Tongkat ali may support reproductive hormones in young males, say recent study
Results showed that after two weeks of intervention, subjects taking tongkat ali saw 15% higher levels in testosterone, 34% levels of free testosterone, and 30% higher levels of estradiol, compared to placebo.
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A recent study published in Andrologia1 found that supplementation with Eurycoma Longifolia (LJ100 from HP Ingredients; Brandenton, FL), AKA tongkat ali, may regulate reproductive hormone levels in young males. In the double-blind, placebo-controlled, matched-paired trial, 32 males around 24 years of age were given 600 mg/day of tongkat ali or placebo for two weeks. Blood analysis showed that after two weeks of intervention, subjects taking tongkat ali saw a 15% higher levels in testosterone, 34% levels of free testosterone, and 30% higher levels of estradiol, compared to placebo. However, there were no increases in luteinising hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and sexual hormone-binding globulin (SHBG).
According to the researchers, the lack of changes in LH, FSH, and SHBG suggest that the extract plays a lesser role in activating the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in the young adults. Instead, the increase in testosterone levels may be due to direct activation of the adrenal gland in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.
“This study is significant in that it is the first to measure hormonal effects in healthy young men. This study may certainly be used as a strong platform for formulating sports supplements for competitive athletes and trainers,” says Annie Eng, CEO of HP Ingredients, in a press release.
Reference
- Chan KQ et al. “The effect of Eurycoma Longifolia on the regulation of reproductive hormones in young males.” Andrologia, Published online ahead of print on January 17, 2021
