LJ-100® Dietary Supplement: Extract of Tongkat Ali - Reviews, Dosage

LJ100 is a dietary supplement containing tongkat ali (Eurycoma longifolia), the famous Malaysian ginseng which has been used for hundreds of years for boosting sexual health. Standardised to 63% of the active ingredients, the highest percentage on the market, it is the only tongkat ali extract backed by clinical studies.

What is Tongkat ali?
It is a Malaysian herb, which has been used for centuries as a medicinal plant.

It has been the subject of intense scientific study aimed at validating its empirical use as an energiser, sexual tonic and aphrodisiac (1-3)

What is responsible for the benefits of Tongkat ali?

The roots of the plant species Eurycoma longifolia contain valuable phytonutrients: quassinoids, alkaloids, terpenoids and phenolic acids, four of which have only been discovered recently (eurylophenolosides A and B, and eurylolignanosides A and B) (4-5).

It is these - probably synergistic - compounds, which account for the benefits of Tongkat ali.

What is testosterone and what role does it play in the male body?

Testosterone is the predominant sex hormone in men. It is associated with vitality and virility, and helps maintain healthy bones and muscle tone, as well as production of sperm and red cells.

Signals sent by the hypothalamus and pituitary glands in the brain trigger its production in the testicles.

Why do testosterone levels decline with age?

From the age of 45, there is a gradual but marked decrease in testosterone in men, which is associated with a range of physiological and psychological symptoms. This is known as the andropause, in a reference to the female menopause which generally affects women over 50. This decline actually starts from the age of around thirty; scientists have shown that blood testosterone concentrations fall by around 1%.

Symptoms of the andropause are numerous:

• decline in sex hormone production;
• fall in libido;
• feeling as if you’re short of energy;
• excessive sweating;
• sleep problems;
• weight gain, especially around the abdomen;
• lack of physical strength;
• mild depression.

Several studies (6) suggest that between 20% and 40% of men develop symptoms such as these. The two clearest signs are probably the inability to achieve a strong enough erection for intercourse, and fewer morning erections.

Since the only medical treatment - testosterone - is unproven and presents safety concerns, many men are looking for natural solutions for restoring their testosterone levels.

How should the supplement Tongkat ali be taken?

We recommend taking one or two capsules a day at a time convenient to you, ideally one hour before sexual activity.

Alongside supplementation, it’s a good idea to avoid all the factors associated with reducing testosterone levels:

• alcohol and marijuana;
• excess weight around the abdomen( an increase of 4 or 5 points in BMI may be equivalent to ageing 10 years in terms of decreased testosterone) ;
• untreated diabetes;
• chronic stress;
• over-use of certain medications;
• junk food (dietary deficiencies are linked with a fall in testosterone).

Conversely, steps to follow include:

• regular consumption of oily fish rich in omega-3;
• alternating supplementation with products such as Prosexstim and Super Maca.

1. Tambi MIM. 2006b. Eurycoma longifolia Jack: a potent adaptogen in the form of water-soluble extract with the effect of maintaining men’s health. Asian J Androl 8(Suppl. 1): 49–50.
2. Sambandan TG, Rha C, Aminudim N, Saad JM, Kadir AA. 2006. Bioactive fraction of Eurycoma longifolia.
3. Hamzah S, Yusof A. 2003. The Ergogenic effects of Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma longifolia): a pilot study. Br J Sports Med 37 (Abstract 007): 464–470.
4. Morita H, Kishi E, Takeya K, Itokawa H, Iitaka Y. 1993. Squalene derivatives from Eurycoma longifolia. Phytochem 4: 765–771.
5. Jiwajinda S, Santisopasri V, Murakami A, Hirai N, Ohigashi H. 2001. Quassinoids from Eurycoma longifolia as plant growth inhibitors. Phytochem 58: 959–962.
6. Male late-onset hypogonadism: pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment. Huhtaniemi I, Forti G. Nat Rev Urol. 2011 Apr 19.