Tongkat ali is a herbal supplement with potential benefits for anyone (including women) looking to boost their energy levels, athletic performance and resilience against stress.
Tongkat Ali, which is also known as Eurycoma longifolia or long jack, emerged as a popular supplement due to its ability to naturally increase testosterone production.
While research on Tongkat Ali and its effects on women is limited, some studies suggest potential benefits for managing menopausal symptoms and improving overall well-being, especially in older women1, though more research is needed.
Laboratory evidence2 shows that Eurycoma peptides stimulate the release of free testosterone from its binding proteins and improve overall hormone profiles.
This can be hugely beneficial because testosterone is a potent hormone that plays a crucial role in energy production, muscle growth, overall vitality, emotional state, and sexual performance
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Declining testo levels
However, testosterone levels tend to decline due to the natural ageing process. Elevated stress levels, certain medications, alcohol and substance misuse, various medical conditions and high-volume, intense endurance training can also impact natural production.
Low testosterone levels can cause various issues, with common physical symptoms that include:
- Decreased muscle mass and strength
- Difficulty building muscle
- Increased body fat, particularly around the abdomen
- Reduced bone density
It is not uncommon for those suffering with low testosterone levels to feel constantly fatigued. Sleep disturbances like insomnia are also common, which can negatively impact your vitality and energy levels further.
Emotional and mental symptoms are also common, like depression or low mood, irritability, anxiousness, problems with focus and memory, or a lack of motivation or interest in activities that were once enjoyable.
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Boost levels naturally
A supplement like Biogen Tongkat Ali Testo +, which delivers 400mg Eurycoma longifolia Jack per serving, offers a credible single-source ingredient designed to increase testosterone production.
Higher testosterone levels can positively impact performance by stimulating muscle protein synthesis (MPS), the process that builds and repairs muscle tissue, leading to increased muscle mass and strength.
By accelerating protein synthesis, higher testosterone levels also speed up the repair of damaged muscle tissue, supporting quicker, more complete recovery between training sessions, which provides a performance boost.
When it comes to enhancing endurance and stamina, testosterone stimulates the production of red blood cells3, which improves oxygen delivery to working muscles.
Moreover, testosterone helps improves insulin sensitivity4, which means you get more of an energy boost when you eat or drink carbs before and during exercise.
Making informed choices
When combined with a customised strength training program, Biogen Tongkat Ali Testo + may support lean muscle mass gains and endurance, while driving recovery and athletic performance.
This product is the first local testosterone enhancer to receive Informed Sport certification, which makes it ideal for use by competitive athletes, or anyone who wants to take a quality-assured product with confidence.
Products enrolled in this leading global quality assurance programme for sports supplements ensures that products carrying the Informed Sport mark have been tested for banned and prohibited substances to ensure they do not contravene WADA’s Prohibited List.
This programme offers the highest level of assurance as every batch of a certified product undergoes testing at LGC Limited in the UK, which offers one of the best risk management and certification options globally before it is released.
LGC screens every batch of a certified product for banned substances at a part-per-billion level and all manufacturing processes must meet strict quality control standards, including GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice).
The Informed Sport programme is the gold standard worldwide, which means anyone who chooses certified products can train and compete with confidence knowing that their reputation and well-being is in safe hands.
If you have any concerns about your testosterone levels, it is advisable to discuss your concerns with your doctor, pharmacist or healthcare provider, who can assist with supplementation guidance or recommend appropriate treatment options, if necessary.
References:
- Henkel ,R et al.,Tongkat Ali as a Potential Herbal Supplement for Physically Active Male and Female Seniors—A Pilot Study. Phytotherapy Research.
- Shawn M. Talbott, Chapter 63 – Human Performance and Sports Applications of Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma longifolia), Editor(s): Debasis Bagchi, Sreejayan Nair, Chandan K. Sen, Nutrition and Enhanced Sports Performance (Second Edition), Academic Press, 2019, Pages 729-734, ISBN 9780128139226, https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-813922-6.00063-1.
- Bachman E, Travison TG, Basaria S, Davda MN, Guo W, Li M, Connor Westfall J, Bae H, Gordeuk V, Bhasin S. Testosterone induces erythrocytosis via increased erythropoietin and suppressed hepcidin: evidence for a new erythropoietin/hemoglobin set point. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2014 Jun;69(6):725-35. doi: 10.1093/gerona/glt154. Epub 2013 Oct 24. PMID: 24158761; PMCID: PMC4022090.
- Ottarsdottir K, Nilsson AG, Hellgren M, Lindblad U, Daka B. The association between serum testosterone and insulin resistance: a longitudinal study. Endocr Connect. 2018 Dec 1;7(12):1491-1500. doi: 10.1530/EC-18-0480. PMID: 30592706; PMCID: PMC6311464.
Author: Pedro van Gaalen
When he’s not writing about sport or health and fitness, Pedro is probably out training for his next marathon or ultra-marathon. He’s worked as a fitness professional and as a marketing and comms expert. He now combines his passions in his role as managing editor at Fitness magazine.