Triverex Male Enhancement Supplement An Evidence Based Review

Triverex – the male enhancement supplement – is said to be “a revolutionary new formula with a key ingredient backed up by 7 clinical studies.”  There are doctors on the website who tout the benefits of this sex supplement and the website of Triverex also proudly displays the message “Triverex is transforming lives!” But, does Triverex work?  Let's take a look at the research and see what we can discover. After you are finished here, also see my reviews of Civita and Androzene, other male enhancement supplements.

Triverex ingredients

According to the Triverex website (Triverex.com) these are the ingredients in this male enhancement supplement:

• Korean Red Ginseng
• L-Citrulline
• Maca
• Epimedium
• Eurycoma Longifolia
• Velvet Bean

 

The Science of Triverex

On the page of the website called “The Science Behind Triverex” they say, “The leading ingredient in Triple-Action Triverex™ has been the subject of seven impressive human clinical studies.  And scientific data confirms these incredible advantages:

1. Improves mood
2. Improves blood flow
3. Improves stamina
4. Extremely safe

 

What is this leading ingredient?  From the words they use, I believe it's Korean red ginseng and I'll discuss the research on this ingredient below.

Also – and this is a biggie – where are the 7 human clinical studies that the makers of Triverex keep talking about?  I looked all over the Triverex website and I can't find them.

This is ironic for a website that goes out of its way to talk about science and tout the education of the doctors who promote Triverex.

Another interesting thing about the Triverex.com website is that when I searched the site for key words like “erection”, “ED” and “erectile dysfunction” I noticed that “erection” was only used once while the other 2 terms were not used at all.  The word “hard” / “hardness” were used 4 times.  I find this ironic.  Take it for what it's worth.

 

The first thing you need to know about “The Science Behind Triverex” is that there are no studies on Triverex itself.  The “evidence” is based on studies of its individual ingredients.

I know this is true because I searched the National Library of Medicine for “Triverex” and no studies turned up.  Therefore, I am forced to conclude that Triverex has no published peer reviewed proof that it works.

Since Triverex seems to have no good proof, let's look at the research on each of the ingredients in Triverex.

Korean Red Gingeng

In one study from 1995, published in the International Journal of Impotence Research, 90 men were split into 3 groups (30 in each group) – either getting Korean ginseng, a placebo or an antidepressant called trazodone which has been shown to have some beneficial effects on erections.

Researchers noted that 60% of men who received Korean red ginseng (18 men) had improvements in erectile dysfunction (ED).  This is interesting, however researchers stated that “no complete remission of erectile dysfunction was noted.”

Interestingly, 30% of men who received the placebo (9 men) also noted beneficial improvements in ED.  Since the placebo should have no effect on ED, the fact that some men saw improvements is a weakness of this study.

 

In another study published in 2002 in the Journal of Urology, 45 men with ED were randomly treated with either a placebo or Korean red ginseng for 16 weeks.  The amount of ginseng used was 2700 mg (900 mg, used 3 times per day).  All men were randomly given both a placebo (for 8 weeks) or Korean red ginseng (for 8 weeks).

There was a 2 week “wash out” period between treatments to give the ginseng time to get out of the mens bodies before the next treatment.

Questionnaires, given to the men after treatments, showed that Korean red ginseng significantly improved issues concerning  penetration and erection maintenance (the ability to stay hard) compared to placebo.

 

In 2008, a review of red ginseng and erectile dysfunction was published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology.  This review included 7 randomized clinical trials.

Question. Are these the “7 clinical trials” Alluded to on the Triverex website?

The results of this review show that there may be something to red ginseng and erectile dysfunction but that more research is needed because of the lack of quality ginseng studies.

 

How much Korean red ginseng helps ED?

According to the 2008  meta analysis on Korean red ginseng summarized above, the “optimum dose of red ginseng is unknown.”  In some studies researchers have used one big dose of 1800- 3000 mg per day while others have used 600 mg, taken 3 times per day (1800 mg total).

