Tongkat ali may support reproductive hormones in young males, say recent study

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Results showed that after two weeks of intervention, subjects taking tongkat ali saw 15% higher levels in testosterone, 34% levels of free testosterone, and 30% higher levels of estradiol, compared to placebo.

tongkat ali

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A recent study published in Andrologia1 found that supplementation with Eurycoma Longifolia (LJ100 from HP Ingredients; Brandenton, FL), AKA tongkat ali, may regulate reproductive hormone levels in young males. In the double-blind, placebo-controlled, matched-paired trial, 32 males around 24 years of age were given 600 mg/day of tongkat ali or placebo for two weeks. Blood analysis showed that after two weeks of intervention, subjects taking tongkat ali saw a 15% higher levels in testosterone, 34% levels of free testosterone, and 30% higher levels of estradiol, compared to placebo. However, there were no increases in luteinising hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and sexual hormone-binding globulin (SHBG).

According to the researchers, the lack of changes in LH, FSH, and SHBG suggest that the extract plays a lesser role in activating the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in the young adults. Instead, the increase in testosterone levels may be due to direct activation of the adrenal gland in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.

“This study is significant in that it is the first to measure hormonal effects in healthy young men. This study may certainly be used as a strong platform for formulating sports supplements for competitive athletes and trainers,” says Annie Eng, CEO of HP Ingredients, in a press release.

Reference

  1. Chan KQ et al. “The effect of Eurycoma Longifolia on the regulation of reproductive hormones in young males.” Andrologia, Published online ahead of print on January 17, 2021
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