IsaTest review: Isatori’s Testosterone & Libido Boosting Supplement
“If you want an immediate surge of Testosterone, without any negative side effects whatsoever. If you want more muscle mass. More strength. More sexual desire and drive… If you want more confidence. Isa-TEST is the only formula that can deliver. Bold statements, for sure—but it’s the truth.”
Ok, it’s a little ungrammatical, but we get the point: IsaTest is designed to increase testosterone, lean body mass/muscle, strength and libido.
There are currently two types of (legal) testosterone-boosting supplements on the market: aromatase inhibitors (ex: 6-OXO and Novedex XT) and “natural” combinations of herbal extracts and nutrients (ex: T-Bomb II). IsaTest is one of the latter.
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine HCl) 7mg 538%
Vitamin C 25mg 28%
Zinc (As Zinc Aspartate) 20mg 182%
Magnesium (As Magnesium Aspartate) 300mg 71%Isa-Test™, A Proprietary Blend Containing: 1.61g
TESTOFEN™ (Trigonella Foenum Graecum Extract Standardized For 50% Fenuside™ Saponins)
Tribulus Terrestris Extract (60% Total Saponins / 20% Protodioscin)
Eurycoma Longifolia 20:1 Extract [(Longjax™) 20% Eurypeptides]
Epimedium Brevicornum Extract (Standardized For 10% Icariin)
P-450™ Anti-Aromatase [(S)-2,3- Dihydro-5,7-Dihydroxy-2-(3-Hydroxy-4-Methoxyphenyl)-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one]
Ajuga Turkestanica & Rhaponticum Carthamoides Root Extract (Standardized For 11,20 Dihydroxyecdysone, 20-Beta-Hydroxyecdysone And 25-Deoxy-20-Hydroxyecdysone)
Grapeseed Extract (95% Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins)Isaflow™, 100mg
Microcirculation/nutrient Delivery System [Specially Prepared Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone, Ruscus (22% Sterolic Heterosides) & Vitamin C Complex]
Cutting through the chemical and botanical terminology, it’s clear that IsaTest features the usual suspects—extracts from traditional aphrodisiac herbs—along with several other types of ingredients that may have beneficial physiological effects.
Let’s dig a little deeper and see what IsaTest has to offer…
Zinc/Magnesium/Vitamin B6: ZMA is the best-known combination of these nutrients. It initially took the bodybuilding world by storm on the strength of a study showing increased testosterone and IGF-1 levels in collegiate football players. Less impressive results were obtained from a subsequent study, however. The current consensus is that supplemental ZMA (or similar combinations of the relevant nutrients) may be useful for boosting testosterone only in people who are deficient. Since mild deficiencies are common, however, it makes sense to include these nutrients (especially zinc) in a formula designed to increase anabolic hormones.
Aphrodisiac herbal extracts: IsaTest contains four extracts from plants that have been used as aphrodisiacs in various folk medicine traditions. These are Testofen™, Tribulus terrestris, Eurycoma longifolia and Epimedium brevicornum.
Testofen™ is a proprietary fenugreek extract marketed by Gencor-Pacific. The company claims that it’s standardized for 50% “fenuside”—a proprietary name for “…a set of potent saponin glycosides unique to us.”
Unique? I seriously doubt that. A number of saponin glycosides have been identified in fenugreek, including well-known compounds such as protodioscin and diosgenin. I expect that “fenuside” is composed of these and—possibly—other, related compounds already described in the scientific literature.
Needless to state, none of them has ever been shown to raise either testosterone or free testosterone in any reputable, peer-reviewed, published study. Gencor Pacific bases its claims for Testofen on a handful of “in-house” studies. As Paul notes:
“these results need to be taken with a grain of salt, as promising as they may be. In house studies can certainly be credible, but it would be really nice to have some independently performed studies confirming Testofen’s testosterone-boosting potential.”
Amen to that.
Likewise, neither Tribulus terrestris, nor Eurycoma longifolia (a.k.a. “Tongkat Ali“) have been shown to actually raise testosterone or free testosterone in humans, although sexual effects have been documented in animal studies and anecdotal reports.
The genus Epimedium contains a number of species that are collectively known as “horny goat weed.” The primary active compound, icariin, is a phosphodiesterase (PDE5) inhibitor, which means it may act as a sort of “herbal Viagra” to increase penile blood flow and facilitate an erection. While there is some evidence that it can also act as a “testosterone mimetic” at high doses in rats, there is no data to show it has any effect on testosterone in humans.
