D-Aspartic Acid
D-aspartic acid is an amino acid synthesized in the body and obtained through protein-containing foods or a dietary supplement. It may play a role in reproductive function and fertility.
D-Aspartic Acid is most often used for
Last Updated:October 13, 2024
D-aspartic acid is 1 of the 2 naturally occurring forms of the amino acid aspartic acid; it is synthesized in the body and obtained from dietary protein sources. Unlike L-aspartic acid, which serves as a protein building block, D-aspartic acid affects the central nervous system and endocrine tissues, which has led to its availability as a dietary supplement.
D-aspartic acid may aid in testosterone synthesis and male fertility based on evidence from animal studies, but evidence for its effectiveness in humans is limited and suggests no significant increase in testosterone or growth hormone levels. Additionally, claims that D-aspartic acid supplements enhance muscle mass and strength in humans are not supported by current research, and some studies indicate small reductions in testosterone levels.
Supplementation with D-aspartic acid has not been shown to cause toxicity or serious side effects in humans, although some participants in a resistance training study reported mild adverse effects. The main drawback of D-aspartic acid is the lack of evidence supporting its beneficial effects in humans.
D-aspartic acid functions as a neurotransmitter/neuromodulator by binding to NMDA receptors in the brain; it influences neuroendocrine activity in the hypothalamus and pituitary gland and promotes hormone secretion, including testosterone from the testes. However, its effects have primarily been observed in cell culture and animal studies, which means that its relevance in humans is not fully established.
- D-AA
- D-Aspartate
- DAA
- DL-Aspartate
- Aspartate
The standard dose for D-aspartic acid is between 2,000 – 3,000mg.
D-AA is taken daily.
Different studies have used different supplementation protocols. One study used 3,000mg for 12 days, taken daily, followed by a week with no supplementation. A different study did not cycle D-AA, and used 2,000mg of continual daily supplementation with no harm. Further study is needed to determine whether D-AA should be cycled.
ZMA may cause weird dreams, as suggested by anecdotal evidence, but there has been no direct investigation into this effect, which makes the supporting proof weak.
ZMA is a proprietary blend of Zinc bound to monomethionine, Magnesium bound to aspartate, and the vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine). It is sometimes reported to give users 'weird, vivid dreams'.
This claim has not been investigated much, but a pilot study[11] suggests that a dose of 250mg pyridoxine can alter dream perception in college aged men, through a hypothesized increased conversion of tryptophan to serotonin. This dose of B6, however, is much higher than that occurring in ZMA products; which tends to range in the 10-50mg range and usually at the lower end.
One other study has reported synergism between B6 and Magnesium in regards to anxiety reduction, when the subjects were women experiencing PMS;[12] it is theoretically possible that the ZMA formulation enhances the actions of pyridoxine allowing the previous research's results to be relevant.
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- ^D'Aniello AD-Aspartic acid: an endogenous amino acid with an important neuroendocrine roleBrain Res Rev.(2007 Feb)
- ^Ohide H, Miyoshi Y, Maruyama R, Hamase K, Konno RD-Amino acid metabolism in mammals: biosynthesis, degradation and analytical aspects of the metabolic study.J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci.(2011-Nov-01)
- ^Usiello A, Di Fiore MM, De Rosa A, Falvo S, Errico F, Santillo A, Nuzzo T, Chieffi Baccari GNew Evidence on the Role of D-Aspartate Metabolism in Regulating Brain and Endocrine System Physiology: From Preclinical Observations to Clinical Applications.Int J Mol Sci.(2020-Nov-18)
- ^Di Fiore MM, Boni R, Santillo A, Falvo S, Gallo A, Esposito S, Baccari GCD-Aspartic Acid in Vertebrate Reproduction: Animal Models and Experimental Designs.Biomolecules.(2019-Sep-03)
- ^Roshanzamir F, Safavi SMThe putative effects of D-Aspartic acid on blood testosterone levels: A systematic review.Int J Reprod Biomed.(2017-Jan)
- ^Melville GW, Siegler JC, Marshall PWMThe effects of d-aspartic acid supplementation in resistance-trained men over a three month training period: A randomised controlled trialPLoS One.(2017 Aug 25)
- ^Willoughby DS, Leutholtz BD-aspartic acid supplementation combined with 28 days of heavy resistance training has no effect on body composition, muscle strength, and serum hormones associated with the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis in resistance-trained menNutr Res.(2013 Oct)
- ^Melville GW, Siegler JC, Marshall PWThree and six grams supplementation of d-aspartic acid in resistance trained menJ Int Soc Sports Nutr.(2015 Apr 1)
- ^Schieber A, Brückner H, Rupp-Classen M, Specht W, Nowitzki-Grimm S, Classen HGEvaluation of D-amino acid levels in rat by gas chromatography-selected ion monitoring mass spectrometry: no evidence for subacute toxicity of orally fed D-proline and D-aspartic acid.J Chromatogr B Biomed Sci Appl.(1997-Mar-28)
- ^Ota N, Shi T, Sweedler JVD-Aspartate acts as a signaling molecule in nervous and neuroendocrine systems.Amino Acids.(2012-Nov)
- ^Ebben M, Lequerica A, Spielman AEffects of pyridoxine on dreaming: a preliminary studyPercept Mot Skills.(2002 Feb)
- ^De Souza MC, Walker AF, Robinson PA, Bolland KA synergistic effect of a daily supplement for 1 month of 200 mg magnesium plus 50 mg vitamin B6 for the relief of anxiety-related premenstrual symptoms: a randomized, double-blind, crossover studyJ Womens Health Gend Based Med.(2000 Mar)
- ^Nicoletti CG, Monteleone F, Marfia GA, Usiello A, Buttari F, Centonze D, Mori FOral D-Aspartate enhances synaptic plasticity reserve in progressive multiple sclerosis.Mult Scler.(2020 Mar)
- ^Topo E, Soricelli A, D'Aniello A, Ronsini S, D'Aniello GThe role and molecular mechanism of D-aspartic acid in the release and synthesis of LH and testosterone in humans and ratsReprod Biol Endocrinol.(2009 Oct 27)
- Muscle Mass - Darryn S. Willoughby, Brian Leutholtzd-Aspartic acid supplementation combined with 28 days of heavy resistance training has no effect on body composition, muscle strength, and serum hormones associated with the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis in resistance-trained menNutrition Research.()
- Testosterone - Melville GW, Siegler JC, Marshall PWThree and six grams supplementation of d-aspartic acid in resistance trained menJ Int Soc Sports Nutr.(2015 Apr 1)
- Testosterone - mma D’Aniello, Salvatore Ronsini, Tiziana Notari, Natascia Grieco, Vincenzo Infante, Nicola D’Angel, Fara Mascia, Maria Maddalena Di Fiore, George Fisher, Antimo D’AnielloD-Aspartate, a Key Element for the Improvement of Sperm QualityMedicine and Healthcare.()
- Testosterone - Topo E, Soricelli A, D'Aniello A, Ronsini S, D'Aniello GThe role and molecular mechanism of D-aspartic acid in the release and synthesis of LH and testosterone in humans and ratsReprod Biol Endocrinol.(2009 Oct 27)