Tongkat Ali: Hormonal benefits on the endocrine system

The endocrine system consists of an array of hormones that control our reproductive system, immune system, nervous system, and many other functions.

In view of the risk exposures to  Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) and premature aging symptoms, natural endocrine supplements such as Tongkat Ali are used to restore hormonal balance.

In this article, we investigate the hormonal benefits of Tongkat Ali and the effects on our endocrine system.

Overview

EDCs or hormone-disrupting chemicals continue to be a threat to our health and the use of natural supplements such as Tongkat Ali, Ashwagandha and other herbs may reduce the risks of hormonal imbalance.

A 2023 study by the European Environment Agency showed that hormone-disrupting chemicals are found in 90% of Europeans, posing a damaging health risk – and the low testosterone levels found in younger men born in the 90s or early 2000s is even worrying.

Bisphenol A (BPA), a hormone-disrupting chemical used in food packaging, is present in almost all Europeans' bodies, posing health risks for men and women.

The use of Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma Longifolia) to restore hormonal balance is seen as one of the effective endocrine supplements that deliver multi-pronged health benefits. Decades of in-vitro studies and growing clinical trials and studies showed that Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma Longifolia) affects major hormones in the endocrine system, thus preventing premature aging amongst healthy adults.

When taken at low doses along with healthy food and exercises, this protocol positions Tongkat Ali as the best endocrine supplement to promote hormonal benefits and prevent risks associated with hormone-disrupting chemicals or EDC.

According to functional bloodwork expert AJ Brookes from United Kingdom, the hormonal response system is complex thus requires a combination of nutrition, supplements and protocol to ensure it is at optimal levels regardless of your age. 

Effects of Tongkat Ali on Key Hormones

Quick Facts: 

  • Tongkat Ali is a clinically tested herbal root that has positive impact on total testosterone, free testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), DHT, estrogen, cortisol, dopamine, Luteinizing Hormone (LH), Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH), T-cells, Naïve T-cells, CD4+ cells, uric acid, red blood cells, white blood cells, blood glucose level, and insulin levels.
  • Tongkat Ali major pathways via adrenal glands, and the reproductive system has a profound simultaneous reaction to the overall hormonal-response system. This leads to the application of Tongkat Ali as a endocrine supplement for hormonal support in aging adults.

What is Endocrine System?

Quick Facts: 

  • The endocrine system is made up of a network of glands (Pituitary Glands, Adrenal Glands, Thymus Glands) that is controlled mainly from the Hypothalamus.
  • These glands secrete hormones such as testosterone, DHEA, estrogen, etc to regulate bodily functions, including growth, reproduction and metabolism.
  • Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) may disrupt hormone producing glands in the endocrine system, causing health risks such as sperm production, neurological disorders, obesity and others.
  • Natural endocrine supplements are believed to help aging adults to restore optimal hormonal balance, thus reducing health risks arising from Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) exposure and premature aging hormones due to natural aging process.

Hormonal Balance in the Endocrine System

The endocrine system is made up of all the body’s different hormones that regulate all biological processes in the body including the development of the brain and nervous system, the growth and function of the reproductive system, as well as the metabolism and blood sugar levels.

Hormones exist in the female ovaries, male testes, pituitary glands, thyroid, thymus, brain, pancreas and adrenal glands – of all which require nutrition, minerals and vitamins from a health diet, or supplementation to ensure it works at optimal levels.

The notion of keeping an optimal hormonal balance through diet and supplementation is not proven field in the functional medicine. And the addition of newly researched herb such as Tongkat Ali is growing in popularity due to diverse positive effects on key major hormones in men and women.

Our endocrine system requires a constant supply of nutrients from dietary supplements to enable optimal health as we age.

Tongkat Ali provides a healthy hormonal support for aging men and women when taken with healthy sugar-free diet, regular exercises and host of other multivitamins

Attaining a healthy endocrine system helps your body to function at optimal levels by communicating and coordinating vital processes via healthy hormones.

To understand which endocrine supplements that is best suited for you and how Tongkat Ali can benefit your endocrine system, lets go deep into hormones in the endocrine system.

Hormones and the endocrine system

A hormone is an important component in the endocrine system.

Hormones travel in our bloodstream and have a vital role in almost every function, organ, and process in the body.

When there is a hormonal imbalance in the endocrine system, symptoms like weight changes (eg: obesity), insomnia, skin problems, and infertility can occur.

Hormonal production relies heavily on nutritional intake, so taking endocrine supplements is an excellent way to ensure that the endocrine system is getting sufficient nutrients.

Taking the endocrine supplements may affect the following endocrine systems:

  • Male and Female reproductive system
  • Central Nervous System
  • Immunology System
  • Sympathetic Nervous System
  • Urinary System

What can disrupt your endocrine system?

Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) found in major plastics, food storage materials, children’s products and pesticides are major disruptors of your endocrine system.

Our daily exposure to plastics (eg: plastic food and drink containers, plastic cosmetic packaging, pesticides) and other Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs), may have a negative impact on our hormones.

Prolonged exposure to EDC can cause hormonal imbalance that leads to health complications such as infertility, neurological disorders, cancers, obesity, mental health and many others.

