Driven Sports Activate Xtreme

Testosterone Enhancement

Testosterone… It builds men. But you don't want to let your own physical limitations hold you back! What you need is an equalizer. You need Activate Xtreme!

• Increase Free Testosterone!*
• Adaptogenic Support!*
• Estrogenic Control!*
• Boosts Sex Drive!*

Driven Sports Activate Xtreme

Activate Xtreme is the pinnacle of testosterone enhancement in the sports nutrition industry.*

• Optimize Total Testosterone: Activate Xtreme was thoroughly researched over a year in order to create the most rounded product available!
• Increase Free Testosterone: Divanil is the ONLY scientifically proven extract for binding SHBG and boosting free testosterone!*
• Increase Size and Strength: More testosterone, more strength, better performance!*

Activate Xtreme stands apart from its competitors that have ceaselessly attempted to copy the design, but have never quite bettered or even matched it.

The researchers at DS spent several years researching and developing the formula that would go on to become the industry standard for testosterone enhancement.

What resulted was a product that has been at the top of its game for years. Here's why.

The Science Behind Activate Xtreme Revealed

Activate Xtreme is designed around Divanil, a compound tried, tested and scientifically proven to enhance free testosterone by binding to sex-hormone binding globulin (SHBG). SHBG is the core controller of your free testosterone. When SHBG binds testosterone it can no longer promote muscle mass. In other words, SHBG turns testosterone off!*

Divanil prevents this effect from occurring, ensuring that your testosterone stays switched on.*

But Activate Xtreme does not only cater for free testosterone.

Testosterone and Growth Hormone

Mucuna pruriens is an adaptogenic herb mostly found in hot climates like India and Africa. While the antioxidant and neuro-protective qualities it possesses are of benefit for a healthy body and mind, it is the effects it exerts on the endocrine system that make it such a great compound.*

Luteinizing Hormone (LH) is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland of the brain. Upon its release it stimulates cells found in the testicles called Leydig cells to synthesize testosterone. Mucuna pruriens increases levels of LH, leading to significant increases in testosterone. Research has shown that mucuna pruriens contains several alkaloids, but the main constituent responsible for this effect is L-Dopa. L-Dopa is a direct precursor for dopamine, which regulates the sex hormones control center in the brain.*

Mucuna pruriens has also been shown to significantly elevate levels of growth hormone (GH) in the body by over 1250%! This is interesting because GH is involved heavily in sex hormone synthesis, in particular by regulating something called Steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (stAR). stAR is a transport protein found in Leydig cells that controls cholesterol uptake by the mitochondria in these cells. Why is this important? Because this is the rate-limiting step in testosterone synthesis.*

So not only does mucuna pruriens boost testosterone via LH stimulation, it enhances the machinery required to synthesize it through GH augmentation. But that's not all!*

Mucuna pruriens has been known for centuries as an aphrodisiac and sexual tonic. This is due to its effect reducing prolactin. Prolactin is a hormone primarily associated with lactation in women who breastfeed, however in men it is released after orgasm, resulting in loss of erection and a short-term reduction of sexual appetite. This is called the refractory period and can last anywhere from seconds in young men, to thirty or more minutes in older men. Dopamine inhibits prolactin release, leading to a reduced refractory period. By boosting dopamine levels, mucuna pruriens can enhance your sexual experience!*

Other research has also shown that mucuna pruriens reduces stress in humans. In fact, blood testing has shown that mucuna pruriens reduces the chief stress hormone, cortisol, by 40-49%!*

Something of interest, however, is that studies have been carried out investigating whether there is a difference to taking a mucuna pruriens extract containing L-Dopa, and taking synthetic L-Dopa. Amazingly it appears that the other alkaloids found in mucuna pruriens make the L-Dopa content more orally bioavailable than taking the synthetic version alone! This is why Activate Xtreme contains both a high-potency 95% extract of L-Dopa along with a lower 20% mucuna pruriens extract!*

MORE Testosterone

Activate Xtreme also contains Bryonia laciniosa seeds – something never before seen in the supplement industry! Bryonia laciniosa is a herb found predominantly in India that is popular in Ayruvedic medicine. Used for treating inflammation, the seeds are also reported to have sexual tonic effects. This has been proven in mammals with an increase in LH, and an increase in testosterone of 1400%! In addition, bryonia laciniosa also increased the fructose content of seminal vesicles by almost 50%. Seminal vesicle fructose content is regulated by androgens and is thus directly correlated with testosterone levels. This explains why bryonia laciniosa has been popular throughout history as for sexual invigoration.*

But Wait, There's More!

Activate Xtreme does not stop at significant increases in total and free testosterone. Estrogen must also be considered.

