Evidence supporting the use of: Eurycoma Longifolia
For the health condition: Body Building
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2
Eurycoma longifolia, also known as Tongkat Ali, has gained popularity in the bodybuilding community primarily due to its purported effects on testosterone levels, muscle strength, and exercise performance. Several studies have investigated its potential benefits for bodybuilders, focusing on hormonal balance, muscle mass, and recovery. A few small-scale human studies suggest that supplementation with Eurycoma longifolia extract may help increase or restore testosterone levels in men experiencing stress, aging, or hypogonadism. Some of these studies also report improvements in muscle strength and reductions in body fat, which are relevant for bodybuilding.
For example, a 2013 randomized controlled trial found that men who supplemented with Eurycoma longifolia extract for five weeks experienced significant improvements in muscle strength compared to placebo. Other studies have reported increased free testosterone and improved libido, but direct evidence for significant increases in muscle mass or performance in well-trained athletes remains limited. The overall quality of evidence is moderate to low, with most studies being of short duration, small sample size, or lacking rigorous controls.
In summary, while there is a scientific rationale and some early evidence for the use of Eurycoma longifolia to support bodybuilding—especially via hormonal pathways—the current body of evidence is not robust. Larger, high-quality clinical trials are needed to confirm its efficacy and safety for this specific purpose.
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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
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