Still other studies have used 900 mg to 1000 mg of Korean red ginseng per day.  This is important to keep in mind because while the “optimum” amount may not be currently known, it might be somewhere between  900 – 3000 mg per day.

How much Korean red ginseng is in Triverex?  They don't tell us.

 

How much Korean red ginseng is in Triverex?

Since the Triverex website doesn't tell us how much red ginseng it has, I called Triverex customer service and asked them.  They told me that Korean red ginseng makes up 1/4 of the total amount of ingredients in Triverex.

They could not tell me the exact amount of Korean red ginseng in each pill so I then asked them how many total milligrams are in each pill?  If we know that, we can deduce how much red ginseng might be in each Triverex pill.

 

The customer service rep I spoke with told me that each Triverex pill has 1050 mg of total ingredients.  If Korean red ginseng makes up 25% of this, that means that each Triverex pill has 1050mg X .025 = 262.5 mg.

 

The Triverex customer service rep also told me that men should take Triverex 3 times per day.  So, that means that men would be getting 3 X 252.5 mg = 787.5 mg of Korean red ginseng per day.

 

Remember, research on ED and Korean red ginseng have used 900 – 3000 mg per day.  This means that the amount of Korean red ginseng in Triverex is less than what most researchers have used in clinical studies.

Here is a Red Ginsing product calming 600 mg/serving that has mostly high reviews on Amazon.

It's possible that the red ginseng in Triverex might build up over time and have a beneficial effect on ED but I wanted to point just in case any men may have tried Triverex and it didn't work.

 

FYI. The customer service rep tried on several occasions to get me to buy Triverex. This is not a “soft sell” product. Keep this in mind when you call to ask questions about Triverex.

 

The other ingredients in Triverex?

Let's now take a brief look at the other ingredients in Triverex and see if they have any evidence at helping erectile dysfunction.

L-Citrulline

This is a non essential amino acid that is converted into another non essential amino acid called arginine.  Arginine, in turn, helps make a gas called nitric oxide (NO).  Nitric oxide in turn helps to vasodilate (expand) blood vessels.

 

Since erections are due – in part  – to expansion of blood vessels in the penis, it makes sense that Citrulline and /or arginine would be in a male sex supplement like Triverex.

Citrulline is also found in the exercise supplement Force Factor and the weight loss supplement XTend which I reviewed previously. See my SuperBeets review for more on nitric oxide research.

 

Epimedium

This ingredient is in many sexual performance supplements because its other name is “Horny Goat Weed.” Like all herbs, epimedium contains many “active ingredients”, one of which is something called icariin which seems to act like a natural PDE-5 inhibitor.

PDE-5 stands for Phosphodiesterase-5.  It's an enzyme. Inhibiting this enzyme is how Viagra – and other male ED drugs – work. So, I would not be surprised to find epimedium in supplements touted as “natural Viagra.”

Here is a product on Amazon that mentions Icariin and has generally positive comments from people.

Tip. Unfortunately several “natural” male enhancement supplements have been found to contain Viagra.

 

One study from 2010 published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine noted that epimedium seemed to help erections in rats  and this confirmed earlier lab rat results from 2005, published in the Asian Journal of Andrology.  Another lab rat study from 2006 noted that Icarrin could mimic the effects of testosterone.

 

All these rat studies are interesting, but  are there any studies showing that epimedium helps men have better erections?  As far as I can tell nobody seems to have tested if epimedium helps men with erectile dysfunction (ED).

 

Maca

This radish-like vegetable is also called Lepidium meyenii and according to Wikipedia, it is also known as peruvianum.  Wikipedia lists research that Maca has been shown to reduce prostate size in lab rats and that it might be an aphrodisiac however, the “proof” for the aphrodisiac claim was a book published by Rodale Press and hence, is not  as good as a peer reviewed study.

So I searched the National Library of Medicine and discovered a study of Lepidium Meyeniii and ED published in 2009.

