Testosterone + Nitric Oxide Help

As a part of our ongoing collection on the collaboration between Kaged Supplements and GNC, we’re shining a lightweight on Kaged Take a look at, the testosterone-booster entry within the Kaged Elite collection.
We don’t assume anybody in our viewers wants an in-depth clarification of why having extra testosterone is usually factor – its capacity to extend athletic efficiency and restoration whereas enhancing temper, libido, and total life satisfaction has made testosterone optimization the first aim of many male complement customers.
Nicely, we expect Kaged actually did it proper with Kaged Take a look at. The method is superior, and every ingredient efficaciously dosed. And we also have a newcomer: MR-10 is one thing we don’t usually see within the testosterone optimization class.
KSM-66 Ashwagandha Extract (Withania somnifera) (root) (std. 5% withanolides) – 600 mg
Ashawgandha is an adaptogen, which means it might assist your physique preserve hormonal homeostasis. Unpacking the definition just a bit bit, an adaptogen can increase your physique’s ranges of a sure hormone when there’s not sufficient, but in addition decrease it when it’s too excessive. This context-dependent motion makes adaptogens extraordinarily helpful for enhancing wellness and optimizing efficiency.
In a single 2012 examine, 64 adults skilled a big drop of their ranges after taking 600 milligrams of KSM-66 natural ashwagandha extract. That’s the similar dose and extract in Kaged Take a look at! This examine was particularly attention-grabbing as a result of it employed each subjective and goal measurements of stress. The themes answered a questionnaire designed to gauge how stressed-out they felt, but in addition took a cortisol blood take a look at.[1] KSM-66 positively affected each the questionnaire scores and the topics’ cortisol ranges.
Important enchancment to emotional and hormonal well being is a constant theme in ashwagandha analysis.[2]
Ashwagandha and testosterone
Ashwaganda’s anti-cortisol results are an enormous a part of why it’s helpful in a testosterone-boosting method. As a result of cortisol and testosterone have reverse results, decreasing one is usually step towards elevating the opposite. It’s not shocking, then, that ashwagandha analysis constantly reveals testosterone will increase nicely into the double digits, with one examine demonstrating will increase within the vary of 14% to 40%,[3] and one other exhibiting 10% to 22%.[4]

KSM-66 payments itself because the World’ Greatest Ashwagandha
One cause we’re massive followers of ashwagandha is that its capacity to spice up testosterone is not restricted to males with hormonal points. As as matter of reality, ashwagandha has been proven to extend testosterone blood ranges in lively, younger, wholesome males who often have stable testosterone ranges to start with.[4]
Maybe associated to its testosterone-boosting impact is ashwagandha’s capacity to enhance athletic efficiency. Energy output,[5] VO2max,[5] and one-rep max[6] are a number of the advantages we’ve seen from ashwagandha supplementation.
Why KSM-66?
NutraBio’s KSM-66 is the business customary for ashwagandha, due to the rigorous unbiased lab testing performed on every manufacturing batch. In the case of hormone optimization, eliminating endocrine-disrupting compounds is essential, so purity needs to be an overriding concern in testosterone formulation. That’s why we love seeing KSM-66 utilized in Kaged Take a look at as an alternative of some thriller meat ashwagandha extract.
If you wish to be taught extra about what makes KSM-66 so particular, learn our article NutraBio KSM-66 Ashwagandha: Trusted and Examined Ashwagandha for Everybody.
MR-10 (Proprietary Mix of Korean Dandelion and Rooibos Extracts) – 400 mg
The MR–10 mix of Korean dandelion and rooibos is comparatively new, however we have already got one very stable analysis examine exhibiting this ingredient can considerably enhance testosterone synthesis in males.