Estrogen is NOT the vilified creature it has long been made out to be for male bodybuilders. In fact, it has several benefits for muscle growth, but a balance needs to be found. This balance is provided by pZole, the revolutionary natural aromatase inhibitor (AI) we introduced to the industry with Triazole!

Aromatase is the enzyme that converts androgens like testosterone into estrogens. This is the main way that males generate estrogen. Interrupting this process via aromatase inhibition leads to lower estrogen creation. The brain detects this and so pumps out more testosterone in order to re-establish "normal" estrogen levels. While you are using the AI, you are continually preventing the conversion and so estrogen levels remain lowered and testosterone levels remain increased!*

pZole is a found in a shrub native to South Asia called Brassaiopsis glomerulata. Brassaiopsis glomerulata has been shown to contain several natural AI, of which, pZole has been shown to be the strongest. If you are looking for estrogen control then Triazole should be your product of choice. pZole is included in Activate Xtreme to provide mild estrogen support for this excellent natural testosterone enhancer.*

Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3) for Total Testosterone Support*

Cholecalciferol is also known as vitamin D3. Notice that it is not generic "vitamin D". This distinction is important because vitamin D is not a single compound like you may think. Much like the B vitamins, it is actually a group of several compounds. Medical breakthroughs over the decades have occurred at varying rates and so D3 was grouped with other compounds as a single entity under "vitamin D". New research has shed light on the other entities within the group and their roles in biochemistry have been elucidated. And the research into D3 is quite incredible.

Cholecalciferol is in fact a hormone precursor for the active form of D3 in the body, called calcitriol (1,25-hydroxy vitamin D3). While some D3 can be obtained from dietary intake such as fish, cheese or fortified milk, the majority of D3 is derived from the sun. Ultraviolet light from the sun reacts in the skin with a type of cholesterol, called 7-hydrocholesterol, to form D3. D3 is then converted to 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 (calcidiol) in the liver, which is then passed to the kidney where it becomes 1,25-hydroxy vitamin D3 (calcitriol).

Most people do not get enough D3, namely because they do not eat a balanced diet, nor do they get outside as much as they should. Combine this with the darker winter months that a lot of people endure, D3 deficiency has been identified as a legitimate concern. This is because D3 plays a huge role in many biological processes.

You know how you just feel better during summer and your mood is improved overall? That's thanks to D3.*

In the same regard, a lot of people suffer depression during winter months because of low D3 levels. This is referred to as seasonal affecting disorder (S.A.D.) and a lot of anecdotal evidence, as well as some scientific research, has backed oral D3 intake as a remedy for this. D3 is also connected with improving insulin sensitivity, supporting healthy blood pressure, promoting healthy bone metabolism, and enhancing the immune response which are all excellent reasons to include D3 in Activate Xtreme. That said, there are several other benefits to be derived from it.*

D3 Exerts a Positive Effect on Androgens and Estrogens*

D3 levels have been definitively correlated with androgen levels in men. Recent research has shown that men with higher D3 levels have more circulating testosterone and less SHBG. With people receiving less sunshine during winter months, especially considering that these are typically "bulking season", this is not a situation you want your internal environment to be in.

With regards to estrogen support, D3 has also demonstrated aromatase inhibitory action. Unlike a direct inhibition of the aromatase enzyme like pZole exerts, D3 reduces aromatase via two distinct pathways. Firstly by directly suppressing its transcription at the gene level (i.e. reducing how much of it is produced by the body), and secondly by suppressing cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), a pro-inflammatory pathway. This latter effect reduces levels of prostaglandins including prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) which is a major stimulator of aromatase creation. D3 also downregulates the expression of estrogen receptor alpha (ERa) in breast cancer cells, thereby reducing the effects of estrogen signalling at the receptor level.*

D3, IGF-1 and Muscular Fortification

D3 also has slightly more direct effects on muscle growth, including a correlation with IGF-1 (Insulin-like Growth Factor-1) levels. So called because of its structural similarity to insulin, IGF-1 is the means by which GH mediates its anabolic effects in the body. A deficiency in D3 has been found to be directly linked to low levels of IGF-1. There also exists a more direct way in which D3 effects muscle cells, through something called the Vitamin D Receptor (VDR). Calcitriol binds to this receptor, activating second messenger systems and influences calcium and phospholipid metabolism. These messenger systems are crucial for muscle repair and development, so much so that mice bred without the VDR have serious growth issues, muscle impairment and poor physical performance. In studies looking into D3 deficiency in HUMANS have found cases of myopathy (muscle weakness) and balance impairment. Some cases of deficiency have been reversed via daily supplemental D3, leading to an increase in performance ability over longer periods.*

