Have your testosterone levels been low lately? Well, Nugenix Ultimate Testosterone may be of assistance. Or is it? Makers of this supplement proclaim Nugenix as a powerful antidote for men suffering from low-T.
What is Nugenix Ultimate Testosterone?
Have you seen any of the commercial featuring Hall of Famer baseball player Frank Thomas? What he was advertising was Nugenix Ultimate Testosterone. Nugenix Ultimate Testosterone is a dietary supplement designed to help men boost their testosterone levels. Men who suffer from low-T levels experience the following symptoms:
- Reduce muscle and strength
- Increased body fat
- Feeling tired / having less energy
- Reduced libido
- Reduced “drive”
According to the makers, taking this supplement:
- Boost free testosterone
- Boost sex drive and vitality
- Maximize muscle & strength
- Modulate androgenic activity
So pretty much Nugenix supposedly reverses all the issues associated with low-T.
FDA approval
Like most supplements out in the market, Nugenix Ultimate Testosterone is not FDA approved. What’s alarming is what the FDA said about products like Nugenix. They stated that testosterone products can cause heart attacks, stroke, and even death. Another alarming thing the FDA mentioned is that supplemental testosterone is ONLY meant for guys suffering from hypogonadism.
Hypogonadism is a disorder that disrupts the normal function of the testicles, pituitary gland, or brain. In fact, some men are born with hypogonadism. Hypogonadism affects an estimated 4 to 5 million men in the United States. Testosterone therapy isn’t meant for guys who simply are dealing with aging. This could be a long-term problem for Nugenix because the majority of their demographics, men over 40, are dealing with aging, not hypogonadism.
History of Nugenix Ultimate Testosterone
For decades, health researchers have been doing research on testosterone and why it decreases as men age. Testosterone is the male sex hormone and is responsible for various functions such as fertility, sex drive, muscle and bone mass production, and how a man stores body fat. Several studies have linked low testosterone to aging. This lead to the boom of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). From the 1980s to 2011, TRT went from 18 million to 2.1 billion dollar industry. This led to the rise of synthetic testosterone hormone boosters like Nugenix Ultimate Testosterone.
Nugenix Ultimate Testosterone was created by NuGenix LLC, one of the most well-known TRT makers in the world. They also produce dietary supplements to support prostate health. Nugenix Ultimate is available in GNC, Vitamin Shoppe, and other in-store and online health stores around the world.
Ingredients in Nugenix Ultimate Testosterone
Here are the 8 minerals, herbs, and spices that are in within Nugenix Ultimate.
Boron
Boron is a vital trace mineral naturally present in whole foods and also within the environment. Some research shows that boron:
- Boosts testosterone levels
- Helps growth and maintenance of bones
- Aids prevention of osteoporosis
- Improves muscle mass and strength
- Treating arthritis
- Reduces body inflammation
Not many human studies have tested the effects of boron. Thus, more research needs to be conducted to further validate these benefits. Nugenix Ultimate provides 10 mg of boron per dose.
Stinging Nettle
Stinging Nettle (also called Urtica dioica) is a perennial flowering plant that has been used medicinally for ages, dating back as far as ancient Greece. It is best known for stinging people whose skin comes in contact with the plant. As far as its ability to increase testosterone, there is not a lot of studies on it.
One rat study noted increases in serum testosterone associated with Stinging Nettle, but all the subjects had additional testosterone supplementation. Thus, it is not clear whether Nettle contributed to the increase in testosterone.
Another study said that the root of Stinging Nettle possesses aromatase inhibitors. Aromatase inhibitors work by blocking the enzyme aromatase, which turns the hormone androgen into small amounts of estrogen (the female sex hormone) in the body. Any man, especially older men, with too much estrogen circulating in their system may experience:
- Sexual dysfunction (low libido, decreased morning erections, erectile dysfunction)
- Loss of muscle mass
- Lack of energy
- Increased abdominal fat
- Feelings of depression
- Enlarged breasts
- Increased incidence of type-2 diabetes
A 6-month study conducted on 620 patients showed that Nettle help treats benign prostatic hyperplasia, an enlarged prostate. But, it did not have any effect on their T-levels. Overall, it seems that Stinging Nettle may not have much effect on a man’s testosterone levels. Nugenix Ultimate provides 360 mg of Nettle per dose.
Maca Root
Maca is a type of cruciferous vegetable native to the Andes of Peru. It has a similar appearance and size as radishes or turnips with green tops and roots that range in color from yellow to purple and black. There are varying outcomes to whether Maca is an effective booster in regards to male sex hormone. In one study, the herb reportedly improved sperm production and mobility in the male subjects. However, another study showed that serum testosterone levels were not affected by treatment with Maca. (They were given either 3000 mg or 1500 mg of Maca.) So it is up for debate whether Maca root is effective. Nugenix Ultimate provides 250 mg of Maca per dose.
