Gaspari Viridex XT Testosterone Booster Review: A Novedex Alternative?
"Clinically tested for safety, Viridex XT has also been demonstrated to increase free testosterone up to 166% and elicit a 19% average drop in cortisol in healthy men.* Viridex XT has been tested and surmised to increase testosterone levels in actual human males not in a laboratory petri dish or in some fuzzy little animals.* Viridex XT is one of only a handful of dietary supplements in this important class of products that has been shown to provide real results in real people.* This clinically validated formula is STEROID FREE."
Of course, when Gaspari talks about clinical testing, they're not talking about peer-reviewed studies performed on Viridex itself (at the time of this writing, no such studies exist). They're referring to clinical studies performed on some of its core ingredients. And they're not actually revealing which studies they're talking about.
Big surprise there.
So what's the deal?
Well, if you're a discerning consumer, you're eager to discover genuine supplements that will aid you in your training, and not so interested in spending your hard earned cash on products that promise the world, but deliver very little. If there's one thing Gaspari has going for it, it's a reputation for creating quality products.
That said, let's get down to brass tacks. Does Viridex XT really deliver? Does it really boost testosterone levels dramatically? And perhaps even more importantly, are those level elevated enough to enhance muscular development? For the answers to those questions we'll need to look closely at the ingredients profile...
What's in Viridex XT?
Per 2 Viritab Serving
Vitamin B-6 (Pyridoxal-5\'-Phosphate) 8mg 400%
Vitamin B-12 (Methylcobalamin) 200mcg 3,333%
Folic Acid 200mcg 50%
Vitamin D (Cholecalciferol) 500IU 125%Viridex XT Hormone Optimizing Blend 1,916mg
D-Aspartic Acid
Calcium D-Saccharate Tetrahydrate:
Glucuronolactone
Actiflax® Brand Of Flax Seed Lignan Standardized To Contain 40% Secoisolariciresinol Diglucoside
Sichuan Pepper (Microencapsulated Zanthoxylum Nitidum From Fruit Of Plant Extract Standardized For 80% Flavone And Isoflavone Content).Special Note: Although the recommended dose is 2 tabs, Gaspari recommends an additional 2 tabs daily for best results.
The Science Behind Viridex's Ingredients
Aside from a handful of B vitamins (OK, OK, there's some D there too) specifically included to enhance the uptake of its core ingredient, Viridex is a relatively simple product. The first ingredient on the list is...
1) D-Aspartic Acid (sometime referred to as DAA): The supposed "heavyweight" of the formula, and the "go to" ingredient for several of the newer test booster formulas on the market (as an example, Nutrex's new T-Up Black also contains it) DAA is an interesting supplement...
Aspartic acid is a non-essential proteinogenic amino acid (which essentially means it is found in proteins). It is commonly found in asparagus, luncheon meats, aspartame, avocado and wild game. It has two isomers; D-aspartic acid and L-aspartic acid. It's the "L" version that's most common, and it's the one found in proteins, although the body can synthesize both versions, and even a blend of the two; DL-aspartic acid. The "D" version is most concentrated in the testes, pituitary gland and the pineal gland.
The question of the day, of course, is...
Is there any credible evidence that suggests DAA supplementation affects testosterone levels?
Believe it or not, there is—but the vast majority of evidence that supports this theory is animal based (see studies here, here, and here as examples). Until very recently, that is—in 2009, an Italian study (full PDF transcript available here) performed on both rats and humans confirmed that D-aspartic...
"...has a role in the regulation of the release and synthesis of LH and testosterone in humans and rats."
The dosage used in the study was 3.12 grams D-aspartic acid given in conjunction with vitamins B6, B12 and folic acid (that's why you'll find these B vitamins in most D-aspartic acid test boosters available at this time).
If you look closer at the study, you'll see that supplementation increased serum luteinizing hormone levels by 33%, although it took a full 12 days of supplementation to realize the most dramatic effects. And of the 23 people in the study group receiving the DAA, 20 saw statistically significant levels in testosterone levels; a 42% increase in all. As with the luteinizing hormone, the increase in "T" was also time dependent; it took the full 12 days of supplementation to achieve the greatest results.
So does that mean d-aspartic acid is a bona fide natural test booster worth experimenting with?
