Blue Ox

Stinging nettle root has a long history of use. It was first used by the Ancient Greeks as a therapeutic medicine to enhance male health and improve digestive health

Stinging Nettle Increases Free Testosteroneby Lowering SHBG

Most of the testosterone in your blood is attached to the protein sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). Testosterone that is not attached to this protein is called your free or bioavailable testosterone. Free testosterone is the testosterone that is most easily used by your body. Testosterone that is bound to SHBG is unusable by the body. The more testosterone that’s not bound to SHBG, the more usable testosterone there is for the body to use.

Stinging nettle contains a substance called 3,4-divanillyltetrahydrofuran, which binds to SHBG. So, while stinging nettle root does not increase total testosterone in the blood, it does appear to increase usable testosterone levels by binding to SHBG, increasing free testosterone [4]. Various studies confirm that stinging nettle root supplementation reduces the binding of SHBG to testosterone [5,6]. There is also evidence that stinging nettle reduces the conversion of testosterone into estrogen by acting on the enzyme (aromatase) that converts testosterone to estrogen [7].

What To Look For When Buying A Stinging Nettle Root Supplement

Since it is the 3,4 Divanillyltetrahydrofuran lignan in the stinging nettle root that has the most significant effect on SHBG, look for a stinging nettle root supplement that is standardized for 3,4 Divanillyltetrahydrofuran content.

120mg of stinging nettle root taken three times a day (totalling 360mg) was the dosage most commonly used in clinical trials. Look for a stinging nettle root supplement that contains at least 360mg per serving.

Ashwagandha (Somnifera dunal) is an apoptogenic herb that has been used for more then 2,500 years in Ayurvedic medicine. Ashwagandha is the most extensively researched adaptogen herb. The literal meaning of the word ashwagandha is “smell of horse” because it was believed that when you consume it, you develop the strength and vitality of a horse.

KSM-66 is a patented full spectrum Ashwagandha extract that is produced using a unique proprietary extraction process.

KSM-66 reduces stress, improves memory and increases testosterone

KSM-66 Ashwagandha has been clinically proven to:

• Reduce stress, anxiety, cortisol levels and stress-related food cravings [8]
• Improve memory and cognitive function [9]
• Increase endurance, strength, muscle size [10]
• Enhance sexual performance and increase testosterone [11]

KSM-66 Compared To Other Ashwagandha Supplements

KSM-66 is the highest concentration, most bioavailable full-spectrum Ashwagandha extract on the market today. KSM-66 uses only the roots of the Ashwagandha plant. Other Ashwagandha supplements will replace the roots with leaves, given that the price of leaves is often less than 1/15th the price of roots. However, it is the root that has the highest concentration of the beneficial withanolides alkaloids. KSM-66 has a guaranteed minimum 5% concentration of withanolides confirmed by HPLC.

PrimaVie® is a clinically studied purified Shilajit from the Himalayas, containing dibenzo-α-pyrones (DBPs), DBP-Chromoproteins (DCP), fulvic acid and over 40 different trace minerals. PrimaVie has an ORAC value better than many super fruits and has been clinically shown to decrease inflammation biomarkers by more than 50%.

PrimaVie is Clinically Proven to Increase Testosterone Levels

In a clinical study with male volunteers between the ages of 45 and 55, 250 milligram (mg) dose of purified shilajit twice a day significantly increased free and total testosterone levels after 90 days of consecutive usage [12]. It also boosted mitochondrial energy and Increased exercise endurance.

PrimaVie Compared to Other Shilajit Supplements

PrimaVie® Purified Shilajit has an outstanding safety profile (compared to generic shilajit) – very low levels of heavy metals and all the claims are backed by multiple clinical studies which have been published in peer reviewed journals.  Primavie is manufactured using a proprietary aqueous process with no chemical solvents.

PrimaVie® is unique in that it is the only shilajit on the market to have GRAS approval (General Recognized as Safe by the FDA). Many other generic forms of shilajit have been found to contain high levels of arsenic.

Magnesium is an essential mineral that is needed by every cell in the human body. Magnesium is needed for nerve transmission, muscle contraction, blood coagulation, energy production, nutrient metabolism, bone integrity and cell formation. Low blood serum levels of magnesium have been associated with a number of chronic diseases including diabetes, hypertension, coronary heart disease, and osteoporosis.

The Interplay of Magnesium and Testosterone Function

There is a direct link between magnesium intake and testosterone levels that has been validated by peer reviewed clinical trials. A zinc-magnesium nutritional supplement significantly increased testosterone levels of athletes engaging in intense physical activity compared to a placebo (132.1 to 176.3 pg/mL) [13]. This data has been confirmed in a recent study performed on young subjects, where 4-weeks of magnesium supplementation increased free and total testosterone levels [14].

All Magnesium Supplements Are Not Created Equal

Different magnesium forms vary in the amount of magnesium they contain. For example, just 16.2% of magnesium citrate is actual magnesium — the rest is citric acid. Even more importantly, different magnesium forms vary in their bioavailability. For example, magnesium oxide has only a 4% bioavailability in the human body.

Magnesium aspartate is the chelated magnesium salt of aspartic acid. Magnesium aspirate displays high oral bioavailability and water solubility compared to other magnesium salts such as magnesium citrate, magnesium carbonate and magnesium oxide.

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is naturally present in fatty fish, beef liver, cheese and egg yolks. Vitamin D is nicknamed the “sunshine vitamin” because our bodies are capable of producing it when our skin is exposed to UVB rays from the sun.

The human body must have vitamin D to absorb calcium and maintain adequate levels of phosphorus in the blood. Vitamin D also plays an essential role in muscle function and the immune system. Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to breast cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, heart disease, depression, weight gain and other maladies.

