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Testosterone is more than just the driving force of power and masculinity that modern marketing might have you believe. While advertisements for various supplements may try and twist it, testosterone is a hormone that helps primary development, such as regulating bodily hair patterns, vocal changes, and anabolic effects, including growth during adolescence and muscle growth by stimulating protein synthesis. (1)
Maintaining sufficient testosterone levels is essential. According to the World Journal of Clinical Cases, an insufficient testosterone level can have some pretty adverse effects, such as reduced interest in sexual activity, brain fog, lethargy, and reduced muscle mass and strength. (2)
Founder of JYM Supplements, exercise physiologist Dr. Jim Stoppani, adds that when testosterone is not optimized, it can lead to “moodiness and problems with sleep…a gradual loss of muscle mass and strength, with a greater gain of body fat, despite working out.”
Since less optimized testosterone is common as people age, a testosterone support product might be a viable supplement to help optimize testosterone. (3) JYM Supplements offers one called Alpha JYM. The two recommended daily servings contain the following ingredients:
Image courtesy of JYM Supplements
Do testosterone optimizer supplements actually work? To answer that question, we need to take a closer look at each ingredient’s benefits and how they might impact one’s testosterone level.
Alpha JYM
This non-proprietary, fully-dosed testosterone booster uses six ingredients that are all at the proper doses determined by research in the lab and in the gym. It includes 1,000 milligrams of fenugreek, ashwagandha, and damiana, 500 milligrams of diindolylmethane and quercetin, and 200 milligrams of Eurycoma longifolia.
Fenugreek
Fenugreek has been shown to have positive effects on testosterone concentrations in men. Four of six studies in Advances in Nutrition involving 366 male participants ranging in age from 18 to 72 demonstrated increased testosterone concentrations. One of those studies featured 500 milligrams of daily fenugreek supplementation, which was associated with increases in testosterone compared to its respective placebo group. (3)(4)
JYM Supplements says that the suggested two daily 500-milligram servings of fenugreek “promote an increased release of luteinizing hormone.” Luteinizing hormone is a glycoprotein hormone that causes the Leydig cells (receptors that stimulate cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) production) to produce testosterone. (5)(6)
Ashwagandha
A 2019 study in the American Journal of Men’s Health found that those who consumed 600 milligrams of ashwagandha daily had a 14.7 percent greater increase in testosterone versus their placebo counterparts after eight weeks. (7)
Furthermore, that exact dosage of ashwagandha broken up into two servings (300 milligrams each) has shown greater increases in muscle strength (in the bench press and leg press), increased size of arm and chest muscles, and greater reduction of exercise-induced muscle damage and body fat percentage. (8)
Image courtesy of JYM Supplements
JYM Supplements says, “ashwagandha…promotes a better stress response in the body, specifically by helping to reduce cortisol (the body’s main stress hormone) levels which would otherwise limit testosterone levels.” The science supports that. (9)(10)
Damiana & Diindolylmethane
According to the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, damiana is a wild shrub that has been shown to significantly suppress in vitro. Aromatase helps convert androgens (read: testosterone) to estrogen. (11)(12)
Concerning DIM, JYM Supplements states that research suggests that DIM is the most stable metabolite of indole-3-carbinol (I3C), a chemical found in cruciferous vegetables that may help support a healthy hormone balance.
Eurycoma Longifolia
Eurycoma longifolia is a flowering plant whose major isolated chemical constituents with metabolites have been shown to increase testosterone levels indirectly. More specifically, it increases testosterone by the “activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis” via 600-milligram supplementation for two weeks. (13)(14)(15)
Quercetin
Quercetin is an antioxidant flavonol found in foods like apples, berries, [cabbage, turnips, Brussels sprouts], capers, grapes, onions, shallots, tea, and tomatoes, as well as many seeds, nuts, flowers, barks, and leaves,” per Nutrients. In vitro and in animal models, Quercetin has been suggested to increase testosterone glucuronidation — a metabolic process by which drugs or other substances are combined with glucuronic acid to form more water-soluble compounds, which are more readily excreted by the kidneys or in bile — pursuant to the claim that JYM Supplements states on their website. (16)(17)(18)
Passing the Test(osterone)
So do testosterone supplements actually work? The science suggests that the ingredients in Alpha JYM do.
Of course, anyone looking to take a supplement to adjust their testosterone level should consult their physician first to ensure it is the best course of action. If it is, Alpha JYM is a well-supported option that could prove beneficial for optimizing healthy hormone levels.
