Similar to pre-workout supplements and fat burners, testosterone boosters don't always have a sterling reputation. Look on the shelf in a supp shop, and in all three cases, you'll probably see a few products that look amateurish, and have mysterious-looking proprietary blends on the label.

However, this doesn't mean that testosterone boosters are unsafe. It just means you need to be your own best advocate!

Always read reviews before purchasing, and choose a testosterone booster from a reputable, established supplement company. Only take the recommended dose, and keep your doctor in the loop about what you're taking if you have other health concerns or take medications.

Also, don't expect a testosterone booster or any supplement to "solve" your health and fitness for you. How you eat and exercise has a bigger impact on your testosterone levels than you might think! And if you want your test-quest to be both safe and effective, you need to take both into consideration.

If you're completely inactive, or if you're completely burned out from overly intense training, neither one is going to help your T-levels. And when it comes to nutrition, eating enough—and getting adequate dietary fats—are both essential for healthy testosterone levels, and for general health.[2] In "All About Testosterone," Chris Lockwood, Ph.D., notes that extreme low-calorie dieting and fasting will hinder testosterone levels from staying at their peak, along with better-known villains like chronic stress.

Don't dig yourself into an even deeper hole. Give your booster a fighting chance!