What is D-Aspartic Acid?
D-Aspartic Acid (D-AA, or DAA) is a type of amino acid, a compound most often used by the body to build proteins. It is one of the two forms aspartic acid is found in. It is also known as DAA and aspartate.
Amino acids generally come in the L and D forms, sometimes called left-handed and right-handed configurations.
This type of amino acid, the right-handed form, helps produce hormones, according to an Italian study. The other form, the left-handed amino acid called L-aspartic acid, helps build proteins according to Healthline.
The “L” form is naturally produced in organic matter, while the “D” form may be found naturally in bacterial cell walls, vertebrates and sometimes plants, according to a study.
One of the hormones D-Aspartic Acid plays a role in regulating is testosterone, the male sex hormone, and it may help improve male fertility according to Examine.com. It also stimulates the release of hormones such as luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and growth hormone.
Luteinizing hormone helps support the reproductive system, specifically the ovaries in a woman and the testes in a man, according to WebMD. Follicle-stimulating hormone helps women release their eggs, and men create sperm, according to WebMD. Growth hormone, also known as Human Growth Hormone (HGH), helps spur growth in children and adolescents, according to WebMD.
As you can see, D-Aspartic Acid plays a role in the function of a number of hormones related to reproductive health. Because of this, it is often used to support fertility in men. According to Examine.com, the supplement shows promise in aiding fertility in men.
D-Aspartic Acid may build up in the testicles and alleviate a step in testosterone synthesis, resulting in a minor testosterone increase, according to Examine.com.
The most notable effects D-Aspartic Acid has been shown to have on the body involves fertility. Evidence suggests D-Aspartic Acid may increase male fertility, but the evidence is limited. There has been few studies replicating the research.
Uses & Benefits of D-Aspartic Acid
There is a lot of hype around DAA supplements in the health and fitness world, espousing some unfounded benefits. Some of D-Aspartic Acid’s uses are supported by evidence, though overall research is slim. Uses include:
* Testosterone: Most DAA research has been conducted on its effects on testosterone production. In most test subjects, testosterone seems to increase, with infertile men experiencing 30 to 60% increases, according to Examine.com. A study on sperm quality found good DAA supplements can increase testosterone in serum as well. More research is needed, but it looks promising.
* Male fertility: Some research has shown DAA has very notable effects on male fertility. One study found good D-Aspartic Acid supplements given to infertile men at 2.66 grams daily for 90 days resulted in conception for 26.5% of subjects. It also showed a high increase in sperm count, with a 60 to 100 percent increase. Sperm motility was shown to improve, too. Though the few studies conducted on DAA and fertility show consistent results, more research needs to be done to prove its benefits, according to Examine.com.
* Strength: This is a popular use that lacks evidence. Only one small study has been done to explore this use, and it found DAA supplements have no effect on strength. However, this study was only conducted with 20 subjects, which is too small to prove or disprove any effects. Further research is needed.
* Weight gain: There is no evidence to back up this claim, though the one study on it was the same small study which found no evidence for DAA supplements increasing strength. It also found there was no significant impact on body composition, including muscle and weight gains. More research is needed, of course.
How to Take D-Aspartic Acid
D-Aspartic Acid supplements should be taken daily, and doses typically range between 2 to 3 grams, according to Examine.com.
Some studies have cycled DAA supplements, but there is not enough evidence to determine whether it should be cycled or not. Overall, it is best to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
What to Look for in a Good D-Aspartic Acid Supplement
The best D-Aspartic Acid supplements are pure and have little to no additional ingredients. They also are a good value, offering high quality DAA in a good quantity.
Check the dosage and the quantity per container to make sure you’re getting a good deal.
Many DAA supplements are fairly comparable when it comes to quality, but manufacturers can make a huge difference in effectiveness and purity.
