Performax Labs AlphaMax: Take Natural Testosterone to the Max

Published on January 27, 2022 by Mike Roberto | No Comments
Note: In June of 2023, @PerformaxLabs posted to their Instagram that this formula would get updated. If you’re a big fan of the current version, stock up while you can!

New label? Absolutely.
New formula? Absolutely not!

Over the past few months, we’ve covered the updated labeling and formulas through Performax Labs’ aggressive supplement product line. Their HyperMax Extreme + VasoMax pre-workout stack got updated, as did their popular fat burner OxyMax.

Performax Labs AlphaMax

Performax Labs AlphaMax has the new look, but the same formula – and that’s a great thing because this natty test booster is a beast!

Today’s formula, however, does not need any updates – it’s already as powerful as it is novel, and Performax wisely kept the ingredient profile the same. The label, however, has the bold new look, so here’s our chance to explain why it’s such a great supplement.

Performax Labs AlphaMax: Natural Testosterone Management to the Max

We’re talking about Performax Labs AlphaMax, a natural testosterone booster that has ingredients to:

  • Increase free and total testosterone
  • Control cortisol and estrogen
  • Enhance lean muscle growth

Below, we get into the science inside of these four capsules, digging deeper into DivaniMax, Performax Labs’ stinging nettle extract that has a component known as divanil that is extremely powerful but not as well-known in mainstream circles. Performax Labs is putting an end to that with this powerful blend.

The whole story’s below, after we show our coupon-based prices and Performax Labs deal alerts:

Performax Labs AlphaMax – Deals and Price Drop Alerts

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AlphaMax Ingredients

In four large capsules, you get the following all-encompassing matrix:

  • Free & Total Testosterone – Growth Hormone

    Right away, Performax Labs kicks the formula off with a very unique — and extraordinarily dosed — ingredient:

    • DivaniMax (Urtica Dioica containing 3,4-Divanylltetrahydrofuran) – 1400mg

      Performax Labs AlphaMax Ingredients

      Right off the bat, we’re hit with a unique ingredient in AlphaMax — DivaniMax, which is a stinging nettle extract standardized for 3,4-Divanylltetrahydrofuran. This is one potent natural testosterone booster!

      Urtica dioica is more commonly known as stinging nettle, and is a flowering plant that has many anti-inflammatory uses in traditional medicine.[1] There are many uses for it, since it’s a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor that prevents the conversion of testosterone to DHT.[2] This keeps testosterone levels higher, while also preventing some of DHTs negative effects down, which include prostate enlargement,[2,3] and hair loss.

      More interestingly, lignans inside of urtica dioica can reduce the binding activity of human sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG),[4-6] which has an affinity to bind to testosterone moreso than estrogen.[7,8] By keeping SHBG down naturally, this puts the testosterone:estrogen ratio in greater favor to testosterone – and we mean free testosterone.

      Keying in on 3,4-Divanylltetrahydrofuran (Divanil / DVTHF)
      Stinging Nettle Urtica Dioica

      The incredible-looking Stinging Nettle (Urtica Dioica) plant with even more incredible effects. Image courtesy Wikimedia

      Performax Labs also tips their hand on the label, stating that they’re specifically ensuring that the lignan 3,4-Divanylltetrahydrofuran is found inside — it’s also known as divanil or DVTHF.

      Researchers looking at SHBG affinity bluntly stated in their abstract that “The affinity of (-)-3,4-divanillyltetrahydrofuran was outstandingly high.”[5] In fact, they state that “(-)-3,4-Divanillyltetrahydrofuran was able to prevent completely 3H-DHT from binding to SHBG under these testing conditions.”[5] (emphasis ours) In the discussion, they go on to state that “The outstanding affinity of 3,4-divanillyltetrahydrofuran is a further proof for the physiological effectiveness of this class of compounds (20).”[5]

      Clearly, Performax Labs has something very powerful to protect your precious testosterone here in their DivaniMax ingredient. There are many plants that act as 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors, but not so many that do that and inhibit SHBG’s binding efforts.

      What a great way to start.

    • Mucuna Pruriens Extract – 300mg

      Another cool looking plant! Mucuna Pruriens is popular for its dopamine and growth hormone boosting properties. Courtesy Wikimedia

      Mucuna pruriens is a bean with many antioxidant effects,[9] but is most often utilized for its high content of L-Dopa,[10] a precursor to dopamine.[11] Frequently, individuals supplement mucuna pruriens for stress and cortisol reduction.[12-14] This is important because chronically high cortisol levels can lead to decreased gonadotropin and testosterone levels.[15,16]

      Here, we’re seeing mucuna in Performax Labs’ “Free & Total Testosterone – Growth Hormone” blend because of its ability to stimulate the release of growth hormone.[17-19]

      Other research involving Mucuna pruriens demonstrates that it may reduce prolactin levels in the body as well as significantly increase luteinizing hormone, sperm count, and motility.[20] Interestingly, megadosing the ingredient even raised testosterone levels in infertile men in this study, but the researchers used five grams in that study, so we’re not expecting this dosage to have that level of effect. However, it goes to show the power of this ingredient.

