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The effect of testosterone on the body of a physically active person
Testosterone is considered one of the strongest, naturally secreted in our body steroid hormones with anabolic-androgenic effects. Its biological effects include promoting the improvement of muscle strength and the growth of muscle mass by stimulating protein synthesis (anabolic effect) and inhibiting their degradation (anti-catabolic effect). In addition, testosterone circulating in the bloodstream increases the concentration of other hormones with anabolic effects, and also directly affects androgen receptors and satellite cells of skeletal muscles, resulting in a wide range of processes contributing to protein synthesis and increasing the size of muscle tissue. Testosterone is therefore an important modulator of muscle mass and strength in both men and women, however, it is not fully known at present whether an increase in its concentration within the range of physiological values (in men total testosterone: 260 - 1000 ng/dl, and free testosterone: 50 - 210 ng/l) is equivalent to improved strength and muscle hypertrophy.
Supplements that increase testosterone levels
Due to the fact that testosterone delivered exogenously, via intramuscular injection, results in a significant increase in strength and muscle mass, a large group of strength-training individuals are looking for a safer alternative, which potentially includes dietary supplements that increase testosterone levels in the body. Among the active substances commonly found in such preparations, we can distinguish:
- D-aspartic acid (D-AA),
- Zinc,
- Magnesium,
- Vitamin B6 ,
- Ginseng extract,
- Vitamin D,
- Tribulus Terrestris (Tribulus Terrestris),
- Ashwagandha Extract (Withania somnifera),
- Fenugreek extract,
- Maca root extract,
- Saw Palmetto Extract.
D-aspartic acid (D-AA)
D-aspartic acid is an amino acid naturally synthesized in our body, which plays an important role in the neuroendocrine system, as well as in the development of the nervous system. It is believed that by influencing the growth of StAR, i.e. acute steroid regulation protein, D-AA can indirectly increase testosterone levels in the body. In one study involving healthy, untrained men aged 27-37 with initially low testosterone levels, a beneficial effect of D-AA supplementation on LH (luteinizing hormone) and testosterone levels was observed in as many as 87% of study participants. In turn, in previously published studies involving physically active people with initially higher testosterone levels, no significant increase in total and free testosterone levels was noted as a result of taking D-AA. The results of the cited studies suggest that the benefits of D-aspartic acid supplementation in terms of increasing testosterone levels may primarily be achieved by people who are not physically active on a daily basis, in particular do not train strength.
The next part of the article on testosterone-boosting supplements can be found here: https://www.activlab.pl/pl/blog/Produkty-podnoszace-testosteron-czesc-II/889
Literature:
- Vingren JL, Kraemer WJ, Ratamess NA, et al.: Testosterone physiology in resistance exercise and training: the up-stream regulatory elements. SportsMed. 2010 Dec 1;40(12):1037-53. doi: 10.2165/11536910-000000000-00000.
- Melville GW, Siegler JC, Marshall PW: Three and six grams supplementation of d-aspartic acid in resistance trained men. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2015 Apr 1;12:15. doi: 10.1186/s12970-015-0078-7.
- https://www.mp.pl/ (current standards for free and total testosterone).
- Kovac JR, Pan M., Arent S. et al.: Dietary Adjuncts for Improving Testosterone Levels in Hypogonadal Males. Am J Mens Health. 2016 Nov;10(6):NP109-NP117. doi: 10.1177/1557988315598554.
- Kerksick CM, Wilborn CD, Roberts MD, et al.: ISSN exercise & sports nutrition review update: research & recommendations. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2018 Aug 1;15(1):38. doi: 10.1186/s12970-018-0242-y.
- Topo E., Soricelli A., D'Aniello 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;7:120. doi: 1186/1477-7827-7-120.
- Willoughby DS, Leutholtz B.: D-aspartic acid supplementation combined with 28 days of heavy resistance training has no effect on body composition, muscle strength, and serum hormones associated with the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis in resistance-trained men. Nutr Res. 2013;33(10):803-10. doi: 10.1016/j.nutres.2013.07.010.
Mateusz Durbas
Clinical and sports dietitian, author of numerous articles on nutrition and supplementation.
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