Bulgarian Tribulus Side Effects

Tribulus terrestris is a flowering plant that is native to many parts of Asia, Africa and Europe, including the country of Bulgaria. Tribulus is used by many athletes and body builder for increased energy and stamina and is believed to affect muscle growth through natural steroidal complexes known as phytosterols. Tribulus is also extensively marketed as a natural erection and sex drive enhancer. There have been several side effects linked to tribulus use.

Hormonal Changes

• Many steroids and steroidal products can dramatically affect the human hormonal system and not only lead to the desired increase on muscle mass but to other unwanted physical changes as well. A study published in the Scottish journal "Breast" in October 2004 reported a case of a young man who developed a condition called gynaecomastia after using an herbal steroid alternative formula that contained tribulus. Gynaecomastia is the development of female breast tissue in male subjects.

Neural Effects

• Tribulus has been reported to contain differing amounts of alkaloid chemicals called beta-carbolines that are known to interact with neural signaling in the brain. In a study published in the "Australian Veterinary Journal" in July 1992, researchers discovered that sheep that grazed on tribulus displayed signs of physical discoordination and staggering. They gave a test group of sheep a direct dose of the beta-carbolines that are in found in tribulus to determine if the locomotor effects could be linked to these alkaloids. They concluded that the alkaloids could cause irreversible neural damage to the sheep.

Identification

• Tribulus terrestis is commonly called caltrop or puncture vine because of its spiky nuts that drop to the ground and can puncture the soles of shoes and damage cattle's feet. Tribulus is found in temperate, tropical and desert climates and has naturalized in North America where it is sometimes targeted for elimination as an invasive species.

Considerations

• Tribulus has been found to have erection enhancing effects in clinical studies. A study published in the journal "Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore" in January 2000 found that tribulus was able to induce erectile effects in rabbit penile tissue.

Warning

• Many manufacturers of tribulus supplements claim that the Bulgarian variety is stronger or more potent than other varieties. While there is little to no evidence to back up these claims, if they were true then it could be possible that this variety has a greater potential for side effects.