    • Eurycoma Longifolia (Root) Extract – 300mg

      Eurycoma longifolia, also known as tongkat ali or longjack, is a popular ingredient we often see in testosterone-boosting formulas. Its inclusion is accredited to its original use as an aphrodisiac in folk medicine,[21] which encouraged more research on its effects in the realm of sexual health.

      In a 2012 clinical study, researchers conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled investigation on the plant’s aphrodisiac behavior. For 12 weeks, 109 healthy men received a daily administration of either 300 milligrams of longjack or a placebo. Using multiple questionnaires, they measured changes in libido across groups over the course of the study. They found that longjack improved libido by roughly 14%, evidenced in significantly higher scores on self-assessments compared to placebo.[22] Further measurements unveiled a 44% increase in sperm motility, as well.[22]

      Tongkat Ali Testosterone

      One study measured cortisol also measured salivary testosterone. It went up significantly in longjack users (32 men, 31 women).

      Additional research suggests that longjack may improve serum testosterone levels without compromising liver and renal function.[23] However, according to a meta-analysis from 2017, evidence of any libido-promoting or testosterone-boosting effects of the herb are somewhat mixed. Their review of 11 studies found seven studies that showed marked improvements in sexual health and function, and another four that showed no such effects.[24] Though these researchers highlighted the lack of conclusive results, they also noted the existing convincing evidence that longjack has displayed — and that more research is necessary.

      And even though it’s out of the scope of AlphaMax, the plant has also shown potency as an antioxidant and anxiolytic agent.[21]

      The 300 milligram dose is excellent — we used to get excited about 200 milligrams, but Performax Labs formulates its supplements to the max, after all. Ultimately, this is an ingredient that works very well for most users, but not all. That’s fine, given that it’s one of nine well-dosed ingredients. Our anecdotal experience has been extremely positive, especially at doses at or over 200 milligrams.

  • Estrogen & Cortisol Control

    L-DOPA Dopamine

    L-DOPA first raises plasma L-DOPA levels… and then comes the dopamine burst! Amongst other things like feeling good, this helps fight prolactin (dopamine and prolactin have a competing pathway).

    The body produces various hormones, each of which serves specific purposes that, sometimes, contradict one another. Cortisol is a hormone that the adrenal glands secrete when the body senses stress — both internal and external, such as exercise or a stressful work environment — in order to engage the body’s fight or flight response.

    Acute stress can actually be beneficial, but when stress levels are chronically elevated and cortisol is left to run rampant, it can wreak havoc on the body — notably, high levels of cortisol have been shown to decrease testosterone production.[25] Above some of the mechanisms assisted by Mucuna pruriens, this blend works to combat that even more.

    And beyond the estrogen and cortisol control in the blend below, we’ve also seen a slight testosterone increase in the ingredient described next:

    • KSM-66 (Ashwagandha Extract std. to min 5% withanolides) – 600mg

      KSM-66

      KSM-66 bills itself as the World’ Best Ashwagandha

      Withania somnifera, also known as ashwagandha, is a cornerstone ingredient in sports supplements, particularly in formulas aimed toward decreasing stress and optimizing hormone production. This root has a storied history in Ayurvedic medicine, where it was leveraged to promote a balance between “the mind, body, and consciousness.”[26]

      With documented use going back thousands of years,[27] scientists interested in herbal medicinal practices have conducted research in hopes of uncovering what made this herb so enduring. Research has not only identified the main bioactive constituent in ashwagandha — withanolides,[27] which are naturally occurring steroidal lactones — but has also legitimized anecdotal uses and uncovered additional benefits.

      Promotes hormonal balance

      In 2012, researchers gathered 64 stressed out (but otherwise healthy) adults and split them into two groups — one received 300 milligrams of ashwagandha twice daily while the other was given a placebo. This procedure was followed for 60 days, with serum cortisol and responses on multiple stress-measuring questionnaires serving as key comparative metrics.

      Following treatment, the researchers saw impressive results. Compared to baseline, the ashwagandha group had:

      • Improved scores on the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) by 44%, on the General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28) by 72.3%, and on the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS) by 71.6%.[28]
      • Lowered serum cortisol levels by 27.9%.[28]

      The placebo group saw slight improvements across all of these same metrics, though their results were lacking compared to the test group.

      It’s worth noting that an earlier study found smaller doses of ashwagandha could yield similar cortisol-reducing effects, even with as little as 250 milligrams per day.[29] As Performax Labs is known to do… AlphaMax is dosed well beyond that, though!

      May raise testosterone production
      Ashwagandha Strength Gains

      When you’re lifting heavy, every little advantage adds up — ashwagandha is one

      The relationship between cortisol and testosterone suggests that decreasing cortisol via ashwagandha could in turn improve testosterone levels. This was put to the test in a double-blind, crossover, placebo-controlled study published in 2019. Here, researchers split 50 middle-aged, overweight, mildly fatigued men into two groups. The test group was given a high-yield ashwagandha extract that contained 21 milligrams of withanolides daily for eight weeks, while the other individuals received a placebo. Both groups then, unknowingly, switched treatments for the next eight weeks. After the full procedure, the researchers found that those who received ashwagandha saw a 14.7% greater increase in serum testosterone compared to placebo, alongside non-statistically significant reductions in both cortisol and estradiol.[30]

      Success in healthy young men!

      An earlier study from 2015 administered ashwagandha in a double-blind procedure that was primarily focused on the herb’s effects on muscle strength, body composition, and testosterone levels – in healthy young men (28 ± 8 years).[31] Those in the treatment group received 300 milligrams of ashwagandha twice daily, while the others received a placebo. Both groups engaged in a guided strength training program over the course of the study.

      Ashwagandha significantly reduces cortisol

      Ashwagandha is an adaptogenic herb that helps lower cortisol in addition to improving VO2 Max.

      The scientists found that ashwagandha led to significant increases in muscle strength, recovery, and testosterone production, alongside significant improvements in body fat percentage.[31] Testosterone went up 15.2% in the active group (average increase of 96.19ng/dL), significantly better than the 2.6% increase in the control group.[31]

      Of course, it’s difficult to isolate the specific effects of ashwagandha in these studies — various lifestyle factors influence cortisol and stress, many of which are virtually impossible to control. However, the mechanisms highlighted in research do suggest that ashwagandha has some serious potential in modulating the cortisol-testosterone relationship.

      KSM-66 — a well-tested form of ashwagandha

      Again, Performax Labs cuts no corners in terms of ingredient choice — they’ve opted for KSM-66, one of the most prolific ashwagandha extracts commercially available. KSM-66 is often the ingredient used in clinical studies of ashwagandha, given its consistent high-quality standardization.

    • Pine Bark (pinus pinaster) Extract – 100mg

      Now it’s time to improve blood flow and get these ingredients delivered.

      Pine bark extract is often utilized for its ability to boost nitric oxide production through an increase in endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS).[32-34] This leads to improved plasma nitric oxide levels and blood flow[34-36] — and that can to improved erection strength.[37]

      In addition, one study showed a 19% increase in total testosterone in men aged 30-50 with erectile dysfunction.[38]

      We’ve covered pine bark a lot lately, and it’s great to have it back in vogue. It’s most frequently used for blood flow purposes (to chase pumps or combat ED), and both of those applications work well for Performax Labs athletes.

  • Lean Mass Activator – 95

    Performax Labs AlphaMax Benefits

    Performax Labs AlphaMax Benefits

    This next ingredient helps with weight loss, but it also has support with testosterone production:

    • Coleus Forskohlii (95% Forskolin) – 50mg

      An ingredient we often see in fat burners, coleus forskohlii is a plant related to mint that has a bioactive component known as forskolin.[39] Its weight loss effects are based upon the same mechanism that leads to increased testosterone production: increased cAMP (cyclic adenosine monophosphate) levels.[39-43] cAMP is an important signaling molecule heavily involved in many biological effects including fatty acid oxidation, hormone regulation, and metabolic rate enhancement.[42-45]

      Forskolin Adenylate Cyclase

      Forskolin stimulates cerebral cortical adenylate cyclase, which leads to various benefits discussed below

      Through the increased cAMP levels, we’re led to a cascade of beneficial health effects including:

      • Elevated testosterone levels[46]
      • Increased anabolic activities[46,47]
      • Lean body mass gains[46,47]
      • Increased BMR[46,47]

      It’s the first bullet point, of course, that most of us are interested in, but it serves a dual-pronged approach in AlphaMax in the Lean Mass Activator 95 blend that also supports body composition improvements.

      Worth noting is that Performax Labs is using a 95% extract strength, which is the same as the next ingredient:

    • Ferula Asafoetida (Root) Extract (95% Ferulic Acid) – 30mg

      Ferula asafoetida is a unique herb in the umbelliferae family with an even more unique constituent named ferulic acid that’s extracted from the gum and resin.[48]

      Performax Labs OxyMax

      The new Performax Labs OxyMax fat burner is out, and it packs a massive punch in just one capsule!

      In 1990, researchers found that 30 milligrams of ferulic acid taken daily for eight weeks led to significantly increased body weight and strength in weight lifters.[49] However, we’re cautious to note that a full-text of this study could not be found – and we even spoke to one of the researchers on LinkedIn to see if he had it, all to no avail (*yet)! However, the effect is backed by animal studies, where ferulic acid reduced fatigue and enhanced endurance capacity, possibly through improved antioxidant status.[50]

      The science behind ferulates

      Digging deeper, it turns out that these ferulates often come from gamma oryzanol (rice bran oil), which are antioxidant-rich plant phenols that modulate hypothalamus neurotransmitters since they’re structured similarly to norepinephrine’s metabolite, normetanephrine.[51]

      As an example, ferulates given to heifers show higher levels of somatotropin (growth hormone) release,[52] so some of the effects may come from increased GH. Researchers often attribute gamma oryzanol’s effects to their ferulate constituents.[53]

      This is definitely a lesser-studied ingredient, especially since it’s proven challenging to find the 1990 body composition study, but we consider it to be an incredible body composition and strength-supporting bonus on top of everything else.

  • Testosterone Support

    Now for two key components that you don’t want to be deficient in, and Performax Labs ensures that here in AlphaMax:

    • Vitamin D3 (as Cholecalciferol) – 4000IU (500% DV)

      Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that the body is capable of both creating endogenously and digesting through the diet. However, only a few sufficient dietary sources of vitamin D exist — specifically, fatty fish, mushrooms, and fortified foods — humans also rely on the body’s ability to produce it internally.

      Vitamin D production is often discussed alongside sunlight. Exposure to ultraviolet-B (UVB) radiation activates a dormant zoosterol called 7-dehydrocholesterol (7-DHC) that exists in the skin.[54] Upon activation, 7-DHC initiates a series of cascading metabolic reactions that ultimately yield 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol, the bioactive hormone that binds to receptors in the body and facilitates numerous biological functions.[54,55] Cholecalciferol (vitamin D3), the form that’s found in AlphaMax, exists as a rung in this chemical ladder, producing the same end product as sunlight-induced vitamin D production.[54]

      Vitamin D Synthesis

      Supplemental Vitamin D helps your body generate the active hormonal form just like your skin is able to do with sunshine!

      Once available, 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol binds to the vitamin D receptors (VDR), which are located both in cell nuclei and (through translocation) cellular membrane,[56] and influences various biological mechanisms.

      Regulates aromatase activity

      One such interaction that is particularly relevant here concerns aromatase. Aromatase is an enzyme mainly responsible for estrogen production, a hormone central to female sexual health. And though estrogen actually plays a vital role in male sexual health as well — estradiol, a form of estrogen, regulates hormone levels in men[57] — lower estrogen levels are often desirable in men with low testosterone. Specifically, the aim is to inhibit aromatase activity, which not only creates estrogen but actually converts testosterone into estrogen, too.[58]

      Vitamin D effectively modulates aromatase levels, either increasing or decreasing the enzyme based on the context of both the individual and the specific tissue its acting in.[59] In men, aromatase suppression has been shown to increase a couple of extremely powerful hormones:

      • Luteinizing hormone (LH) — secreted by the anterior pituitary gland following gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulation, LH directly facilitates testosterone production in Leydig cells.[60]
      • Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) — secreted alongside LH, FSH works on the Sertoli cells to maintain normal sperm count and function.[61]

      Performax Labs AlphaMax Featured Ingredients

      Thus, aromatase inhibition drives much of what research investigating vitamin D’s influence on testosterone shows. In a cross-sectional analysis published in 2010, researchers assessed the levels of vitamin D and serum testosterone in approximately 2,300 men. They found that men with sufficient vitamin D levels had significantly higher testosterone levels, while those deficient in the fat-soluble vitamin were also deficient in testosterone.[62] A linear regression ran by the researchers identified a statistically significant positive relationship between vitamin D and testosterone — higher levels in one generally mean higher levels of the other.[62]

      Another study from 2011 assessed vitamin D supplementation in men with low testosterone in a placebo-controlled experiment. Those assigned vitamin D received it at an 83-microgram (3,332 IU) daily dose for one year, while the other was given a placebo. They found that the vitamin D group not only had fully restored serum vitamin D levels, but also showed a 25% increase in total testosterone, including a 20% increase in free testosterone levels, compared to baseline.[63] Notably, the placebo group showed no significant change in either vitamin D or testosterone.[63]

      It’s important to note that the relationship between vitamin D and testosterone exists primarily in instances of low testosterone. Research suggests that vitamin D can help restore testosterone to normal levels, but not necessarily push testosterone production above and beyond. In other words, it looks to encourage normal hormonal function — there’s more later that can potentially push testosterone past regular concentrations.

      Performax Labs New VasoMax

      The AlphaMax VasoMax stack is where it’s at for insanely pumped workouts!

      Vitamin D deficiency is alarmingly prevalent in today’s society, with both technological and environmental shifts encouraging reduced exposure to natural sunlight. This makes getting enough vitamin D — which, in addition to regulating hormone levels, also improves immune health, organ function, cognitive health, and metabolic efficiency — incredibly important.[54] The 4,000 IU dose included here is more than enough to help maintain normal vitamin D levels, which can have widespread benefits that stem outside of simply testosterone production.

    • Boron Citrate – 10mg

      Closing AlphaMax down strong boron, which is an extremely influential trace mineral that’s essential for a wide variety of things ranging from bone growth to, you guessed it, hormone production![64]

      In a comparative study from 2011, researchers gathered eight healthy male volunteers to assess the influence of daily and weekly boron supplementation on hormone levels.[65] Each individual was given 10 milligrams of boron daily. Blood samples were collected before the study, hours after initial treatment, and after seven days of supplementation.

      After only the initial six hours, researchers found significant decreases in sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), high-sensitive CRP (hsCRP), and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α).[65] These immediate effects help explain the results shown after one week — the patients saw increases in free testosterone and significant decreases in estradiol.[65]

      The relationship between boron and testosterone levels is still being explored — the study cited above only had eight individuals in it, and other research is somewhat lacking — so it’s important to temper expectations. However, alongside everything else on this label, we feel confident that at the very least, boron will help modulate other aspects of health, such as vitamin D absorption.[65] Contributing a bit toward testosterone levels while providing aid elsewhere, the 10 milligram dose seen here is more than appreciated.

Performax Labs AlphaMax Stack

Now here’s a wild stack we can get behind!

Dosage and Instructions

Take four capsules daily – you could split it up into AM/PM doses (two each) if you like, since some of the ashwagandha studies utilized that approach and there are no stimulants inside. The pine bark extract may make this beneficial to take pre-workout, though, so consider it then as well.

On top of the Performax Labs pre-workout stack discussed in the intro, you could also consider adding the wildly interesting MassMax anabolic and appetite-booster, and pair it with the ProWheyMax amplified whey protein blend.

AlphaMax takes natural testosterone to the max

Performax Labs 2021

Performax Labs is pushing a rebrand that re-defines who they are — aggressive supplement formulators! Get ready for some potent products!

We’ve covered a ton of Performax Labs supplements the past few months (see our Performax Labs news page), thanks to their epic rebranding and hot new reformulations. They’ve kept things aggressive, and that’s exactly what we expect from the brand in blue.

While AlphaMax’s label got the new look, the formula went unchanged — and that’s a great thing. With the huge clinical doses that we’re seeing here (many of them doubled from the previous version named “AlphaMax XT” from years past), we don’t see a reason to change a thing. Just slap that new label on it and let’s get to work.

Those looking for male enhancement would love to stack this with VasoMax, and if looking for an incredible stimulant-based pre-workout that’s on another level, the new HyperMax Extreme is where it’s at. Dieters, however, can instead stack AlphaMax (with its forskolin content) alongside top-selling fat burner OxyMax to really amplify weight loss.

Overall, AlphaMax isn’t going to be like “going to the doctor”, but it should easily have some very noticeable effects that will have you walking a bit taller – so take it to the max.

Performax Labs AlphaMax – Deals and Price Drop Alerts

Get Price Alerts

No spam, no scams.

Disclosure: PricePlow relies on pricing from stores with which we have a business relationship. We work hard to keep pricing current, but you may find a better offer.

Posts are sponsored in part by the retailers and/or brands listed on this page.

About the Author: Mike Roberto

Mike Roberto

Mike Roberto is a research scientist and water sports athlete who founded PricePlow. He is an n=1 diet experimenter with extensive experience in supplementation and dietary modification, whose personal expertise stems from several experiments done on himself while sharing lab tests.

Mike's goal is to bridge the gap between nutritional research scientists and non-academics who seek to better their health in a system that has catastrophically failed the public. Mike is currently experimenting with a low Vitamin A diet.

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References

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