Tropinol XP™ has recently been released into the supplement world with forum users reporting the following results:
Significantly increased endurance
Powerful muscle pumps
Increased strength
Significant muscle gain
Noticeable fat loss
These are very positive reviews but here at ************** we look at how a supplement works and via what mechanisms to better assess its potential benefits. Marketing is worthless without science and empirical feedback so while the feedback to date is positive lets tackle the science behind Tropinol XP to assess whether it can match the claims made.
Tropinol XP™ seems to be formulated using the more tried and true ingredients known in the test boosting world, instead of releasing some unknown/un-documented herb that no one has ever heard of. This in itself is no bad thing. There have been a number of supplement ingredients that looked great on paper and in rats but which didn’t pan out in the gym. By using established ingredients we can gain a better handle on the effectiveness of a new supplement.
Let’s explore each ingredient contained within Tropinol XP™, as well as how the formula works as a whole:
Fadogia Agrestis
This herb first became popular following a study performed at the University of Ilorn in 2007(1). In this study male rats were divided into 4 separate groups labeled A-D. With group A being the control(and receiving a placebo), Group B receiving 18mg/kg, Group C receiving 50mg/kg, and Group D receiving 100mg/kg of the aqueous extract of fadogia agrestis, the results were nothing less than spectacular.
As shown in the graph below, the rats consuming all doses of fadogia agrestis showed significant increase in serum blood testosterone levels, with the 100mg/kg group showing the most significant boosts.
Hang on a second - I’m not a rat
While 100mg/kg may seem to be a large dose considering the average male weighs about 80kg (and would therefor require a dose of 8 grams per day), the truth is that human doses of herbs must be converted using a body surface area conversion formula to find the appropriate dosage. When using rats, the way to convert the dosage into human equivalence is as follows:
Rat HED/Human HED x mg/kg dosage = converted dosage
So by using the formula above, we would be left with:
Rat HED(6)/Human HED(37) x 100mg/kg = 16mg/kg.
So for an 80kg male, the proper dose to see the largest results would be a total of 1,280mg/day. While Tropinol XP™ hides its fadogia agrestis dose within a proprietary blend, it is listed first in the ingredient blend(with a 4 capsule dose totaling 2,252mg), leading us to surmise that Tropinol XP™ contains a large dose of the ingredient, which should lead to similar results found in the study all other things being equal.
Should Tropinol XP™ work similarly to how fadogia alone performed in this study there is the potential to elevate testosterone levels to at least the 200% mark witnessed in the study.
Epimedium (Standardized for 20% Icariin)
This next compound is interesting as it is capable of performing multiple functions in the body, and does not work through a single pathway like most herbs/ingredients. Let’s take a look at each unique pathway this compound is capable of modifying:
PDE5 Inhibition(2)(3)
Working in a way similar to that of Viagra®, Icariin has been shown to significantly inhibit PDE5. Indeed one study showed that not only was Icariin active in this respect but a variant of it was more potent than the active compound in Viagra®! What this means is that Tropinol XP™ can enhance vascularity and blood flow leading to better pumps inside and outside the gym. It also has the potential to act as a pre-sex supplement given the similarity with how Viagra® works.
Testosterone Mimetic Properties(4)
Icariin can actually mimic the effects of testosterone in your body and the researchers suggested its therapeutic use for managing suppressed androgen levels. When you consume icariin it is transported to the blood stream. From here, just like testosterone, icariin can actually interact with and unlock androgen receptors. By activating more androgen receptors, users should feel a significant increase in testosterone like effects such as added strength, increased lean body mass, higher libido, and a higher feeling of confidence.
Enhance eNOS and Nitric Oxide production(5)(6)
Some of the most popular products these days are those that can increase Nitric Oxide levels. Icariin is capable of increasing Nitric Oxide which means users should feel a large “pump” while on this product. A pump is the feeling when vasodilation (enlargement of veins) occurs. By increasing the size of your veins, you will be able to provide your muscles with more oxygen, nutrients, and blood, leaving you with incredibly swollen and full looking muscle bellies. In addition to the aesthetic benefits, a strong pump also helps facilitate more muscle growth by literally stretching out our muscle fascia tissue. This means not only the feeling of a pump, but enhanced muscle growth in the sites where you feel the pump most.