D3 Means Less Fat*

D3 also plays a role in total body composition. Not only does it have a positive effect on muscle balance, it also has a direct correlation with body fat levels. Calcitriol increases calcium uptake in cells which has been associated with a reduction of fat cell content. This is believed to be due, in part, to the effect this calcium influx has on 11beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase-1 (11b-HSD1). 11b-HSD1 is the enzyme that converts the inactive cortisone to the active Cortisol. In fat cells, 11b-HSD1 INCREASES fat cell content. By regulating this enzyme, the increased calcium uptake contributes to the preferential loss of fat in the cells that predominantly express 11b-HSD1 such as abdominal fat. This is also one of the reasons that makes Lean Xtreme such a fantastic fat loss tool!*

In fact, the effect of adequate D3 intake is so pronounced that in humans it makes dieting easier, with subjects responding better to lower calorie intakes during dieting, leading to more fat loss than those without sufficient D3! So whether you're aiming for a lean bulk, or dieting down, Activate Xtreme is the perfect choice.*

With new studies being released at a rapid rate, there appears to be no end in sight for the benefits of D3.

But What About Performance?

Glad you asked. In addition to the adaptogenic effects of mucuna pruriens, Activate Xtreme contains Lepidium meyenii, which is better known as maca. Also considered an adaptogen, maca is believed to help strengthen the immune system, exert a neuroprotective effect, and also fortify your libido. In fact, regarding the latter, Peruvian's refer to as their "natural Viagra". There appears to be a lot of merit in this statement as in both humans and mammals, maca has been shown to improve sperm quality, sexual desire and mating performance. Some more recent research has shown that maca's adaptogenic effects extend further than sexual health, improving exercise parameters during activity. This makes maca great for both performance in the gym and performance between the sheets!*

And just like the extract we include in Triazole, Activate Xtreme utilizes a 20:1 extract of maca. This is a highly concentrated form of maca that we're confident even the most experienced users of maca will not have used before. The superior refinement of the 20:1 extract makes it the highest quality material available.*

Proven Results

So just how effective is Activate Xtreme? We have several blood work studies conducted by independent labs to show exactly how great Activate Xtreme is. On average, tester's Total testosterone increased by 105%, and their Free testosterone jumped 136%!! Estrogen was controlled perfectly, with no increases and an average decline of 8.1%.

And Activate Xtreme Can Last ALL DAY LONG!*

Thanks to something new and exciting we call Extended Release Technology! ERT was introduced by DS to ensure that these effects are felt all day long, furnishing your body with the ideal anabolic environment for building mass!*

Through the powerful combinations of the ingredients found in Activate Xtreme you can expect rock hard muscle, rapid increases in strength, high levels of testosterone, estrogen control, and a strong sex drive.*

So what are you waiting for?

Activate Xtreme Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best way to use Activate Xtreme?

It couldn’t be simpler, just take 2 caps in the morning, and 2 more about eight-to-twelve hours later. If you weigh more than 220lbs (100kg) you may need to use 3 caps in the morning and 3 in the evening.

For best results, use for at least 4 weeks, and ideally up to 8 weeks. After 8 weeks of continuous use, discontinue use for at least 4 weeks before using Activate Xtreme again.

Can I split the dosing up differently?

Absolutely. Thanks to the Extended Release Technology in Activate Xtreme releasing the product into your system slowly, dosing is very convenient so don’t worry if your dosing is not perfectly on time.

Does it need to be taken with food?

Ideally take Activate Xtreme on an empty stomach approximately 30-45 minutes before eating.

How old do I need to be?

18 years of age and older.

Is Activate Xtreme a Prohormone?

No. Activate Xtreme is a completely natural testosterone enhancer, designed to significantly increase the amount of free testosterone in your body.*

What is free testosterone and how does it differ from testosterone?

Testosterone is controlled by two of the brain's key mechanisms – the egg protein, albumin (1), and something called Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin (SHBG) (2). Typically, less than 2% of your total testosterone concentration is actually “free” and upwards of 50% and more of your total circulating testosterone is bound to SHBG! This is a problem because SHBG-bound testosterone cannot bind to the androgen receptor (3)!

This means that a lot of your testosterone is essentially turned off. When active, testosterone is a hormone that will help you increase your strength and size, improve your sex drive and body composition, and even improve the quality of your sleep. Activate Xtreme frees up testosterone thanks to Divanil, our proprietary urtica dioica extract. Divanil takes SHBG out of the game, thereby promoting more active testosterone to give all of these awesome benefits (4, 5).

How else does Activate Xtreme help to boost testosterone?