Alpha JYM
This non-proprietary, fully-dosed testosterone booster uses six ingredients that are all at the proper doses determined by research in the lab and in the gym. It includes 1,000 milligrams of fenugreek, ashwagandha, and damiana, 500 milligrams of diindolylmethane and quercetin, and 200 milligrams of Eurycoma longifolia.
References
Nassar GN, Leslie SW. Physiology, Testosterone. [Updated 2022 Jan 4]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK526128/
Jia, H., Sullivan, C. T., McCoy, S. C., Yarrow, J. F., Morrow, M., & Borst, S. E. (2015). Review of health risks of low testosterone and testosterone administration. World journal of clinical cases, 3(4), 338–344. https://doi.org/10.12998/wjcc.v3.i4.338
Mansoori, A., Hosseini, S., Zilaee, M., Hormoznejad, R., & Fathi, M. (2020). Effect of fenugreek extract supplement on testosterone levels in male: A meta-analysis of clinical trials. Phytotherapy research: PTR, 34(7), 1550–1555. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.6627
Smith, S., Lopresti, A., Teo, S., & Fairchild, T. (2020). Examining the Effects of Herbs on Testosterone Concentrations in Men: A Systematic Review. Advances In Nutrition, 12(3), 744-765. doi: 10.1093/advances/nmaa134
Nedresky, D., & Singh, G. (2021). Physiology, Luteinizing Hormone. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing.
Zirkin, B. R., & Papadopoulos, V. (2018). Leydig cells: formation, function, and regulation. Biology of reproduction, 99(1), 101–111. https://doi.org/10.1093/biolre/ioy059
Lopresti, A. L., Drummond, P. D., & Smith, S. J. (2019). A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Study Examining the Hormonal and Vitality Effects of Ashwagandha ( Withania somnifera) in Aging, Overweight Males. American journal of men’s health, 13(2), 1557988319835985. https://doi.org/10.1177/1557988319835985
Wankhede, S., Langade, D., Joshi, K., Sinha, S. R., & Bhattacharyya, S. (2015). Examining the effect of Withania somnifera supplementation on muscle strength and recovery: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 12, 43. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-015-0104-9
Pratte, M. A., Nanavati, K. B., Young, V., & Morley, C. P. (2014). An alternative treatment for anxiety: a systematic review of human trial results reported for the Ayurvedic herb ashwagandha (Withania somnifera). Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.), 20(12), 901–908. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2014.0177
Muntingh, A. D., van der Feltz-Cornelis, C. M., van Marwijk, H. W., Spinhoven, P., Penninx, B. W., & van Balkom, A. J. (2011). Is the Beck Anxiety Inventory a good tool to assess the severity of anxiety? A primary care study in the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety (NESDA). BMC family practice, 12, 66. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2296-12-66
Zhao, J., Dasmahapatra, A. K., Khan, S. I., & Khan, I. A. (2008). Anti-aromatase activity of the constituents from damiana (Turnera diffusa). Journal of ethnopharmacology, 120(3), 387–393. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2008.09.016
Peters A, Tadi P. Aromatase Inhibitors. [Updated 2021 Sep 29]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557856/
Rehman SU, Choe K, Yoo HH. Review on a Traditional Herbal Medicine, Eurycoma longifolia Jack (Tongkat Ali): Its Traditional Uses, Chemistry, Evidence-Based Pharmacology and Toxicology. Molecules. 2016 Mar 10;21(3):331. doi: 10.3390/molecules21030331. PMID: 26978330; PMCID: PMC6274257.
Chan, K. Q., Stewart, C., Chester, N., Hamzah, S. H., & Yusof, A. (2021). The effect of Eurycoma Longifolia on the regulation of reproductive hormones in young males. Andrologia, 53(4), e14001. https://doi.org/10.1111/and.14001
George, A., & Henkel, R. (2014). Phytoandrogenic properties of Eurycoma longifolia as natural alternative to testosterone replacement therapy. Andrologia, 46(7), 708–721. https://doi.org/10.1111/and.12214
Li Y, Yao J, Han C, Yang J, Chaudhry MT, Wang S, Liu H, Yin Y. Quercetin, Inflammation and Immunity. Nutrients. 2016 Mar 15;8(3):167. doi: 10.3390/nu8030167. PMID: 26999194; PMCID: PMC4808895.
