The Man Pills Formula Explained

Man Pills is smööts' capsule formula for energy, stamina and testosterone support, built for men who feel their drive, recovery and focus have quietly slipped as training, work and life stack up. It combines a well-studied adaptogen and a traditional Southeast Asian root with the minerals and vitamin most directly linked to normal male hormone function, plus a plant extract used to support absorption.

60 capsules per pot, 2 capsules a day with water and food, giving roughly 30 days of use. Ingredients: Tongkat Ali, Ashwagandha, Zinc, Magnesium, Boron, Vitamin D3, Fenugreek, Bioperine. Because this formula includes Zinc, Magnesium and Vitamin D3, their amounts are set against the EU's Nutrient Reference Values (NRVs) for vitamins and minerals, as set out in Annex XIII of Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011.^[1]

Tongkat Ali in Man Pills

Tongkat Ali is a water-soluble root extract of Eurycoma longifolia, a rainforest tree native to Malaysia and Indonesia where the root has a long history of traditional use for male vitality. Modern supplements typically use a standardised aqueous extract of the root, since the bioactive quassinoids and eurypeptides are concentrated there.

It is included in Man Pills because it is one of the more researched botanicals for men reporting low energy, low libido and age-related decline in testosterone, and because its mechanism (supporting the body's own hormone signalling pathway rather than supplying exogenous hormone) fits a food supplement rather than a medicine.

The human evidence is a mixed but genuinely encouraging picture. A study in men with late-onset hypogonadism given a standardised water-soluble Tongkat Ali extract found that most men who were below the normal testosterone range moved into it after treatment, alongside improvements in a validated ageing-male symptom score^[2]. A pilot study in physically active older men and women reported improvements in a composite ageing-male symptoms score and in some strength and mood-related measures after four weeks of supplementation, alongside a rise in the testosterone-to-cortisol ratio in the men^[3]. A review of the phytoandrogenic literature summarised a broader set of clinical and mechanistic studies suggesting Tongkat Ali extract can support testosterone levels within the normal range in ageing or stressed men, positioning it as a natural alternative worth further study rather than a replacement for medical testosterone therapy^[4]. A separate randomised study in moderately stressed adults found that four weeks of Tongkat Ali reduced the stress hormone cortisol and improved mood state scores compared with placebo, pointing to a stress-hormone pathway alongside any direct testosterone effect^[5].

The honest limits: most published trials are small (typically 30 to 60 participants), short (four to twelve weeks), and several were conducted or funded by extract manufacturers, which raises the risk of publication bias. Effects also look concentrated in men who start out with lower testosterone or higher stress, rather than in men who are already within a healthy normal range. Large, independent, long-term randomised trials are still missing, so Tongkat Ali is best understood as a promising, traditionally used botanical with early clinical support rather than a proven testosterone treatment.

Ashwagandha in Man Pills

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is a shrub used for centuries in Ayurvedic practice, with supplements generally made from a standardised root (or root and leaf) extract. It is one of the most heavily studied adaptogens, meaning it is researched for its ability to help the body handle physical and psychological stress rather than for treating a specific illness.

It sits in Man Pills because chronic stress and elevated cortisol are closely tied to reduced vitality, poor sleep and lower testosterone in men, and ashwagandha has the strongest clinical stress-hormone evidence base of any adaptogen commonly used in supplements.

A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study in aging, overweight men taking a standardised ashwagandha extract for eight weeks found improvements in self-reported vitality and some hormonal measures compared with placebo^[6]. An earlier randomised controlled trial in adults with a history of chronic stress showed a significant reduction in serum cortisol and in scores on standard stress and anxiety questionnaires after 60 days of supplementation^[7], a finding echoed in a further randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study that also reported improvements in sleep quality and general wellbeing^[8]. In a resistance-training context, a randomised controlled trial in healthy men found that eight weeks of ashwagandha alongside a strength programme led to greater gains in muscle strength and a larger increase in testosterone than placebo plus the same programme^[9].

Taken together, this is one of the more consistent evidence bases among adaptogens, spanning multiple randomised, placebo-controlled trials. Limits still apply: study populations are mostly young to middle-aged, moderately stressed men, sample sizes are modest (usually under 100 participants per trial), extracts and doses vary between studies, and the testosterone-specific findings come from a smaller number of trials than the stress and anxiety findings. It works best understood as a stress-and-vitality ingredient with supportive, secondary hormonal data rather than a direct testosterone drug substitute.

Zinc in Man Pills

Zinc is an essential trace mineral obtained from the diet, needed for hundreds of enzyme reactions in the body. Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal testosterone levels in the blood, to normal fertility and reproduction, and to normal cognitive function and protein synthesis, in line with authorised EU health claims for the nutrient.^[10]

It is included because zinc deficiency is one of the best-documented nutritional causes of low testosterone in men, and because zinc status is easy to overlook in modern diets that are low in shellfish, red meat and legumes.

A classic controlled study in healthy adult men found that experimentally inducing mild zinc deficiency through diet reduced serum testosterone, and that restoring zinc intake normalised it again, directly demonstrating a causal, dose-dependent relationship between zinc status and testosterone in that setting^[11]. Separately, in men with low baseline zinc and low sperm counts, zinc supplementation over several months raised both plasma testosterone and sperm count compared with baseline^[12].

The key limitation is that these effects are strongest, and most clearly demonstrated, in men who are zinc deficient or marginal to begin with. In men who already have adequate zinc status, extra zinc from a supplement has not been shown to push testosterone above a normal healthy range. Zinc in Man Pills is therefore best thought of as insurance against a common dietary gap that can quietly undermine hormone status, rather than a way to boost testosterone beyond normal.

Magnesium in Man Pills

Magnesium is an essential mineral involved in over 300 enzymatic reactions, including energy metabolism, muscle and nerve function, and protein synthesis. Magnesium contributes to normal muscle function, to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue, and to normal protein synthesis and electrolyte balance, in line with authorised EU health claims.^[13]

Man Pills includes magnesium partly for these general energy and muscle-function roles, and because a smaller body of research has looked specifically at its relationship with testosterone and other anabolic hormones in men, which fits the formula's focus.

A controlled study in athletes and sedentary men given magnesium supplementation over four weeks found higher free and total testosterone levels, both at rest and after exhaustive exercise, compared with a non-supplemented control group, with the effect more pronounced in the athletes^[14]. An observational study in older men found that higher magnesium status was associated with higher testosterone and IGF-1 levels, and that this association was strongest in men who were also physically active^[15], a relationship discussed in more depth in a narrative review of the interplay between magnesium and testosterone in men, which proposes that magnesium may influence testosterone partly by reducing its binding to sex hormone-binding globulin^[16].

These findings are interesting but preliminary. The exercise study was small and short, the observational data show association rather than proof of cause, and no large randomised trial has confirmed a testosterone benefit from magnesium supplementation in men with normal magnesium status. Magnesium's best-supported role remains general muscle and energy function; its hormonal effects should be read as an active area of research rather than a settled finding.

Boron in Man Pills

Boron is a trace element found in fruits, vegetables, nuts and legumes. It has no EU-authorised health claim and no official recommended intake, but it has a long history of use in men's and athletic supplements because of its role in mineral metabolism and some early hormone research.

It is included in Man Pills because several small human studies have specifically examined boron's relationship with free testosterone and oestrogen metabolism, an angle not covered by the formula's other minerals.

A controlled trial in male bodybuilders given boron supplementation for seven weeks during a resistance-training programme found an increase in plasma testosterone and lean body mass over the study period; however, a similar increase also occurred in the placebo group doing the same training, so the study could not clearly separate the effect of boron from the effect of training itself^[17]. A review of dietary boron in athletes summarises this and related work, noting that boron's role in calcium, magnesium and vitamin D metabolism, and its apparent influence on steroid hormone metabolism, make it biologically plausible as a factor in bone and hormonal health, while stressing that direct evidence in humans remains limited^[18]. A further review of boron's physiological roles compiles data suggesting boron supplementation can raise free testosterone and reduce inflammatory markers in some populations, particularly older adults and those with lower baseline boron intake^[19].

This is genuinely one of the less settled ingredients in the formula. Human trials are few, old, small, and not always well controlled for training or diet, so boron's testosterone effect in healthy, boron-replete men is not proven. It is included as a supporting trace mineral with an interesting but still emerging evidence base, not as a guaranteed hormone booster.

