Testosterone boosters are poorly regulated and typically contain unique combinations of minimally studied compounds.
This is likely why case reports (studies of individual patients) detailing adverse testosterone booster side effects, such as abdominal pain, blood clots, and liver conditions, are not uncommon.
What’s more, research published in the World Journal of Men’s Health shows that ingredients in commercially available testosterone boosters regularly exceed recommended daily allowance (RDA) guidelines, which can have negative health consequences, and sometimes exceed the “upper tolerable intake level” (above which, adverse side effects become significantly more likely).
Ironically, data from the same paper suggests that another potential side effect of taking testosterone boosters is decreased testosterone. This is because T boosters often contain ingredients that have little scientific support.
For instance, some T boosters include ingredients such as apigenin, astragalus, and vitamin B6, all of which have been shown to lower T.
However, if you have healthy testosterone levels, taking a testosterone booster supplement probably won’t increase your T further and most certainly won’t have effects akin to anabolic steroids.
For most people, the best way to ensure your testosterone levels are healthy is to stay lean, lift weights, manage stress, eat a healthy diet (and take a multivitamin), and maintain good sleep hygiene.
And if you want an exercise and diet program that’ll take care of most of these points, check out my fitness books for men and women, Bigger Leaner Stronger and Thinner Leaner Stronger.
(If you aren’t sure if Bigger Leaner Stronger or Thinner Leaner Stronger is right for you or if another strength training and diet program might be a better fit for your circumstances and goals, take Legion Strength Training Quiz and the Legion Diet Quiz, and in just a couple of minutes, you’ll know the perfect strength training and diet plan for you.)
If someone positively reviews a testosterone booster because it helped them increase their previously low T levels, you may be able to trust the review. Just don’t forget that no one is fully immune from the placebo effect, and this likely influenced their results.
If they say taking a testosterone booster increased their T similarly to steroids, it’s probably unreliable.
Testosterone boosters that work by acting on enzymes throughout the body, like fenugreek, are more viable options for women.
Supplements sold as testosterone boosters differ from anabolic steroids because they don’t raise T to unnaturally high levels and aren’t illegal.
That said, the most common ingredients included in testosterone boosters are generally safe and well-tolerated.
We know less about the safety profile of the more obscure ingredients often found in T boosters. Furthermore, many manufacturers include excessively high doses of some ingredients, which may cause unwanted side effects.
If you already have healthy testosterone levels, taking a testosterone booster is unlikely to make a noticeable difference to your body composition.
If you do all of this and still have low testosterone, taking ashwagandha, fenugreek, or zinc may help.
This is likely why case reports (studies of individual patients) detailing adverse testosterone booster side effects, such as abdominal pain, blood clots, and liver conditions, are not uncommon.
What’s more, research published in the World Journal of Men’s Health shows that ingredients in commercially available testosterone boosters regularly exceed recommended daily allowance (RDA) guidelines, which can have negative health consequences, and sometimes exceed the “upper tolerable intake level” (above which, adverse side effects become significantly more likely).
Ironically, data from the same paper suggests that another potential side effect of taking testosterone boosters is decreased testosterone. This is because T boosters often contain ingredients that have little scientific support.
For instance, some T boosters include ingredients such as apigenin, astragalus, and vitamin B6, all of which have been shown to lower T.
Should You Take Testosterone Booster Supplements?
If you have low testosterone, a supplement containing a clinically effective dose of ashwagandha, fenugreek, or zinc may increase your T to healthy levels.However, if you have healthy testosterone levels, taking a testosterone booster supplement probably won’t increase your T further and most certainly won’t have effects akin to anabolic steroids.
For most people, the best way to ensure your testosterone levels are healthy is to stay lean, lift weights, manage stress, eat a healthy diet (and take a multivitamin), and maintain good sleep hygiene.
And if you want an exercise and diet program that’ll take care of most of these points, check out my fitness books for men and women, Bigger Leaner Stronger and Thinner Leaner Stronger.
(If you aren’t sure if Bigger Leaner Stronger or Thinner Leaner Stronger is right for you or if another strength training and diet program might be a better fit for your circumstances and goals, take Legion Strength Training Quiz and the Legion Diet Quiz, and in just a couple of minutes, you’ll know the perfect strength training and diet plan for you.)
FAQ #1: What is the best testosterone booster for men?
Here are the best ways for most men to boost testosterone:- Lift weights: People who exercise regularly have higher testosterone levels. This is even true in elderly and obese people.
- Eat a healthy diet: Eat a high-carb diet with plenty of healthy fats. (And if you’d like specific advice about what diet to follow to reach your fitness goals, take the Legion Diet Quiz.)
- Minimize stress: Increased cortisol leads to reduced testosterone.
- Take a multivitamin supplement: Vitamin and nutrient deficiencies can negatively affect testosterone levels. If you want a multivitamin that contains clinically effective doses of 31 ingredients (including ashwagandha and zinc) designed to enhance your health and mood and reduce stress, fatigue, and anxiety, try Triumph. (And if you’d like more specific advice about what supplements to take to reach your fitness goals, take the Legion Supplement Finder Quiz.)
- Take a DHEA supplement: Studies show that DHEA increases testosterone production in older men and estrogen production in older women. If you want a wellness supplement that contains a clinically effective dose of DHEA as well as three other ingredients designed to make you feel fitter, livelier, and calmer, try Vitality.
- Get plenty of sleep: Sleep deficiency correlates with low testosterone.
FAQ #2: Should I trust testosterone booster reviews?
Maybe.If someone positively reviews a testosterone booster because it helped them increase their previously low T levels, you may be able to trust the review. Just don’t forget that no one is fully immune from the placebo effect, and this likely influenced their results.
If they say taking a testosterone booster increased their T similarly to steroids, it’s probably unreliable.
FAQ #3: Can women take testosterone boosters?
Women can take testosterone boosters but need to be aware that some only work because they affect the testes. Without testes, these supplements won’t work the same in women as in men.Testosterone boosters that work by acting on enzymes throughout the body, like fenugreek, are more viable options for women.
FAQ #4: Are testosterone boosters steroids?
No.Supplements sold as testosterone boosters differ from anabolic steroids because they don’t raise T to unnaturally high levels and aren’t illegal.
FAQ #5: Are testosterone boosters safe?
It’s impossible to comment on the safety of testosterone boosters as a whole since every product contains different ingredients at varying doses.That said, the most common ingredients included in testosterone boosters are generally safe and well-tolerated.
We know less about the safety profile of the more obscure ingredients often found in T boosters. Furthermore, many manufacturers include excessively high doses of some ingredients, which may cause unwanted side effects.
FAQ #6: Do testosterone boosters work for muscle gain?
If you have low testosterone and use a testosterone booster to increase your T to a healthy level, yes.If you already have healthy testosterone levels, taking a testosterone booster is unlikely to make a noticeable difference to your body composition.
FAQ #7: What’s the best natural testosterone booster?
The best way to naturally boost your testosterone is to stay lean, lift weights, manage stress, eat a healthy diet (and take a multivitamin), and maintain good sleep hygiene.If you do all of this and still have low testosterone, taking ashwagandha, fenugreek, or zinc may help.
