In a previous post, I discussed the topic of: Profile Of Common Ingredients Found In Natural Test Boosting Supplements.

What needs to be examined now, is what ingredients are backed by research. Often times, manufacturers will make up fancy names for ingredients that are of little worth and include them in the advertised supplement. Because we don’t know what some ingredients are or the proven research behind the ingredients used in the supplement, we assume that the supplement will contain only ingredients that are proven to increase testosterone production in the body.

Fact is, supplements are just too expensive for consumers to be making uneducated purchases on products that may or may not deliver the intended results. With natural testosterone boosting supplements, this is an ongoing issue. 

So the best option is to educate yourself on the ingredients that are in natural test boosting supplements by reviewing known research and data, and to learn what to look for in a product.

The following ingredients have been grouped together in categories consisting of whether or not they are:

1. Supported by research

2. Supported by some research

3. Or that there is no documented research supporting the ingredient’s effect on testosterone at all.

Which brings us to the most popular natural test boosting ingredient sold on the market, Tribulus Terrestris.

While Tribulus Terrestris falls into a category with little official research, I do believe that this is an ingredient with merit, when consumed properly. Therefore, I have chosen to leave Tribulus out of all the categories and write about it independently with information coming from my first hand usage and knowledge of the product.

• Tribulus Terrestris

Having taken several Tribulus products personally, I can say that Tribulus definitely does something. However, there are two critical factors that must be taken into account for a Tribulus product to be effective in any manner.

That being:

1. Purity

Tribulus comes in varying degrees of product purity. Examining the steroidial saponins percentage of purity will indicate how pure the product is. I have seen products as low as 20% purity and high of 80% with the most common purity level being 40-45% purity in the majority of Tribulus products.

2. Dosage

As stated in the studies, Tribulus administered in the low doses (under 1 gram) that are seen in the serving amount of many products, is just ineffective. Of course, product purity will also factor into what constitutes and effective dose. Based off of personal experience, I would recommend an average of 3-5 grams per serving, being an effective dose. Anything oral, including anabolic androgenic steroids, must be taken several times throughout the day as well. So when taking Tribulus, I have found that consuming the product  approximately every 4 hours seems to work well. Now what one must consider when supplementing with Tribulus, is product cost efficiency. Since rather large doses are needed regularly throughout the day, this could prove to be an expensive supplement.

Regardless of cost, I believe that Tribulus is a good product that has the ability to provide users with some positive results. However, I would definitely not compare these results to those associated with AAS use. For the natural bodybuilder, Tribulus is a good addition to the supplement arsenal, providing a slight but noticeable increase in aggression, sex drive, and mental state. My summation is that Tribulus, when taken appropriately, does result in a slight increase in the body’s natural production of testosterone; which may help provide the natural bodybuilder with the ability to achieve higher intensity in his workouts, resulting in more gains.

HERE IS A LIST OF INGREDIENTS WITH NO DOCUMENTED PROVEN CLINICAL OR EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS:

• Avena Sativa
• Maca Root
• Flavanoids
• Chrysin, Apigenin, and Hydroxflavones
• Ipriflavone and Methoxyisoflavone
  
• Muira Puama, Catuba Bark, Prickly Pear, Dear Antler, Fenugreek, Forskolin, Passion Flower, Schisandra Chinesis, Horny Goat Weed / Epimedium, Pygeum Bark

HERE IS A LIST OF INGREDIENTS WITH WEAK OR CONFLICTING EVIDENCE OF INCREASING TESTOSTERONE IN THE BODY:

• Acetyl L Carnitine
• D-Aspartate
• Cordyceps Sinesis

 INGREDIENTS THAT HAVE SHOWN POSITIVE RESULTS AS ORAL SUPPLEMENTS IN HUMANS: 

What Ingredients Actually Increase Natural Testosterone Production

• ZMA   
  
• Eurycoma Longfolia (Longjack) / Tongkat Ali

Sub Category: Split Sex-Hormone Binding Globulin and Testosterone

• Urtica dioica (Stinging Nettle)

Sub Category: Aromatase Blockers

• Grape Seed Extract
• Androstenetrione
• Methylated Flavanoids: 7-hydroxflavone and 7,4-dihydroxyflavone (7-methoxyflavone and 7-4dimethoxyflavone)

Sub Category: Estrogen Receptor Blockers

• Resveratrol
• Indole-3-Carbinol and di-indoly l-methane
  
• Methanol Extracts of Red Clover, Chasteberry, and Hops
  
• Calcium Glucarate

Sub Category: Reduce Conversion to DHT

• Saw Palmetto   
• Stinging Nettle

Increasing IGF-1

• Creatine Monohydrate
  
• Acetyl-L-Carnitine
• Colostrum

 Information pertaining to supplement ingredients referenced form MUSCLE FORCE Fitness Research (TM)