Does D Aspartic Acid Increase Testosterone

There are a number of testosterone supplements out on the market today and some of them contain D-aspartic acid or DAA as one of the main ingredients. While this substance is known to help synthesize testosterone in the body, the overall effect is still not fully understood when used as a supplement.

It is however recommended that men ages 21 and under should not use the product and that anyone who does want to add it to their daily nutritional supplements should consult with their doctor first, especially if they are taking prescription medications.

D-aspartic acid is an amino acid that the body uses to synthesize proteins. There are two essential forms of amino acids, L and D. The D form which comprises aspartic acid is used by the body in a variety of ways to help boost overall health. As to its ability to increase testosterone production, that is still under study.

What is Aspartic Acid?

This is an amino acid that contains what is known as an acidic side chain. In other words, under normal circumstances the body itself produces aspartic acid on if there are enough amino acids that are being consumed. The L-aspartic acid version is known to help in the development of the molecules and structures to the formation of DNA.

When it comes to the overall production of testosterone, the D version and not the L is used. One study performed by the University of Naples demonstrated that the D version of aspartic acid did have an effect on the production of testosterone in birds in an indirect manner, but that study was not performed on humans or mammals, so the results were not conclusive.

There have been numerous studies on animals, but those performed on humans have not shown the same results as the one that was done on birds. However, there have only been a relatively few number of studies that have been performed so there is no overall conclusion at this point. One small study that involved a few males showed an increase in free testosterone production of nearly 40%, a production level that only dropped by 10% after three days of no additional D-aspartic acid being consumed.

The Long Term Effect

So far, there have been no long term studies performed on the overall effects of D-aspartic acid. Although most manufacturers of the product claim that it should be used for a period of time ranging from four to twelve weeks followed a cycling period of two to four weeks where it should not be consumed, there is no definitive proof that it does actually work.

However, it is relatively safe to use when taken as directed and few, if any side effects have been reported. For many athletes and body builders who take the product, there are numerous stories that the product does indeed live up to its promise, although again no definitive studies have shown this to be true. It is also advisable that before taking this product you consult with your physician, especially if you are taking prescription medication.