Pharmafreak calls Anabolic Freak its “strongest D-Aspartic Acid testosterone booster.” And due to its hardcore name, your first thought may be “is Anabolic Freak a steroid?” But don’t worry, it isn’t.
Still, we’re intrigued to find out what separates this supp from the company’s other testosterone boosters, Test Freak and Andro Freak.
Claims to promote:
- Free testosterone
- Healthy estrogen and cortisol levels
- The growth of the Luteinizing hormone
Now we’re more interested in optimal amounts of the right ingredients than strength. But the use of D-AA certainly looks promising. Here’s our Anabolic Freak review…
About The Company
Pharmafreak was founded in 2008 by Don Gavreau and Alex Savva.
The company website’s About page shows a picture of Gavreau in a white lab coat looking solemn and important next to words describing him as “The Supplement Godfather.”
Pharmafreak’s wide range of products includes fat burners, proteins and weight gainers, in addition to performance and recovery supplements.
Brand ambassadors include natural men’s physique pro Patrick MacInnis and amateur physique athlete Rual Laubscher.
Anabolic Freak Ingredients and How They Work
Unlike other Pharmafreak supplements we’ve seen, Anabolic Freak doesn’t contain any proprietary blends – which is great.
This supp contains a number of ingredients we’re pleased to see, plus a few we’d rather not find in a T-booster.
See for yourself:
Vitamin D
When it comes to boosting testosterone, Vitamin D (specifically D3 or Cholecalciferol) is a vital ingredient. In fact, we wouldn’t touch any T-booster without D3 in it.
In truth, it would be more accurate to describe D3 as a hormone rather than a vitamin.
Our bodies synthesize D3 through exposure to sunlight, but it’s still great to see it in a supp.
Why do you need Vitamin D3 in a supp?
Well, there are two reasons.
First, D3 supplementation is proven to boost testosterone.
And second, many of us don’t get enough D3. This could be due to either working long hours indoors, or down to living in states or countries with less-than-sunny climates (hello Pacific Northwestern US and the whole of the UK).
Optimal amount?
In our experience, 3000-5000 UI of D3 is the perfect amount to give you all the vitamin’s T-boosting benefits.
But while we’re pleased to see D3 in Anabolic Freak, we’re dismayed to find it holds just 400UI, which is nowhere near enough D3 to boost testosterone.
Vitamin B6
You can find Vitamin B6 in fish, non-citrus fruit, potatoes and other starchy vegetables.
B6 is an essential vitamin – not getting enough can lead to anemia, muscle pains, low energy, depression and other changes in mood.
Studies also show B6 deficiency can suppress T-levels and lead to muscle loss. By contrast, taking the vitamin in a supp boosts T and helps reduce estrogen.
How much B6 do you need?
Our years of experience tells us you need at least 5mg of B6 to raise testosterone – and (of course) to see and feel the extra muscle gains, libido boost and self-esteem you desire.
However, Anabolic Freak holds just 2mg of B6 – which is not enough.
Folic Acid
Otherwise known as Vitamin B9 or Folate, Folic Acid may raise T-levels in men suffering from erectile dysfunction.
However, there is not enough research to prove it boosts tesosterone in otherwise healthy males. Most of the studies on the use of Folic Acid focus on its effects on pregnant women.
Please note: Folic Acid may be unsafe to take in large doses (800-1200mcg) over long periods.
While Anabolic Freak contains just 400mcg of this vitamin, using it could be harmful if you’re already ingesting large amounts of Folic Acid in your diet or in other supplements.
Scroll down to the Side Effects section of this page for more information.
See SupplementTester’s Highest Rated
– Testosterone Booster Supplements Here –
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 also goes by the name of Cobalamin – and it plays a key role in your nervous system’s ability to function.
But does it boost testosterone?
Well, one study suggests B12 can enhance the quality of sperm cells and promote testicular health.
While this points to links with an increase in T-levels, more research is needed to prove B12 has a significant bearing on your body’s ability to produce testosterone.
D-Aspartic Acid
D-Aspartic Acid (D-AA) is one of the most important ingredients for naturally boosting testosterone.
D-AA boosts your T-levels by increasing amounts of the Luteinzing Hormone (LH) in your body.
Studies show that when D-AA levels are low in your pituitary glands and testes, your body cannot product enough LH, which leads to a drop in testosterone.
As a result, we wouldn’t even consider using a T-booster that doesn’t contain D-AA. In fact, you’ll find this amino acid in all three of our favorite T-boosters.
Rhodiola Rosea
Rhodiola Rosea is a herb used in traditional Chinese medicine. In-depth research shows it’s a fantastic adaptogen that can reduce fatigue and ward off muscle damage.
For this reason, you’ll find it in some of the best pre-workouts on the market. But there is zero evidence that Rhodiola Rosea can boost testosterone.
So why has Pharmafreak included it in this T-booster?
Well, there is some evidence Rhodiola Rosea can help reduce estrogen. However, the available research used rats as subjects. So as it stands, there’s no way to tell whether the herb reduces estrogen in humans.
Of course, this also means there’s not enough evidence to justify the use of the herb in a T-booster.
Resveratrol
Resveratrol is found in red wine, peanuts, red grapes, acai berries and more.
The natural phenol is thought to protect against heart disease, insulin resistance, and high blood pressure.
There is some evidence Resveratrol can boost T-levels in mice – but what about humans?
The results of one study suggests the nutrient raises levels of the steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) protein, which helps convert cholesterol to testosterone.
Other research suggests Resveratrol inhibits the p450 enzyme (an estrogen precursor).
But despite this promise, one NCBI study shows Resveratrol supplementation has no effect on testosterone in humans.
See SupplementTester’s Highest Rated
– Testosterone Booster Supplements Here –
Side Effects
On the whole, Anabolic Freak is safe to use. However, Folic Acid may be toxic in doses of over 800-1200mcg. In isolation, the 400mcg of Folic Acid in this supp is safe.
But be careful if you’re taking Folic Acid in other supplements, or if you ingest large amounts of the nutrient in your diet. In large doses, Folic Acid may increase the risk of:
- Stomach cramps
- Diarrhea
- Rashes
- Irritability
- Heart attacks (in people with existing heart conditions)
- Cancer
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- D-AA and Vitamin D are key T-boosting ingredients
- Rhodiola Rosea may reduce estrogen
Cons:
- Not enough Vitamin D or B6 to boost T
- Rhodiola more suited to a pre-workout than a T-booster
- Resveratrol does not increase testosterone in humans
- Not enough evidence Folic Acid can raise testosterone
- Folic Acid may be toxic in large doses (800-1200mcg)
See SupplementTester’s Highest Rated
– Testosterone Booster Supplements Here –
Anabolic Freak Review Conclusion
We’re disappointed with Anabolic Freak. Having tried and liked a few of Pharmafreak’s products in the past, this is not the case here.
We’re not fans of the company’s other T-booster, Test Freak – and we thought this D-AA-infused supp may signal a return to form.
To be fair, Anabolic Freak uses some great ingredients – D-AA and Vitamin D are staples of the best T-boosters around.
But here’s what we don’t like…
Despite its promise as an aromatase inhibitor, research suggests Resveratrol does not boost T. There isn’t enough proof Folic Acid can raise testosterone either.
Meanwhile, Rhodiola is thought to reduce estrogen, but the available research uses rats – and not humans – as subjects.
In addition, we advise against taking Folic Acid in a supp because too much can be toxic.
As a result of all these issues, we cannot endorse Anabolic Freak. Instead, choose a T-booster proven to not only raise testosterone, but to accelerate muscle growth, make you stronger, enhance your libido and raise your self-esteem.