The studies on icariin show that not only is nitric oxide increased it increases in a dose dependent manner and the increase occurs within as little as five minutes. This means Tropinol XP™ could be dosed in the preworkouts period to enhance muscle pumps.
Increase Testosterone(4) and Enhance Bone Formation
The same study which showed that Icariin can act as a testosterone mimetic also showed that it was able to boost natural testosterone levels, improve penile condition, and improve bone formation. Icariin was found to significantly increase testosterone production, but left LH and FSH levels unchanged. This most likely means that icariin may influence aromatase or 5-alpha reductase activity in vivo and thereby modulate serum T levels without directly impacting LH secretion.
Overall, Icariin has a very positive research basis with numerous benefits for both health and performance.
Coleus Forskolhii (Providing 20% Forskolin)
Most commonly used for its fat burning effects, Coleus Forskohlii has also been shown to raise testosterone in men (7). In the cited study, coleus forskolhii not only favourably altered body mass (participants lost body fat while they gained lean body mass), but was also shown to increase testosterone by up to 33%. This information lends this herb a very unique ability to help users both burn fat and build muscle simultaneously, despite most people believing that doing both at once is impossibility. This lends some credence to the reports of users of Tropinol XP™ experiencing simultaneous increases in muscle and loss of fat.
25R-Dione Spirost-4-Ene, 6-Dion
This compound is listed with a fancy nomenclature, however it is more commonly known as the plant steroid Diosgenin. Very few studies on this compound exist, however iForce Nutrition utilized this compound in their previous best seller “Max Out”, and claim it was solely responsible for the substantial and immediate strength gains many users experienced. In the only study exploring the effects of this compound(8), researchers found that it was capable of displaying strong anabolic properties, without manifesting any negative androgenic traits. Most notably, this compound was found to significantly increase weight in rats when tested, which shows that a natural anabolic without any negative side effects.
One thing we should point out here is that much as mentioned in our review of ecdysterone previously, plant steroids do NOT act in the same way as anabolic steroids or prohormones. They do not negatively affect the HPTA axis, nor do they have any side effects in their use. Perhaps most important of all, they do not lower natural testosterone levels unlike anabolic steroids.
Potassium Nitrate
As mentioned earlier, Tropinol XP™ contains one ingredient never before seen in a testosterone booster, and that ingredient is potassium nitrate. While this compound has no literature to show that it can increase testosterone, the inclusion of a high dose of nitrates(93mg/capsule, or 372mg per 4 capsule dose according the label) does offer users a host of other benefits.
In an just released study(9) published in February 2013, the inclusion of high levels of nitrates in athletes’ diet not only improved athletic performance, but also significantly upregulated nitric oxide levels via the nitrate-nitrite-NO pathway, as well as increasing muscular glucose uptake. This research supports other research which showed that nitrates can improve performance, especially muscle endurance.
The level of potassium nitrate found in Tropinol XP™ should provide users with better pumps, as well as significantly increasing endurance. These findings support end user reviews of intense muscle pumps and much improved endurance while using Tropinol XP™.
While iForce Nutrition does not cite these claims (most likely due to the product being released just as this study was being performed), they do mention that potassium nitrate is also beneficial for its mild diuretic properties. Although no direct studies showcase this compound’s ability to act as a mild diuretic, it is widely regarded as a scientific fact that taking potassium nitrate will cause a diuretic effect which in turn will help you attain a more eye pleasing physique by eliminating excess water stores in your muscle cells.
Iforce Nutrition have taken a gamble on this ingredient but the early feedback from users has been positive so it looks a wise choice on their part.
Vitamin D3 (as Cholecalciferol)
This version of vitamin D is widely regarded as the most bioavailable form, so you can expect your body to be able to absorb and utilize every single IU that is listed on the label. Tropinol XP™ contains a whopping 5,000IU’s of vitamin D3 per 4 capsule serving, which is higher than just about every other testosterone booster on the market we can think of.
