Men’s health is changing. Buyers are better informed, more proactive and more interested in natural products, and they want evidence. Products in the category now need to offer more than performance.
Biotropics Malaysia Berhad makes two ingredients for this: Physta®, a patented Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma longifolia) root extract, and Eurecta®, which combines Physta with BioKesum®, an extract of Kesum leaf (Persicaria minor). Both bring traditional use and human research to brands, distributors and contract manufacturers building men’s health ranges.
Testosterone and strength
In randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies, Physta has supported testosterone and physical performance in younger and older adults. In 63 moderately stressed adults, 200mg a day for 4 weeks raised testosterone, measured in saliva, by 37% against placebo (Talbott et al. 2013, Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition). In 45 men aged 40 to 59 with low testosterone, 200mg a day for 6 months improved testosterone against placebo (Leitão et al. 2021, Maturitas), and with training raised knee strength by 17%, against 14% with training and placebo (Leitão et al. 2021, Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice). In men in strength training, 100mg a day for 5 weeks raised the heaviest weight lifted once by 6.8%, against 2.8% on placebo (Hamzah and Yusof 2003, British Journal of Sports Medicine). In a smaller study of 25 active men and women aged 57 to 72, with no placebo group, handgrip strength and testosterone rose over 5 weeks (Henkel et al. 2014, Phytotherapy Research).
Male fertility
In men with long-standing unexplained infertility, three months of Tongkat Ali extract improved sperm concentration, movement and shape (Tambi and Imran 2010, Asian Journal of Andrology). A separate 12-week randomised trial of Physta found improvements in sperm movement, semen volume, sexual wellbeing and quality-of-life scores (Ismail et al. 2012, Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine).
Energy
Fatigue is one of the most consistent measures in the Physta research. In 105 men aged 50 to 70 with low testosterone, 12 weeks of Physta reduced fatigue scores by 50% at 200mg a day and by 42% at 100mg (Chinnappan et al. 2021, Food and Nutrition Research).
Mood and stress
Physta has been studied as an adaptogen, for the body’s response to stress. In the 4-week study of 63 moderately stressed adults, it lowered cortisol by 16% against placebo, and reduced tension by 11%, anger by 12% and confusion by 15% (Talbott et al. 2013, Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition). In the 12-week study of men with low testosterone, total testosterone rose from week 4; free testosterone, DHEA and muscle strength rose over time; cortisol fell in the higher-dose group; and scores for ageing male symptoms and fatigue fell (Chinnappan et al. 2021, Food and Nutrition Research).
Immunity
In 81 middle-aged adults with below-average immunity, 200mg a day for 4 weeks raised the overall immune cell score by 5%, with higher total, naive and CD4 T cell counts than placebo (George et al. 2016, Phytotherapy Research).
Sexual health: Eurecta
Eurecta® pairs Physta with BioKesum. In a 12-week randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in men, Eurecta improved erection hardness, sexual performance and ageing male symptom scores against placebo, and was well tolerated (Udani et al. 2014, Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine).
Tradition and modern science
Tongkat Ali has long been used in Southeast Asia for vitality and male reproductive health. As interest has grown worldwide, so have concerns about adulteration, standardisation and inconsistent results. Physta was developed to answer them, through a long-term collaboration between Biotropics, the Malaysian Government and research institutions, and it served as the benchmark for the Malaysian Standard for Tongkat Ali, MS 2409:2011. Physta has been tested in 28 human studies covering testosterone, stress, energy, immunity and sexual health.
For product developers
Physta and Eurecta are water-soluble extracts made in GMP-certified facilities. They suit capsules, sachets, functional drinks and pre-workout blends, and are sold in 36 countries.
Ask for samples or study summaries
References
- Talbott et al. 2013, Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition
- Leitão et al. 2021, Maturitas
- Leitão et al. 2021, Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice
- Hamzah and Yusof 2003, British Journal of Sports Medicine
- Henkel et al. 2014, Phytotherapy Research
- Tambi and Imran 2010, Asian Journal of Andrology
- Ismail et al. 2012, Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
- Chinnappan et al. 2021, Food and Nutrition Research
- George et al. 2016, Phytotherapy Research
- Udani et al. 2014, Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine