Testosterone Support Ingredients

What the Research Shows, How They’re Used, and Why They’re Often Grouped Together

Testosterone support supplements are commonly used by people focused on training, performance, recovery, libido, and long-term vitality. Despite the name, these products do not contain testosterone and are not designed to replace hormones.

Instead, they typically include a combination of:

• Botanicals with long histories of traditional use

• Nutrients involved in hormonal and metabolic processes

• Compounds studied for libido, vitality, or performance markers

• Ingredients associated with nitric oxide signalling or stress modulation

This article breaks down the most common ingredients found in testosterone-support formulas, explains what the research actually shows, and outlines why these ingredients are frequently combined.

Important:
This content is for educational purposes only.
Products discussed are not listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease.

Tongkat Ali / Longjack (Eurycoma longifolia)

Why it’s used

Tongkat Ali is one of the most studied ingredients in male vitality supplements. Traditionally used in Southeast Asia, it is commonly associated with libido, stress resilience, and physical performance.

What research shows

• A placebo-controlled study found significant increases in testosterone and reductions in cortisol after 4 weeks of supplementation

• A 2022 meta-analysis reported overall increases in testosterone markers across multiple trials, particularly in men with lower baseline levels

🔗 Studies:
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1186/1550-2783-10-28
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9415500/

Key takeaways

• Reported testosterone increases of ~10–30% in some studies

• Effects appear strongest in men with lower baseline levels

• Likely acts via stress and hormonal signalling pathways

• Not a hormone replacement

What to look for

• Standardised extract

• Heavy-metal testing

• Typical dose range: 200–400 mg/day

👉 View Tongkat Ali products

Fenugreek Extract

Why it’s used

Fenugreek has a long history of use in traditional medicine and is commonly included in performance and vitality formulas.

What research shows

• Some studies report improvements in libido and sexual function scores

• Certain trials observed modest increases in free testosterone

• Effects appear more consistent for perceived vitality than hormonal changes

🔗 Studies:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6920068/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18091016/

Key takeaways

• Some studies show ~10–16% increases in free testosterone

• Libido improvements appear more consistent

• Works best as part of a multi-ingredient formula

👉 View Fenugreek products

Tribulus Terrestris

Why it’s used

Tribulus is widely used in male vitality formulas but is often misunderstood as a testosterone booster.

What research shows

• Multiple studies report improvements in sexual desire and function

• Most well-controlled trials show no increase in testosterone levels

• Effects appear independent of hormonal changes

🔗 Studies:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28364864/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24630840/

Key takeaways

• Libido support rather than testosterone stimulation

• Commonly included for sexual vitality

• Works best in combination formulas

👉 View Tribulus products

Horny Goat Weed (Epimedium)

Why it’s used

A traditional Chinese herb often associated with libido and arousal. Its primary compound, icariin, has been studied for nitric oxide signalling.

What research shows

• Preclinical studies demonstrate increased nitric oxide activity

• Human data is limited but consistent with traditional use

🔗 Study:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3551978/

Key takeaways

• Associated more with blood flow and arousal than hormones

• Often included alongside libido-support ingredients

👉 View Horny Goat Weed products

Maca Root (Lepidium meyenii)

Why it’s used

Maca is a Peruvian root traditionally consumed for vitality, fertility, and endurance. It is one of the most widely studied botanical aphrodisiacs.

What research shows

• A placebo-controlled trial showed increased sexual desire after 8 weeks, with no change in testosterone

• A separate study observed improvements in endurance performance and exercise capacity, suggesting maca may support physical performance independent of hormonal changes

• Additional trials confirm maca does not alter testosterone or estrogen, supporting a non-hormonal mechanism

🔗 Studies:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12472620/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21503317/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10307657/

Key takeaways

• Improves libido without altering hormones

• May support endurance and perceived performance

• Acts via neurological or metabolic pathways rather than endocrine ones

👉 View Maca products

Boron

Why it’s used

Boron is a trace mineral involved in hormone binding and mineral metabolism.