Well, while all the limited clinical data on DAA is consistent, we really don't have much human based data to go on. Plus, this is a relatively small study, performed for a short period of time (12 days). The body has all sorts of self-regulatory processes in place, so it's yet to be determined whether continued supplementation with D-aspartic acid would lead to consistently elevated levels of both testosterone and luteinizing hormones, and whether these increases would provide any meaningful benefits for bodybuilders.
All increases aside, we're not talking about boosting levels to the sort of super-physiological ones seen with anabolic steroid supplementation. The paper clearly indicates that despite the boost, "T" levels are still well within normal range. The likelihood, therefore, of DAA supplementation having any meaningful impact on your training—short of a placebo effect—isn't too great.
Additionally, the fact that this study was published in 2009 and we haven't seen any DAA supplements available until well after a year later makes me think DAA's inclusion is more about the supplement companies dwindling options for semi-credible "testosterone-boosting" ingredients than any major scientific breakthrough. Maybe I'm too skeptical though, although time will tell.
In the meantime, what would really be helpful would be a peer-reviewed study conducted on the performance benefits of D-aspartic acid supplementation. In other words, a study showing supplementation had a beneficial effect on the development of lean mass over a placebo group. But I'm not going to hold my breath.
2) Calcium D-Saccharate Tetrahydrate: This is the anti-estrogen compound Gaspari talks about; it's a glucuronidase inhibitor—which in essence means it has anti-estrogen effects as advertised. Animal studies suggest a reduction/suppression of mammary carcinogenisis, which is consistent with an estrogen-suppressing effect. I haven't been able to find any human-based studies on this ingredient.
3) Glucuronolactone: Recognize this ingredient? It's commonly found in the Red Bull energy drink, and it's a naturally occurring metabolite of glucose. What it's doing here I have no idea; there's no supportive evidence it helps with boosting energy levels and I don't see any other reason for its inclusion.
4) Actiflax® Brand Of Flax Seed Lignan Standardized To Contain 40% Secoisolariciresinol Diglucoside: We're all aware of flax seed oil and its benefits, but what about the "secoisolariciresinol diglucoside" this formula is standardized for? Evidence suggests it's a weak anti-estrogen, although its method of action has yet to be determined.
Sichuan Pepper (Microencapsulated Zanthoxylum Nitidum From Fruit Of Plant Extract Standardized For 80% Flavone And Isoflavone Content): This ingredient could be standardized for any one of several flavonoids, but we're not told which. At the dose included here, it's difficult to see what value it offers, but whatever. If you're interested you can learn more about flavonoids here.
And that my friends, is the Viridex XT formula in a nutshell.
And what about the clinical data validating safety, lowered cortisol levels, and so forth? If you remember, Gaspari talked about this in the sales pitch referenced at the beginning of this review.
Well, it must be "in-house" data, because there doesn't seem to be anything published that supports these claims. And short of trumpeting the results, Gaspari has not provided us with any details or the means to validate these statements. So I'm going to apply a rather large "grain of salt" to those claims.
On top of that, at the standard recommended 2-tabs per day dose, there's no way Viridex can contain optimal doses of DAA. Even at the 4-tab dose we can't confirm the dosage, as this is a proprietary blend. Nevertheless, it would surprise me if Viridex did not contain the necessary 3.1 grams used in the aforementioned study, given Gaspari's reputation.
So what's the bottom line here?
When conferring with our scientific and technical advisor Elissa, I think she nailed it when she said...
"T-boosters like Viridex are better described as a “T-supporter”... at best."
So yes, perhaps some argument could be made for the supplementation of Viridex by men with low levels of testosterone who don't want to consider the possibility of pharmaceutical interventions. After all, Viridex XT isn't outrageously expensive (a little over $40 for a month's supply at BodyBuilding.com) and it's not likely to hurt you.
But if you're a strapping young dude in good health that $40 might be better spent on performance supplements with some good science behind them; creatine and beta alanine come to mind. Or a good preworkout supplement; like USP Labs' Jack3d or Isatori's PWR.
| Summary of Gaspari's Viridex XT | |
|---|---|
 |
A single peer reviewed study validates the effects of the main ingredient. |
 |
Some supporting ingredients effects are included on the basis of preliminary animal studies. A proprietary blend prevents us from determining whether key ingredients are included at optimal amounts. Some irrelevant ingredients. |
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