goat weed can boost men’s sexual health through a different process.

What are people saying about horny goat weed? (Horny goat weed reviews)

Horny goat weed is quite popular, however, not everyone has experienced positive results from it.

Sites like Reddit are one of the most reliable sources for anecdotal feedback on substances like this. Since users aren’t really gaining anything by telling their experiences, you can be certain that you’re getting an unbiased perspective and genuine horny goat weed reviews.

A lot of people haven’t had good experiences with it, but it’s possible that these people had very high expectations. As a herbal substance, horny goat weed doesn’t provide immediate and explosive effects like some pharmaceuticals.

Regardless, some users have referred to it as “100% snake oil,” or saying that it’s only “100% effective at making you nauseous.”

Not everyone feels this way, though. One user, Yamochao, reported that using horny goat weed in combination with maca “will make you too horny to be anxious,” claiming that the combination will lead to a “monster erection.” Other people who have had horny goat weed, such as user pr0digy, say that they ‘can attest that horny [goat] weed does wonders.”

This suggests that the ultimate result is up to personal body chemistry. If you’re wondering does horny goat weed work and will it work for you, well the answer is that it probably will, but to find out for sure, you’ll really just have to give it a try yourself.

Are there any side effects?

Even herbal products like horny goat weed should be taken seriously. Anything that influences the body’s hormonal systems can have some potentially serious side effects.

Fortunately, horny goat weed side effects are rare, and when taken on its own it’s relatively safe. However, some of the icariin supplements on the market are quite strong, and using extracts of herbs is a lot different than using the herbs themselves.

If you use very high doses or if you’re very sensitive to horny goat weed, you might experience some mild symptoms. These can include any of the following:

• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Excessive thirst
• Spasms
• Breathing issues

The above side effects are more likely to occur after you have been using horny goat weed over a long period of time. Like any herb that you use, it’s important to cycle your usage on and off: use horny goat weed for several weeks, and then switch to a different herb for a few weeks. This is wise to do with any supplement, herbal or otherwise, so you don’t get addicted or experience side effects.

Some people have reported experiencing nose bleeds when using horny goat weed. It’s very important for anyone with a bleeding disorder, anyone recovering from surgery, or anyone taking blood thinners or blood clotting medication to avoid using horny goat weed because it can interfere with our blood clotting.

One thing to consider is that icariin is not regulated by the FDA, and thus the quality and reliability of supplements can vary depending on where you source them. Look for reputable, organic products when possible.

See also: Does Grape Seed Extract Increase Testosterone? >>

Conclusion

Horny goat weed is a very interesting (and hilariously named) substance that can provide a number of benefits for both men and women.

If you’re looking for a relatively safe substance to help you improve your workouts, your energy levels, or your sexual health, horny goat weed could be a good choice for you. It would work well in addition to a T-boosting supplement like TestoGen.