I agree that there are so many options on the market and probably so many so, it would make your head spin. I am uncertain I am concerned about the ingredients per se as much as I am that they are in - or as close to - study dose.
The most imperative question is: if you boost testosterone (and a LOT of things can do this to some degree...hence the fact that lab work is great to see, but without concomitant ergogenic data, it means very little as to why people use the substances in the first place); will it necessarily impact body composition, strength, performance, endurance, or whatever other ergogenic benefit you seek.
DAA is a great example - from a "natural" testosterone enhancer standpoint; it is really effective. Will it impact body comp, et al. to any precipitous degree...that remains subject for debate. Fortunately, we are doing some longer-term studies on this particular agent to reassess (see DAA thread for more).
Ancillary products to go with DAA target prolactin inhibition if plans to use the agent longer term and/or the concucrrent use of an AI.
To discuss the ones you mentioned in your opening statement...
(1) Fadogia's use is limited and the product should suggest microcycles with intermittent breaks ("weekend holiday"). If used with care, it is highly androgenic, but anabolic is a subject for debate (we don't see crazy positives outside of the bedroom to beard growth...so forget it for body comp, et al...).
(2) Testofen is not recommended due to the fact that - 1st, the only pro-testosterone data comes from the patent holder and 2nd, its actually pro-estrogenic in certain tissues.
(3) Divanil is good and with a lot of nice data; finding a true extract that's worthwhile taking is a completely different animal. Kind of explains why it was "most effective" at 4 times per day dosing.
(4) I3C has copious tallies of data on hormonal changes (predominate estrogen channeler); but not a lot of body comp, et al data...so incorporation of this agents is dependent on why you are employing it in the first place. If to offer assistance to estrogen control in the peri-cycle timeframe; so be it - or while using something like DAA...but otherwise, it again is subject for debate.
Hell, I am constantly chastized for speaking modestly positive for tribulus still. But understand where I am coming from on this one...the data is there on hormonal change, libido, androgenic properties, and sperm/fertility data. Body comp data is lacking significantly so, BUT most trials were 4-8 weeks in duration (not enough time for overt MYOFIBRIL reconstruction that would be recognized in a clinically-significant manner). I was told that Patrick Arnold was not a fan and countered my argument on myofibril reconstruction saying evidence is available just DAYS after the training stimulus; and while this is, in fact, TRUE...the "evidence" is neurologic and not on a myofibril level (i.e.- myofibril hypertrophy).
I have heard good things and seen good numbers with Triazole from DS, though I have very limited direct first-hand experience with the active ingredients individually; and again...body composition data is simply not there...just movement of lab numbers. And it is in its infancy on the market still; but I am excited for Matt Cahill and truly think he does innovation well in this industry, so I...myself, would be interested in trying this product.
There aren't a lot of combo products I am excited about; but let me do a quick scan of nutraplanet....
Definitely worth a try (from my scan):
1) Athletix - Formula X (as far as Atheltix's other hormonal stuff...I am fine with Division 1 but there is no telling how much Divanil is actually in there; and the Titanium XL would be good without the darned Fenugreek)
2) Driven Sports' Triazole (as above) and ActivaTe Xtreme are good and one might consider stacks of this with Formula X.
3) Ruthless Supplements Phytoserms-347 looks "ok" and dosing seems to be equivocal; but I don't harbor issue with the product's development.
4) Get Diesel Sunami,...again looks "ok" BUT I kind of wish they left out the pregnenelone
5) APS Testalensis - may or may not be underdosed in some areas, enough to make it look interesting
6) E-Pharm Test Force 2 and Ursobolic
7) Purus Labs' Recycle (though quercetin is grossly underdosed, even with the piperine and the Divanil IS underdosed as well; but there's still enough to make it "interesting" to me)
8) Brutal Alchemy Forged Steel - again "ok" by ingredient profile alone
I am unsure what is not discontinued or what-have-you as I have not followed the industry that much in this domain; you guys may know much better than me; but as for ingredient panel...the above are not bad.
* Natty-V from EBF has a nice ingredient profile, however, all the ingredients are under-dosed unfortunately if you look at proprietary rules.
That may sum it up...
Other products are "interesting" but one ingredient usually swayed me from their ingredient panel.
Examples:
1) Fenugreek (as above)
2) Fulvic Acid - it robs the body of selenium, so really has no place in a formula for test-boosting and it makes Selenium dosing VERY challenging to compensate
3) Green Tea - increases SHBG (there is mild, uncontrolled data here....but still - if increasing T is the goal; then this should probably be avoided in a product that includes Divanil or is marketed toward pro-T; I don't want more bound fraction T)
4) Stop using saw palmetto; there are plenty of reasons not to include this in a formula for pro-T.
5) Fadogia needs to be dosed MUCH higher than people do sometimes.
I am gonna stop here; hopefully I have hit on what you wanted out of this thread...
D_
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