Modern, proprietary water extracts of Tongkat Ali root have been clinically tested for a variety of benefits, but one of the most exciting and evident is its ability to boost physical performance, including testosterone levels, strength, stamina, endurance, and recovery. This is particularly useful for fitness enthusiasts, athletes, bodybuilders, and performance-oriented individuals generally. With this in mind, we’re going to do a deep dive into the potential benefits of combining standardized hot-water Tongkat Ali root extract with one of the most popular and effective workout supplements to date – creatine.
Creatine is a naturally occurring compound found in musculoskeletal system that is synthesized in the body from amino acids and can be obtained outside of supplements from red meat, seafood, and animal milk. In the body, it supports production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is crucial for providing energy for muscles. As a popular sports supplement, creatine monohydrate is the form most commonly marketed to increase athletic performance, especially for weight training. Research suggests that regular supplementation increases muscle availability of creatine, which in turn can enhance exercise capacity and training adaptations in people of all ages.
In this article, we’ll go into the benefits of Tongkat Ali, with a major focus on its benefits for physical performance, as well as that of creatine, and the potential benefits of combing the two!
1. Maintaining healthy testosterone levels
Tongkat Ali has been clinically tested to help both men and women maintain healthy sex hormone levels, particularly for testosterone. A meta-analysis of 9 clinical trials has shown that standardized hot-water Tongkat Ali root extract can support significantly enhanced levels for both total (+47%) and free testosterone (+582%). This is particularly beneficial for active people and fitness enthusiasts as higher testosterone levels are associated with increased muscle mass, strength, and endurance.
Enhanced testosterone can also improve recovery times after intense physical activities, reduce fatigue, and support a more efficient metabolism. These benefits collectively contribute to improved physical performance, making it easier to achieve fitness goals and maintain a high level of physical activity. It doesn’t stop there, as maintaining healthy testosterone levels can enhance mood and cognitive function, providing a holistic boost to overall physical performance and quality of life.
2. Reducing stress, improving mood, and enhancing motivation
As a potent adaptogen, Tongkat Ali works well for shielding the body against daily stressors. Regular supplementation reduces cortisol levels, boosts testosterone levels, and enhances dopamine levels. This combination synergizes well to not only improve mood, but also enhances motivation levels, confidence, cognitive function, and even the appreciation and sensation of pleasure. Other studies have found that combing Tongkat Ali with key micronutrients (like multivitamins) can enhance these properties and increase parameters for quality of life, mood, stress, and even immunity.
This can benefit physical performance in a variety of ways. When stress is reduced and mood is elevated, individuals are more likely to engage in physical activity, adhere to exercise routines, and push through challenging workouts. Enhanced motivation and confidence may further drive persistence and effort in training sessions, leading to better outcomes in strength, endurance, and overall fitness. Reduced cortisol levels also help mitigate the catabolic effects of stress, preserving muscle mass and promoting a more anabolic environment conducive to muscle growth and repair. The combined effect of lower stress and higher testosterone creates an optimal state for peak physical performance and effective training.
3. Boosting physical performance, healthy weight loss, and metabolic function
Tongkat Ali is a potent ergogenic that work in sync with its anabolic (testosterone boosting) properties to support better muscle growth, strength, and fat-free mass. In terms of sheer bursts of power, studies have shown that it boosts peak power output for high-intensity activities like sprinting and HIIT. Other clinical studies have found that regular supplementation with standardized hot-water Tongkat Ali root extract can benefit endurance by putting the body in an anabolic rather than catabolic state, especially during high-intensity endurance sports like mountain biking.
These benefits extend to boosting metabolic function, via enhanced thermogenesis, which can aid with healthy weight loss. These metabolic benefits not only helps with sustainable fat-burning and better body composition, but also serves to prevent metabolic adaptation, which could potentially help keep serious age-related metabolic disorders like hypertension and diabetes at bay.
4. Enhanced joint, tendon, and bone health
Tongkat Ali has been shown to boost collagen levels, which is crucial for maintaining the integrity and health of joints and tendons. Collagen is a primary component of connective tissues, providing strength and elasticity. Enhanced collagen production can lead to stronger and more resilient tendons and ligaments, reducing the risk of injuries, improving recovery times, and even promote wound healing. For athletes and fitness enthusiasts, this means a lower likelihood of experiencing joint pain or tendonitis, allowing for more consistent and intense training sessions.
Other research also indicates that Tongkat Ali may support bone health by increasing bone density and strength. Stronger bones are essential for withstanding the mechanical stress and impact that occur during physical activities, especially high-intensity exercises like weightlifting, running, and jumping. Improved bone health can enhance overall stability and balance, contributing to better performance and reducing the risk of fractures and other bone-related injuries.
1. Enhancing Muscle Mass and Strength
Creatine is one of the most researched and proven supplements for enhancing muscle mass and strength. It works by increasing the availability of phosphocreatine in the muscles, which in turn helps produce more ATP (adenosine triphosphate) – the primary energy currency of cells. This allows for more intense and longer workouts, leading to greater muscle hypertrophy and strength gains over time.
2. Improving Exercise Performance and Recovery
Creatine supplementation has been shown in clinical research to significantly improve exercise performance, particularly in high-intensity, short-duration activities such as weightlifting and sprinting. It helps buffer the accumulation of lactic acid, reducing muscle fatigue and allowing for more repetitions and sets. Regular use of creatine also enhances recovery by reducing muscle damage and inflammation, which means less downtime and faster return to training.
3. Supporting Brain Health and Cognitive Function
Emerging research suggests that creatine may also have benefits for brain health and cognitive function. It appears to enhance energy availability in the brain, which can improve mental clarity, focus, and overall cognitive performance. This is particularly beneficial for athletes who need to maintain high levels of mental sharpness and concentration during their training and competitions, as well as for aging and individuals suffering from high stress.
4. Reduce Dehydration and Better Thermoregulation
Recent studies suggest that creatine may enhance performance in hot and/or humid exercise conditions by maintaining hematocrit levels, aiding thermoregulation, and reducing exercising heart and sweat rates. Creatine supplementation helps the body retain water, which increases plasma volume and can prevent the decrease in blood volume that typically occurs during dehydration. This is crucial in maintaining optimal circulation and thermoregulation, helping to keep the body cool and reduce the risk of heat-related stress during prolonged or intense
Combining standardized hot-water Tongkat Ali root extract with creatine can provide a potent, safe, and synergistic boost to physical performance, offering comprehensive benefits for athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and bodybuilders. Each supplement enhances different aspects of performance, making this combination particularly powerful. Tongkat Ali increases testosterone levels, crucial for muscle growth and strength, supporting protein synthesis and leading to greater muscle hypertrophy. Creatine, meanwhile, increases the availability of phosphocreatine in muscles, providing quick energy for high-intensity activities and further supporting muscle growth. Together, they create an anabolic environment conducive to significant muscle gains, ensuring that users not only build more muscle but also maintain and enhance their strength over time, making it easier to achieve as well as surpass fitness goals.
Moreover, Tongkat Ali ability to boost stamina, endurance, and recovery by promoting a more anabolic state and reducing fatigue. Creatine improves exercise performance by buffering lactic acid accumulation, reducing muscle fatigue, and allowing for more intense workouts. Both also aid in recovery by reducing muscle damage and inflammation. This combination allows for more effective and sustained workouts with quicker recovery times, leading to consistent progress and better performance in both strength and endurance activities. Additionally, Tongkat Ali’s adaptogenic properties reduce cortisol levels and boosts dopamine, thereby enhancing mood, motivation, and cognitive function, while creatine supports brain health by improving mental clarity and focus. As a combo, they provide effectyive support for mental well-being, helping athletes maintain high levels of mental sharpness, motivation, and stress resilience.
Lastly, Tongkat Ali boosts collagen production, supporting joint, tendon, and bone health, while creatine enhances hydration and thermoregulation, ensuring optimal performance even in challenging environmental conditions. These comprehensive and synergistic benefits help maintain overall physical health, reduces the risk of injuries, and improves performance during prolonged or intense exercise.
Overall, the combination of Tongkat Ali and creatine provides a comprehensive approach to improving physical performance, making it a powerful addition to any fitness regimen. Both creatine and standardized hot-water Tongkat Ali root extract are generally safe for long term and daily consumption at recommended doses, making this combination a very attractive package. Whether you are a competitive athlete, fitness enthusiast, or just starting out at the gym, this combination may be an excellent way to help you achieve your fitness goals as well as support a high level of physical health, mental wellbeing, and enhanced performance.
If you are interested in experiencing the benefits of Malaysian single-origin standardized hot-water Tongkat Ali root extract for yourself, you can get your hands on our dose-optimized signature capsules, pure powder extract, or potent coffee here, available worldwide with international delivery via DHL express.
Learn more about the best Tongkat Ali in the world here, or reach out to us at any of our international offices if you have any queries or concerns.
Naressa Khan contributes regularly on AKARALI. As a researcher and investigative journalist, Naressa is all about creating, deconstructing, and reassembling meaningful content through words and facts. With this approach always in mind, she eagerly explores the nuances in life via the aspects of lifestyle, culture, travel, health, and wellness in Malaysia .
Our articles are third party reviewed by our panel of experts and medical advisors to ensure the facts are accurate and credible. These are validated against multiple source references which include but not limited to research studies, peer-reviewed journals, pre-clinical studies, clinical tests and other credible publications.
Our panel of medical advisors and experts are highly experienced in their individual fields. However, they do not provide any medical advice or recommendations arising from content published in this article.
Disclaimer:
The content published on this website is for educational purposes and should not be viewed, read, or seen as a prescription or constitute any form of medical advice. We recommend you consult your nearest GP or doctors before consuming Tongkat Ali or any products which contain Tongkat Ali. For further information, kindly refer to our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for more information.
