Nugenix

Testosterone is the most important sex hormone in men. It’s used to stimulate muscle growth, regulate semen production and libido, and regulate everything from bone mass to immune function. 

Testosterone levels usually peak around age 18 or 19, and gradually start to decline every year after that. 

In today’s world of poor diet, high stress, and exposure to various hormone-mimicking chemicals — testosterone levels are lower than ever. 

This has many men seeking natural testosterone boosters to help them achieve optimal testosterone balance and maintain it well into middle and old age. 

Nugenix is leading the way in natural male performance enhancers and testosterone boosters. Here, we’ll break down the whole Nugenix product lineup — highlighting how each supplement works and covering some of the research associated with Nugenix products. 

Let’s start at the top. 

What is Nugenix?

Nugenix is a product line made by Direct Digital LLC.

In total, there are 15 individual products sold under the Nugenix label — each made with brand-name plant extracts such as Testofen®, KSM-66®, BioPerine®, CapsiMax®, Morosil®, and more. The company also uses a variety of brand-name nutritional products such as ZMA®, L-OptiZinc®, CarniPure®, and others. 

The entire Nugenix lineup is optimized for use in men, but there are a few products that can benefit women as well. There are several testosterone-boosting formulas ranging from simple plant extracts like Tribulus or Maca, all the way to the Nugenix Max, which contains a dozen high-grade brand-name standardized plant extracts and nutritional formulas designed to enhance androgen production.

If you’re looking for a supplement to enhance male sexual function, athletic ability, and overall health with a natural twist — the Nugenix product line likely has something for you. 

This brand is well-known in North America, sold in big box pharmacies like CVS, GNC, The Vitamine Shoppe, Walgreens, and online marketplaces, including Amazon.

Boost Testosterone With Nugenix

Nugenix carries many different health supplements (we’ll cover each on in more detail in the next section). Most of the Nugenix products are focused on enhancing androgen levels. 

There are no studies specifically investigating the effects of Nugenix products for boosting testosterone — however, there are a lot of individual studies on the active ingredients used in these formulas. 

There are three tiers of testosterone-enhancement supplements in the Nugenix lineup, depending on the price:

Tier 1: Nugenix Max ($$$)

The most powerful formula is the Nugenix Max — which has an impressive blend of brand-name plant extracts such as Testofen®, PrimaVie®, BioPerine®, and KSM-66®. This formula also includes a variety of other herbal extracts and nutritional ingredients formulated to support androgen production and male reproductive function. 

Tier 2: Nugenix Ultimate ($$)

The Nugenix Ultimate is the mid-tier testosterone enhancer. It doesn’t contain as many expensive brand name ingredients as Nugenix Maxx but offers more than the Total-T or Free Testosterone Booster. 

This is a great all-around male performance enhancement supplement for men of all ages. 

Tier 3: Nugenix Total-T & Free Testosterone Booster ($)

Two of the most popular Nugenix products are the Total-T and Free Testosterone Booster formulas. 

These products offer a good balance of cost to effectiveness and provide reliable results for most applications. 

The Total-T supplement is better for people with the primary goal of enhancing testosterone levels to aid athletic performance. The Free Testosterone Booster supplement is better for people using the supplement purely to maintain or improve overall testosterone levels — though both formulas are very similar. 

Tier 4: Nugenix Essentials ($)

You can also order some of the individual ingredients used in Nugenix formulas. 

The main testosterone-boosting Nugenix Essentials is Tribulus terrestris extract, but you can also order maca, pine bark, and horny goat weed extracts in this lineup. 

These extracts are very affordable and are a great entry-level or add-on supplement for supporting male fertility and sexual function. 

What Does Nugenix Sell?

There are 15 different products to choose from under the Nugenix label; let’s cover each one in greater detail.

1. Nugenix Total-T

This is the most popular product offered by Nugenix. It’s a nutritional supplement formulated to support optimal production of testosterone and related androgens. It’s designed to support men of all ages to reach their optimal potential. 

Younger men use this supplement to help with male performance, strength, and athletic ability. Older men use it to slow the natural decline of testosterone levels over time. 

