What Does Tongkat Ali Do for The Body?
1. It Can Increase Testosterone Levels
Tongkat ali’s potential for increasing testosterone levels in men who have low levels of this main sexual hormone is well known and has been extensively documented. Low testosterone may be caused by age, chemotherapy, radiation treatments, some medications, injuries to or infections in the testes, and some diseases, such as chronic alcoholism and obstructive sleep apnea. The effects of inadequate levels of testosterone include lower libido, erectile dysfunction, and, in some cases, infertility. Since compounds found in tongkat ali can increase low testosterone, they can address these issues.
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A one-month trial of 76 older men suffering from low testosterone found that taking 200 mg of tongkat ali extract daily dramatically increased levels of the hormone to normal levels for more than 90% of participants. More importantly, studies both in animals and humans have shown that taking tongkat ali boosts sexual desire and can improve mens erectile dysfunction. Finally, tongkat ali can enhance sperm mobility and focus, which can increase male fertility.
One study in 75 male partners in couples experiencing infertility found that taking 200 mg of tongkat ali extract daily significantly improved sperm concentration and motility at 3 months. The treatment helped more than 14% of couples get pregnant. Similarly, a 12-week trial of 108 men aged 30-55 years found that taking 300 mg tongkat ali extract per day increased the volume of semen and motility on average by 18% and 44%, respectively. According to these studies, tongkat ali is effective for treating low testosterone and infertility in some men, but further research is needed.
2. Can Help Relive Stress
Tongkat ali can reduce the hormones that cause stress in the body, reduce anxiety, and enhance mood. A 1999 study identified a possible role for the drug in treating mood problems for the first time, and found tongkat ali extract was comparable to common anti-anxiety medications for relieving symptoms of anxiety in mice.
Similar effects were seen in humans, but studies are limited. A one-month trial of 63 adults under moderate stress found that consuming 200 mg a day of tongkat ali extract reduced levels of the stress hormone cortisol in saliva by 16%, compared to those receiving a placebo. Participants also reported significantly reduced levels of stress, anger, and tension following tongkat ali intake. While these findings are promising, further studies on humans are needed.
3. Could Improve Overall Body Composition
Tongkat ali is commonly claimed to improve athletic performance and muscle gain. This is because it contains compounds called quassinoid, including eurycomaoside, eurycolactone, and eurycomanone, that can help your body utilize energy more effectively, decrease fatigue, and increase stamina. In other words, the supplement can work as an ergogenic assistance, which is a substance that may enhance physical performance and enhance your body composition. A small, five-week study in 14 men participating in a resistance training program found that those taking 100 mg of tongkat ali extract daily experienced a substantially greater increase in lean mass compared with those taking a placebo.
They also lost more body fat than participants in a placebo group. More importantly, a five-week trial of 25 active older adults found that consuming 400 mg of tongkat ali extract per day dramatically increased muscle strength, over a placebo. However, a smaller study of cyclists found that drinking tongkat ali-laced drinks while exercising did not increase work capacity or strength more than regular water. These mixed results indicate that tongkat ali might have some ergogenic effects, depending on dose and duration of the treatment, but further studies are needed.
Is Tongkat Ali Effective?
Tongkat ali has been shown to be effective in reducing the effects of stress, improving mood, and boosting testosterone in men. You can review the following studies to learn more:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21671978/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3669033/
Potential Tongkat Ali Interactions
Tongkat ali may interact with different medications. Especially medications related to testosterone replacement therapy, blood pressure, and SSRI’s. If you’re using any medications and considering supplement tongkat ali, please consult with your doctor before doing so.
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