Mohamed, M., & Frye, R. (2010). Effects of Herbal Supplements on Drug Glucuronidation. Review of Clinical, Animal, andIn VitroStudies. Planta Medica, 77(04), 311-321. doi: 10.1055/s-0030-1250457
APA Dictionary of Psychology. (2022). Retrieved 16 June 2022, from https://dictionary.apa.org/glucuronidation
Testosterone is more than just the driving force of power and masculinity that modern marketing might have you believe. While advertisements for various supplements may try and twist it, testosterone is a hormone that helps primary development, such as regulating bodily hair patterns, vocal changes, and anabolic effects, including growth during adolescence and muscle growth by stimulating protein synthesis. (1)
Maintaining sufficient testosterone levels is essential. According to the World Journal of Clinical Cases, an insufficient testosterone level can have some pretty adverse effects, such as reduced interest in sexual activity, brain fog, lethargy, and reduced muscle mass and strength. (2)
Founder of JYM Supplements, exercise physiologist Dr. Jim Stoppani, adds that when testosterone is not optimized, it can lead to “moodiness and problems with sleep…a gradual loss of muscle mass and strength, with a greater gain of body fat, despite working out.”
Since less optimized testosterone is common as people age, a testosterone support product might be a viable supplement to help optimize testosterone. (3) JYM Supplements offers one called Alpha JYM. The two recommended daily servings contain the following ingredients:
Image courtesy of JYM Supplements
Do testosterone optimizer supplements actually work? To answer that question, we need to take a closer look at each ingredient’s benefits and how they might impact one’s testosterone level.
Alpha JYM
This non-proprietary, fully-dosed testosterone booster uses six ingredients that are all at the proper doses determined by research in the lab and in the gym. It includes 1,000 milligrams of fenugreek, ashwagandha, and damiana, 500 milligrams of diindolylmethane and quercetin, and 200 milligrams of Eurycoma longifolia.
Fenugreek
Fenugreek has been shown to have positive effects on testosterone concentrations in men. Four of six studies in Advances in Nutrition involving 366 male participants ranging in age from 18 to 72 demonstrated increased testosterone concentrations. One of those studies featured 500 milligrams of daily fenugreek supplementation, which was associated with increases in testosterone compared to its respective placebo group. (3)(4)
JYM Supplements says that the suggested two daily 500-milligram servings of fenugreek “promote an increased release of luteinizing hormone.” Luteinizing hormone is a glycoprotein hormone that causes the Leydig cells (receptors that stimulate cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) production) to produce testosterone. (5)(6)
Ashwagandha
A 2019 study in the American Journal of Men’s Health found that those who consumed 600 milligrams of ashwagandha daily had a 14.7 percent greater increase in testosterone versus their placebo counterparts after eight weeks. (7)
Furthermore, that exact dosage of ashwagandha broken up into two servings (300 milligrams each) has shown greater increases in muscle strength (in the bench press and leg press), increased size of arm and chest muscles, and greater reduction of exercise-induced muscle damage and body fat percentage. (8)
Image courtesy of JYM Supplements
JYM Supplements says, “ashwagandha…promotes a better stress response in the body, specifically by helping to reduce cortisol (the body’s main stress hormone) levels which would otherwise limit testosterone levels.” The science supports that. (9)(10)
Damiana & Diindolylmethane
According to the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, damiana is a wild shrub that has been shown to significantly suppress in vitro. Aromatase helps convert androgens (read: testosterone) to estrogen. (11)(12)
Concerning DIM, JYM Supplements states that research suggests that DIM is the most stable metabolite of indole-3-carbinol (I3C), a chemical found in cruciferous vegetables that may help support a healthy hormone balance.
Eurycoma Longifolia
Eurycoma longifolia is a flowering plant whose major isolated chemical constituents with metabolites have been shown to increase testosterone levels indirectly. More specifically, it increases testosterone by the “activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis” via 600-milligram supplementation for two weeks. (13)(14)(15)
Quercetin
Quercetin is an antioxidant flavonol found in foods like apples, berries, [cabbage, turnips, Brussels sprouts], capers, grapes, onions, shallots, tea, and tomatoes, as well as many seeds, nuts, flowers, barks, and leaves,” per Nutrients. In vitro and in animal models, Quercetin has been suggested to increase testosterone glucuronidation — a metabolic process by which drugs or other substances are combined with glucuronic acid to form more water-soluble compounds, which are more readily excreted by the kidneys or in bile — pursuant to the claim that JYM Supplements states on their website. (16)(17)(18)
Passing the Test(osterone)
So do testosterone supplements actually work? The science suggests that the ingredients in Alpha JYM do.
Of course, anyone looking to take a supplement to adjust their testosterone level should consult their physician first to ensure it is the best course of action. If it is, Alpha JYM is a well-supported option that could prove beneficial for optimizing healthy hormone levels.
