We’ve all heard of Fenugreek, otherwise known as Trigonella foenum-graecum, which is the botanical name for this plant. Its seeds (legumes) and leaves have been used widely as a food and a traditional medicine all throughout Europe and Asia for many centuries. The taste and odour of the seeds resemble maple syrup, and so it has been used as a flavouring agent in imitation maple syrup.
Amongst its other active plant chemicals, Fenugreek contains plant steroids and saponins, including Fenuside™ and protodioscin. From these, a proprietary fenugreek extract called Testofen® has been developed, which contains a standardised amount of Fenuside™. As men age, their testosterone levels can decrease, which may reduce muscle mass and lower libido and sexual performance.
Testofen® has been shown to:
- Promote healthy libido
- Support healthy sexual function
- Support healthy free testosterone levels in healthy men
- Reduce symptoms of Andropause (male menopause) in men over the age of 40
- Support muscle mass when combined with resistance training
What the research shows:
A randomised control trial (the gold standard of trials) involving 120 healthy men aged 43-70 compared men taking 600mg Testofen® a day to placebo for 12 weeks. The outcomes measured symptoms of male aging, sexual function, and serum testosterone.
The results showed:
- That after 6 and 12 weeks, the symptoms score (measured by the Aging Male Symptom questionnaire) for male aging had decreased significantly from the starting point in the Testofen-treated group compared to the placebo group.
- Sexual function improved- including number of morning erections and frequency of sexual activity.
- Both total serum testosterone and free testosterone had a small but significant increase compared to placebo after 12 weeks.
Another study in 2020 looked at changes in muscular strength and endurance, body composition and sex hormones after an 8-week calisthenic programme with daily supplementation with Testofen® (Fenugreek extract) 600mg, 300mg or placebo.
All groups improved their maximum leg press abilities from the beginning to the end of the 8 weeks. However, both Testofen® treated groups improved more than the placebo group.
The 600 mg group showed decreases in body mass of 1.2 kg, −1.4% body fat and an increase in lean mass (1.8%) at 8 weeks. The 600 mg group also demonstrated increased testosterone concentration from the beginning to the end of 8 weeks.
This study suggests that 600mg of Testofen® a day may be an effective aid for men wanting to rapidly improve their exercise performance capabilities and body composition above and beyond that of calisthenic exercise alone.
Plus, the study showed free testosterone levels increased, and body fat mass was reduced while retaining muscle mass.
*If you have any pre-existing conditions or are on any medications, always talk to your healthcare professional before use.