Herbal ingredients such as eurycoma and fenugreek stimulate testosterone production in the testes. Other ingredients, such as vitamins B6 and B12, zinc, and boron then provide the nutritional cofactors the body needs to manufacture testosterone.

Ingredients:

• Vitamin B6
• Vitamin B12
• Zinc
• L-Citrulline Malate (2:1)
• Testofen® (Fenugreek Seed Extract)
• elevATP® Blend (Ancient Peat Extract and Apple Fruit Extract)
• Eurycoma longifolia Extract (root)
• Boron

2. Nugenix Free Testosterone Booster

This supplement is very similar to the Total-T product but includes the herbal extract of tribulus, rather than eurycoma. It also lacks added boron and elevATP® blend.

This supplement is optimized to promote free testosterone levels, rather than “total” testosterone. 

There’s a lot of testosterone in the blood, but most of it is bound to proteins like SHBG (sex hormone-binding globulin) and albumin. It’s the free testosterone that remains unbound to these proteins that provide most of the benefits of testosterone. 

Total testosterone refers to both the bound testosterone and the free testosterone.

This supplement is designed to promote higher levels of active-free testosterone. This effect is largely due to the addition of the plant extract of tribulus — a popular supplement for increasing free testosterone levels in men. 

Ingredients:

• Vitamin B6
• Vitamin B12
• Zinc
• L-Citrulline malate
• Testofen® (Fenugreek Seed Extract)
• Tribulus seed extract

3. Nugenix Estro-Regulator

The Nugenix Estro-Regulator is formulated to promote optimal balance of estrogen in both men and women. 

The primary active ingredient, DIM works in two main ways — it reduces the amount of testosterone that converts to estrogen, and it promotes the conversion of “bad estrogen” (estrone), into “good estrogen” (estriol). 

This is helpful among men for further optimizing testosterone levels. Nugenix recommends taking this supplement on top of the Nugenix Free Testosterone Booster to maximize the effects of both supplements. 

Women can use the Estro-Regulator too. DIM and other ingredients in this formula (chrysin, and polygonum) help reduce the impact of estrogen dominance. 

Ingredients:

• Vitamin E
• Chrysin
• Polygonum cuspidatum Extract
• Diindolylmethane (DIM)

4. Nugenix PM-ZMA

The active ingredient in this product is ZMA® — a proprietary blend consisting of zinc, magnesium, and vitamin B6. It’s designed to support testosterone production and boost free (unbound) testosterone levels with the help of the botanical extract of Tribulus terrestris. 

This formula is designed for use at nighttime. It contains melatonin, which is the primary sleep-regulating hormone produced by the human brain. Melatonin works in opposition with cortisol to regulate the sleeping portion of the sleep-wake cycle. 

Ingredients:

• ZMA® (zinc, magnesium, Vitamin B6)
• Tribulus terrestris extract
• Melatonin

5. Nugenix Ultimate

The Nugenix Ultimate is a premium testosterone-boosting supplement, but not a top-tier product offered by the company — which goes to the Nugenix Maxx supplement (also double the price). 

This nutritional supplement contains a variety of herbs and nutrients designed to boost testosterone production and slow the breakdown of androgens. 

Ingredients:

• D-Aspartic Acid
• Fenugreek Seed Extract (Source of Saponins)
• Epimedium Extract (Source of Icariins)
• Stinging Nettle Root Extract
• Maca Root Extract
• Eurycoma longifolia Seed Extract
• Mucuna pruriens Extract (Source of L-Dopa)
• Albion® (Boron)

6. Nugenix Multivitamin

This multivitamin is designed to be used with other Nugenix products to provide all the essential nutrients a man needs to achieve optimal health. 

This formula is specifically designed for men with ingredients like boron for testosterone production, and Spectra™ to optimize nitric oxide production for male sexual enhancement. 

There are over 15 separate ingredients in this multivitamin — offering an impressive diversity of trace minerals, herbal extracts, and vitamins. 