Vitamin D3 in Man Pills

Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) is the form of vitamin D made in skin exposed to sunlight and found in oily fish and egg yolk. Vitamin D contributes to the normal function of the immune system, to normal muscle function, to normal absorption and utilisation of calcium and phosphorus, and to the maintenance of normal bones, in line with authorised EU health claims.^[20]

It is included in Man Pills because vitamin D deficiency is extremely common, particularly outside summer months and in people who spend little time outdoors, and because researchers have specifically investigated a link between vitamin D status and testosterone in men.

In a randomised, placebo-controlled trial, men with low vitamin D levels who received vitamin D supplementation for one year saw a significant increase in total, bioactive and free testosterone compared with the placebo group, alongside the expected rise in vitamin D blood levels^[21].

This is a single trial in men who started out vitamin D deficient, run over a full year, which is a reasonable length for a hormone outcome but still just one dataset. It has not been consistently replicated in men with already-adequate vitamin D status, where a supplement would not be expected to add further benefit. Vitamin D's best-established, well-replicated roles remain bone, muscle and immune function; the testosterone finding is a genuine and biologically plausible result worth including, but should be read as encouraging early evidence in deficient men rather than a guaranteed effect for everyone.

Fenugreek in Man Pills

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) is a seed traditionally used in South Asian and Middle Eastern cooking and herbal medicine.^[22] Supplements typically use a standardised seed extract concentrated for compounds called furostanolic saponins, which are the components most studied for male hormonal and sexual health.

It is included in Man Pills for its saponin content and its specific track record in randomised trials looking at male libido, vitality and testosterone-related symptoms, which complements the formula's other ingredients.

A randomised, placebo-controlled study using a standardised fenugreek extract with added minerals found improvements in self-reported libido and physiological measures of arousal in healthy men after six weeks^[23]. A further double-blind, randomised trial in healthy ageing men given a specialised fenugreek seed extract for 12 weeks reported reductions in age-related androgen-decrease symptoms, an increase in serum testosterone, and improvements in self-reported sexual function compared with placebo^[24]. In a resistance-training population, a randomised controlled pilot study found that fenugreek glycoside supplementation over eight weeks was associated with greater improvements in strength, body fat percentage and self-reported libido than placebo, alongside a smaller decline in free testosterone than was seen in the placebo group over the same training period^[25].

The evidence for fenugreek in this context is genuinely promising but still comes mainly from a small number of manufacturer-linked trials using specific proprietary extracts, with sample sizes typically under 60 men and trial lengths of six to twelve weeks. Independent replication with larger groups is limited, so fenugreek should be seen as a well-supported traditional ingredient with encouraging early clinical data rather than a definitively proven testosterone or libido treatment.

Bioperine in Man Pills

Bioperine is a patented, standardised extract of black pepper (Piper nigrum) concentrated for piperine, the alkaloid responsible for pepper's pungency. It is not included for its own hormonal or metabolic effect but to support the absorption of the other ingredients in the formula.

Piperine has been shown to inhibit certain drug-metabolising enzymes and transporters in the gut and liver, which can slow the breakdown and clearance of some co-administered compounds and, in some studies, increase how much of them reaches the bloodstream. A widely cited human trial found that co-administering piperine with curcumin increased curcumin's bioavailability in healthy volunteers many-fold compared with curcumin taken alone, one of the clearest human demonstrations of piperine's absorption-enhancing effect^[26]. A broader review of black pepper and piperine's physiological effects summarises evidence across multiple nutrients and plant compounds where piperine co-administration increased blood levels of the target compound, alongside piperine's own antioxidant and digestive properties^[27].

The main limit is specificity: most of the strongest human bioavailability data involves curcumin rather than the botanicals and minerals used in Man Pills specifically, so the size of any absorption benefit for Tongkat Ali, ashwagandha or fenugreek extracts in this formula has not been directly measured in a dedicated human trial. Bioperine is included on the strength of its general, well-documented mechanism and its track record with other plant actives, rather than ingredient-specific proof for this exact blend.

How to take

Take 2 capsules a day with a full glass of water, ideally with a meal. Do not exceed 2 capsules in a 24-hour period. Consistency matters more than timing: taking Man Pills at a similar time each day, such as with breakfast, makes it easier to stick with for the 30-day pot.

Ingredients and nutritional information

Each pack contains: 60 capsules · 30 days

Serving: 2 capsules daily, with breakfast.

