are sports nutrition and supplements that are used to stimulate muscle growth , increase strength and libido , as well as prevent male menopause and correct sex hormone levels. The effect of testosterone boosters is due to their ability to increase natural testosterone production . Most often, testosterone boosters come in the form of sports nutrition or dietary supplements, which can be freely purchased without a prescription at sports nutrition stores and pharmacies.
The composition of boosters usually includes: natural and plant components, vitamins and, rarely, synthetic substances, which, according to manufacturers, have the ability to increase testosterone levels. However, the validity and evidence base of many testosterone boosters remains in doubt, other boosters (for example, the well-known ZMA complexes ) have already been recognized as completely ineffective , although they continue to be sold and used in bodybuilding.
Who are testosterone boosters for?
Testosterone boosters are commonly used by men looking to increase lean muscle mass. These supplements are not recommended for use under the age of 20, and according to some sources 23. This is due to the fact that the young body has an extremely unstable hormonal system, in particular, this applies to sex hormones. The use of boosters at a young age can disrupt this unstable hormonal system. In addition, young people have naturally increased testosterone levels, and therefore do not need additional stimulation. In addition, taking such supplements is not recommended for girls due to the development of masculinization .
Rational use of boosters is found in people over 30 and even 40 years old, when the natural level of testosterone decreases with age, in this case, their intake not only has a beneficial effect on muscle growth, but also enhances potency and libido .
Plus, testosterone boosters are great for PCT . After a cycle of steroid hormones or prohormones, it is advisable to drink 4 weeks of a booster based on Tribulus terrestis. The booster allows you to neutralize the side effects associated with the withdrawal of steroid hormones and maintain testosterone levels, thereby preventing muscle breakdown or the so-called “rollback” phenomenon.
Remember that boosters are valid only for the duration of their intake, and after canceling all effects disappear. A decrease in muscle mass is possible, although not as pronounced as with steroid use.
Famous testosterone boosters
Effect of boosters on testosterone and LH levels (Author: Vitaly Evsyukov)
Many anabolic complexes and boosters contain more than a dozen components, but most of the components do not affect testosterone levels. Their presence can only be explained as a publicity stunt. Below is a brief description of the most common remedies:
- Aromatase inhibitors
Highly effective and safe class of drugs. According to research one tablet of Letrozole (2.5 mg) can increase testosterone levels by about 50% within a month when taken in portions (0.02 mg). Higher dosages lead to a significant increase in the effect. In addition, the level of estrogen decreases .
Tamoxifen (Nolvadex), when used for 10 days at 20 mg per day, has been shown to increase serum testosterone concentration by 142% from baseline.
Studies have found a correlation between vitamin D levels and testosterone.
- 6-OXO
A new synthetic substance that is able to prevent the conversion of testosterone into estrogens , thereby increasing the concentration of the former. There are no studies to support the effect of 4-androstene-3,6,17-trione on muscle growth.
- D-aspartic acid
D-isomer of aspartic amino acid , which naturally interacts with certain areas of the pituitary gland, increasing the secretion of testosterone. The effectiveness is questionable.
- Forskolin
The substance obtained from the plant Coleus forskohlii is very often included in boosters. Has poorly proven effectiveness. [ Lack of evidence base (apart from a few small studies, the results of which contradict each other). Lack of positive feedback from athletes taking the supplement. A clear exaggeration of the properties of forskolin in the descriptions of the remedy: burning fat, increasing muscle mass, changing the concentration of several hormones at once, and all this against the background of the absence of side effects. The supplement may have a modest positive effect on body composition. It may enhance the effects of other remedies if you take them in combination. However, there is no reliable clinical evidence for the effectiveness of forskolin.
- Agmatin
A relatively new booster of nitric oxide, which, among other things, is able to stimulate the secretion of its own gonadotropin and gonadoliberin. [ Agmatine sulfate is an agonist of imidazoline receptors. It has a nootropic effect.
- Tribulus terrestris
The most popular component of testosterone boosters, has the most solid evidence base. Despite the fact that Tribulus has been classified as a drug and cannot be sold freely in sports nutrition stores (only pharmacies can sell drugs) , most stores continue to sell it. Sports supplements are much cheaper. You need to look not only at the weight of the tablets, but also at the percentage of saponins, i.e. active substance (occurs from 35% to 95%).
- ZMA
Quite a popular complex, it is recognized as completely ineffective. It has practically no side effects.
- Hay fenugreek (trigonella)
Plant extract with active ingredient trigonellin. It has anti-aromatase activity, however, in human studies, it did not affect the level of androgens and athletic performance.
- Maca peruvian
The extract is used as an aphrodisiac. It has no effect on the level of sex hormones and anabolism.
- Boron
Reception mode
The reception mode depends on the specific manufacturer. However, most often, boosters are taken 1 to 3 times a day, immediately after meals. The average cycle time is 4 weeks. Recommended to be combined with physical activity.
Side effects
Abuse of any means that affects testosterone levels is fraught with dangerous complications. Long-term use of testosterone boosters leads to a decrease in the body’s ability to produce enough testosterone on its own, as it gets used to the constant intake of the supplement. Thus, after the end of the intake, the body does not produce enough sex hormones, which leads to significant loss of muscle mass, depression, impotence and other problems.
During administration, the following side effects very rarely occur: aggressiveness and irritability, acne , fluctuations in blood pressure. Extremely rare: hair loss, gynecomastia , feminization , decreased testosterone secretion, testicular atrophy .
If you take the supplement in the prescribed doses and for the allowable period of time, then there are practically no side effects, however, there is no significant effect in terms of increasing muscle mass.
Do not take testosterone boosters for heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney failure. Stop taking the supplement if you experience any side effects. Almost all side effects are completely reversible after withdrawal.
Combination and combination
For a good effect, testosterone boosters should be combined with a proper high-calorie diet, systematic strength training and complementary sports nutrition. From sports nutrition, a good potentiating effect and optimal compatibility with testosterone boosters are:
- Protein – To enhance muscle growth, you need 2-3 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight.
- Creatine – 3-5 g taken orally 1 time per day. Also a great option is creatine with a transport system .
- Vitamin-mineral complex – for active muscle growth, a sufficient supply of vitamins and other essential substances is required.
This is the minimum list of sports supplements that are shown to be taken together with boosters, in addition, you can simultaneously use BCAA , amino acid complexes , reductants, adaptogens and other supplements.
It is not recommended to use testosterone boosters with prohormones , steroid hormones , you cannot combine 2 booste