Alpha JYM
This non-proprietary, fully-dosed testosterone booster uses six ingredients that are all at the proper doses determined by research in the lab and in the gym. It includes 1,000 milligrams of fenugreek, ashwagandha, and damiana, 500 milligrams of diindolylmethane and quercetin, and 200 milligrams of Eurycoma longifolia.
References
Nassar GN, Leslie SW. Physiology, Testosterone. [Updated 2022 Jan 4]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK526128/
Jia, H., Sullivan, C. T., McCoy, S. C., Yarrow, J. F., Morrow, M., & Borst, S. E. (2015). Review of health risks of low testosterone and testosterone administration. World journal of clinical cases, 3(4), 338–344. https://doi.org/10.12998/wjcc.v3.i4.338
Mansoori, A., Hosseini, S., Zilaee, M., Hormoznejad, R., & Fathi, M. (2020). Effect of fenugreek extract supplement on testosterone levels in male: A meta-analysis of clinical trials. Phytotherapy research: PTR, 34(7), 1550–1555. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.6627
[*]Smith, S., Lopresti, A., Teo, S., & Fairchild, T. (2020). Examining the Effects of Herbs on Testosterone Concentrations in Men: A Systematic Review. Advances In Nutrition, 12(3), 744-765. doi: 10.1093/advances/nmaa134
Nedresky, D., & Singh, G. (2021). Physiology, Luteinizing Hormone. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing.
Zirkin, B. R., & Papadopoulos, V. (2018). Leydig cells: formation, function, and regulation. Biology of reproduction, 99(1), 101–111. https://doi.org/10.1093/biolre/ioy059
[*]Lopresti, A. L., Drummond, P. D., & Smith, S. J. (2019). A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Study Examining the Hormonal and Vitality Effects of Ashwagandha ( Withania somnifera) in Aging, Overweight Males. American journal of men’s health, 13(2), 1557988319835985. https://doi.org/10.1177/1557988319835985
Wankhede, S., Langade, D., Joshi, K., Sinha, S. R., & Bhattacharyya, S. (2015). Examining the effect of Withania somnifera supplementation on muscle strength and recovery: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 12, 43. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-015-0104-9
[*]Pratte, M. A., Nanavati, K. B., Young, V., & Morley, C. P. (2014). An alternative treatment for anxiety: a systematic review of human trial results reported for the Ayurvedic herb ashwagandha (Withania somnifera). Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.), 20(12), 901–908. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2014.0177
Muntingh, A. D., van der Feltz-Cornelis, C. M., van Marwijk, H. W., Spinhoven, P., Penninx, B. W., & van Balkom, A. J. (2011). Is the Beck Anxiety Inventory a good tool to assess the severity of anxiety? A primary care study in the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety (NESDA). BMC family practice, 12, 66. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2296-12-66
Zhao, J., Dasmahapatra, A. K., Khan, S. I., & Khan, I. A. (2008). Anti-aromatase activity of the constituents from damiana (Turnera diffusa). Journal of ethnopharmacology, 120(3), 387–393. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2008.09.016
Peters A, Tadi P. Aromatase Inhibitors. [Updated 2021 Sep 29]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557856/
Rehman SU, Choe K, Yoo HH. Review on a Traditional Herbal Medicine, Eurycoma longifolia Jack (Tongkat Ali): Its Traditional Uses, Chemistry, Evidence-Based Pharmacology and Toxicology. Molecules. 2016 Mar 10;21(3):331. doi: 10.3390/molecules21030331. PMID: 26978330; PMCID: PMC6274257.
Chan, K. Q., Stewart, C., Chester, N., Hamzah, S. H., & Yusof, A. (2021). The effect of Eurycoma Longifolia on the regulation of reproductive hormones in young males. Andrologia, 53(4), e14001. https://doi.org/10.1111/and.14001
George, A., & Henkel, R. (2014). Phytoandrogenic properties of Eurycoma longifolia as natural alternative to testosterone replacement therapy. Andrologia, 46(7), 708–721. https://doi.org/10.1111/and.12214
Li Y, Yao J, Han C, Yang J, Chaudhry MT, Wang S, Liu H, Yin Y. Quercetin, Inflammation and Immunity. Nutrients. 2016 Mar 15;8(3):167. doi: 10.3390/nu8030167. PMID: 26999194; PMCID: PMC4808895.
[*]Mohamed, M., & Frye, R. (2010). Effects of Herbal Supplements on Drug Glucuronidation. Review of Clinical, Animal, and<i>In Vitro</i>Studies. Planta Medica, 77(04), 311-321. doi: 10.1055/s-0030-1250457
[*]APA Dictionary of Psychology. (2022). Retrieved 16 June 2022, from https://dictionary.apa.org/glucuronidation
Click here to view the article.
