MHP’s T-Bomb II Test Booster Reviewed

Posted By elissa on Apr 9, 2008 | 0 comments

MHP proclaims that “many” refer to T-Bomb II as “the most significant development in Pro-Testosterone Technology since prohormones!” They don’t say who’s saying this, or how many “many” is, but it does seem to be a bit of a stretch for an herbal formula.

Herbal testosterone boosters have been on the market for quite some time now, yet their actual ability to increase testosterone is still questionable. There are relatively few, credible controlled studies on individual ingredients; and the details of in-house studies are kept carefully under wraps. And unlike prohormones, the mechanisms underlying the claimed effects are still obscure.

We’ll do what we can, however. Let’s take a look under the hood of T-Bomb II…

Magnesium(as Magnesium Oxide) 15mg
Zinc(as Zinc Aspartate) 25mg
Copper(as Copper Gluconate) 2mg

Optimone 5™:
Five Phase Hormone Optimizing Blend: 903mg
Tribulus Terrestris (Standardized To 40% Furastanol Saponins), Fenugreek 4:1 Extract (Seed), Tongkat Ali 20:1 Extract (Root)(Eurycoma Longifolia Jack), Red Clover Extract (40% Isoflavones), Chrysin, Kudzuroot (Pueraria Lobota)(40% Isoflavones), DIM (Diindolymethane), Avena Sativa 10:1 Extract (Aerial Parts), Zinc (As Zinc Aspartate), Pygeum Africanum Extract (25% Total Sterol)(Bark), Stinging Nettle Leaf 4:1 Extract, Beta Sitosterol, Saw Palmetto Berry Extract (90% Total Sterols & Free Fatty Acids), Bioperine® (Black Pepper Extract).

2nd Messenger™ Hormone Amplifiers:
Receptor Signal Transduction Blend: 625mg
Flaxseed (Fatty Acid Profile [Linolenic 8.0%, Linoleic 2.5%, Oleic 2.5%]), Glycine, L-Arginine, Magnesium Oxide, Dipotassium Phosphate, DL-Malic Acid, L-Methionine, Cordyceps (Cordyceps Sinensis), NADH.

As you can see, there’s an awful lot here…but broken down, we have:

• Tribulus terrestris – Tribulus is a source of steroidal saponins such as protodioscin. Tribulus allegedly increases testosterone via stimulation of the pituitary gland to produce luteinizing hormone (LH), which, in turn, acts on the testes. This claim is based on older Bulgarian research that has not been replicated in the West. Although it’s known to raise testosterone in animals, recent studies on humans have shown that Tribulus has no significant effects on testosterone or LH levels, body composition, or exercise performance.
• Fenugreek – Like Tribulus, fenugreek is a source of steroidal saponins and saponingens. Fenugreek extracts have hypocholesterolemic and hypoglycemic effects, but there’s nada on any effects fenugreek might have on testosterone. I’ve seen only one summary of a an “in-house” study on human subjects from the manufacturer of a proprietary fenugreek extract…this isn’t much to go on.
• Tongkat Ali – Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma longifolia) is used as an aphrodisiac in Malaysia, Cambodia and Indonesia. There are a number of published studies on it (most of these were done by the same research group) that demonstrate very high doses (up to 800 mg/kg) increase libido and sexual performance in rodents. There are no human studies—or other animal models, for that matter—that I am aware of.
• Red Clover Extract – Red Clover Extract is a source of phytoestrogens and has been used as an alternative therapy for menopausal symptoms. In one study using male subjects, it lowered PSA (prostate specific antigen) by approx. 30%.
• Chrysin – Chrysin is an isoflavone extracted from the blue passionflower (Passiflora caerulea). It was once heavily promoted as an aromatase inhibitor, based on in-vitro (cell culture) studies. In-vivo research, however, demonstrated it was poorly absorbed and ineffective.
• Kudzu Root – This is another source of phytoestrogens. Asian kudzu (Pueraria mirifica) is used as an alternative/folk treatment for menopausal symptoms and osteoporosis.
• DIM – Diindolylmethane is a metabolite of indole-3-carbinol, a compound found in cruciferous vegetables (i.e., cabbage, broccoli, etc.). DIM is an androgen receptor antagonist in prostate cancer cells and can modulate estrogen balance.
• Avena sativa – Avena sativa is…oats. Somewhere along the line, it gained a reputation for improving libido and sexual performance. I have no idea why.
• Pygeum africanum Extract/Stinging Nettle Leaf Extract/Saw Palmetto Berry Extract/Beta Sitosterol — all four have been shown to improve some of the symptoms of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH or enlarged prostate). Saw Palmetto can inhibit 5-alpha reductase (the enzyme that converts testosterone to DHT) in prostate tissue. Stinging nettle also contains a compound, (-)-3,4-divanillyltetrahydrofuran, can bind tightly to SHBG, and is used in other testosterone-boosting supplements for this purpose. These are promising therapeutic agents, but none have been shown to enhance testosterone.
• Bioperine – Bioperine is a proprietary extract of black pepper that can increase the absorption of certain nutrients taken with it. It’s included in the formula to enhance the bioavailability of the other ingredients.
• “2nd Messenger Hormone Amplifiers” – This is a mixture of flaxseed, amino acids, minerals, mushroom powder and NADH—most of which cannot possibly be supplied in any useful amounts since the entire blend is only 625 mg.

Whew!

T-Bomb II certainly has a lot of stuff in it. Unfortunately, a lot of it’s unproven. The extracts in the formula certainly contain biologically active compounds that exert interesting physiological effects. Some may even be true aphrodisiacs. Whether they actually raise testosterone, however, is another matter entirely. There are ways to increase libido that aren’t mediated by testosterone.

MHP has several diagrams on its web site to explain T-Bomb II’s mechanism(s) of action. The first is a graph that purports to show clinical data. According to this graph, T-Bomb II was able to increase testosterone and free testosterone by 400% and 285%, respectively, while reducing estradiol, SHBG, and DHT by 500%, 546%, and 250%. However, MHP does not reveal how these numbers were obtained, and who—or perhaps what—they were obtained in. People…or rats? Your guess is as good as mine.

Does T-Bomb II work? I’ve seen some very positive reviews of this supplement, although negative ones also exist. Given the sheer number of bioactives present, I’m tempted to believe that it “works” on some level…I’d expect to see antioxidant activity, for example. There may also be some adaptogenic or NO (nitric oxide) enhancing effects.

I hesitate to say it might increase testosterone, however, as there’s no solid data for any of the ingredients in humans, and what MHP provides is deficient—to put it kindly. Nor are there any numbers in the user reviews I’ve seen.

Quite honestly, when it comes to herbal testosterone boosters, “you pays your money and you take your chances.” I can’t prove test boosters like T-Bomb II don’t work…but I’ve yet to see any solid proof that they do. Caveat emptor.

MHP T-Bomb II is available for sale online at BodyBuilding.com!