Does Tribulus Really Work?
September 8, 2008
Does Tribulus (a.k.a. Tribulus Terrestris) actually work to help athletes to promote gains in strength or lean muscle mass? Not according to a recent study published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. Researchers studied this herb on muscular strength, body composition, and urinary T/E (testosterone/epitestosterone) ratio in elite Australian male rugby players.
Dose: Subjects were given 450 mg per day or a placebo for 5 weeks and all subjects performed structured heavy weight training.
Conclusions: “It was concluded that Tribulus Terrestris did not produce the large gains in strength or lean muscle mass that many manufacturers claim can be experienced within 5-28 days. Furthermore, T. terrestris did not alter the urinary T/E (testosterone/epitestosterone) ratio and would not place an athlete at risk of testing positive based on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s urinary T/E ratio limit of 4:1.”
The results of this study are consistent with the results of a previous study which was published in the International Journal of Sports Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism (Antonio et al, 2001), which concluded, “supplementation with Tribulus does not enhance body composition or exercise performance in resistance-trained males.”
Geez, I wish these studies were out many years back as this is one herb that I got fooled into spending my hard-earned money on!
SOURCE: Dr. J. Marrow’s Dietary Supplement Research Updates
References:
Rogerson S, Riches CJ, Jennings C, Weatherby RP, Meir RA, Marshall-Gradisnik SM. The effect of five weeks of Tribulus terrestris supplementation on muscle strength and body composition during preseason training in elite rugby league players. J Strength Cond Res. 2007 May;21(2):348-53.
Antonio J, Uelmen J, Rodriguez R, Earnest C. The effects of Tribulus terrestris on body composition and exercise performance in resistance-trained males. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2000 Jun;10(2):208-15.
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15 Responses to “Does Tribulus Really Work?”
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Hi Scott,
None of the studies seem to reference the total saponin content or the amount of Protodioscin in the Tribulus.
If they were using whole dry herb, then I am not surprised that they got those results.
Unfortunately companies keep telling consumers that Tribulus works but fail to produce any research.
Consumers hang on to the belief that a specific level of Protodioscin or a specific ratio of the various saponins in the herb or a “rare processing method” used to preserve the activity of the Protodioscin will result in them being able to boost testosterone levels with this herb. Know that Tribulus has been on the market now for about 13 years and the only human studies done on it (by itself) have shown no increases in Testosterone or LH. Not ONE study! But companies keep throwing it into their testosterone supplement because of the “folklore” and “myth” that surrounds the herb more than the research supporting it.
If this is not correct, I challenge anyone to produce one human study that has shown that Tribulus (from any source or processing method) increases Testosterone or Luteinizing Hormone when taken by itself.
Supplement companies will not fund such a study because they also know it’s impossible for any of the saponins in this herb to increase Test or LH. If it did, they would fund one study and sell boatloads of the stuff.
I agree with your comments about no human studies having had an affect on Testosterone, however each study has failed to stipulate the extract ratio and the amount of protodioscin present.
This study at leasts uses primates and makes a reference to protodioscin. I personally don’t believe the jury is out on Tribulus.
The hormonal effects of Tribulus terrestris and its role in the management of male erectile dysfunction–an evaluation using primates, rabbit and rat.
Gauthaman K, Ganesan AP.
Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 5 Lower Kent Ridge Road, 119074 Singapore. obgkg@nus.edu.sg
Hormonal effects of Tribulus terrestris (TT) were evaluated in primates, rabbit and rat to identify its usefulness in the management of erectile dysfunction (ED). TT extract was administered intravenously, as a bolus dose of 7.5, 15 and 30 mg/kg, in primates for acute study. Rabbits and normal rats were treated with 2.5, 5 and 10mg/kg of TT extract orally for 8 weeks, for chronic study. In addition, castrated rats were treated either with testosterone cypionate (10mg/kg, subcutaneously; biweekly for 8 weeks) or TT orally (5mg/kg daily for 8 weeks). Blood samples were analyzed for testosterone (T), dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) levels using radioimmunoassay. In primates, the increases in T (52%), DHT (31%) and DHEAS (29%) at 7.5mg/kg were statistically significant. In rabbits, both T and DHT were increased compared to control, however, only the increases in DHT (by 30% and 32% at 5 and 10mg/kg) were statistically significant. In castrated rats, increases in T levels by 51% and 25% were observed with T and TT extract respectively that were statistically significant. TT increases some of the sex hormones, possibly due to the presence of protodioscin in the extract. TT may be useful in mild to moderate cases of ED.
1. The study you site used Tribulus but also didn’t disclose the Protodioscin content of the herbs used? Doesn’t this conflict directly with your first post? How do you know what “type” of Trib increases sex hormones?
2. Was the Tribulus screened for pro-hormone contaminants in advance of using it in the study? If you check with Informed Choice (www.informed-choice.org) you’ll see that this is quite common with herbal preparations coming from China and other countries where many of these herbs are processed. Much of the Tribulus on the market is in fact from China.
3. In the study you site, the Tribulus was given through intravenous infusion which significantly increases the bioavailability and physiological action of any substance. Oral consumption would not have the same affect with any substance.
