Back in the day, like waaay back…
If you wanted to get BIG, you ate plants.
How do we know this? We have no idea. We’re not historians, dammit. But it makes sense, so we’re going with it.
So taking notes from the Spartans of old, SPARTN testosterone booster is taking the old-school route on muscle gains, notching in a heavy 4-capsule formula of all-natural T-boosting herbs, compounds, and, yes, a plant-based steroid.
Don’t worry. That’s all-natural, too, believe it or not.
Check the review:
Table of Contents
About SPARTN
Manufactured by LMNITRIX, SPARTN is a relative newcomer in the world of T-boosting, despite sporting a 2 decade old plant steroid: Laxogenin. However, the party doesn’t stop there. In fact, Laxogenin isn’t even the party. Formula notes:
- Laxogenin: The ingredient everyone’s talking about with this formula, due to its controversial pro-hormone “steroid” status.
- DAA + Zinc: The real MVPs of this T-booster. DAA + Zinc are the only ingredients with revealed dosages, too, which… well, we’ll get to that.
- “Free” T, No E: The remaining ingredients are intended to increase “free” testosterone levels while diminishing estrogen activity.
SPARTN Supplement Facts |
|
Serving Size: 4 Capsules Servings Per Container: 30 |
|
Ingredients | Amount Per Serving |
Zinc (as TRAACs Zinc Arginine Chelate) (10% Zn) | 2 mg (13.33% DV) |
D-Aspartic Acid | 2 g |
Proprietary Blend | 1100 mg |
Fenugreek Seed Extract (4:1), Mucuna Pruriens (40% L-Dopa), Tribulus Terrestris (80% Saponins), Chlorophytum Borivilianum (Root) (50% Saponins), Black Cohosh (2.5% Triterpenoid Saponins), Stinging Nettle Root (Urtica dioica) 4:1, Diindolylmethane (DIM), LAXOSTERONE® (5-alpha-Hydroxy-Laxogenin), Huperzine-A | |
Other Ingredients: Magnesium Stearate, Maltodextrin, Gelatin, Titanium Dioxide and FD&C Blue No. 1 |
SPARTN stacks up BIG boosters on a questionable plant pro-hormone.
Great. Pro-hormones…
So that means SPARTN is banned for sport, right?
Not so fast, dood. Laxogenin has been a source of contention for at least a couple decades now, but not necessarily for its legal status. But before we get into all of that, let’s take a look SPARTN’s two best T-boosters:
D-Aspartic Acid + Zinc
Earning the top #1 and #2 spots on our BIG LIST of T-Boosters, D-Aspartic Acid & Zinc are perhaps the best start to any T-boosting formula. And SPARTN takes off from the starting block hard, notching in Zinc in addition to a hefty 2 gram supply of DAA… only to trip on its shoelaces:
- Zinc‘s potent Zinc Arginine Chelate form is primo mineral stuff, but that 2 mg dosage is undeniably way low.
Additionally, DAA could be upgraded to the more potent D-AA-CC form, but we won’t harrass them too much on that. After all, research still suggests that DAA may increase T by 42% in as short as 12 days.
Proprietary Blend
1100 mg spread across 9 ingredients. On average, that allows a potential 122 mg per ingredient, which is pretty solid–however, Fenugreek & Mucuna Pruriens are likely drawing a majority of that 1100, considering their placement at the top of the blend. As well they should:
- Mucuna’s L-DOPA increases total T via increased LH secretion.
- Fenugreek activates “free” T levels by inhibiting SHBG.
Combined, these two increase total & free T. Yet, the next two ingredients, Tribulus & Chlorophytum Borivilianum, don’t do much for T, acting as a couple of libido-boosting “red herrings.”
Ideally, Black Cohosh, Stinging Nettle, & Diindolylmethane would help increase “free” T levels, while diminishing excess estrogens, but… only Stinging Nettle shows the most promise for this, whereas Black Cohosh & Diindolylmethane need more research to verify their hormonal bio-actions in men (apparently Cohosh does help menstrual cramps, though! I don’t want that girly crap in my manly test product!).
