Scientific References

Scientific references

Tongkat Ali

Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma longifolia) has been well-recognized as a compound beneficial for male sexual health. Over the past few decades, numerous clinical trials have been conducted to explore the effects of Tongkat Ali in managing various male sexual disorders, which include erectile dysfunction, male infertility, low libido, and downregulated testosterone levels. Moreover, it is also used to enhance sports performance, support weight management, and support stress hormone Cortisol and energy levels (1) (2) (3).

A randomized controlled trial of moderately stressed adults that investigated the effects of supplementation with 200mg of Tongkat Ali (TA) extract for four weeks resulted in significant improvements in the TA group for Tension (−11%), Anger (−12%), and Confusion (−15%). The stress hormone profile (salivary cortisol and testosterone) was significantly improved by TA supplementation, with reduced cortisol exposure (−16%) and increased testosterone status (+37%) (Figure 1).

Another study, which examined the effects of Tongkat Ali root extract on males presenting with infertility found that supplementation of 200mg/day for 9 months with the analysis performed every 3 months cycles, found significant improvement in semen parameters, such as sperm concentration (baseline – 65.5% to 94.9% at the third cycle), normal morphology (at baseline – 10.36%, first follow up – 16.54 %, and second – 16%) and motility (at baseline – 44%; first follow up – 56%, and second follow up – 58.6% respectively) (3).

Research has shown that supplementation with 100 mg/day of the root extract increased lean body mass, strength, and arm circumstance compared to the placebo group (2). Moreover, another 6-month study investigating the effect of Tongkat Ali on concurrent training, defined as the combination of cardiovascular and aerobic exercise, found that supplementation with 200mg/day combined with training 3 times a week for 60 min at progressive intensity led to an increase in testosterone levels and erectile function (4).

Ashwagandha KSM-66

Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera Dunal) is an Ayurvedic herb with a long history of use for multipurpose health benefits. It gained popularity in recent years and attracted great interest in the scientific research world. Besides being the most commonly used and extensively studied adaptogen, this herb has also been researched for antioxidant, anxiolytic, antidepressant, immunomodulating, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, cognitive enhancing, and many other benefits (5).

Ashwagandha KSM-66 is a patented formula that has been used in 24 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials, known as the “Gold Standard” in the research world, and collaborates with major academic and research institutes (6).

A double-blind, randomized controlled trial examining the effects of Ashwagandha on male infertility found that the intake of 675 mg of the Ashwagandha KSM-66 root extract for 90 days significantly increased sperm motility volume and concentration compared to a baseline. Moreover, the testosterone levels were also increased by 17% compared to a baseline (Figure 2) (7).

Another 8-week randomized placebo-controlled study that investigated the effects of Ashwagandha on weight in chronically stressed individuals found that supplementation with 600 mg of Ashwagandha KSM-66 resulted in a significant decrease in serum cortisol levels (after 4 and 8 weeks of treatment, a reduction from baseline of 16.05% and 22.2%, respectively). The study also found there was a decrease in body weight, a 3% reduction in mean Body Weight in the Ashwagandha KSM-66 group at week eight compared to a 1.4% reduction in the placebo group (23). This study’s findings suggest a correlation between chronic stress and body weight and that Ashwagandha can help manage body weight in stressed adults.

Cordyceps Militaris

Cordyceps is a medicinal mushroom commonly called “Himalayan Viagra” or “Himalayan Gold” and has been known and used for thousands of years in Asian medicine. More than 500 species of Cordyceps are known, with Cordyceps Militaris known to have the highest concentration of cordycepin, the main bioactive compound most studied for its medicinal properties (8) (9). Some of the properties of Cordyceps Militaris include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, immunomodulatory, fertility enhancer, improving sexual function, prostate health and athletic performance (9) (11) (12) (13) (14).

Cordycepin is an indirect precursor of ATP, the molecule that plays the primary role in energy production. Therefore, ATP is essential for physical energy and the reduction of physical tiredness and fatigue correlates with an increase in physical strength and performance. (9) (10) Studies indicate that Cordyceps is thought to improve performance by increasing blood flow, enhancing oxygen utilization, and acting as an antioxidant (14).