4. Castrated Rabbits and Rats!? Site one Tribulus study that’s been done on humans.
5. In rabbits, only increases in DHT (by 30% and 32% ) were statistically significant. Who wants DHT increases anyway? Hair loss, oily skin acne etc. are side effects of DHT increases. DHT is not very anabolic.
6. “I personally don’t believe the jury is out on Tribulus.” Personal opinions are great “Hyp_gnosis” but we need to look at solid research if we’re going to be objective.
1. I didn’t say it stipulates the amount of protodioscin, but at least references it as being the possible reason for the biological activity. This reference to protodioscin already differentiates it from most other studies. As I previously stated most studies do not stipulate the extract ratio or protodioscin. We don’t know what type of trib increases sex hormones, however I would like to see some studies done on isolated protodioscin to confirm if this is in fact affecting sex hormones.
2. I can’t answer that question as I wasn’t part of the study. We could probably make the same accusation of most herbal studies in that case, since China would seem to be the largest exporter of raw herbal ingredients.
3. I agree intravenous as opposed to oral dosing will yield better results in most instances, however it does point to a biological activity within the primate. Who knows what sort of delivery system may be developed in the future that enhances the oral bioavailability of products we currently pass off as useless.
4. I already agreed with you on the lack of successful human studies, but also highlighted that Protodioscin has been implicated as having a potential role in affecting sex hormones and none of the human studies seem to reference it. So I don’t believe they are as conclusive as they could be.
5. I am more interested in the biological activity in the primates as they would be our closest counterparts.
6. When I say I don’t believe the jury is out, I am simply saying that with further technological developments and research, evidence may come to light on the subject of tribulus or it’s fractions as pertains to biological activity.
Great blog by the way.
Hyp_gnosis I agree with all your points and think you sound like a very well read supplement genius yourself! Let’s hope a company like Thermolife or Biotest steps up the game and funds a human trial that covers all the points you and I have both made so that we can all feel confident in Trib.
Thanks for stopping by and keeping me on my toes!
Thanks for the compliments, I try to stay abreast of the info out there.
It would be nice to see a supp company do some credible peer reviewed research on Tribulus or any other product for that matter. But I highly doubt Biotest or Thermolife will invest in it. Money invested in studies of non-proprietary compounds tend to aid one’s competitors, since the study will only be used in their competitors product write ups once they get their hands on the herb through their mutual suppliers.
FYI
Seems Thermolife are now investing time, money and marketing on Tribulus Alatus. Results based upon a rat study indicate that it may have the potential to free up bound testosterone.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17767762
Another company called USP Labs are also touting another variant of tribulus. Their product Prime contains Tribulus Aquaticus and is not suppose to have androgen increasing properties. Their “study” was done in house and added to their write up.
I would like to know if the Prime product from General Nutrition stores has been tested for safety. My 19 yr old grandson is taking this product
He has high liver enzymes (before taking and still present after taking) so am concerned about the safety.
Forgot to give you the brand
Prime mfg for USP labs in Dallas for Optimal Potency and Purity under GMP guidelines.
[...] 22. Does Tribulus REALLY Work? [...]
What do people think about the product called Secretropin..
researched and clinically proven by Professor Mark Gordon.
Its a product that claims to really boost HGH in the body. There have been many scams out there but this product is apparently proven to have HGH benefits….
I have used tribulus from Ultimate Nutrition
i took 10 (yes ten) caps at a time, that gave me 7.5g and within 3-4 days i was a walking hormone! my wife told me (after a week or so) to lower the dose.
for reference i am 225lbs. 6ft and 13-15%bdy fat.
Just my own experience
I recommend the Dr. Max Powers Testosterone Boost which is Tribulus supplements….it will give you the same sex drive boost as any other Tribulus product. How much is that? Hard to say for a 21-year old kid. My testosterone is already peaked.
Although I will tell you that I calculated the potency, dosage, and contents of this particular bottle and it’s more bang for your buck than any other Tribulus product offered. So if it’s straight Tribulus at a great price you are looking for, go with the Dr Max Powers Testosterone Boost. Dr Max products have always done me good (like their stack) and this product is no different.
I agree with the gentleman who said there are allot of SCAMS out there with secretagogues that claim to raise the body’s production and release of GH. In 2000, I called each one of them and asked for the research that was performed on their products. NONE was performed. It was theoretical science or “junk science”. In 2001, I had the opportunity to work with a company to develop a product that you now have before you - Secretropin (SRx). I rarely used it since injectable GH was available, that is, until the pressure was put upon us by the State and Federal governments. Back to SRx. When it was initially tested, we did a 30 day study on 20 people. It worked as well as those that did not respond gave us directions to improve it. The present product has been in continuous testing since October 2006 in the US, Germany, Mexico, Dubai, India, Thailand, England, and Greece. I have put over $500,000 into clinical testing. It does not work for everyone and it does not raise the levels to super physiological levels. It fails in 8-10% of the people but has increased levels by 50-200%. Go read off the website. See the technical film on why this works. Secretropin is in 23 countries, Mainland China just signed.
you have to get the right kind and amount and method of delivery of any herb, we all know that many herbs are not the real thing so this needs to be looked at before human trials are done… (humans are much bigger than rats so need more of it)