There are countless observations, reports and studies that demonstrate Tongkat Ali’s capabilities to improve strength, energy, endurance. Unfortunately, Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma Longifolia) human clinical studies are often limited in a controlled environment with a set of fixed parameters, but in the real world, what we eat, how we rest and what we do may lead to inaccurate results and inconclusive evidence.
For mere mortals like you and me, it begs more honest answers from to the following questions – 1) what is it like after taking Tongkat Ali, and 2) does it work for women who has biologically has lower testosterone than men.
We turned to Celine Ng, a 45-year-old recreational runner, mother, and business owner to get a deep-dive experience and unbiased review of Tongkat Ali. She took Tongkat Ali for the first time to observe short-term and long-term effects, including benefits to her running performance. This long-term review of 12 weeks shares more insights of Tongkat Ali benefits and it works in reality.
Reviewer Profile
Celine maintains an impressive weekly mileage of 60 – 70 kilometres (km) and regularly participates in high-endurance events such as half-marathons, 30km races, and marathons – typically at least once a month. A familiar face at running events and run clubs in Malaysia, Celine runs an average of 5 – 6 days a week and has over 2 years of experience with training, races, and the running community. Her fitness level is a perfect fit to put Tongkat Ali to the test.
Her discovery of clinically tested standardized hot-water Tongkat Ali root extract came through a fellow runner during a community running event.
Driven by a desire to mitigate the overreliance and subsequent side effects of sugary and overly-caffeinated energy gels – such as gastrointestinal discomfort – Celine was excited by the prospect of a natural and effective alternative in Tongkat Ali.
“I have experienced runner friends who DNF (did not finish) at ultramarathon events due to energy gels causing stomach issues – this is not to say it happens to everyone, but it’s a real issue. When my friend told me about AKARALI, I immediately went to the website, read about it, and bought it online to try.”
We spoke to her about her experience with clinically tested Tongkat Ali root extract, how it has improved her overall running performance, and how she has used it to effectively reduce her reliance on traditional energy gels.
Her experience provides useful real-world evidence of Tongkat Ali’s benefits for runners seeking a sustainable, more effective way to boost energy, performance, and recovery.
Celine’s journey, paired with feedback from fellow runners and the people in her life who she has recommended AKARALI to, highlights Tongkat Ali’s wide-ranging utility for endurance runners and beyond. AKARALI’s global partnership with UK’s largest running community RunThrough has empowered many athletes and runners with nutritional support through clinically proven natural supplements such as standardized Tongkat Ali ot water extract.
Celine’s introduction to AKARALI was prompted by her search for a more sustainable energy source for running long distances. Energy gels, while effective in a pinch, can cause gastrointestinal discomfort and post-race fatigue or even insomnia due to high levels of concentrated sugar and caffeine. Health experts from Runivore believe there are other inherent long-term issues with traditional gels such as overreliance on quick sugar as energy, thus decreasing the body’s natural ability to metabolise fat for energy.
“Some experts in the field of sports nutrition advocate training your body to efficiently burn fat as fuel, giving you a competitive edge over opponents who rely solely on fast sugars. By reducing your reliance on energy gels, you can potentially improve your body’s fat-burning capacity and enhance your overall athletic performance.”
As a practitioner of the MAF (Maximum Aerobic Function) Method for shorter runs, Celine was drawn to AKARALI’s organic formulation and various clinically tested benefits, particularly on enhancing metabolism through thermogenesis, which complements her training philosophy. The pairing of low heart-rate training using MAF method with Tongkat Ali’s testosterone boosting properties is seen by the running community as the best bio-hack of the century. This places Tongkat Ali as the top sports supplement for endurance runners, and those who opt for low heart-rate running method.
The MAF method emphasizes maintaining optimal heart rate, optimising fat metabolism, and avoiding blood sugar spikes or reliance on quick energy sources like caffeine – both of which may elevate heart rate beyond the recommended range.
Tongkat Ali’s properties that provide sustained energy and aid in fat metabolism aligns seamlessly with her focus on building natural aerobic efficiency and metabolic balance, making it a valuable addition to her exercise routine.
“AKARALI complements the MAF method well because it boosts energy and endurance naturally without raising the heart rate or causing unpleasant side effects for some like typical energy gels.”
Celine has been performance testing standardized hot-water Tongkat Ali root extract at doses of between 200mg to 1,000mg for over three months (12 weeks) on an as-needed basis, carefully tailoring her intake for training and races.
For standard training sessions, she takes 1 – 2 capsules (i.e 200mg to 400mg) 30 minutes before training, depending on the distance. During races, her preferred dosage is 2 capsules before the start and 1 capsule every 10 – 15 kilometres. For full marathons, she utilizes up to 5 capsules (i.e 1,000mg) for sustained energy and endurance throughout the distance.
“Many endurance runners and athletes who took standardized Tongkat Ali hot water extract at 1,000mg in a single day during races did not experience any side effects such as vomiting, headaches, stomach discomfort, heart palpitations or any form of jittery” said Shahid Shayaa, CEO and Founder AKARALI.
He added that taking 800 or 1,000mg is relatively well below the safety or toxicity limit (of 1,930mg) based on toxicity studies performed on hot water Tongkat Ali extract. “But we do not recommend or encourage athletes or consumers to take high doses daily during off days (or if you are not active, or sedentary).” he explained, adding that users should consult a healthcare professional or at least get a health check to identify health biomarkers that require the right nutrition support.
Celine’s goal to reduce her reliance on energy gels has been successful, particularly during early morning training or races where she struggled with wakefulness and alertness. Tongkat Ali is a clinically-proven choice that can replace energy gels, protein power bars, salt stick and other mainstream running supplements.
Previously using 2 – 3 energy gels for distances like half marathons (21km) and 30km runs, she has reduced that number to just 1 – primarily to stave off hunger rather than tiredness. For full marathon (42km) distances, she has managed to reduce her energy gel consumption from an average of 5 or 6 to just 2 with AKARALI’s dose-optimized capsules.
“This improvement in energy sustainability may be linked to Tongkat Ali’s potential to support adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production, the primary energy currency of cells.” said a certified nutritionist who works in large pharmaceutical retail chain in Florida.
“Tongkat Ali is increases testosterone levels and I take 200mg to 400mg daily” said Dr. Andrew Huberman, and this play a key role in energy metabolism by regulating mitochondrial function – the cellular powerhouse where ATP is produced.
According to health experts, by promoting healthy testosterone levels, Tongkat Ali’s bioactive ingredients may help increase mitochondrial efficiency, supporting ATP production, and reducing reliance on external energy gels that are less beneficial than previously reported.
“Before I started using AKARALI, I struggled with tiredness during early-morning training or races. I recall at a half marathon event I was so sleepy that I had to literally pour water on my face, slap myself to keep awake, and have an energy gel to keep up by the 8 or 9th km. Now, an AKARALI capsule or two before the start and another mid-run helps keep me energized, alert, and eager to run the whole way.”
Celine’s increased energy levels and wakefulness are evident in her running performance across the five events where she has incorporated Tongkat Ali. Her average heart rate has progressively improved, dropping from 152 bpm to 130 bpm, even as she tackles longer distances.
This suggests enhanced cardiovascular efficiency, potentially linked to Tongkat Ali’s adaptogenic properties, which help lower cortisol levels and mitigate the effects of physical and mental stress, thus supporting better heart function and recovery.
Tongkat Ali has also been evidenced to contribute to better cardiovascular health by lowering LDL cholesterol levels, improving blood flow, and reducing arterial clogging. These benefits are particularly noticeable in recreational athletes like Celine, who often exhibit a lower average heart rate during endurance exercise after taking 200mg-400mg Tongkat Ali, as demonstrated in Running event 4 and 5 in the table below.
| Running Event | Distance | Elevation Gain | Avg. Heart Rate | Calories Burned |
| 1 | 30.08km | 10m | 152 bpm | 2333 kcal |
| 2 | 23.01km | 371m | 154 bpm | 1753 kcal |
| 3 | 42.58km | 247m | 147 bpm | 2762 kcal |
| 4 | 18.03km | 89m | 135 bpm | 1127 kcal |
| 5 | 30.00km | 389m | 130 bpm | 1901 kcal |
Celine’s endurance levels have also significantly improved with Tongkat Ali, as evidenced by her ability to complete longer distance like her 42.58 km full marathon in Event 3. Her pace has also shown notable enhancement, with her fastest average pace of 08:29 min/km achieved in the same event. These improvements are further supported by her optimised running economy, as seen in her increases in cadence (peaking at 167 SPM in Event 3) and improved energy efficiency noted by fewer calories burned for a similar distance in Event 1 at 2333 kcal compared to 1901 kcal in Event 5.
Along with better endurance, pace, and running economy, Celine has also noted feeling stronger after incorporating standardized hot-water Tongkat Ali root extract, showcasing its benefits with regard to building lean muscle strength and power through its natural anabolic properties. Celine highlighted her experience with uphill segments of runs as a key example, noting what was once a gruelling challenge is now much more manageable.
“One big difference I noticed is for uphill running - normally I will walk as this part usually tires me out easily. With AKARALI, I can jog uphill with much less effort.”
This improvement in uphill running performance is supported by the significant increase in elevation gain in her runs, from 10m in Event 1 to 389m for a similar distance in Event 5, demonstrating her enhanced ability to tackle uphill portions and vertical climbs.
This promising results indicated that Tongkat Ali may improve uphill running performance, with better stamina, strength and energy that requires lower body muscle movements.
Overall, Celine’s three-month journey with Tongkat Ali has not only enhanced her physical performance but also optimized her running efficiency with more gains from consistent training, allowing her to achieve new milestones with greater ease and confidence.
Key Improvements
Recovery is another area where Tongkat Ali has shone for Celine. Following her full marathon, with minima long-distance training and preparation due to work and other commitments, Celine needed only two days to fully recover while achieving a personal best sub-6-hour finish.
“My recovery rate has definitely improved with AKARALI. After my full marathon, it only took 2 days for me to fully recover and I slept so well. My muscle soreness only lasted for about a day, and it was noticeably less painful.”
This rapid recovery rate is supported by Tongkat Ali’s potent anti-inflammatory properties, which may help reduce muscle inflammation and oxidative stress, allowing the body to repair faster after intense efforts of running.
Muscle soreness was notably minimal, according to her, lasting just a day, and her sleep quality improved significantly after 12 weeks of Tongkat Ali supplementation.
Beyond running, Celine has also experimented with using Tongkat Ali to combat morning sleepiness or fatigue on days when she wakes up tired due to work commitments.
She finds that a single 200mg capsule in the morning revitalizes her energy levels and improves her focus, enabling her to tackle busy days with ease and enthusiasm.
Speaking to her in person, Celine has also mentioned that she has recommended standardised hot-water Tongkat Ali root extract to her husband, who uses one capsule to effectively keep up alertness during the early and long drives he undertakes regularly for work.
“Outside of running, it works super well to wake you up and keep the mind feeling fresh. I’ve also introduced it to my husband, who drives really long hours regularly for work, and just one capsule helps keep him focused and alert on the road.”
With the tangible benefits she has experienced, Celine was keen to introduce AKARALI to other runners in the communities she frequents.
Any who have had a chance to test AKARALI have shared similar positive experiences, including quick energy return, enhanced uphill running performance, and achieving new personal bests achieved after incorporating this supplement into their routines.
An ultra-runner, Eddie Wong, who Celine introduced AKARALI to late last year spoke glowingly about its energy-boosting properties during an ultramarathon.
“I tested AKARALI during a 12-hour ultra-race in November 2024. The event started in the evening, and after a long 16-hour workday, I began feeling sleepy around midnight. To my surprise, just two capsules kept me awake and alert for another 11 hours. It helped me stay focused on the run, finish the race, and even drive straight home afterwards.”
At an ANTA Running Club event focused on LSD (long slow distance) training, she reported that the runners she introduced AKARALI to experienced noticeable improvements in pace and energy levels with just 2 capsules before the start. The Pace 5 group managed to run at Pace 4, while the Pace 6 group elevated their performance to Pace 5.
“For us, it is amazing and humbling to see so many runners across different demographics and communities benefiting from AKARALI. There’s nothing like real-world performance results to showcase the efficacy of natural and organic nutritional supplements like Tongkat Ali.”
Similarly, at a WindRunners event, runners that tried AKARALI reported a significant energy boost, and what started as a planned 16km run turned into an impressive 21km effort, with the runners reporting that they still had enough left in the tank to keep going for longer.
“We are delighted to receive such a positive response on the significant improvements from runners.” said Alex Kua, AKARALI’s Global Community Partnership Lead. He added that “the initial 200mg-400mg dose did gave an immediate energy boost, even to those taking Tongkat Ali for the first time”.
With growing global sports communities embracing Tongkat Ali as one of the top supplement choice for sports, AKARALI is taken its position as the market leader due to its superior bioavailability, research and clinically-proven ingredients.
Catching up with Celine in person after these successful test runs with various running communities, one major concern that was brought up by some runners is if Tongkat Ali is safe for long term use and if it could be considered doping in competitions?
Standardised hot-water Tongkat Ali root extract has been shown to be safe and effective, with no recorded side effects according to over 27 clinical studies that have tested daily doses of up to 600mg for 12 – 24 weeks as well as in real-world performance testing with as-needed doses of up to 1,000mg.
On doping concerns, clinical studies have also shown that supplementation with Tongkat Ali does not breach any rules set by international regulators like WADA or the IOC, as evidenced by no significant impact on athlete’s testosterone-to-epitestosterone (T:E) ratio.
AKARALI’s supplements are also regularly third-party lab tested by EUROFINS at a world-class facility in the US to ensure they are free from banned substances, contaminants, and additives, offering athletes at all levels confidence in its safety and compliance with competitive standards. With such serious concerns raised, however, Celine took it upon herself to check with the relevant authorities on the subject and was satisfied that these doping concerns proved to be patently untrue.
“When some runners I introduced AKARALI to brought this up, citing that it could be considered doping or a banned substance, I immediately checked for myself with the National Sports Institute and they assured me it is absolutely untrue. AKARALI’s team also shared plenty of evidence backing up the fact that this natural supplement is safe, effective, and most importantly, not considered doping.”
At an ANTA Running Club event focused on LSD (long slow distance) training, she reported that the runners she introduced AKARALI to experienced noticeable improvements in pace and energy levels with just 2 capsules before the start. The Pace 5 group managed to run at Pace 4, while the Pace 6 group elevated their performance to Pace 5.
Celine’s experience highlights Tongkat Ali’s vast potential for endurance athletes and beyond. She wholeheartedly recommends it for fast runners aiming for new personal bests, podium finishes, or those tackling ultra distances.
With her experience of fast energy returns, imporvbed endurance, and better wakefulness without the crash or latent insomnia associated with high levels of sugar or caffeine, she praised it as a natural, organic product that works and aligns with the healthy lifestyle runners strive for.
Her advice to first-timers is simple, advising runners to choose the supplements they use wisely and to start slow.
“AKARALI is safe, natural, and effective. It works to enhance your running performance and recovery. Start slow, adjust as needed, and enjoy the boost.”
For Celine, standardised hot-water Tongkat Ali root extract has been a game-changer. By reducing her reliance on traditional energy gels, enhancing her endurance, boosting energy levels, improving strength, as well as recovery rates, this natural supplement has become a vital part of her running routine and beyond.
Her 12-week experience underscores Tongkat Ali’s potential to benefit runners of all stripes seeking a natural and effective way to sustainably and safely enhance their performance. Celine’s journey, paired with feedback from the running communities who have tested standardised hot-water Tongkat Ali root extract, highlights AKARALI as well-rounded and effective nutritional supplement for endurance athletes and everyday people.
