Does this Asian plant boost testosterone ? Meet tongkat ali

[Nelson Vergel]

Another scam or does it really work?

Phytoandrogenic Properties of Eurycoma Longifolia as Natural Alternative to Testosterone Replacement Therapy


Posted: 06 Jan 2014 02:24 PM PST
[Note COI: Biotropics Malaysia Berhad & George A.] -

George A, Henkel R. Phytoandrogenic properties of Eurycoma longifolia as natural alternative to testosterone replacement therapy. Andrologia. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/and.12214/abstract

The testosterone deficiency syndrome (TDS) is characterised by numerous symptoms, including low libido, increased fat mass, fatigue, erectile dysfunction or osteoporosis, and up to 80% of men will experience some kind of ageing males' symptoms. This is caused by the age-depending decline in serum testosterone levels with concentrations being about 40–50% lower in men older than 60 years compared with young men. This significant decline in testosterone levels is further closely linked with medical conditions such as obesity, metabolic syndrome, diabetes or hypertension.

The conventional way of treating TDS is the testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), for which preparations are on the market. Apart from the beneficial effects of TRT, significant adverse side effects have been described, and prostate cancer (PCa) as absolute contraindication is debated.

Eurycoma longifolia (Tongkat Ali; TA) is natural alternative to TRT and has been shown to restore serum testosterone levels, thus significantly improving sexual health. This includes significant positive effects on bone health and physical condition of patients. In addition, a significant antihyperglycaemic effect and cytotoxicity against PCas cells has been shown. Thus far, at therapeutic concentrations, no significant side effects of the treatment were obvious. Therefore, TA might be a safe alternative to TRT.

 

[paco]

I'll share my personal experience with this (n=1). Before embarking on proper medical treatment of my low testosterone, I tried tongkat ali at various dosages. It seemed to give me some energy and mood improvement, but the results were not reliable from day to day. I tested total and free testosterone after being on tongkat ali and saw little, if any improvement, from before.

 

[Jove234]

There is plenty of scientific evidence that tongkat ali works. The problem is that 95 percent of all products on the market that are sold as tongkat ali are fakes. Low-tech fakers just sell tribulus terrestis and put a tonfkat ali label on the bottle. Tribulus terrestis is cheap, tongkat ali expensive. Profit margins are 1000 percent. What you want from a seller is some clear evidence that his product is tongkat ali. Definitely not just bitter taste. Many chemicals are bitter, much more bitter than tongkat ali.

 

[bobz123]

The best path to check whether a site is genuine is to look at the photos. Are they original or just copied from the website. Just put the URL of a photo into google image search, then press the icon. Then you can see all the other sites that use the same photo.

 

[Okian]

My personal experience with Tongkat ali, I have done a Total T test before taking any, and another test after 1 and a half week and my Total T result was lower ..but as someone said,maybe a lot of them are fake nowadays on the market,so who knows,maybe some of them are working..

 

[Nelson Vergel]

The most promising herb with human (not mice or rat) data right now is Eurycoma longifolia, Tongkat Ali.

This is information from their Malaysia based manufacturer:

http://www.biotropicsingredients.com/physta-sr/

Supports optimal testosterone levels
Seven extensive clinical studies [3,4,5,8,9,11,12] were conducted from 20-76 subjects looking across various health statuses (healthy, men with late onset hypogonadism, stressed, mountain bikers, elderly) showed increase in free and total testosterone within normal high limits and was safe. Physta® may also be considered as a natural alternative to testosterone replacement therapy[14].

Promotes vitality & well being (improved QoL, healthy aging and good metabolism)
Four clinical studies [8,9,10,11] with up to 109 subjects showed improvement in various measures of Quality of Life (QoL) scales such as SF-36, POMS and AMS. Results indicate significant increase in physical function, vitality and feeling younger (through reduction of Aging Male Symptoms, AMS scores). It has also been shown to increase fat free mass in overweight subjects, BMI > 25kg/m2 [10].

Combats stress
Three clinical trials [8,9,10] have shown improvement of anxiety and weakness related domains in AMS. A recently published study [11] showed improvement in stress hormones profile and mode states via POMS. They concluded that Physta® supplementation is an “effective approach to shielding the body from the detrimental effects of "modern" chronic stress, which may include general day-to-day stress, as well as the stress of dieting, sleep deprivation, and exercise training”.

Improves sexual and reproductive health
Three clinical trials [6,9,10] and another in progress continues to establish proof of Physta®’s ability to increase libido, sexual performance & satisfaction, fertility as well as semen volume and sperm quality.

Benefits men & women
Tongkat Ali has documented traditional use in women for post-partum application to support recovery and energy. In a clinical trial looking at active elderly women [12], Physta® has been shown to increase muscle strength and supports healthy testosterone levels in women that is vital for energy and libido. Findings were consistent with another clinical trial of Tongkat Ali in middle-aged women [7].

Enhanced strength & physical performance
Early studies in sporting and physical performance of Tongkat Ali [1,2,7] is consistent with more recent finding on Physta® with regards to increasing muscle strength [12], improved body measurements [9]; fat free mass [10]. A study [13] also indicates that supplementation of Physta® at a dosage of 400 mg per day for 6 weeks will not affect the urinary T:E ratio and hence will not breach adherent doping policies.




