Testosterone boosters are quite popular lately, and it’s not just the hype around them. These supplements use natural ingredients; they have few side effects and have secondary benefits that improve our health.
We’re going to go through ten of the most popular ingredients used in testosterone boosters. You’ll find studies, effects, and other useful information in our list.
1. Zinc
This trace mineral plays some important roles in our bodies. It has a role to play in maintaining muscle and bone strength as well as a healthy sex drive. A Zinc deficiency can lead to a testosterone deficiency, so it is often included in testosterone boosters. Keep in mind that if you don’t have a deficiency, Zinc will not boost your testosterone. The effect of Zinc on serum testosterone was proven all the way back in 1996 in a study by A S Prasad et al. Generally speaking, Zinc has many health benefits, so taking it as a supplement is great for your health.
2. DHEA
Dehydroepiandrosterone is a hormone naturally produced by our body in the adrenal gland. It is essential in the process of creating other essential hormones like estrogen and testosterone. It also has benefits when treating conditions like depression, osteoporosis, and vaginal atrophy, but it is one of those substances that we still don’t fully understand — more studies are underway, and it is expected that more insight will be available from researchers soon. A study by Yuanyuan Li et al. from 2020 covers the connection between DHEA and testosterone, so if you are interested in how things work behind the scenes, we recommend you take a look at it.
3. Vitamin D
The situation here is a lot like with Zinc — if you have a vitamin D deficiency, you may experience a boost in testosterone levels by supplementing. If not, then the boost will be insignificant. The thing that is a bit different here is that vitamin D deficiency is quite common these days, with more than a billion people having a deficiency and more than 50% of the population having an insufficiency.
Two vitamin D variants will help you manage testosterone levels; vitamins D2 and D3 are the best options, although D2 is a bit worse at it than D3. Check out the study by S Pilz et al. from 2010 to see the full effects of vitamin D on testosterone production.
4. Vitamin B
The vitamin B complex is very important for our health, and as many as four B vitamins have an impact on testosterone levels — B2, B3, B6, and B12.
Supplementing with vitamin B complex will contribute to better eyesight, nerve function, appetite and digestion, hormone control, and brain function.
The American Journal of Men's Health showed the importance of B vitamins in relation to testosterone in a study from 2018, so we have this on pretty good authority.
5. Fenugreek
This is another plant-based ingredient hailing from Asia that has been used in traditional medicine for a long time and then transitioned into modern medicine. Fenugreek contains a substance called furostanol saponins which researchers believe supports testosterone production. The most valued saponins in Fenugreek is Protodioscin which is particularly effective when it comes to raising T levels.
There are several studies we can reference when it comes to scientific backing of Fenugreek effects on testosterone, like Anuj Maheshwari et al. from 2017, Chris Poole et al. 2010, and Amanda Rao et al. 2016.
6. Ginger
This spice has been popular in many cuisines and folk medicine. It is commonly used to alleviate the symptoms of type 1 and 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, depression, etc. It owes its beneficial properties to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial effects, which is a combination very few other plants have.
We have several studies that point to a connection between ginger and testosterone while also confirming a rise in testosterone levels. We recommend you take a look at the study by Saleem Ali Banihani from 2018, as it is the most commonly quoted reference for this effect.
7. D-Aspartic Acid
Another very popular choice, D-Aspartic acid, is an amino acid that is essential for our bodies' proper functioning, and one of its primary roles is being a part of the process of testosterone production. It is essential for T production as it triggers the production of a hormone that ultimately leads to testosterone production, so the more D-Aspartic acid it contains, the more testosterone we can produce.
We can look at the study by A D’Aniello et al. from 2000 to see how D-Aspartic acid impacts the modulation of LH (luteinizing hormone) and growth hormone release.
8. Korean Red Ginseng
This is another Asian plant that has a long history of use in traditional medicine, mostly being used to treat erectile dysfunction. It can also help increase alertness, cold prevention and reduce heart disease issues. When it comes to ED, we have a that outlines its effectiveness in treating this particular condition.
There are several studies that outline the relationship between Korean Red Ginseng and testosterone. One shows it increases overall serum testosterone levels, while another shows an increase in testosterone in saliva, and a final one showing it is very effective in sedentary men.
9. L-Arginine
Another amino acid that our bodies primarily use to make proteins. Even though there are other variations of this substance, L-Arginine is the most prominent one and can benefit our health in many ways. It has an impact on our nervous system, heart health, and male sexual ability.
When it comes to testosterone, research shows that L-Arginine contributes to its production by promoting the secretion of LH (luteinizing hormone). A study by Xiao Jia et al. from 2020 is a great reference point to rely on when researching the effects of L-Arginine on testosterone production.
10. Tribulus Terrestris
The final entry on our list is Tribulus Terrestris, a plant-based ingredient that is capable of improving muscle growth and sexual function. Even though it has a long history in traditional medicine, as of recently, we’ve been using it as a general health supplement.
Along with improving heart health and controlling blood sugar levels, it also helps with testosterone levels. The studies for testosterone-boosting effects of TT are contradictory as some say that it helps while others say that it doesn’t — what’s sure is that it can help with ED, which is a symptom of low testosterone.
The importance of ingredient dosing
We decided to put focus on the dosing because it really makes a difference. When it comes to testosterone-boosting ingredients, it is important that they actually do what they are supposed to, but also that the dosage is high enough for them to do what they need to do.
We advise you that you always check the ingredients list and the dosages. Check how big the dosage needs to be to improve testosterone production because, without that, you’re just wasting money on something that doesn’t work.
Conclusion
These are by no means all the ingredients present in testosterone boosters, but they are some of the most popular ones. We’d advise you to do your research before deciding on a particular brand, as there is a difference in ingredient quality across the board.
Keep in mind that most testosterone boosters contain at least a couple of ingredients from this list in their formula. In some cases, the ingredient list will be identical between the two brands but the dosages are usually different. It might take some experimenting to find the brand that suits you best, as everyone’s body reacts differently.