Vitamin D
Vitamin D can be obtained from the diet or from synthesis in the skin via a chemical reaction that is dependent on sun exposure. Vitamin D is not considered an essential vitamin since it can be obtained in adequate amounts when exposed to sufficient sunlight.
Active vitamin D binds to the vitamin D receptor (VDR). The VDR is a transcription factor that modulates gene expression. VDRs regulate steroid/thyroid hormone receptors. VDR expression can have a direct effect on muscle strength, mass and function, thyroid function, bone metabolism and density, and even testosterone and androgen levels.
Vitamin D has been positively associated with testosterone levels. Vitamin D supplementation is a potential option to maintain vitamin D status; maintain and increase testosterone concentrations. The VDR is present in the Leydig cells on the testis, pituitary glands, and hypothalamus. Studies have shown that men with vitamin D deficiency have exhibited significantly lower testosterone levels, compared to men with normal vitamin D concentrations.
Zinc
Zinc is a mineral that interacts with many biochemical pathways in the body including the endocrine system. It has an important role in thyroid hormone metabolism, immune function and modulating the inflammatory process. Zinc is also important in the conversion of testosterone to dihydroxy testosterone (DHT).
DHT is thought to have a stronger androgenic affect than testosterone due to its four-times greater binding affinity for the androgen receptor than testosterone and a three-times slower dissociation rate than testosterone. DHT has a vital role in the sexual development of males.
Zinc is involved indirectly in testosterone production. Zinc is required for function of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), a zinc-dependent enzyme, which has a zinc binding site in its domain. ACE increases luteinizing hormone production in the pituitary, impacting androgen production. Zinc deficiency can impair testosterone synthesis and is correlated with reductions in testosterone concentrations.
Zinc deficiency appears to be related to hypogonadism; by impairing testosterone synthesis and reducing testosterone concentrations. Several studies have shown that zinc supplementation can restore testosterone levels back to normal range.
Boron
Boron plays roles in metabolism, growth, and maintenance of bones, regulates inflammation and antioxidant enzymes and influences regulation of hormones. Deficiency of boron can result in depressed growth and reduction in steroid hormone concentrations.
Boron may help to uncouple sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) from testosterone, increasing the amount of free testosterone levels in the blood. Boron supplementation has also been shown to increase serum levels of vitamin D. Increasing vitamin D availability may also help contribute to enhancing testosterone production.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a group of fat-soluble compounds including tocopherols and tocotrienols. Vitamin E cannot be synthesized in the body, so it must be obtained through the diet and or via supplementation. Vitamin E has been shown to have some benefits on human health, including cardiovascular, anti-lipidemic, anti-hypertensive, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective.
Vitamin E is considered an antioxidant which may help protect cell membranes from reactive oxygen species (ROS), acting as a free radical scavenger and protecting against oxidative stress.
Oxidative stress is the state of balance between oxidants/antioxidants called a redox balance. Redox signalling can result in the stress response in the presence of high concentrations of ROS or can signal second messengers that modulate receptor agonists of cells such as cytokines, growth factors and hormones to activated cells to generate ROS as a regulatory or cytotoxic event.
Vitamin E is thought to play a significant role in the regulation of the redox interactions in the body. Vitamin E’s tocopherols have weak bonds that allow them to donate hydrogen atoms to the peroxyl radicals and other free radicals, minimizing their damaging effects.
D-Aspartic Malate
D-aspartate (DA) is the active form of the amino acid aspartic acid. DA has been shown to play a regulatory role in endocrine and neuroendocrine function and the regulation of the reproductive system.
DA is involved in several steps of steroidogenesis, regulating synthesis and release of sex steroid hormones including luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and growth hormone (GH). It may also build up in the testicles, where it can influence the rate limiting step of testosterone synthesis, leading to slight increases in free testosterone levels.
Shilajit Extract (50% Fulvic Acid)
Shilajit is a mineral pitch, found in the Himilayan and Hindukush Mountain ranges at high altitudes and has traditional uses in Ayurveda medicine as a vitality enhancer and adaptogen. Shilajit is mostly a mixture of humic acids, with plant microbial metabolites. It has been suggested that Shilajit supplementation may help enhance strength, energy, testosterone levels as well as improve muscle adaptation.
After 8-weeks of shilajit supplementation, the retention of maximal muscular strength following the fatiguing protocol, showed a decrease in biomarkers of collagen degradation. Showing, favorable muscle and connective tissue adaptations.
In a study on healthy male volunteers a positive effect of shilajit on testosterone levels was observed. In a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled study, men between 45 and 55 received shilajit for 90-days. Treatment with Shilajit had a significant effect, increasing total testosterone, free testosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEAS).
Phosphatidylserine
Phosphatidylserine (PS) is a glycerophospholipid and is a major component of the cell membrane. PS accounts for 13 to 15% of the phospholipids in the brain. It’s also concentrated in organs with high metabolic activity such as the lungs, heart, liver, and skeletal muscle14.