On this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled examine, 96 males over 45 years outdated have been assigned to take both 200 milligrams of MR-10 or a placebo twice day by day for 1 month. The whole day by day MR-10 dose was equivalent to what now we have in Kaged Take a look at, 400 mg/day.[7]
The themes have been very evenly matched by way of age, weight, baseline hormone ranges, and even peak. The outcomes communicate for themselves:

The MR–10 mix, ginseng and rooibos, considerably elevated whole testosterone, free testosterone, and DHEA.[7]
Complete testosterone, free testosterone, and DHEA (additionally a masculinizing hormone) elevated by 14%, 22%, and 32%, respectively.[7]
The mechanism of motion isn’t utterly clear, however we do know one necessary piece of the reason. A earlier examine confirmed that Korean dandelion and rooibos can shield testicular Leydig cells from oxidative stress. That is necessary as a result of Leydig cells are straight accountable for synthesizing the testosterone molecule.[8]
DIM (3,3′ Diindolylmethane) – 120 mg
Diindolylmethane (DIM) is a metabolite of Indole-3-carbinol (I3C), a compound that naturally happens in cruciferous greens like broccoli, kale, and cauliflower.[9] In people, it’s sometimes synthesized within the intestine,[10,11] however we are able to complement with it straight, due to merchandise like Kaged Take a look at. .
DIM’s capacity to downregulate aromatase (an enzyme accountable for changing testosterone into estradiol)[10] makes it a great tool for growing testosterone ranges. That is primarily due to DIM’s affinity for the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR),[12] which, when activated, has an antagonistic impact on estrogen receptors.
In addition to enhancing the general testosterone-to-estrogen ratio, DIM additionally encourages the synthesis of health-promoting estrogens over dangerous estrogens. Specifically, IM can enhance the physique’s manufacturing of 2-hydroxylated estrogens whereas lowering manufacturing of 16-hydroxylated and 4-hydroxylated estrogens,[13-16] which is nice since 2-hydroxylated kinds are linked to a broad array of helpful well being outcomes[17,18] whereas the reverse is true for 16- and 4-hydroxylated kinds.
Simply to offer one instance, 2-hydroxylated estrogens are linked to decrease ranges of physique fats and elevated muscle mass.[19]
S7 (Inexperienced Espresso Bean Extract, Inexperienced Tea Leaf Extract, Turmeric Extract, Blueberry Extract, Broccoli Extract, Tart Cherry Extract, Kale Extract) – 50 mg
A proprietary mix of seven botanical extracts chosen for his or her excessive polyphenol antioxidant content material, S7 consists of, by mass, 3% curcumin, 30% catechins, and 60% polyphenols. One examine demonstrated {that a} scientific dose of S7 could cause a 270% enhance in serum nitric oxide (NO).[20]
Right here’s an ingredient-by-ingredient breakdown of how S7 works:
- Inexperienced Espresso Bean Extract – Inexperienced espresso beans are merely unroasted beans. In comparison with roasted beans, they’ve a better focus of chlorogenic acid (CGA),[21] which is nice since CGA possesses vital antioxidant,[22] anti-inflammatory,[22] and anti-hypertensive[23] properties. It additionally appears that CGA can enhance vascular tissue’s response to train,[24] which means you may get extra out of your cardio.
- Inexperienced Tea Extract – naturally accommodates giant quantities of polyphenol and catechin antioxidants,[25] essentially the most well-known being epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Excessive EGCG intakes can speed up lipolysis,[26,27] the method by which your physique breaks down saved fats for gasoline. Some research present that EGCG can lower dietary carbohydrate absorption,[28] which could discourage weight acquire and even trigger weight reduction.
- Turmeric Extract – standardized for a vivid yellow phytochemical known as curcumin, a bioactive constituent that’s largely accountable for turmeric’s attribute shade. Curcumin is a massively anti-inflammatory compound, and has been proposed as at the least an adjunct therapy for a variety of situations involving continual irritation,[29] together with despair.[30] Curcumin may assist assist train by growing the physique’s antioxidant capability.[31]
- Tart Cherry – nice for restoration, because it’s been proven to lower muscle soreness and positively have an effect on restoration indices like creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and C-reactive protein (CRP) following high-intensity train.[32]
- Blueberry – additionally good for dashing up muscle restoration after train.[33] It might additionally lower oxidative stress and systemic irritation.[34]
- Broccoli – excessive in sulforaphane, a sulfur-containing compound that may enhance vascular well being by combating irritation.[35]
- Kale – excessive in unusual antioxidants and polyphenols like quercetin and kaempferol.[36] Each of those have documented anti-hypertensive results,[37] and provide some therapeutic profit in a variety of medical situations.[38]
Boron (as Boron Citrate) – 10 mg
Boron is a mineral that performs a big function in each testosterone and vitamin D synthesis.[39] Vitamin D, in flip, has the potential to spice up testosterone manufacturing.[40] This suggests that boron gives direct and oblique assist for elevating testosterone ranges.
