Significant group x time interactions (p < 0.05) were observed for DXA determined fat mass (FM), in which FM significantly increased in PLA from pre to week 8 and TB was significantly different from PLA at week 8. Similarly, significance (p < 0.05) was reached for DXA determined body fat percentage (BF%). Wherein, the PLA group increased from pre to post and TB was significantly different from PLA at week 8. Significant group x time interactions were observed for cross-sectional area (CSA), in which CSA was significantly increased in TB from pre to week 8 and TB was significantly different from PLA at week 8. No significant changes were observed for body weight, DXA determined lean body mass (LBM), fat thickness (FT), or muscle thickness (MT) via ultrasound.

CONCLUSION

PH Falcone, JM Joy, RM Vogel, MM Mosman, CM Hughes, JD Griffin, KJ Paulin, MP Kim, JR Moon Presented by: Paul Falcone paul@musclepharm.com - MusclePharm Sports Science Institute

Increasing testosterone and lowering estrogen combined with resistance training can lead to improvements in body composition in some men. Testosterone-boosting supplements (TB) may exert these effects; however, it is still unclear whether many TB are effective when consumed chronically. PURPOSE: To determine the effects of a TB ingested for 8 weeks on body composition. METHODS: Eighteen trained men (age: 25.8 +/- 4.3 years; height: 176.7 +/- 5.0 cm; weight: 80.35 +/- 12.0 kg) completed a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. For 8 weeks, the TB group (n = 10) consumed a TB twice daily, and the placebo (PLA) group (n = 8) consumed a visually identical placebo in the same manner. Before and after the supplementation period, lean body mass, fat mass, and percent body fat were measured via dual X-ray absorptiometry, and cross-sectional area of the rectus femoris was measured via ultrasound. During the 8-week supplementation period, subjects in both groups engaged in a supervised, periodized, progressive resistance training regimen. Diet and unsupervised exercise were tightly controlled throughout the supplementation period. RESULTS: According to DXA, the change in FM was significantly lower in TB (0.16 +/- 0.93 kg; p = 0.04) compared with PLA (1.52 +/- 1.62 kg). The change in %BF was significantly lower in TB (-0.68 +/- 1.3%; p = 0.03) compared with PLA (0.88 +/- 1.52%). According to ultrasound, the change in CSA was significantly higher in TB (0.75 +/- 0.35 cm2; p = 0.02) compared with PLA (0.12 +/- 0.50 cm2). No significant changes were measured for body weight or LBM. CONCLUSIONS: Eight weeks of supplementation with TB significantly attenuates an increase in FM and lowers %BF as measured by DXA, as well as significantly increases CSA via ultrasound, compared to placebo. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: For healthy individuals interested in improving body composition via resistance training, chronic consumption of a TB could augment those changes. Consuming a TB could be beneficial for any young, healthy athlete interested in reducing their percent body fat and in increasing muscular cross-sectional area.

Testosterone has been demonstrated to increase fat-free mass as well as strength. Testosterone-boosting supplements (TB) containing natural ingredients such as D-aspartic acid, may contribute to improvements in body composition. The purpose of the present study was to determine the effects of a multi-ingredient purported testosterone-boosting supplement on body composition in recreationally active men.

In a double-blind placebo-controlled design, a total of 18 trained men (age: 25.8 +/- 4.3 years; height: 176.7 +/- 5.0 cm; weight: 80.35 +/- 12.0 kg) completed this study. Subjects were randomly divided into the placebo (PLA: n=8) or testosterone booster (TB: n=10) groups. Subjects were instructed to consume 1 serving of either TB or PLA with breakfast and 1 serving with dinner every day.  

The findings of this investigation seem to suggest that the TB supplement may aid in blunting increases in fat mass. Increased CSA and reduced FM accumulation compared to PLA suggest the supplement is capable of improving body composition.

Bhasin S, Storer TW, Berman N, Yarasheski KE, Clevenger B, Phillips J, Lee WP, Bunnell TJ, Casaburi R: Testosterone replacement increases fat-free mass and muscle size in hypogonadal men. The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism 1997, 82:407-413.

Young NR, Baker HW, Liu G, Seeman E: Body composition and muscle strength in healthy men receiving testosterone enanthate for contraception. The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism 1993, 77:1028-1032.

Kraemer WJ, Fry AC, Warren BJ, Stone MH, Fleck SJ, Kearney JT, Conroy BP, Maresh CM, Weseman CA, Triplett NT, et al.: Acute hormonal responses in elite junior weightlifters. International journal of sports medicine 1992, 13:103-

109. Topo E, Soricelli A, D'Aniello A, Ronsini S, D'Aniello G: The role

and molecular mechanism of D-aspartic acid in the release and synthesis of LH and testosterone in humans and rats. Reproductive biology and endocrinology : RB&E 2009, 7:120.

Willoughby DS, Leutholtz B: D-aspartic acid supplementation combined with 28 days of heavy resistance training has no effect on body composition, muscle strength, and serum hormones associated with the hypothalamo-pituitary

-gonadal axis in resistance-trained men. Nutrition research 2013, 33:803-810.

Wilborn C, Taylor L, Poole C, Foster C, Willoughby D, Kreider R: Effects of a purported aromatase and 5alpha-reductase inhibitor on hormone profiles in college-age men. International journal of sport nutrition and exercise metabolism 2010, 20:457-465.

For healthy individuals looking to improve body composition, chronic consumption of a multi-ingredient testosterone-boosting supplement along with physical activity may be effective. Consuming a TB could be beneficial for any young, healthy athlete interested in reducing their percent body fat. Improvements may be attenuated due to the fact that young, healthy individuals who were training moderately were tested. Future studies should focus on populations with lower baseline testosterone levels to determine if benefits would be even greater, such as older or overtrained individuals.

DXA determined: (week 0, 8) •  Lean body mass •  Fat mass •  % body fat Ultrasonography determined: (week 0, 8) •  Cross sectional area (CSA) of the rectus

femoris •  Muscle Thickness (MT) of the vastus

lateralis and vastus intermedius •  Fat Thickness (FT) of the lateral thigh  

During the 8-week supplementation period, subjects in both groups engaged in a supervised, periodized, progressive resistance training regimen.