Bovine organ extracts: what the research does and doesn’t show

Toro Prime™ contains 250 mg of freeze-dried bovine testicle extract. It is the most unusual ingredient in our range and the one people ask about most, so this is a plain account of what is known about it and what is not.

Organ meat is food

Eating organs such as liver, heart and testis is a long-standing tradition in many cuisines. Nutritionally, organ meats are well documented: depending on the organ, they can be rich in nutrients such as iron, zinc, vitamin B12 and vitamin A. That part is not controversial, and it is why organ meat is described as nutrient-dense.

An extract is not a serving of offal

A portion of organ meat is typically around 100 grams. Our dose is 250 milligrams, a quarter of one gram. The nutrients in a food-sized portion do not carry over to a dose that small, so we do not describe the extract as a source of any nutrient.

What the research does and does not show

• Documented: the nutrient composition of organ meats, in food composition databases.
• Limited: controlled human trials on freeze-dried bovine testicle tissue as a supplement. We are not aware of good-quality trials showing that it changes testosterone or any other outcome, and we would rather say so than imply otherwise.
• Not authorised: there is no authorised health claim for it on the EU or Great Britain registers.

Where the claim about testosterone comes from

The only testosterone-related statement on the Toro Prime™ page is about zinc, not the extract: zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal testosterone levels in the blood. That is an authorised claim for the mineral, and it applies to the 10 mg of zinc in each serving.

Why we include it anyway

It is a traditional whole-food ingredient, and some people want it. We include 250 mg of freeze-dried tissue from grass-fed, pasture-raised cattle in Argentina, print the exact dose, and make no claim for it. Our advice is to take it consistently for 90 days alongside the CellHack protocol, track sleep, training and energy in the included tracker, and decide for yourself whether it earns its place.

Safety and who it is not for

Toro Prime™ contains bovine-derived ingredients. It is not suitable for anyone under 18, or for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Speak to your doctor first if you take medication, particularly for thyroid, blood pressure or blood sugar, or have a hormone-sensitive condition.

How to read claims about any supplement

Ask three questions: is the ingredient and dose clearly stated, is there good human evidence for the specific form and dose you are buying, and is there an authorised claim? When the honest answers are “yes, limited, and no”, a brand should say exactly that.

This article is for information only and is not medical advice. Food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied, balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or under medical supervision, speak to your doctor before use.