New supplement cycle

[GrowthMan]

Just got some vitrix by nutrex and yok3d by usplabs. Been reading some good articles on Tribulus for infertility/freeing natural testosterone stil inconclusive.

I'm sick of the caffeine spike in musclepharm assault. Hence the yok3d. We'll see if it does anything.

[GrowthMan]

Research Study

The active ingredient in tribulus is known as furostanol saponins. In animals study, tribulus is shown to stimulate "mounting" behavior, increase sperm count as well as motility levels after taking it for 30 days. Two other studies performed on animals reported increased testosterone production and testicular maturation. A European study suggest that tribulus extract can increase testosterone levels 30-50% above baseline levels - which is within the normal range. A study involving healthy individuals taking 750 mg/day of tribulus terrestris evaluated hormonal responses and revealed LH increased in males from 14.38 ml/U/ml to 24.75 ml/U/ml (that s a 72% increase). The free testosterone in males went from 60 ng/dl to 84.5 ng/dl (an increase of 41%).

Studies involving 212 males confirm Tribulus increases libido, frequency and strength of erections and sexual reflexes. Most of the men experienced an increase in LH and testosterone as well as sperm production and mobility. Other positive changes include reduced cholesterol levels, and positive psychological effects such as improved mood and increased self-confidence. No adverse effects were noted in clinical studies, and additional animal research demonstrated no adverse effects on the central nervous or cardiovascular systems.

Benefits



•Increased testosterone production
•Increased muscle mass/strength
•It has been proven to increase testosterone levels by 30% in only 5 days.
•Increased sex drive in men and women.

[GrowthMan]

Recent article written two weeks ago on bb.com


Devil's Claw: Tribulus Terrestris



Before the flower of the Tribulus terrestris hardens into a 'goat-head' it may possess the power to help support increased testosterone levels during training periods.








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by Chris Lockwood, Ph.D.Jan 05, 2012

The Latin name Tribulus terrestris sounds like an earthy Roman emperor. Some people think it rules among muscle-building supplements. Others argue that this 'emperor' has no clothes. Let's see if this is the supplement to give you pecs of a Roman breastplate and cobblestone abs.

Thorn In Your Ride

Tribulus provides native ground cover to many parts of the world. You probably know it by one of its more ominous-sounding nicknames: Puncturevine, Goat-head, Cat's claw or Devil's claw. The flowering fruits of this little herb dry out in late spring and harden to form small, spiked seeds. Mountain bikers or hikers with dogs in the Western United States can thank Tribulus for flat tires, the need to buy thorn-resistant tubes, or constantly pulling thorns out of Fido's paws.

Like all herbs, Tribulus contains many active ingredients. However, its saponins - specifically the steroidal saponin protodioscin - is currently believed to be the principal active nutrient derived from Trib.







Tribulus is an undesireable find on the trail.
Maybe it will be more welcome on your supplement shelf.


Test ... Check One, Two

Tribulus has mainly been used as an herbal testosterone booster, or included in formulations to promote increased muscle mass or strength. For example, when researchers from Lithuania recently provided athletes 625 milligrams of a 40%-saponin-containing Tribulus three times per day for 20 days, they reported that circulating testosterone increased significantly during the first 10 days of the experiment. However, it didn't rise further for the remainder of the study.

If Tribulus does affect testosterone levels, it might do so by increasing luteinizing hormone (LH) or follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Another explanation to any rise in testosterone could be that it happens as a secondary response to Tribulus' ability to significantly reduce blood glucose.


Can You See The Difference?

Aside from a few animal studies that have reported increased body weight in response to Tribulus, the limited human data that has been collected hasn't provided clear evidence that Tribulus improves body composition or strength beyond that of a placebo. The caveat, though, is that the dose was likely too low in both studies that have been conducted.

[ Get More Supplement Studies ]

Herbal Pluralities

Tribulus is an herb, but it varies from species to species. Just like how wines produced from the same species of grape but grown in different parts of the world will differ, perhaps significantly, all Tribulus herbs/products can't be assumed to be identical.

In this case, protodioscin concentration - which basically tells you how powerful the Tribulus may be - depends on where in the world it was harvested, and what part of the plant was used. The highest concentrations tend to come from Turkey, Macedonia and Bulgaria. Materials from India, China and Vietnam have reported significantly lower concentrations.

Get The Right Stuff!