PS modulates the activity of receptors, ion channels, enzymes and signaling molecules and is involved in governing membrane fluidity. PS forms part of protein docking sites necessary for the activation of several key signaling pathways.
Modulation of the PS level in the plasma membrane of neurons has a significant impact on these signaling processes and may help improve cognitive function and the body’s ability to deal with stress. In recent studies, PS has been shown to enhance wellbeing during mental stress brought on by exercise, help speed up post-workout recovery, prevent muscle soreness, improve performance and accuracy for sports.
DHEA
DHEA is an endogenous steroid, hormone precursor, mainly secreted by the adrenal cortex and the gonads, but also within the brain. DHEA and its sulfated metabolite, DHEAS, are the most abundant endogenous circulating steroid hormones in the body. It functions as metabolic intermediate in the biosynthesis of androgens including estrogens and testosterone, in the gonads and other tissues.
Decreased levels of DHEA are associated with aging and has been found in age-associated changes in cardiovascular tissues, fertility, metabolism, and neuronal/CNS functions.
DHEA may help alleviate symptoms associated with a decreased DHEA pool (either aging in which DHEA declines or adrenal insufficiency where DHEA synthesis declines) or it can be used to increase the DHEA pool and downstream metabolites, such as testosterone or estrogen for a short period of time.
Pregnenolone
Pregnenolone, is a naturally produced hormone in the body that is used as an antiinflammatory and analgesic, and for supporting cognitive function including improving memory, clarity and mood.
Pregnenolone is a steroid hormone precursor that is synthesized from cholesterol in steroidogenic tissues including the adrenal gland, gonads, and brain.
The mitochondria of these tissues are the sites for steroid hormone biosynthesis. When the adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) is secreted, it stimulates the adrenal glands cortical region to produce cholesterol, which binds to the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) in the outer membrane of the mitochondria.
Once inside the cell, the cytochrome enzyme P450 cuts the cortisol chain producing pregnenolone. This enzyme complex regulates the conversion of cholesterol to pregnenolone, regulating steroidogenesis.
Chaga Mushroom Extract
Chaga, also known as Inonotus obliquus, is a parasitic fungus mainly of birch trees, and has numerous biological and medicinal properties, which have been commonly used in folk medicine in Northern Europe, China, Russia, and Korea, for a wide range of purposes.
Chaga is composed of various chemical components including polysaccharides, triterpenoids, polyphenols, beta-glucans, alpha-glucans, and melanin, it has been proven to possess anticancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, antioxidant, hypoglycemic, and hypolipidemic activity.
Melanin, one of the active components from chaga, has been shown to be an effective prebiotic for the positive bifidobacteria development because of its ability to serve a variety of functions. Melanin contains proteins and polysaccharides; melanin can be used as an additional source of carbon and nitrogen for the bifidobacteria promoting a healthy gut microbiome.
Bacilius coagulens
Bacillus coagulans are a lactic acid, spore forming bacteria, known as a probiotic. Probiotics encourage the growth of ‘good’ or beneficial bacteria, this helps keep the harmful, ‘bad’ bacteria from over taking the gut. These good bacteria help encourage the production of immune cells and natural anti-bodies that can help bolster the immune system, reduce inflammation, and help improve nutrient absorption.
Bacillus coagulans have been shown to aid in the digestion of carbohydrates and protein, including increasing the absorption of key branched chain amino acids. This increased absorption has been associated with a reduction in muscle soreness and muscle damage, as well as an increase in recovery, strength, and power.
Policosanol
Policosanols are long-chain aliphatic alcohols found in sugar cane. The major phytochemical component is octacosanol. Policosanol can help reduce low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, triglycerides, platelet aggregation, endothelial damage, and smooth muscle cell proliferation, as well as raise high density lipoprotein (HDL). Policosanol can also inhibit cholesterol synthesis and enhance cholesterol degradation.
Studies have shown policosanol to be effective for lowering cholesterol, lowering blood pressure, and improving body composition, reducing body fat in humans.
Policosanol, has also been shown to increase brown adipose tissue activation (BAT), increasing fat oxidation and helping decrease body weight.
Fulvic Acid
Fulvic acid is a group of diverse compounds known as humic substances, which are by-products of organic degradation from microorganisms. Fulvic acid consist of small molecular weight, hydrophilic, carboxylic-containing molecules including a mixture of covalently linked phenolic, quinoid and benzene carboxylic acid compounds.
Fulvic acid may work as both an anti-inflammatory and a pro-inflammatory helping reduce cytokine expression after exposure to toxins. Fulvic acid has also been shown to reduce COX2 and prostaglandin secretion.
Fulvic acid may also improve gut flora, nutrient, and mineral absorption in the gut. Fulvic acid binds to ingredients, increasing absorption across the intestine and into the blood, thus increasing bioavailability and delivery to target tissues.