Active ingredients: Tongkat Ali extract (100:1), Ashwagandha root extract (KSM-66), Zinc, Magnesium, Boron, Vitamin D3, Fenugreek seed extract, Bioperine (black pepper extract).

*NRV: Nutrient Reference Value, Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011. † No NRV established.

Cautions and allergen advice

• Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Man Pills is formulated for men and is not intended for use in pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
• Thyroid medication: Ashwagandha may increase thyroid hormone levels in some people. Anyone taking thyroid medication (including levothyroxine) should speak to a doctor before use.
• Diabetes medication: Fenugreek may lower blood glucose. If you take insulin or other blood-glucose-lowering medication, monitor levels closely and talk to your doctor before combining with fenugreek-containing supplements.
• Sedatives, blood pressure or immunosuppressant medication: Ashwagandha may enhance the effect of sedatives and blood pressure medication and may interact with immunosuppressants. Check with a doctor if you take any of these.
• Hormone-sensitive conditions: Tongkat Ali and fenugreek can influence androgen activity. Anyone with a hormone-sensitive condition, including prostate cancer, or taking testosterone-related medication should speak to a doctor before use.
• Blood-thinning medication: Fenugreek may have a mild blood-thinning effect. Use with caution alongside anticoagulant or antiplatelet medication.
• Existing vitamin D or calcium supplements: If you already take separate vitamin D or calcium supplements, account for the vitamin D3 in Man Pills to avoid exceeding recommended daily intakes.
• Children and adolescents: Not intended for anyone under 18.
• Allergies: Fenugreek is a legume and may cause a reaction in people with peanut or chickpea allergies. Discontinue use if any allergic reaction occurs.

Food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. Do not exceed the recommended daily dose.

Allergen advice

Of the 14 EU-listed allergens, the main one relevant to Man Pills is peanut: Fenugreek is a legume, in the same botanical family as peanuts and chickpeas, and cross-reactive allergic reactions have been reported, so anyone with a peanut or other legume allergy should avoid this product or check with a doctor first. Tongkat Ali, Ashwagandha, Zinc, Magnesium, Boron, Vitamin D3 and Bioperine are not derived from any of the 14 EU-listed allergens.

Man Pills is produced in a facility that also handles other food supplement ingredients and follows standard allergen control procedures to minimise the risk of cross-contact. Always read the label before use, particularly if you have a diagnosed food allergy or intolerance.

