InnovaPharm is a complement firm that all the time lives as much as its title. Once they launch a product, you’d higher concentrate, as a result of it’s just about assured to supply considered one of two main value-adds:
One of the best formulation in any product class present each of the above value-adds – they use a handful of time-tested, mainstay substances as a springboard for doing one thing daring and daring.
InnovaPharm has gained over severe athletes and complement fanatics with its spectacular dedication to transparency, high quality, efficacy, and pioneering components design. They not too long ago demonstrated this with Poppa Pump, a stimulant-free pump pre-workout capsule with some substances we’ve by no means seen earlier than. And right here we’re, able to do it once more:
The product we’re discussing right now, InnovaPharm’s TEST XL, exemplifies this strategy. It has mainstays like fadogia and tongkat ali, however with additions like SA3X Spilanthes acmella and, not one, however two substances that PricePlow’s by no means coated earlier than: PermaTEST Pedallium murex and a mysterious newcomer named Paederia foetida.
It’s fairly uncommon that we cowl a product with only one ingredient we’ve by no means seen, not to mention two. So, whereas we’re positive that everyone who reads this text will completely adore it, our common readers are in for a really particular deal with!
Let’s get into how this superior product works – however first, verify PricePlow’s availability and offers on TEST XL, and join our InnovaPharm information alerts:
Fadogia Agrestis PE (stem) (Extracted to Include a Full Spectrum of Alkaloids, Saponins, Anthraquinones) – 1,200 mg
The shrub Fadogia agrestis, native to an unlimited area stretching from western Africa to South Sudan,[1] is loaded with alkaloids, saponins, and flavonoids[2] with highly effective bioactive results. As common readers of the PricePlow Weblog absolutely know, saponins are a standard discovering in analyses of testosterone boosters, so we’re already off to a very good begin.
Fadogia principally went viral in 2023 when a well-liked well being influencer named this ingredient on his podcast and cited a rat examine from 2005 in his dialogue. This examine had the rats take intraperitoneal injections of Fadogia at varied body-weight-based doses – one group acquired 18 mg per kg, one other 50 mg, and the high-dose group acquired 100 mg/kg.[2]
To rapidly convert rat doses to human equal doses (HEDs), all it’s important to do is divide by six.[3] So, on this case, the doses used have HEDs of three mg, 8 mg, and 17 mg per kg physique weight, respectively. Given {that a} 200 lb particular person is roughly 100 kg, because of this the 1,200 mg dose of Fadogia provided by InnovaPharm TEST XL is unquestionably within the ballpark of these doses.
For instance, for those who weigh 176 kilos (80 kilograms), 1,200 mg converts to fifteen mg/kg – very near the highest-dose HED from the rat examine.
That is noteworthy as a result of animal research typically use doses which might be manner greater than what’s possible in human topics. Thus, often it’s fairly troublesome to imagine that the outcomes of an animal examine will apply to people. However on this case, we really feel fairly assured that the findings of the 2005 rat examine are clinically related.
So, what had been the outcomes of this well-known examine?
Technically, the examine was not about testosterone, however fairly, Fadogia’s impression on sexual operate. The researchers discovered that Fadogia dose-dependently elevated sexual operate in rats, and the optimistic correlation was nearly completely linear.
Extra importantly, the impact sizes had been large – no pun supposed. In rats who acquired 100 mg/kg, their mount latency (outlined because the time that passes between the introduction of a brand new feminine right into a male’s cage and his preliminary copulation along with her) plummeted by a whopping 60%, from roughly 800 seconds to 300 seconds. And this was solely on the very first day of supplementation.[2] As Fadogia therapy continued all through the examine interval, the impact measurement stored getting greater, with an nearly 90% drop from 750 seconds to 100 seconds by day 5.[2]
Moreover, the rats’ ejaculatory latency – principally, how lengthy they lasted – went by the roof. By day 5 of the examine, it had elevated 325%, from 200 seconds to 650 seconds.[2]
Everyone knows there’s a detailed hyperlink between testosterone and sexual operate, so it’s straightforward to imagine that these outcomes suggest an increase in testosterone manufacturing. Not so quick, although – there are fairly a couple of substances that improve libido with out boosting testosterone, probably the most well-known in all probability being maca root.
