Testosterone gummies, capsules, powders, and testosterone-boosting energy drinks are amongst popular T-boosting supplements that claim to boost your testosterone.
But does it work? Or should you stick to TRT at $100 per shot?
Our deep-dive review shares insights into the use of testosterone supplements, which testosterone supplements that work effectively for men and the best natural testosterone boosters that you should buy.
In the world of testosterone-maxxing, the widespread use of Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) and testosterone supplements are two options for men who are obsessed with bigger muscles.
But if your goal is to feel energized, or improve your endurance, stamina, strength, mood and libido, perhaps testosterone supplements may be a better choice for you.
As reported by the New York Post, TRT is the latest bulk-fast fad that comes with risks that can impact fertility, the heart and overall men’s health.
Unlike natural testosterone supplements which provide sustainable testosterone support over a longer period, what’s more worrying about TRT are the side effects on the endocrine system and the lifetime commitment. According to health experts, once you stop TRT, your testosterone will drop below your baseline and chances are, you will continue to depend on it for the rest of your life.
Arizona-based online fitness coach Katz, who began bodybuilding at 14, told The New York Post that while young men might start with a small dosage of TRT, they’re not realizing that this may end up being a lifelong commitment that they’re choosing to start when they’re 20 years old.
“They may regret TRT when they’re 30 still having to inject themselves,” he added.
Should you choose the path of natural supplements, which type of testosterone supplements or brand that works best for men?
Testosterone supplements are mainly used to elevate low testosterone levels due to age (hypogonadism), or exercised-induced hypogonadism in chronic endurance athletes or by bodybuilders seeking constant optimal testosterone support to build or maintain muscle mass.
Testosterone supplements (both natural and synthetic) contain either natural ingredients (i.e herb), or a mix of vitamins or minerals that are known to boost total and free (usable) testosterone. This makes it a popular choice as a daily supplement for long-term use to maintain optimal T-levels, or if you exhibit low testosterone symptoms such as:
"When testosterone drop below the lower limit, they can start experiencing symptoms like diminished sex drive, erectile dysfunction, subfertility, low stamina, muscle atrophy, decreased energy and lower mood."
According to research expert Dr. Annie George (Head Scientist of Biotropics), natural testosterone supplements are considered a relatively safe and effective option to TRT or HRT due to fewer long-term side effects.
“We have seen the effective use of Tongkat Ali as a testosterone supplement to boost endurance, stamina and strength of ultramarathon runners.” said Alex Kua, Global Community Lead for AKARALI.
39-year-old Alimin from Kuala Lumpur is a long-term user of Tongkat Ali for more than 5 years. In his long-term review of Tongkat Ali, he commented how this natural testosterone supplement has helped him achieve higher endurance, and placed him amongst the top rank in his first ultramarathon UTMB race in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Related Article: Is HRT safer than natural supplements?
Here are the most common active ingredients found in the majority of testosterone supplements that are sold in the market today. Most are available in higher quantities (eg: 200g to 500mg per capsule) and either sold as a single-ingredient formulation with or without standardization.
There are supporting ingredients that act as an enabler to complement, or enhance testosterone as claimed. These non-core ingredients are often found in smaller quantities, acting as agents to produce testosterone-like effects, which are marketed as “feeling-energized” or elevated.
A study on Top 5 Testosterone-boosting supplements (or otherwise known as T-boosters) on Amazon showed a rapid decline on consumer reviews related to its effects on libido, energy and strength/endurance in sports. This suggests a decreased in customer perception and confidence towards the effectiveness of testosterone supplement based on 5,112 reviews conducted in this study.
However, there are few active ingredients found in testosterone supplements such as Tongkat Ali and Ashwagandha. And these are supported by robust clinical studies.
Out of 37 human studies related to these ingredients, only 30% observed an increase in T levels – which means the quality, potency and efficacy of these testosterone supplements are still in question.
Only 24.8% of T-boosters in the US had sufficient data to support its health claims
Most testosterone supplements do not work as intended but a handful of natural testosterone supplements such as Tongkat Ali have been clinically tested to boost total and free testosterone. This is supported by growing human clinical studies and the effectiveness extends to aging men and highly-trained athletes too.
As testosterone may also record a decline after hard exposure of training in highly-trained athletes, the effectiveness of testosterone supplement may elevate, or prevent it from further decline.
According to a research study on 50 testosterone supplements sold in the US, only 24.8% contain ingredients that are verified to boost testosterone and Tongkat Ali tops the list.