References

1. European Parliament and Council of the European Union. (2011). Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 on the provision of food information to consumers, Annex XIII: Reference intakes. Official Journal of the European Union. eur-lex.europa.eu
2. Tambi MI, Imran MK, Henkel RR. Standardised water-soluble extract of Eurycoma longifolia, Tongkat ali, as testosterone booster for managing men with late-onset hypogonadism? Andrologia. 2012;44(Suppl 1):226-230. doi:10.1111/j.1439-0272.2011.01168.x
3. Henkel RR, Wang R, Bassett SH, et al. Tongkat Ali as a potential herbal supplement for physically active male and female seniors--a pilot study. Phytother Res. 2014;28(4):544-550. doi:10.1002/ptr.5017
4. George A, Henkel R. Phytoandrogenic properties of Eurycoma longifolia as natural alternative to testosterone replacement therapy. Andrologia. 2014;46(7):708-721. doi:10.1111/and.12214
5. Talbott SM, Talbott JA, George A, Pugh M. Effect of Tongkat Ali on stress hormones and psychological mood state in moderately stressed subjects. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2013;10(1):28. doi:10.1186/1550-2783-10-28
6. Lopresti AL, Drummond PD, Smith SJ. A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Study Examining the Hormonal and Vitality Effects of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) in Aging, Overweight Males. Am J Mens Health. 2019;13(2):1557988319835985. doi:10.1177/1557988319835985
7. Chandrasekhar K, Kapoor J, Anishetty S. A prospective, randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study of safety and efficacy of a high-concentration full-spectrum extract of ashwagandha root in reducing stress and anxiety in adults. Indian J Psychol Med. 2012;34(3):255-262. doi:10.4103/0253-7176.106022
8. Lopresti AL, Smith SJ, Malvi H, Kodgule R. An investigation into the stress-relieving and pharmacological actions of an ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Medicine (Baltimore). 2019;98(37):e17186. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000017186
9. Wankhede S, Langade D, Joshi K, Sinha SR, Bhattacharyya S. Examining the effect of Withania somnifera supplementation on muscle strength and recovery: a randomized controlled trial. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2015;12:43. doi:10.1186/s12970-015-0104-9
10. EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA). Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to zinc and maintenance of normal serum testosterone concentrations, fertility and reproduction, cognitive function and protein synthesis, pursuant to Article 13(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. EFSA Journal. 2010;8(10):1819. doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2010.1819
11. Prasad AS, Mantzoros CS, Beck FW, Hess JW, Brewer GJ. Zinc status and serum testosterone levels of healthy adults. Nutrition. 1996;12(5):344-348. doi:10.1016/s0899-9007(96)80058-x
12. Netter A, Hartoma R, Nahoul K. Effect of zinc administration on plasma testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, and sperm count. Arch Androl. 1981;7(1):69-73. doi:10.3109/01485018109009378
13. EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA). Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to magnesium and normal muscle function, reduction of tiredness and fatigue, and protein synthesis, pursuant to Article 13(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. EFSA Journal. 2010;8(10):1807. doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2010.1807
14. Cinar V, Polat Y, Baltaci AK, Mogulkoc R. Effects of magnesium supplementation on testosterone levels of athletes and sedentary subjects at rest and after exhaustion. Biol Trace Elem Res. 2011;140(1):18-23. doi:10.1007/s12011-010-8676-3
15. Maggio M, Ceda GP, Lauretani F, et al. Magnesium and anabolic hormones in older men. Int J Androl. 2011;34(6 Pt 2):e594-600. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2605.2011.01193.x
16. Maggio M, De Vita F, Lauretani F, et al. The Interplay between Magnesium and Testosterone in Modulating Physical Function in Men. Int J Endocrinol. 2014;2014:525249. doi:10.1155/2014/525249
17. Ferrando AA, Green NR. The effect of boron supplementation on lean body mass, plasma testosterone levels, and strength in male bodybuilders. Int J Sport Nutr. 1993;3(2):140-149. doi:10.1123/ijsn.3.2.140
18. Naghii MR. The significance of dietary boron, with particular reference to athletes. Nutr Health. 1999;13(1):31-37. doi:10.1177/026010609901300104
19. Pizzorno L. Nothing Boring About Boron. Integr Med (Encinitas). 2015;14(4):35-48. PubMed
20. EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA). Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to vitamin D and maintenance of normal bones and teeth, and normal absorption and utilisation of calcium and phosphorus, pursuant to Article 13(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. EFSA Journal. 2009;7(9):1227. doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2009.1227
21. Pilz S, Frisch S, Koertke H, et al. Effect of vitamin D supplementation on testosterone levels in men. Horm Metab Res. 2011;43(3):223-225. doi:10.1055/s-0030-1269854
22. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. (n.d.). Fenugreek. National Institutes of Health. nccih.nih.gov
23. Steels E, Rao A, Vitetta L. Physiological aspects of male libido enhanced by standardized Trigonella foenum-graecum extract and mineral formulation. Phytother Res. 2011;25(9):1294-1300. doi:10.1002/ptr.3360
24. Rao A, Steels E, Inder WJ, et al. Testofen, a specialised Trigonella foenum-graecum seed extract reduces age-related symptoms of androgen decrease, increases testosterone levels and improves sexual function in healthy aging males in a double-blind randomised clinical study. Aging Male. 2016;19(2):134-142. doi:10.3109/13685538.2015.1135323
25. Wankhede S, Mohan V, Thakurdesai P. Beneficial effects of fenugreek glycoside supplementation in male subjects during resistance training: A randomized controlled pilot study. J Sport Health Sci. 2016;5(2):176-182. doi:10.1016/j.jshs.2014.09.005
26. Shoba G, Joy D, Joseph T, Majeed M, Rajendran R, Srinivas PS. Influence of piperine on the pharmacokinetics of curcumin in animals and human volunteers. Planta Med. 1998;64(4):353-356. doi:10.1055/s-2006-957450
27. Srinivasan K. Black pepper and its pungent principle-piperine: a review of diverse physiological effects. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2007;47(8):735-748. doi:10.1080/10408390601062054