Where do we begin! Let’s start with growth hormone (GH) and how it regulates the Hypothalamic-Testicular Axis (HPTA).

Mucuna pruriens is an adaptogenic herb (6) mostly found in hot climates like India and Africa. While the antioxidant and neuro-protective qualities it possesses (7, 8) are of benefit for a healthy body and mind, it is the effects it exerts on the endocrine system that make it such a great compound.

Luteinizing hormone (LH) is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland of the brain and plays a huge role in the HPTA. Upon its release it stimulates cells found in the testicles called Leydig cells to synthesize testosterone (9). Mucuna pruriens increases levels of LH, leading to significant increases in testosterone (10, 11, 12). Research has shown that mucuna pruriens contains several alkaloids, but the main constituent responsible for this effect is L-Dopa (13, 14). L-Dopa is a direct precursor for dopamine (13), which regulates the sex hormones control center in the brain.

Here is where it ties into growth hormone! Mucuna pruriens has also been shown to significantly elevate levels of growth hormone (GH) in the body (15, 16, 17, 18), in one study by over 1250% (19). This effect of L-Dopa appears to be amplified when used in combination with exercise (20). This is interesting because GH is involved heavily in sex hormone synthesis (21), in particular by regulating something called Steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (stAR) (22). stAR is a transport protein found in Leydig cells that controls cholesterol uptake by the mitochondria in these cells. Why is this important? Because this is the rate-limiting step in testosterone synthesis (23, 24).

So not only does mucuna pruriens boost testosterone via LH stimulation, it enhances the machinery required to synthesize it through GH augmentation.*

But that is not all! Mucuna pruriens has been known for centuries as an aphrodisiac and sexual tonic (12). This is due to its effect reducing prolactin (18). Prolactin is a hormone primarily associated with lactation in women who breastfeed; however in men it is released after orgasm, resulting in loss of erection and a short-term reduction of sexual appetite (25). This is called the refractory period and can last anywhere from seconds in young men, to thirty or more minutes in older men. Dopamine inhibits prolactin release, leading to a reduced refractory period (26). By boosting dopamine levels, mucuna pruriens can enhance your sexual experience!*

And how about the effect on cortisol? Mucuna pruriens does not stop there! Other research into the herb has also shown that mucuna pruriens reduces stress in humans. In fact, blood testing has shown that mucuna pruriens reduces the chief stress hormone, cortisol, by 40-49%! (27) We’re sure we don’t need to explain why this can be indirectly beneficial with regards to muscle mass and fat reduction – the Lean Xtreme write-up should make that abundantly clear – but we DO want to reference the fact that cortisol can reduce testosterone and luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH – the hormone that facilitates LH release) levels! (28, 29)

Stress from excessive cortisol can also deplete brain neuro-chemicals like dopamine (30), which can lead to several health problems, including a loss of libido. This also partly explains why Mucuna pruriens can be so effective as an aphrodisiac!

Something of interest, however, is that studies have been carried out investigating whether there is a difference to taking a mucuna pruriens extract containing L-Dopa, and taking synthetic L-Dopa. Amazingly it appears that the other alkaloids found in mucuna pruriens make the L-Dopa content more orally bioavailable than taking the synthetic version alone! (31) This is why Activate Xtreme contains both a high-potency 95% extract of L-Dopa along with a lower 20% mucuna pruriens extract!

All this from just ONE INGREDIENT! And we’re just scratching the surface of Activate Xtreme’s excellent formula!

So There's More to Activate Xtreme's Testosterone-Enhancing Capacities?

You bet there is! We would like to introduce the supplement industry to bryonia laciniosa. Found predominantly in India, bryonia laciniosa has been popular for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine. It appears that science is finally catching up to it, with a recent study into the leaves of the herb showing excellent anti-oxidant effect (32).

Another study has finally looked into why bryonia laciniosa seeds have been used as a sexual tonic in ancient Indian medicine. The study involving mammals showed an increase in LH and also an increase in testosterone to the tune of 1400% (33). In addition, bryonia laciniosa also increased the fructose content of seminal vesicles by almost 50%! Seminal vesicle fructose content is regulated by androgens and is thus directly correlated with testosterone levels.

Should I be worried about estrogen?

Not at all. Activate Xtreme caters for any estrogen by including a small amount of our revolutionary new anti-estrogen, pZole. Not only does pZole help control estrogen, it has testosterone-boosting qualities of its own!*

What does all this mean? It means you have absolutely nothing to be worried about.*

How will Activate Xtreme help my performance in the gym?

