Hi people! Today you will find a note on the topic of one outlandish sports supplement, which I personally became interested in recently. This is worth understanding, firstly, because there is a lot of noise and speculation around this drug. And secondly, to be realistic in your expectations.

There is a guy at my job who is also into bodybuilding. He recently took a Tribulus based supplement and shared his experience with me.

The first thing he noticed was that his stubble began to grow faster. He attributed this to the fact that his testosterone increased (like from tribulus), although he still “sins” that he finally began to squat hard. And as you know, squats provoke the production of testosterone in the body (albeit short-term). I became interested in this and found out something about this notorious supplement.

She is now of interest to many bodybuilders and athletes, but not everyone is sure of her benefits and the need for admission. In this article, we will look at what kind of supplement this is and what it is eaten with, its benefits and harms, as well as side effects. Here we go?

Tribulus Terrestris (Tribulus Terrestris from Latin "thorny vine")- a herbaceous plant that grows only in a temperate tropical climate, mainly in South Asia and Europe, Northern Australia and Africa.

It has been known since ancient Greece as a remedy for many ailments, rich in many useful ingredients. It contains alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins and other active ingredients.

The main action of tribulus is aimed at stimulating the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, increasing the production of the hormone testosterone. This happens by increasing the body's luteinizing hormones (these are the hormones that stimulate the secretion of sex hormones). Due to this, this plant has a positive effect on male strength and potency, increasing sexual desire.

Tribulus in bodybuilding and controversy about it

Preparations based on this plant in powder or tablets are very popular in bodybuilding, and indeed in sports. In general, interest in this supplement appeared due to the fact that athletes from Eastern countries began to use it as an additive in preparation for serious competitions. For example, when preparing for the Olympics.

Now tribulus is included in the diet of sports nutrition of almost every athlete. Those who take it believe that taking it will give them the following advantages and benefits:

1. Due to the increased production of testosterone, tribulus has an anabolic effect. As a result, the athlete increases the increase in dry muscle mass faster than usual.
2. Tribulus preparations have a diuretic and help get rid of excess fluid, this is especially true before competitions and during drying.
3. The physical strength and endurance of the athlete are noticeably increased. This is noted by almost 100% of all who took the drug.

Why did I say "consider"? Because it is not completely clear whether tribulus stimulates the production of testosterone or not, whether it seriously affects the production of sex hormones or slightly. A number of studies have been carried out in this area.

Numerous scientific and laboratory studies prove the effectiveness of drugs based on tribulus. Conducted animal experiments have shown a strong increase in libido in previously inactive pigs already on the 10th day of administration. Conducted studies with healthy men in Canada and the United States have shown a 75% craze for luteinizing hormones, and 40% for testosterone.

Some studies have shown a complete failure of the theory in favor of tribulus stimulation of testosterone and the fact that it helps to increase lean muscle mass, others, on the contrary, seem to have proved this.

What is there to say? Most likely, either this case has not yet been definitely clarified, or there is a usual falsification of facts in order to obtain specific benefits from the research results.

For example, the results of one study showed that taking tribulus for 3 months (a more accurate number of days - 84) allowed the subjects to reduce the percentage of body fat by 1% and add 1.2 kg in muscles. But the results of these studies were seriously questioned, primarily because the material used was not the tribulus extract itself, but the Androsten trademark.

And in the end, this question officially remained open. Personally, I think that this is not such a fundamental issue to bother about it. In addition, all these studies, all these research results - all this is very controversial, in fact. Personally, I cannot be sure that this is true. And I can't check it myself. And in our world, where everything is decided by money, false advertising is very possible.

Therefore, I advise you not to go in cycles in this kind of information. In any case, you need to focus on your feelings from the reception and then draw any conclusion. But also do not be skeptical of this kind of information, because there is reliable data.

In sports and in bodybuilding, tribulus is in demand because of its tonic properties, increasing endurance. For women, it is useful for painful menstruation, during menopause and for the treatment of infertility.