If Tribulus raises natural testosterone levels, its effects appear to be dose-specific. In other words, the delivery of active protodioscin seems to be effective only within a tight range. Too little or too much, and it doesn't appear to work. The sweet spot seems to be consuming enough Tribulus so you get between 2.3 and 4.6 milligrams of protodioscin per pound of bodyweight per day.

Look for a Tribulus terrestris extract that's standardized to no less than 6% protodioscin and between 40% and 45% total saponins. Again, ideally, the plant from which the supplement is derived will be sourced from Turkey, Macedonia or Bulgaria.

Chain Reaction

My theory is that if Tribulus increases circulating testosterone, then it probably does so secondary to promoting blood glucose disposal. I recommend taking Tribulus on an empty stomach with water only or a zero- or very-low-calorie drink. On training days, consume one dose when you wake up in the morning, and another prior to training. On non-training days, consume the second dose mid-day. You could consume Tribulus with meals, but I'm more prone to believe that Tribulus works best when blood glucose is at the low end of your normal range.

Herbal Buddy System

Tribulus is commonly stacked with other herbal testosterone supporters, anti-estrogens, cortisol blockers and the like. Personally, I like to keep it simple: Tribulus plus D-Aspartic Acid, Coleus forskohlii, Phosphatidyl Serine and Vitamin D3. If you're 35 or older, add 200 milligrams of DHEA. Sure, there are a ton of other gadgets on the market you could add. Some of them are very cool, and new ones bubble to the surface all the time. But I've never been a fan of the kitchen sink formulations that use too little of too many ingredients.

On Again, Off Again

Some researchers suggested that Tribulus may be what's called an adaptogenic herb. Since adaptogens generally only elicit a significant response while they're working to bring your body back into balance, it may be wise to cycle on and off Tribulus as you would any other adaptogen. For example, you might supplement with Tribulus during periods of extremely intense training or dieting and then cycle-off during recovery phases.

Sexy, Smart And Dizzying

As with any ingredient that might affect blood glucose disposal, you could experience some shakiness or light-headedness if you're extremely sensitive to changes in the amount of glucose present in your blood. Also, if you do experience increased testosterone levels, common side effects are an increase in mental acuity and alertness.

[GrowthMan]

I expect to look like this german guy off this german tribulus or else im asking for my money back



THe other german giant nutrex athlete

[auri]

You going to get blood work done before and after to compare your values?

[GrowthMan]

You going to get blood work done before and after to compare your values?

No I hadn't planned on it. THe supps are prob a waste of cash but I needed something new to buy more time off cycle and help me recover.

[auri]

No I hadn't planned on it. THe supps are prob a waste of cash but I needed something new to buy more time off cycle and help me recover.

I couldn't say as to their effectiveness, the bloodwork would be interesting to see though. Of course, if you're still suppressed below your natural levels the results would be skewed.

How long have you been off now?

[Bouncer]

yok3ed is crap bro. does nothing at all.

[GrowthMan]

I couldn't say as to their effectiveness, the bloodwork would be interesting to see though. Of course, if you're still suppressed below your natural levels the results would be skewed.

How long have you been off now?

3 Months. Recovery just starting now. (Feel better, more lead in pencil, etc).

[GrowthMan]

yok3ed is crap bro. does nothing at all.

I know I read your thread after I bought it :(

How many caps were you taking? Didn't notice anything beyond normal ?

[Bouncer]

I know I read your thread after I bought it :(

How many caps were you taking? Didn't notice anything beyond normal ?

started out with 3. think i went up to like 8 before i called it a day and tossed the shit.

[decadecadeca]

Sorry bro...


"It was concluded that T. terrestris did not produce the large gains in strength or lean muscle mass that many manufacturers claim can be experienced within 5-28 days. Furthermore, T. terrestris did not alter the urinary T/E ratio and would not place an athlete at risk of testing positive based on the World Anti-Doping Agency's urinary T/E ratio limit of 4:1."

The effect of five weeks of Tribulus ter... [J Strength Cond Res. 2007] - PubMed - NCBI

[GrowthMan]

Dont be sorry. Ive read articles supporting both. It depends on the type of tribulus and % it is standardized to.

[Bouncer]

Growth, your trying to convince yourself that supps are going to have even 10% of the effects that steroids do, not gonna happen bro. Use the basics and wait it out until next cycle.

[henry]

growth look for poliquin tribulus.

I was harder than oak when I was taking it similar to when I was on tren. Could just be me though.