It can only improve it. The effects of increased free testosterone on strength and power output is immense, but even outside of this Activate Xtreme has benefits for performance, and this comes courtesy of a high-potency extract of Lepidium meyenii, which is better known as maca. Maca has been shown to have a profound effect on increasing endurance and exercise capacity (34). Maca is also considered an adaptogen, much like Mucuna pruriens, and is believed to help strengthen the immune system and fortify your libido. There is also some research indicating a possible neuroprotective effect (35).

Is maca also good for sex drive?

Indeed it is! In Peru where maca is predominantly harvested it is referred to as their “natural Viagra” and there is a lot of merit in this statement. In mammals, maca has been demonstrated as improving sperm quality (36, 37, 38, 39) and also improving sexual desire and mating performance (40, 41, 42). These same effects have also been demonstrated in humans (35, 43, 44).

How does Vitamin D3 fit into the formula?

Honestly, the benefits to be derived from vitamin D3 intake are so vast it would take more than this FAQ to truly discuss them adequately. But we will do our best to reference the points you are genuinely interested in.

Cholecalciferol is also known as vitamin D3 and is in fact a hormone precursor for the active form of D3 in the body, called calcitriol (1,25-hydroxy vitamin D3). While some D3 can be obtained from dietary intake such as fish, cheese or fortified milk, the majority of D3 is derived from the sun. Ultraviolet light from the sun reacts in the skin with a type of cholesterol, called 7-hydrocholesterol, to form D3. D3 is then converted to 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 (calcidiol) in the liver, which is then passed to the kidney where it becomes 1,25-hydroxy vitamin D3 (calcitriol).

Most people do not get enough D3, namely because they do not eat a balanced diet, nor do they get outside as much as they should. Combine this with the darker winter months that a lot of people endure, D3 deficiency has been identified as a legitimate concern. This is because D3 plays a huge role in many biological processes.

You know how you just feel better during summer and your mood is improved overall? That’s thanks to D3.

In the same regard, a lot of people suffer depression during winter months because of low D3 levels. This is referred to as seasonal affecting disorder (S.A.D.) and a lot of anecdotal evidence, as well as some scientific research, has backed oral D3 intake as a remedy for this. D3 is also connected with improving insulin sensitivity, supporting healthy blood pressure, promoting healthy bone metabolism, and enhancing the immune response which are all excellent reasons to include D3 in Activate Xtreme. That said, there are several other benefits to be derived from it, including the effect it has on testosterone, estrogen, IGF-1 and body composition in general.*

Vitamin D3 on Testosterone and Estrogen

D3 levels have been definitively correlated with androgen levels in men. Recent research has shown that men with higher D3 levels have more circulating testosterone and less SHBG (45). With people receiving less sunshine during winter months, especially considering that these are typically “bulking season”, this is not a situation you want your internal environment to be in.

With regards to estrogen support, D3 has also demonstrated aromatase inhibitory action (46). Unlike a direct inhibition of the aromatase enzyme like pZole exerts, D3 reduces aromatase via two distinct pathways. Firstly by directly suppressing its transcription at the gene level (i.e. reducing how much of it is produced by the body), and secondly by suppressing cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), a pro-inflammatory pathway. This latter effect reduces levels of prostaglandins including prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) which is a major stimulator of aromatase creation.

Vitamin D3 on IGF-1

D3 also has slightly more direct effects on muscle growth, including a correlation with IGF-1 (Insulin-like Growth Factor-1) levels (47). So called because of its structural similarity to insulin, IGF-1 is the means by which GH mediates its anabolic effects in the body. A deficiency in D3 has been found to be directly linked to low levels of IGF-1 (47).

Vitamin D3 and the VDR

There also exists a more direct way in which D3 effects muscle cells, through something called the Vitamin D Receptor (VDR). Calcitriol binds to this receptor, activating second messenger systems and influences calcium and phospholipid metabolism. These messenger systems are crucial for muscle repair and development, so much so that mice bred without the VDR have serious growth issues, muscle impairment and poor physical performance. In studies looking into D3 deficiency in humans, researchers have found cases of myopathy (muscle weakness) and balance impairment (48, 49). Some cases of deficiency have been reversed via daily supplemental D3, leading to an increase in performance ability over longer periods (50).

Vitamin D3 on Body Composition

D3 also plays a role in total body composition. Not only does it have a positive effect on muscle balance, it also has a direct correlation with body fat levels. Calcitriol increases calcium uptake in cells which has been associated with a reduction of fat cell content (51, 52). This is believed to be due, in part, to the effect this calcium influx has on 11beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase-1 (11b-HSD1) (53). 11b-HSD1 is the enzyme that converts the inactive cortisone to the active Cortisol. In fat cells, 11b-HSD1 INCREASES fat cell content. By regulating this enzyme, the increased calcium uptake contributes to the preferential loss of fat in the cells that predominantly express 11b-HSD1 such as abdominal fat. Further proof of this effect is also shown by those individuals with defective vitamin D receptors who tend to display higher levels of fat (54, 55). This makes sense given that the VDR plays a role in this (56).