This study lasted 12 weeks and involved 50 men with mild ED.  Men were randomly given 2400 mg of maca or placebo.  Men were also given a erectile function questionnaire called the IIEF-5 before and after trials.

Interestingly, men in both the placebo group and maca group experienced significant improvements in ED although men getting Maca were said to have greater benefits.

The fact that the placebo group also saw significant improvements in ED is a weakness of this study.  Placebos should have no effect.

Another study from 2002 noted that maca improved sexual desire in men better than a placebo. The amount used in this study was 1500-3000 mg. In this study, Maca did not raise testosterone levels.

Since all the ingredients in Triverex add up to 1050 mg, it's safe to assume that the amount of maca in Triverex is less than the 1500-3000 mg used in research.

Another study published in 2000 also noted that maca improved sex in rats.  How maca helps lab rats improve sex is not known but it does not seem to increase testosterone levels.

My review of Regimen , another Low T supplement, has additional information on maca and the next ingredient in this list, Eurycoma Longifolia.

 

Eurycoma Longifolia

Also called Tongkat Ali and Malaysian ginseng, this herb, is reputed to be a testosterone booster and aphrodisiac.

Studies have shown that Eurycoma Longifolia can increase sperm count – in rats and sexual activity – in rats, as well as decrease calcium loss – in rats.

All this is great, but again, I do not see any research showing that eurycoma longfolla helps men with erectile dysfunction.

 

For the bodybuilders out there, I also can't find any human studies showing that eurycoma longfoli increases testosterone in people.

Bodybuilding websites sometimes discuss how eurycoma eurycoma can improve muscle size and strength, however this claim appears to be based on a rat study noting that the herb stimulated the growth of the leavator ani muscle which is located in the pelvis region.

But, where is human research showing that eurycoma longfoli helps weight lifters and bodybuilders?  If that research exists, I can't find it.

 

Velvet Bean

Also called cowhage and Mucuna pruriens.  One study noted that extracts from mucuna pruriens raised testosterone levels in infertile men.  Most of the other sex-related research I saw involved lab rats.

This compound also contains L-Dopa (levo dopa), which is used to treat Parkinson's disease.  Speak to your doctor before using Triverex if you have Parkinson's disorder.

For more on velvet bean see my review of QuickTrm – the Kim Kardashian weight loss supplement.

 

Who makes Triverex?

At the bottom of the Triverex.com website it says “Vendor Services LLC” but this is actually a subsidiary of  Guthy-Renker, which has marketed many health and wellness related products over the years including Tony Robbins CDs, Proactive acne treatment and Youthful Essence by Susan Lucci.

The Guthy Renker Corporate office is located at 3340 Ocean Park Blvd. Santa Monica CA 90405.  Their phone number is 310 581 3232.

The Better Business Bureau gives Guthy Renker a rating of A + at the time I wrote this review.  The BBB has another address and phone number listed for this company so check that out also if you need to contact Guthy Renker.

 

Who is Dr. Mark Moyad?

Dr Moyad is credited with being the creator of Triverex.  Dr. Moyad was one of the people involved in removing tryptophan from the US market after it was linked to the deaths of over 30 people in the last 1980s.  That's fantastic! Kudos to him!  For more on tryptophan see my review of SlimFuel.

The Triverex.com website quotes Dr Moyad when he says that he has “extensive experience in the field of male sexual health and dietary supplements.”

 

That said,  I can't find a single peer reviewed paper on erectile dysfunction or supplements for ED published by Dr Moyad.  Also, not one study that I saw in my investigation of Triverex had Dr Moyad's name associated with it.  Lastly, why has Dr. Moyad not published any research on his own product – Triverex?

Most of the recent papers Dr. Moyad has published have had to do with prostate cancer, heart disease, alternative medicine or dietary supplements.

Amazon does list a book on sexual health by Dr. Moyad, but for me, this does not hold as much weight as a peer reviewed research study.

Let me be clear.  I do not write these words to depreciate Dr. Moyad in any way. However I feel these are valid criticisms because Dr. Moyad is on TV selling a male enhancement supplement that for the most part is piggybacking on his education and reputation.

