Update 1/8/20. “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 its right for you.
Nugenix Ingredients
According to Nugenix.com, these are the ingredients in the product:
- Testofen (fenugreek)
- L-Citrulline Malate
- Zinc: 5 mg (6.68% of Daily Value)
- Vitamin B6: 2 mg (100% of Daily Value)
- Vitamin B12: 50 micrograms (850% Daily Value)
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
| Nugenix Free Testosterone Booster | Nugenix PM With ZMA | Nugenix Ultimate |
|---|---|---|
| Serving size: 3 capsules | Serving size: 4 capsuels | Serving size 4 capsules |
| Servings per bottle: 30 | Servings per bottle: 30 | Servings per bottle 30 |
| Vitamin B6 2 mg (100% DV) | Vitamin B6 10.5 mg (525% DV) from ZMA | D-Aspartic Acid 3000 mg |
| Vitamin B12 50 mcg (833% DV) | Magnesium Aspartate (from ZMA) 450 mg (112% DV) | Fenugreek Extract (Trigonella foenum-graecum/ 50% saponins) 700 mg |
| Zinc 1 mg (7% DV) | Zinc (from ZMA) 30 mg (200% DV) | Boron 10 mg |
| Nugenix Free Testosterone Complex 2103 mg. Composed of the following: | ZMA 2400 mg | Epimedium grandiflorum 650 mg |
| L-Citrulline Malate | Tribulus Terrestris 750 mg (from fruit. 40% saponins) | Mucuna Pruriens Extract (Mucuna pruriens/ 20% L-Dopa) 250 mg |
| Testofen Fenugreek Seed Extract (50% Fenuside) | Melatonin 2 mg | Maca Root (lepidium meyenii) PWD 250 mg |
| Tribulus Terrestris (fruit) | Other ingredients: | Stinging Nettle Extract (Urtica diocia) (root) 360 mg |
| Other ingredients: | Gelatin | Tongkat Ali 100:1 Extract (Eurycoma longifolia jack) (root) 200 mg |
| Gelatin | Magnesium Stearate | Other ingredients: |
| Magnesium Stearate | Gelatin | |
| Magnesium Stearate | ||
As can be seen, the 3 different versions contain some pretty 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 label of Nugenix, Testofen is combined with L-Citrulline malate and Tribulus Terrestris to form what they call the “Nugenix Testosterone Complex.”
On the product website, they say that a 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 Research
I searched the Nugenix website but did not see any published peer-reviewed research on Nugenix itself. I also searched the National Library of Medicine for “Nugenix” and saw no research either.
Therefore, I conclude that Nugenix —itself— seems to have no published-peer reviewed the evidence that this supplement raises testosterone, improves sex drive or improves energy levels. But, that doesn’t necessarily mean it doesn’t work.
So, 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 specialised 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 basically 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.
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 “down stairs” 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:
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
There is some evidence from the early 1990s noting 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. Therefore, I'm not convinced that healthy people who are not taking medications are lacking in zinc —especially if they take a multivitamin that has zinc.
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 is found in a LOT of foods. I don't think most people are lacking in vitamin B6. 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.
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.
People generally believe that B12 gives them more energy (like caffeine). This is why there's so much B12 in energy drinks like
In reality, B12 really doesn’t give you energy—like caffeine—if you're healthy.
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?
What is the name of the company that makes Nugenix?
At the bottom of Nugenix.com on the “Contact us” page, I see this address:
Nugenix
MS# 730 341 W. 6100 South Murray, UT 84107
I'm not sure what the “MS” in the address stands for. I called Nugenix customer support (it’s a call center in California) and they could not tell me either.
If you Google 341 W. 6100 South Murray, UT 84107, you will see references that this is also the address given for the arthritis supplement called Instaflex.
The link I provided shows that the address appears to be some sort of a warehouse facility. I could be wrong, but it doesn’t look like a laboratory to me. I think this is where they ship the product from.
When I called Nugenix customer support they told me Nugenix is actually produced in North Carolina.
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 see my review)
Direct Digital has offices in Boston and North Carolina. Here are their addresses:
Boston address:
364 Boylston St. 3rd Floor Boston, MA 02116
North Carolina address:
508 West 5th St. Suite 140 Charlotte, NC 28202
The Better Business Bureau gave the company a rating of F when this review was updated. 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 just 
discussed.”
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 actually 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. Its been around a long time. I'm not aware of any side effects. That said, looking at the main ingredients in the product, here are some potential issues that some people who may not be healthy may want to consider:
- Stop taking the product at least 2 weeks before surgery
- Start with less than is recommended for the first week
- The product is not for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding
- There is some lab rat research that Tribulus might reduce blood sugar levels. Human research on this is lacking.
- 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.
[…] people might be interested in should they chose to try Androzene. See the review of Prolongz Nugenix and Ageless Male for more […]