“Most natural testosterone supplements containing Maca, Horny Goat Weed, Fadogia and Ashwagandha may produce marginal testosterone improvements, even at high doses.” said a nutritionist from a leading pharmacy based in New York.
“Do not fall for testosterone supplements that contains ingredients which are not clinically tested” she added.
With more than 500 testosterone boosters on Amazon, Tongkat Ali and Panax Ginseng are the only two herbs that are time-tested to boost testosterone backed by sufficient human studies over the last two decades.
According to scientists from the University of Southern California, Tongkat Ali emerged as the top testosterone booster which is backed by sufficient human studies and clinical trials in the two decades.
In theory, highly-specialized testosterone supplements using a single-ingredient formulation (eg: Tongkat Ali) may work more effectively than a polyherbal formulation (eg: Tongkat Ali + zinc + magnesium + Fadogia) that is not tested for efficacy.
A research study on the top 50 testosterone supplements (T-booster) by the Institute of Urology from the University of Southern California showed Tongkat Ali, Panax Ginseng and Horny Goat Weed have sufficient evidence to back its testosterone boosting capabilities.
T-Booster Ingredients | Does it increase testosterone? |
Tongkat Ali | ✅✅✅✅✅ |
Panax Ginseng | ✅✅✅✅ |
Horny Goat Weed | ✅✅ |
Ashwagandha | ✅✅ |
D-Aspartic Acid | ✅ |
Tribulus Terrestris | ❌ |
Black pepper | ❌ |
Garlic | ❌ |
Vitamin B5 | ❌ |
Green Tea | ❌ |
Vitamin D | ❌ |
Vitamin B6 | ❌ |
Fenugreek | ❌ |
Pomegranate | ❌ |
Curcumin | ❌ |
Maca | ❌ |
Zinc | ❌ |
Magnesium | ❌ |
Melatonin | ❌ |
Gingko Biloba | ❌ |
Boron | ❌ |
Source: Testosterone Boosting Supplements Composition and Claims Are not Supported by the Academic Literature, Chase G et. al. (The World Journal of Men’s Health, Jan 2019)
✅✅✅✅✅ Substantial evidence with significant results
✅✅✅✅ Sufficient evidence with moderate results
✅✅ Moderate evidence with mixed results
✅ Lack of evidence with mixed results
❌ No evidence and it may not work
"Tongkat Ali is the one and only active ingredient that is clinically proven and tested to improve testosterone and men’s health."
Here are the best-selling testosterone supplements in the US, UK, Australia and Europe based on consumer feedback and market research conducted by Berkshire Media.
Best Proven Testosterone Supplement: Single Ingredient
Popular Testosterone Supplement: Multi-Ingredients
AKARALI is the best natural testosterone supplement for men above 40 and 50s due to its clinically tested US-patented proprietary extract, with more than 26 clinical trials since 2003. It contains MIT-formulated Physta® Tongkat Ali standardized hot water extract that is clinically tested to boost testosterone by up to 581% based on human clinical studies when paired with multivitamins and works better if you are actively exercising.
AKARALI is a trusted brand in the US and UK that helps sports communities, bodybuilders, runners and athletes to optimize testosterone through natural supplementation. This makes it a good testotesterone-boosting supplement choice for adults above 40, bodybuilders and for exercised-induced hypogonadism athletes, particularly for post-workout support to build or maintain muscle mass.
Most customer reviews on AKARALI reported positive results on testosterone effects such as libido and strength after 48 hours, with maximum testosterone benefit after four to twelve weeks with regular exercises.
If you are into single-ingredient formulations, AKARALI Tongkat Ali remains the best herbal supplement for testosterone boost.
TestoPrime is a high-performing testosterone booster with a mix formulation of Panax Ginseng, Zinc, Ashwagandha, Black Pepper, Green Tea, Garlic extract. While it is not clinically tested, it is popular amongst heavy lifters and bodybuilders looking for an all-in-one T-booster supplement.
Its all-in-one formulation consists high dose of active T-boosting ingredients that are formulated to deliver testosterone gains which may not work if you are less active or sedentary.
Despite containing a high dose of Ashwagandha (668mg) as the primary active ingredient to boost testosterone, TestoPrime’s proprietary formulation is not clinically tested and may not be suitable for less active men or those having kidney issues.
However, if you are a serious bodybuilder or sports amateur who is seeking that extra boost from your training, TestoPrime is worth a try.
