So the question is this …. Are natural test boosters legit? Do they work? Or are they all hype?
In a nutshell, many … MOST actually … are all hype with no science to back up their claims. So buyer beware when you go to GNC and hear wonderful things about T-Bomb, High T, SuperTest, etc.
Bummer, huh!!
Well, hold on for a second, because there is one natural test boosting supplement worth a longer look – D-Aspartic Acid.
D-Aspartic Acid is a newer supplement on the market with some very promising benefits. D-Aspartic Acid is an amino acid that has been shown in multiple studies to raise testosterone in humans! That’s right, DAA has shown increased natural test production not only in animal participants (like other test products on the market), but in real human beings (which is most of us LOL!!!). This is pretty encouraging. You might be amazed to hear that a lot of the herbs and supplements that are passed off as test boosters have little to no scientific research to back up their claims. One that looks to be the real deal is D-Aspartic Acid.
Also quite nice is that DAA is pretty cheap. So yes, we are talking EFFECTIVE AND CHEAP! It’s much like Creatine monohydrate — effective and cheap! Supplement companies don’t like that combo, so they are always looking for ways to make it NOT cheap (usually marketing their own “proprietary formulation” of it). But the beauty of DAA is it’s a simple amino acid that might bump your natural testosterone up without emptying your wallet.
D-Aspartic Acid
What is D-Aspartic Acid?
D-Aspartic Acid (DAA) is the newest natural testosterone booster on the market. DAA is the D-form of the amino acid aspartic acid. The body can produce DAA from the nonessential amino acid L-aspartic acid (the dietary form of aspartic acid). D-form amino acids, such as DAA, are found in higher concentrations in specific tissues in the body. For example, higher concentrations of DAA are found in the testes, pituitary gland, and hypothalamus (D’Aniello & Di Fiore 2000) all of which are areas involved in hormone production.
What Does D-Aspartic Acid Do?
One big difference between DAA and other natural testosterone boosters is that there is actually scientific data in HUMANS showing it to effectively increase testosterone levels. A study by Topo et al. showed that supplementing with 3 grams of DAA increased circulating luteinizing hormone (LH) levels by 33% and testosterone levels by 42% in men aged 27-37 years old (Topo & Soricelli 2009). Note that this increase in testosterone was in healthy men with normal testosterone function, not rats or hypogonadal men! Note also that the increase in testosterone by 42% was after only 12 days of supplementation and testosterone levels returned to baseline three days after stopping DAA.
Due to DAA’s action at the pituitary gland it should also increase growth hormone (GH) levels, though studies have not yet measured DAA’s impact on GH levels. Studies have not yet been done in women, but there is one study done in female lizards that showed DAA supplementation to have no effect on testosterone levels but it did increase estrogen levels (Assisi & Botte 2001). Therefore at this time it appears only men should supplement with DAA.
Further studies need to be done to examine DAA’s affects on estrogen and prolactin levels, but at this time there are no side effects reported with DAA use. DAA is a natural amino acid found in our food supply and produced by the body making it a great tool to naturally increase healthy males testosterone production.
Recommended Dosage
The dosage used in the study showing DAA to increase testosterone levels was 3 grams taken in the morning. However, a five day loading phase of 3g morning and 3g evening would be recommended.
References:
D’Aniello A, Di Fiore MM, et al. Occurrence of D-aspartic acid and N-methyl-D-aspartic acid in rat neuroendocrine tissues and their role in the modulation of luteinizing hormone and growth hormone release. FASEB J, 2000 Apr;14(5):699-714.
Topo E, Soricelli A, et al. The role and molecular mechanism of D-aspartic acid in the release and synthesis of LH and testosterone in humans and rats. Reprod Biol Endocrinol, 2009 Oct 27;7:120.
Assisi L, Botte V, et al. Enhancement of aromatase activity by D-aspartic acid in the ovary of the lizard Podarcis s. sicula. Reproduction, 2001 M
(*Resource and information provided from http://www.primaforce.com/products/daa.htm and Scivation/Primaforce)
Using D-Aspartic Acid (DAA)
What you see is that in only 12 days of supplementing with D-Aspartic Acid testosterone levels were raised on average by 42%. That is a considerable increase. Now don’t get any ideas, these are aren’t superhuman levels. For someone who may be getting a little older though, it is a considerable gain. If you know you are naturally lower in the healthy range of testosterone levels, it is a considerable gain. You will find various recommendations on how to dose D-Aspartic Acid. The most common I have seen is, 3g in the morning on an empty stomach. Most recommend cycling for 4 – 6 weeks and then being off for an equal amount of time.
D-Aspartic Acid is very bitter, so be prepared! I must mix it with a few ounces of water and guzzle it down. Don’t try mixing it with a shake or anything or it’ll ruin the taste of the whole shake!
Test Boosters and what to expect.
Now what you should expect isn’t really known. Below is linked a video log from Dr. Layne Norton. I started following his work a while ago and have been really impressed with his knowledge and process. Layne is a pro natural bodybuilder and powerlifter. More importantly, he has is PhD in nutritional science specializing in protein synthesis. What Layne points out, and I think some people miss it, is that there really isn’t data to show what effect physiological increases in testosterone has. Now super-physiological increases (i.e. steroids) obviously have an effect and are super anabolic. So what you may experience on a test booster can vary.
In this video, you will hear about some other common test “boosting” supplements as well. Jump to 2:08 if you want to go right to the discussion on test boosting supplements.
My experience with DAA=
There have been teamRIPPED members that have used DAA and do report positive effects. Improved mood, strength, and energy are the most common (and also align with a higher level of testosterone).
I used it for a 6-week cycle during the fall while doing Body Beast and experienced improvements in strength, energy, and libido. So I’d say it probably bumped up my natural test levels, although I never had blood work done to check. I was already 225 and 6% body fat at the time, so I didn’t experience any major physical changes (which I wouldn’t expect since I feel I am at or near my natural “peak” for body composition without resorting to artificial means). But since I am 39 years old, and test levels are dropping every year, it’s a nice way to naturally fight the aging process for us guys in our 30’s and beyond. I will continue to use it in cycles, much like I do creatine. I encourage all of you to make your own decision on whether or not this (or ANY) product is right for you.
Should I worry about a test booster like D-Aspartic Acid?
D-Aspartic Acid would not be on my MUST HAVE supplements list. But out of all the natural test boosters, it does have the most credible and relevant research to back it up. When you get blood work done for your physical, you can request a panel on your testosterone levels. The normal range for a healthy male is quite large. So if you find yourself on the lower end of that range, DAA might be a good supplement to look into. Talk about it with your doctor and see.
Sources for D-Aspartic Acid
Primaforce: http://www.primaforce.com/products/daa.htm or through Bodybuilding.com
MuscleFeast.com: currently out of stock, should be back in soon.
Need a coach?
My email: coachwayne@teamripped.com
IG: @wayne_wyatt
