The “Test” Test: Day 0
When it comes to evaluating the science behind supplement ingredients, I’m often caught between a rock and a hard spot. Why? I’ll be blunt: sometimes the science just ain’t there. Or even more maddeningly, it’s there, but it’s very questionable stuff – like a study published by little-known researchers 25 years ago in some obscure Russian or Chinese-language-only journal. This doesn’t automatically mean “bogus,” but it makes it damned tough to credit claims, in the absence of other supporting information.
Herbal testosterone-boosting supplements are a case in point. Individual ingredients have often been used as aphrodisiacs in different cultures, so they’re obvious choices for supplemental use. Unfortunately, most of the studies that show positive effects have been done in rats/mice, and published in small, non-mainstream journals. Past that point, there’s only manufacturer-conducted “in-house” data to rely on, which – to put it kindly – I don’t. All you get are cherry-picked results and limited details on how they were obtained. This isn’t science as I know (and love) it: my background is in “hard” research (click here for an open source example), and this stuff just doesn’t pass the smell test. If they’re going to claim scientific credibility for their products, then they need to play by scientific “rules” – it’s that simple.
Now, there’s plenty of pretty solid data available on other uses of – say – Tribulus, LongJack or “Horny Goat Weed” – these plants are stuffed full of bioactive compounds that do all kinds of interesting things. Thus, it’s conceivable that they “work” at some level to raise testosterone (either total or free). Despite the extensive use of these supps, however, there’s virtually no decent, independent user documentation. I see positive anecdotal “reviews” posted all the time, but they’re all depressingly similar…the user takes the supp, experiences an increase in libido/morning wood and/or strength, and assumes his test is jacked. Well, maybe…maybe not. For starters, there are other mechanisms that can enhance libido that aren’t dependent on testosterone. And as for strength – well, it’s rare that users take a product in isolation, or don’t change other factors (diet/workout) as well, so let’s just say these assessments are less than objective.
So here’s the deal…I’m doing my own “test” test. I’ve got a willing victim and a product in hand. The “lab rat” is my husband John – who just took his baseline blood test this morning. John’s 51, healthy and works out regularly, although he just recently discovered the joys of lifting heavy (thanks to his “trainer” – who happens to be yours truly). I’ll be curious to see the results of this morning’s test: his libido and “capacity” are certainly in pretty good shape (I can vouch for this), although he does have some torso flab (midsection and pecs) that’s been somewhat hard to shift; and strength increases are slow (steady, but nonetheless slow).
In other words, he’s a perfect “regular guy” guinea pig. Changes in body comp, strength and/or libido will be easy to track.
The supplement? iSatori’s IsaTest. iSatori is a reputable company, so IsaTest should be a good stand-in for most products of this kind. In addition, I was able to get it for free (h/t to Paul and iSatori’s CEO, Stephen Adele). Blood tests aren’t cheap, so every little bit helps.
Will this be a definitive test? Of course not: it’s a single, n = 1 data point. On the other hand, it will be more – and better – information than I’ve been able to gather so far. John’s doing the “Male Panel” test from the Life Extension Foundation, so we’ll have detailed before and after data to work with. He’s not using any other performance or test-boosting supps, and won’t throughout the duration of the test. We’ll also be keeping diet, workout and body comp records, along with other “subjective” observations…all of which will be “Live Blogged” here as they occur!
So stay tuned…