In fact, the effect of adequate D3 intake is so pronounced on body composition that in humans it makes dieting easier, with subjects responding better to lower calorie intakes during dieting (57), leading to more fat loss than those without sufficient D3!

Will Activate Xtreme cause me to fail a drug test?

Definitely not. Activate Xtreme contains only natural ingredients, but if you are an athlete then you should check to make sure that none of the ingredients are on the banned substances list of your organization.

So I won't need any post-cycle therapy?

Not at all.

What can I stack with it?

Activate Xtreme will stack fine with your favorite Creatine product, but ideally stack it with Triazole for maximum effects.

Is Activate Xtreme more for cutting or bulking?

Both. As awesome as Activate Xtreme is for building muscle during a bulk, it is equally as awesome for maintaining muscle on a cut.*

References:

1. Wheeler MJ, "The Determination of Bioavailable Testosterone," Ann Clin Biochem, 1995, 32(Pt 4):345-57 (review).
2. Gronowski AM and Landau-Levine M, "Reproductive Endocrine Function," Tietz Textbook of Clinical Chemistry, 3rd ed, Burtis CA and Ashwood ER, eds, Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders Co, 1999, 1601-41.
3. Hryb DJ, Khan MS, Romas NA, Rosner W. “The control of the interaction of sex hormone-binding globulin with its receptor by steroid hormones,” J Biol Chem. 1990 Apr 15;265(11):6048-54.
4. Schottner M, Spiteller G, Gansser D. “Lignans interfering with 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone binding to human sex hormone-binding globulin.” J Nat Prod. 1998 Jan;61(1):119-21.
5. Schottner M, Gansser D, Spiteller G. “Interaction of lignans with human sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG).” Z Naturforsch [C]. 1997 Nov-Dec;52(11-12):834-43.
6. Tripathi YB, Upadhyay AK. Effect of the alcohol extract of the seeds of Mucuna pruriens on free radicals and oxidative stress in albino rats. Phytother Res. 2002 Sep;16(6):534-8.
7. Sharma ML, Chandokhe N, Ghatak BJ, Jamwal KS, Gupta OP, Singh GB, Ali MM, Thakur RS, Handa KL, Rao PR, Jamwal PS, Sareen YK. Pharmacological screening of Indian medicinal plants. Indian J Exp Biol. 1978 Feb;16(2):228-40.
8. Rajeshwar Y, Kumar GPS, Gupta M, Mazumder UK. Studies on in vitro antioxidant activities of methanol extract of Mucuna pruriens (Fabaceae) seeds. Eur Bull Drug Res. 2005;13:31–9.
9. Mendis-Handagama SM, Siril Ariyaratne HB. Leydig cells, thyroid hormones and steroidogenesis. Indian J Exp Biol. 2005 Nov;43(11):939-62.
10. Shukla KK, Mahdi AA, Ahmad MK, Shankhwar SN, Rajender S, Jaiswar SP. Mucuna pruriens improves male fertility by its action on the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis. Fertil Steril. 2009 Dec;92(6):1934-40.
11. Suresh S, Prithiviraj E, Prakash S. Dose- and time-dependent effects of ethanolic extract of Mucuna pruriens Linn. seed on sexual behaviour of normal male rats. J Ethnopharmacol. 2009 Apr 21;122(3):497-501.
12. Kumar KVA, Srinivasan KK, Shanbhag T, Rao SG. Aphrodisiac activity of the seeds of Mucuna pruriens. Indian Drug. 1994;31:321–7.
13. Vermes I, Tóth EK, Telegdy G. Effects of drugs on brain neurotransmitter and pituitary-testicular function in male rats. Horm Res. 1979;10(4):222-32.
14. Yamada T, Nakamura J, Murakami M, Okuno Y, Hosokawa S, Matsuo M, Yamada H. Effect of chronic L-dopa administration on serum luteinizing hormone levels in male rats. Toxicology. 1995 Mar 31;97(1-3):173-82.
15. Chihara K, Kashio Y, Kita T, Okimura Y, Kaji H, Abe H, Fujita T. L-dopa stimulates release of hypothalamic growth hormone-releasing hormone in humans. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1986 Mar;62(3):466-73.
16. Boyd AE 3rd, Lebovitz HE, Pfeiffer JB. Stimulation of human-growth-hormone secretion by L-dopa. N Engl J Med. 1970 Dec 24;283(26):1425-9.
