Does ZMA really increase testostorone levels??

If you google "ways to naturally increase your testostorone levels" you will find ZMA near the top of the list.

However the following medical study would suggest that this is merely another bodybuilding fallacy.

Check it out...

www.biomedcentral.com/content/pdf/1550-2783-1-2-12.pdf

For those of you too lazy to read the study here is an extract from the abstract.

Forty-two resistance trained males (27±9 yrs; 178±8 cm, 85±15 kg, 18.6±6% body fat) were matched according to fat free mass and randomly assigned to ingest in a double blind manner either a dextrose placebo (P) or ZMA 30-60 minutes prior to going to sleep during 8-weeks of standardized resistance-training. Subjects completed testing sessions at 0, 4, and 8 weeks that included body composition assessment as determined by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, 1-RM and muscular endurance tests on the bench and leg press, a Wingate anaerobic power test, and blood analysis to assess anabolic/catabolic status as well as markers of health. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA. Results indicated that ZMA supplementation non-significantly increased serum zinc levels by 11 – 17% (p=0.12). However, no significant differences were observed between groups in anabolic or catabolic hormone status, body composition, 1-RM bench press and leg press, upper or lower body muscular endurance, or cycling anaerobic capacity. Results indicate that ZMA supplementation during training does not appear to enhance training adaptations in resistance trained populations. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. 1(2):12-20, 2004.

Will the supplement companies ever get tired of trolling us?

Most over the counter test enhancers have ZMA in them, including those of the bigger companies like Animal. I do think some of them at least wouldve done their research.

I have seen studies like that discredit all supplements. I am sure if you look hard enough protein and creatien will also be discredited. Gets pretty tiring sometimes to keep up with what is good and what is bad. I will keep taking my ZMA though, would like other peoples feeling on this as well?

There was a thread on this in the ME forum which also had great info on the topic. Personally i have never tried ZMA so cant really comment. Good debate though.

Atleast it's cheap and healthy, so your not really at a loss if the study is correct.

You would think a 42man double blind study posted in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition would be objective in their findings, but then its almost considered common knowledge that ZMA increases testostorone levels...eish, the more I research the more confused I become.

It should increase test, but not only that the benefits it has on estrogen control and better sleep is worth it. Plus many are deficient in zinc and magnesium so take it to buffer up anyway, cant do any harm. Don't go mad on the mag though as it can upset stomachs in some people.

I wouldnt personally buy a sports supplement branded ZMA - they often use cheap quality zinc and magnesium, rather go for a quality vitamin company who specialise in those areas.

Solgar are pretty reputable - also use the chelated version of zinc and magnesium, its a little more expensive but the quality is better.

IMO if you use ZMA to increase Test you're bluffing yourself.

But if you use it as a part of your PCT regiment as a recreational body builder then I'm 100% sure you'll get something out of it.

Zinc helps with sex drive which is generally lacking after a cycle. Magnesium help with sleep which some guys struggle with on and after cycle.

everytime i use it i get acne.