Maintaining sufficient testosterone levels is essential. According to the World Journal of Clinical Cases, an insufficient testosterone level can have some pretty adverse effects, such as reduced interest in sexual activity, brain fog, lethargy, and reduced muscle mass and strength. (2)
Founder of JYM Supplements, exercise physiologist Dr. Jim Stoppani, adds that when testosterone is not optimized, it can lead to “moodiness and problems with sleep…a gradual loss of muscle mass and strength, with a greater gain of body fat, despite working out.”
Since less optimized testosterone is common as people age, a testosterone support product might be a viable supplement to help optimize testosterone. (3) JYM Supplements offers one called Alpha JYM. The two recommended daily servings contain the following ingredients:
Image courtesy of JYM Supplements
Do testosterone optimizer supplements actually work? To answer that question, we need to take a closer look at each ingredient’s benefits and how they might impact one’s testosterone level.
Alpha JYM
This non-proprietary, fully-dosed testosterone booster uses six ingredients that are all at the proper doses determined by research in the lab and in the gym. It includes 1,000 milligrams of fenugreek, ashwagandha, and damiana, 500 milligrams of diindolylmethane and quercetin, and 200 milligrams of Eurycoma longifolia.
Fenugreek
Fenugreek has been shown to have positive effects on testosterone concentrations in men. Four of six studies in Advances in Nutrition involving 366 male participants ranging in age from 18 to 72 demonstrated increased testosterone concentrations. One of those studies featured 500 milligrams of daily fenugreek supplementation, which was associated with increases in testosterone compared to its respective placebo group. (3)(4)
JYM Supplements says that the suggested two daily 500-milligram servings of fenugreek “promote an increased release of luteinizing hormone.” Luteinizing hormone is a glycoprotein hormone that causes the Leydig cells (receptors that stimulate cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) production) to produce testosterone. (5)(6)
Ashwagandha
A 2019 study in the American Journal of Men’s Health found that those who consumed 600 milligrams of ashwagandha daily had a 14.7 percent greater increase in testosterone versus their placebo counterparts after eight weeks. (7)
Furthermore, that exact dosage of ashwagandha broken up into two servings (300 milligrams each) has shown greater increases in muscle strength (in the bench press and leg press), increased size of arm and chest muscles, and greater reduction of exercise-induced muscle damage and body fat percentage. (8)
Image courtesy of JYM Supplements
JYM Supplements says, “ashwagandha…promotes a better stress response in the body, specifically by helping to reduce cortisol (the body’s main stress hormone) levels which would otherwise limit testosterone levels.” The science supports that. (9)(10)
Damiana & Diindolylmethane
According to the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, damiana is a wild shrub that has been shown to significantly suppress in vitro. Aromatase helps convert androgens (read: testosterone) to estrogen. (11)(12)
Concerning DIM, JYM Supplements states that research suggests that DIM is the most stable metabolite of indole-3-carbinol (I3C), a chemical found in cruciferous vegetables that may help support a healthy hormone balance.
Eurycoma Longifolia
Eurycoma longifolia is a flowering plant whose major isolated chemical constituents with metabolites have been shown to increase testosterone levels indirectly. More specifically, it increases testosterone by the “activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis” via 600-milligram supplementation for two weeks. (13)(14)(15)
Quercetin
Quercetin is an antioxidant flavonol found in foods like apples, berries, [cabbage, turnips, Brussels sprouts], capers, grapes, onions, shallots, tea, and tomatoes, as well as many seeds, nuts, flowers, barks, and leaves,” per Nutrients. In vitro and in animal models, Quercetin has been suggested to increase testosterone glucuronidation — a metabolic process by which drugs or other substances are combined with glucuronic acid to form more water-soluble compounds, which are more readily excreted by the kidneys or in bile — pursuant to the claim that JYM Supplements states on their website. (16)(17)(18)
Passing the Test(osterone)
So do testosterone supplements actually work? The science suggests that the ingredients in Alpha JYM do.
Of course, anyone looking to take a supplement to adjust their testosterone level should consult their physician first to ensure it is the best course of action. If it is, Alpha JYM is a well-supported option that could prove beneficial for optimizing healthy hormone levels.
Alpha JYM
This non-proprietary, fully-dosed testosterone booster uses six ingredients that are all at the proper doses determined by research in the lab and in the gym. It includes 1,000 milligrams of fenugreek, ashwagandha, and damiana, 500 milligrams of diindolylmethane and quercetin, and 200 milligrams of Eurycoma longifolia.