17. C A Jaffe, R DeMott-Friberg, and A L Barkan. Endogenous growth hormone (GH)-releasing hormone is required for GH responses to pharmacological stimuli. J Clin Invest. 1996 February 15; 97(4): 934–940.
18. Maeda K, Kato Y, Chihara K, Ogo S, Iwasaki Y. Suppression by thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) of human growth hormone release induced by L-dopa. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1975 Aug;41(2):408-11.
19. Syvälahti E, Pynnönen S. Secretion of human growth hormone and insulin in levodopa test during carbamazepine therapy. Acta Pharmacol Toxicol (Copenh). 1977 Feb;40(2):285-8.
20. Liberman B, Cesar FP, Wajchenberg BL. Human growth hormone (hGH) stimulation tests: the sequential exercise and L-dopa procedure. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 1979 Jun;10(6):649-54.
21. Shoham Z, Zalel Y, Jacobs HS. The role of growth hormone in male infertility. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 1994 Jul;41(1):1-5.
22. Kanzaki M, Morris PL. Growth hormone regulates steroidogenic acute regulatory protein expression and steroidogenesis in Leydig cell progenitors. Endocrinology. 1999 Apr;140(4):1681-6.
23. Kocerha J, Prucha MS, Kroll KJ, Steinhilber D, Denslow N. Regulation of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein transcription in largemouth bass by orphan nuclear receptor signaling pathways. Endocrinology. 2010 Jan;151(1):341-9. Epub 2009 Nov 11.
24. Petrescu AD, Gallegos AM, Okamura Y, Strauss JF 3rd, Schroeder F. Steroidogenic acute regulatory protein binds cholesterol and modulates mitochondrial membrane sterol domain dynamics. J Biol Chem. 2001 Oct 5;276(40):36970-82.
25. Krüger TH, Haake P, Haverkamp J, Krämer M, Exton MS, Saller B, Leygraf N, Hartmann U, Schedlowski M. Effects of acute prolactin manipulation on sexual drive and function in males. J Endocrinol. 2003 Dec;179(3):357-65.
26. Ben-Jonathan N, Hnasko R. Dopamine as a prolactin (PRL) inhibitor. Endocr Rev. 2001 Dec;22(6):724-63.
27. Shukla KK, Mahdi AA, Ahmad MK, Jaiswar SP, Shankwar SN, Tiwari SC. Mucuna pruriens Reduces Stress and Improves the Quality of Semen in Infertile Men. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2007 Dec 18.
28. Axelrod J, Reisine TD. Stress hormones: their interaction and regulation. Science. 1984 May 4;224(4648):452-9.
29. Negro-Vilar A. Stress and other environmental factors affecting fertility in men and women: overview. Environ Health Perspect. 1993 Jul;101 Suppl 2:59-64.
30. Sato Y, Suzuki N, Horita H, Wada H, Shibuya A, Adachi H, Tsukamoto T, Kumamoto Y, Yamamoto M. Effects of long-term psychological stress on sexual behavior and brain catecholamine levels. J Androl. 1996 Mar-Apr;17(2):83-90.
31. Katzenschlager R, Evans A, Manson A, Patsalos PN, Ratnaraj N, Watt H, Timmermann L, Van der Giessen R, Lees AJ. Mucuna pruriens in Parkinson's disease: a double blind clinical and pharmacological study. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2004 Dec;75(12):1672-7.
32. Gupta M, Mazumdar UK, Sivakumar T, Vamsi ML, Karki SS, Sambathkumar R, Manikandan L. Evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity of chloroform extract of Bryonia laciniosa in experimental animal models. Biol Pharm Bull. 2003 Sep;26(9):1342-4.
33. Chauhan NS, Dixit VK. Effects of Bryonia laciniosa seeds on sexual behaviour of male rats. Int J Impot Res. 2010 May-Jun;22(3):190-5. Epub 2009 Dec 24.
34. Stone M, Ibarra A, Roller M, Zangara A, Stevenson E. A pilot investigation into the effect of maca supplementation on physical activity and sexual desire in sportsmen. J Ethnopharmacol. 2009 Dec 10;126(3):574-6.
35. Pino-Figueroa A, Nguyen D, Maher TJ. Neuroprotective effects of Lepidium meyenii (Maca). Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2010 Jun;1199:77-85.
36. Clément C, Kneubühler J, Urwyler A, Witschi U, Kreuzer M. Effect of maca supplementation on bovine sperm quantity and quality followed over two spermatogenic cycles. Theriogenology. 2010 Jul 15;74(2):173-83.
