DAA Supplement Review, Benefits and Side Effects

DAA supplements are often used to increase testosterone production and to support athletic performance. DAA, or D-aspartic acid, is a non-essential amino acid involved in many of the body’s biochemical functions.

DAA supplements are used by many strength athletes to increase muscle gains during a bulking cycle. This supplement is also sometimes used to support sexual health, libido and mental and physical energy.

There have been few clinical trials focused on the effects of DAA supplementation as opposed to the amino acid’s natural role in the body. Nevertheless, many athletes use DAA in the hopes that it will increase their testosterone and help with both endurance and fertility.

Preliminary clinical tests indicate that DAA may increase testosterone levels in individuals with already low testosterone, but does not present much of an advantage for active and healthy men. DAA capsules and powder are generally well tolerated, but the side effects of long-term use at high dosages levels remain unknown.

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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DAA Supplements

DAA is a non-essential amino acid, involved in the synthesis of proteins and other functions in the human body.

Non-essential simply means the body can produce the necessary amino acid so it does not need to be consumed through food. This is as opposed to essential amino acids that cannot be produced by the human body and are essential to a proper diet.

This ‘non-essential’ amino acid is still very important in the maintenance of good health.

As is the case with the majority of amino acids, aspartic acid has two enantiomers. Enantiomers have the exact same chemical composition, but are structurally different.

In the case of enantiomers, the two forms are mirror images of one another. This structural difference means that enantiomers often play different functions in the human body.

In the case of aspartic acid, it has both an L and D form, which are identical in composition, but not structure. Based on their structural differences, L- and D-aspartic acid will bend light in a different direction; LAA bends light rays to the left while DAA bend them to the right.

Aspartic acid can present as a mixture of both enantiomers, called DL-Aspartic Acid. The combination of enantiomers is called a racemic mixture. As a bodybuilding supplement, D-Aspartic Acid is typically use and not L-Aspartic Acid. This is referred to as an “optically pure” supplement.

DAA Supplement Overview

DAA is derived from asparagine and was first isolated in 1827. Asparagine itself was first discovered in 1806 by decocting asparagus juice. Since its discovery, researchers discovered the following:

• DAA is not an essential part of the diet of mammals: DAA is synthesized by the body via oxaloacetate through transamination.
• DAA is also produced in the urea cycle from citrulline and ornithine.
• The precursors of aspartic acid include several other amino acids, such as: threonine, lysine, methionine and isoleucine.
• Aspartate is involved in inosine synthesis by contributing nitrogen atoms.
• In ATP (adenosine triphosphate) synthesis, aspartic acid serves as a hydrogen acceptor.
• DAA is an excitatory secondary neurotransmitter that is pervasive throughout the brain. The highest concentration of DAA is in the pineal and pituitary glands.

DAA Supplements for Testosterone

Low testosterone levels are quite common among men above the age of 40. In the United States testosterone replacement therapy is becoming increasingly common.

It is estimated that more than five percent of American males over the age of 40 regularly undergo testosterone replacement therapies.

These therapies usually come in the form of synthetic testosterone delivery via transdermal patches, mouth patches, gels, creams or injections.

Testosterone replacement therapy is becoming increasingly correlated with increased risk of cardiovascular disorders, including heart attack and stroke. Increased cardiovascular risks are only a small sub-set of the possible side effects of testosterone replacement therapy.

DAA supplementation is thought to increase testosterone production because of the natural role DAA plays in the human body. When this compound builds up in the anterior region of the pituitary gland, gonadotropin releasing hormones (gnRH) are released.

This, in turn, increases the synthesis of luteinizing hormone (LH) and various other hormones. LH travels to the Leydig cells in the testicles where it stimulates the production of testosterone.

In clinical studies, between two and three grams of DAA per day has been observed to increase testosterone levels between 50 and 100 percent in male subjects. This increase was observed without significant side effects.

However, most observed increases in testosterone were in males already suffering from low hormone levels. Less significant results have been observed in healthy, active men.

Additionally, DAA supplementation may lead to an increase in aromatase synthesis, which is discussed below. This enzyme can counteract observed gains in testosterone levels.

How DAA Supplements Increase Aromatase Production

Aromatase is an enzyme that transforms testosterone into estrogen. Increased estrogen production is not usually desired by those who supplement DAA for athletic performance and sexual enhancement.

Long-term DAA supplementation may result in increased aromatase synthesis, which can counteract any testosterone increases. Many people combine DAA supplements with aromatase inhibitors in the hopes of maintaining high testosterone levels.

There is also the risk that increased testosterone levels could result in a suppression of the production of this hormone. The body has a natural feedback loop to prevent excess levels of testosterone from accumulating.

When levels are increased synthetically, by the use of TRTs or other testosterone-boosting drugs, this can sometimes result in a reduction in the natural production of this hormone. For bodybuilders, sometimes a “Post-Cycle Therapy” regimen is needed to re-normalize testosterone levels.

There has not been any evidence suggesting that DAA does lead to suppression of testosterone levels with long-term use. However, this possibility still exists. For this reason, most users limit their intake of DAA supplements to a three week cycle, followed by at least one week of discontinued use.

Dietary Sources of D-Aspartic Acid

DAA is naturally synthesized by the body, which makes it a ‘non-essential’ amino acid. It is available in some foods, including: oysters, poultry, meats, cold cuts, some grains and cereals, fish, avocados, asparagus, sugarcane, molasses and beets.

DAA Supplement Side Effects

The long-term effects of DAA supplementation remain unknown. Few side effects have been noted during clinical studies. Reported side effects have included upset stomach, vomiting, diarrhea, irritation and/or nausea. These side effects were usually temporary and alleviated by dosage adjustments.

DAA is not known to interact with any prescription or over-the-counter medication. Research into the effects of DAA supplementation is limited; pregnant and/or nursing women should avoid supplementation because of insufficient safety evidence.

In all cases, be sure to speak with your doctor before taking DAA supplements.

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