TRIBULUS SUPPLEMENTS
In his book, The New Encyclopedia of Modern BodyBuilding, Arnold Schwarzenegger describes Tribulus Terrestris as being, “derived from an herbal plant commonly known as puncture vine. Tribulus terrestris extract is considered by many to be a safe alternative to anabolic steroids. It reportedly stimulates immune response and production of several hormones. Originally, it was used for treatment of infertility and other reproduction disorders”.
According to Wikipedia, “Tribulus terrestris increases testosterone by increasing gonadotropin-releasing hormone with gonadotropic adaptogen compound containing Tribulus terrestris (GnRH) which in turn stimulates the production of LH and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)”.
Tribulus quality varies greatly from brand to brand. Biotest currently manufactures three test boosting products; one pure tribulus product and two other products containing a compound of tribulus & other test boosting ingredients. I have tried two of the three products (Tribex & Tribex Gold) and was very pleased with the tribulus quality in both.
Biotest’s Tribex and Tribex Gold claim to be a natural way to increase your free testosterone levels. I wouldn’t go so far as to even put them in a category even near anabolic steroids, but quality tribulus definitely raises test levels to a noticeable extent and is a safe, natural test boosting supplement alternative to pro hormones or anabolic steroids. Personally, I noticed an increase in aggression and desire to train, as well as an increase in libido.
Biotest describes Tribulus as, “Tribulus terrestris: Tribulus serves as a Luteinizing-hormone secretagogue (LHS). In other words, it causes the release of Luteinizing hormone, which in turn signals the testes to produce more Testosterone. And of all the T-boosting compounds on the market, Tribulus is the most powerful”.
Tribex Gold is Biotest’s version of pure tribulus; two capsules contain 500 milligrams of tribulus with no other added supplements.
Tribex (also known as Tribex Blue) is a 840 milligram compound (2 capsules) of Tribulus Terrestris, Vitex Agnus Castus, Eurycoma Longifolia.
Biotest describes the other two ingredients as:
Vitex agnus castus: Vitex also works as an LHS, but it also acts as an anti-progesterone and anti-prolactin agent, lowering progesterone and prolactin. Progesterone and prolactin are particularly nasty hormones, in that they cause — much more than estrogen — storage of body fat and mental depression. Prolactin can even cause lactation in men. And, by lowering progesterone and prolactin — just like lowering estrogen — you’ll increase Testosterone through various feedback mechanisms.
Eurycoma longifolia: Eurycoma imparts its effects by selectively controlling the conversion of DHEA and other naturally occurring androgens into Testosterone. In fact, it even works when the testes are non-responsive to Luteinizing hormone. As long as the substrate hormones are present (and they’re present in everyone), Eurycoma works.
Biotest’s Tribex (Blue Tabs) is listed at BodyBuilding.com for: 74 tabs $34.89
And Tribex Gold lists at BodyBuilding.com for: 50 tabs $19.99
Ordering either of these products from an online supplement store instead of from Biotest may save you some money. Upon referencing Biotest’s website, I noticed that Tribex Gold does indeed list for $19.99 but Tribex (Blue Tabs) is not even offered. I don’t know if the product has been discontinued or not. I do know that most online supplements sites that I have checked do have Tribex (Blue Tabs) in stock. My only guess for a reason to discontinue this product is its similarity in ingredient profile to Biotest’s third, and strongest test boosting supplement, ALPHA MALE.
The third product offered in the line of Biotest’s test boosting supplements is Alpha Male. It is worth noting that a new and supposedly improved version of Alpha Male has just recently been released from Biotest, so be careful as to which version you may be purchasing.
Biotest claims that Alpha Male is the ultimate test boosting supplement in there product line.
Biotest states,
“you could call the new Alpha Male the ultimate male ‘elixir’. So, if you’re interested in maximizing T and reducing body fat and feeling like kicking ass and taking names, Alpha Male is the animal for you.”
