Anabolic Matrix Rx is a testosterone booster which IronMag Labs calls its “flagship product”.
The company also names its T-booster “one of the most celebrated natural testosterone boosting supplements every created”.
Considering we’d never heard of Anabolic Matrix Rx or IronMag Labs until shortly before doing the research for this review, that is a bold statement.
This product claims to:
- Boost natural testosterone levels
- Increase stamina and strength
- “Promote deep-sleep-enhancing GH levels”
- Stimulate sex drive and performance
- Stop testosterone from converting to estrogen
- Support energy, vitality and general health
- Lower estrogen levels
On sale for around $30 in the US, Anabolic-Matrix Rx sits at the lower end of the price scale for testosterone boosters.
As IronMag Labs considers the product its pride and joy, $30 seems a little too cheap for any kind of “celebrated” fitness supplement.
But we may be wrong…
About The Company
IronMag Labs is a Nevada-based bodybuilding nutrition company, formed by CEO Robert DiMaggio in 2004.
The company claims to boast a reputation as “the leader in the prohormone industry because our products deliver real results.”
DiMaggio also calls himself “the leader in the prohormone industry because our products deliver real results.”
IronMag Labs was the subject of a lawsuit from Nutrition Distribution over the former’s alleged sale of selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs).
However, Anabolic-Matrix Rx doesn’t appear to contain any SARMs.
The Ingredients and How They Work
A first glance, Anabolic-Matrix Rx doesn’t appear to contain anything special.
In fact, it contains some standard nutrients (Vitamins B6 and Zinc), alongside herbs found in many T-boosters (and a couple of unpleasant surprises).
See for yourself:
Tribulus Terrestris
Hailing from India, Tribulus Terrestris boasts a long history in Ayurvedic medicine. The herb is believed to be a T-booster and libido enhancer.
But looking at the results of many studies, it’s safe to say Tribulus does not boost testosterone.
In fairness, the herb does show promise as a libido enhancer, while animal research suggests it can prevent oxidative damage in the liver in and kidneys.
And as Anabolic-Matrix Rx does claim to boost sex drive, research could justify the use of Tribulus. But as increased testosterone also boosts sex drive, there’s no need to include a separate libido enhancer in a T-booster.
Something like Fenugreek is better than Tribulus for this purpose.
Fenugreek also has roots in India, but (unlike Tribulus) its efficacy as a T-booster and libido enhancer is backed by full-scale research.
Tongkat Ali
Tongkat Ali also goes by the names of ‘Longjack’, ‘Malaysian Ginseng’ and ‘Eurycoma Longifolia Jack (EIJ)’.
Native to Malaysia, Tongkat Ali is used in South East Asian medicine for its supposed ability to:
- Cure erectile dysfunction
- Make you stronger
- Combat high blood pressure
- Reduce stress
- Provide relief from headaches and diarrhea
But does Tongkat Ali boost testosterone?
Well, initial findings were promising – Tongkat contains the bioactive compounds eurycolactone and eurycomaoside.
These compounds are thought to induce activity of CYP17, which may help the testes convert estrogen (and other hormones) into testosterone.
But despite its anti-estrogenic properties, several studies provide no proof that Tongkat Ali works as a T-booster.
Even it’s status as an aphrodisiac is suspect. While there is some evidence that Tongkat boosts sex drive and increases sperm count, most of the research uses a wide range of animals as subjects for the studies.
In the relatively few human studies, Tongkat shows promise as a libido enhancer, but not enough research exists to conclusively prove this.
Diindolemethane
Diindolymethane (or DIM for short) is a natural compound produced by your body when you eat broccoli, cauliflower, kale and other members of the Brassica family.
This occurs because these vegetables contain Indole-3-carbinol (I3C) – a precursor to DIM.
As DIM has strong anti-estrogen properties, it can inhibit the aromatase enzyme, which in turn stops your body from converting excess testosterone into estrogen.
At face value, this is good news for men with low testosterone as an influx of estrogen can cause T-levels to fall. After all, who wants to lose muscle mass, cause their sex drive to disappear, or develop man boobs? No-one.
But as it’s a powerful estrogen blocker, you only need to take DIM in supp form if you’re taking steroids or prohormones – which we don’t advise.