If anyone locates research published by Dr. Moyad on ED – or Triverex – please let me know and I will gladly update my review.

 

Triverex Side Effects

On the FAQ page of Triverex website they say “The ingredients in Triverex are natural and safe” but I wonder how can they say this when Triverex has never been tested in published peer reviewed research?

The website site also contains this statement: “If you have any existing medical conditions, such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular concerns or other health concerns, make sure you consult with your doctor before using Triverex.”

Let's look at the ingredients in Triverex and try to expand on this a bit.

Korean ginseng.  Ginseng is very complicated and has many ingredients that seem to do different things.  For example, ginseng may have estrogen like properties.  Would ginseng be bad for somebody with a history of breast cancer (men get breast cancer too)?

Ginseng has a blood thinner property meaning it might interact with blood thinner drugs.  Ginseng might also lower blood sugar.  Ginseng might also alter the way the immune system works and interfere with drugs like prednisone or insulin.

I admit, some of the “side effects” of ginseng are worst case scenarios but I mention them because men who with ED may have other problems too.  For example, erectile dysfunction can be an early sign of heart disease.  Get checked out by your doctor before self medicating with ginseng.

Both L Citrulline and epimedium might cause a decrease in blood pressure due to its ability to increase nitric oxide levels.  The decrease is probably mild in healthy people but may be drastic if combined with medications used to treat high blood pressure or heart disease.  Also be careful if also taking Viagra or similar drugs as they may also drop blood in pressure.

One rat study from 1989 noted that epimedium reduced thyroid hormone (T3), although presently, I am not sure if this is true in people or not. Some researchers speculate that epimedium might increase prostate gland size.  Again, whether this is true or not I do not know so do ask your doctor about this.

Velvet bean might decrease blood sugar and cause a drop in blood pressure and interact with Parkinson's medications and antidepressants but there is currently little human proof of this.

 

How Much Does Triverex Cost?

Triverex has an introductory offer of of $9.95 + $2.99 shipping and handling.  That introductory rate will get you a 20 day supply of Triverex.

When you call to order they will ask for a credit card.  This is important because Triverex is usually shipped every 3 months and unless you tell them not to, they will also charge you $42.94 per month for the next 3 months.

Triverex really costs $119.85 for a 3 month supply (I'm quoting the customer service rep I spoke with).

When the 3 month supply is almost over they will ship you another 3 month supply – again for $119.85.  This will keep happening unless you call them and ask them to stop.  You can stop this by telling Triverex to only send you the 20 day supply for $9.95.  Triverex customer support is 1-888-372-6580

 

Does Triverex Work?

On the product website it does say “Triverex Works” but in smaller print it also says “your results may vary.”  On the FAQ page of the website there is the question “Does Triverex really work?”  The answer to this question says:

“Yes. In fact, there are seven human clinical studies on the key ingredient in Triverex.  While results can vary from person to person, taking 2-3 pills per day is the best way to achieve maximum results.”

What I noticed about this statement was that they never really came out and said “yes Triverex really helps sexual performance” or “yes Triverex will give you better erections.”

Instead they used vague language such as “achieve maximum results.”  What's up with that?  The vague language is likely because of US laws which prohibit medical claims being made about dietary supplements.

Still, I would like to have seen something more concrete than “yes” or “maximum results.”  And, where are these mysterious “7 clinical studies” the makers of Triverex keep talking about?  If anybody is able to find them, please let me know.

Based on the studies I have seen while writing this review, some of the ingredients in Triverex have preliminary evidence that they may help some men with erectile dysfunction.  I feel the evidence is strongest for Korean red ginseng and maca and maybe epimedium, but the “evidence” is mostly based on rat studies. Still, it's there.

That said, I can't find any studies that used the unique blend of ingredients in Triverex.  Therefore there is no proof that this combination of ingredients works synergistically together to produce a better effect, although in theory they might.  The best way to know for sure is to wait for men who tried Triverex to comment.

What do you think?