Unfortunately, with so many ingredients and only two capsules as the recommended dose, these multivitamins fall short on a lot of the herbal additives and vitamins and minerals that require larger doses. With so many ingredients in the formula, many of these additives aren’t offered 

Ingredients:

• Vitamins A, C, D, & E
• Vitamin B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, & B12
• Biotin
• Choline bitartrate
• Trace Minerals; Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc (L-OptiZinc®), Selenium, Copper, Manganese, Chromium, Molybdenum, Potassium, Boron
• Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)
• L-Theanine
• Rhodiola rosea
• Spectra®
• BCAA Blend (Leucine, Valine, & Isoleucine)
• Grape Seed Extract
• Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens)
• Alpha Lipoic Acid
• Maca Root Extract
• Tribulus terrestris Extract
• Lycopene

7. Nugenix Maxx

This is the top-tier testosterone booster offered in the Nugenix product lineup. It contains over a dozen ingredients clinically proven to boost testosterone production in men. Many of these ingredients are standardized, brand-name plant extracts — such as Testofen®, KSM-66®, PrimaVie®, and L-OptiZinc. 

This is a premier testosterone-enhancement supplement with some of the best natural testosterone boosters available today. 

Ingredients:

• Vitamin D
• L-OptiZinc® (Zinc)
• Testofen® (Fenugreek Seed Extract)
• KSM-66® (Ashwagandha Extract)
• PrimaVie® (Shilajit Purified Extract)
• Eurycoma longifolia Extract
• Rhodiola rosea Root Extract
• Maca Root Extract (Lepidium meyenii)
• Asian Ginseng Extract (Panax ginseng)
• Black Ginger Extract (Kaempferia parviflora)
• White Button Mushroom Extract
• BioPerine® (Black Pepper Extract)

8. Nugenix Cellular Energy

This formula is designed to promote long-lasting energy. The primary active ingredient is a brand nutraceutical called elevATP®. It’s designed to support the conversion of glucose and proteins into ATP — which acts as the body’s energy currency. 

This product also contains a brand-name caffeine extract (ZümXR®) and green tea extract to stimulate the central nervous system and increase the rate of energy production in the cells. 

This supplement is reported to enhance energy levels for around 5 hours. 

Ingredients:

• CarniPure® (L-Carnitine L-Tartrate)
• elevATP® (Ancient peat extract and apple fruit extract)
• Green Tea Extract
• ZümXR® Extended Release Caffeine
• L-Tyrosine

9. Nugenix Sexual Vitality Booster

This formula is formulated to improve libido and increase nitric oxide levels to support erectile function. 

This blend consists of several brand-name plant extracts proven to improve male fertility and sexual function. 

This is a great formula for men looking to step up their game in the bedroom who prefer to use products made from natural ingredients — rather than prescription medications. 

Ingredients:

• Nitrosigine® (Potassium)
• Nitrosigine® (Arginine Silicate Inositol)
• Beet Root Extract (Beta vulgaris)
• Maca Root Extract
• Asian Ginseng Extract (Panax ginseng)
• Spectra®
• Epimedium spp. Extract
• Black Ginger Root Extract (Kaempferia parviflora)

10. Nugenix Essentials Tribulus

Tribulus terrestris is an arid plant species known for its ability to boost male androgen production, including free testosterone levels. 

Tribulus has been used for centuries to promote male fertility and vitality. This extract takes this useful herb to another level by removing the unnecessary and inactive compounds in favor of the active ingredients (saponins). 

This extract is standardized to contain 95% total saponins — which are the primary active ingredients in the herb. 

This product is designed to stack with any of the other products in the Nugeni lineup. 

11. Nugenix GH Boost

GH stands for growth hormone — an important hormone produced by the pituitary gland. 

This hormone is most active during adolescence and plays a role during adulthood to increase muscle mass and reduce body fat. 

This formula is designed to support the production of human growth hormone by providing all the necessary raw materials the brain needs to manufacture this important somatotropin. 

Ingredients:

• Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)
• L-Glutamine
• L-Lysine
• L-Arginine
• L-Ornithine
• Glycine
• Mucuna pruriens (Source of L-Dopa)
• Alpha-GPC

12. Nugenix Essentials Maca

Maca (Lepidium meyenii) is a high-altitude root vegetable from the Andes mountains of South America. 