Along with aiding in vitamin D synthesis, boron additionally extends its half-life, making certain that the vitamin D produced stays efficient for an extended length.[41] This contributes to sustaining larger peak ranges of vitamin D within the bloodstream.
Whereas a 2011 examine means that supplemental boron can enhance free testosterone (the biologically lively kind) and scale back estrogen ranges,[39] it’s price noting that the examine had a small pattern measurement of simply eight topics. As such, it’s advisable to strategy this discovering cautiously.
Nonetheless, there may be substantial proof supporting boron’s pro-vitamin-D results, in addition to its capacity to reinforce the physique’s utilization of magnesium,[41] one other mineral essential for optimum testosterone manufacturing.[42]
Vitamin D (as Cholecalciferol) – 37.5 mcg (1,500 IU) (188% DV)
Cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) is our most well-liked type of vitamin D for one necessary cause: iI’s the shape naturally synthesized by the pores and skin in response to direct solar publicity.[1] Naturally, cholecalciferol is essentially the most biologically lively type of vitamin D within the human physique.
Vitamin D is a identified hormone regulator with twin functionality of decreasing aromatase exercise (the enzyme accountable for changing testosterone into estrogen)[3] whereas concurrently stimulating direct testosterone manufacturing.[2,4] In less complicated phrases, males with larger vitamin D ranges of their bloodstream additionally are likely to have excessive testosterone ranges.[2]
A pivotal 2011 examine, performed as a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, confirmed {that a} day by day dosage of three,332 IU of vitamin D3 produced exceptional outcomes: a 25% enhance in whole testosterone and a 20% enhance in free testosterone. Notably, the placebo group skilled no such modifications.[4] Granted, the D3 dose in Kaged Take a look at is roughly half of that used within the examine, however 1,500 IU can go a lengthy method towards getting you there. We really desire to see vitamin D dosed on the conservative facet as a result of it’s straightforward to underestimate your consumption and wind up taking an excessive amount of.
PricePlow recommends pairing vitamin D3 with vitamin K2 for optimum profit and security.
Zinc (as Zinc Monomethionine) (OptiZinc) – 15 mg (136% DV)
Zinc is likely one of the most vital vitamins for optimizing testosterone manufacturing and is sometimes called the grasp mineral of the male endocrine system.
Even a slight deficiency in zinc can wreak havoc on testosterone manufacturing. In a examine the place researchers induced a marginal zinc deficiency by limiting topics’ dietary zinc consumption, testosterone ranges plummeted by a staggering 75%, dropping from 40 nmol/L to roughly 10 nmol/L.[43]
These similar scientists found that supplementing zinc to aged males with a light zinc deficiency led to a doubling of their testosterone ranges, elevating them from 8 nmol/L to 16 nmol/L.[43]
Even when one will not be poor in zinc, supplementation can nonetheless improve the manufacturing of dihydrotestosterone (DHT),[44] a important metabolite of testosterone accountable for the masculinizing results related to androgenic signaling.[45]

Learn concerning the Kaged Elite Sequence, which was GNC’s largest ever launch with 27 new SKUs that went dwell on August 31, 2023
Testosterone optimization is a humorous class as a result of the analysis literature is fairly clear on what’s been proven to work and what hasn’t. Too usually, we see corporations following social media tendencies with the inclusion of questionable testosterone boosters — not Kaged. Every part on this method is solidly referenced.
We expect the inclusion of S7 is wise. Growing nitric oxide isn’t, per se, associated to testosterone, however it will offer you most of the results that you just need from larger testosterone, together with higher train efficiency and, sure, sexual perform.
Using MR-10 is thrilling. Once more, when new components present up within the client market, it’s usually a little bit untimely. However we have already got peer-reviewed proof exhibiting that MR-10 can enhance Leydig perform, which is about as basic a testosterone-boosting mechanism as you’ll discover.