In October 2024, PLT Well being Options launched TestFACTOR — a testosterone-boosting ingredient powered by botanical extracts from mango (Mangifera indica) and East Indian Globe Thistle (Sphaeranthus indicus). TestFACTOR was launched after the conclusion of a soon-to-be revealed examine exhibiting important outcomes for testosterone, vitality, and sexual well being in middle-aged males.
Keep up to date with PricePlow’s PLT Well being information alerts as extra analysis is revealed, and be a part of us as we dive into the science behind TestFACTOR’s mechanisms and outcomes.
Testosterone is one thing that seemingly each man desires extra of – and why not? Greater testosterone ranges sometimes include elevated power, motivation, and focus, in addition to improved temper.
Sadly, testosterone ranges decline with age — in some circumstances, very sharply. On common, manufacturing drops by about 1% per yr starting at age 30,[1,2] which means that by center age, it’s low sufficient to trigger noticeable issues like fatigue, lowered libido, muscle mass loss, elevated physique fats, temper disturbances, and cognitive decline.[2]
It’s not a straightforward downside to unravel as a result of the drop in “T” is a posh, multifactorial course of involving diminished hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis operate, elevated intercourse hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), and a dizzying array of life-style components, together with elevated physique fats, poor eating regimen, sedentary conduct, persistent stress, and sleep disturbances.
Given the various life-style decisions that may exacerbate the pure decline in testosterone, it’s comprehensible that many males really feel overwhelmed by the prospect of overhauling their life-style to be extra T-friendly. Even for veteran biohackers, it’s an endless means of refinement that unfolds over a few years.
To make issues much more sophisticated, whole testosterone manufacturing isn’t the entire story — we’d like a lot of free testosterone, which means testosterone that’s not sure to SHBG, a provider protein that transports testosterone all through the physique however can intrude with its organic motion if serum SHBG rises too excessive.
If we older guys need to succeed at naturally optimizing testosterone manufacturing, we have to use each device in our arsenal. Thankfully, PLT Well being Options has simply offered us with among the best we’ve seen shortly:
Right this moment, we’ll talk about some extremely spectacular analysis, and it comes as no shock to these aware of the complement business. In spite of everything, PLT Well being Options is a frontrunner in research-backed components. The standard of the research behind their merchandise is mostly a lower above the remaining, as not too long ago mentioned on the PricePlow Podcast in Episode #146 with Steve Fink and Dr. Jeremy Appleton.
TestFACTOR is a mix of botanical extracts from mango (Mangifera indica) bark and East Indian Globe Thistle (Sphaeranthus indicus) flower heads. Though each crops have a protracted historical past of use in Ayurvedic drugs,[3,4] a singular synergy between the plant extracts was found, and PLT helps to review a completely new set of advantages for these conventional crops.
TestFACTOR Part #1: Mangifera indica
Mangifera indica has been historically used not solely in Ayurvedic drugs but in addition in a number of different indigenous drugs methods to deal with numerous illnesses, together with diarrhea, dysentery, and rheumatism. It’s wealthy in potent bioactive constituents like mangiferin, a strong antioxidant with demonstrated antidiabetic, immunomodulatory, anti-genotoxic, and anti inflammatory properties.[5]
Apart from mangiferin, Mangifera bark additionally incorporates important compounds equivalent to catechins, quercetin, and gallic acid.[6] Current analysis has investigated these compounds for his or her potential in managing diabetes, immune operate, and oxidative stress.[7,8]
TestFACTOR Part #2: Sphaeranthus indicus
Sphaeranthus indicus, one other Ayurvedic famous person, has been used for tons of of years to deal with pores and skin ailments, fever, epilepsy, and gastrointestinal illnesses.[4,9] It incorporates bioactive constituents like sphaeranthanolide,[4,9] 7-Hydroxy frullanolide (7HF),[10] a sesquiterpene lactone to which the sphaeranthus in TestFACTOR is standardized, in addition to flavonoids and important oils. These constituents are recognized for his or her anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and liver-protective properties.[4,9,11]
Mixed, these two components demonstrated novel synergy throughout quite a few metabolic pathways, equivalent to rising mitochondrial biogenesis, upregulating the Mechanistic Goal of Rapamycin (mTOR), inducing muscle cell proliferation, inhibiting catabolic breakdown of muscle, and rising testosterone manufacturing. Throughout 4 scientific trials in males, this novel, patented ingredient mixture additionally elevated each free and whole testosterone, in addition to enhancing muscle energy and endurance:
2023 Research – Elevated Muscle Energy and Endurance
A randomized, double-blind, placebo managed scientific trial revealed in 2023 examined the energy and endurance enhancing results of TestFACTOR in 40 weight educated younger males. Contributors took both 650 mg TestFACTOR or a placebo for eight weeks whereas coaching 4 instances per week utilizing a typical “bro cut up” below skilled supervision.[12]
It’s vital to notice that these have been educated topics; every participant was required to have been lifting 3-4 hours per week, 4 instances per week, for six months.[12] This criterion is critical as a result of it’s typically a lot tougher for sports activities diet dietary supplements to point out results in educated topics than in untrained ones, lending further credibility to the examine’s findings.
