Blog Entry #21
By Admin – Steroidal.com
There are hundreds if not thousands of different testosterone boosting products on the market. Raising testosterone in healthy men is big business. From young teenage males not wanting to damage their endogenous testosterone levels with anabolic steroids and still benefit from a high testosterone level, to those coming of a steroid cycle in post cycle therapy (PCT), or elderly men. Herbs and some amino acids make up the bulk of ingredients in there products, but what about the effect of Tongkat Ali, or often called, Eurycoma longifolia or LJ100. This is perhaps one of the most expensive ingredients to source, making these products high priced. So is Tongkat Ali effective at raising testosterone in healthy males, a clinical trial in Malaysia from the Universiti Sains suggests it doesn’t.
The Malaysian study used Physta, which is a standardised extract of Tongkat Ali by Biotropics Malaysia. They also financed the full trial. 109 healthy married adult men were used aged between 33 and 55 years. Half the group were given 300mg of Tongkat Ali split into two doses. One 150mg dose was given at lunch with food and the other at dinner with food. The other half were given placebo and the trial also lasted for 12 weeks.
Contrary to various supplement company claims of raising testosterone in males, the Tongkat Ali had no effect on the men’s testosterone level. “During the trial the mean values of total testosterone level are in the range of 15.079 nmol/L to 16.604 nmol/L in subjects on the herbal product and in the placebo group these values range from 18.120 nmol/ to 19.051 nmol/L”, the researchers state.
Sexual arousal and pleasure during sex were also measured and the researchers found that the Tongkat Ali group had very little positive changes. These men were married so one would assume they had no sexual problems to start with.
However, psychological changes did occur. The men said there were more energetic and some daily functions were easier. They experienced fewer problems with kneeling, stair climbing, bending and walking.
Fitness was also tested over the 12 weeks and it was concluded that Tongkat Ali had no effect.
Although testosterone did not increase, sperm quality did and so did motility. These effects of Tongkat Ali were more pronounced for those at the start of the trial who had low motility.
This means Tongkat Ali may be a viable dietary supplement for those wanting to help increase spermatogenesis (get their partner pregnant). Along with other drugs that increase sperm count, mobility, motility, count and quality, such as, Nolvadex, Clomid and human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG).
“For the first time a placebo-controlled clinical trial demonstrated for a freeze-dried water extract of the roots of Eurycoma longifolia, significant improvements in libido, sexual performance, satisfaction, and physical functioning. Eurycoma longifolia has a strong impact on seminal fluid parameters, for example, semen volume and sperm motility. The daily dose of 300 mg of Eurycoma longifolia extract for three months is well-tolerated and safe compared to placebo.”, the Malaysian researchers write.
Although this study does not show very positive changes in testosterone levels or sex drive, many do claim to experience this. Perhaps the more refined extract LJ100 would be more applicable and this study does not also rule out testosterone rising when hypogondal or when the user has a low natural testosterone level to start with. More limitations are that Biotropics who have an interest in its sale, funded it.
Source:
Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2012;2012:429268.
