From the Guidelines
Beef testicle supplements are not a recommended method to increase testosterone levels due to the lack of strong scientific evidence supporting their effectiveness. Instead, the most recent and highest quality study, 1, suggests that clinically proven ways to naturally support healthy testosterone levels include:
- Regular exercise, especially resistance training
- Maintaining a healthy body weight
- Getting adequate sleep (7-9 hours per night)
- Managing stress
- Eating a balanced diet rich in zinc, vitamin D, and healthy fats For those with diagnosed low testosterone, physician-supervised testosterone replacement therapy may be appropriate, as recommended by 1 and 1. This typically involves prescribed testosterone injections, gels, or patches under medical guidance. The idea behind beef testicle supplements stems from their containing some testosterone and other hormones. However, when consumed orally, these hormones are largely broken down during digestion, limiting any potential effects. Additionally, the amount and consistency of hormones in such supplements can vary widely, as noted in 1 and 1. If concerned about testosterone levels, it is essential to consult a healthcare provider for proper testing and evidence-based treatment options rather than relying on unproven supplements, as emphasized by 1 and 1.
From the Research
Evidence-Based Methods for Increasing Testosterone Levels
There are no research papers that specifically investigate the use of beef testicle (testicular) supplementation to increase testosterone levels. However, the available evidence discusses various aspects of testosterone supplementation and the effectiveness of different ingredients and products.
Testosterone Supplementation
- Testosterone deficiency is a common problem with significant health implications, and its diagnosis and management can be challenging 2.
- Testosterone therapy is an effective treatment for hypogonadism, but its use in age-related testosterone deficiency is less uniformly accepted 3.
- Transdermal testosterone patches and gels are effective modes of delivery, with favorable pharmacokinetic behavior and no negative effects on the prostate 3.
Testosterone-Boosting Supplements
- Many testosterone-boosting supplements are available online, but their composition and claims are not supported by academic literature 4, 5.
- A systematic review of popular male testosterone and erectile dysfunction supplements found that 68% of ingredients received C or D grades for contradicting, negative, or lacking evidence 6.
- Only 24.8% of supplements had data showing an increase in testosterone with supplementation, while 10.1% had data showing a decrease in testosterone, and 18.3% had data showing no change in testosterone 5.
Ingredients and Effectiveness
- Common ingredients in testosterone supplements include Tribulus, Eurycoma longifolia, Zinc, L-arginine, Aspartate, Horny goat weed, and Yohimbine 6.
- However, many of these ingredients have limited or contradicting evidence to support their effectiveness in increasing testosterone levels 6.
- Some supplements contain supra-therapeutic doses of vitamins and minerals, which can be harmful to consumers 5.