You should also be aware DIM is just one of the few active compounds found in I3C. And most studies on these hormone-balancing effects focus on I3C, not DIM, as a test compound.
As a result, we advise avoiding DIM in supp form – for now. Until further research proves DIM is safe, just make sure you eat plenty of cauliflower, broccoli and kale instead.
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Chrysin
Chrysin is a flavonoid found in passionflowers, honey, chamomile and some species of geranium. The compound has a name as a T-booster, but this is largely unfounded…
As it’s a flavonoid, many believe Chrysin is an aromatase inhibitor and can therefore help balance your T-levels. Some nutrition brands even hype Chrysin as the next big thing to hit the world of bodybuilding.
But despite these grand claims, the research doesn’t back up the hype.
A human trial of Chrysin from the year 2000, published in the International Journal of Sports Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, showed the compound has no effect on T-levels.
Another study on Chrysin from 2003 led to the same disappointing results.
Despite this, manufacturers still insist on jumping on the bandwagon and including Chrysin in their formulas, despite strong evidence that it has no use as a T-booster.
DHEA
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a prohormone naturally made in the adrenal glands (just above the kidneys). It’s thought to treat sexual dysfunction, boost tesosterone and ease muscle soreness caused by exercise.
As DHEA serves as a precursor to testosterone and estrogen, it’s not hard to see where DHEA’s reputation as a T-booster and libido enhancer come from. However, the medical proof of these claims is dubious at best.
But it gets worse.
As a pre-steroid enhancer, DHEA supplementation poses many risks to your health. These include:
- ‘Roid rage’ – aggressive behaviour and manic episodes
- Liver damage
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
In women, taking A DHEA supp can also:
- Deepen your voice and make it more ‘manly’
- Induce hair loss
- Cause hair to grow on your face
- Disturbed menstrual cycles
DHEA is also on most athletics organisations’ banned substance list, which makes it a no-go for competitions.
Bioperine
Bioperine is a patented form of Piperine, the active ingredient in Black Pepper.
Besides a few common vitamins, Bioperine is the ONLY ingredient in the Anabolic-Matrix Rx with any place in an effective T-booster.
It works by inhibiting the passing of nutrients through urine, thereby making them stronger and more potent.
Are you over 30?
Then you’ll be pleased to know that, when mixed with other safe T-boosting ingredients, Black Pepper Extract allows your T-levels to return to youthful levels much faster.
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Side Effects
Despite the use of DHEA being a cause for concern, Anabolic-Matrix Rx is largely safe. However, taking the supplement may cause:
- Stomach aches
- Gas
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Insomnia
- Headaches
- Skin rashes
- Slower wound healing
- Blood clots
- Roid rage
- Liver damage
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Hair loss
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Some positive online reviews
- Lower in price than some T-boosters
- Bioperine useful ingredient in a T-booster (especially for males over 30)
Cons:
- Contains ingredients proven not to boost T
- DHEA occupies medical gray area (possibly unsafe)
- DHEA banned by athletics federation
- DIM only required if you’re taking steroids (not advised)
- Long list of possible unpleasant side effects
- Bioperine is the ONLY desirable ingredient in this formula
- Yet another T-booster which doesn’t live up to the hype
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Review Conclusion
We were dismayed to see yet another T-booster with ingredients that fail to boost T-levels or sports performance.
If you’re in any doubt as to whether our claim that the likes of Tribulus, Tongkat Ali, or Chrysin DO NOT work as T-boosters – just check out the many studies published online.
Reliable evidence shows these ingredients have no place in any genuine T-booster.
The same goes for DHEA, which is not only a banned substance at competition level, but also poses a long list of health risks.
We must admit that DIM is a strong estrogen inhibitor.
However, you only really need it if you’re taking steroids and want to avoid getting man boobs and other negative effects associated with the use of roids. However, we DO NOT advise taking steroids.
Bioperine is the only ingredient in this product we were pleased to see – it’s natural, safe and proven to boost testosterone.
But on the whole, we were very disappointed with Anabolic-Matrix Rx.
This is yet another product full of over-hyped, yet unproven ingredients (and some that could cause problems for your health or in competition).
Instead, we recommend looking for a natural T-booster that does away with the hype in favor of ingredients that are proven to help you achieve your desired results.