References
Nassar GN, Leslie SW. Physiology, Testosterone. [Updated 2022 Jan 4]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK526128/
Jia, H., Sullivan, C. T., McCoy, S. C., Yarrow, J. F., Morrow, M., & Borst, S. E. (2015). Review of health risks of low testosterone and testosterone administration. World journal of clinical cases, 3(4), 338–344. https://doi.org/10.12998/wjcc.v3.i4.338
Mansoori, A., Hosseini, S., Zilaee, M., Hormoznejad, R., & Fathi, M. (2020). Effect of fenugreek extract supplement on testosterone levels in male: A meta-analysis of clinical trials. Phytotherapy research: PTR, 34(7), 1550–1555. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.6627
Smith, S., Lopresti, A., Teo, S., & Fairchild, T. (2020). Examining the Effects of Herbs on Testosterone Concentrations in Men: A Systematic Review. Advances In Nutrition, 12(3), 744-765. doi: 10.1093/advances/nmaa134
Nedresky, D., & Singh, G. (2021). Physiology, Luteinizing Hormone. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing.
Zirkin, B. R., & Papadopoulos, V. (2018). Leydig cells: formation, function, and regulation. Biology of reproduction, 99(1), 101–111. https://doi.org/10.1093/biolre/ioy059
Lopresti, A. L., Drummond, P. D., & Smith, S. J. (2019). A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Study Examining the Hormonal and Vitality Effects of Ashwagandha ( Withania somnifera) in Aging, Overweight Males. American journal of men’s health, 13(2), 1557988319835985. https://doi.org/10.1177/1557988319835985
Wankhede, S., Langade, D., Joshi, K., Sinha, S. R., & Bhattacharyya, S. (2015). Examining the effect of Withania somnifera supplementation on muscle strength and recovery: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 12, 43. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-015-0104-9
Pratte, M. A., Nanavati, K. B., Young, V., & Morley, C. P. (2014). An alternative treatment for anxiety: a systematic review of human trial results reported for the Ayurvedic herb ashwagandha (Withania somnifera). Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.), 20(12), 901–908. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2014.0177
Muntingh, A. D., van der Feltz-Cornelis, C. M., van Marwijk, H. W., Spinhoven, P., Penninx, B. W., & van Balkom, A. J. (2011). Is the Beck Anxiety Inventory a good tool to assess the severity of anxiety? A primary care study in the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety (NESDA). BMC family practice, 12, 66. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2296-12-66
Zhao, J., Dasmahapatra, A. K., Khan, S. I., & Khan, I. A. (2008). Anti-aromatase activity of the constituents from damiana (Turnera diffusa). Journal of ethnopharmacology, 120(3), 387–393. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2008.09.016
Peters A, Tadi P. Aromatase Inhibitors. [Updated 2021 Sep 29]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557856/
Rehman SU, Choe K, Yoo HH. Review on a Traditional Herbal Medicine, Eurycoma longifolia Jack (Tongkat Ali): Its Traditional Uses, Chemistry, Evidence-Based Pharmacology and Toxicology. Molecules. 2016 Mar 10;21(3):331. doi: 10.3390/molecules21030331. PMID: 26978330; PMCID: PMC6274257.
Chan, K. Q., Stewart, C., Chester, N., Hamzah, S. H., & Yusof, A. (2021). The effect of Eurycoma Longifolia on the regulation of reproductive hormones in young males. Andrologia, 53(4), e14001. https://doi.org/10.1111/and.14001
George, A., & Henkel, R. (2014). Phytoandrogenic properties of Eurycoma longifolia as natural alternative to testosterone replacement therapy. Andrologia, 46(7), 708–721. https://doi.org/10.1111/and.12214
Li Y, Yao J, Han C, Yang J, Chaudhry MT, Wang S, Liu H, Yin Y. Quercetin, Inflammation and Immunity. Nutrients. 2016 Mar 15;8(3):167. doi: 10.3390/nu8030167. PMID: 26999194; PMCID: PMC4808895.
