Most men know how important it is to maintain a healthy testosterone level. Testosterone plays a role in so many aspects of a mans life. To name a few: muscle building, bone strength, sex drive, energy level, and more.

The trouble is, many guys don’t know what they can do to help maintain an optimal level of testosterone. Some key factors associated with healthy testosterone levels include diet, exercise program, sleep habits, stress level and supplement regimen. In this article we focus on some popular supplements.

Many times we see guys at the gym who are huge and the muscles just seem to come naturally to them. Chances are, they are taking supplements for a natural boost. There are many natural supplements on the market to help boost testosterone, improve workouts, and ultimately build muscle mass. Let’s look at some testosterone supplement favorites here in no particular order.

Maca Root

Maca, scientifically known as Lepidium meyenil, is a plant that can be found in central Peru, high in the Andes Mountains. This supplement has been used for centuries; over 3,000 years, in fact. It is related to the radish family and the root of this plant is what is used to make medicine. Maca is used for a variety of reasons (even women use it). It has been used to:

• treat anemia
• fight chronic fatigue syndrome
• increase libido and sexual function (agriculturalists even use it to increase fertility in livestock)
• improve athletic performance
• increase energy and stamina
• improve fertility

It does have a reputation of not tasting very pleasant. For this reason, it is often put in drinks and made with food (to mask the poor taste).

Epimedium (aka Horny Goat Weed)

Horny Goad Weed is actually a plant found in Asia and the Mediterranean; it is native to Japan, China, and Korea. This is another supplement that has been used for centuries. The leaves of this herb is what is used to make the medicine.

Horny Goat Weed has been used to:

• improve sexual function and desire
• help with back, knee and joint pain
• fight fatigue
• treat erectile dysfunction (it acts as a drug used to treat ED called phosphodiesterase)
• increase testosterone levels

The active ingredient is icariin. Icariin inhibits what blocks dilation of the arteries in the penis (in turn, blood fills the arteries and creates an erection – similar to how Viagra works).

Tribulus Terrestris

Tribulus is a long time favorite and has been around for many, many years. It is the extract from a plant that contains certain elements that are used to increase testosterone levels. Specifically, it contains an element called steroidal saponins. Steroidal saponins are considered a steroid building block that allows the body to create its own steroids, which in turn increase testosterone and promote muscle growth.

Tribulus Terrestris also works by stimulating the pituitary gland (which directs the production or testosterone).

Many athletes and body builders swear by this supplement to not only help increase testosterone, but also help with endurance, fat loss, and muscle gain.

This is an extract from a natural plant found all over the world, which makes it even more of a favorite for those who might be leery of supplements.

ZMA

This is actually a combination of Vitamin B6, Zinc, and Magnesium. Many athletes use this product to help maintain these very important vitamins and minerals in the body. Long and grueling workouts tend to deplete zinc, magnesium, and vitamin B6. Each of these play an important role in maintaining and producing testosterone. ZMA has been shown to increase an athletes free T by 30%.

This supplement is best if it is taken before bed on an empty stomach.

Eurycoma longifolia (aka Longjack or Tongkat ali extract)

Tongkat Ali is another popular supplement that is an extract of a plant/ tree found in Southeast Asia. It has been used for centuries for a number of different ailments.

The active ingredient from this plant is said to assist in the release of free testosterone in the body. Bodybuilders and athletes take it to build muscle and maintain energy, but many other men take it to increase libido and sex drive.

D-Aspartic Acid

D-Aspartic Acid or DAA has become very popular in recent years and is believed to be one of the most proven ways to boost testosterone. DAA is actually an amino acid found in our neuroendocrine tissue and plays a role in producing testosterone. It is actually part of the synthesis of luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone. LH signals the testes to release testosterone. The entire process is rather complicated and biological, but the bottom line is the release of testosterone into the body.

Not only that, DAA has been shown to increase the testosterone production in the testes. It’s like a double bonus – DAA in involved with LH, which releases testosterone from the testes while DAA also increases testosterone production in the testes.

In fact, a study was done to show that D-Aspartic Acid increased testosterone in males by 42 percent in less than a couple of weeks.

DOSAGE: A typical dosage is 3 grams/ day, usually in the morning.

DHEA

DHEA many not be considered natural by some people. It is actually a hormone found in our body which can convert to testosterone. Taken as a supplement, it is thought to bring higher T levels by converting to testosterone once in our body. Just as we lose testosterone as we grow older, our DHEA level drops too. For this reason, many men beyond their 20’s take this supplement.

It is considered a pro hormone and is banned by many sports organizations. If you are a performing athlete, keep this in mind.

Dosage: 10-50mg/ day.