Made by Universal Nutrition, Animal Stak is a testosterone booster for those “looking for a natural anabolic edge”.
Ultimately, this product is aimed at men who want a sharp increase in their testosterone levels without using steroids – this product is marketed almost like a steroid replacement.
Universal Nutrition even recommend that you cycle the product for three weeks to reinforce this ‘steroid gimmick’.
About the Company
Started in 1977, Universal Nutrition is a well-established company that’s been around for a very long time. They produce a large range of products, from protein supplements to pre-workout powders, focusing on delivering some of the strongest substances in the industry.
The Ingredients and How They Work
Straight away from the serving directions, you run into problems with Animal Stak. Universal Nutrition advise you to take one dose everyday which isn’t ideal.
One serving a day is a problem because your body can only absorb so much at time, and the product will only stay in your system for a few hours.
To combat this you should be looking for 3-4 servings throughout your day – keeping the nutrients you need constantly in your system.
There are more issues when you take a look at the ingredients list. There are various proprietary blends in this product, and you are left guessing how much of each ingredient is in each blend.
Many ingredients in this product aren’t very useful and could have larger quantities than the useful ones, meaning less benefits for you overall. Take a look for yourself:
Zinc
This is a great ingredient – it’s been proven to boost testosterone in you take it, especially if you’re deficient in this mineral.
It works by being used for several reactions in your brain to promote the Luteinizing Hormone (LH) – this is the precursor to both testosterone and growth hormone – which can make all the difference.
If you haven’t got enough of this in your body, then your body won’t be producing as much testosterone.
Magnesium
Vital to every organ in the body, Magnesium has been shown to increase testosterone in anyone that consumes it. Even non-active people were given a boost, although it has a better effect if you lead a healthy lifestyle.
It helps inhibit Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) – this is the protein that binds to free testosterone and strips it of its anabolic potency. Essentially, this means the testosterone that has been bound will no longer be available for you to use.
So by inhibiting SHBG – Magnesium lessens the effects of the protein, gives your testosterone more of a chance to rise.
Vitamin D3
Technically a hormone, Vitamin D3 has been proven to be a great ingredient in testosterone boosters – it helps to regulate testosterone, resulting in more muscle gains and a increase in energy levels. But here’s where the problems start with Animal Stak.
Studies have shown the optimal amount of D3 is 3,300 IU per day – with this product only containing 1000 IU, you’re only getting a third of what you need. While Vitamin D3 is a great addition to a testosterone booster, the quantity is too small to benefit you in Animal Stak.
Tribulus Terretris
There is almost no evidence to prove that this boosts testosterone in humans, but it’s increased libido in rodent studies. With nothing backing it up, it’s not worth having this in there.
You don’t even know how much of this is in there – it’s part of a proprietary blend, so you have no idea.
Longjack
Most studies have been done on rats, not humans. There isn’t enough evidence to prove this increases your testosterone. There are much better ingredients that could have been used in this product.
Fenugreek
Fenugreek is one of the few decent ingredients in Animal Stak. You can’t deny that it raises testosterone and boosts libido with all the proof out there.
However, it’s part of a proprietary blend, so you don’t know how much is in there – there are many ingredients in this blend that have no effect, and there could be a minimal amount of Fenugreek involved.
Stinging Nettle
This is another great addition to the Animal Stak. Like with Magnesium, Nettle inhibits SHBG which prevents the protein from lowering your testosterone levels and counteracts increases in estrogen.
But, again, you don’t know how much of this is in the proprietary blend – there might not be enough to make a difference.
Maca
This is traditionally used to increase libido, but there is no evidence of this in case studies. Maca is another ingredient in the proprietary blend taking up space of something that could be used to benefit you more.
Arginine
You can suffer from many side effects from consuming this ingredient – it can cause gastrointestinal upset in high doses, and you don’t know how much is in there as it’s hidden in the proprietary blend.
Although seen in some cases to boost nitric oxide and blood flow – which may promote muscle pumps – studies have shown that Arginine isn’t absorbed well through oral supplementation. A precursor of L-Arginine like Citrulline is a better option.
That said however, it still doesn’t boost the testosterone in your body, so there really isn’t any benefits of having this in the Animal Stak. They should have avoided adding this in the product.
Mucuna Pruriens
This ingredient is mostly used for its L-Dopa, which promotes positive mood hormones like serotonin and L-Dopa.
This helps to lower the stress hormone cortisol. Why is this important? Because high stress levels have been seen to directly interfere with testosterone levels. The more stress you have the worse you’ll be off.
With L-Dopa helping counteract the issue, you can have more T circulating throughout your system.
DIM
Found in leafy greens and brocolli, DIM is thought to balance estrogen levels in your body – however not much has been proven.
Although promising, no one can say for sure if it actually works – it doesn’t seem to be a reliable option.
L-Carnitine
An amino acid that has been seen to promote both fat loss and energy levels – however, there’s an issue.
Studies have shown that for effective results you need 500 – 2500mg of L-Carnitine to see any real difference. Given the fact that this nutrient is in a blend of 500mg with many other nutrients – it’s clear that you’re not getting enough here.
You won’t experience much of a benefit from this addition.
Milk Thistle
Milk Thistle is a herb that’s used to protect the liver and treat liver problems. However, like DIM, it’s used as part of the gimmick Animal Stak uses.
You simply don’t require liver protection as Animal Stak isn’t strong enough to have an adverse effect on your organs. Another addition to the list that isn’t needed in this product.
This product focuses too much on trying to compete with steroids, and includes ingredients that aren’t relevant to the user’s goals, like Milk Thistle.
Check out which ingredients work and which don’t in our
– Testosterone Booster ingredients guide –
Side Effects
There are various ingredients in this product that can cause side effects such as Arginine – this has been seen to lead to diarrhea and gastrointestinal upset.
Tribulus Terrestris, which is included in this product, could lead you to experience reduced testosterone and gynecomastia (growth of male breast tissue) – this is definitely counterproductive to your goals.
- Gastointestinal upset
- Diarrhea
- Potential gynecomastia
Not What You’re Looking For? Click here for
– Our Top Rated Testosterone Boosters –
Pro’s and Con’s
Pro’s
- Zinc, Magnesium, Fenugreek and Vitamin D3 help raise testosterone
Con’s
- Made out of various proprietary blends – you never know the quantities of each individual ingredient you’re taking
- Many ingredients don’t have solid evidence to suggest that they raise your testosterone
- The product uses a gimmick to make you believe that it’s comparable to steroids
- Not enough volume of Vitamin D3 for you to experience the benefits of it
- A product should be taken for a month to see the benefits, but you are advised to cycle Animal Stak every three weeks.
Animal Stak Review Conclusion
While Animal Stak has some great ingredients such as Vitamin D3, it doesn’t have enough of the good stuff to make a difference, and you’re left with no idea as to how much of some ingredients are in the product.
Also, only being able to take this product once a day will leave you with a lack of benefits – it’s better to have more servings in intervals throughout the day so your body can make the most of all the different nutrients.
There are definitely better testosterone boosters out there for you to consider, that you can take regularly for a month and experience strong results.