Mohamed, M., & Frye, R. (2010). Effects of Herbal Supplements on Drug Glucuronidation. Review of Clinical, Animal, andIn VitroStudies. Planta Medica, 77(04), 311-321. doi: 10.1055/s-0030-1250457
APA Dictionary of Psychology. (2022). Retrieved 16 June 2022, from https://dictionary.apa.org/glucuronidation
Testosterone is more than just the driving force of power and masculinity that modern marketing might have you believe. While advertisements for various supplements may try and twist it, testosterone is a hormone that helps primary development, such as regulating bodily hair patterns, vocal changes, and anabolic effects, including growth during adolescence and muscle growth by stimulating protein synthesis. (1)
Maintaining sufficient testosterone levels is essential. According to the World Journal of Clinical Cases, an insufficient testosterone level can have some pretty adverse effects, such as reduced interest in sexual activity, brain fog, lethargy, and reduced muscle mass and strength. (2)
Founder of JYM Supplements, exercise physiologist Dr. Jim Stoppani, adds that when testosterone is not optimized, it can lead to “moodiness and problems with sleep…a gradual loss of muscle mass and strength, with a greater gain of body fat, despite working out.”
Since less optimized testosterone is common as people age, a testosterone support product might be a viable supplement to help optimize testosterone. (3) JYM Supplements offers one called Alpha JYM. The two recommended daily servings contain the following ingredients:
Image courtesy of JYM Supplements
Do testosterone optimizer supplements actually work? To answer that question, we need to take a closer look at each ingredient’s benefits and how they might impact one’s testosterone level.
Alpha JYM
This non-proprietary, fully-dosed testosterone booster uses six ingredients that are all at the proper doses determined by research in the lab and in the gym. It includes 1,000 milligrams of fenugreek, ashwagandha, and damiana, 500 milligrams of diindolylmethane and quercetin, and 200 milligrams of Eurycoma longifolia.
Fenugreek
Fenugreek has been shown to have positive effects on testosterone concentrations in men. Four of six studies in Advances in Nutrition involving 366 male participants ranging in age from 18 to 72 demonstrated increased testosterone concentrations. One of those studies featured 500 milligrams of daily fenugreek supplementation, which was associated with increases in testosterone compared to its respective placebo group. (3)(4)
JYM Supplements says that the suggested two daily 500-milligram servings of fenugreek “promote an increased release of luteinizing hormone.” Luteinizing hormone is a glycoprotein hormone that causes the Leydig cells (receptors that stimulate cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) production) to produce testosterone. (5)(6)
Ashwagandha
A 2019 study in the American Journal of Men’s Health found that those who consumed 600 milligrams of ashwagandha daily had a 14.7 percent greater increase in testosterone versus their placebo counterparts after eight weeks. (7)
Furthermore, that exact dosage of ashwagandha broken up into two servings (300 milligrams each) has shown greater increases in muscle strength (in the bench press and leg press), increased size of arm and chest muscles, and greater reduction of exercise-induced muscle damage and body fat percentage. (8)
JYM Supplements says, “ashwagandha…promotes a better stress response in the body, specifically by helping to reduce cortisol (the body’s main stress hormone) levels which would otherwise limit testosterone levels.” The science supports that. (9)(10)
Damiana & Diindolylmethane
According to the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, damiana is a wild shrub that has been shown to significantly suppress in vitro. Aromatase helps convert androgens (read: testosterone) to estrogen. (11)(12)
Concerning DIM, JYM Supplements states that research suggests that DIM is the most stable metabolite of indole-3-carbinol (I3C), a chemical found in cruciferous vegetables that may help support a healthy hormone balance.
Eurycoma Longifolia
Eurycoma longifolia is a flowering plant whose major isolated chemical constituents with metabolites have been shown to increase testosterone levels indirectly. More specifically, it increases testosterone by the “activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis” via 600-milligram supplementation for two weeks. (13)(14)(15)
Quercetin
Quercetin is an antioxidant flavonol found in foods like apples, berries, [cabbage, turnips, Brussels sprouts], capers, grapes, onions, shallots, tea, and tomatoes, as well as many seeds, nuts, flowers, barks, and leaves,” per Nutrients. In vitro and in animal models, Quercetin has been suggested to increase testosterone glucuronidation — a metabolic process by which drugs or other substances are combined with glucuronic acid to form more water-soluble compounds, which are more readily excreted by the kidneys or in bile — pursuant to the claim that JYM Supplements states on their website. (16)(17)(18)
Passing the Test(osterone)
So do testosterone supplements actually work? The science suggests that the ingredients in Alpha JYM do.
Of course, anyone looking to take a supplement to adjust their testosterone level should consult their physician first to ensure it is the best course of action. If it is, Alpha JYM is a well-supported option that could prove beneficial for optimizing healthy hormone levels.
Alpha JYM
This non-proprietary, fully-dosed testosterone booster uses six ingredients that are all at the proper doses determined by research in the lab and in the gym. It includes 1,000 milligrams of fenugreek, ashwagandha, and damiana, 500 milligrams of diindolylmethane and quercetin, and 200 milligrams of Eurycoma longifolia.
