D-aspartic acid is one of the most popular testosterone boosters available, with research suggesting it’s effective in boosting testosterone levels, particularly in untrained men.
While D-aspartic acid is a highly recommended staple in any bodybuilders' supplement stack, there is always the question of safety and side effects, especially when hormones are involved!
And rightly so - side effects and safety concerns regarding any supplement should always be considered first and foremost before anything else.
In the article, we discuss D-aspartic acid, its uses, benefits, and side effects, and whether it potentially causes hair loss.
Keep reading to find out all you need to know about D-aspartic acid!
Testosterone: All You Need to Know
Before we get into the uses, benefits, and most importantly, the side effects of D-aspartic acid, it’s first important to familiarize yourself with testosterone!
Testosterone is the king of the male hormones and is involved in sexual development, muscle building, and weight management.
It’s often divided into three different types:
Tightly bound testosterone
This type binds to sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG)
Loosely bound testosterone
This type binds to albumin and circulates around the body when broken
Free testosterone
This is readily available testosterone floating around our body, often converted to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is a potent androgen
The tight and loose bound testosterone is what makes up the bioavailable testosterone in the body, meaning they have the biggest impact on men’s health.
Maintaining healthy testosterone levels is vital for overall men’s health and wellbeing. A man who has abnormally low testosterone levels may experience:
- Low libido
- Reduced body and facial hair
- Loss of muscle mass
- Impotence
- Irritability
There are many diet and lifestyle strategies any man can follow to ensure the maintenance of healthy testosterone levels, such as a balanced diet, an active lifestyle, and an effective training plan.
However, sometimes a supplement may be necessary to help boost testosterone levels, such as D-aspartic acid.
What is D-Aspartic Acid?
D-aspartic acid causes an increase in testosterone synthesis by releasing sex hormones in the brain and triggering an endocrine system chain reaction.
D-aspartic acid, or DAA, is one of the two different forms of aspartic acid. Considering these forms are closely related, they actually each play different roles in the body, with DAA playing the role of regulating testosterone synthesis.
Supplementing with D-aspartic acid is thought to aid male fertility and increase testosterone levels in healthy men, thus being widely known as a testosterone booster and popular among bodybuilders seeking muscle gains.
Some of the noted benefits include:
- Increasing muscle and strength gains
- Improving sperm quality
- Boosting cognitive health
You can also find D-aspartic acid in certain foods such as:
- Soy protein
- Corn
- Casein
- Vegan bacon
Should You Take D-Aspartic Acid?
D-aspartic acid is an effective supplement for most people, particularly men. However, it’s more strongly recommended to supplement with D-aspartic acid if:
- You are a male over the age of 21 and have issues with low testosterone
- You are looking for a natural testosterone booster
- You have low libido
- You suffer from poor muscle recovery
Side Effects of D-Aspartic Acid
When taking high doses of D-aspartic acid, there is a risk of possible side effects such as:
- Irritability and mood swings
- Acne
- Impaired libido
These side effects are more likely to occur upon taking high doses of isolated D-aspartic acid.
They can likely be avoided by sticking to dosage guidelines, consulting a doctor before taking it, and potentially opting for a safer testosterone boosting formula, such as Testo Lab Pro.
D-Aspartic Acid and Hair Loss
Another reported potential side effect of D-aspartic acid is hair loss. This is due to D-aspartic acid potentially affecting metabolites such as dihydrotestosterone (DHT) – which was mentioned earlier as a potent androgen that free testosterone converts to, and estrogen.
This can lead to acne breakouts, hair loss, low libido, prostate complication, and gynaecomastia.
The most obvious way to avoid these potential ill-effects is to follow the instructions on the label of the supplement you’re taking upon consulting a doctor for advice first and avoiding high doses.
You should also avoid taking D-aspartic acid if:
- You are female
- You are under the age of 21
- You currently have high levels of estrogen and/or dihydrotestosterone
- You are suffering from hypothyroidism
D-Aspartic Acid: How Best to Take it
The standard dose of D-aspartic acid is between 2-3g per day, which is the standard dosage used in many studies.
Though, the preferred form of D-aspartic acid is D-aspartic acid calcium chelate (DD-AA-CC). This form is similar in its mechanism but is bound to calcium chelate to improve absorption and bioavailability.
This form of D-aspartic acid would also mean less risk of side effects as it’s typically a lower dose due to the bioavailability.
This form of D-aspartic acid is the one found in Testo Lab Pro, one of the most effective testosterone-boosting formulas on the market.
Testo Lab Pro combines ingredients and nutrients that all work to increase testosterone levels, driving muscle growth, and optimizing training performance and recovery.
This innovative formula doesn’t require a “cycle” approach to supplementation and contains the minimum effective dose of 600mg D-AA-CC to be taken daily.
In conjunction with a healthy diet, active lifestyle, and effective training program, your testosterone levels and overall muscle gains will be fully optimized!
Take-Home Message
D-aspartic acid has been linked to many benefits for boosting testosterone and improving overall men’s health. This supplement is a top pick for bodybuilders and gym-goers alike looking for a boost in their muscle strength and size.
While D-aspartic acid is an effective supplement for doing this, it doesn’t come without potential side effects if dosage advice is neglected.
Hair loss can be a side effect of taking high doses of D-aspartic acid due to the potential effects on certain metabolites. One way to avoid side effects is to opt for a safe, clean, effective formula such as Testo Lab Pro.