Ecdysterones: Ajuga turkestanica and Rhaponticum carthamoides are sources of ecdysterones—steroids found in insects and a number of plants. According to Eastern Bloc research, they can increase protein synthesis in animals. An extensive review concluded…
“They seem to display a wide array of pharmacological effects on vertebrates, many of which are beneficial. However, these claims require more thorough validation and clinical testing.”
This is an understatement, since Eastern Bloc research is often less than reliable.
Antioxidants: (S)-2,3- dihydro-5,7-dihydroxy-2-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one is “chemical-ese” for the citrus bioflavonoid hesperitin. It’s used in several bodybuilding supplements as an aromatase inhibitor, although there is very little evidence to suggest it’s useful for this. It may, however, have other applications…besides being an antioxidant, it has anti-diabetic/lipid-modulating and anti-inflammatory effects.
Grapeseed extract (GSE) is a potent antioxidant. A number of studies have demonstrated it can reduce oxidative stress, suppress the formation of harmful advanced glycation end products and kill/inhibit the growth of cancer cells. It also appears to have anti-aromatase activity. Thus, it’s a promising “nutraceutical,” although more studies in humans are needed to assess GSE’s short and long-term effects.
IsaFlow: This is a proprietary blend of methylated hesperidin (hesperidin methyl chalcone), “butcher’s broom” extract (Ruscus aculeatus) and vitamin C similar to “Cyclo 3 Fort”—a European herbal medication used to treat varicose veins and venous insufficiency. Thus, it looks like an effective combo for “microcirculation,” but I’m unclear on what—if anything—it offers for “nutrient delivery.”
Considering all of the above, it’s obvious that IsaTest contains a lot of bioactive compounds. It’s not clear, however, if any of them (either individually or synergistically) increase testosterone in humans…or provide the kind of results that hard-working trainees expect from increased testosterone—i.e., improvements in strength and body composition. The only direct scientific evidence available from iSatori is a description of an unpublished pilot study performed by the Ohio Research Group.
The efficacy of Isa-Test’s incredible testosterone-enhancing and estrogen-reducing effects were scientifically documented by researchers Rob Mendel, PhD, and Dr. Tim Ziegenfuss of the Ohio Research Group of Exercise Science and Sports Nutrition! The conclusion of the study was after just three weeks (and Isa-Test works on a progressive basis), Free or usable Testosterone levels increased by up to 154%, and estrogen levels decreased by up to 43%. Equally important, all of the subjects’ health markers (e.g., liver, kidney, cholesterol, blood pressure, etc.) were normal and healthy. So, we know, without a reason of a doubt, Isa-Test works impressively fast and is completely safe.
This is perhaps one step above an “in-house” study, but doesn’t reach the level of published research, where the all-important details can be examined in the absence of advertising “spin.”
Under the circumstances, I decided to conduct my own, real world test on a volunteer: my husband. The details of the test are available on the blog…
- The “Test” Test: Day 1
- The “Test” Test: Day 3
- The “Test” Test: Day 6
- The “Test” Test: Day 10
- The “Test” Test: Day 12
- The “Test” Test: Day 20
- The “Test” Test: Day 25
- The “Test” Test: Day 38
- The “Test” Test: Home Stretch
- Final Results
… but to summarize, he ran through two bottles…without any increases in either serum testosterone or free testosterone. He did, however, lose a little body fat and experienced some increase in strength. So overall, he felt he derived some benefit from the supplement.
“…The product clearly produced libido effects. I experienced “morning wood” more frequently and as Elissa can attest, was fairly frisky over the first six weeks or so of using the product…In terms of strength, the gains were steady but nothing dramatic; I raised weight in the exercises I was doing over the couple of months I used the product—at the same time, I can’t rule out the role the eating and training had in those gains. While these might be “mixed” results, I may try IsaTest again in the future, for the libido kick if nothing else.”
So what can we conclude about IsaTest?
Well, personally, I can attest that it really does “work” as an aphrodisiac. 😉 This is completely in line with the published research and traditional use of the primary herbal ingredients.
It didn’t do anything for John’s testosterone, but this is an n=1 observation…it’s possible your results may vary. Nonetheless, it was generally a positive experience, and—since the ingredients are both harmless and potentially healthful—IsaTest could certainly be worth experimenting with.
We like Isatori’s products for another reason too… if purchased direct online, they offer (and honor) a full, 100% satisfaction or your money back guarantee.
That means you can try IsaTest (or any other Isatori product) and get your money back if you’re not satisfied with the results. Good deal!
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