Anacyclus pyrethrum Extract (Root) (5:1)
Anacyclus pyrethrum extract, standardized to a 5:1 ratio, is a potent herbal extract traditionally used in Ayurvedic and Unani medicine for its adaptogenic and aphrodisiac properties. This root extract contains bioactive compounds such as alkylamides and saponins, which have been shown to stimulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, leading to increased testosterone production. Elevated testosterone levels are associated with enhanced libido, improved physical performance, and greater muscle strength. Additionally, Anacyclus pyrethrum extract exhibits neuroprotective and antioxidant properties, supporting cognitive function and reducing oxidative stress. Research also highlights its potential to modulate energy metabolism and improve endurance, making it a valuable ingredient for vitality and physical resilience. A study by Sharma et al. (2011) demonstrated that Anacyclus pyrethrum root extract significantly increased serum testosterone levels in male rats, alongside improvements in sexual behavior and spermatogenesis. The study attributed these effects to the extract’s alkylamide content, which stimulates luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion, thereby enhancing testicular testosterone synthesis. With its multifaceted benefits, Anacyclus pyrethrum extract (5:1) is gaining recognition as a natural solution for boosting hormonal health, physical performance, and overall well-being.
Fenugreek Extract (Trigonella foenum-graecum) (Seed) (50% Saponins)
Fenugreek extract (Trigonella foenum-graecum) is a fragrant herb commonly found native to southern Europe, the Mediterranean, and Western Asia. Commonly used as a spice in cuisine, it has unique benefits that span blood sugar lowering, cholesterol support, and improvements in sexual health. Standardized to 50% saponins, these bioactive compounds offer influence for endocrine and metabolic pathways to provide their benefits. Clinical studies have demonstrated that fenugreek extract can support healthy testosterone levels by stimulating luteinizing hormone (LH) production and reducing the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This hormonal support is associated with improvements in strength, muscle mass, libido, and overall vitality. Additionally, fenugreek's saponins have been shown to improve glucose metabolism by enhancing insulin sensitivity and reducing blood sugar levels, making it beneficial for individuals managing metabolic syndrome or diabetes. Its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties further contribute to cardiovascular health and cellular protection. Fenugreek extract standardized to 50% saponins is a well-researched and versatile ingredient for promoting hormonal health, metabolic balance, and physical performance.
Mucuna pruriens Extract (Seed) (50% L-Dopa)
Mucuna pruriens extract, standardized to 50% L-Dopa, is a powerful natural supplement widely known for its neurological, hormonal, and physical health benefits. L-Dopa, the primary bioactive compound in Mucuna pruriens, serves as a direct precursor to dopamine, a critical neurotransmitter involved in mood regulation, motor control, and overall hormonal balance. Studies have shown that Mucuna pruriens supports healthy dopamine levels, improving mood, motivation, and cognitive function while alleviating stress and anxiety. Additionally, its dopaminergic effects influence the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, promoting luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion and supporting testosterone production, which benefits libido, muscle strength, and vitality. Research also highlights Mucuna pruriens' ability to improve sperm quality and reproductive health, particularly in men experiencing stress-induced infertility. A study by Shukla et al. (2010) demonstrated that supplementation with Mucuna pruriens improved semen quality, reduced stress markers, and restored dopamine levels in infertile men, enhancing testosterone production via the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. Additionally, its antioxidant properties were shown to protect sperm and neurons from oxidative damage. These findings highlight Mucuna pruriens' potential to enhance mood, reproductive health, and vitality, making it a versatile option for mental, hormonal, and physical support.
Spilanthes acmella (Flower) Extract (3.5% Spilanthols)
Spilanthes is an advanced botanical supplement derived from the genus and species Spilanthes acmella, a plant that has benefits ranging from antioxidant and joint support to mood and mental clarity. It is also often utilized for its potential benefits in the enhancement of male vitality, particularly through its effects on testosterone levels. Recent scientific studies have begun to showcase how this powerful herb can support hormonal balance, making it a favorable choice for those looking to optimize their testosterone levels naturally.
One of the most compelling studies on Spilanthes acmella was published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology. The research demonstrated that supplementation with Spilanthes acmella extract significantly increased testosterone levels in male rats. The study attributed this effect to the stimulation of the pituitary gland, which led to an increase in luteinizing hormone (LH) levels—a key hormone that signals the testes to produce more testosterone. This finding suggests that Spilanthes may have a similar effect in humans, promoting natural testosterone production and supporting male reproductive health.