LowVitamin D DirectlyLinked To Lower Testosterone Levels

Nowadays, a large portion of the population has very little exposure to sunlight, resulting in low or deficient levels of vitamin D.

Clinical studies suggest that increasing vitamin D intake may increase testosterone and improve other related health measures, such as sperm quality. One study found a close correlation between vitamin D deficiency and low testosterone. When participants spent more time in the sun and their vitamin D levels increased, so did their testosterone levels [15]. In a year-long study, men who were given 3,300 IU of vitamin D every day saw their blood serum levels of vitamin D double and their testosterone levels increased by 20% [16].

The tolerable upper limit of vitamin D is 4000IU per day, meaning that you can safely supplement with up to 4000IU per day without experiencing any adverse side effects.

Zinc is a trace element that is required for the function of over 300 different enzymes in the human body. Zinc metabolizes nutrients, maintains your immune system and helps repair body tissues. Your body doesn’t store zinc, so you need to consume enough every day to ensure you’re meeting your daily requirements. A lack of zinc can make a person more susceptible to disease and illness.

Zinc and Testosterone

A zinc deficiency can lead to low testosterone. A clinical trial for the journal of Exercise Physiology found that 30 milligrams of supplemental zinc per day increased free testosterone levels in men [17]. Another study looking at the association of dietary zinc intake and testosterone levels found that zinc supplements increased testosterone levels in zinc deficient men [18].

Taking zinc also appears to be helpful if you struggle to recover from high-intensity exercise [19,20].

Other Health Benefits of Zinc:

• Increases Immunity- A clinical trial for the Medical Education Center found that when zinc supplements were administered within 24 hours of the onset of cold-related symptoms, the duration of the symptoms were significantly reduced [21].
• Antioxidant- – A clinical trial for the School of Medicine found that levels of oxidative stress markers were significantly lower in the group given zinc supplements [22].
• Balances Blood Sugar- – Zinc is needed to balance insulin, the main hormone involved in the regulation of blood sugar. Zinc also allows for the proper utilization of digestive enzymes that are necessary for insulin to bind to cells, so glucose is used as fuel instead of being stored as fat.
• Promotes Heart Health- Zinc is needed to maintain the health of cells within the cardiovascular system. Zinc benefits heart health by supporting healthy circulation and is a natural remedy for high blood pressure.
• Aids in Nutrient Absorption and Digestion- Zinc is required by the body to use amino acids from foods and is involved in the breakdown of carbohydrates from foods, which are one of the main energy sources for the body.
• Supports Liver Health- Supplementing with zinc is correlated with lower levels of liver damage. Zinc helps with nutrient absorption and allows for proper waste elimination.
• Helps with Muscle Growth and Repair- Zinc plays a crucial role in cell division and cell growth. Zinc also helps with the release of testosterone, growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), all of which build muscle mass.

Over the last decade, scientific research has revealed the importance of the trace mineral boron for overall health. Boron is associated with improved brain function, arthritis relief, and increasing magnesium absorption. Boron is also beneficial for your bones, joints and maintaining optimal hormone levels.

What Can Boron Do for You?

• Increased Testosterone – In a clinical trial for the journal of Physiology and Pharmacology, male subjects given daily boron supplements saw a 28.3% increase in free testosterone levels after just one week of supplementation[23].
• Inhibition of Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG)- SHBG is a hormone whose primary function is to bind to sex hormones and render them useless. This can become frustrating because as you raise testosterone levels, more of it binds to SBHG, making it unable to exert any beneficial effects in your body. Boron supplementation has been shown to reduce SHBG levels in the blood, allowing more testosterone to elicit its actions.
• Estrogen Reduction – One week of boron supplementation decreased serum estradiol levels by 39% [23].
• Improves Bone and Joint Health- A clinical trial consisting of 20 patients with osteoporotic disease found that 50% of patients reported improvements in symptoms with 6mg/day boron supplementation [24].

Recommended Daily Intake of Boron

No recommended dietary allowance (RDA) has been established. However, research shows that at least 3 mg per day is needed to guarantee health benefits.

In the past, humans were able to get ample amounts of boron through the foods they ate. However, due to mass-production farming techniques, boron (and other minerals) have been drastically depleted from the foods we eat. In other words, while you may be eating a similar diet to what your parents ate, it’s not providing you with the same amount of nutrients. For this reason, most people would benefit from a daily boron supplement to ensure they are getting adequate intake.

Ashwagandha (Somnifera dunal) is an apoptogenic herb that has been used for more then 2,500 years in Ayurvedic medicine. Ashwagandha is the most extensively researched adaptogen herb. The literal meaning of the word ashwagandha is “smell of horse” because it was believed that when you consume it, you develop the strength and vitality of a horse.

KSM-66 is a patented full spectrum Ashwagandha extract that is produced using a unique proprietary extraction process.

KSM-66 reduces stress, improves memory and increases testosterone

KSM-66 Ashwagandha has been clinically proven to:

• Reduce stress, anxiety, cortisol levels and stress-related food cravings [8]
• Improve memory and cognitive function [9]
• Increase endurance, strength, muscle size [10]
• Enhance sexual performance and increase testosterone [11]

KSM-66 Compared To Other Ashwagandha Supplements

KSM-66 is the highest concentration, most bioavailable full-spectrum Ashwagandha extract on the market today. KSM-66 uses only the roots of the Ashwagandha plant. Other Ashwagandha supplements will replace the roots with leaves, given that the price of leaves is often less than 1/15th the price of roots. However, it is the root that has the highest concentration of the beneficial withanolides alkaloids. KSM-66 has a guaranteed minimum 5% concentration of withanolides confirmed by HPLC.