Fenugreek is an important source of furostanol, a steroidal saponin that, according to scientific studies, increases the production of the luteinizing hormone dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), affecting testosterone levels and increasing libido and physical endurance (1- 4). DHEA is a hormone produced in the adrenal gland, being the most abundant steroid hormone in the body and a precursor to other steroid hormones such as testosterone.

Other scientific studies associate fenugreek furostanol with a significant improvement in sugar metabolism and insulin resistance (5,6).

References:
(1) Steels, E.; Rao, A.; Vitetta, L. Phytotherapy Research 2011, 25, 1294.
(2) Wankhede, S.; Mohan, V.; Thakurdesai, P. Journal of Sport and Health Science 2016, 5, 176.
(3) Aswar, U. et al. Phytotherapy research 2010, 24, 1482.
(4) Maheshwari, A. et al. International journal of medical sciences 2017, 14, 58.
(5) Sharma, R. D. Nutrition Research 1986, 6, 1353.
(6) Xue, W. et al.  J. Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2007, 16 Suppl 1, 422.

Ginkgo is rich in terpenoids and flavonoids, responsible for its therapeutic properties. Scientific studies indicate that Ginkgo’s improves blood circulation by increasing nitric oxide levels in the blood. Nitric oxide is a powerful vasodilator and blood pressure reducer. More vasodilation results in more blood and oxygen flow to the brain, eyes, and other limbs, resulting in more strength and endurance.

Other known properties of Ginkgo’s flavonoids are the neuroprotective, cardioprotective, anticarcinogenic and memory-enhancing effects (1).

ALPHA uses a 50: 1 Ginkgo leaf extract (50 times more concentrated in active principles than the dry powder of the leaf) and with a minimum content of 24% in flavonoid glycosides and 6% in terpene lactones (6%)

References:
(1) Vale, F. B. C. et al.  Gynecological Endocrinology 2018, 34, 442.
(2) Chhatre, S.; et al.  Pharmacognosy Reviews 2014, 8, 45.
(3) Neychev, V.; Mitev, V. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 2016, 179, 345.
(4) Gauthaman, K. et al. Journal of alternative and complementary medicine 2003, 9, 257.

Tribulus Terrestris is rich in steroidal saponins such as dioscin, protodioscin and diosgenin. Traditionally, this plant has been used as a natural anabolic, and libido enhancer. Among other healthy properties, the best known propertie is its action on the increase of libido, both in men and women. According to animal studies, the steroidal saponins protodioscin and protogracilin are the ones responsible for these properties. Animal studies have verified a relationship between the administration of Tribulus terrestris and the increase in the levels of free testosterone in the blood.

ALPHA uses a 25: 1 extract (25 times more concentrated in active ingredients than dry plant powder) and with a minimum of 95% steroidal saponins.

References:
(1) Vale, F. B. C. et al.  Gynecological Endocrinology 2018, 34, 442.
(2) Chhatre, S.; et al.  Pharmacognosy Reviews 2014, 8, 45.
(3) Neychev, V.; Mitev, V. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 2016, 179, 345.
(4) Gauthaman, K. et al. Journal of alternative and complementary medicine 2003, 9, 257.

Maca root has been traditionally used to improve fertility and increase libido. In fact, there are several scientific studies that relate its consumption to increased libido and improved semen quality (1-3). In addition, animal studies have attributed its consumption to a decrease in the size of the prostate (4).

The main bioactive components of maca are believed to be lipid compounds, especially fatty acids from the n-benzylamide family, called macamides (5).

ALPHA uses a 10: 1 maca root extract (10 times more concentrated in active ingredients than the dry root powder).

Referencias:
(1) Balick, M. J.; Lee, R. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine 2002, 8, 96.
(2) Gonzales, G. F. et al.  Asian Journal of Andrology 2001, 301.
(3) Melnikovova, I. et al.  Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2015, 2015.
(4) Gonzales, G. F. et al. Reproductive biology and endocrinology 2005, 3, 5.
(5) Wu, H.; et al. Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry 2013, 21, 5188.

Avena sativa contains a group of phenolic alkaloids called avenanthramides. These compounds have powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties (1). It is also a source of steroidal saponins called avenacosides that produce in the body an effect similar to the saponins present in Tribulus terrestris (2).

ALPHA uses an extract of Avena sativa 10: 1 (10 times more concentrated in active ingredients than the dry powder of the plant).

References:
(1) Bratt, K. et al. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 2003, 51, 594.
(2) Singh, R.; De, S.; Belkheir, A. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition 2013, 53, 126.

Coenzyme Q10 (Co-Q10) or ubiquinone is a molecule naturally present in the mitochondria in the cells (where energy is produced). It is a very powerful antioxidant that helps reducing oxidative stress and plays an important role in the production of cellular energy. Scientific studies have shown the usefulness of Co-Q10 supplementation to increase physical endurance and improve semen’s quality (1).
Co-Q10 is synthesized in the liver and can be obtained in the diet. However, the dietary intake of Co-Q10 is very low since it is presented in very small quantities.

References:
(1) Kizaki, K. et al. The Journal of sports medicine and physical fitness 2015, 55, 797.

Black pepper contains a bioactive alkaloid called piperine with powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties (1). In addition, Piperine is a natural thermogenic, as it accelerates metabolism through its effect on beta-receptors, stimulating the production of catecholamines, which are thermogenic hormones (2).

ALPHA uses a 35: 1 black pepper extract (active ingredient 35 times more concentrated than dry pepper powder) and is made up almost entirely of piperine (95%).

References:
(1) Meghwal, M.; Goswami, T. K. Phytotherapy Research 2013, 27, 1121.
(2) Nogara, L. et al.Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 2016, 113, 13009.

Garlic extract contains a compound called alliin, which after its enzymatic catalysis in the body is transformed into allicin. Allicin is a sulfur compound that possesses various pharmacological activities. For example, animal studies suggest that allicin can reduce atherosclerosis and the deposition of fat in the arteries (1).

Another important property of allicin is its effect on the production of cortisol (the stress hormone) (2). When the body is under stress the production of cortisol by the adrenal gland increases and this has an impact on other bodily functions, including the production of testosterone. Therefore, keeping cortisol levels low, allows you to maintain higher natural testosterone levels (3). Other beneficial effects of allicin are antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, and antioxidant effects (4).

ALPHA uses a 50: 1 garlic extract (50 times more concentrated in active ingredients than the dry bulb powder).

References:
(1) Eilat, S. et al. Coronary Artery Disease 1995, 6, 985.
(2) Oi, Y. et al. The Journal of Nutrition 2001, 131, 2150.
(3) Brownlee, K. K. et al. Journal of Sports science & Medicine 2005, 4, 76.
(4) Bayan, L.; Koulivand, P. H.; Gorji, A. Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine 2014, 4, 1.

Watercress belongs to the group of foods richest in nitrates. Nitrates are important sources of nitric oxide, a powerful vasodilator and blood pressure reducer (1). Scientific studies have verified that watercress supplementation can relieve the natural stress that the body is subjected to during intensive training (2).

ALPHA uses a 10: 1 extract of watercress (10 times more concentrated in active ingredients than the dry powder of the plant).

References:
(1) Meamarbashi, A.; Alipour, M. Avicenna J Phytomed 2014, 4, 267.
(2) Fogarty, M. C. et al. The British journal of nutrition 2013, 109, 293.