Cellucor is well known for making some quality bodybuilding / sports supplements, and their P6 Extreme testosterone enhancer is no exception. Many users have used Cellucor P6 Extreme and reported excellent results such as increase strength and muscle, more energy, and enhanced libido. Cellucor claims that "P 6 Extreme is the most androgenic and anabolic testosterone booster ever created." Of course, this is simply a marketing tactic and there's no real proof to backup their statement. Regardless, I can certainly say that P6 Extreme is definitely one of the better testosterone enhancers on the market, but it certainly comes a hefty price premium compared to some other products.
Cellucor P6 was designed to help increase testosterone levels, and contains various key ingredients to help block estrogen, increase levels of free testosterone, and reduce levels of DHT to minimize the likely-hood of hair loss. Users can typically expect increase in strength and muscle gains. Share your review of Cellucor P6 Extreme here.
According to Cellucor the Ovine Placental Powder increases luteinizing hormone (LH), and activates Leydig cell steroidogenesis. LH is known to stimulate testosterone synthesis in Leydig cells. [1] Leydig cells are found adjacent to the seminiferous tubules in the testicle, and in the presence of LH, they produce testosterone. They secrete testosterone, androstenedione, and DHEA when stimulated by lutenizing hormone. [2] So, by increasing lutenizing hormone, Ovine Placental Powder works to help increase testosterone.
Tribulus Terrestris is another ingredient in Cellucor P6 Extreme that helps to increase testosterone levels by increasing LH levels. Tribulus has been studied extensively, and there are contradicting study results regarding its benefits for increasing LH and testosterone. Various studies on rats have demonstrated that tribulus increased testosterone and sexual activity [3, 4], while other studies found that tribulus had no effect on muscle strength, body composition, exercise performance in human subjects [5, 6]. From personal experience, and based on user reviews of various tribulus based supplements, I would have to say that tribulus works, but not for everyone. Enough users have submitted positive reviews to show that tribulus based supplements do work.
β-Sitosterol is one of several phytosterols (plant sterols) that is similar to cholesterol. β-Sitosterol is known to help reduce blood levels of cholesterol, and it also inhibits cholesterol absorption in the intestine. [7] Beta-sitosterol also inhibits 5-alpha reductase, and decreases the conversion of androgens into DHT. Androgenetic alopecia is one of the most common forms of hair loss in both men and women. One key contributing factor to hair loss problems is conversion of testosterone into DHT (dihydrotestosterone) through an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase or "5AR". Studies have found that beta-sitosterol is an effective 5AR inhibitor. In one study, males between the age of 23 and 64 participated on testing botanically derived 5AR inhibitors such as β-Sitosterol. The study found that the subjects had highly positive response to the treatment where 60% of the subjects had shown improvements. [8]
Cimicifuga Racemosa is also known as black cohosh, you can read more about black cohosh here.
Agaricus Bisporus is more commonly known as the white mushroom, or button mushroom, and it is one of the most widely consumed mushrooms around the world. White mushrooms contains an aromatase inhibitor that helps to suppress aromatase activity and estrogen biosynthesis. White mushrooms are also a potential breast cancer chemopreventive agent. [9] Other studies have found similar results where white button mushroom suppressed aromatase activity, suggesting that diets high in mushrooms may modulate aromatase activity by reducing the production of estrogen. [10] As you can see, the Agaricus Bisporus ingredient in Cellucor P 6 Extreme helps inhibit aromatase activity.
Eurycoma Longifolia (Tongkat Ali) - Tongkat ali, latin name Eurycoma longifolia, is a root that grows
in the rainforests of Southeast Asia. It has been reported that Eurycoma longifolia Jack has gained notoriety as a symbol of man's ego and strength by the Malaysian men because it increases male virility and sexual prowess during sexual activities. Similar to Tribulus, the
herb works by affecting the lutenizing hormones in the body, which
signal testosterone production. Various studies in rats have shown Tongkat Ali to increase sex drive and libido.
Effects of Eurycoma longifolia jack on laevator ani muscle in both uncastrated and testosterone-stimulated castrated intact male rats. Ang HH, Cheang HS.
School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University Science Malaysia, Minden, 11800, Penang, Malaysia. hhang@usm.my
200, 400, and 800 mg/kg of tongkat ali were studied on both uncastrated and castrated male rats for a 12 week period. This study found that 800mg/kg dose significantly increased the leavator ani muscle (broad, thin muscle on side of pelvis) compared to the control groups. The pro-androgenic effect as shown by this study further supported the traditional use of this plant as an aphrodisiac. [11]
3,4-Divanillyltetrahydrofuran (Stinging Nettle Extract) is typically used by bodybuilders and physique athletes to increase free testosterone by inhibiting sex-hormone binding globulin (SHBG). SHBG is a glycoprotein which binds to testosterone and estradiol. Only a small fraction is unbound, or otherwise known as "free" testosterone. These are biologically active, and because of their small molecular size, they can enter a cell. Studies have also found 3,4-Divanillyltetrahydrofuran to have outstandingly high binding affinity to SHBG. [12] So by inhibiting SHBG, 3,4-Divanillyltetrahydrofuran helps to increase your total amount of free testosterone.
While I can't say that P6 Extreme is the most androgenic and anabolic testosterone booster ever created as Cellucor claims, I can certainly say that P6 Extreme is definitely one of the better testosterone enhancing supplements. All the ingredients contained in this supplement are selected to enhance testosterone production, inhibit aromatase activity, reduce conversion of testosterone to DHT, and increase total amount of free testosterone in your system. There aren't any fillers or useless ingredients.
The results of using Cellucor P6 Extreme were quite good as well. Most of my lifts were up in the range of 5 to 10lbs with noticeable gains in strength and some muscle definition. There was also an increase in energy, endurance, workout intensity and focus, and also a big increase in libido as well. As far as P6 Extreme side effects go, I did not notice any, but perhaps a slight increase in irritability.
My verdict on this is that Cellucor P6 Extreme is one helluva testosterone booster. In terms of effectiveness, it gets two big thumbs up; however, P6 Extreme is also one helluva expensive supplement! Two big thumbs down on price. A 120 cap bottle costs $120! Ouch... If cost is an issue for you, then perhaps other less expensive alternatives such as MHP T-Bomb II or Isatori Isa-Test would be good choices. If you can handle the steep costs, and are looking for one of the best testosterone boosters, Cellucor P6 Extreme would be an optimal choice.
1.
Leydig Cell Steroidogenesis: Unmasking the Functional Importance of
Mitochondria
Syed G. Haider
Endocrinology 2007 148: 2581-2582, doi: 10.1210/en.2007-0330
3. The hormonal effects of Tribulus terrestris and its role in the management of male erectile dysfunction - an evaluation using primates, rabbit and rat.
Gauthaman K, Ganesan AP.
4. Aphrodisiac properties of Tribulus Terrestris extract (Protodioscin) in normal and castrated rats.
Gauthaman K, Adaikan PG, Prasad RN.
5. The effect of five weeks of Tribulus terrestris supplementation on muscle strength and body composition during preseason training in elite rugby league players.
Rogerson S, Riches CJ, Jennings C, Weatherby RP, Meir RA, Marshall-Gradisnik SM.
6. The effects of Tribulus terrestris on body composition and exercise performance in resistance-trained males.Antonio J, Uelmen J, Rodriguez R, Earnest C.
7. Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beta-sitosterol
8. J Altern Complement Med. 2002 Apr;8(2):143-52.
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to determine the effectiveness of botanically derived inhibitors of 5-alpha-reductase in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia.
Prager N, Bickett K, French N, Marcovici G.
9. Cancer Res. 2006 Dec 15;66(24):12026-34.
Anti-aromatase activity of phytochemicals in white button mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus).
Chen S, Oh SR, Phung S, Hur G, Ye JJ, Kwok SL, Shrode GE, Belury M, Adams LS, Williams D.
10. J Nutr. 2001 Dec;131(12):3288-93.
White button mushroom phytochemicals inhibit aromatase activity and breast cancer cell proliferation.
Grube BJ, Eng ET, Kao YC, Kwon A, Chen S.
11. Arch Pharm Res. 2001 Oct;24(5):437-40
Effects of Eurycoma longifolia jack on laevator ani muscle in both uncastrated and testosterone-stimulated castrated intact male rats.
12. Planta Med. 1997 Dec;63(6):529-32.
Lignans from the roots of Urtica dioica and their metabolites bind to human sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG).
Schöttner M, Gansser D, Spiteller G.
