There is no doubt about it, going to the gym can be refreshing, uplifting and enjoyable.
However the downside for many can be a lack of results for all those hours pushing the body to the limit.
Sadly it is a common problem faced by many – and the issue could simply be that your testosterone levels have begun to drop (with a natural decrease of 1-2% a year from around the age of 30).
‘Low-T’, as it is often referred to, can leave you feeling depressed, irritable and suffering from a decreased sex drive. It also has a negative impact on your hopes of building lean muscle mass when you work out.
However there is a solution and by boosting your testosterone with natural supplements you could be able to finally see the results you deserve.
The benefits of the top testosterone boosters include…
- Better muscle gains
- Improved strength
- Increased energy
- Enhanced libido
- Lower body fat
And from Cellucor comes P6 Black, which looks to combine increasing testosterone levels with improving you mental focus.
The company
Cellucor is an award-winning sports supplements company who insist that “results matter is not just a mantra”.
Cellucor pride themselves on innovation and currently have a range of products to cover weight loss, muscle growth, endurance and pre/post workout, as well as their own clothing brand.
They offer a money-back guarantee on products ordered through their own website, as well as judging third-party purchases on an individual basis.
Ingredients and how they work
P6 Black suggests taking one serving of three capsules either 30 minutes before training or with your first meal on rest days. “Experienced users” can take two servings a day.
Sadly a lot of the ingredients are hidden in the proprietary blends, so you are not sure how much you are getting. The d-aspartic acid is a little underdosed for one serving, although there is a good amount of zinc and vitamin D.
Androstenolone, or DHEA, is worth flagging up as it is banned by the likes of WADA and NCAA so it is worth checking with the relevant organisations if you are a competitive athlete.
Vitamin D (Cholecalciferol) – One of the key ingredients in testosterone boosters, with a number of clinical studies highlighting the importance of vitamin D. This essential nutrient is produced in the skin via the exposure to sunlight. Men with vitamin D deficiency have been shown to have lower free testosterone, so the use of vitamin D as a supplement can correct this.
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxal-5-Phosphate) – Helps in the production of testosterone by stimulating the androgen receptors. It also helps to suppress estrogen.
Magnesium – A greater level of this essential nutrient in the blood has been proved to have a direct link to an increase in the amount of free testosterone. In addition magnesium helps to relax the muscles, while it can also combat fatigue and cramp.
Zinc (Zinc Monomethionine) – This mineral has been proved to help boost testosterone through a number of studies – and a deficiency in zinc can cause low testosterone levels and impotence. Zinc also has the added benefit of inhibiting the aromatase enzyme which converts testosterone into estrogen.
Copper (Copper Bis (Glycinate) Chelate) – This essential mineral plays a key role in the body as a co-factor of antioxidative enzymes. However an increase in zinc supplementation can have a negative impact on copper, leading to a deficiency.
Nootropic Testosterone Matrix (D-Aspartic Acid Magnesium Chelate, D-Serine, Alpha GPC l-alpha glycerylphosphorylcholine, 3 3′-diindolylmethane, Androstenolone) – D-Aspartic Acid Magnesium Chelate is patented version of the amino acid that has been shown to significantly increase testosterone levels in just two weeks by stimulating the release of luteinizing hormone. In this case, the fusion of D-Asp with magnesium is believed to cause quicker absorption although there is limited research. The amino acid D-Serine regulates the activities of neurons in the brain and has been shown to improve cognitive performance, increase mood and reduce anxiety. Alpha-GPC has a double impact on the body as it can reduce the rate of cognitive decline as well as increasing the power output in athletes. Diindolylmethane, which is found in the likes of broccoli and cauliflower, inhibits the enzyme aromatase which converts testosterone into estrogen, while also converting damaging forms of estrogen into lesser potent forms. Androstenolone is a naturally occurring hormone that is better known as dehydroepiandrosterone (or DHEA). There is debate over the ability of DHEA to positively increase testosterone, with mixed results in clinical trials, while it is also listed as a banned substance by WADA & NCAA.
Vitamin & Mineral Support Blend (Zinc Monomethionine, Copper Bis (Glycinate) Chelate, Cholecalciferol, Pyridoxal-5-Phosphate) – As described above.
Androgen Support Matrix (Mucuna pruriens Seed Extract, Andrographis paniculata Aerial Parts Extract) – The herb mucuna pruriens contains levodopa (L-DOPA), which is a direct precursor to dopamine. A number of studies into mucuna pruriens have shown it has a marked increase on testosterone levels. Andrographis paniculata is a herb that has been used to treat colds and sickness.
Check out which ingredients work and which don’t in our
– Testosterone Booster ingredients guide –
P6 Black side effects
P6 Black comes with a fairly lengthy warning, saying “possible side effects include acne, hair loss, hair growth on the face (in women), aggressiveness, irritability and increased levels of estrogen”. Cellucor recommends consulting with a doctor should you have or been treated for a pre-exisiting health condition or are taking any other dietary supplement, prescription drug, or over-the-counter medication.
P6 Black pros and cons
Pros
- Good addition of a nootropic
- 30-day money-back guarantee (if purchased via their site)
- Fairly solid list of ingredients
- Suppresses estrogen
Cons
- Proprietary Blends
- DHEA banned by some sports organisations
- Need to cycle (On for 30 days then off for 2-4 weeks)
– Click Here to see our Highest Rated Testosterone Boosters –
P6 Black review conclusions
P6 Black has plenty packed into it to suggest it should come up trumps when boosting testosterone.
We would have liked to have seen exactly how much d-aspartic acid is contained within each serving as the suggestion is that it is underdosed (it is in a 2,105mg proprietary blend along with four other ingredients).
There are some of the testosterone-boosting powerhouses included, such as zinc, magnesium and vitamin D, but the inclusion of DHEA could well put people off.
Alpha GPC is another nice addition and we like the nootropic impact P6 Black delivers – and users have found that they get a really good focus with the gym sessions as a result.
The warning label is likely to concern some people as well, while the need to cycle on and off is frustrating – especially when there are other testosterone boosters that you can take constantly.