Novedex XT Testosterone Booster And Anti-Aromatase
Posted December 24, 2007 at 11:31 AM
I recently finished my first bottle of Novedex XT by Gaspari Nutrition. As I have been hitting the gym hard lately, I figured I would try to maximize the effort by adding some new supplementation to the mix. Novedex XT is advertised as working on two different fronts; on one hand, it increases the body's natural Testosterone levels; then, on other hand, it prevents the aromatization of Testosterone (the pathway by which the enzyme, Aromatase, converts Testosterone into Estrogen).
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How this product, or any other product, goes about increasing the body's testosterone is simply beyond me; I'm sure that, like many other testosterone boosters and pro-hormones, it's providing some sort of pre-test material that the body will then convert to testosterone. I'm simply taking that part on faith. What's very interesting to me, though, is the anti-aromatase properties. See, the body loves to stay in what is called Homeostasis - a balance of all things. There are a billion and one feedback mechanism in the human machine and one of them controls the delicate balance between testosterone and estrogen (and yes, both men and woman produce both testosterone and estrogen). As the body gets feedback signals that it has too much testosterone or not enough estrogen, it triggers the enzyme aromatase to start converting testosterone into estrogen so as to maintain this balance. By using an anti-aromatase, it should, theoretically, allow the levels of free testosterone to build up in my body by overriding the body's ability to maintain homeostasis.
Now, I know what you're thinking - Doesn't it seem unnatural to override the body's ability to maintain homeostasis? Sure, maybe it is. Of course, it's only for a short while and then you stop taking it and you let the body level out again. The hope is by that time, you've already managed to put on some muscle.
So, has it worked? It's always tough to say. I'm about half way through the cycle and I am certainly feeling bigger and stronger than I was two months ago. Of course, in addition to taking Novedex XT, I'm also working out more consistently and with more enthusiasm, and I've been eating better. So, I'd say that any of those things alone would probably make me feel bigger and stronger. I certainly do feel a tightness in my chest and my arms (the good kind, not the heart attack kind). I think it is working, and heck, even if it's totally mental, I'll take that. I think placebo effects and mental trickery get a bad rap, but at the end of the day, if it gets you closer to your goals, it can't be a bad thing.
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Reader Comments
Interesting stuff.
I'd be interested to know exactly how much of an effect it has on circulating hormone levels.
From my medical education (I'm a med student, and just passed my endocrine/hormones examination), I'd like something that (if I wanted to bulk up):
a) Raise testosterone.
b) Keep estrogen normal.
c) Raise growth hormone (but not too much).
I'm sure you know all the good things that testosterone does, but estrogen is really important too (as a weightlifting male). Obviously you don't want too much, or you'll grow breasts and start lactating, but... It's real important for stuff like (in normal dose - high dose can do the opposite):
Metabolizing fat
Vertical growth (I think this is why women are often taller than men in 7th grade or so - although too much estrogen stops growth)
Builds/maintains bone
Increase HDL, decrease LDL (very important)
Increases growth hormone
Those are all really awesome things, so I'd be wary of a product that will reduce estrogen levels.
Posted by Matt Voorman on Dec 24, 2007 at 5:47 PM
@Matt,
I was not aware that Estrogen did so many good things. Not to say that I thought it was a bad hormone - they all play a key role in some respect in the body; but, certainly, I was not aware that it affected things like vertical growth, HDL, and metabolizing fat. I did know that estrogen therapy helped some women fight osteoporosis, so the bone maintenance makes sense.
I ended up getting this supplement after first reading about it in Muscular Development. Here is the mention that it gets in the magazine:
Testosterone is vital for increasing muscle mass and strength. Researchers from the Drew Medical College in Los Angeles showed that muscle hypertrophy occurred in direct proportion to testosterone levels in blood. Many athletes take anabolic steroids to increase muscle mass and strength, but steroids are illegal, have side effects, and are prohibited in many sports. Supplement makers have tried to fill the gap by marketing "steroid alternatives." Novedex XT is a popular supplement sold as an aromatase inhibitor that prevents the conversion of testosterone to estrogen. Researchers from Baylor University, led by Darryn Willoughb, found that supplementing with Novedex XT (4 capsules; 72mg per day) for eight weeks increased total testosterone, free testosterone, dehydrodtestosterone and the testosterone:estrogen ratio, and decreased body fat. It didn't completely block aromatization of testosterone to estrogen and had no effect on PSA (prostate-specific antigen, a measure of prostate enlargement and cancer). Novedex ST appears to be an effective supplement for bodybuilders searching for a steroid alternative or for steroid users who want to boost testosterone levels or prevent gynecomastia (breast development). (International Journal Sports Nutrition Exercise Metabolism, 17:92-108, 2007)
Of course, you can find a study to justify just about anything, but there's something about the MD articles that feel impartial. Often times, they say that the studies mentioned do not indicate anything or that more research is needed before any conclusions can be made (but that's neither here nor there).