The randomized controlled trial study that investigated the effects of Cordyceps Militaris on maximal oxygen consumption, peak power, and time to exhaustion in aerobic exercise found that supplementation for three weeks with a mushroom blend containing Cordyceps Militaris led to an increase in maximal oxygen consumption, time to exhaustion, and peak power. These findings suggest that using Cordyceps Militaris can increase physical performance and reduce tiredness during the exercise, supporting maintaining and improving endurance training and overall physical strength (11).

Another study that investigated the effects of C. Militaris in male adults with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) found that the consumption of C.Militaris fruiting bodies in capsule form, a total of 1000 mg per day for 90 days, contributed to the improvement of urinary flow, alleviating micturition symptoms and decreasing size of the prostatic gland (13).

Rhodiola Rosea

Rhodiola Rosea is an adaptogenic herb which has been studied to have anti-stress, antidepressant and mood supporting properties (15). Moreover, it has been shown to help to improve erectile function, and also possess positive effects on energy levels and mental performance and focus (17) (18)

Rhodiola has also been studied for its adaptogenic effect on exercise performance. According to several studies it has been shown to promote fatty acid utilization, reduce lactate production in muscle, prevent muscle damage during exercise, ameliorate antioxidant function, and improve body resistance to physically strenuous efforts. (18) (19) (20)

A randomized controlled trial study examining the effects of the combination of Rhodiola Rosea and Cordyceps extracts in healthy men on endurance training found that supplementation for eight weeks had a positive impact on reduction in fat mass and increase in muscle mass (16)

Another RCT study examined the effects of a combination of Rhodiola and Cordyceps (RC) on athletes in high-attitude exercise training for two weeks. This study found that supplementation had a significant effect on prolonging exhaustive run time after 2-week high altitude training (Placebo: +2.2% vs. RC: +5.7%) (21).

The findings of the studies suggest that using Rhodiola andCordyceps in combination may help to support physical strength and exercise performance.

Vitamin D and Vitamin K

The importance of vitamin D in its different functions is well documented, including its role in the endocrine and immune systems. In fact, vitamin D also acts as a steroid hormone rather than just a vitamin alone. Moreover, epidemiological data have shown that vitamin D deficiency is associated with erectile dysfunction (24) (25) (26)

A systematic review and meta-analysis examining the association between vitamin D deficiency and erectile dysfunction (ED) found that men with lower vitamin D status also had lower scores for ED (27). Thus, an adequate vitamin D intake is essential for supporting men’s reproductive system.

Vitamin D is also studied for its synergistic effect with vitamin K. Vitamin D promotes the production of vitamin K-dependent proteins in the bones (28) (32), which could explain the synergistic effect between these two nutrients. Both of them are essential for bone and cardiovascular system health. Moreover, vitamin K2 has also been shown to play a role in brain health, healthy joints, neuropathy, and vision health (28) (29).

There are several forms of vitamin K. However, in studies, Menaquinone-7 is the form that has been shown to have superior bioavailability compared to other forms of vitamin K (30) (31)

Zinc

In males, zinc is involved in various biological processes and functions as a balancer of hormones such as testosterone (33). Research has shown the correlation between serum testosterone levels and zinc concentrations in the body (34).

A cross-sectional two group study ( group A: 22 young healthy men ages 20-40 years, and group B: elderly healthy subjects ages 50-80 years) on zinc-restricted diet, which investigated the association between zinc status and testosterone levels in healthy men, found that the zinc-restricted diet was associated with lower zinc levels. In contrast, supplementation with zinc in deficient subjects led to an increase in testosterone levels (Figure 3). The results of this chart suggest that zinc concentration in the body correlates to serum Testosterone levels and plays a role in modulating testosterone levels (34).

Boron

Boron is an important trace mineral, involved in numerous functions in the body, such as growth and maintenance of bone wound healing. Among many other properties, It also impacts the usage of the sex hormones estrogen, testosterone, and vitamin D, as well as magnesium absorption (35).

