D-Aspartic Acid Review & User Experiences for Bodybuilding

D-aspartic acid (DAA) reviews by users suggest that this supplement may have benefits for workout recovery, muscle building, sex drive and male health.

Despite the large amount of anecdotal evidence for effectiveness, there is limited human research available on DAA effects.

The majority of existing research has focused on DAA’s natural role in the human body and not the effects of oral supplementation.

Today, many supplement with DAA to support testosterone levels and athletic performance, but scientific review does not definitively support these uses. In some studies, DAA supplementation has led to increased testosterone levels, but not in all cases.

Reviews of DAA suggest that this supplement should be used for short-term cycles as opposed to continuous use. While it is generally well tolerated with low frequency of side effects, some user reviews cite an increase aggression, oily skin and other negative effects linked to increased testosterone levels.

D-Aspartic Acid

Amino Acid

Testo -sterone

Libido

Athletics

How It Works:

• Shown to increase testosterone production
• Supports athletic performance, fat loss & strength
• Boosts sexual health & libido

Dosage:

Between 4 - 8 g per day

Safety:

Generally Well Tolerated

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D-Aspartic Acid Review

DAA is a non-essential amino acid, meaning it is synthesized by the human body and does not need to be consumed from external sources. In contrast, essential amino acids cannot by synthesized by the body and need to be consumed through food.

It only became available on the supplement market in the mid-1990s. Since then, it has been adopted by many bodybuilders as a steroid-free alternative for bulking cycles. This supplement is also used to support sexual performance, erectile function, libido and fertility.

Review of DAA and Testosterone

In clinical studies DAA has been observed to increase testosterone levels in some groups of men. In a 30-day trial, individuals receiving DAA supplementation experienced between a 50 and 100 percent increase in free testosterone.

This is attributed to DAA’s capacity to increase the synthesis the StAR (steroidogenic acute regulatory) protein. DAA triggers a series of biochemical events that eventually lead to the production of testosterone.

DAA accumulations in the anterior pituitary gland stimulate the production of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH). This, is turn, increases the synthesis of StAR protein chains. The StAR enzyme causes the hypothalamus to release luteinizing hormone (LH).

Finally LH induces the increased synthesis of other hormones, including human growth hormone (hGH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and prolactin, which are all necessary for testosterone production.

Despite the recognized role of DAA in the natural synthesis of testosterone, it is unclear whether this supplement can improve levels of testosterone when administered orally.

Testosterone increases were not observed across all groups. There is evidence that DAA supplementation has little effect on resistance-trained, healthy males, but it may help increase testosterone synthesis is sedentary males.

In athletic, healthy men, this supplement may cause a temporary increase in testosterone levels. However, levels may return to baseline quickly after the discontinuation of the supplement. This may be due to the body’s natural feedback loop for regulating testosterone.

D-Aspartic Acid and Aromatase Synthesis

User reviews of D-Aspartic Acid express concern with regular use of this supplement. For this reason, it is typically cycled on and off over the course of a month.

Some evidence suggests that long-term use of DAA may increase levels of an enzyme called aromatase. As men age, they produce less testosterone and more aromatase, an enzyme that converts testosterone into estrogen.

A chronic overabundance of DAA has been observed to increase aromatase production. Testosterone-to-estrogen conversion may increase in proportion to the levels of this enzyme.

Increases in estrogen levels in men can lead to unwanted side effects, including changes in mood, fat composition, and gynecomastia (the formation of male breast tissue). Some bodybuilders use an aromatase inhibitor in the hopes of staving off such effects.

D-Aspartic Acid Doses

The majority of clinical trials have used between two and three grams of DAA per day. Few side effects were reported at these doses. When side effects did occur they were usually temporary.

The optimal DAA dose for a given individual will depend on his or her current state of health, age, sex, diet, hydration, physical activity levels and more. Currently, there are no DAA dosing guidelines from an independent third party, such as the United States Food and Drug Administration.

DAA and Low Testosterone

DAA reviews show that this supplement is occasionally used to prevent the natural decline in testosterone levels that occurs in men as we age. D-Aspartic Acid levels have also been shown to drop in older men.

Increasing intake of DAA from external sources may counteract this natural decline and has been purported to combat signs of aging.

According to the Huffington Post, nearly five percent of American males over the age of 40 use at least one form of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). Some of the side effects of TRT have some looking for alternatives. TRT side effects may include:

• Priapism (erections that will not subside);
• Liver damage;
• Enlarged prostate;
• Aggressive behavior;
• Gynecomastia and alopecia;
• Rashes and/or acne.

D-Aspartic Acid Safety Review

DAA is thought to be well tolerated because it is naturally produced by the human body. However, there is limited scientific study on the side effects of supplementation. Reported side effects include nausea, vomiting, headaches, diarrhea and irritability.

D-aspartic acid may also cause increased synthesis of an enzyme called aromatase. Aromatase changes testosterone into estrogen, and may result in the development of several female traits, characterized by gynecomastia (male breast growth), androgenic alopecia (hair loss) and other undesirable side effects.

To prevent this from occurring, it is recommended to limit DAA use to a maximum of three weeks at a time.

There are currently no known drug contraindications for DAA supplementation. Pregnant or nursing women should not supplement with DAA because there is not enough evidence to support its safety.

Despite the large number of positive D-Aspartic acid reviews shared online, there is still relatively little clinical research available on the effects of DAA supplementation.

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