Prime Male is an ideal testosterone stack with its all-in-one ingredient in a single capsule approach.
Prime Male is a popular testosterone supplement in the UK and the US, which is actively promoted by affiliates and social influencers. It contains a mix of natural ingredients and vitamins, making it less organic than TestoPrime’s formulation.
Prime Male claims its proprietary formulation is 100% natural and the use of Ashwagandha and Panax Ginseng extract may produce a a significant testosterone boost when added with zinc and magnesium as part of its formulation.
However, many customers reported the side effects of diarrhea as reported in customer reviews. And users are cautioned on the severe side effects of drugs interaction from high doses of Ashwagandha, Panax Ginseng and Magnesium.
According to functional health expert AJ Brookes, Tongkat Ali is on top of the list among clinically proven natural supplements that increase free and total testosterone.
He said “There are sufficient human clinical studies on Tongkat Ali’s effect on testosterone and it works best with Vitamin D, zinc, Vitamin B to complement your existing health stack”.
Natural bodybuilding association Your Natural Federation (YNF) co-founder Andric Liew said that AKARALI is one of the best natural testosterone supplements for serious sport amateurs, bodybuilders and fitness health coaches.
AKARALI is regarded as the best natural testosterone booster used by natural bodybuilders in Australia, UK and US due to its clinically tested Tongkat Ali hot water root extract technology.
“Drugs-free bodybuilders and men over 40 trust AKARALI Tongkat Ali compared to Solaray Tongkat Ali or Doublewood Tongkat Ali due to its high potency and efficacy”, said Andric, co-founder of YNF Australia.
YNF promotes Tongkat Ali as a safe natural testosterone booster to its members, natural bodybuilders and other fitness communities in Australia.
With exception of single-ingredient formulations such as Tongkat Ali or Ashwagandha, other testosterone supplements containing polyherbal formulations are not tested for safety and may cause liver damage if consumed in high doses.
For instance, testosterone boosters containing Fadogia Agrestis cause liver and kidney damage based on a recent study in July 2023. Users are cautioned against taking Fadogia as it causes the death of liver tissue cells and chronic inflammation of kidneys at low dosages.
Related Article: The severe effects of Fadogia on liver and kidneys
A case study on a person consuming multi-ingredient testosterone supplements showed high levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), indicating liver injury – as shown in the ultrasound scan images below.
Abdominal ultrasound images of liver, spleen, kidneys, aorta, pancreas, gallbladder, , prostate and urinary bladder after taking multi-ingredient testosterone supplements (Source: Effect of testosterone boosters on body functions, 2018)
Yes, single-ingredient Tongkat Ali supplements are clinically tested to work to increase total and free testosterone in aging adults and moderately active men. Multiple studies and clinical trials showed a significant increase in total testosterone and free testosterone in men between 20-70 years old.
According to Head Scientist Dr Annie George from Biotropics, 200 mg of hot water Tongkat Ali extract may boost testosterone between 20% to 581% after 12 weeks based on a randomized clinical study when paired with multivitamins, zinc or magnesium.
The latest high-tech potent Tongkat Ali Physta® extract uses standardized hot water extraction technology that delivers 10x more testosterone boost than conventional ethanol-based 200:1 extract, making it the best natural testosterone supplement that is safe and effective.
According to US natural wellness expert Ilan Joffee, Malaysian Tongkat Ali root extract remains the best natural testosterone booster on Amazon for men in recent years.
He added, “Compared to Ginseng, Fadogia Agrestis or even Turkesterone, Tongkat Ali performs better due to substantial and consistent testosterone gains.”
Tongkat Ali is the best testosterone supplement due to its proven clinical tests on humans, backed by 20 years of research on testosterone, DHEA and DHT.
Tongkat Ali has sufficient clinical evidence over the last 20 years to prove its effect on boosting testosterone, free-testosterone and DHEA in both men and women.
However, those exceptional testosterone gains will only work if you consume 100% Tongkat Ali root or clinically tested Tongkat Ali products due to quality standardization method during production.
Yes, Ashwagandha increases total testosterone between 20% to 50% with lower gains compared to Tongkat Ali’s testosterone gains of between 50% to 600% when paired with multivitamins and other supplement stacks.
Related Article: Ashwagandha vs Tongkat Ali: Which is better?
There are a few reported patient cases of kidney damage from users taking testosterone supplements containing Maca, Horny Goat Weed, Fadogia Agrestis. A July 2023 study showed adverse effects of liver and kidney damage caused by the daily consumption of Fadogia Agrestis at 50 mg/kg body weight after 14 days.
