The Trouble With Tribulus, By: Christopher Phelps
For those of you "trekkies" you may notice the title of this months article resembles a familiar Star Trek episode"The Trouble with Tribbles". For those of you not familiar with the episode, or even Star Trek for that matter, don't fear this is not a Trekkie convention. There is however, some similarity with Tribulus and Tribbles. Wellkind of. (Hey! You try to be creative every month on deadline.)
First let me give you the 15 second review of "The Trouble with Tribbles" episode. (I'm not a Trekkie; I just watched lots of t.v. as a kid) This episode included a space creature that multiplied faster than rabbits. They came out in all sizes and colors. These weren't bad creatures; they were furry little balls that seemed to make everyone happy. Like a pet I guess. These tribbles would have filled every inch of the old starship Enterprise if they hadn't transported them all off. So that is the very short version. How does that relate to Tribulus?
Well, let's see Tribulus seems to be the current supplement of the future. (FutureStar Trek was suppose to be the future) Tribulus increases testosterone faster than any other OTC supplement. (Tribbles multiplied faster than rabbits) More testosterone makes those trying to build muscle, improve performance and increase sex drive MUCH happier! (Tribbles made everyone happy) Tribulus will have different effects for everyone. Some will see great increases and some will see little increases. (Tribbles came in all sizes and colors)
I know it's a stretch. So let's get down to some facts about Tribulus.
The Chinese have used Tribulus for over 400 years. In the West we became aware of Tribulus in 1982 following research by the Chemical Pharmaceutical institute in Sofia, Bulgaria.
Tribulus Terrestris is an herb commonly known as "Puncture Vine" or Caltrop fruit, grown in various parts of the world and used medicinally for it virilizing effects. Studies have shown a better than 50% increase in testosterone levels when taking the Tribulus herb.
When scientists began studying the remarkable curative power of Tribulus, they discovered that it significantly elevates the level of several hormones: Testosterone; Luteinizing Hormone (LH is a gonad stimulating hormone produced by the pituitary gland), Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Estradiol. A significant benefit of Tribulus is the stimulation of hormone production to a balanced level, without over stimulating the secretion of hormones.
The liver is a major synthesizer of hormones. The hormones are synthesized from cholesterol, so a herb such as Tribulus that has a stimulating effect on the liver will have a major influence on cholesterol and other products of the liver. Tribulus' role as a liver tonic is very important - breaking down the cholesterol and fats that inhibit healthy liver function. The cholesterol and fats are converted to hormones and energy resulting in increased performance and stamina. This role of improving liver function, stamina and endurance is particularly beneficial to athletes and bodybuilders.
The increase in testosterone levels by Tribulus will promote protein synthesis, positive nitrogen balance as well as faster recuperation and recovery from muscular stress. Tribulus therefore has a positive effect on strength and stamina.
No adverse effects to the central nervous or cardiovascular systems were noted in any of the clinical studies; no toxicity and no deviations in blood count occurred. No known negative effects presently exist when Tribulus is used as a dietary supplement. Tribulus exhibits a mild diuretic effect.
What does all that mean for us?
It means Tribulus is one kick ass supplement! However, there is some research that suggests that the purity of the Tribulus is the key to greater benefit. Which falls into line with any supplement. If you buy the cheap stuff you can expect cheap results. The purer the batch of Tribulus, the more likely it is you will experience some real increases in testosterone. In addition to purity you will also want to make sure you are taking the correct amount per day. From what I can tell, 1500 mg split into two doses per day. That's 750mg twice a day. Now this is an average. Each company will have their own suggestions.
There are a number of companies that produce their own version of a Tribulus supplement. Biotest was one of the firsts and their product maintains it provides the highest level of pure Tribulus available. Shop around and make sure you are buying a product that is backed by a good guarantee.
As with all supplements you need to make sure you test its results fairly. When taking a new supplement I like to stop taking any other supplements at the same time. This allows me to evaluate each supplement alone. Therefore I am more likely to see what results are produced without a bias.
IronMagazine highly recommends IronMagLab's Anabolic-Matrix Rx, it contains the highest quality Tribulus with over 20% Protodioscin the effective part of the herb that raises LH levels, thus increasing natural testosteone production!
IronMagLab's Anabolic-Matrix Rx
Frequently Asked Questions
How much muscle can I expect to gain? Individuals vary enormously, and muscle gains have as much to do with proper training, overall nutrition, rest, and genetic capabilities as they do with testosterone levels. However, almost everyone should experience additional muscle mass when their testosterone levels are elevated. The average user of Tribex-500 can expect to put on between five and ten pounds of muscle within the first month or two, but much greater gains may be experienced by some.
Will it help me burn fat? One of the many effects of an elevated testosterone level is increased lipolysis. High testosterone levels not only accelerate muscle buildup and shorten recovery times, but they also increase the overall metabolic rate, thereby burning high amounts of body fat.
Will it improve my sex life? In most cases, you bet. Many users report an increase in their sex drive as well as better sexual performance.
Does Tribex-500 have any negative side effects? None have been noted, unless you consider an increased, raging sex drive a negative side effect.
Will taking Tribex-500 make me fail any drug tests? None of the components of Tribex-500 are on any list of banned substances. It is possible, however, that a blood test might indicate that you have higher-than-normal testosterone levels.
Have any studies been done on Tribex-500? Yes! So far, there have been two university studies conducted on Tribex-500. You can read about both studies in an article written by John Berardi, called Putting Tribex-500 to the Test.. Additionally, we have several more university studies planned in the future.
Is there any reason to cycle Tribex-500? Yes, we believe that there are two effective ways to cycle Tribex-500. We recommend either a 4 weeks on, 2 weeks off protocol, or you can opt for a 5 days on, 2 days off schedule. Both methods have been shown to produce excellent results. You may want to experiment between the two to see if one way works better for your particular physiology.
What happens if I take more than the recommended dosage? You'll be wasting your money. We firmly believe that 4 capsules taken twice a day (a total of 8 capsules) is the ideal, most effective dosing for all individuals, regardless of age, bodyweight, or level of athletic performance.
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