Cited by 14Hormonal and reproductive studiesDoping in SportsSports Performance and Training

Testosterone Boosters Intake in Athletes: Current Evidence and Further Directions

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Lazarev, Artemii, Bezuglov, Eduard·2021·Endocrines

Abstract

“Testosterone boosters” (TB)—are supplements that are claimed to increase testosterone levels in the human body. While the consumption of TB may be popular among athletes, there is insufficient evidence both about the safety and the real efficacy of TB. In our review, we searched MEDLINE/PubMed and Cochrane Library for studies on the effects of 15 substances that are claimed to increase testosterone levels Anacyclus pyrethrum; Bulbine natalensis; Epimedium (horny goat weed); L-arginine; L-carnitine; magnesium; Mucuna pruriens; pantothenic acid; selenium; shilajit Eurycoma longifolia (Tongkat Ali); Serenoa repens (saw palmetto); boron; Withania somnifera (ashwagandha); and Trigonella foenum-graecum (fenugreek) in athletes and healthy adults under 55 years of age. We found such studies regarding 10 out of 15 substances: L-arginine (3 studies); L-carnitine (2); magnesium (1); selenium (2); shilajit (1); Tongkat Ali (2); Serenoa repens (1); boron (3); ashwagandha root (2); and fenugreek (7). Many of them fail to prove the efficacy of these substances to increase testosterone levels. Tongkat Ali, ashwagandha, and fenugreek were the substances with the strongest evidence. The positive effect of magnesium and shilajit on testosterone concentration was shown in single studies. Conflicting data found that L-arginine, L-carnitine, Serenoa repens, selenium and boron do not appear to increase testosterone levels. There are almost no data on the safety profile of various TB components; however, certain TB components may be linked to coagulation, and pancreatic and hepatic disorders. Based on the review, the authors conclude that at present TB cannot be recommended for use by athletes due to insufficient data on their efficacy and safety.

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  1. [9]9. Koumanov, F.; Bozadjieva, E.; Andreeva, M.; Platonva, E.; Ankov, V. Clinical Trial of Tribestan. Exp. Med. 1982 , 4 , 211-215.

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Authors
Lazarev, A., & Bezuglov, E.
Affiliations
  • Moscow Witte University (RU)
  • Sechenov University (RU)
Corresponding author
Lazarev, Artemii
Venue
Endocrines
Publisher
MDPI AG
Published
2021-05-17
Volume
2
Issue
2
Pages
109-120
ISSN
2673-396X (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W3160001118
Cited by
14
References
61
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 2
FWCI
1.68
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Endocrines (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Hormonal and reproductive studies
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Doping in Sports
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Orthopedics and Sports Medicine › Sports Performance and Training
Keywords
testosterone booster, dietary supplements, athletes, testosterone, Eurycoma longifolia, Withania somnifera, fenugreek, L-arginine, L-carnitine, selenium, magnesium, Shilajit, Serenoa repens, boron, supplement safety, supplement efficacy

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