QUESTION:
Hi Chad,
How do you feel about the use of D-Aspartic Acid to raise Testosterone levels? I am a 72 year old bodybuilder competitor.
And if used, how much of a dose, the timing, and should it be recycled?
Thank you,
Tom Somma
ANSWER:
Hi, Tom. D-Aspartic Acid (DAA) has gained popularity among the supplement world in recent years. It’s a non-essential amino acid that naturally occurs in the body. You find it mostly in the testicles, the pituitary gland, and the pineal gland.
DAA is present within the Leydig cells of the testicles. Theoretically, it increases testosterone production. It does so by enhancing the ‘communication’ between hormones and cells from inside the brain and the testicles.
Animal Study
One animal study determined that increased DAA levels in the brain did stimulate the hypothalamus gland to release higher levels of Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), Prolactin-releasing factors (PRFs), and growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH). These hormone increases stimulated the pituitary gland to release higher amounts of luteinizing hormone (LH) and growth hormone.
In theory, this should raise testosterone levels, considering the fact LH acts as a precursor to testosterone and increased GH levels stimulate more testosterone production.
Regrettably, the researchers who performed this study limited their focus exclusively to the impact DAA has on hormones secreted by the brain.
Second Animal Study
In another animal study, researchers discovered that administering DAA to males rats did boost LH secretion from the pituitary gland which stimulates the Leydig cells, resulting in significant increases in testicular testosterone.
In other words, this particular study supports the previous theory regarding DAA’s ability to raise testosterone levels.
Human Study
During the first human DAA study, researchers gave 23 male subjects 2.66 grams for a 12 day period. A second group of 20 males took a placebo. Athletic men made up both groups.
On day 6 of the study, the group given DAA had increased their testosterone levels by approximately 15%. After 12 days, their testosterone levels had elevated all the way up to 42%, compared to the placebo group.
Researchers noted the subjects who’d been given DAA still had an average of 22% more testosterone than the placebo group 3 days after discontinuing the DAA. This finding indicates DAA remains active in the bodily tissue for some time following administration.
This finding indicates DAA remains active in the bodily tissue for some time following administration.
Second Human Study
However, another human study came soon after the first one. This involved a group of young bodybuilders who took 3 grams of DAA for 28 consecutive days.
The results weren’t very impressive in this study, as the young bodybuilders only experienced a minuscule increase of testosterone with no increases in muscle mass or strength following 28 days of DAA administration.
The researchers of this study noted that D-Aspartic oxidase had more than doubled after the 28th day of administration. They believed it caused a disruption within the hormone signaling loop leading to increases in testosterone.
Scientists believe this is primarily because of the length of DDA administration. It suggests shorter cycles are likely superior to longer cycles.
In conclusion, it does appear D-Aspartic Acid has some potential with relatively short cycles. For example, I know people who’ve reported good luck cycling DAA for 12 days on, then 12 days off.
I’ve personally tried 2 different brands of d-aspartic acid before I was aware that 30 days cycles were virtually ineffective. Both times I tried it, I used it for 30 consecutive days. Unfortunately, I didn’t notice any type of changes related to increased testosterone levels.
It could’ve been the purity of the ingredients the manufacturers used. It also might’ve been that the supplements were cultivated with a poor delivery system.
Regardless, I’d personally be reluctant to spend any more money on it. Especially after using a product like Test Charge, where the testosterone boosting effects become very obvious to me after just a few days of use.
Prove ‘Em Wrong,
Chad Shaw
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