What is Tongkat ali?
Our world is a competitive one, no denying it. Bodybuilders and lifters alike constantly seek out the upper hand without resorting to taking illegal substances like steroids or performance-enhancing drugs.
A surfacing avenue as of late has been supplementation. In recent years, the use of supplements has skyrocketed as gymgoers implement a piece of holistic health into their daily routines.
Quintessential gym supplements like creatine and whey protein receive all the rage, but what about herbal supplements that have been used for thousands of years in Eastern medicine?
Enter tongkat ali, also known as longjack.
Tongkat ali is an herbal supplement that originates from Eastern medicine. Its primary usage is to treat various ailments, although there is some research suggests that the supplement is capable of improving body composition.
Tongkat ali is an herbal supplement commonly found and used in Southeast Asia. In the United States, it is also known as longjack.
Common ailments treated with Tongkat ali include illnesses, infertility, and even erectile dysfunction.
As Tongkat ali has increased in popularity and infiltrated the Western world, more and more research has been performed to determine the effects of the supplement.
For us fitness fanatics, the most attractive benefit of longjack is its potential to act as a natural testosterone booster.
A study published in 2013 found that Tongkat ali boosted testosterone significantly in both males and females.
Additionally, the study confirmed that Tongkat ali has ergogenic benefits such as enhanced muscle strength.
By taking longjack, lifters can boost their testosterone to enjoy better recovery alongside huge strength gains.
Other benefits of Tongkat ali
Aside from fitness benefits, Tongkat ali has been found to improve other various aspects of life.
Tongkat ali, or longjack, is effective in treating male infertility and erectile dysfunction, as well as reducing stress and assisting in regulating emotions.
In Asia, Tongkat ali is used to treat male infertility and erectile dysfunction. Research performed in the United States has affirmed that the results are largely effective.
A comprehensive 2010 study investigated the effect of Tongkat ali on sperm quantity and motility. The results? Increased sperm concentration along with increased semen volume.
Those struggling with mental health issues can also benefit from taking longjack. One of its other popular uses is in stress reduction and emotion regulation.
When testing Tongkat ali on stressed subjects, researchers found the following:
- 11% decrease in tension
- 12% decrease in anger
- 15% decrease in confusion
- 16% reduction in cortisol levels
- 37% increase in testosterone production
Altogether, this led researchers to conclude that Tongkat ali is an effective treatment for protecting yourself from stress and toning down negative emotions.
Potential side effects of Tongkat ali
Contrary to what we would all like to believe, there is always a risk inherent in experimenting with new supplements.
What are the potential downsides of Tongkat ali?
Potential side effects of Tongkat ali include DNA damage and digestive issues.
In a recent report published by the European Food Safety Authority, Tongkat ali, or longjack, was deemed unsafe for consumption.
The basis of this claim is that consuming Tongkat ali in high dosages can cause DNA damage.
Additionally, there is also the potential for digestive issues concerning the stomach and the small intestine. However, there is a silver lining.
These claims are based on trials with animal subjects; when tested on humans, there have yet to be adverse side effects found.
Summed up, Tongkat ali is most likely safe to take in appropriate dosages. Exercise caution when increasing dosage.
What is the best way to take Tongkat ali?
Aforementioned was the potential for adverse side effects when taking excessive amounts of Tongkat ali.
This poses the question: what is the best way to supplement with Tongkat ali, and how high should the dosage be?
The recommended dosage of Tongkat ali is 200 to 400 mg per day. The most common method of supplementation is through pills, although it can also be found in powder form.
Various researchers have published reports on the effects of Tongkat ali, and the consensus is that 200 to 400 mg per day is a safe dosage for most healthy individuals.
However, exercise caution. Everybody is different, and dosage is dependent upon factors like gender, age, body weight, etc.
Tongkat ali is sold in pills most commonly but can also be found in powders. Powders can be consumed by dissolving them into drinks or mixing them into smoothies.
Tongkat ali is an herbal supplement with the ability to increase testosterone, improve body composition, increase male fertility, and ease stress.
Possible users should proceed with caution, as European entities have deemed Tongkat ali as potentially unfit for consumption.
Medical disclaimer: this is not medical advice, nor any sort of recommendation. Our goal at Six Pack Center is to educate readers on potential supplements related to bodybuilding and fitness, not to make specific recommendations. Users must make that choice for themselves.