I’ve had a lot of guys come to me over the years wondering if testosterone boosters like Testofuel, Prime Male, and Nugenix really work.

There’s certainly no shortage of them being touted as “the next best thing to prescription testosterone replacement therapy”, but do they really do what they say they will?

Let’s answer some of the more frequently asked questions we get regarding these supposed “testosterone boosters”.

How Do Testosterone Boosters Differ From Testosterone Replacement Therapy?

We’ve all seen the ads for testosterone replacement therapies like Androgel and Testim.

There are 4 different variations of TRT that you need to be aware of:

• Skin Patches: These include transdermal patches like Androderm. They work by literally delivery actual testosterone through the skin into the bloodstream. Typically they take about 4 weeks to kick in , and can raise your testosterone by as much as 86%.
• Gels: Gels like Androgel and Testim work similarly to patches.
• Injections / Implants: This involves going to a clinic on a regular basis to receive actual injections of the hormone testosterone.
• Mouth Patches: Considered the least popular method, there is a patch called Striant that sticks to the upper gums above the incisor. It’s applied twice a day and releases testosterone directly into the bloodstream.

Testosterone boosters, on the other hand, use all natural ingredients that include the following:

• Saw Palmetto
• DHEA
• Fenugreek extract
• Magnesium
• D-Aspartic Acid
• Tribulus Terrestris
• Zinc

Unlike with testosterone replacement therapy, which involves pumping your body full of actual synthetic testosterone, testosterone boosters work by helping to increase your bodies own natural production of testosterone.

How Do Testosterone Boosters Work?

Unlike with prescription TRT, testosterone boosters utilize the power of natural herbs and extracts.

Many of these ingredients have been clinically studied and proven to work in the lab.

I’ve also personally taken many of them, and can attest to their effectiveness.

Magnesium and Testosterone

Let’s use magnesium as our first example. Magnesium is one of the most abundant minerals in the body.

If you have a magnesium deficiency in your body, you WILL have low testosterone levels.

By supplementing with magnesium, you’re assuring yourself that you’re getting the recommended daily allowance of magnesium.

This will help by allowing your body to produce more of its own testosterone.

D Aspartic Acid and Testosterone

Another ingredient, D-Aspartic Acid, has been shown in clinical studies to help play a key role in regulating testosterone synthesis.

Similarly to magnesium, if you have a deficiency in D-Aspartic Acid, testosterone levels tend to be lower than average.

By consuming D-AA, testosterone and other hormones naturally released in the pituitary gland.

Those other hormones include Luteinizing Hormone (LH), Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH), and Growth Hormone (GH).

Fenugreek and Testosterone

Yet another ingredient found in countless over the counter testosterone boosters is Fenugreek.

While there hasn’t been any evidence that fenugreek has a noticeable impact on actual testosterone levels, it CAN provide the type of benefits you’re looking for.

It can help to:

• Increase muscle strength
• Improve body composition
• Boost your libido dramatically

I can attest to it’s effectiveness.

Are Testosterone Boosters Safe?

Another common question I get regarding testosterone boosters is whether or not they’re safe to take.

One thing is for sure, they are DEFINITELY safer to take vs. testosterone replacement therapy.

For instance, common side effects with TRT include:

• Acne / Oily skin
• Fluid retention, which can lead to weight gain
• Increased risk of blood clots
• Decreased testicular size
• Increased aggression and mood swings

These side effects can be evident in a large percentage of men who decide to go this route.

In many cases, the side effects are sometimes worse than having low testosterone itself.

How about testosterone boosting pills?

It’s not all rosy with natural testosterone boosters either.

For example, the ingredient Tribulus Terrestris can have a wide range of side effects, including:

• Nausea / Vomiting
• Cramping
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Excitation
• Insomnia
• Irritability

HOWEVER, in my specific experience taking natural testosterone boosters that contain Tribulus Terrestris, I have NEVER experienced ant of these side effects.

The same goes with virtually every other testosterone booster I’ve tested.

Even the ones that didn’t work seemed to be absent of any side effects.

So in conclusion, do testosterone boosters work?

In my experience, yes.

This comes from personally testing close to 60 of them over the years.

Sure, some of them don’t do anything.

Some of them even seemed to have the opposite intended effect.

But in many cases, they do seem to mimic the effects of increased testosterone.

Personally speaking, I think they are WAY than many of the alternatives that are presented to you at your doctors office.

Testosterone Replacement Therapy can also be very expensive, and in many cases your health insurance provider won’t even cover it.

Testosterone boosters, on the other hand, can provide a relatively inexpensive way to experience the benefits of testosterone replacement therapy.

If you have any questions about which testosterone booster might be right for you, don’t hesitate to ask away in the comments section below!

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Author: Rob Miller

Rob Miller founded SupplementCritique.com over 7 years ago, and has been the chief editor ever since. He has a diploma in Advanced Dietary Supplements Advisor, and worked at GNC for 3 years. He KNOWS supplements, both inside and out. Rob currently resides in Jupiter, FL, with his wife of 4 years.  Learn more about him in his Bio here. Follow him on Twitter , Facebook, LinkedIn, or find him on Google +. View all posts by Rob Miller