In a large study (10), vitamin D was given to healthy males over an extended period of time (10). The study provided the participants with 3,332IU of Vitamin D per day, or about 66% of the amount found in Tropinol XP™. Coming straight from the study itself:
“Compared to baseline values, a significant increase in total testosterone levels (from 10.7 ± 3.9 nmol/l to 13.4 ± 4.7 nmol/l; p < 0.001), bioactive testosterone (from 5.21 ± 1.87 nmol/l to 6.25 ± 2.01 nmol/l; p = 0.001), and free testosterone levels (from 0.222 ± 0.080 nmol/l to 0.267 ± 0.087 nmol/l; p = 0.001) were observed in the vitamin D supplemented group.”
Simply put, adding in vitamin D to their diet increased not only testosterone, but bioactive testosterone, and free testosterone as well. On average, the people in this trial saw an increase in testosterone of 21% (10.7 to 13.4), an average increase of bioactive testosterone of 17%, and a 17% increase in free testosterone.
While no study has been performed on these hormone levels at 5000IU/day, it is easy to believe that there would be additional testosterone, bioactive testosterone, and free testosterone increases with the increased dosage. We know of many recommending vitamin D doses daily of up to 10000IU or more for maximal effects so the 5000IU recommendation of Iforce is not an excessive amount given the continuing profusion of positive research data on vitamin D, not just for increasing testosterone, but improving a range of health markers and improving athletic performance.
Zinc (as Zinc Aspartate)
Zinc is a critical mineral for the body to produce testosterone. Unless zinc levels are adequate the body cannot produce testosterone at an optimal rate. It is also the case that athletes in particular have been studied and shown to be deficient in zinc. Not for nothing does famed strength and conditioning coach Charles Poliquin consider zinc an essential supplement for his athletes.
Three studies in particular make note of Zinc’s incredible testosterone enhancing ability, and this is what they say:
Study #1(11):
“Resting TT3, TT4, FT3, FT4 and TSH levels of subjects were higher than the parameters measured after exhaustion exercise before zinc supplementation (p<0.05). Both resting and exhaustion TT3, TT4 and FT3 values after 4-week zinc supplementation were found significantly higher than both of the parameters (resting and exhaustion) measured before zinc supplementation (p<0.05). Resting total testosterone and free testosterone levels before zinc supplementation were significantly higher than exhaustion levels before zinc supplementation (p<0.05). Both resting and exhaustion total and free testosterone levels following 4-week zinc supple”
This study found that supplementing with Zinc not only raised testosterone significantly, but it also found that it sustained high testosterone levels during inactivity and during exhaustive exercise.
Study #2(12):
“Serum total testosterone levels in Zn group were higher than in Se group after exercise (P < 0.05). Serum-free testosterone levels in the Zn group were higher than the other groups (P < 0.05).”
Zinc again worked as an effective way to boost both testosterone and free testosterone.
Study #3(13)
“Normal testosterone is associated with a higher Zn level.”
A direct correlation can be made between the levels of Zinc in one’s body, and their testosterone levels.
Our Comments
As a brand we have always sought products that push the bar to help satisfy bodybuilders who want the best possible products available. With so many testosterone boosters on the market it can be difficult to make a decision on which to buy and it doesn’t help that in the case of many people we see, individual response to different ingredients varies enormously. Some respond well to AI type supplements while others seem to do better on products designed to increase testosterone directly rather than via inhibition of estrogen.
With so many products out there and so many ingredients out there the danger we see is that some companies (mentioning no names!) throw out formulas with 100 different ingredients to impress the naïve user who will believe he has the most potent product ever. In reality, such formulas always disappoint as they lack effective doses of ingredients and they cannot make up for this basic fact.
Based upon the cited studies on the ingredients found within Tropinol XP™, we believe that this product delivers effective doses of ingredients which have been proven in the lab and, based on feedback, are popular with supplement consumers. With an ingredient blend designed to significantly increase testosterone, act as a testosterone mimetic, activate large amounts of androgen receptors, directly increase athletic performance, and significantly increase pumps and endurance, Tropinol XP™ is certainly constructed on solid foundations. Despite being released just a few short weeks ago, end user opinions on this product appear to support iForce Nutrition’s claims, lending support in the real world to the studies performed on the individual ingredients in this product.
iForce Nutrition are very confident this product will be a first choice for users of testosterone booster supplements so we look forward to hearing what our customers think of this product.
. Crazy gains and shredded. Vascularity is insane also.
