Info on OTC Supps

[stat1951]

As there are occassionally questions about OTC supplements as relate to "boosting" natural testosterone production, I thought that members might find the below links informative:

http://magazine.mindandmuscle.net/magmain.php?issueID=28&pageID=328

This one covers Tribulus Terrestris, ZMA, and Androstenetrione. To summarize for each the article states:

QUOTE:
For those of you that just like to skip to the end, Ill give you a quick summary of my findings regarding Tribulus, ZMA and androstenetrione. There is no published literature that indicates any benefit to supplementing with Tribulus in regards to increasing testosterone or exercise performance. ZMA shows promise as a preventative supplement, much like a multivitamin, with the goal of maintaining testosterone production at its peek. Androstenetrione shows the most promise of increasing levels of testosterone production above physiological norms by modulating the signals that tell your body to make more hormones.
EAND QUOTE

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/...ve&db=PubMed&list_uids=15994038&dopt=Citation

This article is a published medical report on a study done in Bulgaria on Tribulus. Many people have questioned earlier studies done in Bulgaria that purported to show effectiveness in Tribulus raising testosterone levels. Not so according to this study:

QUOTE:
The experimental groups were named TT1 and TT2 and the subjects were assigned to consume 20 and 10mg/kg body weight per day of Tribulus terrestris extract, respectively, separated into three daily intakes for 4 weeks. Testosterone, androstenedione and luteinizing hormone levels in the serum were measured 24h before supplementation (clear probe), and at 24, 72, 240, 408 and 576h from the beginning of the supplementation. RESULTS:: There was no significant difference between Tribulus terrestris supplemented groups and controls in the serum testosterone... The findings in the current study anticipate that Tribulus terrestris steroid saponins possess neither direct nor indirect androgen-increasing properties.
END QUOTE

As has been stated in the book "Testosterone is Your Friend":

QUOTE:
Please realize you are only going to raise your testosterone with real prescription testosterone, or possibly temporarily with a true biological precursor such as androstenedione or androstenediol. Every year you will find new scams offered especially on the Internet and in body building magazines that promise to raise your testosterone with non-prescription supplements. Tribulus terrestis (puncture vine), Muira puama, zinc compounds, Tongkat ali, maca root, various herbal mixtures and other such garbage is being sold to gullible and uneducated people.
END QUOTE

As a side note, while I personally (as a non self-proclaimed TRT guru!) believe this to be correct, I also wonder if some of these herbal preparations don't have other enhancing modes of activity that would be beneficial to hypogonadal males who are on TRT and still experiencing certain related symptoms?

For example, is it possible that Maca or Muira Puama while shown to very clearly not raise testosterone or even to decrease estrogens (E2 or otherwise) might have other modes of action that enhance libido?

Some realistic (i.e., legitimate, controlled) research studies into that topic would be very interesting.

Larry

 

[stat1951]

Some very basic research (nothing extensive) revealed some of the problems with finding "legitimate" studies and then trying to decipher how well they were controlled, what they really meant, etc.

A search for studies done on Maca, for example, revealed the following:

http://www.rain-tree.com/maca.htm

QUOTE:
The first study reporting maca's effect on sexual function was published in 2000 (and performed by a marketer of maca) and described the beneficial effects of using maca in impotent mice and rats. Another, published a year later, indicated similar effects in male rats. Studies in 2001 reported a beneficial effect on male sperm production in rats and improvement of sperm count and motility in nine healthy adult men. In 2002 a study reported improved sexual performance in inexperienced male rats; another "self-perception on sexual desire" test in healthy men reported aphrodisiac or libido enhancement effects. In several of the rat and mice studies, the animals were administered up to 4 g per kg of body weight of a "concentrated maca extract" to achieve the reported results. This would (approximately) equate to a 300 g (10 oz.) dose for an average (170 lb.) man! None of these studies, however, indicated a possible mechanism of action - or related these observed effects to constituents or chemicals contained in maca root.
END QUOTE

This is actually a pretty interesting site for looking into herbal and / or plant compounds from that area.

