Science knows many plants that have a positive effect on the human endocrine system. Phytopreparations have a mild effect on the endocrine glands, increasing the level of hormones produced.
About thirty years ago, nutraceutical companies began producing supplements based on the tribulus terrestris plant. Popularly, the herb is known as thorny vine or creeping anchors. The main bioactive component extracted from leaves and stems is protodioscin. Its benefit for athletes is to stimulate the production of testosterone, which is necessary to increase the functionality of muscle fibers and their active growth. The plant also contains bioflavonoids, alkaloids and saponins, which have a beneficial effect on metabolism and immunity.
The principle of action on the body
The bioactive substances of the tribulus act on the receptors of the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus, triggering and enhancing the mechanism of hormone production. The herbal preparation has an effect on:
- The production of luteinizing hormones in the gonadotropic cells of the pituitary gland. The reproductive system is stimulated, which leads to increased secretion of sex hormones and the activation of metabolism in accordance with them.
- Testosterone production, due to which protein and energy metabolic processes are activated. As a result, the athlete becomes more enduring, muscle gain is more active. Tribulus supplementation has been noted to enhance sexual function. An increase in hormone levels leads to an improvement in male potency.
There is a pronounced diuretic effect of the supplement, which helps to remove excess fluid from the body.
Tribulus terrestris extract is used as a tonic and revitalizing agent. In bodybuilding, coursework begins for:
- Restoration of natural hormonal levels, especially after taking steroid drugs. Girls are sometimes given a supplement to help restore menstrual periods that have been disrupted by intense exercise and dietary changes.
- Reducing the overall level of inflammation.
- Immunity stimulation.
- Normalize liver function and control cholesterol levels.
- Blocking the production of the stress hormone cortisol, which is harmful to muscle fibers.
- Facilitating the exit from the depressive state provoked by the use of steroids.
Tribulus is well absorbed and metabolized in the human body. The maximum concentration of bioactive components in blood plasma is reached within an hour, and after 3 it decreases to minimum values. Excretion from the body is carried out mainly with bile.
Rules for using the supplement
The dosage of the drug must be calculated in conjunction with the trainer or sports doctor. It is highly dependent on the weight, gender, goals of the athlete and baseline physical data. The maximum daily allowance is 1,500 mg.
The course should last no more than a month, after which you should take a break from 2 to 4 weeks. Overdose and continuous use of tribulus is fraught with disruption of the genital glands and serious hormonal disruption, after which it will be extremely difficult to recover.
Trainers recommend taking the supplement only during periods of active training and mass gain. Otherwise, the external effect will be invisible.
BAA is available in the form of powder, capsules, tablets. The substance can be kept in pure form or be fortified with vitamins, minerals or protein.
The instructions for use do not contain unambiguous indications of the time of admission. It is optimal to drink one dose with breakfast, the second two hours before the expected workout or during lunch and the third at dinner or 3-4 hours before bedtime.
Women need to stop drinking tribulus 4-5 days before the expected start of menstruation and resume on the day it starts. During pregnancy and lactation, the remedy is categorically contraindicated.
Application specificity
In pursuit of sculpted muscles and canonical body architecture, one should not forget about health. The uncontrolled use of stimulants can cause significant harm. Tribulus can be addictive and endocrine-depleting.
You need to take the supplement as a course, even on days when there is no workout. The regimen and dosage are calculated depending on the goals and physical form of the athlete, gender, age, functional state and other important factors. After completing the course, a break is required.
If an athlete is to take steroids, then it is better to leave tribulus for post-cycle therapy as a restorative drug.
Effect of tribulus on testosterone levels
Herbal supplements or herbal preparations based on bioactive components increase the level of hormones smoothly, mainly by supporting metabolic processes in the endocrine glands. However, the cumulative effect allows for an increase in androgen production. This is relevant for athletes experiencing testosterone deficiency while using steroid drugs.
Parallel to the course of steroids
At first glance, taking both testosterone stimulating and suppressing drugs at the same time is pointless. However, practice shows the opposite. After the cessation of the course of steroids, the restoration of the natural level of sex hormones occurs several times faster if the athlete took a supplement with tribulus.
It is advisable to drink dietary supplements at the beginning and end of the steroid cycle. Not only will this help maintain healthy glandular function, it will also protect the liver, lower cholesterol levels, and help control metabolic processes and appetite.
After steroids
At the end of the course of taking steroid drugs, the testosterone level is at a critically low level. Tribulus in this case helps to restore male strength and endocrine system health.
Without the use of steroid drugs
Natural athletes who refuse to take hormonal agents to accelerate muscle growth can use the supplement without harm to their health. The main active ingredient of the dietary supplement is of plant origin, and does not contain pure hormones. It only provides support to the body and activates the body's internal resource for the period of intense training.
Moderate course reception of tribulus increases the quality of training and the speed of recovery after them.
Not athletes can use the product. For women, an analogue is prescribed to restore the menstrual cycle and treat infertility, and for men to increase potency and increase the number and activity of sperm. Thus, a double controlled study method using placebo revealed a positive effect on erectile function in patients with diabetes mellitus.
Optimal dosage
The duration of the course and the individual amount of the drug for a single dose are calculated by a nutraceutical or a sports doctor. The packages usually write the average daily dosage. In any case, the permissible amount of the main active ingredient, equal to 1,500 mg per day, must not be exceeded.
| Athlete's weight, kg | Release form | ||
| capsules | tablets | powder | |
| Less than 80 | 2 pcs | 3 pcs | 1,500 mg |
| Over 80 | 3 pcs | 6 pcs | 2 250 mg |
The course is adjusted depending on the athlete's well-being and the dynamics of his muscle mass gain.
An overdose of tribulus is possible with the simultaneous use of more than two daily doses. Symptoms in this case will be hyperexcitability, increased heart rate, nausea, profuse nose or menstrual bleeding.
Treatment should be symptomatic. Excess drug must be removed by gastric lavage, then take an emergency dose of enterosorbents.
If the nervous system has reacted with an excessive reaction in the form of panic attacks or hysterics, a solution of diazepam is injected intravenously.
Combination with other drugs
Since tribulus is a naturally occurring testosterone booster, it does not have a pronounced negative interaction with drugs or other dietary supplements. It is able to enhance protein absorption and stimulate muscle growth. The concurrent use of a supplement with soy isolate, casein, albumin, or whey protein is approved and justified.
For healthy and harmonious muscle growth, an athlete needs to consume 2-3 grams of protein per kilogram of his own weight. At the same time, proteins from food should be well absorbed. Without such a diet, muscles will not grow even with very intense loads.
The simultaneous use of tribulus and creatine is recommended to increase the level of endurance and strength of the athlete. The substances enhance the action of each other, increasing the trophism of muscle tissue and its support at the hormonal level.
The supplement does not affect the absorption of multivitamin and mineral complexes in the intestines and does not block their absorption at the cellular level.
The only contraindications to joint use are adaptogens (ginseng, leuzea, eleutherococcus) and other drugs that stimulate the production of testosterone, as well as pure hormonal drugs. Taking multiple boosters at the same time may increase negative side effects.
Side effects and contraindications
Tribulus does not have any pronounced side effects. Some athletes have reported a digestive upset while taking the drug, which may be related to related ingredients or a poor quality supplement.
Sometimes there are systemic allergic reactions in the form of urticaria, itching, Quincke's edema. If negative symptoms appear, the drug should be discontinued for 3-4 days and consult a doctor.
Despite the plant origin, dietary supplements are not a harmless testosterone stimulant. He has a number of contraindications. So, you cannot resort to his help:
- Pregnant and lactating women, as well as those who are planning a pregnancy in the near future.
- Children and adolescents under 18 years of age.
- Men with hypertrophic changes in the prostate gland.
- People with hormone-dependent tumors.
- Patients with severe cardiovascular diseases, arterial hypertension, ischemia, heart attack and stroke.
- Persons prone to bleeding and with a history of diseases associated with bleeding disorders.
- Allergy sufferers and asthmatics with possible individual intolerance to the components of the drug.
During the course, alcohol should be abandoned, since it blocks the production of natural testosterone and therefore cancels the effect of the supplement. Nicotine is also incompatible with protodioscin, so the smoker will not feel any positive effect from the supplement.
Tribulus-containing products do not affect the ability to drive vehicles and concentration.
Tribulus for women
Tribulus has long been used in traditional medicine to treat female infertility and menstrual irregularities. The plant's protodioscin stimulates the production of follicle-stimulating hormone and natural estrogens. While taking the supplement, women regain healthy fertility and libido.
Especially effective is the appointment of a remedy for hormone replacement therapy after extirpation (removal) of the uterus and ovaries or during menopause.
Normalization of hormonal balance leads to:
- Improving the quality of a woman's sex life.
- Slowing down the aging of the reproductive system and reducing the negative manifestations of ovarian failure, such as irritability, hot flashes, headaches, lethargy, nervousness and weight gain.
- Normalization and reduction of body weight, reduction of abdominal fat deposits.
- Increase fertility by stimulating the maturation of oocytes (eggs).
- Rejuvenation and improvement of skin quality, its trophism and natural turgor.
The benefits for girls who are actively involved in fitness and sports are to reduce stress on the body and increase muscle mass without harming the endocrine system.
Price and points of sale
You can buy Tribulus, or any of its certified counterparts, in specialized sports nutrition stores, fitness clubs, in Russian and international online stores of goods and supplements for health and sports.
The price per package depends on the manufacturer, dosage and form of release. So, for example, Tribestan from Sopharma in the Russian market costs about 1,400 rubles per pack (60 tablets).