Maca root has been used for centuries to support male fertility and libido. It works by providing a rich supply of amino acids needed to produce hormones — including testosterone. 

The roots also contain an alkaloid that’s been shown to promote androgen production in men. 

This Nugenix Essentials Maca Root provides a high dose of high-grade, brand-name maca extract (MacaPrime™). 

13. Nugenix Thermo

This supplement is formulated with several brand-name herbal and nutritional extracts designed to promote cell metabolism and weight loss. 

It’s used to reduce fat, increase energy levels during a workout, and promote optimal fat composition.

Ingredients:

• Morosil® (Sicilian Red Orange Extract)
• Vitamin B3
• Chromax® (Chromium)
• Caffeine
• Capsimax® (Cayenne Extract)
• Coleus forskohlii Extract
• Green Coffee Extract
• CoffeeBerry® (Whole Coffee Fruit Extract)
• Ginger Extract (Zingiber officinalis)
• Guarana extract (Paullinia cupana)
• Green Tea Extract
• CarniPure® (L-Carnitine L-Tartrate)

14. Nugenix Essentials Horny Goat Weed

Horny goat weed (Epimedium spp.) is a plant species with well-known aphrodisiac and sexual performance enhancement benefits — especially in men. 

The leaves of the horny goat weed plant contain a compound called icariin — which is a powerful vasodilator acting on the corpora cavernosa in the penis. As these arteries relax, blood flows more readily into the erectile tissue of the penis — promoting more robust and long-lasting erection. 

This high-grade horny goat weed extract is standardized to contain 40% icariin by weight. 

15. Eugenics Essentials Pine Bark

Pine bark is rich in antioxidants such as proanthocyanidins that protect the central nervous system, cardiovascular system, and lungs from free radical damage. It’s been used for thousands of years as both a food and medicine. 

This plant extract is a great addition to stack with other Nugenix products, or other health supplements as a source of longevity-promoting antioxidants.

Nugenix Product Research

Nugenix products have not been directly tested in clinical trials — however, many of the ingredients are standardized, branded extracts that have been thoroughly tested by medical researchers. 

1. BioPerine®

BioPerine is an extract of black pepper. This preparation is standardized to contain 95% piperine — the active ingredient in the herb for improving absorption. 

BioPerine has a very mild spicy flavor and works to improve the absorption of other ingredients in the formula. 

Studies have shown that BioPerine can increase the serum levels of various supplements by increasing bioavailability. 

Here are the results of recent testing on BioPerine with other supplemental nutrients: 

• Beta carotene absorption increased by nearly double [2]
• CoQ10 absorption increased by 30% [3]
• Curcumin absorption increased by 2000% [4]
• Resveratrol absorption increased by 1544% [5]

2. CapsiMax®

CapsiMax is a standardized extract of cayenne peppers. It’s made with a group of compounds referred to as the capsaicinoids. These compounds are responsible for producing the characteristic spicy flavor of peppers and offer metabolic effects as well. 

In a recent study exploring the metabolic changes induced by CapsiMax found that just 100 mg (2 mg capsaicinoids) was able to increase concentrations of free fatty acids and glycerol in the bloodstream [6]. These metrics serve as a marker for fatty acid metabolism, suggesting that CapsiMax could help stimulate the breakdown of fat.

3. CarniPure®

CarniPure is a brand name L-Carnitine supplement made by the Swiss company Lonza. 

L-Carnitine plays a key role in energy metabolism by functioning as an important transport molecule in our cells’ mitochondria. 

There are many proven applications of L-Carnitine, including:

• Sports performance and recovery [7]
• Weight management [8]
• Energy production [9]
• Nutrition (infants & adults) [10]
• Healthy pregnancy [11]
• Male fertility [12]

4. KSM-66®

KSM-66 is a standardized extract of ashwagandha (Withania somniferum) — a medicinal plant species in the tomato family. 

Ashwagandha has many benefits on the central nervous, endocrine, and reproductive systems. 

This standardized extract contains 5% withanolides — which is the active ingredient in the herb. Most ashwagandha extracts contain somewhere between 1 and 3% withanolide content by weight. 

There have been over 20 clinical trials specifically involving KSM-66. Here are some of the findings: 

• Improves anxiety scores and self-reported quality of life [13]
• Increases sperm cell count and improves male fertility [14]
• Boosts cardiorespiratory performance [15]
• Increases muscle mass and strength [16]
• Boosts cognitive function and memory [17]

5. L-OptiZinc®

L-OptiZinc is a combination of zinc with the amino acid L-methionine. This product is also owned by the Seiss company Lonza. 

This zinc and L-methionine combination has better absorption compared to conventional zinc supplements (24% higher than zinc oxide), and a higher concentration of elemental zinc per gram (20% zinc by weight). 

6. Morosil®

Morosil is a standardized extract of moro red oranges. It provides a rich supply of anthocyanidins, flavonoids, hydroxycinnamic acids, and ascorbic acid. 

This supplement is primarily used to promote fat oxidation and metabolism. It’s popular for weight loss and athletic performance enhancement. 

A recent study gave 60 volunteers 400 mg of Morosil per day or an inactive placebo control. The study results showed a dramatic improvement in body weight, BMI, hip, and waist circumference in the treatment group [18]. 

6. Testofen®

Testofen® is a standardized extract of fennel seed (Trigonella foenum-graecum). This preparation is made to provide 50% of the active ingredient — fenuside. 

A clinical trial published in 2015 involving 120 healthy middle-aged men investigated the effects of Testofen on androgen levels. Researchers in this study concluded that Testofen was both safe, and effective for reducing symptoms of potential androgen deficiencies and increasing serum testosterone levels in men [1]. 

7. ZMA®

ZMA stands for zinc, magnesium, and aspartate. It’s a patented supplement made with zinc (from L-OptiZinc®), magnesium, and vitamin B6. This product is also owned by the Swiss nutritional company Lonza. 

ZMA is mainly used as a way to boost zinc levels in the blood, and improve testosterone levels in men. 

Studies on the effects of ZMA and testosterone are inconclusive. The manufacturer claims the supplement can boost testosterone levels by 43% — yet all of the recent research on these effects noted no direct increase in testosterone levels. 

Can Women Use Nugenix?

Most of the products in the Nugenix lineup is optimized for men — however, women can benefit from these supplements as well. 

While many of the ingredients in these supplements are used to boost testosterone levels, they all work by supporting nutritional pathways or offering regulatory effects on sex hormone production. Therefore, it’s unlikely any of these supplements will cause any significant problems of increased testosterone production in women. 

Many of the ingredients in these supplements offer broad benefits to hormone levels in both men and women. For example, Tribulus has been shown to improve libido and reproductive health in women [19]. 

Other supplements, such as Cellular Energy, PM-ZMA, and Pine Bark, are all simple nutritional products that can be used in men and women alike. 

The estro-regulator is also an excellent product for women experiencing estrogen-dominance symptoms. The active ingredient, DIM, is a popular health supplement for women’s health. 

Where to Buy Nugenix in 2023

Nugenix is a large multinational company. You can order Nugenix products online and have them shipped just about anywhere in the world. None of these products contain ingredients that have been banned in the United States, Europe, Australia, or Asia. 

You can order Nugenix products directly from the company’s website or third-party providers like Amazon, GNC, CVS, Vitamine Shoppe, Walmart, and more. 

Because of how many large retailers sell Nugenix products, the price is very stable and competitive. You can pretty much expect to pay the same amount for Nugenix products no matter where you buy them. 

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References

1. Rao, A., Steels, E., Inder, W. J., Abraham, S., & Vitetta, L. (2016). Testofen, a specialised Trigonella foenum-graecum seed extract reduces age-related symptoms of androgen decrease, increases testosterone levels and improves sexual function in healthy aging males in a double-blind randomised clinical study. The Aging Male, 19(2), 134-142.
2. Badmaev, V., Majeed, M., & Norkus, E. P. (1999). Piperine, an alkaloid derived from black pepper increases serum response of beta-carotene during 14-days of oral beta-carotene supplementation. Nutrition Research, 19(3), 381-388.
3. Badmaev, V., Majeed, M., & Prakash, L. (2000). Piperine derived from black pepper increases the plasma levels of coenzyme Q10 following oral supplementation. The journal of nutritional biochemistry, 11(2), 109-113.
4. Shoba, G. (1998). Influence of piperine on the pharmacokinetics of curcumin in animals and human volunteers, Planta Medica.
5. Polley, K. R., Jenkins, N., O’Connor, P., & McCully, K. (2016). Influence of exercise training with resveratrol supplementation on skeletal muscle mitochondrial capacity. Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism, 41(1), 26-32.
6. Bloomer, R. J., Canale, R. E., Shastri, S., & Suvarnapathki, S. (2010). Effect of oral intake of capsaicinoid beadlets on catecholamine secretion and blood markers of lipolysis in healthy adults: a randomized, placebo controlled, double-blind, cross-over study. Lipids in health and disease, 9(1), 72.
7. Maggini, S., Banziger, K. R., & Walter, P. (2000). L-Carnitine supplementation results in improved recovery after strenuous exercise-A preliminary study. Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism, 44(2), 86-88.
8. Seim, H., Kiess, W., & Richter, T. (2002). Effects of oral L-carnitine supplementation on in vivo long-chain fatty acid oxidation in healthy adults. Metabolism-Clinical and Experimental, 51(11), 1389-1391.
9. Karlic, H., Lohninger, S., Koeck, T., & Lohninger, A. (2002). Dietary l-carnitine stimulates carnitine acyltransferases in the liver of aged rats. Journal of Histochemistry & Cytochemistry, 50(2), 205-212.
10. Vaz, F. M., & Wanders, R. J. (2002). Carnitine biosynthesis in mammals. Biochemical Journal, 361(3), 417-429.
11. Keller, U., Van Der Wal, C., Seliger, G., Scheler, C., Röpke, F., & Eder, K. (2009). Carnitine status of pregnant women: effect of carnitine supplementation and correlation between iron status and plasma carnitine concentration. European journal of clinical nutrition, 63(9), 1098-1105.
12. Zhou, X., Liu, F., & Zhai, S. (2007). Effect of L-carnitine and/or L-acetyl-carnitine in nutrition treatment for male infertility: a systematic review. Asia Pacific journal of clinical nutrition, 16, 383.
13. Chandrasekhar, K., Kapoor, J., & Anishetty, S. (2012). A prospective, randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study of safety and efficacy of a high-concentration full-spectrum extract of ashwagandha root in reducing stress and anxiety in adults. Indian journal of psychological medicine, 34(3), 255.
14. Ambiye, V. R., Langade, D., Dongre, S., Aptikar, P., Kulkarni, M., & Dongre, A. (2013). Clinical evaluation of the spermatogenic activity of the root extract of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) in oligospermic males: a pilot study. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2013.
15. Choudhary, B., Shetty, A., & Langade, D. G. (2015). Efficacy of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera [L.] Dunal) in improving cardiorespiratory endurance in healthy athletic adults. Ayu, 36(1), 63.
16. Wankhede, S., Langade, D., Joshi, K., Sinha, S. R., & Bhattacharyya, S. (2015). Examining the effect of Withania somnifera supplementation on muscle strength and recovery: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 12(1), 43.
17. Choudhary, D., Bhattacharyya, S., & Bose, S. (2017). Efficacy and safety of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal) root extract in improving memory and cognitive functions. Journal of Dietary Supplements, 14(6), 599-612.
18. Kaneko, T., & Shikarawa, T. A. (2018). Study on Supplement Containing Moro (Citrus Sinensis (L.) Osbeck) Orange Extract of a Randomized Placebo-controlled Trial Part 2: Analysis of Efficacy on BMI Reduction. Medical treatment and new medicine, 55(1), 65-9.
19. Akhtari, E., Raisi, F., Keshavarz, M., Hosseini, H., Sohrabvand, F., Bioos, S., … & Ghobadi, A. (2014). Tribulus terrestris for treatment of sexual dysfunction in women: randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study. DARU Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 22(1), 40.