Tongkat Ali and Testosterone: Boosting Low Levels in Men

Preliminary evidence suggests Tongkat Ali can help increase testosterone levels.

Tongkat Ali is the traditional name for a supplement derived from Eurycoma longifolia, a shrub indigenous to Southeast Asia.

In Malaysia E. longifolia is highly prized. There the shrub is classified as a protected species to ensure that wild populations survive, and domestic populations are now cultivated. The roots and bark of the plant are harvested to produce the dietary supplement Tongkat Ali.

Although Tongkat Ali is considered a dietary supplement in the West, it is an important medical herb in many areas of Southeast Asia. It has been used by indigenous populations for centuries for its anti-microbial, anti-malarial and aphrodisiac properties.

Today, Tongkat Ali is commonly used for erectile dysfunction, sexual dysfunction, infertility and low libido. It is hypothesized that the effects can be attributed to the supplement’s ability to elevate testosterone levels.

In scientific studies Tongkat Ali has been observed to increase testosterone levels in both rats and humans, but further study is needed to verify these observations and identify the underlying mechanism. Tongkat Ali root extract is also being investigated for its capacities to treat a wide range of health conditions and diseases.

Tongkat Ali

Herbal Supplement

Aphro- disiac

Testo- sterone

Muscle Mass

How It Works:

• Aphrodisiac & male sexual enhancer
• Increases testosterone & sperm motility
• Improves muscle mass, strength & mood

Dosage:

Between 100 - 1000 mg per day

Safety:

Rated Possibly Safe

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Tongkat Ali and Testosterone

In research studies, Tongkat Ali has been observed to naturally raise low testosterone levels.

In a small study of men suffering from late-onset hypogonadism (a condition characterised by low or absent testosterone production) researchers observed that daily administration of a Tongkat Ali water extract increased testosterone levels and decreased symptoms of low testosterone after a month of use.

A number of pharmaceuticals designed to treat low testosterone are available by prescription. These drugs may produce a number of side effects and cause suppression of natural testosterone production.

Natural supplements, such as Tongkat Ali, are sometimes favored for their lower purported risk of side effects. When testosterone creams and other treatments are administered, the body may start to reduce its natural testosterone production.

In addition, prescription and over-the-counter testosterone treatments may lead to excessively high testosterone levels, which also come with a number of unwanted side effects. When there is an excessive surplus of testosterone in the body, it can be converted to estrogen and cause problems such as gynecomastia.

How Does Tongkat Ali Work?

Eurycoma longifolia or Tongkat Ali is used by many as an alternative to commercial testosterone boosters and is often favored because it is thought to also help increase libido and muscle production, as well as reduce body fat.

As a testosterone booster, it stimulates the natural production of the male sex hormone while also inhibiting the negative feedback loop that occurs when peak testosterone levels are detected in the body.

Our bodies are naturally programmed to regulate testosterone production to prevent levels from getting too high. However, in some men this regulatory function may be impaired and cause levels to decline, resulting in symptoms associated with Low Testosterone.

Tongkat Ali has been shown to block signals in the body that would otherwise cause testosterone production to decline. This result is particularly noticeable in men with naturally low testosterone levels as well as males combating moderate stress. The effect may not be as apparent in men who already have normal or high levels of this sex hormone.

Research Studies on Tongkat Ali for Testosterone Levels

There have been a number of research studies examining the effects of Tongkat Ali on testosterone production in both humans and animals. In one double-blind placebo controlled study, 109 men were given either 300 mg of Tongkat Ali root extract or a placebo for six months.

The men given the Tongkat Ali extract saw a 44% increase in semen motility and an 18% increase in semen volume. The test group also scored better in an Erectile Function questionnaire and experienced significant improvements in libido compared to the group given a placebo.

In another study, 62 men who reported moderate stress levels were given a hot water standardized extract of Tongkat Ali or a placebo for four weeks. Those given the extract experienced a 37% increase in testosterone levels, a 16% decrease in cortisol levels, 15% reduction in confusion, 12% reduction in self-reported anger and an 11% decrease in tension.

More research is warranted to examine the effects in non-stressed males.

Another study with 76 subjects diagnosed with low testosterone (late onset hypogonadism) used a trial dosage of 200 mg of Tongkat Ali extract. After one week, the test subjects exhibited a 46% increase in testosterone, causing almost all of the participants to fall back into the normal healthy range of testosterone levels.

This result is very promising, however this study did not include a control group given a placebo.

Other studies have shown that Tongkat Ali has an anti-estrogenic effect, meaning that it may block or inhibit the conversion of testosterone into estrogen. In one in vitro (lab based) study, it was found to be even more effect than the drug Tamoxifen as an estrogen blocker. This result needs to be further examined using in vivo studies to validate the findings.

Tongkat Ali and Sexual Dysfunction

In Malaysia, Eurycoma longifolia is a highly respected species. Its significance to Malaysian culture goes back centuries: it has played an important medicinal role and is still commonly used as an aphrodisiac and to help improve fertility in both men and women. Contemporary research seems to be verifying this use.

In one study, an ethanol extract of E. longifolia was observed to increase testosterone levels in rats. In animal tests, components of the supplement have also been observed to increase sperm quality and quantity and improve sexual performance. Tongkat Ali is also used by women and is claimed to boost sexual desire and tactile sensitivity.

More Tongkat Ali Benefits for Men

Tongkat Ali is also used to improve mental clarity, increase energy and support athletic endurance. Its popularity as a supplement for athletes is growing, yet preliminary tests into the athletic effects of Tongkat Ali have been, at times, contradictory.

It is still being investigated for its capacity to enhance performance, increase muscle size and stamina and to ward off symptoms of fatigue.

E. longifolia has been observed to stimulate the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the body’s main source of energy for cellular metabolism. Fatigue is partly a consequence of using most bioavailable ATP, especially during periods of intense physical activity.

Similar to Tongkat Ali’s testosterone-enhancing properties, in preliminary study the supplement was correlated with increased human growth hormone (hGH) levels. Human growth hormone is an androgenic hormone that plays an important role in regulating the aging process.

This may partly explain Tongkat Ali’s rumored ability to help retain youthfulness in men and women.

In general, hGH and other growth and repair hormones decrease significantly with age. It is estimated that a person at the age of 60 will have approximately one-fifth as much hGH as a 20 year old. Eurycoma longifolia may help combat age-associated decreases in hGH and testosterone.

Tongkat Ali has also been observed to increase high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. HDL is the “good” type of cholesterol that is known to escort LDL (“bad”) cholesterol back to the liver for expulsion from the body. HDL helps prevent the buildup of plaque in the arteries.

HDL is also a known indicator of overall cardiovascular health, and therefore very important for athletes to consider.

Safety of Tongkat Ali for Testosterone Enhancement

If taken appropriately, Tongkat Ali is generally well tolerated by humans. Reported side effects include anxiety, irritability and insomnia. These side effects may be mitigated by reducing your dosage. Additionally, some find it preferable to take Tongkat Ali in the morning to help avoid sleep disturbances.

Some groups are not well suited for supplementation. For instance, pregnant and nursing women should not take Tongkat Ali, even occasionally. Be sure to speak with your doctor before taking Tongkat Ali to support testosterone production.

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