Athletes are always looking for the next supplement that can give them an edge in the gym and lean out their physique. Consider your search over, because muscle building supplementation just found a new hero. Call it what you like—cat’s head, puncture vine, devil’s weed—Tribulus Terrestris is a superior and all-natural way to get the gains you want.

Here is everything you need to know about Tribulus Terrestris:

What Is Tribulus Terrestris?

Tribulus Terrestris is the name of a fruit-bearing plant that is covered with sharp spines and yellow flowers. It has been called the “devil’s weed,” “caltrop,” “goat’s head,” and “puncture vine.” Tribulus is responsible for puncturing bike tires and making barefooted humans and dogs alike yelp. It’s nature’s Lego block, but it’s also an essential building block for your muscles.

With noted effects on the level of nitric oxide on the body, some bodybuilders will use the herb as a pre-workout supplement about 30-60 minutes prior to hitting the weights. The plus side of using a natural pre-workout supplement is that you don’t suffer the crash of caffeine or the shakiness of some more synthetic blends. Others will use Tribulus Terrestris during their cutting and bulking cycle, because of the effects on testosterone and lean body mass (which we’ll be talking about below).

Where Does Tribulus Terrestris Come From?

Tribulus Terrestris is found in the Mediterranean, western United States, or places with similar climates, such as China and Vietnam. However, the best Tribulus with the highest presence of saponins and other nutrients can be found in Turkey, Macedonia, and Bulgaria. People have been using the leaf, root, and fruit of the Tribulus plant as an ingredient in Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for centuries.

The Tribulus Terrestris extract that is used in Gaspari Tribulus is ultra high potency Bulgarian Tribulus extract, coming straight from high-quality ingredients so that you receive high levels of steroidal saponins that are naturally found within the plant.

Can Tribulus Terrestris Boost Testosterone?

Over the years, Tribulus has been taken for a number of reasons, like improving athletic performance, heart and circulatory issues, sexual issues, and bodybuilding.

But what makes Tribulus an all-star muscle-building supplement would be the presence of saponins—steroidal saponin protodioscin to be exact. In a study, researchers in Lithuania gave athletes 625 mg of a 40% saponin that contained Tribulus extract 3 times a day for a period of 20 days and found that circulating testosterone had significantly increased during the first 10 days of the experiment.

The researchers from that study believe Tribulus works by raising the levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) or follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Both are gonadotropins and thus stimulate the gonads in both males and females. This prompts the creation of testosterone in men and estrogen in women. The other factor would be how Tribulus plays with blood glucose, lowering the level and creating a response in the body that raises testosterone.

Other research suggests that Tribulus is adatogenic. In other words, the herb will only work when it can help bring the body back into homeostasis, or “equilibrium.” With this in mind, you are going to want to cycle your dosage of the herb. Otherwise, you are going to end up with a result similar to the Lithuanian study, where the herb worked wonders for the first 10 days but then did nothing for the next 10.

How much Tribulus Terrestris per day?

The suggested dosage for Tribulus Terrestris is three 650mg capsules a day. You can safely have 1 capsule in the morning, 1 in the afternoon, and 1 before you go to sleep.

Precautions when using Tribulus is that it can interact with some medications. Don’t use Tribulus Terrestris if you are taking heart or blood pressure medications, like beta-blockers, calcium-channel blockers, nitrates, ACE inhibitors, digoxin, and diuretics. Ask your physician before trying Tribulus if you’re unsure.

Also, keep in mind that Tribulus could have some side effects. Since the supplement does reduce your blood glucose levels, you might feel lightheaded and shaky. Those who are historically susceptible to hypoglycemia or those who are on diabetic medication should also consult with a medical professional. But all this aside, studies have reported that Tribulus Terrestris does not cause any major side effects and has a low risk of toxicity.

The Benefits of Tribulus Terrestris

In short, the benefits of the herb include:

• Lowered blood glucose

• Normalized testosterone levels

• Healthier libido and more sexual satisfaction

• Increased fertility

• Prostrate health

• Muscle development and weight loss

• Heightened energy levels

• Heightened athletic performance

When is the best time to take Tribulus Terrestris?

Now, while the recommended dosage is three times a day, morning, noon, and night, the effectiveness of Tribulus extract can be amplified if you time the dosage more specifically. Tribulus is very dose-specific, so you need to get the timing and amount correct before seeing the results you want. The range that appears to work for most people is between 2.3 and 4.6 milligrams of protodioscin per pound of body weight every day.

Because of how Tribulus interacts with the body and hormones, you want to take advantage of your normal rhythms. In the morning, take Tribulus right when you wake up because your blood glucose levels will be low. Always take Tribulus between meals.

The Bottom Line

If you are looking to boost your athletic performance, boost your testosterone, and get a decent boost pre-workout, Tribulus is an excellent supplement to add to your nutrition and supplement regimen. Tribulus Terrestris has been used for many years in ancient medicinal practices, and it has a long list of benefits paired with minimal side effects. Once you have found the ideal dosage level and cycle Tribulus in and out of your diet, you can begin to see a difference in your physique and performance.

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