Tribulus - mechanism of action and effectiveness

Author: Timko Ilya - master of the whole project and fitness trainer.
2011-08-02

Tribulus is a plant-based supplement. Through chemical reactions, an extract of the plant Tribulus Terrestris is obtained, which is then usually released in capsule form.

Tribulus is not a hormonal supplement, as it does not contain hormones. Its main effect is to increase the production of endogenous testosterone by stimulating the activity of the pituitary gland. Thus, you do not introduce testosterone into your body from outside, but rather encourage your body to produce more of its own hormone. Moreover, testosterone levels can increase by 40% or even more. This is the main and very significant difference that has contributed to the popularity of this supplement. It turns out that with its help, we can achieve almost the same effect as from anabolic steroids (the increase in testosterone levels in the body), but without any side effects.

Thus, with the use of tribulus, you may observe effects of two types:

• Anabolic – increased strength and muscle volume and reduced recovery time after workouts;
• Androgenic – increased libido and potency, enhanced erection.

Due to this, the supplement is widely used not only by athletes but also by doctors for the treatment of various sexual disorders in both men and women. But I hope you are fine in this regard, and we, as athletes, are more interested in anabolic effects.

Now a bit about the supplement itself. Tribulus is currently produced by many companies. But when purchasing it, the first thing to pay attention to is the concentration of active substance, not the size of the tablet or capsule. Here are a few options for example:

• Maxler Tribulus Terrestris - 40% active substance. Daily dose 4 - 6 capsules.
• WATT-N: Tribulus Extract - 90% active substance. Daily dose 1.5 - 3 grams.
• Biotech USA TRIBULUS MAXIMUS. Daily dose 2 - 3 capsules.

If the concentration of the active substance is not indicated on the package, I do not recommend purchasing it.

Taking tribulus, like most dietary supplements, is best done for one to three months. You should feel the effect within a week. However, some individuals may experience a predominance of androgenic effects. I have observed such a scenario when an athlete, influenced by this supplement, started to "neglect" training and began to partyhard.

The consumption of zinc or arginine together with tribulus (as studies have shown) increases its effectiveness.

So, you can never say for sure what the increase in testosterone levels will lead to. I can only add that tribulus is currently one of the most powerful permitted supplements. However, it has recently been banned for open sale (in my opinion, quite undeservedly), and it is becoming less common in sports stores. So you will have to look for it.