Gaspari's Novedex XT Review: Potent Test Booster And Anti-Estrogen?
"Novedex XT® is a proprietary blend of naturally occurring, anti-aromatase inhibiting compounds. These compounds have been demonstrated to have an upward modulating effect on testosterone levels and a downward or static modulating effect on estrogen."
Whaaaat??!!! No promises of skyrocketing strength and unbelievable bursts of power in the gym? No claims for massive gains of shirt-ripping, he-man, slabs of rock-hard muscle?
I think I'm in love...
Seriously: finding a supplement advertisement that leads with a simple, straightforward, no BS explanation of what the product does, is a rare event. Even better, there's actually a genuine, independent, peer-reviewed study that shows Novedex XT really works as claimed.
So what's the scoop behind Novedex XT?
Like 6-OXO, Novedex XT is designed to enhance the natural production of testosterone by inhibiting the aromatase enzyme that converts it to estradiol (an estrogen).
Similarly, it was originally developed for post-cycle therapy (PCT), but is now being promoted as a standalone supplement for increasing testosterone.
Unlike 6-OXO, however, Novedex XT isn't a single compound—rather, it's a blend of three different ones.
This 60 mg proprietary blend boasts the following 3 seemingly incomprehensible and unpronouncible ingredients; 6, 17 Keto-Etiocholeva-3-Ol Tetrahydropyranol, 3, 17 Keto-Etiochol-Triene, and 3', 5, 7-Trihydroxy-4'-Methoxyflavanone.
Ok, I'm going to have to deduct a few points for the use of non-standard terminology to identify the first two ingredients in Novedex. Other supplement companies do this as well, and it's a shabby tactic that only confuses people. These ingredients are actually better known as:
- 3-hydroxy-4-androstene-6,17-dione—also known as 3-OHAT (in the form of a THP ether)
- 1,4,6-androstatriene-3,17-dione—also known as "ATD"
- Hesperitin—a flavonoid
3-OHAT is actually a metabolite of 6-OXO, and is an aromatase inhibitor in its own right. Bruce Kneller, who consulted with Gaspari, has a patent application for the modified version used in Novedex. In the patent application, it's claimed that the THP ether modification (at carbon 3) "produces a substantial increase in oral bioavailability and plasma half life in mammals" by increasing its lipophilicity (i.e., lipid—or fat—solubility).
It's claimed this modification allows it to enter the circulation via the lymphatic system and bypass "first pass" metabolism in the liver.
The second compound is known to the bodybuilding world as ATD. ATD has been used extensively in zoological investigations ("Influence of gonadal hormones on the development of parental behavior in adult virgin prairie voles" is a representative title)—but human data is lacking.
Nonetheless, it obviously works and is not known to be toxic. Bruce Kneller filed a patent application for ATD too (for—among other things—the improvement of male fertility and athletic performance).
The final ingredient is hesperitin, which is a flavonoid (a class of polyphenols). Hesperitin is the aglycone form of the flavonoid glycoside hesperidin, a compound frequently ingested in the form of citrus fruits/juices.
Hesperidin has antioxidant, anti-diabetic/lipid-modulating and anti-inflammatory effects. Interestingly enough, it also enhances bone-mineral density in animal experiments.
To summarize: the first two ingredients are known to be effective for inhibiting aromatase. Hesperitin is certainly biologically active, but its role in this supplement is more speculative.
Even if it doesn't add anything to the formula, however, it isn't likely to detract from it, either. Overall, the Novedex formula is simple, and ought to get the job done.
As noted above, this has been verifed in two independent studies. The first was an unpublished pilot study by the Ohio Research Group. In this small, 4 week study, the subjects' total testosterone and bioavailable (free) testosterone increased by 240% and 528%, respectively, with no significant changes in estradiol or other clinical markers.
The second study was conducted at Baylor University. Unlike the pilot study, this was a double-blind, placebo controlled experiment that spanned 11 weeks—8 weeks of supplementation, followed by a 3 week washout period. As in the pilot study, the Novedex group had average increases in total testosterone, free testosterone and DHT of 283%, 625% and 566%, respectively.
There were also small, nonsignificant increases in estrogen. Body composition changes were minimal, however, with no change in lean mass and only a small decrease (3.5%) in fat mass.
Interestingly enough, the Novedex group also had a 45% decrease in serum growth hormone (GH). IGF-1 was not measured, but the researchers speculated that downregulation of GH receptors "...might have affected the hepatic release of IGF-1, thereby possibly negating any observable increases in fat free mass."
In the real world, Novedex XT gets pretty high marks from users for PCT.
As a standalone supplement, the reviews are a little more mixed: most appear happy with their results, but others less so.
One recurring complaint is reduced libido, although lowering the dose apparently solves this problem. Elevated DHT levels may also be a concern for men at risk for male pattern baldness and other DHT-related issues (i.e., acne, enlarged prostate).
Novedex XT appears to be both effective and safe; and—as shown in the study—hormone levels return to baseline shortly after product use is stopped. The effects of long term use have yet to be assessed, however, which is why Gaspari recommends no more than 8 weeks of continuous use.
Special note: Unfortunately, Gaspari has discontinued this product at the request of the FDA. The culprit appears to be the anti-aromatase ingredient ATD (also known as 3,17-keto-etiocholetriene) which, according to the FDA, does not meet the definition of a dietary ingredient.
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