Tongkat Ali
Tongkat Ali (also called Eurycoma longifolia, long jack, or Malaysian ginseng) is a plant found in the Malaysian rainforest. It is has known for its ability to boost testosterone levels, libido, erectile function, and fertility in men. The studies seem to back up these claims.
One study conducted on the herb showed an increase in testosterone in elderly men and women. Other studies show that it may be able to boost sex drive and stamina. Overall, it appears that Tongkat Ali is an effective T-level booster and sex enhancer. Nugenix Ultimate provides 200 mg of Tongkat Ali per dose.
Fenugreek
Fenugreek is an annual herb with light green leaves and small white flowers. This herb allegedly treats hernias, erectile dysfunction and other male problems, such as baldness. The results are mixed with regard to Fenugreek extract providing these benefits. In one study, fenugreek extract had a significant influence on sexual arousal, energy, and stamina, helping the male participants, aged 25-52, maintain normal testosterone levels. In another study, the herb did not raise T-levels at all for 26 healthy college-age men. However, it did improve the upper and lower body strength compared to the placebo group. So more research needs to be conducted to determine fenugreek’s effectiveness towards male hormones. Nugenix Ultimate provides 700 mg of fenugreek per dose.
D-Aspartic acid
D-Aspartic acid is an amino acid utilized by the brain for stimulating the synthesis of the testosterone hormone. It has been used as a testosterone enhancer for men dealing with infertility issues. On the surface, D-Aspartic acid appears to be a surefire T-booster. The thing here is that most studies were conducted on animals. The majority of animal studies show that the amino acid elevates T-levels. On the other hand, the handful of human studies yield inconclusive results. So, from a human perspective, the evidence just isn’t backing up this amino acid. Nugenix Ultimate provides 3000 mg of D-Aspartic acid per dose.
Mucuna pruriens
Mucuna Pruriens, or Velvet Bean, is a bean that grows from trees and is very itchy to touch due to serotonin on its surface. It may be called cowhage in other supplements
Mucuna has a good source of L-DOPA, a chemical that increases dopamine levels within the body. It’s been used to treat Parkinson’s disease. In lab rats, L-DOPA increased levels of Luteinizing hormone (LH). And LH has been shown to increase production of testosterone — in animals. There is little proof that Mucuna (as well as LH) offer any help boosting T-levels other than two studies concluding that it treats male infertility. Nugenix Ultimate provides 250 mg of Mucuna puriens per dose.
Epimedium grandiflorum
Epimedium grandiflorum is the popular plant that goes by the well-known name in testosterone therapy circles: Horny goat weed. According to legend, the name derived from a goat herder who noticed his flock became sexually aroused after eating the plant. Needless to say, this herb is a stable in male enhancement products. Nugenix Ultimate Testosterone is no different. Epimedium has been used in Chinese and Japanese medicine to do things such as alleviate male impotency and arthritis. Other than studies conducted on lab rats, there’s no concrete evidence that horny goat weed will boost a man’s T-levels or improve sexual performance. Nugenix Ultimate provides 650 mg of Epimedium grandiflorum per dose.
Nugenix Ultimate Testosterone positives
Here are the things to like about Nugenix Ultimate Testosterone:
- Widely available in several online and offline retailers (e.g., Amazon, GNC)
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Transparency. The company does not hide ingredient amounts behind a “proprietary blend”
- Focuses on ingredients that provide a benefit to a man’s overall health, not just his sex life.
- Some ingredients are clinically proven to help men T-levels and sexual performance
Nugenix Ultimate Testosterone negatives
Here are the things to dislike about Nugenix Ultimate Testosterone:
- Most ingredients have little to no scientific proof that it helps a man’s testosterone levels
- It’s quite expensive in comparison to other male enhancement supplements ($69.99 on Amazon and other retailers for a 120 tablet bottle that only last a month)
- Some people complain that the tablets are hard to swallow
- Contains no zinc, a mineral that studies reveal as a surefire T-level booster
Nugenix Ultimate Testosterone side effects
Nugenix Ultimate’s side effects are said to be minimal and insignificant, as reported by many users. Some people have experienced:
- Diarrhea
- Nasal congestion
- Bloating
- Gas
- Upset stomach
- Frequent urination & smelly urine
- Headaches
- Elevated heart rate & blood pressure
These symptoms should go away after the first few days of using Nugenix.
The final verdict
Should you take Nugenix Ultimate Testosterone? It depends. If you’re a healthy male who has tried other male enhancement products to no avail, then trying this one won’t hurt. But, if you’re an overweight/obese man who’s trying to use this product, save your money. You should focus on losing weight first. It is well-documented that much too body fat disrupts sexual function and testosterone production.
Overall, Nugenix Ultimate Testosterone is not FDA-approved and most of its ingredients haven’t been proven by science as effective T-boosters. Then again, most sex enhancing supplements share the same problem. Before buying this product, I recommend that you go to the doctor and determine if your issues stem from hypogonadism, not aging nor your weight.