A small randomized controlled trial study, which examined the effects of Boron in healthy adult males, found that supplementing with Boron for one week resulted in a significant decrease in sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), high sensitive CRP (hs-CRP), and TNF-α level. After one week (in samples taken at 8.00 A.M only), the mean plasma-free testosterone increased, and the mean plasma estradiol decreased significantly. Whereas Dihydrotestosterone, cortisol, and vitamin D were elevated (36). The findings of this study suggest that adequate levels of Boron intake may help to support the male reproductive system, inflammation, and vitamin D absorption.

Pyridoxine (vitamin B6) and Magnesium

Research shows that 24% of people in the United States who do not take supplements containing vitamin B6 have low plasma Pyridoxal 5’ phosphate (the active form of vitamin B6) concentrations (less than 20 nmol/L) (38).

A randomized controlled control trial investigated the effects of vitamin B6 in men with oligospermia (low sperm count). The study found that men who had low sperm count also had significantly lower pyridoxine levels compared to controls (37).

Vitamin B6 has been shown to impact the nervous system by blocking certain impulses between nerve cells, which slows brain activity. Consequently, it has been suggested that vitamin B6 may play a role in helping to reduce anxiety and stress and has an overall calming effect on the nervous system (39)

An eight-week randomized controlled study that examined the effects of supplementation with a combination of magnesium and vitamin B6 showed that it improved physical activity in everyday life and significantly reduced stress in healthy individuals with severe stress and anxiety and low magnesium levels (40).

Moreover, the same study reported that Vitamin B6 was reported to facilitate the absorption of Magnesium and its cellular uptake and to exert a synergistic effect between the two.

When it comes to Magnesium, it is a cofactor in more than 300 enzyme systems that regulate diverse biochemical reactions in the body: protein synthesis, muscle and nerve function, blood glucose control, and blood pressure, to name a few. In addition, Magnesium is required for energy production, muscle contraction, and normal heart rhythm (42)

An adult body needs around 300-400 mg of magnesium daily. Although magnesium deficiency is generally uncommon in healthy populations, low dietary intakes or excessive losses of magnesium due to certain health conditions, chronic alcoholism, and/or the use of certain medications can lead to magnesium deficiency (42) (43) (44).

There are several forms of Magnesium. Magnesium Glycinate (as magnesium diglycinate or magnesium bisglycinate) is a form of Magnesium that’s created by combining inorganic Magnesium with an amino acid called glycine and is known to have good absorption and bioavailability (45) (46).

Moreover, glycine has been shown to positively affect mood and support cognitive function as it crosses the brain-blood barrier, which plays a vital role in neuronal signaling in the brain (47) (48) (49) (50) suggesting that magnesium glycinate can be beneficial in supporting brain health and sleep quality.

L- theanine

L- theanine is an amino acid, predominantly found in green tea, and historically has been used to support anxiety, stress, promote relaxation and help to maintain normal sleep (51) (52)

A randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover, and double-blind trial, which examined the possible effects of four weeks of L-theanine administration on stress-related symptoms and cognitive functions in healthy adults, found that supplementation of 200mg daily resulted in significantly improved stress-related symptoms scores, such as Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-trait (STAI) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) (Figure 4) compared to the placebo group (Figure 5) (54).36118/

Another twelve-week randomized controlled trial of 65 healthy middle-aged and older Japanese people investigated the effect of a single dose of L-theanine on cognitive function. The participants were directed to take a capsule of L-theanine containing 106 mg of the substance, followed by a Cognimax (cognitive evaluation) test performed after 50 min of indigestion. The Cognitive examination test revealed that the reaction times were significantly lower in the theanine group than in the placebo group (52). These findings demonstrated that a single dose of L-theanine improved attention in participants within a very short time.

The findings of the studies show that supplementation with L-theanine can help support the management of stress-related symptoms, improve sleep quality, and support the maintenance of cognitive function.