Testosterone Boosting Supplements

4 - Avena Sativa
Avena Sativa, better known as wild oat, is an annual grass, which is cultivated for its edible grain. It has the effect of increasing free testosterone levels (the testosterone that can be used by the body). While the mechanism under which it exerts this benefit is not clear, it is suspected that it occurs through an increase in LH levels, just like Tribulus. Because there seems to be a synergism between Tribulus and Avena Sativa, Biotest Labs included both herbs in their product Tribex.

I take in 3 capsules twice a day on an empty stomach only from Monday through Friday.

5 - Red-Kat
This is another product produced by Biotest Laboratories. It is another hormone free formula designed to increase the free testosterone levels in males. The formula is based on Eurycoma Longifolia Jack and Sclaremax. Eurycoma Longifolia Jack is a plant reputed to have aphrodisiac properties. It is commonly known as Tongkat Ali in Malaysia.

The effects of Sclaremax, the other ingredient in Red Kat, include its antithrombotic and antidepressant effects, as well as its stimulating effect on luteinizing hormone, resulting in the production of Testosterone (in males). I take 2 capsules of these with my Tribex (twice a day) only from Monday through Friday.

6 - 6-OXO
6-OXO, which is short for 3,6,17-androstenetrione, is a very powerful androgen metabolite that increases testosterone levels naturally through a suppression of estrogen levels (the hormone that females produce in high amounts and that gives them their female characteristics). Believe it or not, males produce this hormone as well, mainly through the work of the aromatase enzyme which aromatizes (converts) the testosterone we produce into estrogen.

6-OXO works by binding to the aromatase enzyme and rendering it ineffective, something that corresponds in an increase in testosterone levels. I take 3 capsules of 6-OXO with my ZMA at night with the last meal. The product I take is made by ErgoPharm.

7 - 17-HD
17-HD is the strongest androgen available without a prescription. It was created by carefully extracting (using a sophisticated Multi-Fraction Extraction Process) the anabolic parts of the herb smilax and then re-arranging the hydrogen and oxygen atoms of its natural steroid ring (using a patented hydroxylation process) to create a highly androgenic and anabolic compound.

Steroids are classified as either mainly androgenic or anabolic. Androgenic steroids give you more size and strength while anabolic ones provide more hardness and conditioning. 17-HD’s unique molecular configuration gives you the best of both world without the side effects as there is no estrogen conversion (which means no water retention, no female fat deposits or depression) and no DHT conversion which means that neither the hair line nor the prostate will be adversely affected.

The way that the 17-HD molecule is bound accelerates absorption and uptake in such a way that you feel the effects in minutes (approximately within 30 minutes of ingestion on an empty stomach).

17-HD is also produced by Vyotech Nutritionals and what I like the most about it is that all you need is 1 capsule 30 minutes prior to the workout on an empty stomach.

Conclusion
So if you are an over 25 year old trainee who wishes to increase Testosterone Levels and who wishes to push their bodybuilding training to the maximum, some of these supplements may be beneficial to try. There is no need to take all of these at the same time. You could get great benefit from doing 6 weeks of one, 6 weeks of another and so on. But if you have the finances to use them all, there is no adverse effects from doing so.

About The Author

Hugo Rivera, About.com's Bodybuilding Guide and ISSA Certified Fitness Trainer, is a nationally-known best-selling author of over 8 books on bodybuilding, weight loss and fitness, including "The Body Sculpting Bible for Men", "The Body Sculpting Bible for Women", "The Hardgainer's Bodybuilding Handbook", and his successful, self published e-book, "Body Re-Engineering". Hugo is also a national level NPC natural bodybuilding champion. Learn more about Hugo Rivera.