What research shows

• Short-term studies reported temporary increases in free testosterone

• Longer trials showed no sustained hormonal change

• Effects appear dependent on baseline deficiency

🔗 Study:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7889885/

Key takeaways

• Small, context-dependent effects

• Best used at low doses

• Supports hormonal balance rather than boosting

👉 View Boron products

D-Aspartic Acid (DAA)

Why it’s used

DAA gained attention after early research suggested it influenced testosterone signalling.

What research shows

• A study in men aged 27–37 reported a ~42% increase in testosterone after 12 days

• Follow-up studies in younger, resistance-trained men (~21–28 years) found no increase, and in some cases slight decreases

• A 2023 study confirmed no benefit at higher doses

🔗 Studies:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3628737/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5571970/
https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/16/1/76

Key takeaways

• Effects appear age- and baseline-dependent

• More relevant for older or untrained individuals

• Not effective as a universal testosterone booster

👉 View D-Aspartic Acid products

Shilajit

Why it’s used

Shilajit is a mineral-rich compound used in Ayurvedic medicine and modern longevity formulations.

What research shows

• A 90-day placebo-controlled study reported:

  • ~20% increase in total testosterone

  • ~19% increase in free testosterone

  • ~23% increase in DHEAS

• Benefits were observed only with purified shilajit

🔗 Study:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26395129/

Key takeaways

• One of the strongest human evidence bases in this category

• Quality and purification are essential

• Typically dosed at 250–500 mg/day

👉 View Shilajit products

Zinc, Magnesium & Vitamin D

Why they’re included

These nutrients support hormonal and metabolic health and are commonly included in performance formulas.

What research shows

• Vitamin D increased testosterone in deficient men

• Magnesium increased free testosterone in athletes

• Zinc deficiency is linked to reduced testosterone

🔗 Studies:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21154195/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20352370/

Key takeaways

• Benefits depend on baseline deficiency

• Supportive rather than stimulatory

• Essential for long-term hormonal health

👉 View Mineral Support Products

Final Thoughts & Next Steps

One of the most interesting takeaways from research into these ingredients is not that they change hormone levels in a medicinal sense, but that many of them have been studied for how they interact with normal physiological processes, particularly in people whose levels may be lower due to lifestyle, stress, ageing, or nutrition.

Rather than forcing the body in a specific direction, many of these ingredients appear to support the body’s own regulatory systems, helping create a favourable internal environment for normal hormone production and balance.

Why This Matters

From a wellness perspective, that’s significant.

Instead of relying on aggressive interventions, these ingredients are often used to:

• Support the body’s normal regulatory processes

• Complement recovery, sleep, and training routines

• Contribute to overall wellbeing as part of a balanced lifestyle

• Help maintain resilience as we age

Many of these herbs and nutrients have histories stretching back centuries across traditional medicine systems — used to work with the body, not override it.

A Smarter, More Sustainable Approach

Used appropriately:

• These ingredients are typically well tolerated

• They do not introduce synthetic hormones

• They fit naturally into long-term wellness routines

• They can complement training and recovery goals

This makes them appealing for people who want to support their health and stay connected to their natural rhythms as time goes on.

Want to Learn More?

We’re here to help you explore these ingredients further — whether you’re just curious, building a supplement stack, or want tailored guidance.

You can connect with us in any of the following ways:

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  NTS Newtown Supplement Store
  Shop 2/654-670 King St, Erskineville NSW 2043
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• 📩 Contact us online:
  https://newtownsupplementstore.com.au/pages/contact

• 🛍 Explore our full range of supplements:
  https://newtownsupplementstore.com.au/collections/all-1

Final Note

While these ingredients have been studied in various research contexts, it’s important to remember:

This content is for educational purposes only. Products discussed are not listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG). They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always read the label and follow directions for use.