So, D-aspartic acid benefits testosterone production… but how does D-aspartic acid do this?
Or are we just going to take everyone’s word on everything here on the internet??
For the most part, D-aspartic acid doesn’t directly stimulate testosterone production but instead does so through the Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Gonad (HPG) Axis.
Here’s a play-by-play of D-aspartic acid's testosterone-boosting bio-activities:[1,2]
- DAA stimulates the hypothalamus to release:
- GnRH, which in turn triggers the pituitary gland to secrete:
- LH and FSH, which respectively encourage the production of testosterone and increased sperm count for an all-around boost on male sex hormone status.
Working from top (the brain) to bottom (the testes), D-aspartic acid has a more regulatory role in testosterone synthesis, as opposed to outright boosting testosterone levels.
As a result, D-aspartic acid is a relatively safer and healthier option, especially when consumed as D-aspartic acid calcium chelate (D-AA-CC) in minimally effective dosages.
But, even so, whether in D-aspartic acid or D-AA-CC form, does the fact these this testosterone booster naturally boosts levels of testosterone mean it’s a safe testosterone booster? Are there any potential downsides or side effects to taking D-aspartic acid for increasing levels of testosterone?
In this article, we’ll cover all the Pros and Cons of taking D-aspartic acid, as well as proper usage guidelines to taking the amino acid D-aspartic acid.
First, let’s start with the positives (i.e., the benefits) before tackling the negatives (i.e., the side effects). Which are, frankly, unlikely, considering that the amino acid D-aspartic acid is one of the safer natural testosterone boosters currently available.
D-Aspartic Acid Benefits (for Testosterone and More)
Primarily taken for testosterone boosting purposes, D-aspartic acid's testosterone boosting properties are fairly well-understood: the amino acid DAA stimulates GnRH to trigger the pituitary secretion of FSH and LH, which increases levels of testosterone and testosterone secretion.
However, the benefits of increased testosterone levels and secretion, as well as increased pituitary gland activity, are much broader than what many might expect.
With that in mind, the male health effects of D-aspartic acid supplementation include:[3,4]
- Anabolic Muscle Mass and Strength Gains: as the primary muscle building growth hormone, testosterone plays a key role in muscle mass growth and development, making “natural testosterone boosting” of obvious interest to athletes and bodybuilders who partake in resistance training.
- Sperm Quality and Sperm Count: whereas LH stimulation encourages testosterone gains, D-aspartic acid's effects on FSH may help improve sperm quality measures, such as sperm count, sperm morphology, sperm motility, and semen volume.
- Cognitive Health and Performance: animal research suggests that, in addition to promoting testosterone levels and improving sperm count, D-aspartic acid also seems to play a key role in neuronal development, assisting in the modulation of learning and memory.
Altogether, the combined benefits of D-aspartic acid seem to amount to improved muscular performance, male fertility, and cognitive health.
DAA vs. D-AA-CC: Which is Better?
Typically the preferred form of the amino acid D-aspartic acid, D-Aspartic Acid Calcium Chelate (D-AA-CC) works similar to standard DAA, except that D-AA-CC comes bound to calcium chelate for improved absorption and overall bioavailability.
The increase in bioavailability allows D-AA-CC to work better in small dosages. Reducing the gastric side effects associated with D-aspartic acid while also lowering the risk of other side effects associated with high amounts of the amino acid D-aspartic acid.
How to Take the Amino Acid D-Aspartic Acid?
How you take the amino acid D-aspartic acid depend on the D-aspartic acid supplements.
High dosages of D-aspartic acid require less frequent servings, often with a cycling requirement, whereas more moderate doses of D-aspartic acid (especially D-AA-CC) may be safely taken more frequently.
For point of reference, here’s the “Suggested Use” directions for Testo Lab Pro®:
Take 4 NutriCaps® daily, preferably 2 in the morning and 2 in the afternoon/evening. For best results, Testo Lab Pro® should be taken consistently, as part of an overall fitness regimen including strength and resistance training and cardiovascular exercise.
These activities work in conjunction with Testo Lab Pro® to raise testosterone levels higher than with supplementing alone.
Take note that though many standard D-aspartic acid dietary supplements recommend cycling the amino acid D-aspartic acid 2-3 weeks “on” and 1-2 weeks “off,” Testo Lab Pro®’s minimally effective dosage of D-AA-CC requires no cycling and may be safely used daily for long-term male health and fitness enhancement.
Optimal D-Aspartic Acid Dosage for Testosterone Levels
Aspartic acid supplements ordinarily range anywhere from 1,000mg to 5,000mg dosages daily, often with requirements of splitting up the daily dosage into several smaller servings for greater dosage distribution and absorption throughout the day.
With D-AA-CC, the dosage requirement is smaller.
- 600mg D-AA-CC daily is an effective dosage for safely and sustainably maintaining healthy testosterone levels with minimal risk of side effect.
Research has found safe administration at 3,000mg, though 6,000mg D-aspartic acid has been associated with lower T production.[5] But for D-AA-CC, the 600mg daily dosage is sufficient for safely boosting T.
Does D-Aspartic Acid Have Any Side Effects?
By stimulating the HPG axis, the amino acid D-aspartic acid encourages greater production of FSH, LH, and testosterone.
For this reason, it's a much healthier method of testosterone boosting than that of, say, anabolic steroids, which simply flush the body with an inordinately high degree of synthetic testosterone activity.
As such, it’s rare for DAA to oversteer into “side effect” territory.
Even so, as with most dietary supplements, natural or otherwise, taking excessive amounts of D-aspartic acid may pose certain adverse side effect risks.
Some of the more commonly reported DAA side effects include:
- Irritability and mood swings
- DHT-influenced hair loss and acne
- Estrogen-influenced gynecomastia and impaired libido
Granted, many of these side effects are rare and may be easily mitigated by pairing D-aspartic acid with natural aromatase-blockers (estrogen blockers) and DHT-regulators (5-alpha reductase blockers).
However, it’s important to note that DHT is also an important male sex hormone, so refer to a physician before supplementing the amino acid D-aspartic acid, if DHT count is a health concern on your radar.
Either way, a smart booster of testosterone levels booster, such as Testo Lab Pro® formula, will have already done the work for you to ensure that you acquire the male health benefits of D-aspartic acid without the side effect risks.
Final Word on the Testosterone Benefits and Side Effects of D-Aspartic Acid
Because taking D-aspartic acid supplements seems to boost sex hormone levels across the board, it’s important to stack this key male enhancer with complementary hormone regulating dietary supplements. Such as luteolin (aromatase blocker) and ashwagandha extract (herbal adaptogen).
By pairing D-aspartic acid, as advanced D-AA-CC form, with other complementary natural testosterone boosters, Testo Lab Pro® maximizes the male health-boosting benefits of DAA while minimizing the amino acid's potential downsides.
And with an all-natural, plant-based formula delivered in plant-based, prebiotic-infused NutriCaps® capsules, Testo Lab Pro® is also the safest and most effective natural, legal testosterone booster for men of all dietary lifestyles, particularly those who partake in resistance training.
References
- Roshanzamir F, Safavi SM. The putative effects of D-Aspartic acid on blood testosterone levels: A systematic review. Int J Reprod Biomed. 2017 Jan; 15(1): 1-10.
- Plant TM. The hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis. J Endocrinol. 2015 Aug; 226(2): T41-T54.
- Topo E et al. Evidence for the involvement of D-aspartic acid in learning and memory of rat. Amino Acids. 2010 May; 38(5): 1561-9.
- D’Aniello et al. D-Aspartate, a Key Element for the Improvement of Sperm Quality. Advances in Sexual Medicine. 2012; 2(4): 45-53.
- Melville GW et al. Three and six grams supplementation of d-aspartic acid in resistance trained men. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2015 Apr 1; 12: 15.