Also, many athletes use it to eliminate the negative effects caused after taking steroid drugs. In this case, tribulus helps:

• Restore the hormonal background and normal production of hormones in the body.
• It promotes the production of your own testosterone, because after taking steroids it will slow down a lot, and in some cases it stops altogether.
• Restores liver function, lowers cholesterol levels.
• Blocks the production of a hormone that destroys muscle mass.
• It has been empirically proven that taking tribulus helps to get out of the depression that can occur after a course of steroids. This is possible due to the fact that the production of the enzyme monoamine oxidase type A is activated in our brain.

Admission rules

One of the most interesting questions about tribulus is how to take it and in what doses. Specialists and experienced athletes recommend using it in courses lasting NO MORE THAN 4 WEEKS, and be sure to take a break from two weeks to a month.

Break required! If it is not done, then there is a high probability that the system of own testosterone production will suffer (the function of the gonads will be impaired).

The intake of the supplement should be combined with a period of intensive training, where it is included in the training program, otherwise the result may be unsatisfactory. You just may not feel any change in how you feel. Therefore, I recommend that you take this drug during the period of weight gain, for example.

The dosage of the drug is from 500-1500 mg per day, depending on the weight and goals of the athlete, the main thing is not to exceed this figure. If you are using tribulus capsules, you will usually need to split your dose into two to three doses.

There is no established opinion as to whether it is better to take it before meals or after. It is best to consume during meals with water. An approximate scheme for taking the drug:

1. On the day of the planned workout - 1 capsule immediately after waking up during breakfast, the 2nd capsule - half an hour or an hour before the start of the workout, the 3rd (if necessary) - before bedtime.
2. On the day of recovery (without physical activity) - the 1st capsule at breakfast, the 2nd - during lunch, the 3rd - before bedtime.

The only caveat for women when taking tribulus is that it must be stopped 5 days before the onset of menstruation. Use can be restored on the first day of menstruation. Also, its use is contraindicated during pregnancy and lactation.

Many are also interested in which tribulus is better. Experts approve the most suitable option in which:

• contains at least 6% of the active substance protodioscin;
• there is at least 45% saponins;
• try also to find a preparation for which the plants were collected in Bulgaria, Turkey or Macedonia.

It is worth explaining that PROTODIOSCIN is a substance that helps to improve the function of the membrane permeability of our cells, strengthens the immune system, and enhances erection in men. In general, a good thing in a word ...

Side effects and contraindications

Tribulus based supplements have a minimal level of toxicity and are therefore very well tolerated. Should not be taken with individual intolerance to any components of the drug, men with prostatic hypertrophy.

Contraindication for women, as already mentioned, is pregnancy and lactation. With caution, and with constant monitoring of blood pressure should be taken with hypotension. The drug is STRICTLY FORBIDDEN TO CHILDREN.

Side effects in men and women, when taken correctly, are practically not observed. Allergic reactions are possible in rare cases. Negative consequences can occur only against the background of a constant increase in the permissible dosage or with prolonged use without interruption.

This can provoke a suppression of the production of natural testosterone, and, accordingly, a decrease in sexual desire, impotence (with a very long-term, continuous intake), depression and other conditions that occur when there is a lack of testosterone in the body. Aggression, strong irritability are also noted.

Combination with other supplements

To achieve the maximum effect, tribulus can and should be combined with sports nutrition and vitamin and mineral complexes. To put it simply, tribulus can be taken with everything:

1. WITH PROTEINS. Proteins are the main building blocks for muscle mass in a bodybuilder, so without sufficient intake, any other supplements will be useless. Use tribulus in combination with casein, egg albumin and you will see more active mass growth.
2. WITH CREATINE. These two drugs will enhance each other's properties, helping the bodybuilder achieve his goal faster and more productively, increasing strength and endurance. Read more about creatine
3. WITH GEINER. This mixture is especially suitable for those who with great difficulty increase muscle volume and consider every kilogram a victory. Therefore, a properly adjusted hormonal background in combination with high-calorie ones can work wonders.
4. WITH VITMINO-MINIRELNY COMPLEXES AND AMINO ACIDS. It goes especially well, mix boldly.

The additive is also characterized by incompatibility with:

• Hormonal and prohormonal drugs. It can threaten a violation of the normal hormonal background of a person.
• Testosterone boosters. Side effects from their use may increase.
• Steroid drugs.
• Alcohol. During the course, you should give up alcoholic beverages, because their action is directly opposite to tribulus, they reduce testosterone levels.