Testosterone supplements containing Fadogia Agrestis may not be safe for short-term consumption even at low dosages as it cause death of liver tissues (necrosis) and chronic kidney inflammation.
Related Article: The severe effects of Fadogia on liver and kidneys
Tongkat Ali may be one of the safest testosterone supplements on the market today with a high toxicity limit of 2,000 mg/kg body weight; a Human Equivalent Dose (HED) of 24,000 mg of Tongkat Ali based on a 75 kg adult.
In addition, Tongkat Ali is clinically tested to be safe for long-term consumption without any negative effects on the kidneys or liver based on the recommended dosage.
Related Article: Does Tongkat Ali affect the liver and kidneys?
Tongkat Ali, Panax Ginseng and Ashwagandha remained the key active ingredients found in popular T-boosting supplements for men due to their decades of scientifically proven testosterone effects on libido and sperm motility, muscle strength, anaerobic performance in sports and mood.
If you want the best, single-ingredient natural supplement (eg: 100% Tongkat Ali extract) may be the preferred choice for many athletes and aging men.
Clinically tested testosterone supplements for men such as AKARALI continue to be the best testosterone supplement on Amazon and are used by serious sports amateurs and natural bodybuilders.
And you should seriously give it a try!
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.
7 Responses
Great article! Excellent review about natural testosterone boosters. In my experience, the best testosterone supplement that I tried was the one containing Ginseng and Tongkat Ali. I understand you cannot combine those two herbs. But I tried two separate natural supplements within a span of 3 months. The Tongkat Ali performed way better after my blood test. The results showed increase of free testosterone after four solid weeks. I cannot remember the brand but it has standardized Tongkat Ali extract with 3% eurycomanone. I believe the amazing results were also attributed by my regular cardio. Well just maybe.
Hi Jonathan, thanks for your comments. Yes, most consumers prefer using Tongkat Ali in various doses (between 100mg – 600mg) to restore, or to increase their testosterone levels. Most are men between 40-70 years. But please ensure you get the super-potent Tongkat Ali extract that is guaranteed to be the natural testosterone supplement that you ever need. The result from studies showed that testosterone levels can be boosted by 600% if you are taking multivitamins at the same time.
How did TestoPrime can as one of the best testosterone booster? The product is crap and did not show any results. My testosterone was lower after consuming TestoPrime! Please avoid TestoPrime at all cost. It is not worth your money. Besides, the ingredients are formulated by a bunch of herbal junkies without any knowledge what it does to your health, kidney or other possible organ failure. We should educate people not to buy untested testosterone supplements and those fake T-boosters in the US. Spread the word!! Don’t spread hate. Spread love!
Thanks for sharing your experience on various testosterone supplements. Not all T-boosters will work, and some are dangerous to health. We advice others to consult their respective doctors before consuming any testosterone supplements, T-boosters or even natural testosterone which are not clinically tested.
The best testosterone supplement for men is Tongkat Ali. Period.
Nothing beats this herb to be honest! I don’t understand why people think Fadogia Agrestis can do a better job in boosting testosterone. Are they blinded by whatever was said by Dr. Andrew Huberman on Joe Rogan’s podcast? Like seriously?? That dude is not even a scientist or expert in herbal formulation, research or even herbal extraction technologies!
In our opinion, Fadogia Agrestis has less than 10 research studies in the last 30 years compared to Tongkat Ali (300+ research studies and clinical trials). But Fadgoia was heavily marketed with false claims by so-called experts in the USA. Fadogia has not reported effects on testosterone. There are very few T-booster supplements that are using Fadogia as one of the key active ingredients. The best testosterone supplements for men has Tongkat Ali or Panax Ginseng as their core active ingredients. Please avoid T-boosters which has Fadogia Agrestis in it, as it may not be tested against safety.
It is interesting, or should i say I am thoroughly amused when reading the comments on this article. I can assure you one thing, the T-booster supplements in the US is just filled with junk products. So many health claims, but with so little results.
WARNING TO READERS – Natural testosterone supplements can work positively for you if you find the right brand, or the right mix of ingredients. I tend to stick to single-ingredient supplement as my testosterone booster. Herbs like Tongkat Ali worked surprisingly well for my age (Iam 55). I will not argue about percentage increase of testosterone from my blood test, but the testosterone effects on my sexual desire, performance, erection and even general stamina is something to be proud of!