For most male bodybuilders in their prime of life, the average testosterone bloodstream level stands at between 350 and 1,000 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dl). After the age of 40, those levels begin to steadily drop off, at a rate of around 1 per cent a year. This is one of the symptoms of natural ageing, and by a person's sixth decade, the effects can be noticeable, in the form of extra body fat, loss of muscle and muscle tone, more brittle bones and possible impotence.
For bodybuilders, the problems caused by insufficient testosterone levels can be even more acute, due to the additional demands on the physique and the need for consistently high-performing muscles. Here are three
natural testosterone boosters that have been shown to really work:
D-Aspartic Acid (DAA). There are many natural bodybuilding supplements that contain this, and it is considered one of the most effective natural testosterone boosters available on the market. DAA is a naturally occurring amino acid that is found in human neuroendocrine tissue, and it is one of the building blocks of testosterone. The usual dosage of DAA when used as a
Supplementation with 3 grams (3,000mgs) per day, orally, resulted in a 33% testosterone elevation. The amount of DAA in Muscle Warfare’s product is less than 35 milligrams, or, roughly 1/100th of the effective dose. TST PowerCell is another supplement that contains this ingredient, this time at less than 600mgs/capsule, roughly 1/5th of an effective dose.
Cissus quadrangularis. Used for centuries in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine, cissus quadrangularis is a plant credited with many healthful features, such as being beneficial for joint health, strengthening and repairing bones and as a natural form of side-free pain relief. It is also good for gastrointestinal problems, which is good news for sufferers of acid reflux or ulcers or acid reflux. It is also packed with vitamins and antioxidants. When placed among the natural testosterone boosters, it has many supporters, especially those who use it in combination with other bodybuilding supplements, such as...
Tribulus terrestris. This herb has also long been a part of traditional Indian and Chinese pharmacology, and first became widespread in the western hemisphere in the Nineties, following glowing testimonials from various Eastern European Olympic athletes. The active compounds of the herb are forms of steroidal saponins, furostanol glycosides and spirostanol glycosides, which are mainly present in the plant's leaf. Research carried out in recent years in Bulgaria and Russia has found that the supplement increases testosterone levels.