37. Gonzales GF, Ruiz A, Gonzales C, Villegas L, Cordova A. Effect of Lepidium meyenii (maca) roots on spermatogenesis of male rats. Asian J Androl. 2001 Sep;3(3):231-3.
38. Gonzales C, Rubio J, Gasco M, Nieto J, Yucra S, Gonzales GF. Effect of short-term and long-term treatments with three ecotypes of Lepidium meyenii (MACA) on spermatogenesis in rats. J Ethnopharmacol. 2006 Feb 20;103(3):448-54.
39. Gonzales GF, Rubio J, Chung A, Gasco M, Villegas L. Effect of alcoholic extract of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) on testicular function in male rats. Asian J Androl. 2003 Dec;5(4):349-52.
40. Lentz A, Gravitt K, Carson CC, Marson L. Acute and chronic dosing of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) on male rat sexual behavior. J Sex Med. 2007 Mar;4(2):332-9; discussion 339-40.
41. Cicero AF, Bandieri E, Arletti R. Lepidium meyenii Walp. improves sexual behaviour in male rats independently from its action on spontaneous locomotor activity. J Ethnopharmacol. 2001 May;75(2-3):225-9.
42. Zheng BL, He K, Kim CH, Rogers L, Shao Y, Huang ZY, Lu Y, Yan SJ, Qien LC, Zheng QY. Effect of a lipidic extract from lepidium meyenii on sexual behavior in mice and rats. Urology. 2000 Apr;55(4):598-602.
43. Gonzales GF, Córdova A, Vega K, Chung A, Villena A, Góñez C, Castillo S. Effect of Lepidium meyenii (MACA) on sexual desire and its absent relationship with serum testosterone levels in adult healthy men. Andrologia. 2002 Dec;34(6):367-72.
44. Gonzales GF, Cordova A, Gonzales C, Chung A, Vega K, Villena A. Lepidium meyenii (Maca) improved semen parameters in adult men. Asian J Androl. 2001 Dec;3(4):301-3.
45. Wehr E, Pilz S, Boehm BO, März W, Obermayer-Pietsch B. Association of vitamin D status with serum androgen levels in men. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2010 Aug;73(2):243-8.
46. Krishnan AV, Swami S, Feldman D. Vitamin D and breast cancer: inhibition of estrogen synthesis and signaling. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2010 Jul;121(1-2):343-8.
47. Bogazzi F, Rossi G, Lombardi M, Tomisti L, Sardella C, Manetti L, Curzio O, Marcocci C, Grasso L, Gasperi M, Martino E. VITAMIN D STATUS MAY CONTRIBUTE TO SERUM IGF1 CONCENTRATIONS IN HEALTHY SUBJECTS. J Endocrinol Invest. 2010 Jul 29.
48. Hamilton B. Vitamin D and human skeletal muscle. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2010 Apr;20(2):182-90.
49. Ceglia L. Vitamin D and its role in skeletal muscle. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2009 Nov;12(6):628-33.
50. Bartoszewska M, Kamboj M, Patel DR. Vitamin D, muscle function, and exercise performance. Pediatr Clin North Am. 2010 Jun;57(3):849-61.
51. Zemel MB, Miller SL. Dietary calcium and dairy modulation of adiposity and obesity risk. Nutr Rev. 2004 Apr;62(4):125-31.
52. Zemel MB. The role of dairy foods in weight management. J Am Coll Nutr. 2005 Dec;24(6 Suppl):537S-46S.
53. Morris KL, Zemel MB. 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 modulation of adipocyte glucocorticoid function. Obes Res. 2005 Apr;13(4):670-7.
54. Ye WZ, Reis AF, Dubois-Laforgue D, Bellanné-Chantelot C, Timsit J, Velho G. Vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms are associated with obesity in type 2 diabetic subjects with early age of onset. Eur J Endocrinol. 2001 Aug;145(2):181-6.
55. Barger-Lux MJ, Heaney RP, Hayes J, DeLuca HF, Johnson ML, Gong G. Vitamin D receptor gene polymorphism, bone mass, body size, and vitamin D receptor density. Calcif Tissue Int. 1995 Aug;57(2):161-2.
56. Sun X, Zemel MB. 1Alpha, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D and corticosteroid regulate adipocyte nuclear vitamin D receptor. Int J Obes (Lond). 2008 Aug;32(8):1305-11.
57. Ortega RM, Aparicio A, Rodríguez-Rodríguez E, Bermejo LM, Perea JM, López-Sobaler AM, Ruiz-Roso B, Andrés P. Preliminary data about the influence of vitamin D status on the loss of body fat in young overweight/obese women following two types of hypocaloric diet. Br J Nutr. 2008 Aug;100(2):269-72.