# The Effect of Tongkat Ali Supplementation on Body Composition in Exercise-Trained Males and Females
## 4 Discussion
Therefore, Tongkat Ali extract seems to be effective as a supplement for alleviating symptoms of LOH and managing hypogonadism [14]. [PERSON] et al. examined 13 physically active male and 12 physically active female seniors (57-72 years) who consumed 400 mg of Tongkat Ali extract daily for five weeks [3]. Standard hematological parameters were measured, and the levels of total and free testosterone, dihydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), cortisol, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) were analyzed. Additional biochemical parameters such as blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatine kinase (CK) were assessed to evaluate kidney function and muscle damage, respectively. Muscle strength was measured using a simple handgrip test. After the treatment, it was observed that hemoglobin, testosterone, DHEA concentrations, the total testosterone/ cortisol ratio, and muscle force were significantly lower in female seniors compared to male seniors. In male seniors, hematocrit and erythrocyte counts increased slightly and were significantly higher than those in female seniors. The treatment led to significant increases in total and free testosterone concentrations and muscle strength in both men and women. The increase in free testosterone in women was attributed to a significant decrease in SHBG concentrations. Thus, in older adults, it was ostensible that Tongkat Ali supplementation may indeed elevate total and free testosterone as well as muscle strength [3]. The authors posited that the increase in free testosterone in women might be due to the significant decline in sex hormone-binding globulin concentrations [3]. Additionally, [PERSON] and colleagues investigated stress hormones and mood states in 63 participants (n = 32 males, n = 31 females) initially identified as being under moderate stress. Although not mentioned in that study, these subjects were likely sedentary. These individuals consumed 200 mg of Tongkat Ali or placebo daily for four weeks. The findings revealed a significantly improved stress hormone profile, indicated by reduced cortisol (\(-\)16%) and elevated testosterone levels (+37%) [4]. On the contrary, other studies have revealed no effect of Tongkat Ali on testosterone. [PERSON] et al. found no significant between-group differences in the free testosterone levels for two different doses of Tongkat Ali (100 and 200 mg daily for 12 weeks) compared to placebo [16]. In an investigation by [PERSON] et al., 32 young males (24 years; 1.74 m; 73.7 kg) received 600 mg/day of Eurycoma longifolia (Tongkat Ali) or a placebo for two weeks [17; 18]. On day 14, total testosterone was significantly greater in the treatment versus placebo group; however, free testosterone, the biologically active form of testosterone, was not significantly different between groups. Interestingly, this group also assessed the effects of Tongkat Ali after eight weeks of supplementation [18]. They found no differences between the Tongkat Ali and placebo groups regarding total and free testosterone. [PERSON] et al. examined the effects of 300 mg daily for 12 weeks of Tongkat Ali supplementation in a cohort of sedentary men (aged 30-55 years) [19]. They found no effect on body composition, nor did they find changes in total and free testosterone. Two investigations by the same laboratory group [6; 20] provided further evidence that long-term supplementation with Tongkat Ali may not have any physiologically relevant effects. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study, 13 healthy male recreational athletes were recruited [20]. During the first supplementation phase, they were instructed to take either 400 mg of Tongkat Ali or a placebo daily for six weeks. After a three-week washout, they were asked to take the other supplement for six weeks. They found no effect on the testosterone-epitestosterone ratio. [PERSON] et al.