The video below provides a brief explanation of EDC on how it may negatively impact your hormones and health.

Several studies have demonstrated that EDCs can exert adverse effects on the male reproductive system (including sperm count, and erectile functions).

Phthalates found in plastics could block hormone involved in sexual, cognitive function

In addition, study published by the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM) showed that EDCs has negative impact on testosterone on young children and even adults.

“We found evidence reduced levels of circulating testosterone were associated with increased phthalate exposure in several key populations, including boys ages 6-12, and men and women ages 40-60,” said John D. Meeker, MS, ScD, of the University of Michigan School of Public Health.

Reduced testosterone is tied to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) exposure

Other harmful EDCs include triclosan (TCS), Bisphenol A (BPA), cadmium (Cd), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and pesticides which have shown to have adverse effects on human reproductive health.

You may use Tongkat Ali for additional hormonal support to mitigate or reduce risks associated with endocrine-related diseases such as obesity, mood and mental health, libido and metabolic issues such as digestion, high blood sugar and general infertility due to hormonal issues.

Endocrine-related diseases

  • Sexual function
  • Sperm quality and fertility
  • Sexual libido
  • Mood & Mental health
  • Growth and development
  • Metabolism – digestion, elimination, blood circulation
  • Obesity
  • Cardiovascular problems
  • Neurological and learning disabilities

Endocrine supplements

Top endocrine supplements that are popular on Amazon include Tongkat Ali, Ashwagandha, Panax Ginseng, Vitamin A, Vitamin D, L-arginine and Licorice root.

According to a US-based nutritionist Allisa Rumsey, Tongkat Ali is reported to be the most effective natural supplement that supports a healthy hormonal balance associated with mood regulation and energy conversion in the endocrine system.

“When taken in low doses, herbs such as Tongkat Ali and Ashwagandha may help to restore hormonal balance in aging adults, especially those above 40” she added.

For best results, use pure, organic and natural Tongkat Ali products that are free from contaminants, or adulterants that can disrupt your hormones. Clinically tested or 3rd party lab-tested Tongkat Ali products produced from standardized hot water extract may reduce the risks and provide the optimal hormonal benefits to support the endocrine system.

Top pick: Best endocrine supplements on Amazon 

  • Tongkat Ali – Clinically tested to benefit the endocrine system, with particular focus on male and female reproductive system via the adrenal glands and pituitary glands, central nervous system, urinary system and others.
  • Panax Ginseng – Several varieties benefit the endocrine system, to include the thyroid.
  • L-arginine – An essential amino acid that may boost the release of general hormones in the body.
  • Vitamin A. Needed for our immune system, hormone synthesis, and the production of the thyroid hormone triiodothyronine (T3).
  • Licorice root. Can help the thyroid and adrenal glands for those who have adrenal fatigue (low cortisol)

Clinically tested for hormonal support

With 300+ research studies to date, Tongkat Ali is scientifically proven as one of the best clinically tested natural supplements for hormonal support that benefits the overall endocrine system due to its multi-hormonal mechanism of action.

Although various pathways are still being investigated, multiple clinical and in-vitro studies showed that Tongkat Ali has a positive effect on key hormones such as testosterone, norepinephrine, progresterone, estrogen, Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Growth Hormone (GH), renin and angiotensin, cortisol and dopamine which exists in your endocrine system.

For instance, the application of Tongkat Ali to lower blood sugar levels in diabetic patients is seen as an effective hormonal support supplement to improve insulin sensitivity when taken at 200mg daily over six to twelve weeks. In other applications, observation of free testosterone gains in aging adults showed the hormonal benefits of Tongkat Ali although results vary considerably depending on your lifestyle, diet and frequency of exercises.

Tongkat Ali is clinically tested to have a positive impact on key systems of our endocrine system by restoring key hormones as illustrated above.

Hormones Affected by Tongkat Ali

Here is the list of hormones that are positively impacted when you consume Tongkat Ali.

Where the hormone is produced

Hormone(s) secreted

Does Tongkat Ali impact the hormone, or the glands?

Adrenal glands

Norepinephrine

Yes. Direct Impact

 

Testes (testicles)

Testosterone

Yes. Direct Impact

 

Ovaries

Progesterone

Yes. Direct Impact

 

Ovaries

Estrogen

Yes. Direct Impact

 

Pituitary gland

Adrenocorticotropic
hormone (ACTH)

Yes.
Possible Indirect Impact

Pituitary gland

Growth
hormone (GH)

Yes. Direct Impact

Pituitary gland

Luteinizing
hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

Yes. Direct Impact

Kidneys

Renin and
angiotensin

Yes. Direct Impact

 

It inhibits ACE
receptor-which controls vasoconstriction and therefore blood pressure

 

 

Kidneys

Erythropoietin

Yes.
Possible Indirect Impact

 

Pancreas

Insulin

Yes. Direct Impact

 

Hypothalamus

Gonadotropin
releasing hormone (GnRH)

Yes.
Possible indirect impact (since report of decrease in LH and FSH)

 

Hypothalamus

Corticotropin
releasing hormone (CRH)

