Tribulus Terrestris | What Is It & Who Is It For?

Written by Alex Simpson

Tribulus Terrestris

If you’re looking to undo weeks of bulking, you’ll obviously want all of the help you can get — that's where supplementation can play such a vital role. Yes, we know that supplements do not work miracles, and if you are not eating right, or training correctly, you may as well save your money. If however, you are training properly and eating right, a carefully chosen supplement stack could be exactly what you need.

Whether you’re looking to build muscle, get stronger, get leaner, or even work on other aspects of your life, one supplement that should be included in your supplement stack is tribulus terrestris, and it is this supplement we’ll be looking at in more detail right now.

What Is Tribulus Terrestris?

Tribulus terrestris is a small, spiney plant, that's a natural herbal ingredient native to China and other parts of Far Eastern Asia. The roots and fruits of this plant have been used for medicinal purposes for centuries, and it's renowned for having many health and wellness properties – it's particularly linked to male libido.

To this day, this herbal ingredient in supplement form is a firm favourite in many bodybuilding supplement stacks, which is primarily down to the fact that tribulus’ primary function is to serve as a potent testosterone booster.

Who Is Tribulus Terrestris For?

Many bodybuilders and athletes use tribulus terrestris supplements to help increase their testosterone levels naturally, which in turn helps to enhance athletic performance, muscle mass, muscle strength, energy levels, and much more. However, it's not just athletes and physically active individuals that can benefit from this herbal ingredient though, as testosterone is linked to many other important functions in the body, including the stimulating the production of red blood cells.

Therefore individuals dealing with low testosterone levels, and those suffering from sexual health issues such as poor fertility, may reap the benefits too. Whilst men are the main users of this supplement, it can also provide benefits for some women as well.

What Are The Key Benefits Of Tribulus Terrestris?

Now that we know what tribulus terrestris is, and who can benefit the most from using it, let’s take a look at some of the key benefits associated with tribulus supplementation.

It Increases Testosterone

One of the key benefits associated with this natural supplement is the fact that it has been proven to naturally increase testosterone production within the human body. The reason for this is that it contains a natural precursor to testosterone, which is known as protodioscin, which assists with the production of testosterone in the body. It also boosts the production of the luteinising hormone, which also stimulates the production of testosterone.

Testosterone is a sex hormone that plays important roles in the body – for both men and women. In men, it’s responsible many changes during puberty, such as growth spurts, growth of facial and pubic hair, and voice-deepening. It’s also needed for sperm production and is thought to regulate libido. It’s relevance to bodybuilders and athletes however, lies in the fact that testosterone can affect a man’s bone density, fat distribution, muscle mass and muscle strength.

In women, testosterone also contributes to sex drive, and for both sexes it stimulates the body to make new red blood cells.

Generally, testosterone levels in men to gradually decline after the age of 30, which can lead to many experiencing a decreased sex drive, loss of muscle mass and increased body fat. With this in mind, it's easy to see how supplementation can be appealing across the board, whether you're looking to retain a certain physique, or are just interested in staying fit and healthy.

It Can Increase Muscle Mass

Testosterone is a highly anabolic hormone that plays a key role in the growth and repair of muscle tissue in the human body. It increases protein synthesis, which is the process by which the body repairs muscular tissue by adding new protein strands to muscle fibres, increasing their size and strength. By boosting protein synthesis, testosterone can increase both the rate and extent to which muscles adapt to exercise/weight training.

The more testosterone a person produces, generally the more muscular they will be as a result. As tribulus naturally increases testosterone production, individuals using the supplement will find it easier to gain muscle mass, and what’s more, their recovery rates will become quicker too.

So making it part of your training regime can really help to support the effort you put in at the gym.

Take Home Message

Now you’re clued up on the benefits of this powerful natural extract, and know exactly how tribulus supplementation can give your performance a boost, you should be all set to get the most out of your training regime. Why not check out the articles below for more tips on how to improve and get closer to your fitness goals.