Tongkat Ali: An Overview of Its Health Implications
1. Conditions Studied
Tongkat Ali, scientifically known as Eurycoma longifolia, has been studied for several conditions, including:
- Sexual dysfunction and low libido
- Infertility in men
- Stress and mood disorders
- Athletic performance
- Testosterone deficiency
- Various age-related conditions
2. Efficacy in Treating Conditions
Research on Tongkat Ali has shown mixed results for its effectiveness:
- Some studies suggest it may improve sperm quality and libido in men.
- It may also have adaptogenic effects, helping the body manage stress.
- However, evidence for improving athletic performance or significantly increasing testosterone levels in healthy individuals is inconclusive.
3. Health Benefits
The health benefits attributed to Tongkat Ali include:
- Potential improvement in male reproductive health.
- May enhance mood and reduce the effects of stress.
- Some antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
4. Potential Downsides
While Tongkat Ali is generally considered safe when taken in moderation, there are potential downsides:
- May cause insomnia, irritability, or restlessness in some individuals.
- Overuse can lead to negative effects on the liver.
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women are advised to avoid it due to lack of safety data.
- Interactions with certain medications, such as immunosuppressants or anticoagulants.
5. Genetic Variations and Effects
Currently, there is limited research on the interaction between Tongkat Ali and specific genetic variations. As such:
- It is not definitively known to be either particularly beneficial or harmful for any specific genetic variations.
- Individuals may respond differently to Tongkat Ali based on their unique genetic makeup.
- Further research is needed to establish any clear correlations between genetic variations and the effects of Tongkat Ali.
Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma longifolia) Overview
Tongkat Ali, also known as Eurycoma longifolia Jack, is a Southeast Asian plant with traditional therapeutic benefits such as antimalarial, aphrodisiac, anti-diabetic, antimicrobial, and anti-pyretic properties. It contains bioactive compounds like alkaloids and quassinoids, which contribute to its medicinal efficacy.
Research has shown that Tongkat Ali can significantly improve total testosterone levels in men, especially those with hypogonadism. It might also have a positive effect on erectile function, but further studies are needed to confirm these findings. A study on moderately stressed individuals indicated that Tongkat Ali supplementation resulted in reduced stress hormone levels and improved mood.
However, the quality of online information on Tongkat Ali is generally low, and there is a lack of comprehensive studies to establish a solid scientific basis for the commercial use of Tongkat Ali products. Concerns about potential mercury and lead contamination in some products have been raised, emphasizing the need for stringent quality control.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has raised concerns over the potential genotoxicity of Tongkat Ali root extract, suggesting that its safety has not been firmly established.
Despite these concerns, studies have also looked into Tongkat Ali's potential benefits for male fertility, physical performance in the elderly, and muscle strength in combination with resistance training. Current evidence supports its effectiveness in improving male sexual health, but more research is needed for conclusive results and safe clinical use.
References:
- Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma longifolia Jack): a review on its ethnobotany and pharmacological importance
- How Internet Websites Portray Herbal Vitality Products Containing Eurycoma longifolia Jack: An Evaluation of the Quality and Risks of Online Information
- Eurycoma longifolia (Jack) Improves Serum Total Testosterone in Men: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Trials
- Efficacy of Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma longifolia) on erectile function improvement: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
- Eurycoma Longifolia as a potential adoptogen of male sexual health: a systematic review on clinical studies
- Effect of Tongkat Ali on stress hormones and psychological mood state in moderately stressed subjects
- Determination of mercury by cold vapor atomic absorption spectrophotometer in Tongkat Ali preparations obtained in Malaysia
- Contamination of mercury in tongkat Ali hitam herbal preparations
- Analysis of lead content in herbal preparations in Malaysia
- Review on a Traditional Herbal Medicine, Eurycoma longifolia Jack (Tongkat Ali): Its Traditional Uses, Chemistry, Evidence-Based Pharmacology and Toxicology
- Safety of Eurycoma longifolia (Tongkat Ali) root extract as a novel food pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283
- An evidence-based systematic review of tongkat ali (Eurycoma longifolia) by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration
- Modification of propranolol's bioavailability by Eurycoma longifolia water-based extract
- Eurycomanone, the major quassinoid in Eurycoma longifolia root extract increases spermatogenesis by inhibiting the activity of phosphodiesterase and aromatase in steroidogenesis
- Standardized quassinoid-rich Eurycoma longifolia extract improved spermatogenesis and fertility in male rats via the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis
- Tongkat Ali as a potential herbal supplement for physically active male and female seniors--a pilot study
- Effects of Eurycoma Longifolia Jack Supplementation Combined with Resistance Training on Isokinetic Muscular Strength and Power, Anaerobic Power, and Urinary Testosterone: Epitestosterone Ratio in Young Males
- Exercise associated or not to the intake of Eurycoma longifolia improves strength and cardiorespiratory fitness in men with androgen deficiency
- A 6-month, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial to evaluate the effect of Eurycoma longifolia (Tongkat Ali) and concurrent training on erectile function and testosterone levels in androgen deficiency of aging males (ADAM)
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