The demand for health supplements is a growing trend. With many products on the market and the different benefits they offer, some of them make very broad statements. Testosterone boosters are a particularly competitive market sector. The question is, do they actually work? How do I consume Tongkat Ali for testosterone booster? Are there products that can increase men’s testosterone levels? And if yes, then what would I get from taking testosterone boosters? What good would it do me?
The production of natural testosterone decreases as we age. We don’t mean ‘get old’ by age! Testosterone production in men may begin to decline quite rapidly around the age of 30 and beyond. The result is significantly reduced sex drive and sexual performance. Many men take boosters to build muscle mass, as testosterone is also active in this area, and to help them workout more efficiently.
To know whether a testosterone booster will do the job it claims to do, you need to look at the ingredients. There are two known to help increase testosterone levels – zinc and magnesium – that you should see in any great product; and many claims are made for selenium as well.
Moreover, numerous natural plant extracts claim to increase testosterone production significantly. One of these is Tongkat Ali, which you may not have heard of, but there are several scientific studies to back it up. Let us take an in-depth look at what it is and what it claims to do.
Tongkat Ali
Tongkat Ali is a plant found in Thailand and Malaysia. It has been used as an aphrodisiac in that part of the world for a long time. Typically, the plant extract is used to increase sperm count and is also said to aid muscle strength, weight loss, and enhance libido. Given that all of these are associated with testosterone levels, it is no surprise that they have found their way into testosterone boosters.
Does Tongkat Ali for testosterone booster work? Animal studies have shown that Tongkat Ali helps to improve sperm quality and has an impact on hormonal levels overall. Studies have also been conducted on human subjects.
Clinical Studies
In one clinical trial, a group of 12 men aged between 40 and 65 years received 200 mg of Tongkat Ali extract daily along with an antioxidant for 12 weeks. The results indicate that all subjects described a ‘general feeling of well-being’ as well as improved sexual performance and increased testosterone production. No side-effects have been recorded.
In some other trials, a group of 63 people – male and female – who reported mild levels of stress received the same 200 mg dose for four weeks. In this example, testosterone levels have been found to increase, while stress hormone – cortisone – has decreased in output.
Nevertheless, conflicting results have been found in other studies – it has been shown that sexual performance has improved significantly in subjects taking Tongkat Ali extract, but not so much has improved with regards to their testosterone level.
What is clear, however, is that Tongkat Ali is a natural extract that has been utilised in Eastern medicine for centuries and that it may help some users to experience better sexual performance and higher levels of testosterone, and helps lessen stress.
Choosing a Testosterone Booster
If you are looking for a testosterone booster, you have a lot of alternatives to choose from. There is no denying that Tongkat Ali is an ingredient that you really should consider, but be sure you do so alongside more essential components such as zinc – which has been proven to help – and magnesium. Also, always read the instructions of the manufacturer when taking any nutritional supplement for testosterone.