What is the recommended dose of Tribulus Terrestris?

- **Look for:** Standardized to protodioscin or total saponins (≥45%); 250-750mg per serving; Tribestan® brand - **Avoid:** ANY product claiming "testosterone booster" (conclusively debunked); non-...

Is Tribulus Terrestris safe to take daily?

Tribulus Terrestris is rated "Generally Safe" based on clinical evidence. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement.

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Ingredient Research

Graded against 173,636 supplements + 177 published clinical interactions, sourced from PubMed, FDA CAERS, openFDA, NIH DSLD

Tribulus Terrestris

MODERATE EVIDENCEBotanicalLast updated

AVELOR SUMMARY

Tribulus terrestris is the most overpromised "testosterone booster" in sports nutrition history. MULTIPLE well-designed studies have conclusively shown it does NOT raise testosterone in healthy men. A 2014 systematic review of 12 studies found NO testosterone increase in any study. Our research confirms: the Eastern European athletic studies that started the myth were poorly designed and never replicated. The one legitimate use: tribulus extract (Tribestan) has moderate evidence for improving sexual function and libido WITHOUT raising testosterone — likely through a central (brain/dopaminergic) mechanism rather than hormonal. If someone is selling tribulus for testosterone, they're either ignorant or lying.

WHAT IT DOES

The testosterone myth arose from: tribulus contains steroidal saponins (protodioscin, dioscin) that were theorized to stimulate LH release → testosterone production. DISPROVEN in humans — protodioscin does not cross the BBB sufficiently to affect hypothalamic GnRH or pituitary LH. The actual sexual function mechanism is likely: (1) PDE5 inhibition (mild — protodioscin has weak PDE5 activity); (2) dopaminergic modulation in brain reward centers (central libido enhancement); (3) NO increase in corpus cavernosum (direct vasodilation, not testosterone-dependent). This explains why libido improves without testosterone change.

OPTIMAL DOSAGE

Look for: Standardized to protodioscin or total saponins (≥45%); 250-750mg per serving; Tribestan® brand
Avoid: ANY product claiming "testosterone booster" (conclusively debunked); non-standardized products; cheap combination "test boosters"
Minimum effective dose: 250mg standardized extract for libido
Third-party tested brands: Sopharma (Tribestan — original), NOW Foods

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SAFETY PROFILE

Critical Interactions (Do Not Combine Without Medical Supervision)

No critical interactions identified.

Moderate Interactions (Monitor Closely)

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Independently graded against 173,636 indexed supplements with 177 published clinical interactions, sourced from PubMed, FDA CAERS, openFDA, and NIH DSLD | Last updated:

Not medical advice. Based on published clinical research and systematic reviews.

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