References
Nassar GN, Leslie SW. Physiology, Testosterone. [Updated 2022 Jan 4]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK526128/
Jia, H., Sullivan, C. T., McCoy, S. C., Yarrow, J. F., Morrow, M., & Borst, S. E. (2015). Review of health risks of low testosterone and testosterone administration. World journal of clinical cases, 3(4), 338–344. https://doi.org/10.12998/wjcc.v3.i4.338
Mansoori, A., Hosseini, S., Zilaee, M., Hormoznejad, R., & Fathi, M. (2020). Effect of fenugreek extract supplement on testosterone levels in male: A meta-analysis of clinical trials. Phytotherapy research: PTR, 34(7), 1550–1555. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.6627
[*]Smith, S., Lopresti, A., Teo, S., & Fairchild, T. (2020). Examining the Effects of Herbs on Testosterone Concentrations in Men: A Systematic Review. Advances In Nutrition, 12(3), 744-765. doi: 10.1093/advances/nmaa134
Nedresky, D., & Singh, G. (2021). Physiology, Luteinizing Hormone. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing.
Zirkin, B. R., & Papadopoulos, V. (2018). Leydig cells: formation, function, and regulation. Biology of reproduction, 99(1), 101–111. https://doi.org/10.1093/biolre/ioy059
[*]Lopresti, A. L., Drummond, P. D., & Smith, S. J. (2019). A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Study Examining the Hormonal and Vitality Effects of Ashwagandha ( Withania somnifera) in Aging, Overweight Males. American journal of men’s health, 13(2), 1557988319835985. https://doi.org/10.1177/1557988319835985
Wankhede, S., Langade, D., Joshi, K., Sinha, S. R., & Bhattacharyya, S. (2015). Examining the effect of Withania somnifera supplementation on muscle strength and recovery: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 12, 43. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-015-0104-9
[*]Pratte, M. A., Nanavati, K. B., Young, V., & Morley, C. P. (2014). An alternative treatment for anxiety: a systematic review of human trial results reported for the Ayurvedic herb ashwagandha (Withania somnifera). Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.), 20(12), 901–908. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2014.0177
Muntingh, A. D., van der Feltz-Cornelis, C. M., van Marwijk, H. W., Spinhoven, P., Penninx, B. W., & van Balkom, A. J. (2011). Is the Beck Anxiety Inventory a good tool to assess the severity of anxiety? A primary care study in the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety (NESDA). BMC family practice, 12, 66. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2296-12-66
Zhao, J., Dasmahapatra, A. K., Khan, S. I., & Khan, I. A. (2008). Anti-aromatase activity of the constituents from damiana (Turnera diffusa). Journal of ethnopharmacology, 120(3), 387–393. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2008.09.016
Peters A, Tadi P. Aromatase Inhibitors. [Updated 2021 Sep 29]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557856/
Rehman SU, Choe K, Yoo HH. Review on a Traditional Herbal Medicine, Eurycoma longifolia Jack (Tongkat Ali): Its Traditional Uses, Chemistry, Evidence-Based Pharmacology and Toxicology. Molecules. 2016 Mar 10;21(3):331. doi: 10.3390/molecules21030331. PMID: 26978330; PMCID: PMC6274257.
Chan, K. Q., Stewart, C., Chester, N., Hamzah, S. H., & Yusof, A. (2021). The effect of Eurycoma Longifolia on the regulation of reproductive hormones in young males. Andrologia, 53(4), e14001. https://doi.org/10.1111/and.14001
George, A., & Henkel, R. (2014). Phytoandrogenic properties of Eurycoma longifolia as natural alternative to testosterone replacement therapy. Andrologia, 46(7), 708–721. https://doi.org/10.1111/and.12214
Li Y, Yao J, Han C, Yang J, Chaudhry MT, Wang S, Liu H, Yin Y. Quercetin, Inflammation and Immunity. Nutrients. 2016 Mar 15;8(3):167. doi: 10.3390/nu8030167. PMID: 26999194; PMCID: PMC4808895.
[*]Mohamed, M., & Frye, R. (2010). Effects of Herbal Supplements on Drug Glucuronidation. Review of Clinical, Animal, and<i>In Vitro</i>Studies. Planta Medica, 77(04), 311-321. doi: 10.1055/s-0030-1250457
[*]APA Dictionary of Psychology. (2022). Retrieved 16 June 2022, from https://dictionary.apa.org/glucuronidation
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