My Iron Brothers Supplements TESTOSTERONE BOOSTER Review
Iron Brothers Testosterone Booster
Iron Brothers Supplements Testosterone Booster
First Look:
Testosterone booster supplements tend to fall with in two categories.
- Clinical and pharmaceutical looking
- Mutant, hardcore underground gym freaks
This falls within the second category.
It appeals to gyms looking to make big gains in the gym, any secondary health benefit nonsense is probably not even considered.
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Once again, I fell in to the trap of a boozy and food orientated weekend.
It was definitely enjoyable though even if much of Sunday was spent in that cloud of despair and confusion with loads of wandering around my house not achieving anything in particular.
I then ended up watching TV until 1am engrossed in a show where they rebuilt a WW1 tank.
Needless to say, I didn’t manage to get any weight training done.
I did cycle in to work today which felt good, and the cycle home while it is dry at least should also be a good one.
I am looking forward to longer evenings so I can bypass the cars and cycle along the river, however, all of this cycling, while it does give me a good leg pump, isn’t really increasing my overall strength.
We need to lift some tin for that to get any better and with time against me, I need a bit of help to get me through and increase my lifts.
To compliment my weight training, I am continuously on the search for a natural test booster that can better the results given by those in the top 3.
However, there are other reasons for increasing natural T levels…
These secondary nonsense health benefits that some guys may not be overly concerned about in respect to the weight they are pushing include:
- Mood
- Energy
- Fat levels
- Bone composition
- Cardiovascular health
- Lean muscle mass
- Libido
Who are the Iron Brothers?
According to legend they’re two guys who worked out together. They were exasperated at paying high prices for terrible supplements.
As a result, they set up Iron Brothers supplements.
They’re aim is to provide high quality supplements at affordable prices.
Product Claims?
Interestingly, while this product probably appeals to a younger crowd who are interested in making as many muscular gains as possible, the product description is angled towards the older guy.
Yes, this testosterone booster claims that it can help improve energy and stamina that is lost through everyday family orientated activities.
Quite the surprise considering the overall branding.
Ingredients: The Science
Vitamin D
Vitamin D3 is a vitamin that can effectively increase hormone levels while also increasing bone density and improving overall well-being.
Studies have shown that this sunshine vitamin that converts to a hormone upon skin exposure has many health benefits.
A review of vitamin D3 has demonstrated that overall mortality rates are reduced with sufficient D3 supplementation of sun exposure.
As a result, it is recommended that if we do not get much sunlight to supplement with 1000iu per day. [1] [2]
Read more about vitamin D here, here and here.
Zinc
Zinc is a key mineral to increase natural testosterone levels, as such it is a welcome addition.
High doses can also act as an aromatase inhibitor, this means that it will prevent the conversion of testosterone to estrogens.
Other benefits include mood improvements and having aphrodisiac effects. [3][4]
Niacinamide (Vit B3)
Niacin does appear to lower blood cholesterol levels. However, the scientific research has yet to find a correlation between the effects of lowering cholesterol and reducing cardiovascular risk.
Niacin may also be a possible treatment for Alzheimers disease, however, for a test booster this seems out of its depth. [5]
Tribulus
Tribulus is promoted the world over by companies wanting to cash in on the ‘discoveries’ of its steroid like potency that were established in Bulgaria.
Coincidentally these steroid effects were noted around the time when Bulgaria was part of the Warsaw Pact and the weightlifter medal tally was high.
Yet, no reputable studies have found a direct link between tribulus and increasing testosterone levels. [6] [7]
Maca Root
Maca has been proven to increase libido. However, there’s no notable increase in testosterone levels whatsoever.
So, while this testosterone booster does claim to offer increased energy and stamina this is an area it can help, but it is purely mimicking increased test levels.
Further mimicking actions do include improved cognitive health and bone density.
A dose of around 1500mg is needed for these benefits, this falls short by including just 250mg. [8]
Horny Goat Weed
Epimedium was brought to the attention of people when a herd of goats started eating the plant and then started showing signs or increased sexual activity.
It has then been considered an aphrodisiac and a testosterone booster.
However, studies have questioned this and furthermore have found a link to epimedium increasing estrogen levels.
This is not the best addition to a testosterone booster. [9] [10]
Longjack
Longjack comes under other names such as tongkat ali. As a result it can be a bit confusing.
This also correlates with the studies of longjack and its effects on testosterone. And, for good reason.
Longjack is found in plenty of testosterone boosters because of a loose link towards increasing testosterone levels.
However, it doesn’t quite increase them. Longjack reduces stress. Stresses that we experience in everyday life such as a lack of sleep, or dietary constraints or even by over-training.
Because it can reduce stress it helps testosterone secrete.
Yet, it does not directly increase testosterone levels or trigger more testosterone development. [11]
Black Pepper / Piper Nigrum (BioPerine)
All bioperine does is increase and help the nutrients within this test booster be absorbed better and more effectively.
It has no direct baring on hormone levels at all. But, is good to improve the overall benefit of the supplement. [12]
Fenugreek Seed
Fenugreek has recently been established as a nutrient that can increase natural testosterone levels and reduce fat mass at levels of around 600mg
There’s also no unwanted side effects reported such as disturbed sleep.
This makes it a great addition not just to a testosterone booster supplement but to your nutrition plan. [13]
DIM (Diindolylmethane)
DIM is found in vegetables such as Brussels sprouts and cauliflower. It’s benefits when eaten raw include being able to help regulate and balance hormone levels lest documented anti-cancer activity.
In particular it can help suppress estrogen. This is important because too much estrogen will inhibit testosterone secretion, not only that it can have a number of negate health issues such as lack of libido, fat gain and erectile dysfunction. [14] [15]
Boron
Studies in to boron have indicated that is possesses anti-inflammatory attributes. Inflammation is a known cause of testosterone inhibition and the precursor of chronic diseases.
