Nugenix is a natural testosterone booster that contains B Vitamins and Zinc. It also contains a proprietary blend that consists of two plant extracts and an amino acid.
According to the sales page on the Nugenix website, the product “features an exclusive compound of eight key ingredients” which have been tested for maximum effectiveness.
The page is incredibly light on information. It does provide a list of ingredients though, albeit via a drop-down menu.
According to the list, there are only six active ingredients, but gelatin and magnesium stearate appear as “other ingredients”.
The first will be the material used for the capsule shell and the second is generally used as a flow agent.
Flow agents are included in supplements to help prevent the active ingredients from clumping together or sticking to the machinery that makes the capsules.
Presumably, the gelatin and magnesium stearate are the other two ingredients mentioned. Either that or there are two undisclosed ingredients involved.
However, undisclosed ingredients are unlikely. Nugenix is encapsulated in premises that conform to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). That means everything will have to be ship-shape and above-board.
Content Table
Who Makes Nugenix?
Nugenix is one of several supplement brand names owned by Adaptive Health LLC. Other brands include Peptiva, Sleep Answer, and Dr. Sinatra.
The company has offices in Bethesda, Charlottesville, and Boston. It used to be known as Direct Digital and that’s the name it’s listed under on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website.
A number of companies have made complaints to the BBB, but these are mostly due to misunderstandings about a free trial and auto-ship offer.
Adaptive Health no longer offers a free trial or an auto-ship delivery system and the BBB rating is a very healthy A+. [https://www.bbb.org/us/nc/charlotte/profile/vitamins-and-supplements/direct-digital-llc-0473-378106 ]
Nugenix Benefits
The three main promises are that Nugenix helps to:
- Boost testosterone
- Feel stronger
- Increase sex drive
That’s according to the front of the box.
The back of the box provides a little more information and, as already mentioned, the Nugenix website provides next to no information at all.
Method of Action
Information is scarce, but the formulation seems to be designed to increase free testosterone. That’s the kind that matters the most. The type that is bound offers no benefit at all.
By increasing free testosterone, Nugenix aims to increase vitality and improve performance in the bedroom and gym.
When used alongside strength and endurance training, it may also promote muscle growth.
Why Testosterone is Important
Testosterone is the male sex hormone. It’s both and androgen and an anabolic steroid.
During early life, it’s androgenic nature helps young boys develop masculine traits, such as a deep voice, and facial hair. It’s the hormone that helps them become men.
Its anabolic nature makes it important for healing and growth. That’s one of the reasons testosterone boosters can be such a big deal for bodybuilders and other athletes.
Testosterone is also necessary for a healthy libido. It’s a very important hormone.
Lack of testosterone can cause men a lot of problems.
Some of the most common ones are:
- Loss of muscle mass and strength
- Fatigue
- Weight gain
- Loss of interest in sex
- Erectile dysfunction (ED)
When testosterone levels are low, it reduces quality of life. It’s as simple as that.
The problem is, testosterone production is greatest in the young. That’s not surprising really. Young boys have a lot of growing to do.
Testosterone production generally peaks during adolescence. Then it drops off and production rates continue to decrease with each passing year.
That’s why gym-goers find it harder to make decent gains as they grow older. It’s also why many men find they see a reduction in muscle size and definition as they age.
Total Testosterone Vs Free and Bound Testosterone
The term “total testosterone” refers to the total amount of testosterone circulating in the blood. The blood carries a lot of other things as well. For instance, it carries oxygen, nutrients, and antioxidants.
The blood also contains something called sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). It’s a protein made by the liver. Albumin is another compound present in the blood and testosterone binds with both of them.
In general, only around one to two percent of circulating testosterone is free. The rest is hitching a ride with SHBG or Albumin. The problem is, when testosterone is bound to SHBG, it cannot jump off to do its job.
That’s why many testosterone boosters contain ingredients that can prevent testosterone binding with SHBG.
Nugenix Usage Guidelines
The instructions printed on the box are short and sweet: take three capsules, with water, on an empty stomach.
Only one dose is needed per day, but Adaptive Health fails to state when.
Usage Precautions
The warning on the back of the box makes it very clear Nugenix is not for women. It’s for adult men only.
In addition to this, the warning also states men should check with a doctor before using Nugenix if they have existing health problems.
Ingredient Profile and Value
Nugenix Free Testosterone Complex 2103 mg
| Key Ingredients (Per 3 Capsules) | Vitamin B6 (as Pyridoxine Hydrochloride) | 2 mg | Zinc (as Zinc Chelate) | 1 mg | Vitamin B12 (as Methylcobalamin) | 50 mcg | |||||||||
Key Ingredients (Per 3 Capsules) | ||||||||||||||||
Vitamin B6 (as Pyridoxine Hydrochloride) | 2 mg | |||||||||||||||
Zinc (as Zinc Chelate) | 1 mg | |||||||||||||||
Vitamin B12 (as Methylcobalamin) | 50 mcg |
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 is an important water-soluble vitamin that supports health and vitality in many ways. One of the things it does is support testosterone production. The amount provided here is the full recommended daily allowance (RDA), so it’s a very worthwhile inclusion.
One of the other things Vitamin B6 does is help the body extract energy from food. That’s why it’s a key ingredient in so many different brands of energy drink.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is also added to energy drinks and it’s put in them for the same reason as Vitamin B6.
Another thing it does is aid the production of red blood cells. They have the job of carrying oxygen around the body. If you don’t have enough red blood cells you tire more easily, especially when you place your muscles under exertion.
Some research suggests Vitamin B12 may also improve semen quality. [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5485731/ ]
The RDA is only 2.4 mcg. The amount provided here is far greater than that, but it not a cause for concern. If the body gets too much Vitamin B12 it expels the excess with the urine.
Zinc
Zinc is a mineral that has a longstanding reputation as a testosterone booster. In fact, many people believe the reputation oysters have for being an aphrodisiac may be due to the fact they are so high in zinc.
It’s not all speculation though. Numerous studies prove zinc can influence testosterone production for the better. Although researchers are still trying to understand the biological mechanisms involved.
The RDA for a man is 11 mg and up to 40 mg per day is considered safe. The amount provided here is much less, but most men will also be getting zinc from their food.
Nugenix Free Testosterone Complex (Proprietary Blend)
The problem with proprietary blends is they allow you to see what you’ve got without knowing how much of it there is.
In this case, there are three ingredients and, their combined weight is 2103 mg.
They could be in equal proportions. In which case, each one would weigh exactly 701 mg. Then again it could 699 mg of one ingredient and 1 mg of each of the others.
The possible ratios are almost without limit so there is no way to accurately estimate how this proprietary blend may perform.
L-Citrulline Malate
This is an amino acid. Depending on the severity of the problem, it can offer relief from ED. This may be the reason many people believe it to be a testosterone booster. However, its ability to relieve ED is more probably thanks to its capabilities as a nitric oxide (NO) booster.
NO boosters dilate the blood vessels. This improves the circulation, allowing all the muscles and major organs to benefit from an increased flow of blood. The penis gets more blood too, making it easier to attain and maintain an erection. [https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/nitric-oxide-supplements#erectile-dysfunction ]
Testofen
Testofen is a patented extract taken from fenugreek seeds. The extract has the ability to stimulate the pituitary gland and cause it to release luteinizing hormone.
Luteinizing hormone is a precursor to testosterone so fenugreek extracts can be good for boosting circulating testosterone. Of course, they do need to be administered in adequate amounts.
Tribulus Terrestris
A libido-boosting plant extract that is occasionally used for treating ED. It shows promise as a testosterone booster, but some clinical evidence suggests it does not work. [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17530942 ]
Nugenix Side Effects
A number of customers say they experienced side effects including bad breath and nausea. Some customers also claim to have experienced elevations in blood pressure.
With this in mind, it may be wise to ask a doctor’s opinion before using this product.
Nugenix Customer Reviews
Some Nugenix customer reviews are good, others are not so good.
A few average comments read:
“Seems to work okay, so I’m happy. I feel a little more energetic and have noticed a subtle difference in my abilities in the gym. I’m gradually pushing forward now. Before Nugenix I was kinda stuck in a rut.”
“Nope! Big waste of money. I can’t feel a difference at all, but I could with the product I was using before. Wish I’d never switched.”
“I’ve been using Nugenix for 5 weeks and find it makes me feel more energetic and alive.”
“This stuff does nothing. I had some blood work done before I started taking it. Took it for 3 months and had more blood work done. Everything was still the same.”
Where to Buy Nugenix
It’s possible to buy Nugenix from the Nugenix website, but Adaptive Health only ships to addresses in the USA and Canada.
The cost of a 30-day supply of pills is $69.99 and there’s a $4.99 shipping charge on top. That makes it one of the more expensive testosterone boosters on the market.
Although it’s possible to add up to nine bottles to each order, there’s not a lot of incentive to do so. It doesn’t matter how large the order is, the cost per bottle is always the same.
These days most supplement manufacturers offer multi-buy discounts. By not doing so, Adaptive Health could be shooting itself in the foot.
Most of the popular testosterone boosters are considerably cheaper than Nugenix right from the start and all the top products have offers that allow customers to buy two bottles and get one free. The cost of using Nugenix may be prohibitively expensive for a lot of men.
Guarantee
None of the products distributed under the Nugenix brand name are backed by a guarantee.
However, customers who buy via the official site have the option of returning unopened products that are still in the original packaging.
In order to do this, it’s necessary to place a call to the Nugenix customer support team, within 30 days of the date of purchase, and request a Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) number.
In addition to this, the postmark on the package has to show a date that falls within the 30-day period. With this in mind, it’s probably best not to leave returns to the last minute.
Nugenix Pros & Cons
Pros
- Contains some ingredients that may boost testosterone
Cons
- Use of a proprietary blend
- Expensive product
- No guarantee
- Some customers say there were side effects
The Bottom Line
Nugenix contains a proprietary blend. That makes it difficult to say how the formulation as a whole is likely to perform.
Customer reviews show some men were happy with their purchase. Unfortunately, other men were not. That suggests Nugenix may be a hit or miss product at best. That’s a big problem for a product without a guarantee. Especially one with such a steep price.
There’s another important consideration. Nugenix is marketed on the back of the idea that it increases free testosterone levels. In reality, at best it may only increase circulating testosterone.
The top testosterone boosters generally contain nettle leaf because it limits the amount of testosterone that is trapped by SHBG. [https://www.thieme-connect.com/products/ejournals/abstract/10.1055/s-2006-957993 ]
Boosting testosterone production is not enough. A good testosterone booster needs to ensure levels of circulating testosterone remain consistently high.
All things considered, Nugenix appears to be an overpriced product that’s likely to underperform.
Nugenix FAQ
Can women take Nugenix?
It’s a testosterone boosting supplement intended solely for men.
Will Nugenix improve my sex life?
Increased libido and better sexual performance are just two of the benefits associated with higher testosterone levels. Nugenix allegedly has the ability to offer these kinds of benefits.
Is Nugenix a steroid?
It’s a natural supplement that contains ingredients intended to boost the body’s ability to produce its own testosterone.
Testosterone is a steroid, but it’s important not to confuse it with synthetic anabolic steroids.
Will I need to do a PCT after I stop taking Nugenix?
No. People who use anabolic steroids have to do a post cycle therapy because the steroid suppresses the body’s ability to produce its own testosterone. Nugenix does not work in this way. It’s intended to cause the body to produce extra testosterone.
How Long Does a Bottle Last?
Each bottle contains enough pills to last for 30 days.
Do I need to exercise with Nugenix?
If you are using Nugenix or any other testosterone boosting supplement in an effort to improve muscle size and strength, you will also need to train regularly.
If you are only hoping to increase vitality or libido, exercise will not be necessary.
Is there an auto-ship option?
No. Nugenix used to be available via auto-ship, but this is no longer the case.
UPDATE
Adaptive Health has released another version of its product. It’s not the first time its been re-vamped and it probably won’t be the last.
The latest version is Nugenix Total-T. Apparently, it “delivers power where others fall short”. The sales page contains a couple of extra sentences, but it’s telling the same old story. It’s just worded a different way.
Nugenix Total-T costs the same as its predecessor too. It also contains a very similar formulation of ingredients.
There are a few minor differences though. For one thing, it actually contains eight active ingredients. It also contains a couple of extra binders and fillers.
Tribulus Terrestris is gone in favor of a few new ingredients. So it would seem Adaptive Health is still toying with the formulation in an effort to get it right.