Moreover, these topics have been wholesome. The imply age of the examine inhabitants was about 23, and the common BMI was 24,[12] indicating they have been match younger males at their organic peak. Their proximity to bodily genetic potential provides weight to any noticed results from TestFACTOR.
They have been additionally screened for doubtlessly confounding medical situations, equivalent to irregular liver panels or different critical infections, and instructed to keep away from all ergogenic aids whereas adhering to their regular diets.[12]
The examine members visited the lab on 5 separate events:
Screening go to
Randomization/baseline go to
Day 14
Day 28
Day 56
Energy assessments have been carried out on visits 2 by way of 5, whereas blood attracts have been taken on visits 1, 2, and 5.[12]
In case you aren’t aware of it, the “bro cut up” used on this examine has members divide their coaching right into a chest/shoulder day, a again day, a leg day, and an arm day. The lifting periods have been calibrated to every topic’s particular person 1RMs and adopted a three-step process:
Heat up with 2 units of 8-10 reps at 50% 1RM
Foremost session of 2-3 units of 10 at 70% 1RM, with 2 minutes of relaxation between units
Weight was incrementally added to the bar till it reached 90% 1RM
On go to days, members carried out solely the bodily evaluation workouts, which included bench press, leg press, cable pulldowns, handgrip energy, and a treadmill take a look at. The examine additionally tracked testosterone, cortisol, DHT, and creatine kinase, a metric for muscle harm.[12]
As proven within the inset chart, randomization on this examine was efficient, as bench 1RM, leg press 1RM, and handgrip energy have been roughly the identical between the teams at baseline.
However because the examine progressed, the TestFACTOR group (LI12542F6) completely creamed the placebo group.[12] Whereas each teams gained energy on all three assessments, the TestFACTOR group gained 500% extra energy than the placebo group on the bench press and leg press assessments.[12] The placebo group’s beneficial properties have been fairly stable (as anticipated), however the TestFACTOR beneficial properties have been extraordinary.
However much more spectacular than the raise enhancements was the grip energy enchancment. Anybody who’s educated onerous can inform you that grip energy is notoriously robust to enhance—you actually must struggle for even single-digit proportion beneficial properties. But extremely, the TestFACTOR group gained 30% extra handgrip energy than the placebo group throughout the 56-day examine interval.[12]
By simply the second week of the examine, the TestFACTOR group had considerably elevated their 1-rep max energy beneficial properties in bench press, leg press, and handgrip in comparison with the placebo group.[12]
From there, the TestFACTOR group’s benefits continued to develop, ensuing within the conclusion that by the top of the examine interval, the TestFACTOR group had gained 240% as a lot energy because the placebo group.[12]
Train scientists have recognized for some time that testosterone standing influences grip energy greater than coaching does,[13] so if we see a lift in grip energy, we must also count on an enchancment in general androgen standing. And that’s precisely what the TestFACTOR examine discovered – when the researchers examined the themes’ androgen standing, they discovered that TestFACTOR elevated free testosterone by 17%, whereas lowering cortisol ranges by 22%.[12] Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) additionally elevated by 28% over baseline, however it didn’t obtain statistical significance towards placebo.[12]
The very best a part of this examine, in our opinion, is that each single noticed impact achieved statistical significance in comparison with placebo. Normally, after we cowl a examine like this, some results do and a few don’t – however as you’ll be able to see from the tables screenshotted under, each single noticed inter-group distinction achieved statistical significance (marked by a # superscript).[12]
When it got here to endurance, the examine measured it by two completely different strategies:
Variety of cable pull-down repetitions to failure at 80% 1RM
Time to exhaustion on a treadmill take a look at with a 2% improve in incline each 2 minutes
On each metrics, the TestFACTOR group outperformed the placebo group, gaining 96% extra endurance on the cable pull-downs and 107% extra endurance on the treadmill.[12]
Since TestFACTOR improved energy, endurance, and androgen standing, it’s no shock there have been useful results on physique composition too. The TestFACTOR group skilled an roughly 3-4 instances better improve in bicep circumference, a robust indicator of muscle progress.[12]
One other wonderful end result was general lean physique mass – the TestFACTOR group gained a formidable 1.44 kg, whereas the placebo group gained barely any lean mass. Furthermore, the TestFACTOR group shed roughly 5 instances as a lot fats because the placebo group.[12]
No shock right here, since we already noticed how TestFACTOR elevated free testosterone, which considerably impacts muscle protein synthesis by way of its binding to the androgen receptor.[12]
2024 Followup Research
Then, in Could 2024, a second examine was revealed with a a lot bigger pattern dimension and located much more spectacular outcomes.
The examine concerned 99 males with a mean age of twenty-two — a reasonably large pattern, particularly by complement science requirements.[14] The massive dimension was to accommodate 4 separate arms within the examine.
It was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled examine that assigned members to considered one of 4 situations:
Energetic 1 (A1) – 425 mg TestFACTOR WD (a water-dispersible type offering 325 mg of lively, half the dose used within the earlier examine)
Energetic 2 (A2) – 850 mg TestFACTOR WD (a water-dispersible type offering 650 mg of lively, the identical dose used within the earlier examine)
Placebo 1 (P1) – placebo
Placebo 2 (P2) – placebo however twice the units
All 4 teams underwent an similar resistance coaching (RET) program, the one distinction being that P2 accomplished twice the variety of units per session as the opposite teams. All members took their dietary supplements each morning throughout the examine interval.
At outlined intervals all through the 8-week examine, the analysis crew measured members’ energy on numerous lifts, in addition to sure biomarkers—together with the all-important androgen testosterone.[14]
Along with most energy, the examine measured topics’ most reps on the identical lifts. As soon as once more, TestFACTOR was vastly superior to placebo – the TestFACTOR teams have been in a position to carry out about 10-15% extra reps than the placebo group![14]
Apparently, the impact appears to haven’t been strictly dose-dependent. Though the upper dose group achieved the very best beneficial properties, substantial and statistically important beneficial properties within the decrease dose group have been noticed as effectively, suggesting you can obtain the strength- and endurance-boosting results with a dose that simply matches into one capsule, or double up for max profit.
Be aware that the placebo teams additionally improved, as anticipated in topics who have been coaching – however TestFACTOR nonetheless beat them by a protracted shot.
Enhancements to androgen standing
As proven within the insert chart, TestFACTOR considerably elevated free and whole testosterone. Free T rose by 38% within the A2 group, whereas whole T elevated by 18%.[14]
Even the low-dose TestFACTOR group (A1) skilled a 30% increase in free T, which continues to be an enormous impact dimension!
Cortisol drop – simply as vital
And as soon as once more, TestFACTOR administration was related to a major drop in cortisol, which is arguably simply as huge of a deal because the T boosting impact, as a result of cortisol and testosterone have an antagonistic relationship on account of their opposing roles within the physique. Whereas testosterone is, as everyone knows, an anabolic hormone that helps muscle progress, protein synthesis, and tissue restore, cortisol is a catabolic hormone that gives power by breaking down protein and muscle tissue.[15] No shock, then, that elevated cortisol ranges can inhibit testosterone manufacturing by suppressing the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis and decreasing luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion,[16] that are each important for testosterone synthesis.
What makes this tremendous spectacular, and vital, is that TestFACTOR decreased cortisol ranges throughout a heavy resistance coaching cycle, which is when cortisol rises probably the most (because it did in each placebo teams), and likewise a interval after we can profit much more than typical from maintaining it below management. In spite of everything, the purpose of resistance coaching is to construct energy and muscle, and cortisol straight interferes with the accomplishment of each objectives.
What Do These Research Imply For Older Males? What do they imply for ladies?
On condition that the primary examine was performed in males aged 18 to 40, and the second in males 19 to 29, males who’ve aged out of those brackets might surprise how these outcomes apply to them. And ladies would possibly surprise the identical.
The reply is that, usually, it’s a lot tougher to naturally improve testosterone manufacturing in youthful males in comparison with older males, since younger males are sometimes nearer to their genetic potential. Subsequently, any complement that successfully boosts testosterone on this inhabitants is sort of definitely going to work even higher in an older inhabitants. Girls, then again, need to expertise the energy advantages with out rising their testosterone.
2024 Poster Presentation Research: TestFACTOR Complement Enhances Energy and Mobility in Older Adults, and Testosterone in Older Males
An summary and poster presentation of a examine have been not too long ago revealed in 2024 exhibiting that TestFactor is efficacious in an older inhabitants.[17,18]
The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled examine was performed over 12 weeks with 92 adults aged 55-70 (46 males and 46 ladies) divided into two teams: one performing calisthenic workouts alone (thrice per week) and the opposite performing the identical workouts with day by day TestFACTOR supplementation (650 mg/day).
Energy, endurance, mobility, physique composition, and testosterone ranges have been tracked all through the examine at baseline, week 4, week 8, and week 12. Energy was assessed by way of leg extensions and handgrip assessments, endurance measured by leg extension repetitions to failure, and useful mobility evaluated utilizing a six-minute stroll and sit-to-stand assessments.
Key Findings / Highlights
Though each teams confirmed important enhancements in energy, endurance, and mobility by week 12, the TestFACTOR group demonstrated considerably better beneficial properties in leg energy, grip energy, strolling distance, and sit-to-stand efficiency in comparison with the placebo group.[17,18]
The short breakdown is nothing in need of staggering:
4.2x better enchancment in leg energy versus train alone
4.5x better enchancment in grip energy versus train alone
52% better resistance to muscular fatigue versus train alone
86% better enchancment in useful mobility versus train alone
86% enchancment in strolling velocity versus train alone
2.1x extra perceived power and vitality
Let’s take a better take a look at the information:
Energy Enhancements
Leg Extension (LE-1RM): Important beneficial properties in leg extension energy have been noticed in each teams, however TestFACTOR members demonstrated better enhancements at each time level (weeks 4, 8, and 12). These results had a robust interplay between group and time (p<0.001), exhibiting that the complement considerably accelerated beneficial properties over time in comparison with train alone.[17,18]
Grip Energy: In contrast to the exercise-only group, TestFACTOR supported enhanced grip energy in members constantly throughout all measured intervals (weeks 4, 8, and 12). A foremost impact of time, remedy, and a group-time interplay (p<0.001) additional emphasised TestFACTOR’s function in bettering grip energy, a profit not achieved by calisthenics alone.[17,18]
Endurance Beneficial properties
Leg Extension Repetitions to Failure (LE-RTF): Each teams confirmed endurance enhancements, however the TestFACTOR group exceeded the placebo group from week 4 onward (p=0.007 for group impact). This means TestFACTOR’s extra assist in muscular endurance early on, indicating a cumulative profit all through the examine.[17,18]
Useful Mobility
6-Minute Stroll Take a look at (6MWT): Strolling distance improved in each teams, however TestFACTOR supplementation led to considerably better beneficial properties in strolling distance by week 12 (p=0.008 for group x time interplay). This impact implies enhanced stamina and cardiovascular profit within the supplemented group.[17,18]
Sit-to-Stand Take a look at (STS): Enhancements have been seen throughout each teams, however these utilizing TestFACTOR had extra important will increase in repetitions by week 12, although the interplay impact approached significance (p=0.064). This endpoint helps TestFACTOR’s impression on useful energy and mobility when mixed with a fundamental train routine.[17,18]
Physique Composition
Lean Physique Mass (LBM): TestFACTOR members skilled important will increase in lean physique mass from baseline, not like the exercise-only group. The complement group confirmed notable variations (p<0.05) in lean mass, particularly important in each female and male members by week 12.[17,18]
Complete Physique Fats (TBF): TBF declined solely within the TestFACTOR group, the place reductions have been statistically important in comparison with the placebo (p<0.05). This will point out TestFACTOR’s function in enhancing metabolic operate alongside muscle variations.[17,18]
Hormonal Affect
Testosterone Ranges: In male members, TestFACTOR considerably elevated testosterone ranges over baseline, whereas train alone confirmed a smaller improve (p<0.01 for group impact in males). Girls didn’t exhibit modifications in testosterone in both group.[17,18]
TestFACTOR Poster Presentation Research Conclusions
General, this examine emphasizes TestFACTOR’s potential for enhancing a number of features of bodily well being in older adults when mixed with minimal train. Key advantages have been noticed in muscle energy, endurance, useful mobility, and physique composition, significantly lean physique mass retention and testosterone ranges in males.
The improved and accelerated beneficial properties within the TestFACTOR group underline the complement’s efficacy, particularly in endpoints like leg energy, grip energy, and strolling distance, showcasing it as a supportive addition for older adults aiming to enhance bodily resilience and metabolic well being.
Male Sexual Well being and Vitality Research On The Method: Phenomenal Preview Knowledge
Researchers have accomplished a examine that’s nonetheless unpublished at time of press (October 2024), however PLT Well being has teased some phenomenal outcomes at SupplySide West:
This examine was an 8-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 60 wholesome males aged 40-65 (imply age 51). Contributors have been recreationally lively, with a traditional to chubby BMI. The examine in contrast outcomes for members taking a day by day 325 mg dose of TestFACTOR versus placebo. The first endpoint was change in serum Complete testosterone. Different key metrics included modifications in sexual operate, different hormone ranges, psychological and bodily power, grip energy, sleep, and perceived stress taken at baseline, 1, 2, 4, and eight weeks.
Key Findings
Hormone Ranges
Complete Testosterone: Complete testosterone elevated considerably within the TestFACTOR group, exhibiting a 19% enchancment over baseline by week 8. Statistically important beneficial properties versus placebo started at week 2 (p<0.05), indicating a speedy onset of motion for TestFACTOR in supporting testosterone ranges.
Free Testosterone: Free testosterone ranges rose by 20% from baseline inside the TestFACTOR group, once more reaching significance as early as week 2 when in comparison with the placebo group.
Sexual Perform
General Sexual Perform: TestFACTOR improved sexual operate by 48%, as measured by the Adjustments in Sexual Perform Questionnaire (CSFQ). This enchancment grew to become statistically important at week 2 and spanned all measured domains: pleasure, frequency, want, arousal, and orgasm.
Particular person Domains:
Pleasure/Satisfaction: Elevated by 44%.
Frequency: Improved by 58%, suggesting a extra constant optimistic impression on sexual exercise.
Curiosity/Need: Enhanced by 45%.
Arousal/Erection High quality: Improved by 49%.
Orgasm/Ejaculation: Notably elevated by 46%. These domain-specific beneficial properties reinforce TestFACTOR’s supportive function in a number of features of sexual well being and general wellness.
Vitality and Fatigue
Chalder Fatigue Scale: Complete fatigue scores decreased by 57% within the TestFACTOR group by week 4, in comparison with minimal change within the placebo group. This was accompanied by a 50% enchancment in bodily power and a 67% enchancment in psychological power by the top of the 8-week examine.
These fatigue reductions spotlight TestFACTOR’s potential to boost each bodily and psychological power in a comparatively quick interval.
Bodily Energy and Longevity
Grip Energy: TestFACTOR yielded a 14.5% enchancment in grip energy, thought-about a clinically significant improve. This profit was important from week 4 onward, with a 5.5 kg acquire by week 8. Improved grip energy has been related to lowered dangers of cardiovascular occasions, mortality, and general longevity, suggesting broader well being implications.
High quality of Life (QoL)
Stress and Sleep High quality: Contributors reported a marked discount in perceived stress and enhancements in sleep as early as week 4. These outcomes, measured by the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), mirror TestFACTOR’s potential to assist psychological wellness and restoration.
Vitality: The SF-36 vitality subscale confirmed substantial enchancment by week 8, supporting basic high quality of life enhancements in TestFACTOR customers.
Research Conclusion: We Can’t Wait to See this Printed!
This 8-week examine underscores TestFACTOR’s multi-dimensional advantages in middle-aged males, spanning hormone assist, enhanced power and energy, improved sexual well being, and lowered fatigue. Notable findings embody the complement’s early efficacy in boosting testosterone and grip energy, that are essential indicators of long-term vitality. With important enhancements in sexual operate and different high quality of life metrics, TestFACTOR emerges as a promising complement for supporting hormonal and useful well being in ageing adults.
The total publication of this examine is coming quickly, so keep tuned to the PricePlow Weblog — we’ll cowl this and replace this text as soon as it’s revealed.
So how precisely does TestFACTOR work? Listed here are the mechanisms proposed by the authors of the 2024 examine:[14]
Because the authors of the examine talk about, extreme antioxidant exercise can hinder train variations, as some oxidative stress is essential for signaling pathways concerned in muscle progress and restore.[14] So, how does TestFACTOR improve train adaptation? It could goal pathways with self-regulating suggestions mechanisms, though extra analysis is required to substantiate this idea.
As mentioned in PricePlow Podcast Episode #146 with Steve Fink and Dr. Jeremy Appleton, PLT Well being Options has established itself because the de-facto customary in botanicals — once they carry a brand new botanical extract ingredient to market, it’s been extraordinarily well-vetted. TestFACTOR is not any completely different, and we’re excited to see them discovering new makes use of for unbelievable constituents like mangiferin.
With 4 scientific trials carried out (three of that are revealed on the time of publication), TestFACTOR is very thrilling — that is extra analysis than we usually see within the common dietary complement ingredient launch.
Keep tuned to PricePlow by subscribing to our PLT Well being and TestFACTOR information alerts — we’ll have this text up to date when new analysis is revealed or new merchandise with the ingredient are lined: