Does D-Aspartic Acid Supplementation Really Increase Testosterone Levels?
As the days go by, we become older and older but there isn’t all that much we can really do about it.
However, declining testosterone levels as we head into middle-age shouldn’t be passed off as normal, as there is plenty that we can do to prevent this problem.
Reviving normal hormone function can greatly improve life quality, hence, the overwhelming interest in maintaining adequate testosterone levels as long as possible.
In order to keep their edge, many men are experimenting with natural testosterone boosting supplements and synthetic alternatives instead of just accepting the natural process of aging.
Unfortunately, not all of these natural testosterone boosting supplements actually work. Oftentimes, testosterone boosting supplements have a ton of different ingredients that are impossible to pronounce and may not have much research behind them.
In many cases, it is best to pass on these herbal supplements that don’t have proven ingredients in their formulas.
However, there is one commonly used ingredient in many of these formulas that has been proven to be effective. This ingredient, D-Aspartic acid (D-AA), is used by plenty of men all over the world in order to stave off age related hormonal changes.
D-Aspartic acid has been shown to increase testosterone levels in a number of different studies, but contributes even more than that, as it can improve fertility as well.
In other words, any man who wants to improve their fertility, sex drive, and maintain their youth as long as possible should absolutely be familiar with D-AA.
What Is D-Aspartic Acid?
D-Aspartic acid is a fairly common amino acid that is found in the cells of a wide range of animals, including rats and humans. D-AA naturally occurs in the testicles, pituitary gland, and the hypothalamus, due to an enzyme called Aspartate Racemase which is responsible for conversion of L-Aspartate into D-Aspartate.
The reason why D-Aspartic acid has caught the attention of researchers who are creating natural testosterone boosting supplements is because it plays a key role in regulating testosterone synthesis.
It has been shown that a lack of D-AA is often a bottleneck for optimal testosterone production so consuming a balanced diet that contains the building blocks for the synthesis of D-AA is something all men should focus on.
However, aging men may not have enough of the Aspartate Racemase enzyme to create a sufficient supply of D-AA. This is where supplementation of D-Aspartic acid comes in extremely handy.
How Does D-Aspartic Acid Work?
D-Aspartic acid exhibits its effects on the Pituitary gland, causing a natural release of hormones.
These hormones include Luteinizing Hormone (LH), Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH), and Growth Hormone (GH).
Anyone who knows anything about Endocrinology (the study of hormones) realizes LH, FSH, and GH are required for testosterone production. D-Aspartic acid also builds up in the testicles, increasing testosterone synthesis and improving sperm quality.
What Are The Benefits Of D-Aspartic Acid Supplementation?
Short term consumption of D-Aspartic acid has been shown to increase testosterone levels. D-Aspartic acid also increases sperm mobility and therefore, increases fertility. All in all, this amino acid offers benefits to men in a number of ways.
First let’s focus on the benefits of increased testosterone production.
Not only does a normal level of testosterone increase sex drive, build muscle, and promote confidence, it also keeps us healthy. As we age, more testosterone is converted into estrogen, causing the feminizing characteristics that are common in older men.
In order to fight back against time, maintaining a normal level of testosterone is a crucial step in this battle.
Since D-Aspartic acid increases sperm count, sperm mobility, and sperm quality, anyone who is suffering from fertility issues should give D-AA a try.
Scientific Studies On D-Aspartic Acid
There are a number of scientific studies on D-Aspartic acid that demonstrate the importance of this amino acid in regards to testosterone production.
One study from 2009 looked at the role of D-Aspartic acid in the synthesis of Luteinizing Hormone and in turn, testosterone production in both humans and rats. Over the course of 12 days, it was shown that testosterone levels increased in both humans and rats. Amazingly, an average testosterone increase of 42% was demonstrated in this study.
In the same study, luteinizing hormone increased 51% over control values, indicating that the testosterone increase was related in part due to an increase in LH.
As expected, D-Aspartic acid plays a crucial role in the synthesis of luteinizing hormone that in turn increases testosterone production. Not only that, but the Leydig cells in the testicles showed an increase in testosterone synthesis.
This study demonstrated that D-Aspartic acid plays a role in both the pituitary gland and the testes, resulting in an overall increase in testosterone production.
In another study that took place in 2012, D-Aspartic acid was noted for its ability to improve sperm quality.
In this study, 30 patients consumed a daily dose of D-Aspartic acid for 90 days and showed a 100% increase in sperm count, from an average 8.2 million spermatozoa per milliliter to an average of 16.5 million spermatozoa per milliliter after treatment.
This huge increase in sperm count shows with certainty the benefit of using D-Aspartic acid as a fertility aid.
In addition, the same study showed that D-Aspartic acid supplementation increased sperm mobility by 67%.
In conclusion, D-Aspartic acid is noted as playing a huge role in all around male health.
However, anyone who is completely healthy, has normal testosterone levels, and is a highly trained athlete, likely won’t benefit much from D-AA supplementation.
In one study, highly trained athletes who supplemented with D-AA had no notable increases in testosterone production after 28 days.
In other words, men who are suffering from a lack of normal testosterone production are likely to benefit to the greatest degree when consuming D-AA.
Supplementation with D-Aspartic acid appears to assist the endocrine system to function as it should, but doesn’t have an effect on men who already have optimal hormone levels.
How To Take D-Aspartic Acid And What To Take It With
In most cases, a dose of 3,000 mg of D-Aspartic acid is consumed daily. People who supplement with D-Aspartic acid generally cycle it in order to get the most from it.
Oftentimes, consuming 3,000 mg of this amino acid for 12 days straight is followed by seven days off in order to avoid building up a tolerance.
Stacking D-Aspartic acid with other supplements like vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and folic acid have been shown to increase testosterone levels even more.
Who Should Use D-Aspartic Acid?
Anyone who is suffering from low testosterone levels may want to consider using D-Aspartic acid in combination with a number of other supplements in order to revitalize themselves.
Since D-Aspartic acid has been shown to increase testosterone levels, combining supplementation with a resistance training regimen should promote muscle growth in middle aged men.
Any man who suffers from fertility issues may also want to supplement with D-Aspartic acid, as it has been shown to improve sperm mobility, quality, and count.
Men who are having a problem maintaining their hormone levels may be able to “reset” them by using D-Aspartic acid, as it interacts directly with the pituitary gland.
Since this master gland regulates all other hormones within the body like estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone, proper function should equate to normal testosterone levels.
Many men often consult with their doctor in order to increase their testosterone levels. In the greater majority of cases, the simplest solution is Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT).
However, this has a number of drawbacks and may not even be necessary for men who try D-Aspartic acid first. In addition, by regulating the pituitary gland, D-Aspartic acid has the potential to bring the entire endocrine system back into alignment.
When it comes down to it, men who wish to retain their youth as long as possible should consider using D-Aspartic acid.
Conclusion
Anyone who is expecting to look like the Incredible Hulk after taking D-AA is setting themselves up for disappointment.
However, D-Aspartic acid has the potential to assist men who have declining testosterone levels and help them revive their normal hormone function.
In other words, men who just don’t feel like they are on the top of their game are likely to benefit from D-AA in a big way.
A wide range of men, especially those who have reached middle-age can benefit from D-Aspartic acid supplementation, as it increases testosterone to a healthy level.
Since some studies have shown a huge increase in testosterone levels, as high as 42%, after taking D-Aspartic acid for only 12 days, it is worth giving it a shot.
In combination with other supplements and natural testosterone boosters that have been proven to be effective, D-Aspartic acid is likely to be synergistic, meaning that it offers even greater results when it is stacked.
Since D-AA is relatively inexpensive, has been proven to be effective, and doesn’t come with a wide range of side effects, there is no harm in trying it out.