But enough of all that. Let’s take a look at the most controversial ingredient in this blend:
- LAXOSTERONE is a patented brand of Laxogenin, an anabolic building block that’s similar to the steroid Anavar (oxandrolone)–yet, is natural & reportedly safe on the liver. And best of all: It’s legal to use. And worst of all: The lack of human research draws a huge question mark on the actual efficacy of this plant pro-hormone, particularly in relation to oxandrolone, which does show increases in muscle mass & strength.
Last up is Hup-A, which is a notable memory-boosting nootropic. So that’s cool if you’re, like, into memory and stuff.
Formula Analysis
The secret of the Battle of Thermopylae is out.
The stand of 300 Spartans against, what, 100,000 Persians? 150,000 Persians? wasn’t a feat a strategic prowess & military brilliance, but sheer Laxogenin-fueled physical prowess: The spartans were hyped on plant steroids, baby.
No need to fact-check us on this. Best5 clearly knows its ancient Greek history.
In all honesty, we’d find this “fact” hard to believe unless that 5-alpha-Hydroxy-Laxogenin was also supported by DAA, Zinc, Mucuna Pruriens, & Fenugreek–you know: The REAL T-boosters in this formula.
If it weren’t for the formula’s emphasis on these herbs & compounds, we’d be somewhat skeptical of SPARTN. Laxogenin is an interesting anabolic compound, if you’re willing to give it a try. But we wouldn’t rely on it as a testosterone booster. DAA, Zinc, et al on the other hand do show notable influence on T levels.
Anything beyond these ingredients are simply provided for additional male benefits (e.g. sex boosts with Tribulus + Chlorophytum). This isn’t a bad plan, but deserves a little criticism, considering that we’d rather invest in a formula that invests heavily on the ingredients that work for T & strength.
Upping the ingredient count lowers the ceiling of benefits across the board. Instead, let’s see a focus on delivering ball-dropping T-boosts. At the moment, these heavy boosters run the risk of only delivering ball-tickling T-boosts.
SPARTN Benefits
The benefits advertised by this T-booster are:
- Increased Strength
- Encourages Lean Muscle Growth
- Supports Healthy Testosterone
- Blocks Estrogen
Judging by the ingredients, this all rings true. Due to the manufacturers involvement in the Campaign to End Obesity, the emphasis on lean muscle growth deserves special mention.
Who Takes It?
Spartans. Not those nerdy Athenians. Straight-up 8-pack bulging, big bicep packing, spear throwing, truck-lifting Spartans. Come at me, Persian bros!
Any Side Effects?
None reported. Yet, take caution with the Laxogenin. Obviously this means not supplementing more Laxogenin as higher dosages of the stuff have been associated with side effects such as headaches & irritation. Considering Laxogenin’s low placement on the prop blend, we doubt SPARTN is offering enough to be worried.
SPARTN Summary
Pros
- DAA + Zinc. These are the best ingredients to start your formula with.
- Fenugreek + Mucuna. Two of the best herbs to start your blend with.
- Laxogenin. For some, this is a “Con.” But we always appreciate manufacturers who provide safe options of controversial ingredients.
Cons
- Laxogenin. We’ll acknowledge the Con-ness of Laxogenin’s mystery.
- Proprietary Blend. Why hide all of your dosages, doods?
- Low Zinc. That 2 mg Zinc needs a major upgrade.
Pricing & Buying Info
- 1 Bottle (1 month): $79.99
- Available to buy online and in retail stores
Final Word on SPARTN
The SPARTN black & blue looks dangerous. The Laxogenin looks dangerous. The D-Aspartic Acid is dangerous… dangerously awesome! …And that’s why we don’t create ads for supplements. We simply write reviews on them, and the review on this one is: Two manly thumbs up! SPARTN supplies enough right ingredients to make up for the questionable choices. But that Zinc dosage is a tease, since they are presenting it as a good form; and the Laxogenin seems a roll of the dice. Risks and rewards, men. Risks and rewards.
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