Eurycoma longifolia, more commonly known as Tongkat Ali or Longjack, is an evergreen plant from Southeast Asia. Eurycoma longifolia forms a large underground root system that produces a large number of powerful bioactive compounds.
The main class of compounds produced by the root of Eurycoma longifolia is the quassinoids. Within this class, the most bioactive Quassinoid is a compound called Eurycomanone, and much of the benefits of Tongkat Ali discussed in scientific research are attributed to the bioactivity of this compound.
That is why it is important to look for Eurycoma longifolia extracts that are high in Eurycomanone.
Where is tongkat ali used most often?
The word Tongkat Ali reviews translates to “Ali’s staff” in the Malay language. The reason Tongkat Ali got its name is because it has been used for centuries in Southeast Asia, specifically Malaysia, to help boost physical strength.
Tongkat Ali is known to help maintain a person’s strength, in the same way that a cane can help you walk better when you begin to lose strength in your legs and trunk.
Tongkat Ali is widely used in countries like Malaysia and is commonly found in Tongkat Ali-infused instant coffee in stores. These Tongkat Ali products are popular with men to help boost physical energy and strength.
In the western world, however, we are just beginning to explore Tongkat Ali and slowly but surely it has become quite a popular supplement, and for good reason! Just take a look at all the benefits of Tongkat Ali below:
Tongkat Ali Extract May Help Promote Balanced Testosterone Levels
One of the most popular uses for Tongkat Ali is to help promote balanced testosterone levels. Tongkat Ali, and more specifically its Eurycomanone content, can help maintain both free testosterone and total testosterone levels.
Tongkat Ali accomplishes this through indirect pathways, which actually focus on regulating estrogen levels. In men, testosterone is synthesized primarily in the testes by specialized cells called Leydig cells.
These Leydig cells exist in large numbers in the testicles of men, but to a lesser degree they also exist in the ovaries of women. For the Leydig cells to produce testosterone, they need to receive a signal from the hypothalamus and another from the pituitary gland.
First, the hypothalamus initiates the signal. This produces gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). GnRH then acts on the pituitary gland, causing the release of luteinizing hormone (LH). LH then signals the testes to start making testosterone.
Once testosterone has been produced, it can also be converted to estradiol by an enzyme called aromatase. Estradiol can then regulate the activity of the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland, which slows down the synthesis of testosterone. You can see this process illustrated in the following image:
This is where Tongkat Ali comes in, and it can help promote testosterone synthesis by regulating estrogen activity. Eurycomanone appears to be able to modulate the activity of estradiol receptors found in the hypothalamus and pituitary gland.
Through this action, Eurycomanone can help support and promote overall testosterone synthesis.