That’s why the researchers instantly measured the rats’ testosterone blood ranges – they usually discovered that Fadogia administration was related to a whopping 400% enhance to testosterone on day one, and a 600% improve on day 5.[2]
Additional research are wanted to totally perceive the mechanism of motion, however the researchers referred to as out the saponins’ skill to upregulate luteinizing hormone (LH) as a possible clarification.[2]
In a 2007 examine, the identical doses of Fadogia – 18, 50, and 100 mg/kg – had been administered to rats, whose testicles elevated in mass by about 10-15% relying on the dose used.[4] This examine didn’t carry out any direct testosterone measurements, but it surely did present a better degree of testicular ldl cholesterol related to Fadogia administration, which is essential since ldl cholesterol is a essential precursor for testosterone synthesis.[4]
Shilajit Extract (std. min 50% Fulvic Acid) – 500 mg
PrimaVie is a trademarked type of shilajit that has loads of peer-reviewed research behind it. Observe, we imply these research had been carried out, not simply on a generic shilajit, however particularly on PrimaVie. We love seeing brand-specific research since inter-brand variation can have an effect on product efficacy.
So what do the PrimaVie research say?
Nicely, for starters, we should always discuss concerning the composition of PrimaVie. Whereas shilajit consists of many alternative bioactive constituents, nearly too many to call, a few of these constituents are identified to be extra efficacious than others, and PrimaVie is standardized for those that matter most. For instance, it’s about 50% fulvic acid by weight,[5] which is arguably what’s most essential relating to shilajit.
Analysis on PrimaVie has demonstrated that this model of shilajit can considerably improve male androgen operate. In a single randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled examine, middle-aged males who consumed 500 mg of PrimaVie day by day exhibited a 20% improve in each free and complete testosterone.[6]
The identical examine discovered that PrimaVie can enhance dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a neurosteroid and veritable fountain of youth molecule,[7-10] by a powerful 30%. Elevated DHEA is linked to youthful traits like moist, easy pores and skin[11] and stress resistance.[12] Sadly, DHEA manufacturing within the physique begins to naturally drop round age 30, and may be anticipated to say no by roughly 80% over the course of an individual’s life.[13-15]
The DHEA molecule exerts anti-stress results by way of two essential mechanisms – it inhibits 11β-HSD1, an enzyme answerable for creating cortisol, in addition to 11β-HSD2, an enzyme answerable for degrading cortisol. Thus, DHEA delivers a powerful one-two punch to emphasize; it each decreases the manufacturing of your physique’s most important stress hormone and accelerates its destruction.[16-19]
The motion of DHEA resembles that of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is arguably probably the most androgenic type of testosterone.[20]
SA3X Spilanthes Acmella (Flower) Extract (std. min 3.5% Spilanthol) – 500 mg
Spilanthes acmella, generally often known as “toothache plant” or “electrical daisy,” is an herb historically utilized in varied cultures – however notably by India’s Ayurvedic medication system – for its medicinal properties. Notably, Spilanthes has quickly gained a cult following amongst complement shoppers and business insiders due to the way in which it makes most customers really feel. We hear a variety of anecdotal experiences that Spilanthes supplementation can produce palpable, fast boosts in individuals’s perceived power ranges.
We all know that Spilanthes is full of bioactive constituents like spilanthol, alkylamides, flavonoids, and terpenoids, all of that are thought to have HPA-modulating, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neurochemical, immunological, hormonal, and maybe most significantly, mitochondrial advantages.[22]
However the scientific outcomes are what we actually care about. So, what do the research say about Spilanthes’ effectiveness as a T booster? Thankfully, we’ve plenty of SA3X-brand-specific research to attract on, which is nice. We love reviewing brand-specific analysis every time attainable since efficacy can differ from model to model.
In a single examine, 218 male contributors took 500 mg SA3X for two months. By the tip of the examine interval, topics’ erections had been lasting 20% longer, and the lads additionally reported a mean sexual activity frequency of 6.23 occasions per week, up from 3.21 occasions per week.[24] These are nice outcomes, however we should always notice that this was a longitudinal examine, not a randomized managed trial, that means there are many probably confounding variables. Nonetheless, it’s a very good examine to get us began. Now let’s have a look at some RCTs.
The following examine in our stack was randomized, placebo-controlled, and never solely double-blinded, however triple-blinded. Wow! It’s nearly like this analysis staff was making an attempt to make up for the longitudinal examine with a further layer of blinding. In a triple-blind examine, not solely are each the analysis staff and the examine contributors unaware of which therapy contributors obtain – the info analysts are additionally blind to that. Appears extreme, however who is aware of? Perhaps triple blinding is the way forward for analysis.
In any case, this examine gave both 500 mg SA3X or a placebo to 445 males aged 18-45 with a purpose to check whether or not the complement may enhance erectile dysfunction signs.[23] It relied on two inventories – the Males’s Sexual Well being Questionnaire (MSHQ) and the Worldwide Index of Erectile Perform (IIEF) – to quantify topics’ erectile operate and high quality. And the outcomes had been very spectacular. The SA3X group’s common MSHQ rating elevated from 20 to 37, a whopping 85% enchancment, whereas their IIEF scores indicated a mean erection size of seven.68 minutes at one month and eight.23 at two months.[23]
Right here’s the actually attention-grabbing factor about this examine – it solely lasted for one month, which suggests the SA3X group’s erection size continued growing for a month after contributors ceased supplementation.[23] That is, effectively, distinctive. To our data, no different sexual wellness complement has been proven to trigger enhancements that not solely persist, however really proceed growing, for as much as a month after the cessation of therapy. Though it sounds unbelievable, we are able to’t discover any methodological flaws on this examine!
Subsequent, let’s talk about one other longitudinal examine. On this one, 326 sexually energetic males between 25 and 60 years of age acquired 500 mg SA3X day by day for 3 months. By the tip of the therapy interval, these males had 22.43 ng/dL extra testosterone than baseline,[21] and, once more, the impact endured even on the six month mark, which was three months after the tip of the themes’ therapy with SA3X. Whereas that is, admittedly, a longitudinal examine, we’ve fairly a bit of religion in these outcomes because the post-treatment persistence of the impact is according to the outcomes of the RCT we mentioned above.
Lastly, let’s shut our dialogue of SA3X with arguably probably the most compelling, and instantly related examine – a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled examine that examined the power of SA3X to extend testosterone manufacturing in males with erectile dysfunction. This examine was performed in 215 contributors, aged 35-70, whose complete testosterone ranges had been 300 ng/dl or much less, making them clinically hypogonadal. The topics had been randomized to obtain both 500 mg SA3X or a multivitamin, which, apparently, served because the placebo on this examine.[25]
The SA3X group confirmed a mean testosterone improve of 21.85 ng/dL, in contrast with 1.89 ng/dL within the placebo (multivitamin) group. The distinction grew to become statistically important at month 2, and thereafter.[25]
As soon as once more, the impact endured at month 6, a full 3 months after the examine therapy interval ended.[25]
This, to us, is probably the most attention-grabbing factor about SA3X – its results look like comparatively long-lived, whereas most dietary supplements on this class can solely trigger transient enhancements to hormonal standing and sexual operate.
PermaTEST Pedalium Murex Extract – 300 mg
Subsequent up we’ve yet one more Ayurvedic therapy, Pedalium murex. Whereas historically used for kidney circumstances[26] whereas supporting anti-inflammatory, analgesic results,[27] this shrub has not too long ago attracted some consideration for its potential use as a testosterone booster.
Proof on this one is scant, however one animal examine means that Pedalium can reverse chemically induced testicular dysfunction, presumably by upregulating luteinizing hormone (LH),[28] which is the hormone that your hypothalamic-pituitary axis makes use of to set off testosterone synthesis within the testes.
In one other examine, Pedalium extract was administered to rats in three totally different doses – 50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, and 150 mg/kg – and in comparison with each an inert placebo and sildenafil citrate, the generic type of Viagra. As anticipated, neither the placebo nor the sildenafil elevated testosterone, however Pedalium did, by fairly a bit! The very best dose doubled the rats’ testosterone, and the impact largely endured at 7 and 15 days after the withdrawal of therapy.[29]
Whereas these outcomes are spectacular, even the bottom dose used on this examine, 50 mg/kg, is equal to eight.3 mg/kg in people, which, for a 160-pound particular person, works out to greater than 600 mg of Pedalium extract. Since that’s twice the quantity we’ve in InnovaPharm TEST XL, it’s not clear from this examine that 300 mg could be sufficient, however we’re excited to seek out out.
Whereas these animal research are promising, and Pedalium is reported to comprise courses of molecules broadly identified to spice up testosterone, similar to alkaloids, saponins, glycosides, triterpenoids, flavonoids, steroids, phenols, and phytosterols,[30] we’re at present unable to find any randomized managed trials on Pedalium’s impact on human testosterone manufacturing.
Backside line, we wish to see way more analysis earlier than we are able to go all-in on Pedalium, however it is a very promising ingredient. And given the lengthy historical past of conventional use, it seems to be protected. It additionally appears probably, based mostly on our survey of the historic Pedalium accounts, that customers will really feel extra energetic after taking it, which is admittedly one of the crucial essential results that we’re enthusiastic about getting from a T booster complement.
Tongkat Ali Extract (Eurycoma Longifolia) (std. min 2% Eurycomanone) – 300 mg
Tongkat ali, which can also be generally referred to as longjack, has been used as an aphrodisiac for hundreds of years. Historic data and conventional practices recommend its use dates again at the very least a number of hundred years and was generally used to enhance sexual well being, enhance libido, and improve total vitality.[31,32]
In a single 2012 examine, 109 males between 30 and 55 years of age had been randomized to obtain both 300 mg of water extract of E. longifolia (tongkat ali) or a placebo for 12 weeks. By the tip of the examine interval, the tongkat ali group exhibited a powerful 44% improve in sperm motility and 14% improve in libido.[33]
A 2022 meta-analysis, which examined 5 randomized managed trials, concluded that tongkat ali supplementation may be anticipated to considerably improve testosterone synthesis in most males. It’s price mentioning that this impact was noticed in each hypogonadal (low-testosterone) people and wholesome males.[34]
Tongkat ali’s testosterone-boosting impact may be defined partly by its excessive focus of highly effective antioxidants, which include important anti-anxiety, anti-diabetic, and anti-proliferative advantages.[31]
Eurycomanone, tongkat ali’s chief bioactive compound, appears to assist improve testosterone partly by catalyzing the testes’ transformation of ldl cholesterol into pregnenolone.[36] This is a crucial mechanism of motion, as a result of pregnenolone is definitely the precursor to all steroid hormones, together with the androgen testosterone.
Supporting the Ldl cholesterol-to-Pregnenolone Conversion
One good factor about boosting testosterone by elevated cholesterol-to-pregnenolone conversion is that additional pregnenolone is regulated by an enormous variety of inter-related downstream suggestions mechanisms, that means it’s comparatively unlikely to trigger the sort of hormonal points that one would count on from, say, supplemental androgen injection.
Eurycomanone additionally appears to extend luteinizing hormone (LH), identical to Fadogia.[38]
Paederia Foetida Extract – 100 mg
Paederia foetida, generally often known as “skunkvine” or “stinkvine,” is a plant historically utilized in varied medicinal programs, notably in Ayurvedic and conventional Chinese language medication. It’s well-known (or notorious, relying on whom you ask) for its sturdy sulfurous odor, and is chock stuffed with bioactive constituents like iridoid glycosides, flavonoids, and phenolic acids, which categorically have the potential to extend testosterone synthesis.[39] It has traditionally been used to deal with arthritis, vesical calculi, irritation, bronchial asthma, diarrhea, dysentery, hemorrhoids, diabetes, and seminal weak point, amongst different illnesses.[40]
The one large examine on Paederia is, once more, sadly not a human examine – it’s a rat examine from 2012, which administered Paederia extract as a gavage in 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg doses. The end result was that Paederia dose-dependently elevated testosterone within the rats, with the 100 and 200 mg/kg teams greater than doubling T in comparison with a management group.[41]
That is, like Pedalium or Fadogia, a kind of obscure natural substances that exhibits gorgeous leads to animals, however principally hasn’t been studied in people. Once more, whereas extraordinarily promising and possessed of a superb security profile, we wish to see much more analysis earlier than proclaiming it a T booster.
Boron (as Albion Bororganic Glycine) – 10 mg
Boron has been proven to considerably enhance the physique’s synthesis of each testosterone and vitamin D.[42] Since vitamin D can also be able to upregulating T,[43] this implies boron can each instantly and not directly help your physique’s manufacturing of testosterone.
Boron additionally appears to extend the half-life of vitamin D, which implies that peak serum vitamin D concentrations are then increased than ordinary.[44]
In a single 2011 examine, boron supplementation was discovered to extend free testosterone, the biologically energetic and, therefore, arguably an important indicator of androgenic exercise.[44] In line with the identical examine, boron can even lower the physique’s estrogen ranges,[44] thus enhancing the all-important testosterone-to-estrogen ratio.
So, once we take into account boron’s capability for reinforcing vitamin D and its skill to help the physique’s absorption of magnesium – one other mineral that’s crucially concerned in testosterone manufacturing[45] – it’s laborious to argue with the suggestion that boron is an reasonably priced, efficient, and, most significantly, protected[42] testosterone-boosting mineral.
General, InnovaPharm TEST XL is a superb components. The info on SA3X is best than what we often see for novel testosterone-boosting substances. Thus, we’d say that SA3X alone is sort of well worth the worth of admission. However when you think about the truth that it’s bundled with time-tested heavy hitters like shilajit and tongkat ali, the core substances in InnovaPharm TEST XL are already sound.
The opposite substances – Fadogia, Pedalium, and Paederia – are all characterised by extremely believable mechanisms involving well-studied bioactive constituents, corroborated by a small variety of superb animal research which have but to be replicated in people.
Like many InnovaPharm dietary supplements, TEST XL is for many who are a bit extra liberal of their novel ingredient utilization. In case you want a number of human scientific trials on every ingredient, that is undoubtedly not the one. However for those who’re searching for one thing new, this clearly is. The excellent news is that the protection profiles of those substances appear stable, and the value appears proper — we’re not seeing jacked up costs for all of this.
Plus, though there aren’t many randomized managed trials, it appears fairly clear from studying concerning the custom surrounding these substances that they’ve broadly adaptogenic results. We frequently see these results give customers a testosterone-like power enhance, in any case.
It’s a aid to see some contemporary blood in a testosterone booster components as a result of, let’s face it, this has changed into one of many stalest product classes. For a number of years, the astronomical demand for T boosters, coupled with the shocking sluggishness of analysis, has compelled complement firms right into a extremely risk-averse formulation strategy. With a handful of substances getting all of the press, the chance/reward ratio for rolling the cube on obscure substances simply wasn’t there.
Thankfully, we’ve seen a latest surge of innovation from researchers and ingredient suppliers, and the impasse appears to be lastly breaking. Take a look at boosters had been lengthy overdue for disruption, and somebody needed to smash the ice for that to occur.
You realize you’ll be able to name on InnovaPharm to steer the cost in breaking the mould.