Yes.
Possible indirect impact (since cortisol reduce and testosterone increase)

 

Thymus

Humoral
factors

Yes.
Possible indirect impact (since it improves immunity by increasing
lymphocytes)

 

Pancreas

Glucagon

No Impact

 

Pituitary
gland

Antidiuretic
hormone (vasopressin)

Data not available

Parathyroid
glands

Parathyroid
hormone (PTH)

 

Data not available

 

Thyroid
gland

Thyroid
hormone

No Impact

 

Pineal
gland

Melatonin

No Impact

 

Pituitary
gland

Oxytocin

Data not available

Pituitary
gland

Prolactin

Data not available

Pituitary
gland

Thyroid-stimulating
hormone (TSH)

Data not available

 

A list of hormones in the endocrine system was sourced from John Hopkins

Our analysis demonstrates that Tongkat Ali affects more than 50% of major hormones and functions that are found in the endocrine system – notably testosterone, DHEA, estrogen, dopamine, cortisol and others. It may be concluded that the use of Tongkat Ali at 200mg daily may have long term hormonal benefits for aging adults.

Tongkat Ali is reported to work effectively on the endocrine system (including male reproduction system – which includes men’s fertility and libido) and female reproduction system when consumed daily along with other multivitamins and a healthy diet.

Gaining Optimal Hormonal Benefits of Tongkat Ali

It is highly advisable to consume a clinically tested Tongkat Ali product with the right dosage between 200mg to 400mg daily to gain the most hormonal benefits for your endocrine system. The best tip is to incorporate 3-day per week of high intensity cardio exercises with a combination of sugar-free diet for a minimum of 6 weeks when taking Tongkat Ali.

You may gain the following hormonal benefits after four to six weeks of daily Tongkat Ali supplementation.

1. Male Reproduction System

2. Female Reproduction System

 

3. Central Nervous System (Hypothalamus)

4. Sympathetic Nervous System

  • Cortisol in adrenal cortex
  • Blood glucose

5. Immunology System

 

6. Urinary System

FAQ: User Guide

Get more insights on endocrine supplements and how it may help you restore hormonal balance.

Do you need supplement to balance your hormones?

Supplements are part of a holistic diet and exercise regime to restore testosterone, estrogen, cortisol and dopamine and other hormones. This is to ensure optimal hormonal balance that supports a healthy reproductive system (fertility), gut system, blood sugar levels, energy and overall mental health.

When do I use endocrine supplement?

Endocrine supplements are used as a preventive measure and can be taken daily if you are exhibiting symptoms related to low testosterone (hypogonadism), premature aging, or if you are exposed to years of Hormone Disrupting Chemicals (HDCs).

Which supplements are good for overall hormonal balance?

Natural supplements such as Tongkat Ali, Ashwagandha, Zinc, magnesium, folic acid are effective to restore overall hormonal balance due to aging, premature hormonal deficiencies or if you are exposed to Hormone Disrupting Chemicals (HDC) from BPA from prolonged use of plastic bottles and food.

How can I boost my endocrine naturally?

Regular exercises, exposure to the sun, a healthy diet and nutrition help you to increase your endocrine naturally. Natural supplements help to boost your endocrine system by supplying the nutrients in your blood stream, thus boosting a healthy hormones in your body.

What is the best way to take endocrine supplements?

Functional health coaches and nutritionists suggest taking endocrine supplements with regular cardio exercises, or resistance training 3 times a week. Users are cautioned to take care of their diet by reducing processed food and alcohol intake.

Do I need doctor's prescription for endocrine supplements?

Some endocrine supplements such as Tongkat Ali or Ashwagandha do not require a doctor’s prescription. However, we recommend you to consult your nearest healthcare professional or doctor to get further advice before consuming any form of endocrine or hormonal supplement.

Can pregnant women take endocrine supplements?

Pregnant women should not be taking any hormonal or endocrine supplements. If you are pregnant, we recommend you consult your nearest healthcare professional or doctor to get further advice before consuming any form of endocrine or hormonal supplement.

Closing Thoughts

Taking endocrine boosting supplements to protect your endocrine system is as essential as taking probiotics to protect your gut system.

Tongkat Ali is now the preferred endocrine supplement of the 21st century due to decades of clinically proven benefits. Tongkat Ali delivers equal benefits to women’s health too, so it is worthwhile to consider giving it a try.

While there are plenty of endocrine supplements such as L-arginine, Ginseng, Vitamin D, and others, but Tongkat Ali remains a clear winner. In fact, Tongkat Ali is the best herbal supplement for our endocrine system compared to Panax Ginseng, Fadogia Agrestis or even Turkesterone.

Tongkat Ali stood the test of time and constantly emerge as a champion in areas such as testosterone, estrogen, cortisol, uric acid, DHEA, dopamine, etc.

Given the exhaustive list of clinical trials on humans and how it affects the long list of hormones, Tongkat Ali may be the right magic pill for your endocrine system.

Naressa Khan contributes regularly on AKARALI. As a researcher and investigative journalist specializing in nutrition and natural wellness, 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 .

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.

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