This same organization reported this on muira puama:

http://www.rain-tree.com/muirapuama.htm

QUOTE:
In one of the early studies, researchers indicated that muira puama was effective in treating disorders of the nervous system and sexual impotence, and that "permanent effect is produced in locomotor ataxia, neuralgias of long standing, chronic rheumatism, and partial paralysis." In 1930, Meiro Penna wrote about muira puama in his book Notas Sobre Plantas Brasilerias. He cited physiological and therapeutic experiments conducted in France by Dr. Rebourgeon that confirmed the efficacy of the plant for "gastrointestinal and circulatory asthenia and impotency of the genital organs."... The benefits of treating impotence with muira puama have been studied in two human trials in France, which reported that muira puama was effective in improving libido and treating erectile dysfunction. In one French study among 262 male patients who experienced lack of sexual desire and the inability to attain or maintain an erection, 62% of the patients with loss of libido reported that the extract of muira puama "had a dynamic effect," and 51% of patients with erectile dysfunction felt that muira puama was beneficial. The second study evaluated positive psychological benefits of muira puama in 100 men with male sexual weakness. The therapeutic dosage was 1.5 g of a muira puama extract daily. In their final report, researchers indicated muira puama could "enhance libido [in 85% of test group], increase the frequency of intercourse [in 100%] and improve the ability to maintain an erection [in 90%]."...
END QUOTE

That sounds pretty interesting... but there's not much information on the specifics and particulars of the cited studies - and one gets the impression that they were studies involving simply subjective reporting were likely not placebo-controlled type studies. (I simply don't know as that information is not provided). Further more, one always has to be skeptical any time that vested commercial interests are involved - or personal agendas in play.

The bottom line - most likely - is simply that the really controlled studies that would need to be done on most of these "plant medicines" simply won't be done due to the cost factor and the fact that companies cannot afford to provide the testing as they have no product that they can then patent (as, I believe, natural products cannot be patented), so there is no incentive.

But before we dismiss herbal extracts, herbal compounds, and "plant medicines" outright I would point out that many plant medicines have been proven to be highly effective - for example recent major studies done in Germany under highly controlled conditions showed that St John's Wort was more effective than Paxil in treating "mild to moderate" depression (SJW has in fact been clinically tested numerous times)...

http://my.webmd.com/content/article/100/105807
http://www.thorne.com/altmedrev/fulltext/hyper3-1.html

But more importantly, as relates to TRT, the somewhat popular supplement DIM itself is a plant compound (though likely synthesized by some manufacturers?)...

QUOTE:
DIM (diindolylmethane) is a plant compound called an indole, and has been shown to help regulate and promote a more efficient metabolism of estrogen, and an optimal ratio of estrogen metabolites. DIM balances estrogen levels, promoting health and well-being. This powerful phytonutrient is found in broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and brussels sprouts... Studies show it works indirectly by increasing the activity of enzymes that control estrogen production. DIM boosts levels of "good" estrogens called 2-hydroxy estrogens and reduces levels of "bad" estrogens which are 16-hydroxy and 4-hydroxy estrones. Both forms of "bad" estrogen are carcinogens, and studies show that women with elevated levels of 16-hydroxy estrone have a high rate of breast cancer. Men can also benefit from DIM supplementation. There's evidence that benign prostate enlargement and some types of prostate cancer may be related to a buildup of estrogen in that gland, not testosterone. In overweight men because fat cells convert DHEA and testosterone to estrogen, DIM supplementation can be especially helpful.
END QUOTE

That of course brings up questions concerning other possibilities...

Avena Sativa Extract that contains Avenacosidas and Utica Dioca aka Stinging Nettles

I bring up these two of possible interest to the TRT community as there has been some reports that these compounds (one or both) might have an ability to inhibit SHBG levels and increase free testosterone - which is usually a good thing.

Larry