Supplement Guide: Tribulus Terrestris Can this product yield large gains in strength and lean muscle mass?

Where it comes from: Tribulus terrestris is a flowering plant native to the warm temperate and tropical regions of Europe, southern Asia, Africa and Australia. "It's used in herbal nutritional supplements that are promoted to produce large gains in strength and lean muscle mass," says registered dietitian and American Dietetic Association spokesperson Jim White. "It has also been touted to increase testosterone in men."






What it can do for you: There has been very little research conducted to examine each of these claims—and the studies that have been done, don't weigh exceedingly in the herb's favor:


Elevates testosterone levels and enhances libido
"The main claim made by body building products containing the herb is that it can elevate testosterone levels," says White. Why would you want to do that? The hormone is essential for maintaining muscle tone, stamina and strength. "But the best way to enhance testosterone is to exercise," White explains. Blood levels of testosterone increase with just 20 minutes of exercise and remain elevated for up to three hours after.
In 2005, Bulgarian researchers organized 21 healthy men (ages 20 to 36) and split them into an experimental and a control group. The first group was given 20 mg per kg of body weight of tribulus terrestris extract and the second group was given just 10 mg per kg. After four weeks, there was no significant difference between the two groups, the levels were considered normal and tribulus terrestris was declared to have no testosterone-increasing properties.


"Some studies in women, however, resulted in a normalization of ovulation, improved fertility and a reduction in peri- and postmenopausal symptoms," White adds. "Most importantly, tribulus terrestris was found to provide better results in women in regards to increasing libido than traditional hormone therapy."


Increases strength and lean muscle mass
Tribulus terrestris is often marketed with the claim that it will produce large gains in strength and lean muscle mass in just five to 28 days. Australian researchers investigated that claim and studied 22 male elite rugby league players—some were given tribulus terrestris and others were given placebos. After five weeks of training, strength and fat free mass increased significantly in both groups—with no differences between them. The experts concluded the herb does not produce large gains in strength or lean muscle mass.
Suggested intake: A dosage of 85 to 250 mg three times daily with meals is fairly common and considered safe.


Associated risks/scrutiny: Although no significant side effects were found with typical commercial tribulus supplements, animal studies have suggested the possibility of muscle coordination disturbances following ingestion of tribulus in high quantities. "An increase in breast size in a young male weight trainer was reported after he took a herbal tablet containing tribulus," White warns. People with hormone-dependent conditions, such as breast or prostate cancer, should not use the herb.


Some manufacturers claim tribulus terrestris will not lead to a positive drug test, but some experts agree that T. terrestris may increase the urinary testosterone/epitestosterone (T/E) ratio, which may place athletes at risk of a positive drug test.


source: http://www.mensfitness.com/nutrition/supplements/supplement-guide-tribulus-terrestris

Tribulus, also known as caltrop and puncture vine, is a natural product

Tribulus


DESCRIPTION:


Tribulus, also known as caltrop and puncture vine, is a natural product isolated from the aerial parts of the plant Tribulus terrestris.


Tribulus was traditionally used by the Greeks as a diuretic, mild laxative, and general tonic. In India, Tribulus is widely recommended in Ayurvedic rejuvenative formulas, particularly in the treatment of sexual dysfunction. In China, Tribulus has been a frequent component of therapy for a variety of disorders affecting the liver, kidneys, and urinary tract. For all its therapeutic and adaptogenic effects, the most common cross-cultural use of Tribulus has been in the treatment of infertility in women, impotence in men, and for increasing the libido of both sexes.


Recently, the fitness enhancing benefits of Tribulus have been brought to the attention of the athletic and body building industries as a result of its use by Eastern European Olympic and World Champion strength and power athletes.


PHYSIOLOGY:


Tribulus terrestris is rich in plant sterols, saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids, unsaturated acids, oils, calcium, phosphorus, iron, and protein. The active components are sterol saponins of furostanol type. The preparation is standardized on the base of the predominating compound protodioscin- not less than 40%.


The effects of Tribulus are the following:


Men: Restores and improves libido sexualis, improves and prolongs the duration of erection. It exerts a stimulating effect on spermatogenesis by increasing the number of spermatozoa and their mobility. It increases the level of testosterone by 33%.


Women: Restores and improves libido sexualis and exerts a slight ovulation effect. It has a favorable influence on vasomotory manifestation during natural menopausal and induced menopausal syndrome, as well as on subjective complaints such as insomnia, general tenseness, irritability, or apathy.