That sucks about the increase in dehydrodtestosterone - isn't that the testosterone that's responsible for male patter baldness :(
Posted by Ben Nadel on Dec 26, 2007 at 7:31 AM
Yeah - it sounds like something that would work well, assuming the ratio is basically increased testosterone with normal estrogen.
It's probably not a bad idea to get your HDL levels checked though - You wanna get 'em as high as possible, especially if you have any family history of heart problems (stroke/heart attack).
And yes, DHT is a culprit in baldness (but its still important to have).
Posted by Matt Voorman on Dec 27, 2007 at 1:50 AM
@Matt,
I'm aiming to get a physical next week or the following. Definitely want to check my blood levels and just make sure that I am healthy all around. Also need to check my eyes - I think staring at a computer screen all day might be making them go bad :(
Posted by Ben Nadel on Dec 27, 2007 at 7:08 AM
Novedex xt does not contain any material that is pre-test, u should do some real research if u were eating and lifting hard takign the novedex some creatine and 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight a large protein shake after workout and before bed and pushing ursself in the gym everyday ud no doubt know that this product works its not hard to tell. Look ive had blood tests done while on this product and my testosterone was off the charts to make a long story short! Anti-aromatase boosts testosterone its a proven fact.
Posted by Dave on Feb 4, 2008 at 5:37 AM
@Dave,
I had some blood work done not so long ago, while still on the Novedex XT. My Testosterone levels were high and I had some elevated liver activity. I was at the end of my cycle, though, and am going back for more blood tests in about a week or so.
I definitely feel like I was able to put on a bit of size while taking this stuff. I feel like it did work.
My libido definitely bottomed out, even though my testosterone was high. Once I went off the Novedex, I felt a resurgence in my sex drive.
Posted by Ben Nadel on Feb 4, 2008 at 7:13 AM
yeah, I agree with the above comment -- when you are on the initial cycle, you feel great, the best thing since sliced bread. When you come off it, the libido falls to a low level. It definitely increases test, no doubt about that. Will make you do stuff you normally wouldn't do so you have to be careful with it. It also disrupts my sleep pattern.
Posted by Tim on Mar 11, 2008 at 12:46 PM
@Tim,
I've been off for about two months now, and I feel totally up to snuff again. Feeling good and working out hard.
Posted by Ben Nadel on Mar 11, 2008 at 6:47 PM
It's very interesting to read everyone's comments on Novedex XT. I am actually going out to buy it this weekend. Someone I know mentioned the product to me today. They told me that it would help me with my goals to gain lean muscle and the added bonus for my wife was that it would increase my sex drive.
Posted by Eric on May 9, 2008 at 7:45 PM
@Eric,
I have heard both things about the sex drive. For me, it basically shut down. But that's ok - I felt like it was working from a muscle building standpoint and blood tests did show that my testosterone levels were high. As with all things, there is balance, and while taking it, my priority was more set on muscle.
Posted by Ben Nadel on May 10, 2008 at 1:57 PM
Ben,
Thanks! I just got back from GNC, where I purchased Novadex. The gentleman that I spoke to there informed me that Novadex was to be used, as far as he has known people to use it, as an off cycle product. He has never know anyone to use it any other way. I am not using it as an off cycle product. Did you use it on its own or as an off cycle product?
Eric
Posted by Eric on May 10, 2008 at 8:01 PM
@Eric,
I just used it as a plain supplement. I have no cycles other than that.
Posted by Ben Nadel on May 12, 2008 at 7:34 AM
