# The Effect of Tongkat Ali Supplementation on Body Composition in Exercise-Trained Males and Females
## 4 Discussion
[6] took 40 young males who were weight-matched and randomized into four groups: control (C), Tongkat Ali (TA), resistance training (RT), and Tongkat Ali combined with resistance training (TA-RT). Participants in the TA and TA-RT groups ingested 200 mgof TA daily, while those in the C and RT groups took placebo capsules daily for eight weeks. The resistance training program, comprising ten different exercises, was carried out three times a week for eight weeks. These investigators found that resistance training, with or without TA supplementation, enhanced the isokinetic power of the lower limb. In addition, the daily consumption of 200 mg of Tongkat Ali over eight weeks did not influence the urinary T/E ratio [6]. It seems apparent that if Tongkat Ali induces a meaningful physiologic effect, it would likely be in older hypogonadal males. Male hypogonadism is a clinical condition marked by reduced serum testosterone levels in men [21]. [PERSON] et al. conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) following PRISMA guidelines [21]. Relevant studies were sourced from PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane, Ovid/Embase, and Google Scholar databases. After screening the literature, nine studies were included in the systematic review, with five randomized controlled trials included in the meta-analysis. They reported a significant increase in total testosterone levels following E. longifolia treatment in both healthy volunteers and men with hypogonadism. The random-effects model indicated a significant increase in total testosterone levels in men receiving E. longifolia supplementation, confirmed in the hypogonadism subgroup. This particular systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that E. longifolia supplementation may enhance testosterone production. Whether Tongkat Ali has a physiologically meaningful effect on free testosterone in young, exercise-trained men or women, is doubtful. The current investigation is the first to use well-trained subjects (i.e., over nine years of training experience; exercise training 8-10 h per week). In this cohort of exercise-trained males and females, four weeks of supplementing with 400 mg of Tongkat Ali had no meaningful effect on body composition and salivary free testosterone and cortisol. Furthermore, our investigation showed that Tongkat Ali supplementation did not affect mood (i.e., total mood disturbance score), sleep (i.e., Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), or handgrip strength. Regarding strength, there have been few investigations in this regard. [PERSON] et al. found that in young males, resistance training combined with 200 mg/day for eight weeks of Tongkat Ali supplementation improved peak power output [6]. In [PERSON] et al. 's study, forty young males were weight-matched and divided into four groups: control (C), Eurycoma longifolia Jack (ELJ), resistance training (RT), and Eurycoma longifolia Jack plus resistance training (ELJ and RT). Participants in the ELJ and ELJ and RT groups took 200 mg of Eurycoma longifolia Jack daily, while those in the C and RT groups took placebo capsules daily for 8 weeks. Resistance training alone increased relative anaerobic power, while the combination of Eurycoma longifolia Jack and resistance training improved peak power output. Moreover, consuming 200 mg per day of ELJ for 8 weeks did not affect the urinary T/E ratio. Other work showed that eight weeks of Tongkat Ali supplementation (600 mg/day) did not affect isokinetic strength or anaerobic power [18]. Work from [PERSON] and colleagues showed that Tongkat Ali supplementation for four weeks improved feelings of tension, anger, and confusion [4]. Moreover, Tongkat Ali boosts alertness when mice are active yet promotes sleep during their resting phases, suggesting its potential as a revitalizing remedy [22]. However, no human data exist to support an effect on sleep. Regarding physical performance, it is evident that strength training offsets the decline in muscle strength associated with aging in middle-aged women.