5-Capsule Test Booster with Tesnor

There are thousands of supplement brands out there, and a great many – if not most – formulate by copying other formulas outright. The result is a sea of nearly-identical products doing basically the same things.

MuscleTech is on the opposite end of the spectrum. They pioneer new ingredients, such as paraxanthine, which they use in several products like the EuphoriQ pre-workout.

Even more interestingly, the company has made a name for itself by mixing seemingly disparate functional formulas together – like T boosters and fat burners. They do this in their Alpha Test Thermo products.

Sometimes, though, you need to focus and go all in on one function. That’s what Alpha Test Extreme does.

Alpha Test Extreme: T-Boosting Powerhouse with Tesnor

AlphaTest Thermo burns fat and boosts testosterone, while Alpha Test Thermo XTR with enfinity paraxanthine unlocks next-level results with an even more potent formula! Find your perfect fit for cutting and maximizing gains!

Many products claim to boost testosterone; it is, after all, the major male sex hormone responsible for muscle growth and athletic performance. However, most of them are… wanting… in the evidence department.

This one, however, is different, thanks to a promising test-boosting ingredient named Tesnor. Using ingredients that have a long, storied history of use like fenugreek and ashwagandha alongside the novel combination in Tesnor, Alpha Test Extreme is a great bet if you’re looking to optimize your hormones naturally, and are looking for something different yet clinically-studied.

We’re going to dive into a little summary on how MuscleTech Alpha Test Extreme works, but first, let’s check PricePlow for good MuscleTech deals, and check out our video review of the product

MuscleTech Alpha Test Extreme Ingredients

Each 5 capsule serving of Alpha Test Extreme contains the following ingredients:

Fenugreek Extract (Standardized for 50% saponins) – 600mg

Fenugreek has been demonstrated to increase both total and free testosterone levels, as well as improve testosterone-related traits such as strength, body composition, and sex drive.[1,2]

In a randomized, placebo-controlled study involving 60 healthy males over eight weeks, participants taking fenugreek showed significantly higher levels of free testosterone,[2] which is biologically active and not bound to sex-hormone binding globulin (SHBG).

These findings have been corroborated through various preparations of fenugreek.[3] One mechanism by which fenugreek operates is by inhibiting aromatase, an enzyme that converts testosterone to estrogen.[4]

One thing you’ll see here is quality dosing — 600 milligrams takes up an entire capsule, and we’re about to see it again in the next ingredient.

KSM-66 Ashwagandha Extract (standardized for 5% withanolides) – 600mg

Also known as withania somnifera, ashwagandha is an adaptogen, which helps the body adapt to stress and maintain physiological balance. It can lower high cortisol levels and raise low ones, promoting overall well-being.

In a 2012 study, participants taking 600 milligrams of KSM-66 ashwagandha extract daily for 60 days experienced a 28% reduction in cortisol levels and a 44% decrease in perceived stress.[5]

Ashwagandha also boosts testosterone, with studies showing increases from 14% to 40%, and it benefits both emotional and hormonal health.[6]

Its testosterone-boosting effects apply to healthy young men and can enhance athletic performance, improving parameters like power output and VO2max.[7] The standardized KSM-66 extract, known for its rigorous third-party lab testing, ensures purity and effectiveness in hormone optimization.

Back to the dosing, we have another clinically-studied dose, as expected from a product with the word “Extreme” in its title. We’ve already taken up two capsules

Maca Extract (250mg)

Maca root, native to Peru’s Andes Mountains, thrives in harsh conditions and has been used since the 1500s[8] for its nutritional benefits. It is known for boosting libido in both men and women, with studies showing increased sexual drive and reduced menopause symptoms.[9] Maca also enhances male fertility by improving sperm concentration and motility.[10,11]

Additionally, it positively affects mood, reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression without altering hormone levels.[9] Maca is traditionally used to improve memory and learning, with research supporting its cognitive benefits.[8] It also boosts exercise performance, increasing endurance and strength, as demonstrated in both animal and human studies.[12,13]

Boron Citrate – 200mg (supplying 10mg elemental Boron)

Boron is a mineral involved in the synthesis of testosterone and vitamin D,[14] which can contribute to higher testosterone levels.[15] It directly supports testosterone production and extends the half-life of vitamin D, maintaining higher concentrations in the blood.[16]

A 2011 study suggested that boron supplementation could increase free testosterone and reduce estrogen levels, although the study’s small sample size of eight subjects warrants caution in interpreting the results.[16] Despite this, boron’s role in enhancing vitamin D levels and improving the body’s ability to utilize magnesium,[14] another mineral essential for optimal testosterone production, is well-supported by evidence.[17]

Quercetin Anhydrous (200mg)

Quercetin is a flavonoid polyphenol known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-platelet, antiviral, anti-carcinogenic, and anti-allergenic properties.[18,19]

Quercetin’s anti-inflammatory effects make it beneficial for joint health by downregulating inflammatory messengers like histamine, cytokines, and interleukin-4,[19] improving functional movement in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.[20]

A rat study showed quercetin inhibits adenosine deaminase and downregulates RA-related cytokines, reducing RA symptoms.[21] Additionally, quercetin works synergistically with caffeine to enhance fatigue and mood, making it a valuable component in pre-workout and fat burner supplements.[22]

Tesnor (200mg)

Pomegranate and cocoa are well-known for their health benefits, including improved recovery, better blood flow, and various metabolic and physical enhancements.[23,24]

It’s another first-to-market ingredient launched by MuscleTech, who did it in 2022 with enfinity paraxanthine in the EuphoriQ pre-workout as well!

Tesnor, a proprietary blend of pomegranate peel and cocoa bean extracts, is marketed as a standardized testosterone-boosting extract that enhances in-cell testosterone production and inhibits aromatase activity.

Two internal human trials by the manufacturer indicate that Tesnor improves muscle growth in young males and significantly enhances age-related metrics in older males.[25-27]

The first study had 120 young males aged 21-35, giving them one of three doses for 56 days:[25,26]

200 mg Tesnor
400 mg Tesnor
Placebo

Both Tesnor groups showed significant increases in free testosterone, grip strength, and muscle gains.[25,26] The authors hypothesized that it lowers cortisol and reduces the conversion of testosterone to estradiol.

The second study was conducted similarly, but was on 120 middle-aged males. After 8 weeks, both groups had increased free and total testosterone levels.[25,27]

These are large studies for the dietary supplement industry, and we’re very impressed with the ingredient, which comes from Gencor Pacific. We hope to dive deeper into this soon, but for now, MuscleTech is a trusted way to test the Tesnor waters!

Longjack (150mg)

Longjack (short for Eurycoma longifolia and also known as tongkat ali), is traditionally recognized as an aphrodisiac, but is now supported by scientific research as a potential testosterone booster. A 2012 study found that longjack increased sperm motility by 44% and libido by 14%.[28,29]

A 2017 meta-analysis suggests that while the research on longjack’s effectiveness as a testosterone booster is still in its early stages, it shows promise.[30] Additionally, longjack may offer antioxidant and anti-anxiety benefits.[31]

This is solid feel-good ingredient that we like seeing paired next to clinically-supported ingredients like Tesnor and KSM-66.

Broccoli (100mg)

A study on male mice found that high-dose broccoli extract (300 mg/kg) significantly improved testicular structure, function, and sperm quality, including increased sperm count and testosterone levels, likely due to the presence of brassinosteroids, which are phytohormones involved in cell division and growth in plants.[32]

However, it should be noted that we’re not sure if the dose of broccoli in Alpha Test Extreme is standardized, and what it may specifically be standardized for. The goal here is that it has enough anti-estrogenic brassinosteroids to help keep estrogen at bay.

Dosage and Directions

MuscleTech states to 5 capsules with a glass of water once daily. If you do AM/PM dosing, you could consider a 3/2 split, but try not to miss a dose to keep the T flowing!

T-Boosting: It’s Hard to Know What’s Legit

There’s a purpose behind every formulation decision MuscleTech makes. More than perhaps any other supplement category, natural testosterone boosters are notoriously overrun by scams and gimmicks. It’s difficult to know what to trust when it comes to that very important androgen.

With Alpha Test Extreme, you don’t have to take much on faith. Most of the ingredients have been heavily researched and impact a wide range of male hormonal functions, from fertility to strength. Tesnor is a particularly interesting ingredient, and we look forward to seeing more studies on it in the future.

And it was, of course, made by MuscleTech, which has developed a reputation for bold and effective formulation. For those looking to give their body every natural tool it needs to boost testosterone, Alpha Test Extreme is a solid choice.