Tribulus also helps reduce cholesterol, lowers high blood pressure, inhibits stress-induced clumping of blood platelets, increases the strength of contraction of the heart muscle, reduces sodium and fluid retention, acts as an anti-urolithiatic (urinary/kidney stone preventing) and litholytic (dissolving), improvement of the profile of red and white blood cells, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti- inflammatory, and analgesic effects.


INDICATIONS:


The suggested use is as follows:


Men: Indicated for impotentic coeundi in Kleinfelter’s Syndrome, varicocele, cryptochism, testicular hypertrophy, and Noonan’s Syndrome. Tribulus is also indicated for sterility based on idiopathic oligoasthenazoospermia sterility and idiopathic azoospermia.


Women: Indicated for endocrinous ovarian sterility, menopausal and induced menopausal syndrome with expressed vasomotory and neurasthenic manifestations. Production of follicle- stimulating hormone and estradiol are increased to stimulate reproduction function.




DIRECTIONS FOR USE:


Dosage and duration of treatment are determined according to the character and the gravity of the symptoms. Most often the dosage is 250-500mg. three times daily with meals.


TOXICITY, CAUTIONS AND CONTRA-INDICATIONS:


No reported toxicity.






REFERENCES:


Dimitrov M., Georgiev P., Vitanov S., Use of tribestan on rams with sexual disorders. "Vet Med Nauki" 24(5) pp. 102-110 1987


Nadkarnia A.K., Indian Materia Medica, Popular Prakashan Private Ltd., Vol 1, pp.1229-1232 1976


Tornova M., Gyulemetovs R., Zarkova S., Tribestan Clinical Studies. pp. 1-27


Wright James E. Ph.D., A Natural Wonder. pp. 140-142, 214 "Muscle and Fitness" September 1996


source: http://www.nutrimart.com/bulk/description/tribulus.htm

Tribulus (Tribulus Terrestris) aids natural testosterone production and helps support sex drive

Tribulus terrestris is an herb containing steroidal saponins that can have a positive impact on testosterone levels and sex drive. Protodioscin is considered to be the most active compound in tribulus terrestris and many tribulus products are standardized for protodioscin content. Tribulus is suitable for bodybuilders, weight trainers and those desiring maximum male sexual performance.*


Tribulus terrestris is known to enhance testosterone levels by increasing Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone (GnRH), which in turn, increases luteinizing hormone (LH) levels. LH signals cells to produce more testosterone. Tribulus has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine.


source: http://www.nutritionexpress.com/supplements/tribulus+terrestris/

Tribulus (Tribulus terrestris)

Background
Tribulus terrestris has a long history of use for a variety of conditions. It has been suggested that it was used in ancient Greece and India as a physical rejuvenation tonic. In China, it is used as a component of therapy for conditions affecting the liver, kidney, cardiovascular system and immune systems. It has also been used in Eastern European folk medicine for increased muscle strength and sexual potency. Despite its history of use, there is limited human data available in order to evaluate its clinical effectiveness.
Tribulus has been studied as a non-steroidal alternative to treatment of infertility. Although the results of the few studies done with the combination product Tribestan® are promising, more studies are needed in order to further evaluate its clinical effectiveness. Preliminary research with tribulus also suggests that it may be useful in treating coronary heart disease, but additional study is needed.
EvidenceTable
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider.
Coronary artery disease (Grade: C)
Preliminary research suggests that tribulus may be beneficial to patients with coronary heart disease. Additional study is needed to further evaluate its clinical effectiveness.
Exercise performance enhancement (Grade: C)
Preliminary studies indicated that tribulus may enhance body composition or exercise performance in resistance trained males. More information is needed before a firm recommendation can be made.
Infertility (female) (Grade: C)
Although the results of one study investigating the effects of
Infertility (male) (Grade: C)
Although Tribestan® seems to increase sperm count and viability and increase libido, its effectiveness in the treatment of male infertility remains inconclusive, due to a lack of well-designed clinical trials.
Synonyms
Abrojos, al-Gutub, bullhead, calthrops, caltrop, cat's-head, common dubbletjie, devil's-thorn, devil's-weed, espigon, goathead, gokhru, Gokshura, Mexican sandbur, nature's Viagra®, puncture vine, puncture weed, qutiba, Texas sandbur, tribule terrestre, Tribulus terrestris, Trilovin®.




source: http://www.wellness.com/reference/herb/tribulus-tribulus-terrestris/