Evidence supporting the use of: D-Aspartic Acid
For the health condition: Body Building
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2
D-Aspartic Acid (DAA) is an amino acid that has been investigated for its potential role in supporting bodybuilding, primarily due to its proposed effects on testosterone production. The rationale behind its use is based on early studies suggesting that DAA supplementation can increase endogenous testosterone levels, which could theoretically support muscle growth and strength gains.
Initial research, such as a 2009 study in healthy men, found that DAA supplementation increased testosterone by about 42% after 12 days. However, subsequent, more rigorous studies have cast doubt on these findings. For example, a 2013 study in trained men found no effect of DAA supplementation on testosterone or strength after 28 days. Several other studies in resistance-trained men have also reported no significant changes in testosterone, muscle mass, or performance outcomes with DAA supplementation.
Systematic reviews and meta-analyses suggest that while DAA may transiently increase testosterone in untrained or infertile men, these effects are not seen in healthy, resistance-trained males—the primary population interested in bodybuilding. No evidence supports significant improvements in muscle mass or strength attributable to DAA. Thus, while there is a scientific rationale and some initial evidence, the overall scientific consensus does not robustly support DAA’s efficacy for bodybuilding purposes, and the evidence is rated as weak (2/5).
Other ingredients used for Body Building
7-Keto-DHEAacetyl l-carnitine
adenosine 5-triphosphate disodium (ATP)
alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG)
amino acids
anchovies
ashwagandha
aspartic acid
beta-alanine
bovine
branched-chain amino acids
caffeine
capsaicinoids
coleus forskohlii
conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
creatine monohydrate
curcumin
gelatin
ginseng
greens blend (proprietary)
hydroxycitric acid
l-isoleucine
iron
l-cysteine
l-glutamine
l-glycine
l-leucine
l-methionine
l-ornithine
l-valine
magnesium
maltodextrin
milk
omega-3 fatty acids
ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate
protein
almond fruit
vitamin D
whey protein
zinc
wheat germ
algae
chickpea protein
brown rice protein
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
19-NorAndrost-4ene-3b-ol,17-one
17a-di methyl-bol
1,3,7-Trimethylpurine-2,6-dione
2, 17a-dimethyl-17b-hydroxy-5a-androst-2-ene
2a,3a-epithio-17a-methyl-5a-androstan-17b-ol
2, 17a-dimethyl-17b-hydroxy-5a-androstan-1-ene-3-one
2a, 17a-dimethyl-17b-hydroxy-5a-androstan-3-one
4-DHEA
Arginine Alpha Ketoglutarate
Arachidonic Acid
Arginine malate
Alpha glyceryl
Alpha-ketoisocaproic acid
adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
Algal protein
Alpha hydroxyisocaproic acid
Anti-aromatase
Animal protein
Beef Protein
Beef
Beef liver
Bovine Protein
beta-lactoglobulin
Ba Ji Tian
banana
Chia seed
Casein
Cardarine
Citrus
Capsaicin
Capsiate
Chicken
D-Aspartic Acid
Dihydrocapsiate
Deer Velvet
D-Ribose
Dextrose
Egg
Ecdysteroids
Elthyl-Alpha-Guanido-Methyl-Ethanoate
Ecdysterone
Egg protein
glucose
Isoleucine
Milk Protein
yohimbine
Zucchini
Other health conditions supported by D-Aspartic Acid
Athletic and Exercise AidsBody Building
Exercise
Infertility
Sex Drive (low)
Testosterone (low)