Testosterone levels in men decline with increasing age. Other factors contributing to low testosterone levels include certain medications (anticonvulsants1, corticosteroids2, chemotherapeutics3), stress and lifestyle changes. This decline in testosterone is associated with low libido and potency, lethargy, decreased muscle mass, osteopenia and impaired cognitive function. Although testosterone therapy can benefit men with low T levels, there are strict guidelines from the Endocrine Society that exclude older men with low T levels, as well as those with sleep apnea and prostate cancer4. Moreover, testosterone therapy is often associated with mood swings, aggression, polycythaemia and other side effects5.
Natural testosterone boosters
There is an increase in the use of natural supplements that are researched to boost serum T-levels. Tribulus terrestris (TT) is a plant found in South Africa, India, and Europe that has been reported to boost T levels.
In a 6-week randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled trial, the effect of T. terrestris supplements among athletes was investigated. It was observed that T levels remained unchanged during intense training among athletes taking 770 mg Tribulus/day, while significant declines in T-level were observed among the placebo group. This study suggests that Tribulus supplements stabilize T levels during physical training6. A meta-analysis revealed that Tribulus supplementation improved sperm count and motility compared to placebo7.
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), also known as Indian ginseng, is another herb that has reported aphrodisiac activity8. Various clinical studies report the T-boosting potential of ashwagandha.
In an 8-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study, the effects of ashwagandha root extract on T-level was investigated. Ashwagandha root extract supplementation (300 mg, twice daily) significantly increased free and total serum testosterone and reduced inflammatory markers (IL-6 & TNF-α) in the intervention group compared to placebo9. Another 8-week clinical trial investigated the T-level boosting effects of ashwagandha in a cohort of 50 participants. Ashwagandha supplementation (300 mg, twice daily) significantly increased libido and serum T-levels10.
Although T-boosters have been reported to increase serum T levels, they may cause side effects such as nausea, stomach pain, diarrhoea and drowsiness in some individuals. The extent of side effects from natural T-boosters has been reported to be far lower and fewer than those from pharmaceutical or synthetic T-boosters.
To conclude, nutraceutical supplements can effectively boost fertility and testosterone levels without serious side effects and improve the quality of life.
References
(1) Herzog, A. G.; Drislane, ; F W; Schomer, ; D L; Pennell, ; P B; Bromfield, ; E B; Dworetzky, ; B A; Farina, ; E L; Frye, C. A. Differential Effects of Antiepileptic Drugs on Sexual Function and Hormones in Men with Epilepsy; 2005. www.neurology.org.
(2) Morrison, D.; Capewell, S.; Reynolds, S. P.; Thomas, J.; Ali, N. J.; Read, G. F.; Henley, R.; Riad-Fahmy, D. Testosterone Levels during Systemic and Inhaled Corticosteroid Therapy. Respir Med 1994, 88 (9), 659–663. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/S0954-6111(05)80062-9.
(3) Kiserud, C. E.; Fosså, A.; Bjøro, T.; Holte, H.; Cvancarova, M.; Fosså, S. D. Gonadal Function in Male Patients after Treatment for Malignant Lymphomas, with Emphasis on Chemotherapy. Br J Cancer 2009, 100 (3), 455–463. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bjc.6604892.
(4) Bhasin, S.; Cunningham, G. R.; Hayes, F. J.; Matsumoto, A. M.; Snyder, P. J.; Swerdloff, R. S.; Montori, V. M. Testosterone Therapy in Men with Androgen Deficiency Syndromes: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. Endocrine Society 2010, pp 2536–2559. https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2009-2354.
(5) Seal, L. J. Testosterone Replacement Therapy. Medicine. September 2009, pp 445–449. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mpmed.2009.06.002.
(6) Fernández-Lázaro, D.; Mielgo-Ayuso, J.; Soto, M. D. V.; Adams, D. P.; González-Bernal, J. J.; Seco-Calvo, J. The Effects of 6 Weeks of Tribulus Terrestris l. Supplementation on Body Composition, Hormonal Response, Perceived Exertion, and Crossfit® Performance: A Randomized, Single-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study. Nutrients 2021, 13 (11). https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13113969.
(7) Ara, A.; Vishvkarma, R.; Mehta, P.; Rajender, S. The Profertility and Aphrodisiac Activities of Tribulus Terrestris L.: Evidence from Meta-Analyses. Andrologia 2023, 2023, 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/7118431.
(8) Mikulska, P.; Malinowska, M.; Ignacyk, M.; Szustowski, P.; Nowak, J.; Pesta, K.; Szeląg, M.; Szklanny, D.; Judasz, E.; Kaczmarek, G.; Ejiohuo, O. P.; Paczkowska-Walendowska, M.; Gościniak, A.; Cielecka-Piontek, J. Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera)—Current Research on the Health-Promoting Activities: A Narrative Review. Pharmaceutics. Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI) April 1, 2023. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15041057.
(9) Verma, N.; Kumar Gupta, S.; Tiwari, S.; Kumar Mishra, A.; Thakare, V.; Patil, S. Shirish Patil et al.: Ashwagandha Effect on Inflammatory Markers IJMPR Effect of Ashwagandha Root Extract on Serum Testosterone and Muscle Recovery in Strength Training. International Journal of Medical and Pharmaceutical Research No. 5.
(10) Chauhan, S.; Srivastava, M. K.; Pathak, A. K. Effect of Standardized Root Extract of Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera) on Well-Being and Sexual Performance in Adult Males: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Health Sci Rep 2022, 5 (4). https://doi.org/10.1002/hsr2.741.