Further clinical trials have exhibited that it is able to actively increase testosterone secretion. [16]
Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera)
We have yet to see real conclusive evidence that Ashwagandha does increase testosterone levels. More evidence points to it being able to improve sperm quality and quantity.
Any increases in testosterone do seem to be present in men who are infertile.
It does not seem to increase testosterone levels in men who are young and healthy. [17] [18]
PROS – Eight effective ingredients
CONS – The doses are not optimal for many of the ingredients, as such we will not see the real beenfits.
Dose:
The label instructs us to have up to three capsules per day with breakfast.
Each daily serving equates to just over 1935mg which is a low amount when compared to what we find in effective testosterone boosters such as Military Muscle.
Pros:
This has a fairly large number of ingredients with 12 being included.
However, let’s not be fooled…
A large number of ingredients doesn’t necessarily mean good results.
In fact, it can sometimes be the complete opposite.
Lot’s of ingredients and a low daily dose means that anything that is effective gets diluted among the rest of the ingredients which are merely bulking the product.
This natural test booster offers up five reliable and proven testosterone stimulating ingredients in the form of the following:
- Fenugreek
- Zinc
- B6
- Boron
- D3
Then there is DIM. DIM doesn’t actually increase T levels but does regulate estrogen.
Too much estrogen will have a negative effect on testosterone production and free testosterone circulating your bloodstream.
There’s also Ashwagandha present, too.
Now, Ashwagandha is not without its positives or negatives.
The positives are that this can help raise test levels in men who are infertile.
The negative being that you have to be an infertile man. Infertile men are few and far between.
It has been (generously) estimated that 12% of the global male population are infertile. So, for Ashwagandha to be useful, you need to fall within the 12%.
BioPerine is useful as it helps increase bio-availability of the ingredients so your body can process them more effectively.
Cons:
So we have a few issues already lined up.
We have a further four ingredients that crop up time and time again in testosterone boosters that are just not effective.
Why these ingredients keep appearing is beyond belief; there are plenty of studies that disprove any claims that they can increase test levels.
The overall daily dose is not particularly strong and this is then hampered by including a further four ingredients that will offer no benefit.
In fact, these four ingredients make up 1200mg! That is 62% of the entire product that is not going to stimulate testosterone!
Plus it omits basic ingredients such as:
It is important to note that while there are some beneficial ingredients within this test booster they can only be beneficial when provided in high enough doses as seen in clinical trials.
This seems to fall considerably short in many areas such as D3, Maca and Fenugreek.
Iron Brothers Supplements Conclusion:
There are some useful and beneficial ingredients in this natural test booster.
However, there are further problems which resign it to the trash can.
The main problem is that almost three quarters of the daily dose consists of a few ingredients that are in the highest doses.
That means, the potentially several beneficial ingredients are in small doses which can render them ineffective.
It also hampers itself by omitting a number of other proven ingredients.
While this reads well, offering a number of recognizable and effective ingredients, its performance is then hindered by small doses and the inclusion of further elements that are not proven while omitting at least six scientifically proven ingredients often found in the best performing test boosters.
Take a look at what works to maximize your workouts.
References
[1] Harvard School of Public Health Nutrition Source. Vitamin D and health. [Last accessed on 2010 Aug 30]. Available from: http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/what-shouldyou-eat/vitamin-d/index.html .
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3356951/#ref6
[3] https://examine.com/supplements/Zinc/
[4] The effect of exhaustion exercise on thyroid hormones and testosterone levels of elite athletes receiving oral zinc. Kilic M, Baltaci AK, Gunay M, Gökbel H, Okudan N, Cicioglu I. Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2006 Feb-Apr;27(1-2):247-52.
[5] https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/924.htm
[6] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17530942
[7] https://examine.com/supplements/Tribulus+terrestris/
[8] Effect of Lepidium meyenii (MACA) on sexual desire and its absent relationship with serum testosterone levels in adult healthy men. Gonzales GF, Córdova A, Vega K, Chung A, Villena A, Góñez C, Castillo S. Andrologia. 2002 Dec;34(6):367-72.
[9] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3551978/
[10] Estrogenic effects of two derivatives of icariin on human breast cancer MCF-7 cells.
Ye HY, Lou YJ. Phytomedicine. 2005 Nov;12(10):735-41.
[11] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3433727/
[12] Influence of piperine on the pharmacokinetics of curcumin in animals and human volunteers. Shoba G, Joy D, Joseph T, Majeed M, Rajendran R, Srinivas PS. Planta Med. 1998 May;64(4):353-6.
[13] Physiological aspects of male libido enhanced by standardized Trigonella foenum-graecum extract and mineral formulation. Steels E, Rao A, Vitetta L. Phytother Res. 2011 Sep;25(9):1294-300. doi: 10.1002/ptr.3360. Epub 2011 Feb 10.
[14] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4854098/
[15] https://examine.com/supplements/Diindolylmethane/
[16] Nothing Boring About Boron. Pizzorno L. Integr Med (Encinitas). 2015 Aug;14(4):35-48. Review.
[17] Examining the effect of Withania somnifera supplementation on muscle strength and recovery: a randomized controlled trial. Wankhede S, Langade D, Joshi K, Sinha SR, Bhattacharyya S. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2015 Nov 25;12:43. doi: 10.1186/s12970-015-0104-9. eCollection 2015.
[18] Withania somnifera Improves Semen Quality in Stress-Related Male Fertility. Mahdi AA, Shukla KK, Ahmad MK, Rajender S, Shankhwar SN, Singh V, Dalela D. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2009 Sep 29.
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