Bodybuilders and other athletes who train for strength use Mucuna pruriens (Velvet Bean) to naturally boost testosterone, elevate human growth hormone levels and improve lipid profiles.
For more than 3,000 years, M. pruriens has been utilized as a natural medicine in the ayurvedic tradition.
Today, western doctors have also realized its therapeutic potentials, using it primarily as an herbal treatment for Parkinson’s disease.
Clinical research on Dopa Mucuna for bodybuilding also points to benefits for reversing male infertility, treating erectile dysfunction, increasing libido and improving energy and mood.
Research also has investigated the effectiveness of Dopa Mucuna for treating snake bites, killing parasitic worms, balancing pituitary hormones, reducing free radical cellular damage, restoring healthy skin and more.
Not enough large human-based studies have been conducted yet to discern the complete preventive/healing capacities of M. pruriens.
However, there is evidence of its beneficial properties for bodybuilders, athletes and weight lifters. What is the best way to use Mucuna Pruriens for muscle building and fitness?
Mood
Nootropic
Body -building- Elevates dopamine & norepinephrine
- Boosts mood, focus & motivation
- Improves stress response & libido
Dopa Mucuna for Bodybuilding
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High levels of testosterone are beneficial in bodybuilding.
This sex hormone accommodates strong bone development and increases in muscle mass and power output.
Supplementing with Dopa Mucuna for bodybuilding seems to increase testosterone levels naturally.
This is because Mucuna Pruriens increases dopamine levels which supresses prolactin production.
Prolactin is a lactation and breast development hormone that causes some men to develop gynecomastia, androgenic alopecia and erectile dysfunction symptoms. When prolactin levels are unnaturally high, testosterone synthesis and secretion is hindered.
One way to bring prolactin levels into control is by increasing their natural antagonist: dopamine.
Increasing Testosterone Levels
Mucuna pruriens seems to be effective at increasing testosterone levels in clinical trials because it contains high amounts of levodopamine. Levodopamine (also called levodopa or L-dopa) is the precursor to dopamine; one of the pituitary hormones.
By increasing the supplies of L-dopa, dopamine synthesis is upregulated. More dopamine means more antagonizing of prolactin. As a result, suppressing prolactin encourages increased testosterone secretion.
Increasing testosterone naturally in this manner eliminates various possible side effects that are associated with TRTs (testosterone replacement therapies). TRTs have been associated with a variety of side effects including prostate/testicular cancers, stroke, coma, vision loss, agression and various others.
Many testosterone boosters can also result in a suppression of natural testosterone production. Using Dopa Bean Mucuna supplements for bodybuilding, instead of administering synthetic testosterone replacement agents, may offer therapeutic advantages concerning safety and efficacy of treatments.
Top Mucuna Pruriens Supplements
Dopa Mucuna Pruriens for Increasing HGH
Like testosterone, human growth hormone (HGH) is of particular interest to bodybuilders. Besides also helping to synthesize new muscle and bone tissues, it improves mitochondrial energy production, improves sleeping patterns, decreases fat mass, increases lean mass and also strengthens libido.
Supplementing L-dopa seems to upregulate HGH production, especially when used in conjunction with Chlorophytum borivilianum. Particularly in athletically trained men, stacking Chlorophytum borivilianum and Mucuna pruriens seems to significantly increase levels of serum growth hormone.
After ingesting oral supplements, subjects show peak HGH increases roughly sixty minutes later. Additionally, this stacking combination seems to enhance spermatogenic variables including sperm quantity and erectogenesis.
Dopa Bean for Improving Fat Metabolism
Administration of L-Dopa from Velvet Bean for bodybuilding also seems to promote weight loss and improve body fat composition. In studies, it has been shown to induce antidiabetic actions and to generally improve lipid profiles.
Murine tests show strong improvements in glucose absorption via velvet bean extract supplementation.
Also, the metabolism of both proteins and fats is made more efficient. By better handling fatty acid deposits and improving overall lipid profiles, various cardiovascular health markers are improved.
Velvet bean extract supplementation may also reduce the risks of developing various conditions and diseases associated with being overweight and/or obese.
- Elevates levels of dopamine and norepinephrine
- Boosts mood, focus, energy and motivation
- Improves stress response, libido and fertility
Mucuna’s Anti-Aging Effects
Bodybuilders strive to age gracefully, and to maintain muscle mass ratios and overall health, longer than their peers. Taking Mucuna extracts for bodybuilding may help to prevent signs of premature aging, and the onset of disease, by increasing the antioxidant capacities of blood plasma.
Mucuna pruriens contains numerous phytonutrients, some of which are known to be potent antioxidants. Velvet bean extracts are known to be effective ROS (reactive oxygen species) scavengers.
Also, they are believed to slow down lipid peroxidation, thereby further reducing oxidative stress within the body. M. pruriens may help to maintain more youthful levels of muscle mass, hair pigmentation, hair volume, sex drive, stamina and more.
Dopa Mucuna Conclusions
Velvet bean extracts are popular supplements for bodybuilders because they are shown to naturally and safely increase testosterone levels.
They are also known to upregulate the secretion of HGH, dopamine, adrenaline, noradrenaline and other hormones. Supplementation with Dopa Mucuna Pruriens may improve the metabolism of fats, help to maintain healthy weight levels and enhance cardiovascular health.
No firm determinations have been made by the FDA concerning the full therapeutic values of velvet bean extracts. Because of the concentrated L-dopa content, Mucuna pruriens may interact negatively with various dopaminergic substances.
Certain foods and medicines should not be taken in conjunction with M. pruriens supplements. Talk with your doctor beforehand about supplementing L-Dopa or Mucuna pills for bodybuilding purposes.
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