QUESTION:
Hi Chad. I have a supplement question for you. This guy at my gym swears by taking the herb fenugreek as an effective natural testosterone booster. What are your thoughts on this? Does fenugreek really boost testosterone levels?
Thanks,
Jon
ANSWER:
Hello, Jon. First of all, Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) is a plant that has been touted as an effective testosterone booster for quite some time. The seeds of the fenugreek plant are also commonly used as a spice in Indian cuisine.
In recent years, several studies came out that demonstrated fenugreek increased serum testosterone levels. Right away, many supplement companies to begin manufacturing fenugreek-based supplements.
About 9 years ago, a friend of mine was running a supplement store in town. One day I was in there picking up a few things, and we got on the subject of testosterone boosters.
I’d recently read a study suggesting fenugreek increases testosterone levels. So, I asked my friend if he ever thought about selling it.
He pointed to a box full of white bottles and said, “You want some fenugreek? Those are all fenugreek. Go ahead and help yourself because I can’t sell any of this stuff. I tried it for 1 month and didn’t notice anything.”
My friends discouraged endorsement of the products. Even so, I took him up on his offer and enthusiastically snatched up several bottles of fenugreek.
I began using it right away. After reading that study, I was really expecting to notice something positive, and relatively quickly.
My Results
Days turned into weeks, and I came to the realization my muscle size, strength, and stamina had not changed at all. Later, after 1 month of consistently using fenugreek, I became discouraged and gave it up.
It wasn’t until years later that I stumbled upon another fenugreek study and finally realized why I didn’t notice any benefits with my physique or performance back when I was taking it.
Interestingly, the first studies on fenugreek were actually positive. Researchers did note participants of the studies did, in fact, experience elevated testosterone levels by taking fenugreek.
However, the missing piece of the puzzle was isolating the actual biological mechanism fenugreek used to increase testosterone levels.
As it turns out, fenugreek inhibits the 5-alpha reductase enzyme that converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). By reducing the conversion of testosterone into DHT, it made serum testosterone levels go up. However, it then caused DHT levels to go down.
You see, DHT is an androgen that’s up to 10 times stronger than testosterone. I’m sure your goal is to increase your strength, harden your physique, and boost your stamina in the weight room (and the bedroom).
Therefore, sacrificing DHT levels for a slight testosterone increase is NOT a good idea.
That’s why I think it’s worth mentioning that Test Charge is the most potent natural testosterone booster I’ve ever tried.
Additionally, almost anyone who I’ve recommended this particular product to has reported positive changes within the first 2 weeks of using it.
In fact, I personally noticed positive changes in the first 2 days of using this product!
Prove ‘Em Wrong,
Chad Shaw
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