What Is It?
Tribulus Terrestris is an herb that grows all around the world, typically in dry and cold climates and belongs to the Caltrop plant family. It produces fruit covered with spines, hence its nickname, Puncture Vine’. When fresh, the fruit feels firm but when it dries, the shell of the fruit becomes very hard and spikey. The plant is popular among bodybuilders who use it based on the claim that it can help improve testosterone levels, an essential male hormone.
How Does It Work?
Tribulus Terrestris contains some amounts of steroidal saponins and steroidal glycosides, which are through to generate some androgenic effects in the body. It is, therefore, claimed that taking the herb would increase Luteinizing Hormone (LH) levels and in turn help the body produce more testosterone. Luteinizing Hormone is responsible for sending signals from the brain to the testes and therefore having more of it triggers production of more testosterone.
Is It Effective?
The effectiveness of Tribulus will largely depend on your reasons for taking it. Besides improving testosterone levels, the supplement is known to provide several benefits on liver health, erectile dysfunction, inflammatory conditions, etc. The claim that Tribulus will help improve your testosterone levels, however, remains shaky due to conflicting opinions. A test on animals showed an increase in serum testosterone, but in humans, the increase was only observed when the herb was used alongside other components. A study on humans revealed that that the supplement was effective if standardised to contain at least 10% of Protodioscin, which is one of the steroidal glycosides and the active ingredient in Tribulus. The increase of testosterone with Protodioscin was evident in both men and women.
Therefore, the reality remains that while the herb continues to be referred to as a testosterone booster, its composition matters. This coupled with the presence of unscrupulous merchants, therefore, makes it difficult to identify which Tribulus Supplement works, and which does not. Therefore, the conclusion on whether Tribulus works to improve your testosterone cannot be made until further research is done to fill the gaps left open by studies done so far.
Side Effects
Most of the side effects associated with taking Tribulus Terrestris are quite mild and temporary. They are likely to be experienced only a short time after taking the herb and go away on their own without any intervention. It is, however, important to note that Tribulus supplements may affect or interrupt the efficacy of other medications and thus the need to consult a doctor before use.
Final Thoughts
Supplements are known for boosting health and wellness, but only if they are taken correctly. Some users advice that the benefits of Tribulus can be realized but if only you maintain a healthy diet and exercise routine. Your age and current health condition may also affect the effectiveness of some supplements and thus the need to be informed before making a purchasing decision. If you are to use Tribulus to increase testosterone levels, ensure it contains the active ingredient or better still use it alongside other effective supplements.
