Are Testosterone Boosters Just Multivitamins with Herbs?

weight lifting manWhen it comes to testosterone boosters; like most things unknown, people tend to form wrong ideas. Then, when they start sharing their unverifiable thoughts/opinions for long enough and with a sufficient number of people, we end up with misconceptions; simple myths. Of course, these myths are really hard to detect or keep track of because sometimes they are mixed with a bit of truth. Take our title question, for example, Are testosterone boosters just multivitamins with herbs? Well, they do contain multivitamins and herbs, but they also contain more specialized active ingredients. For a more detailed answer, read on.

What makes testosterone boosters unlike a simple spoonful of ginger powder is that they contain active ingredients that work directly on a hormonal basis. Each of the following two substances are often found as main ingredients in testosterone supplements.

DHEA

The scientifically accurate name is Dehydroepiandrosterone, but who cares about accuracy, right? Let’s just call it DHEA. If you haven’t already guessed by the ending sound of its scientific name, DHEA is a hormone. It produced courtesy of your adrenal glands, in turn, it aids the body in the production of testosterone, as well as, estrogen. As we grow up, the hormone levels in the body increase up to a certain point in time where it reaches a peak. Then, like all good things, it starts fading away. After all those years of increased activity, adrenal glands get exhausted and DHEA levels regress. Which results in the physical effects of the transition from middle-age to old-age.


Keep in mind that DHEA can be found in a huge variety of testosterone boosters not only due to its effects, but also due to the fact that science already knows a lot about it. It is one of the most well researched hormones so, we know its effects and the extent to which it can deliver results. For example, we know that it is responsible for maintaining a solid body structure, developing cognitive functions and, in general, keeping the body at its peak condition. The decrease in DHEA levels causes the opposite of the things we just mentioned. So, logically, taking DHEA supplements should reverse the effects.

A research done by Queen’s University’s Department of Urology found that an intake of 50mg twice per day can lead to a significant increase in testosterone levels. However, as it gets mixed with other ingredients, the effects become a bit unclear.  Either way, regardless of what DHEA can, or cannot do, it has been banned by a number of sports organizations; from the Olympics and the World Anti-Doping Agency to minor baseball leagues in the U.S.

D-Aspartic Acid

If you paid attention in biology class, you probably already know this but, there are some amino acids that the body cannot produce, and others that the body can produce a limited amount of. Aspartic acid is one of those which the body can, in fact, produce, but sometimes the amount produced is not enough to keep testosterone levels high. The reason testosterone boosters contain this ingredient is because it is an amino acid that goes into the process of making testosterone; according to gymflow100.com, most products do contain percentages of D-Aspartic acid. The more you have of it, the more testosterone your body will be able to produce. Surprisingly enough, it’s primary mode of action isn’t as a building block.

The testes are responsible for synthesizing testosterone, but they can’t do that alone; they need to be told to do so. Under the guidance, regulation and control of luteinizing hormone (LH), the testes start to synthesize testosterone. Not to mention, D-Aspartic acid also increases the production of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) which is the main cause of changes during puberty. It results in more muscle growth, bone development and sexual development. It regulates these developments, as well.

What about the herbs and multivitamins?

With every type of medication, there is a main ingredient, and secondary ingredients that either help in the efficient absorption of the main ingredient, or that are less effective than the main ingredients. That’s where the vitamins and the herbs come in. The most common ones are:

Vitamin D


handful of vitamin pills

It is a fat-soluble vitamin that is produced by the body when we are exposed to sunlight. Studies have found a strong correlation between increased testosterone levels and high vitamin D levels. This sort of deficiency can result in slowing down the effects of DHEA or the aspartic acid. It just adds more pressure on the ingredients to work.

Tribulus Terrestris

A medicinal herb used across several centuries, it has been a growing trend in men’s supplements for a while now. However, it has been shown to have little to no effects on individuals with normal testosterone levels. It has also been discovered that the plant doesn’t really affect testosterone levels directly; it works on an individual’s libido.

Zinc

There is a direct relation between zinc and testosterone. An experiment done by Wayne State University School of Medicine showed that when subjected to a zinc-free diet, testosterone levels in healthy men noticeably decreased. As a mineral, zinc is used in a vast number of processes in the human body. A deficiency would only act as an obstacle in the way of active ingredients achieving their full potential.

Saying that testosterone boosters are only made of herbs and multivitamins is a gross oversimplification. The herbs and vitamins within the product help with testosterone levels, as well as making sure the body is supplied with enough nutrients to handle the effects of the booster’s active ingredient. Mainly, DHEA and d-aspartic acid are the active ingredients found in the majority of supplements. They operate on the body in a more radical level than the herbs and vitamins by stimulating testosterone production and controlling estrogen. With that being said, make sure you stay safe by only using supplements under medical supervision to avoid any side effects that may arise. It’s very easy to buy multivitamins over the counter, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you should unless you know what it’s short and long term effects will be on your body and overall well being.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *