Performance

Have you heard of Prolongz? I didn’t before I saw an infomercial for the product late one night. Prolongz, a product of the Advanced Men’s Institute, is supposed to help men in the bedroom last longer during sex by way of something called “strip delivery technology.” Even though the infomercial I saw looked pretty cheesy, I decided to take a look in case others saw the commercial and wondered if it worked or not. So in this Prolongz review, I'll look not only at the supplement but at the company too. Along the way, I’ll also see if there is any research on Prolongz because this is the best way to see if it works or not.

Who Makes Prolongz?

The Advanced Men’s Institute is the company mentioned on the TV infomercial I saw. Another name for the company is Prolongz LLC. Interestingly, I did not see a website for “Advanced Men’s Institute.” When I searched Whois.com  – a site that provides information about websites – I discovered that Prolongz.com was created on January 3rd 2013.

Advanced Men's Institute became incorporated in California in 2014. The Better Business Bureau gave Advanced Men’s Institute a rating of “A-“ as of 11/3/14.  The company is also a BBB-accredited business (that's good too). Do read the BBB report as ratings sometimes change.

If you saw the TV infomercial (titled “Last Longer in the Bedroom”) you saw many people with Australian accidents giving testimonies about how Prolongz worked. The Prolongz website also states that AMI has been treated and counseled  over 500,000 patients in Australia.

So I googled “AMI Australia” and located a company called “Advanced Medical Institute.” They also call themselves “AMI” and also market an “Oral Strip Technology” for premature ejaculation. Their website is amiaustralia.com.au.

This sounds a LOT like the “Strip Delivery Technology ” that's said to be at the heart of Prolongz.

Based on this, I think AMI (Advanced Men's Institute) and AMI (Advanced Medical Institute) are the same company. One difference between the companies is that in Australia, Advanced Medical Institute mentions both men and women. With Advanced Men's Institute, the focus is only on men.

 How To Contact Prolongz

On the Terms and Conditions page of Prolongz.com/AMI we see that the address for the company is 1420 N. Claremont Blvd #111A Claremont, CA 91711.

The Terms and Conditions page of the website also states that their corporate office is located at
250 W 1st Street, Ste 310 Claremont CA 91711. The Terms and Conditions page of the Prolongz website lists 909-451-0753 as the phone number to their corporate office.

Prolongz Ingredients

Each box of Prolongz contains 1 month's supply. That is 20 strips per container. There are 3 containers per box (60 strips total). I serving size is 2 strips. Prolongz has the following ingredients in 2 strips:

One thing I will mention is that they don't tell us which extracts of daminia and ginseng they are using. That makes reviewing this product difficult since each herb can have multiple “extracts.”

As for ginseng,  as I mentioned in my book on supplements, there are basically 3 types of ginseng used in supplements:

1. American ginseng

2. Asian ginseng

3. Siberian ginseng

What type is in Prolongz? They don't tell us. Again this makes reviewing Prolongz difficult.

Both daminia extract and ginseng extract make up a “proprietary blend.” Interestingly, fenugreek seed extract is not part of the proprietary blend, but rather stands apart on its own on the product label. This makes me wonder if fenugreek is the main ingredient in Prolongz.

Other Ingredients

The label lists “Other ingredients” also in Prolongz. These are not active ingredients and are as follows

• Pullulan – a type of starch (polysaccharide)
• Pepperment extract
• Menthol
• AK sugar (I don't know what the AK refers to)
• polyglycerol fatty acid esters
• Aspertame

Prolongz Research

The Prolongz.com website shows no clinical evidence that the product-itself – does what they say. The infomercial gave testimonials from people although without peer reviewed research on Prolongz itself, we don't know if it works or not.

The idea behind Prolongz – if I understand it correct – is that it's supposed to “prolong” the time before ejaculation occurs.  This is very different than other products such as :

• Androzene (click to read my review)

• Cyvita (click to read my review)

which are marketed to improve erections

Likewise Prolongz also appears to be different than :

• Ageless Male (click to read my review)

• Nugeinx   (click to read my review)

Which are touted to raise testosterone levels

With that in mind, is there any good proof that Prolongs extends the time before climax occurs in men?

Unfortunately, when I looked the Prolongz website I did not list any clinical trials on the product.

Also, when I searched the National Library of Medicine, a database of millions of studies from around the world for the word “Prolongz” I didn't see any relevant studies showing up either.

Lastly, googleing the word “Prolongz Research” did not turn up any clinical studies.

This all says to me that Prolongz -itself – has no published peer reviewed research to say it actually works.

Lack of research does not mean it doesn't work however. It's possible that the ingredients in Prolongz, either working alone or in combination, may result in longer erections.

With that in mind, I began my search. I found the following relevant investigations

In 2001, a study was published titled A double-blind placebo-controlled study of ArginMax, a nutritional supplement for enhancement of female sexual function. This study involved 77 men AND women. Basically 34 people received a supplement called ArginMax  and 34 people received a placebo.

Results: After 4 weeks, 75% of people getting ArginMax reported improvements in sexual function vs. 31% in the placebo group.

While encouraging, ArginMax is not Prolongz. The ingredients are not the same.

Here is ArginMax on Amazon for those who want to see more about it

I've heard of some evidence that Panax ginseng -used topically – might help premature ejaculation. But I've never heard that taking it orally helps.  Again, if I knew what type of ginseng was in the product, I might be able to say more.

Fenugreek

Fenugreek is popular in male enhancement supplements although when I tested it on myself, I didn't notice much of a difference. The label for Prolongz does not tell us how much fenugreek it has. Rather, it only tells us that the fenugreek extract comes from the seeds (that's good) and that its standardized to 50% fenuside.

The word “Fenuside” is a trademarked name that was created by the company called “Gencor Pacific, the maker of a very popular fenugreek extract called “Testofin.”

If that sounds complicated, here's the scoop: Testofin is an trademarked name given to an extract from the fenugreek herb. Testofin contains a specific mixture of extracts that have been given the name “Fenusides.”

For more on Testofin see my review of MDrive where I look at some of the research.

Does Prolongz Contain Cordyceps?

Cordyeps is not listed on the Prolongz label however on the “About Page” of Prolongz.com  they say:

The heart of the Prolongz™, formula is two very unique extracts derived from Cordyceps (the mushroom) and Fenugreek (the seed).

Cordyceps? As far as I can tell cordyceps is not mentioned anywhere on the Prolongz label. None of the ingredients listed on the label come from cordyceps either. So, where is this coming from?

As far as I can tell Cordyceps plays no role in helping premature ejaculation or making erections last longer. For more on Cordyceps, see my reviews of

• Optygen (endurance supplement)

• M Drive (Low T supplement)

If anyone can tell me if Cordyceps is in Prolongz, please let me know and I'll update my review.

Prolongz Side Effects

I'm not aware of any side effects from taking Prolongz. Looking at the ingredients, here are some theoretical side effects people may want to ask their doctors about

Fenugreek and ginseng may have an anti-blood-clotting effect. That means people who take blood thinner medications, should speak to their doctor before using fenugreek or any product that contains fenugreek.

Fenugreek and ginseng may lower blood sugar levels. While diabetics might think this is a good thing, its possible that this might make blood sugar levels go to low in diabetics who take diabetes medications.

Stop Prolongz –and all other supplements – at least 2 weeks before surgery.

Women should not use fenugreek-containing supplements while pregnant or nursing.

How Much Does Prolongz Cost?

When I looked at the product website, they were running a special offer where they would ship people a 1 month's supply of prolongz for $4.95. People who take advantage of this need to know that doing so puts them into an autoshop program. This means that if they do not cancel within 15 days  – of ordering the product, not receiving it – they will be billed the full price of $89.95. After 45 days, people will be sent another 30-day supply of Prolongz and charged $69.95. This will continue each month until the auto-shipment is canceled. Any bottles that are returned to the company have a $10 restocking fee.

Keep in mind that the 15-day trial period starts WHEN YOU ORDER the product. Not when you receive the product. All this information is plainly listed on the product website.

How to Cancel Prolongz

To cancel auto-shipments of Prolongz, call this number which is listed on Prolongz.com 877-404-4686. The corporate office phone # is 909- 451-0753.

Those who wish to email the company can do so with this address: support@prolongz.com and those who wish to write a letter can do so by mailing this address: Prolongz 1420 N. Claremont Blvd #111A
Claremont, CA 91711.

Does Prolongz Work?

I didn't try Prolongz so I have no idea if it works or not. I can only give my opinion which is I don't see any clinical trials on the product itself. Of course lack of evidence doesn't mean something won't work. It just means for me, I'd like to see clinical trials.  If it worked for you, I'm happy and I hope you share your thoughts below so others can see. If clinical trials on Prolongz are published, I will be more than happy to update my review with those results.

What do you think?

Update 3/10/20. The Vemma website says that the Bode (pronounced “Body”) meal replacement shake is “a one-of-a-kind, nutrient-dense meal replacement designed to feed your body’s 63 trillion cells with the perfect balance of protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fats, to transform and achieve a healthy weight.” That’s a mouthful, to say the least, but, let’s cut to the chase – does it work? In this review, I’ll check to see if the shake —or any of its ingredients —has any weight loss research because that will give us the real answer. I'll also address questions that you may be wondering about if you were considering this product. Hopefully, by the end of this review, you’ll have a better understanding of the Bode shake is right for you.

Vemma Bode Shake Ingredients

According to the label, a serving = 2 scoops if the shake is mixed with water. If it’s mixed with milk, a serving is only 1 scoop. Since 2 scoops (with water) have 200 calories, this means 1 scoop has 100 calories. This wasn’t clear on the label I saw so I wanted to mention it.

The label says the Bode Shake contains milk and soy lecithin and is made in a faculty that processes wheat.

As you read the label you may notice that the shake has more calories when mixed with water than with milk. This is not a typo. I took this information directly from the Bode label. I speculate that the difference in calories  etc. is because when the shake is mixed with water, the serving is 2 scoops. When it's mixed with milk, people are advised to use only 1 scoop.

The shake also has a variety of vitamins and minerals which all seemed reasonable for a meal replacement shake – not too much and not too little. I liked that the Bode shake provided vitamin D3.

How Much Protein?

Whether you mix the shake with water or milk, the Vemma Bode Shake only has 16 grams of protein. To put things in perspective, there are 28 grams in one ounce. So, the bode shake has about half an ounce of protein.

While a reduction in calories is what's most important in weight loss, some studies do suggest that protein might help too. How much protein helps weight loss is controversial but with that said, given that the Bode shake has 200 calories (mixed with water), I wished it had a bit more than 16 grams.

The Vemma website states that the protein in the Bode shake “works to suppress your appetite and helps protect against muscle loss.” But the bigger question is does it do it better than other shakes? Would it be better than 2 scrambled eggs? There is no evidence either way.

Here are links to the previous meal replacement shakes I've looked at for those who want to dig deeper into each of these.

•  Isagenix Shake Review
  

• Shakeology Review

• P90X Recovery Drink Review

• Herbalife Formula 1 Shake Review

• Body By Vi Shake Review

• Right Size Smoothie Review

• Ensure Muscle Health Review

• Muscle Milk Review

What Kind of Protein?

The Bode shake gets its protein from a proprietary blend that comes from, in order, these ingredients:

• Whey protein concentrate

• Pea protein (click to see review)

• Organic whole grain rice protein

Pea protein is “complete”  so that's good. That means it has all the essential amino acids we need.

Therefore, the Bode shake contains complete proteins, which is very good for a weight loss shake because complete proteins are healthier. Essential amino acids are better than non-essential aminos at building muscle too. 

Other Ingredients

There are a lot of other ingredients in the Bode shake. I noticed that the ingredients also included:

• Mangosteen

• Aloe vera gel

• Decaffeinated green tea extract

• Stevia (for taste)

Mangosteen, aloe vera, and green tea are the main ingredients in the Vemma drink I previously reviewed so see that link for additional information.

With respect to green tea extract, they don’t tell us what extract of green tea they are using. We know it's not caffeine because they say it's decaffeinated green tea. Might it the extract called EGCG? Green tea is popular in weight loss shakes and supplements even though the evidence that it helps is pretty poor. Regardless of whether you think it works or not, there is not much green tea extract in the shake because it’s mentioned toward the end of the ingredients list.

Green tea has been getting some bad publicity because of evidence it may be linked to liver problems. There are human case reports of liver issues too (and liver failure) although, because people were taking supplements that contained many things ―not just green tea ―it's hard to pinpoint what caused their problems.

I don’t feel the Bode shake has a lot of green tea extract, although I personally wish they would take it out until we know more.  For the record, I don't know of any liver issues resulting from the Bode shake and I think it's likely very safe. I just wanted to mention this because I want to be as thorough as I can.

See my review of Mega T Green Tea for more info.

What Is Fibersol-2

Fibersol-2 is the source of the fiber in the Bode Shake. This is an artificially created soluble fiber that, according to the website of the company that makes it, is derived from the sugar, maltodextrin but unlike regular maltodextrin, Fibersol-2 remains undigested when eaten. Therefore it provides no calories. Here is a company-sponsored video that discusses Fibersol-2 for those who want to know more.

There is some research on Fibersol-2 noting that it might reduce hunger. The research I've seen has used 10 grams per day to achieve this effect. See my review of the 18 Shake for more on Fibersol-2. Also, see the review of NutriSystem weight loss shakes.

What Kind Of Omega 3s?

The Vemma website states that the Bode Shake has 690 mg of omega 3 fatty acids. The label says these are provided by an “Essential Fatty Acid Complex” which is a combination of flaxseed and sunflower oil. These do provide omega 3 fats but they are not the same as fish oil.

The omega 3 in the Bode Shake come from alpha linolenic acid ( ALA). In the body, a little bit of ALA is converted to EPA and DHA (the fish oils). While ALA omega 3 fats have benefits, they may not be the same as EPA and DHA. For example most of the “heart healthy” research on the benefits of omega 3 fats, stems from research on EPA and DHA – not flaxseed oil.

My Resources Page has several things that can help you learn more about omega 3s and other issues.

Vemma Bode Shake Research

On the Fact Sheet for the Bode shake, I saw a reference to 2 clinical studies conducted at Brunswick Laboratories in Massachusetts. Brunswick labs helps supplement companies conduct research on their products. The titles of these studies are:

• Bioavailability and Antioxidant Effects of a Xanthone-Rich Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) Product in Humans

• Effect of a Mangosteen Dietary Supplement on Human Immune Function: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

The Vemma Shake Fact Sheet says:

“The studies confirmed Vemma showed significant improvements in immune markers, superior antioxidant absorption and a lowering of C-reactive protein (CRP), which points to its beneficial effects on overall health and wellness.”

But, here’s the thing…

Neither of these 2 studies involves the Bode meal replacement shake. Rather they involved at another vemma product called Mangosteen Plus with Essential minerals.

Remember, these studies appear on the Bode meal replacement Shake fact sheet. If they didn’t involve the Bode shake, why are they being used as evidence for the shake?

I’m sorry but since they used different supplements in those 2 studies, it's bad science to assume the effects would be the same. They might or they might not. Let’s test it and see.

Since I can’t find any research on the Bode shake itself – and since none are specifically mentioned on the Vemma website, I conclude it has no published peer-reviewed evidence on the Body Shake itself.

Bode Shake Questions

Now, let's cover some questions people may have about the Bode shake. If I missed any, leave a comment below so I can update this part of the review.

What Are The Sweeteners?

According to Vemma, the Bode shake contains organic cane sugar and stevia.

 Is The Shake Organic?

The Bode shake is not organic. While it does have a few organic ingredients, it’s not enough to be considered “organic.”

Is the Shake Vegan?

No, The protein blend in the Bode shake contains whey protein which comes from milk, so it is not vegan.

Is The Shake Gluten-Free?

According to the Vemma website, since the shake is made in a facility that processes wheat, they can't say either way if it is gluten-free or not.

Does The Shake Contain Soy?

Yes, the Bode shake soy lecithin but only a little bit (less than 1% according to the Vemma FAQ sheet). Here is a website that discusses soy lecithin in more detail.

Does The Shake Contain GMOs?

GMO stands for Genetically Modified Organisms. It’s controversial in some circles whether or not GMO foods are harmful or not. Foods that do not contain genetically modified ingredients are said to be “Non-GMO.” Currently, food labels in the US do not have to tell us if foods are GMO.

Without getting into the debate, I’ll say that I did not see any references on the Vemma website about whether or not the Bode Shake was “non-GMO.” Because they did not say that, I’ll assume it has GMO ingredients. Let me know if I'm wrong on this.

The shake does contain a little soy lecithin. It’s often said most of the soy used in the US is genetically modified.  The maltodextrin from which Fibersol2 is derived might also come from GMO corn. I honestly don't know either way.

Let me be clear, I’m not passing judgment. If Vemma distributors want to weigh in on this I’ll be glad to read their unique insights.

Does The Shake Contain Milk?

While it does not contain milk specifically (unless it's mixed with milk), the Bode Shake does contain whey protein, which comes from milk.

Is The Shake Antibiotic-Free?

I’m not sure. Whey protein comes from milk and some cows may be treated with antibiotics. Would any of that get into the whey protein in the Bode Shake? I have no idea. Protein supplements containing antibiotics have been noted in the past, but this doesn’t mean the Vemma shake has them. I didn’t see any mention of this on the website.

To be fair, unless you are drinking organic milk and eating organic meat and poultry, you are probably already getting some antibiotics. If that’s you, you don’t need to discriminate against Vemma on this basis. I know this is controversial and some people have strong feelings about this. I mention it in case of this matter to people in the hopes of helping them do to their own research.

The Shake Does Not Contain…

The Shake does not contain peanuts, shellfish, eggs or tree nuts.

Chris Powell And Vemma

Chris Powell is literally the face behind the Bode Shake –  his face is on the shake! Chris is a real personal trainer with a BS in exercise science and he has the same fitness certification as I do —Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)— which is arguably one of the top fitness credentials in the world.

While I’m sure everybody knows that Chris, along with his wife, Hedi, are the personal trainer at the TV show, Extreme Weight Loss, what some may not know is how the TV show came to be. I first saw Chris several years ago in a TLC documentary called The 650 Pound Virgin (click to see a video), where Chris literally moved in with a man named David Smith and helped him lose over 400 pounds (click to see the video)! This is the documentary that inspired Extreme Weight Loss.

Unfortunately, David regained much of the weight. Here is one of David’s YouTube Videos. Please wish him well, support and pray for him as he tries to lose weight again.

I'm not sure if the Vemma Bode shake is used with participants in Extreme Weight Loss or not. If anyone knows, let me know.

For the personal trainers reading this, remember that recommending supplements is often outside the bounds of what fitness trainers do. Liability insurance policies often do no cover trainers if any legal problems arise from recommending supplements. For more info on this read my post, Should Personal Trainers Recommend Supplements.

Vemma Bode Shake Side Effects

I am not aware of any significant side effects from the Bode Shake and I personally feel it's safe in healthy people. With that in mind, here are a few general things I wanted to mention.

If you take any medications, show the ingredients to your doctor and pharmacist. It’s possible that some of the ingredients in the Bode shake may interact with some medications such as blood thinner drugs. Vemma has similar recommendations on the site too. I mention pharmacists because they know a LOT about drug interactions and you don’t need to make an appointment to see them.

It’s possible that the whey protein in the Bode shake may interfere with some antibiotics people are prescribed by their doctor.

Stop the Bode shake — and all supplements— at least 2 weeks before surgery.

Vemma And The FTC

In August 2015 the Federal Trade Commission took action against Vemma alleging that the company was basically a Pyramid Scheme. The FTC alleged that Vemma specifically marketed itself to college students and other young adults with the prospect of getting rich selling Vemma supplements.

Here is the FTC document. See the FTC for more information.

Does It Work?

By using the Vemma Bode shake —in place of eating other, higher-calorie foods —I can understand how it might help some people lose weight. This is the same principle behind all similar meal replacement shakes too. Remember, it’s called a “meal replacement” shake for a reason: its meant to replace higher calorie foods that people ordinarily eat. This helps people consume fewer calories. For those who remember that then the Vemma Shake might help.

Here it is on Amazon

What do you think?

Update January 5 2024. Regimen was a once-popular testosterone supplement you may have heard about on TV, radio, etc. The supplement was billed as “Men's Anti-Aging Regimen.” The supplement was said to contain a blend of herbs that has anti-estrogen effects and is shown to restore testosterone levels. While the supplement appears to no longer be sold at GNC and elsewhere, the ingredients are found in other Low T supplements. Review the research on the ingredients and this will help you see if the testosterone supplement you are taking may be right for you.

Who Makes Regimen?

When I went to the website mentioned on the radio―”RepairLowT.com”―and clicked on the Terms and Conditions and Privacy link, I saw that Vestiage, Inc. is the company behind the supplement. On their website (vestiageinc.com) they say that they are a “leading healthy aging lifestyle company.” Vestiage, Inc. is a publically-traded company (their stock symbol is VEST). The Vestiage, Inc. company is located at 2901 W. Coast Highway, Suite 200 Newport Beach, CA 92663.

Who Is Regimen Right For?

On the RepairLowT.com website, it is stated that “If you’re a male over 30, and you’ve noticed that your body is storing fat around your pecs, belly, and love handles—chances are it’s not your fault.”

Did you notice they said, “over 30?”

Previously, I've seen “low T” supplements marketed to men over 50 and over 40. Regimen is the FIRST product I've seen where the age range was lowered to “over 30.”

Hmm…

Remember, commercials are designed to make people think they need something. By lowering the age to “over 30,” the company is casting a bigger net, trying to sell their product a larger segment of the population.

If you are healthy and have no problems—such as the ones they are alluding to on the RepairLowT.com website—you don’t need Regimen or any other testosterone support either. If you are in your 30s and do have those types of issues, see your doctor, because there may be a medical problem.

For example, diabetes can lower testosterone levels in men.

Regimen Ingredients

As I wrote this review, I discovered that there are actually many “Regimen supplements.” For this review, I'm going to focus only on the testosterone booster supplement because that is what I  heard mentioned on the radio commercial. The ingredients in Regimen are clearly stated on the RepairLowT.com website. On the label, it says that 3 capsules of Regimen contain the following ingredients:

Other ingredients listed on the label include gelatin, silicon dioxide, magnesium stearate, and cellulose.

Right off the bat, I don't think the zinc and magnesium in Regimen play significant roles in the product. I say this because they are not listed among any of the three major groupings of ingredients. As such, they won't factor into my review. I could be wrong, but I think these minerals are included because they are found in a popular exercise supplement called “ZMA.” If that is the case, then the levels of zinc and magnesium in Regimen are less than is in ZMA supplements.

Since the ingredients in Regimen are divided into three different groups that are said to do three different things (enhance performance, promote muscles, and block estrogen) I'm going to search for relevant research on each of the ingredients in these three groupings. I'll do this because I want to see:

1.  If there is any proof that the ingredients do any of this stuff

2.  Which ingredients might be responsible for any of the effects

Male Performance Blend

By “male performance” I take this to mean that the six ingredients in this category will help men get erections. Below is the evidence I found on these ingredients.

Ajuga Turkestanica 

This is a plant and is a source of plant steroids called phytoecdysteroids. Chemically, phytoecdysteroids look like testosterone. One such phytoecdysteroid that some may have heard of is Turkesterone. As such, Turkesterone and Ajuga Turkestanica may even be used synonymously, although technically there is more in Ajuga Turkestanica than just Turkesterone.

The real question, however, is this: Does a plant steroid raise testosterone in men or help men with erections?

I searched the National Library of Medicine for:

• Ajuga Turkestanica erections
• Ajuga Turkestanica sex
• Ajuga Turkestanica phosphodiesterase (an enzyme involved in erections)
• Ajuga Turkestanica testosterone

No studies showed up. This is interesting because Ajuga Turkestanica appears to be pretty popular on some fitness/bodybuilding websites. Just as a double check I also searched the National Library of Medicine for:

• Turkesterone testosterone
• Turkesterone sex
• Turkesterone erections

No studies showed up for this either.

Even if there were studies, it would not necessarily mean Regimen would do the same thing, because the product label says that it contains leaves and stems of the plant rather than an overabundance of any single ingredient (like Turkesterone).

That said, I see no human evidence showing that Ajuga Turkestanica does anything within the confines of what the makers of Regimen says it might do.

Horny Goat Weed

In other supplements, this herb is also called epimedium.

I found a 2010 rat study discussed where a specific extract of horny goat weed (called Icariin) might play a role in erections.

But what about people?

Well, the only studies I saw were on lab rats, rabbits, and test-tube studies. As such, I say more research is needed.

See this review of the testosterone booster Syntheroid for more info on horny goat weed,

Rhodiola Rosea

I could not find any evidence that Rhodiola Rosea raises testosterone levels or improves erections in men. This stuff sometimes finds its way into exercise performance supplements because some feel it might reduce fatigue during exercise. Since sex is a type of exercise, that might seem logical for why it's in Regimen, but I remain skeptical.

Also, they don’t tell us what Rhodiola Rosea extract they are using. For more on this herb, see my reviews of:

• Optygen

• Real Dose Weight Loss Formula

• SlimQuick

Maca Root Extract

This herb is also called Lepidium meyenii. One study from 2002 noted that Maca improved sexual desire in men when used at 1500–3000 mg per day for 8–12 weeks. In this study, testosterone levels did not change, however. Most of the other studies I see pertaining to this issue involve lab rats.

For more on Maca, see my reviews of these supplements:

• Triverex

• M-Drive

• Zantrex 3

Also, they don’t tell us what Maca extract they are using. This makes it difficult to figure out how effective it might be.

Pygeum Africanum

This herb sometimes shows up in prostate supplements, such as in the supplement called Prosvent that I reviewed previously. I'm not aware of any human evidence that it helps testosterone levels or sexual performance. One issue is that Regimen uses an extract of this herb, but they don’t tell us what extract that is.

Saw Palmetto

This is also called Serenoa repens. Again, what saw palmetto extract are they using? They don’t tell us. Like Pygeum, saw palmetto also shows up in prostate supplements. I can't find any studies looking at Saw palmetto improving sex drive or testosterone levels in men. For more on saw palmetto, see my reviews on:

• Ageless Male

• Androzene

Based on what I could locate, the only ingredient in the “male performance” blend with any evidence that it might do something is Maca root which I linked to on Amazon so you can see what others are saying about it.

Anabolic Blend

I take the word “anabolic” to mean that these ingredients in Regimen build muscle. There are five ingredients in the Anabolic Blend. Here's what I could locate on them:

Tribulus Terrestris Extract

The extract in Regimen comes from the fruit of the plant, but they don’t tell us what extract they are using. Tribulus shows up in several “men's supplements,” although for the life of me I don’t know why.

Currently, the evidence I see about tribulus helping men get bigger, stronger, faster, or raising testosterone (or raising anything else for that matter) is mostly hype and very little good science.

Previously I wrote a review of tribulus where I showed how I was unable to find any good proof that it raised testosterone levels or made people stronger. Some people get mad when I say “tribulus is a dud,” but to those, I say just show me proof―good human studies―and I might change my mind.

Here is the review of Tribulus for those who want to see the research for themselves.

Rhaponticum Cathamoides

Other names for this herb include Maral Root or Russian Leuzea. Like Ajuga Turkestanica described above, Rhaponticum cathamoides is also said to be a source of plant (and insect) based steroid hormones, called phytoecdysteroids. So, the idea is if men ingest these plant steroids, then they might raise testosterone levels. But, is there any evidence Rhaponticum cathamoides does this in people?

If there is, I can't find it.

I am unable to find any human research of Rhaponticum cathamoides pertaining to it raising testosterone levels in men. When I searched the national library of medicine for:

• Rhaponticum cathamoides testosterone
• Rhaponticum cathamoides exercise
• Rhaponticum cathamoides sex
• Rhaponticum cathamoides erections

I either saw no studies or I saw some highly preliminary research on lab mice. Lack of evidence does not mean something does not work; however, for me, the research I saw does not justify using this herb in a supplement marketed to people.

Muira Puama

This herb, also called Ptychopetalum olacoides, is sometimes thought to be an aphrodisiac. So with that in mind, I searched the National Library of Medicine for these search terms:

• Muira puama erectile dysfunction
• Ptychopetalum olacoides erectile dysfunction

No relevant studies showed up.

I then repeated this search to see if there was any evidence for Muira puama raising testosterone levels or improving exercise ability. Again, I saw no studies.

So why is this stuff in Regimen?

5-Methyl-7-Methoxy-Isoflavone

This is the overly complicated name for flavonoids, a class of plant chemicals that do a variety of things. If you eat fruits and vegetables, you are eating flavonoids.  Other names for these compounds include Methoxyisoflavone and Methoxylated flavones.

On some fitness websites, they talk about how 5-Methyl-7-methoxy-Isoflavone can reduce cortisol, a hormone linked to muscle breakdown. This ingredient is also sometimes touted to improve strength and decrease body fat. But, is there any evidence it does this?

I can't find any.

For example, in this 2006 study titled Effects of Methoxyisoflavone, Ecdysterone, and Sulfo-Polysaccharide Supplementation on Training Adaptations in Resistance-Trained Males, researchers randomly gave methoxyisoflavone (as well as 2 other compounds, 20-hydroxyecdysone and sulfo-polysaccharide) or a placebo to 45 male weight lifters for 8 weeks.

In this study, the men received 800 mg of methoxyisoflavone per day.  I'll point out that 800 mg is more than is in the entire “Anabolic Blend” of Regimen.

At the end of the study, there were no differences between what methoxyisoflavone did (or the other 2 compounds) compared to the placebo. Specifically, the researchers found:

• No change in body fat

• No change in 1 RM bench press

• No change in 1 RM leg press

• No change in sprint power

• No change in free testosterone levels

• No change in cortisol levels

The finding that 5-Methyl-7-methoxy-Isoflavone had no effect on cortisol levels should be of particular interest to fitness people because a LOT of websites say this stuff lowers cortisol. The study contradicts those statements.

Eurycoma Longifolia

Other names for this herb include Tongkat Ali and Malaysian ginseng.

In a 2014 study titled Effects of a Proprietary Freeze-Dried Water Extract of Eurycoma longifolia (Physta) and Polygonum minus on Sexual Performance and Well-Being in Men: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study, an extract of Eurycoma longifolia called Physta (along with an herb called Polygonum minus), used for 12 weeks, appeared to help men better in the bedroom (they said so in surveys) than a placebo.

This is an interesting study but it doesn’t prove that Regimen works, because Regimen does not specifically say it contains the Physta extract. Regimen also doesn’t have Polygonum minus either.

In a small study of older adults published in 2014 titled Tongkat ali as a potential herbal supplement for physically active male and female seniors-a pilot study, researchers noted that 400 mg of Tongkat ali (Eurycoma longifolia), used for 5 weeks, significantly  raised testosterone levels. Grip strength (not the best indicator of total body muscle strength) also increased in both men and women.

See my review of Triverex for more info on this herb.

This study is a “pilot” study, which means it is preliminary and needs to be followed up with a bigger/better study to confirm the results. This study also used 400 mg of Eurycoma longifolia. In Regimen, Eurycoma longifolia appears toward the bottom of the Anabolic Blend, which says to me that Regimen probably does not contain 400 mg.

Here is 400 mg of Eurycoma longifolia on Amazon for those who want to see what others are saying about it.

Anti-Estrogen Blend

There are three ingredients in the anti-estrogen blend, which as the name implies, are said to block or reduce estrogen levels. In men, greater levels of estrogen might interfere with muscle growth, sex drive, and may even play a role in weight gain. So what's the evidence that these ingredients reduce estrogen levels in men?

Red Clover Leaf Extract

The scientific name for red clover is Trifolium pratense. Regimen uses an extract of red clover but they don’t tell us what extract it contains.  Red clover contains isoflavones, which are estrogen-like compounds. I think the idea here is that the estrogen-like compounds in red clover might attach to the estrogen receptors on the cells of a man's body.

By doing this, the red clover isoflavones might block the actual estrogen hormone from binding to those receptors. In this way, red clover might block the actions of estrogen. It's an interesting idea, but is there any proof that red clover does this in men?

I searched the National Library of Medicine for:

• Red clover estrogen
• Trifolium pratense estrogen

I found no studies showing that red clover blocked or reduced estrogen levels in humans.

Chrysin

This is a flavonoid (a plant pigment) and is found naturally in honey and passion flower. Some feel that chrysin might be a compound called an aromatase inhibitor. Aromatase is an enzyme that makes estrogen. Blocking/inhibiting aromatase theoretically might reduce estrogen levels, and in doing so, might alter the amount of testosterone relative to estrogen in the body. This sounds somewhat plausible, but is there any proof? I searched the National Library of Medicine for:

• Chrysin testosterone
• Chrysin estrogen
• Chrysin aromatase
• Chrysin erections
• Chrysin phosphodiesterase (an enzyme involved in erections)

I found the following relevant investigations:

A 2012 study titled Beneficial effects of chrysin on the reproductive system of adult male rats which noted that chrysin―given to rats―increased testosterone levels and sperm concentration and motility.

While this is rat study, it's interesting, but…

An earlier human investigation (from 2003) titled Effects of chrysin on urinary testosterone levels in human males, unfortunately failed to show any increase in testosterone when chrysin-containing honey was given to 20 men for 3 weeks.

One possible drawback to this study may have been the use of honey rather than using chrysin itself.

In a study published in 2000 titled Effects of anabolic precursors on serum testosterone concentrations and adaptations to resistance training in young men, researchers gave men a chrysin-containing supplement called “Andro-6” for 8 weeks along with a strength-training program 3 times per week.

Compared to those who took a placebo, the men taking Andro-6 saw no change in testosterone levels and no superior increases in strength either.

Ironically, those taking Andro-6 saw an increase in estrogen levels!

This particular supplement contained 300 mg of chrysin, along with several other ingredients. I'd like to see this study repeated, but have the men only use chrysin.

For the moment, the positive research for chrysin appears to be limited to lab rat and test tube studies. If it works, I have no idea how much might help.

Diindolylmethane

If you eat foods like broccoli, your body is making some diindolylmethane because it is made during the digestion of cruciferous vegetables. More specifically, we make diindolylmethane from indole-3-carbinol (which was also one of the ingredients in that Andro-6 study I mentioned above).  Diindolylmethane (di-in-dole-meth-ane), or “DIM ” as it's also called, is an antioxidant. Like chrysin, it is also of interest to researchers as an estrogen blocker.

Most of the estrogen-blocking interest stems not from raising testosterone levels in men, but battling some types of cancer (breast and prostate cancer for example) although more research is needed to see how effective it might be.

So, what's the evidence that DIM boosts testosterone or blocks estrogen in men? I searched the National Library of Medicine for:

• Diindolylmethane estrogen
• Diindolylmethane testosterone

I didn't see any studies where men were given DIM to see if it raised testosterone levels.

I didn’t see any studies where men were given DIM to see if it reduced their estrogen levels either.

Based on my inability to find any good proof that it helps, I believe DIM is in Regimen because the makers of the product hope that it reduces estrogen in men based on what research indicates happens in test-tube studies and in people with cancer.

Active Ingredients in Regimen

From the evidence that could be located, the key ingredients may be

• Maca
• Eurycoma longifolia

The evidence is not what I'd call a “slam dunk,” but there's more proof for these ingredients to have more evidence than any of the other ingredients.

Ingredients With No Good Proof

Other than the two ingredients I listed above, I see no good human evidence for any of the other ingredients in Regimen. If anyone becomes aware of human research on Regimen or its ingredients, please let me know and I will be more than happy to update my review.

How Much Does Regimen Cost?

On the RepairLowT.com website, they were listing a bottle of Reigmen for $59.99 (plus $6.95 shipping and handling). When I looked, there was a free bottle offer for the product, but to get the free bottle, you would still have to pay $6.95 to cover shipping and handling. If you do order the free bottle, you will be included in an auto-ship program, where they will send you another 30-month supply for $49.99 (plus $6.95 shipping/handling) and every month after that until you cancel.

If you do the math, you're not saving much money in the auto-ship program:

Normal price: 59.99 + 6.95 =$66.90

Auto-ship price: 49.99  + 6.95 = $59.94

$66.90 – $59.94 = you save only $6.96 per bottle

To cancel the auto-ship program, call their customer service at 1-877-374-6221.

As is clearly stated in the Terms and Conditions and Privacy page of the RepairLowT.com website, by purchasing the product from the website, people give up their right to go to court and have a jury trial if they are not satisfied. Instead, people must go through a binding arbitration.

Other products I've reviewed that had similar clauses include:

• Prosvent (prostate supplement)

• Cyvita  (sex supplement)

• Instaflex (arthritis supplement)

• Bystrictin  (weight loss supplement)

I can understand and sympathize why a company would want to protect itself. I just want to point this out in case it's important to people.

How to Contact Regimen

On the RepairLowT.com website, they give these phone numbers:

• Customer service: 1-877-374-6221

• New orders: 1-800-569-8826

Vestiage, Inc., the company behind Regimen, can be reached either at their website (vestiageinc.com ) or by calling them directly at 949-258-4404.

Who Is Dr. Robert Burke?

As is stated in a video on the product’s website, Dr. Burke is the “person responsible for developing the Regiman line” of supplements. He is a cardiologist, is well-trained, and understands how science is conducted. He is also on the Advisory Committee of Vestiage, Inc., the company that makes Regimen.

With that in mind, I must ask the question: Why did he choose the ingredients in Regimen if the evidence for the vast majority of them do not appear to be based on humans?

The Regimen Low Testosterone Test

On the website  – Regimen.Me –  there was a series of 13 questions that are said to determine what our testosterone levels are.  Just for fun, I took the quiz to see what would happen. After I was finished― in order to see my score -―had to give them:

• My first AND last name

• My phone number

• My email address

Why do they want all this info?

I didn’t provide this information because I didn’t want to be called on the phone by people trying to sell me Regimen AND I also didn’t see any assurances that the they would not sell my personal information to others.

The bottom line: no online quiz can assess your testosterone level. Only a blood test by your doctor can do this.

Do You Need To Cycle Regimen Supplements?

On another Regimen website I found – BuyRegimen.com – it's stated that Regimen does not need to be cycled.

Cycling, in this context, is a reference to periodically starting and stopping a drug to as a way to give the body a chance to recover and reduce side effects. It's a word probably coined by bodybuilders who would cycle on and off steroids.

But, since there is no good human evidence for many of the ingredients in Regimen, my question is how do they know you don't have to cycle it? Have they ever done any studies of Regimen cycling? Not as far as I can tell.

Regimen Side Effects & Concerns

Because there appears to be no published research on Regimen itself and because many of the ingredients lack human studies, I have don't know what the side effects of the product might be. I really couldn't find much human research on several of its ingredients, but I'll assume it's safe until I learn more. If you have any side effects―positive or not―please leave a comment below so others can benefit from your experiences.

 Do Regimen Supplements Effectively Raise Testosterone?

Without clinical proof, it's hard to tell. If it works it may be due to the ingredients highlighted above.  For men who try Regimen, the best way to know if it works is to measure your testosterone levels first. Try the supplement for a month and then test your T levels again. That's the best way to know for sure.

 What do you think?

Updated 8/4/24.  “If you’re a man over 35 you could be losing the benefits of free testosterone, which could make you less of a man than you used to be.” Or at least that’s what’s said in the TV commercial for Nugenix, a product that—according to its TV commercial — is “a powerful all-natural man-boosting breakthrough, with a unique combination of ingredients that have been clinically proven to invigorate a man’s body to increase his libido.” Those are some pretty powerful words! I first heard about Nugenix while watching the manly channel, ESPN. Fancy words aside, let’s review Nugenix and see if it’s right for you.

Nugenix Ingredients

According to Nugenix.com, these are the ingredients in the product:

• Testofen (fenugreek)

• L-Citrulline Malate

• Tribulus Terrestris

• Zinc:   5 mg    (6.68% of Daily Value)

• Vitamin B6: 2 mg   (100% of Daily Value)

• Vitamin B12: 50 micrograms (850% Daily Value)

Click the links for more info on these ingredients

Update: The product has been reformulated and now there are 3 different versions of Nugenix. The 3 different types are:

• Nugenix Free Testosterone
• Nugenix PM with ZMA
• Nugenix Ultimate (review)

The following table compares the ingredients

Each of the 3 versions of Nugenix contains different ingredients.

For example, Testofen, originally touted as the main active ingredient in Nugenix now only the “free testosterone booster version.”  Testofen is a trademarked name for the herb fenugreek. This form of fenugreek is said to concentrate what some think are the active ingredients in the herb. These active ingredients are called Fenusides. Testofen is said to contain 50% Fenusides (pronounced phen-u-sides).

Interestingly, Nugenix Ultimate does not contain Testofen, but rather Fenugreek extract. Testofen comes from fenugreek. Is fenugreek extract better than Testofen? I’m honestly not sure as I’m not aware of any head-to-head comparisons.

Also, see my review of Prolongz for more information.

On the Nugenix Supplement Facts label, Testofen is combined with L-Citrulline malate and Tribulus Terrestris to form what they call the “Nugenix Testosterone Complex.”

On the Nugenix company website, they say that one serving size of Nugenix is 3 capsules. Every 3 capsules contains 2013 mg of the proprietary testosterone complex.  The product website also indicates that 600 mg of this complex is composed of Testofen.

How much of the Nugenix testosterone complex is composed of Tribulus or Citruline malate? They don’t tell us. I called Nugenix customer support and they could not tell me either.

Nugenix Testosterone Research

I searched the Nugenix website but did not see any published peer-reviewed research on Nugenix itself. Likewise, clinical research databases did not reveal any peer-reviewed research on  this supplement either.

Therefore, I conclude that Nugenix —itself— seems to have no published peer-reviewed evidence as proof that this supplement raises testosterone, improves sex drive, or improves low energy levels.

But, that doesn’t necessarily mean it doesn’t work.

Let’s now look at the research on the ingredients in Nugenix. Here is a breakdown of the relevant research:

Testofen

This is a trademarked version of the herb fenugreek. Testofen is made by a company called Gencor Pacific. I’ve reviewed Testofen before. It is the principal ingredient in products I’ve already looked at such as:

• Ageless Male  (300 mg Testofen)

• Mdrive   (unknown amount of Testofen)

• Syntheriod  (300 mg Testofen)

Looking at these other supplements, we see that Nugenix (600 mg of Testofen) has twice the amount of Testofen that Ageless Male or Syntheroid has. But does that mean that it works or works better?

As far as I can tell, most of the hype about Testofen seems to stem from a study published in 2011 in a Journal called Phytotherapy Research. In that study, men taking 600 mg of Testofen a day for 6 weeks reported that they felt more sexual urges, strength, etc.

 As I see it, the BIG PROBLEM with this study is that the men reported —in questionnaires —how they felt. Also, testosterone levels did not change. So in this study, Testofen didn’t raise testosterone levels!

As an aside, in my own little “experiment”, I tried 600 mg of fenugreek for 6 weeks. I didn’t measure my testosterone levels but I didn’t feel significantly different, like the guys in this study said they felt. Could it be because I used Fenugreek instead of the trademarked, Testofen? Maybe?

 

In 2016 another Testofen study was published. Its title is: Testofen, a specialized 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 randomized clinical study.

This study involved 120 mg (43-70 years) and followed them for 3 months. The men were randomly divied into a placebo group and a group that too 600 mg of Testofen per day. Men who got Testofen reported – on a questionnaire – that they experienced significantly better sexual function, more sex and morning erections.

The authors also state that testosterone levels rose too however they did not say testosterone levels were significantly higher.

“Significant’ means statistical significance and is something scientists are always looking for. By not specifically saying testosterone rose significantly might mean it went up but that it might not be clinically relevant.

Still, reports of having more sex might be the most interesting outcome of this study, regardless of testosterone levels.

The research supporting Testofen appears to be:

1. A human study where men essentially said they felt better after taking Testofen for six weeks. This study didn’t find that Testofen raised testosterone levels. Another human study where men reported more sex and more erections.

2. A rat study.

3. An unpublished study from 2006 noting that Testofen works. I discount unpublished studies because they have not been verified or reproduced by other competent researchers. If this study was completed in 2006, why hasn’t it been published yet?

In the Ageless Male review, I summarize in a table all the research for Testofen. Do take a look at it.

See the Testofen Review

L-Citrulline Malate

This is an amino acid that we make naturally in our bodies. Other products just call this stuff “L-Citrulline.” Citrulline sometimes shows up in male sex supplements because it helps us make a gas called nitric oxide.

Nitric oxide (NO) causes an expansion of blood vessels. This is technically called vasodilatation.

The idea here is that raising nitric oxide levels might expand blood vessels “downstairs” leading to erections. This idea is not new.

One problem with trying to elevate nitric oxide levels is that the gas dissipates pretty fast. In other words, it doesn’t work for very long. For more on L Citrulline see my reviews of:

• Triverex male enhancement supplement

• XTend bodybuilding and fat loss supplement

• Force Factor bodybuilding supplement

See my review of SuperBeets for more on nitric oxide

Tribulus Terrestris

There are a LOT of websites saying that Tribulus is a testosterone booster, but to all of them I ask:

“Where’s the proof?”

When I look at the Tribulus research, I see mostly rat studies. In my opinion, the Tribulus studies that did incorporate people are pretty unimpressive.

I already reviewed the research on Tribulus on this site as well as in my book about supplements so I’ll let you look at the evidence and decide for yourself. I’ll just say that based on the research I’ve seen, I am utterly unimpressed with Tribulus as a testosterone booster or sex supplement.

My review of RegiMen, a Low T supplement has additional information.

Zinc

Some evidence from the early 1990s suggests that being deficient in zinc might cause a reduction in testosterone levels. That’s nice but my question is, are you deficient in zinc?

Foods that contain zinc include meat, shellfish, fortified breakfast cereals as well as various seeds and nuts. Do you eat these foods?

The RDA for zinc for adult men is 11 mg per day, which is not much.  As such, I remain unconvinced that healthy people who are not taking medications are zinc deficient.

One version of Nugenix contains a zinc-containing compound called “ZMA.” ZMA stands for zinc, magnesium, aspartate. ZMA is reputed to be a testosterone booster in some circles. A 2004 study of ZMA noted that the supplement did not raise testosterone levels or improve strength. In a 2009 study, ZMA was likewise shown to not raise testosterone levels.

Vitamin B6

This vitamin, also called pyridoxine, is found in a LOT of foods. Because the healthy RDA is relatively low at 1mg to 2 mg per day, I don’t think most healthy people are deficient this coenzyme.

Nugenix gives men 100% of their daily value of B6 but I have a feeling most men are already getting this from the foods they eat and the other supplements they take. Interestingly, some research suggests people who are depressed have low levels of B6. Depression can result in reduced libido. Some evidence also suggests vitamin B6 may anxiety and depression.

Vitamin B12

Older adults and vegetarians may be deficient in vitamin B12 as might people who take certain medications (some diabetes medications for example).

It’s  important to remember that even though vitamin B12 is “water soluble,” we can store several years worth of this vitamin in our bodies! It takes a long time to run out of vitamin B12.

Some people mistakenly believe that B12 gives them more energy (like caffeine). This is why there’s so much B12 in energy drinks like

• 5 Hour Energy
• 6 Hour Power

In reality, B12 really doesn’t provide a caffeine-energy boost unless you are anemic.

Tip. A quick blood test by your doctor will tell you if you are deficient in B6, B12, or zinc.

Who Makes Nugenix?

On the Nugenix website (Nugenix.com) is the question “Who Produces Nugenix?” The website gives this answer:

“Nugenix is created in US laboratories under strict FDA GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) guidelines. Our offices are in Charlotte NC as well as Boston MA. Our laboratories are in both Florida and Utah.”

Did you notice they didn’t answer the question?

Within the Terms of Service page of the Nugenix website, I discovered that the company that owns Nugenix is Direct Digital LLC (DirectDigitalLLC.com). Direct Digital is also the company that makes the arthritis supplement, Instaflex (click to the review)

Direct Digital has offices in Boston and North Carolina.

The Better Business Bureau gave the company a rating of A+ when this review was updated. However, the company was rated with only 1 out of 5 stars.

Here is the BBB file for Direct Digital.

The Nugenix Test Your Manhood Test

The Nugenix TV commercial I saw gave men a little test to see how manly they were. The “three simple questions” they asked were:

1. “Are you losing your passion and sex drive?”

2. “Do you want to improve your performance?”

3. “How about feeling more energetic?”

Afterward, they say “Well, if you answered yes to any of these questions, you should call now to receive a complimentary bottle of Nugenix.”

Let me briefly address each of these questions to put things in perspective:

Question 1. A lot of things can cause a man to lose his sex drive. Yes, aging can play a role, but so, too, can other things like diabetes and stress.

Question 2. What “performance” are they talking about? Are they referring to sexual performance (I think they are given the nature of question #1) or exercise performance? They don’t specifically tell us.

Question 3. A lot of things—such as carrying too much weight or even depression— can lead to a loss of energy.

In short, all 3 of these questions are vague. In my opinion, I believe they are stated vaguely on purpose. Asking vague questions casts the biggest net and is more likely to get the biggest response from people.

Asking specific questions—on the other hand—reduces the number of people who might respond to them.

Tip. Asking vague questions is a common marketing method used to get a lot of people to respond.

Who is Andrea Owens?

On Nugenix.com you may see a prerecorded video of an attractive woman who calls herself “Andrea Owens.” She says ” Hi my name is Andrea Owens and I’ve got some interesting information for you…” If you watched her video, you know she goes on and on about those three simple questions I justdiscussed.”

But my question is, who is she? She says her name like we’re supposed to know who she is.

So, I became curious. If you hover your mouse over her picture you’ll see the letters “LF” appear. By clicking the little “LF” next to her video, you are taken to a website called LiveFaceOnTheWeb.com —a marketing website that puts videos of attractive people on websites. These people are called “virtual greeters“ and are used to increase website activity and sales.

You can even pick the model you want to appear on your website. If you look at the female models, you can find Andrea. She says her real name is Andrea Helfrich. If you Google her name, you see references to Miss Philadelphia 2010. I’m not sure if this is the same person as “Andrea Owens” but they both look and sound similar to me.

Marketing stuff aside, let’s now review at the science and ingredients of Nugenix and see if we can figure out what’s going on.

How To Contact Nugenix?

To contact Nugenix the website says to call this number: 1-855-714-3234. This is a call center in California and not the company itself. The person I spoke with was very helpful and patient with my questions. While I was asked to try a free sample for $4.99, I didn’t feel pressured to do it.

I liked that.

The Nugenix Autoship Program

If you buy Nugenix through the Nugenix website you should read the Terms and Conditions that are listed at the bottom of the page. Here is a summary of some of the things you should know:

To get a free 14-day trial sample of Nugenix you must pay $4.99 for shipping and handling. They say it usually takes 4 days for people to get the product. So, the “end date” of your trial period will be 18 days AFTER you order your free sample. This is important.

This means that 18 days after you order the free sample, your credit card will be charged $74.98 plus tax and you will be entered into the Nugenix auto-ship program in which they will send you a 30-day supply of Nugenix every 30 days until you cancel.

To cancel the auto-ship program, people must call 1-855-714-3234 at least 1 day before the next batch of Nugenix is shipped.

Nugenix can also be found at local health food stores like Vitamin Shoppe and GNC.

How To Return Nugenix

It’s stated on the product website that all Nugenix auto-shipments come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. This is even true if the bottle is empty. Here are the basics on how to return Nugenix:

First, call 1-855-714-3234 and request a Return Merchandise Authorization number (RMA number).

This RMA number must be clearly printed on the outside of the package. The package should be postmarked within 30 days of the purchase to be eligible for a refund.

Send  the product to be returned to:

Nugenix
MS# 730 341 W. 6100 South Murray, UT 84107.

Nugenix will not accept any returned product that does not have an RMA number.

Make sure you get a “proof of shipment” from the post office (just in case). They do mention this tip on the Nugenix Terms and Conditions Page. They say it may take up to a month to see the refund credited to your credit card.

If you are not using the auto-ship program and want to return Nugenix, the product needs to be in its original package and not opened. As before, people must call Nugenix, get an RMA number and return the product to the company before a refund can be issued.

Nugenix Side Effects

Nugenix is likely safe in healthy people. It’s been around a long time and I’m not aware of any side effects. That said, for those who are concerned, here are some potential issues that some people who may not be healthy may want to consider:

• Begin by taking less for at least the first week. Give your body time to adjust.
• Stop taking the product at least 2 weeks before surgery.
• The product is not for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
• There is some animal research that Tribulus might reduce blood sugar levels.
• In theory, by elevating nitric oxide levels, citrulline might cause blood pressure to go lower.
• Testofen might reduce blood sugar levels. This may be an issue for diabetics who take blood-sugar-lowering medications.
• Fenugreek also seems to have a blood-thinning ability and may interact with blood-thinner drugs.

Bottom line. Talk to your doctor first if you are not “healthy.”

Does Nugenix Work?

I didn’t try Nugenix so I have no personal experience. I prefer to look only at the research. The big question is does Nugenix raise testosterone levels? Consider the evidence preliminary for now. If it works, its effects may be due to Testofen which comes from fenugreek. Fenugreek can be found in other supplements or purchased by itself. To know for sure if it’s working, get your testosterone levels measured first. Then, test the levels again in a month or so. That’s the best way to know for sure.

What do you think?