Spilanthes is further known for its adaptogenic properties, which is essential for helping the body manage stress. This is a critical factor in maintaining healthy testosterone levels as chronic stress can lead to elevated levels of cortisol, a hormone that can negatively impact normal testosterone production. By modulating the body’s stress response, Spilanthes acmella can help to protect against cortisol's detrimental effects, thereby supporting sustained testosterone levels and overall hormonal balance.
The studied benefits of Spilanthes and healthy testosterone production/function are further supported by research into its antioxidant properties. One study showed that Spilanthes acmella possesses strong antioxidant activity, which can protect the Leydig cells in the testes from oxidative stress. The Leydig cells are responsible for producing testosterone, and their protection is crucial for maintaining optimal testosterone levels, particularly as men age.
Spilanthes can offer a clinically validated approach to naturally boosting testosterone levels and enhancing male vitality. Whether you’re looking to improve your physical performance, support reproductive health, or maintain hormonal balance, Spilanthes can provide a powerful, research-backed solution for men seeking to optimize their well-being.
3,3’-Diindolylmethane (DIM)
What we typically refer to as “Estrogen,” is in fact a group of three biologically distinct hormones – estradiol (E2), estrone (E1), and estriol (E3), each possessing different activities in different cell, tissue, and receptor types. When experts refer to either the benefits or downfalls of “estrogen," they really mean to (but probably cannot) identify a specific estrogen.
These specific estrogens, in turn, metabolize into even more specific estrogen sub-compounds, such as the 2-hydroxyestrogens (2-OHE’s), 2-methoxyestrogens, 16a-hydroxyestrone (16-OHE1), and 4-hydroxyestrogens (4-OHE’s). As their parent estrogens, these estrogen metabolites exert different effects depending upon the tissue and cell one is examining. In fact, two estrogen metabolites in particular, 16-OHE1 and 2-OHE, have such contrasting cellular activities that 2-OHE is an estrogen antagonist. Yes, that is correct: there is an anti-estrogen, estrogen.
In recent years, so-called “phytonutrients” have become the focus of clinical research, as these natural compounds have shown the ability to increase the ratio of good, estrogen decreasing estrogens (such as 2-OHE), to bad, estrogen increasing estrogens (such as 16-OHE1). One of these phytonutrients, a dietary indole known as indole-3-carbinol (I3C), is the bioactive phytochemical and a presumed modulator of reduced cancer risk in areas with high cruciferous vegetable consumption. Unfortunately, despite its potent antiestrogenic activity, I3C is highly molecularly unstable, and therefore unsuitable for use as a therapeutic agent or dietary supplement.
Luckily, however, I3C readily metabolizes into the secondary indole 3,3’ diindolylmethane, or DIM for short. When used in a supplemental fashion in clinical trials, DIM appears to possess all the positive effects of its parent compound with respect to antiestrogenic action – promoting the metabolism of beneficial estrogens that themselves reduce estrogenic activity.
Aside from its healthy estrogen promoting abilities, DIM also exerts its own direct physiological effects, including:
- Promoting pathways of internal estrogen metabolism that favor the production of anti-estrogen estrogens.
- Adjusting the activity of certain cytochrome enzymes, reducing the activity at the estrogen receptor site.
- Limit the cell division and growth of certain estrogens.
Despite the bodybuilding community’s single-minded crusade to eliminate estrogen wherever it lies in wait, compounds such as DIM show us that estrogen is a very diverse set of compounds – and that we should actively pursue increasing certain estrogens that have beneficial, and ironically, anti-estrogenic effects.
Eurycoma longifolia Extract (Root) (100:1)
Eurycoma longifolia extract, also known as Tongkat Ali, Malaysian Ginseng, and Longjack, has been used for centuries as an aphrodisiac in medicinal systems local to those regions. Standardized to a 100:1 ratio, this potent botanical known for its adaptogenic and androgen-supporting properties has been widely utilized for enhancing male vitality, physical performance, and overall health. Tongkat Ali works by modulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, which increases luteinizing hormone (LH) levels, stimulating the production of testosterone. Research has shown that Eurycoma longifolia can help optimize free testosterone by reducing the binding activity of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), making more testosterone biologically available. Studies also suggest benefits for stress reduction by lowering cortisol levels, creating a favorable hormonal balance for improved energy, muscle strength, libido, and endurance. Furthermore, its antioxidant properties protect cells from oxidative damage, supporting reproductive health and mitigating age-related declines in testosterone. Eurycoma longifolia extract (100:1) is a clinically supported natural solution for promoting hormonal balance, enhancing physical performance, and improving overall vitality.
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