References:

1. Sareena, H.H. and Ashril, Y (2002). A preliminary study on the anabolic effect of Eurycoma longifolia Jack. 12th Commonwealth International Sport Conference. Abstract Presentation

2. Hamzah, S and Yusuf, A (2003). The ergogenic effects of Eurycoma longifolia Jack: A pilot study. British Journal of Sports Medicine.BASEM Abstract 37:465-466

3.Tambi, M.I (2005). Standardized water soluble extract of Eurycoma longifolia(LJ100) on men’s health. Free Communications- F07. International Journal of Andrology. Vol. 28(Suppl 1):25-44

4. Talbott, S., Talbott, J. Negrete, J. Jones, M., Nichols, M. and Roza, J. (2006). Effect of Eurycoma longifolia extract on anabolic balance during endurance exercise. Journal of International Society of Sport Medicine 3 (1): S32

5. Tambi, M.I (2009). Nutrients and botanicals for optimizing men’s health: Examining the evidence for Eurycoma longifolia jack, the Malaysian Ginseng in men’s health. Asian Journal of Andrology. Vol. 11(5):25-95.

6. Tambi, M.I. & Imran, K (2010). Jack in managing idiopathic male infertility. Asian Journal of Andrology (2010). 12:376-380

7. Sarina, M.Y. (2009). Effects of strength training and Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma longifolia) supplementation on strength and muscle size in middle-aged women. Asia-Pacific Conference on Exercise and Sport Science International Sports Science Conference.

8. Tambi MI, Imran MK, Henkel RR (2011). Standardised water-soluble extract of Eurycoma longifolia (Tongkat ali), as testosterone booster for managing men with late-onset hypogonadism? Andrologia doi: 10.1111/j.1439-0272.2011.01168.x. pg 1-5.

9. Effects of a Proprietary Freeze-dried Water Extract of Eurycoma longifolia on Sexual Performance and Well-being in Men with Reduced Sexual Potency. Udani J, Gruenwald J, Miller M, George A, Mufiza M, Abas A (2011). Abstract presented at the ‘Natural Supplements: An Evidence-Based Update’ conference by ‘The Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine’ held on January 20-22, 2012 at The Hilton San Diego Bayfront, San Diego, California

10. Shaiful Bahari Ismail, Wan Mohd Zahiruddin Wan Mohammad, Annie George, Nik Hazlina Nik Hussain, Zatul Mufiza Musthapa Kamal, and Eckehard Liske (2012). “Randomized Clinical Trial on the Use of PHYSTA Freeze-Dried Water Extract of Eurycoma longifolia for the Improvement of Quality of Life and Sexual Well-Being in Men,” Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, vol. 2012, Article ID 429268, 10 pages. doi:10.1155/2012/429268

11. Talbott SM, Talbott JA, George A, Pugh M (2013) Effect of Tongkat Ali on stress hormones and psychological mood state in moderately stressed subjects. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2013 May 26;10(1):28. [Epub ahead of print]

12. Henkel RR, Wang R, Bassett S, Chen T, Liu N, Zhu Y, Tambi MI (2013) Tongkat Ali as a Potential Herbal Supplement for Physically Active Male and Female Seniors—A Pilot Study. Phytother. Res. Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com) DOI: 10.1002/ptr.5017

13. George A, Liske E, Chen CH and Ismail SB (2013) The Eurycoma Longifolia Freeze Dried Water Extract – Physta® Does not Change Normal Ratios of Testosterone to Epitestosterone in Healthy Males. J Sports Med Doping Stud. 3:127. doi: 10.4172/2161-0673.1000127

14. George A, Henkel R (2014) Phytoandrogenic properties of Eurycoma longifolia as natural alternative to testosterone replacement therapy. Andrologia. 2014 Jan 6. doi: 10.1111/and.12214.

 

[Don Schultz]

Can anyone recommend a reliable source for tongkat ali?

 

[bigfred32]

I use NOW vitamins for most all my needs. Started using testojack 200 from amazon about a year ago that contains this herb along with several others from Genes Nitric Stack. As im on TRT i cant say what it does for the T but my libido and erections are on the money without using cialis and im 52 years old.

 

[neenus]

Actually, there have been many clinical studies that show tongkat ali works in raising testosterone. The problem is it is very hard to find the real stuff. Some guys online claim the root should be black and that is a total lie. I live in Thailand and I am in touch with a guy who harvests the trees himself. he is a herbal distributor. I am going to get it from him at his company where I can see it all for myself. I bought capsules here in Thailand and they were fake. You can tell by tasking them. The stuff should taste bitter as hell and be simply repulsive to the taste buds.

I will update when I get the actual root powder. Hopefully, that will be in the next few days.

 

[neenus]

Here is a study published by the US National Library of Medicine that showed Tongkat Ali raised testosterone levels by 37% on average. There are more studies out there. Just go to Google Scholar.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3669033/

 

[rob]

Recomendations for Tongkat Ali

Here is a study published by the US National Library of Medicine that showed Tongkat Ali raised testosterone levels by 37% on average. There are more studies out there. Just go to Google Scholar.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3669033/

Does anyone have recommendations for quality manufacturers of Tongkat Ali?. There seems to be so many from which to choose. I have found Superman Herbs seemingly routinely tests their product for heavy metals, etc. Any other brands?

Thanks

Rob

 

[Nelson Vergel]

Jerry Brainum trusts this company but I have no idea who their distributors in the US are.
http://www.biotropicsingredients.com/physta-sr/

 

[bruin]

http://www.brinkzone.com/humour/hitler-responds-to-t-boosters/

natural T supplemnts.......Imust get a daily advert for a special.............this will give a good laugh