Ask a doc: Over-the-counter testosterone boosters

  • Published
  • By Capt. Daniel Yee and Maj. Nicolas Skordas
  • David Grant USAF Medical Center

Question: 

Do over-the-counter testosterone boosters work and are they safe?

Answer:

This is a very interesting question, and the answer is continuously evolving.

Testosterone boosters claim to increase the male sex hormone testosterone which affects muscle strength, endurance and male sexual performance. There are many different dietary supplements on the market today which claim to boost testosterone. Ingredients commonly found in these supplements include Tribulus terrestris, D-Aspartic acid, zinc, magnesium, maca, fenugreek, tongkat ali, mucuna pruriens and vitamin D.

Of these, Tribulus terrestris is the number one selling testosterone booster on the market. It has been used as an herbal supplement in China and India for centuries. Proponents of Tribulus terrestris claim that it exerts an androgenic effect due to its chemical structure which is similar to dehydroepiandrosterone. However, there is little reliable data to support its ability to increase testosterone levels in the human body. In a study published in the “Journal of Ethnopharmacology,” young men given Tribulis terresteris showed no significant difference in serum testosterone levels when compared to a matched control group given a placebo. There is some evidence that it may enhance libido through non-androgenic mechanisms.

Reported adverse effects of Tribulus terresteris are sleep disorders, burnout, fatigue and hypertension.  Additionally, due to its similar chemical structure to DHEA, it could lead to a positive doping control test for anabolic steroids.

Unfortunately at this time, there is little evidence to support the claims that over-the-counter testosterone boosters actually raise testosterone levels in young, healthy men. However, there are many safer and more natural methods to raise testosterone including weight training, getting adequate sleep, losing weight if you are overweight or obese and eating a healthy, balanced diet that includes leafy greens and animal fats.

If you have any concerns about a given supplement you are taking, we recommend bringing it to your physician and discussing the potential benefits and adverse effects. 

The Department of Defense also has a dietary supplement resource called Operation Supplement Safety which is open to the public and can be found at www.opss.org.