Could Testosterone Boosters Be Mens' Cheat Code?
Do Testosterone Boosting Supplements Actually Work? The Research Is In!
Does using testosterone boosters really increase a man's testosterone levels? A recent study says no.
Studies have shown that testosterone-boosting supplements are not likely to be an effective alternative to raising your testosterone levels.
“T boosters” are still a popular choice for men looking to boost their testosterone levels. These pills, however, have no proven effect.
I, like many other men, have stumbled into a GNC or the local gym pro shop and seen the endless supplies of supplements on the shelves. Protein powder, Multi Vitamins, fat burners, pre workout, post workout, creatine and so on. The options are endless, and while scanning the store there is one section that always catches your eye.. you notice a bottle..
"T BOOSTER SUPREME"
or
"MaleXXX9000"
generally with some catchy marketing tactic preying on the vulnerable.
"Results you will both see in just 30 days! 😉."
And like many others I took the bait. The idea that I could raise my testosterone levels "naturally" with over the counter supplementation for only $25-$50 a month felt too good to be true and exhilarating all at the same time.
Reality struck about 60 days in when I realized that I felt absolutely no different than I had before starting these supplements and visible results were minimal if at all.
"Well Austin, did you get your blood work done before and after starting?"
"What was your diet like?"
"Are you sure you were training enough?"
These are all fair questions and I will answer them honestly to give this evaluation context. No I did not have my blood work done, my diet has never been my strong suit, not abysmal but not disciplined athlete status either. And I lift regularly and I lift heavy weights, so I don't blame my training regimen for my lack of enthusiasm for these T boosters. Maybe my expectations were set to high. Maybe I was trying to rely to much on the supplements. Maybe. But in my experiences with other supplements I had seen and felt the evidence of the benefits. They become even more recognizable when I am not taking them.
My poiny is that I am not a supplement hater! In fact, I still regularly take multi vitamins, I have protein shakes to supplement my macro goals, I have taken creatine for many years. Fish Oils and Magnesium supplements. And I can say all of these I have found a benefit in. My experience with T boosters was not as beneficial as these others, and after doing some research I quickly realized why.
I began to research the ingredients in a typical testosterone booster and a commonality kept popping up.
- Vitamin B6
- Vitamin D
- Zinc
- Magnesium
- Fenugreek extract
- Boron
When I took a deeper look into these ingredients individually, I quickly realized that there is no conclusive evidence that any of them can actually aid in boosting your testosterone levels.
That's not to say that these supplements can't be beneficial to you, simply that they more than likely will not make you look like your favorite fitness influencer.
The Research Behind T Boosters
A study conducted by Chase G Clemesha, Hatim Thaker, and Mary K Samplaski out of The University Of Souther California, found the first 50 testosterone boosting supplements listed on google and conducted a review of the ingredients of all 50 products. A total of 109 components were found, of the 109 components only 27 of them had any scientific research supporting the claim that they could possibly boost testosterone levels. And 10% of the ingredients were found to have negative effects on testosterone levels.
At the conclusion of the study the researchers found that 90% of the supplements they covered claimed to boost testosterone but only 24% had any evidence supporting their claims. the FDA has also released a statement advising against the use of supplements to treat conditions.
After reading through this study and other articles of this topic it became very clear to me why I felt so unimpressed by the T booster I was taking. I think us as men so badly want to live up to the expectations placed upon us. We all want to be the super hero figure that is idolized, we are taught very early on through media outlets and our peers that a strong muscular physique is what women desire, it will earn you respect and open up doors otherwise unavailable to you. Because of this pressure we look for a quick fix, the path of least resistance. It is because of these emotions and the difficulty of discipline that we become so vulnerable to products like T boosters.
I would like to reiterate that I am not in opposition to supplements, I believe they can be a beneficial tool for many people who struggle to meet daily nutritional requirements. My advice would be to always research what you are putting into your body, and In my experience there is no supplementation for a healthy diet and and good exercise program.
Testosterone Replacement Therapy
At the Conclusion of the previous study cited above, Samplaski says. "The safest and most effective way for a man to increase his testosterone levels is to meet with a medical professional to discuss treatment options.
This is referring to testosterone replacement therapy. If you are unfamiliar with this topic I will link this helpful video here 👇🏻
I am not here to discuss the ethical opinions on the subject and I'm not here to try to convince you of the use of testosterone replacement therapy either, my goal is simply to provide you with the resources to make an informed decision. I think it's safe to assume that what led you to this article is the desire to improve your health in one way or another and more than likely, to find out what will really increase your testosterone levels. In my experience the only method that has truly worked for me is testosterone replacement therapy but again, this is a decision you and your medical provider will need to make together, I can not nor will I give you medical advice, just my opinion.
Final Thoughts
While T booster supplements can seem like an intriguing opportunity, my thoughts are that more than likely you will be wasting a significant amount of time and money.
However.
There has been some research published on a few supplements that have been gaining popularity over the last few months that I believe are worth mentioning. You may have heard of these from an influencer you follow or from a podcast but if you have not they are.
- Tongkat Ali
- Fadogia Agrestis
I learned about these from Dr Andrew Huberman who was a guest on the Joe Rogan podcast when I learned about these two supplements. According to his research and many other scientific articles published, these two supplements seem to increase testosterone and improve sexual function in men. To hear more about this in depth I will link his website as well as a clip from the podcast where he discusses these two supplements in more detail below. 👇🏻
I have not personally tried either of these supplements so I can not speak on the efficacy, and upon doing further research there is still not a ton of convincing evidence in my opinion to consider it a viable option at this point in time. It has also been found that many of the tongkat Ali products being sold are labeled as eurycoma longifolia but don't contain any of the actual root and are being spiked with erectile dysfunction drugs.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3669033/#__ffn_sectitle
Conclusion
Testosterone Boosters seem to be all hype at this point. The evidence on any of these product's efficacy is questionable at best and I would highly recommend doing very thorough research before making any supplement purchases. I believe for most men a healthy diet and good exercise program can really change your life in a positive way. If you feel like you are eating good and are physically healthy but still struggling with your health and fitness goals please meet with your primary care provider to discuss treatment options that will meet your needs. I hope you found this helpful and that you feel better prepared to make an informed decision the next time you are looking at that supplement wall.
Thanks for reading!
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Austin Snow
Austin Snow