Alpha Male is a super concentrated compound of:
- Tribulus terrestris
- Vitex agnus castus
- Eurycoma longifolia
- Carbolin 19
You may notice that the ingredients are the same as Tribex (Blue) with the addition of Carbolin 19 (which I will discuss later).
Here is a chart comparing the formulas of the new Alpha Male, the old version of Alpha Male, and Tribex Gold.
Two capsules of Alpha Male contain a 1130 milligram compound of Tribulus terrestris, Vitex agnus castus, Eurycoma longifolia, and Carbolin 19.
The actual chemical name is colforsin 1,9-ethylcarbonate. Carbolin 19 is a carbonate ester of a naturally occurring diterpene called colforsin (aka, forskolin).
“Don’t even begin to confuse this material with an herbal extract of Coleus forskohlii! We’re using a carbonate ester of pure colforsin, which means it’s a highly pure, single compound.”
Biotest describes this compound as an ‘anabolic bridge’ with results similar to the steroid Anavar. I find this to be a grandiose claim, but Anavar is a weaker steroid that is often used by women so anything is possible I guess.
Biotest lists the following expectations with the use of Carbolin 19:
Expectations
Those who’ve used Carbolin 19 say that it’s much more effective than colforsin and feels like real gear (steroids):
• Increases muscular pump
• Elevates mood
• Increases rate of muscle gains
• Increases rate of strength gains
• Decreases fat mass while gaining muscle
“Initially, users should not necessarily expect much if any gain in overall body weight. What occurs is a shift in body composition toward lean mass. In other words, if you’re losing fat while gaining muscle, you might have a net-zero increase in body weight, but a dramatic shift in favor of lean-body composition.
Remember, the goal here is to gain muscle while losing fat, not “bulking up.” In other words, you’re bridging, not bulking. Not only that, you’re able to bridge year-round”!
Carbolin 19 is included in the ingredient profile of Alpha Male and is also sold as a separate product.
Since a new version of Alpha Male has just been released, not all online supplement websites are carrying the product yet. It may prove to be just as cheap to order directly from Biotest. I have found Alpha Male being offered by BodyBuilding.com for the same price offered by Biotest ($49.99).
AXIS-HT
BSN also offers a test boosting product called Axis-HT which (I have not tried yet) appears to be a potentially top notch compound that includes a 3-fraction extract of Tribulus terrestris.
This product profile appears to be very well put together in an anabolic sense.
I think that the addition of ZMA is a great idea for boosting test during sleep.
BSN really shows their commitment to creating a quality test booster by adding a 3-fraction extract of Tribulus terrestris. By doing this, BSN is attempting to get all the test boosting power out of tribulus that is possible and also decreases the likely hood of the tribulus in Axis-HT being another product with low grade tribulus in it. “The 3 fractions of Tribulus chosen for TPS3™ provide the entire range of potentially active Tribulus constituents. These include, but are not limited to: steroidal saponins (furostanol glycocides: protodioscin and protogracilin), spirostanol glycosides and phytosterols (beta-sitosterol)”.
You may notice that some of the same ingredients in Biotest’s Alpha Male, are also included in BSN’s Axis-HT.
Click on the picture to read the Product Profile
Like Alpha Male, Axis-HT isn’t the cheapest test boosting product on the market. While BSN is selling Axis-HT for $74.99, this product can be purchased elsewhere by online supplement stores for $40-$50. BodyBuilding.com is currently listing Axis-HT for $45.50
HumanaTest
Another similar test boosting Tribulus product is IForce’s HumanaTest. On BodyBuilding.com, HumanaTest is selling for $27.99
HumanaTest’s ingredient profile reminds me a lot of Axis HT in that they both have high grade Tribulus as well as ZMA included.
Here is IForce’s information on HumanaTest:
The common recommended age for consumption of a test boosting product is age 25 and up. It is commonly viewed as pointless or even harmful to natural test production for young adults, especially teenagers, to take a test boosting supplement- including anabolic steroids and pro hormones, as the use of such products will temporarily lower your natural production of testosterone.