The supplement brand Friend of Dorothy sells two products on Amazon claiming to boost semen volume: a standard gummy marketed as “cum gummies” and a raspberry-flavored version billed as supporting “volume, vitality, and male wellness.” At first glance, they seem distinct. But a closer look at their ingredient panels shows they are essentially the same formula: high-dose zinc.
For consumers, this creates confusion: both products are marketed toward the same sexual health goal, yet neither is well-supported by evidence (outside of just zinc.) Even more concerning, their overlapping doses of zinc push past recommended safe levels, raising real questions about safety.
Cum Gummies: Magnesium and Zinc
The original “cum gummies” contain:
- Magnesium (300 mg)
- Zinc (40 mg)
The Scientific Evidence
Magnesium is an essential mineral involved in muscle and nerve function, but there is no clinical evidence linking magnesium supplementation to increased semen volume or male fertility parameters.
Zinc, on the other hand, is known to play a role in sperm quality and testosterone metabolism. Severe zinc deficiency can reduce sperm count and impair fertility. The effective dose for maintaining healthy reproductive function is relatively modest. The U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) lists 11 mg per day as the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for men, with an upper tolerable intake limit of 40 mg.
This means a single serving of the gummies already hits the maximum safe daily dose, and some formulations may encourage multiple servings per day. Exceeding this limit risks nausea, immune suppression, and interference with copper absorption, which can paradoxically harm reproductive health. That's why supplementing copper with zinc is relevant even with normal amounts of zinc.
Raspberry Gummies: Vitamin C and Zinc
The raspberry gummies contain:
- Vitamin C (100 mg)
- Zinc Gluconate (50 mg)
Vitamin C’s Role
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant. Some studies have suggested antioxidant supplementation may help reduce sperm DNA damage in men with fertility issues. But there is no evidence linking vitamin C directly to semen volume. The 100 mg dose is modest (the RDA for men is 90 mg), and unlikely to meaningfully impact semen production.
Too Much Zinc Again
The bigger issue is zinc. At 50 mg, this gummy exceeds the NIH’s upper safe limit. That makes it not just unnecessary, but potentially unsafe for long-term use. Symptoms of zinc toxicity include gastrointestinal distress, reduced HDL cholesterol, and impaired immune function.
Taken together with the original gummies, the combined zinc dose would hit 90 mg daily—well into the danger zone.
The Overlap Problem
Why two nearly identical products exist is unclear. Both are essentially zinc supplements in candy form. The raspberry version simply swaps magnesium for vitamin C and raises zinc even higher. From a formulation standpoint, this is redundant and risky.
Consumers may think they can “stack” both for better results, but doing so could cause serious zinc overexposure. Even sticking to one version, the benefit-to-risk ratio is questionable: sperm health may be supported by zinc if deficient, but higher-than-recommended doses provide no added reproductive benefit.
What the Science Actually Says About Semen Volume
Scientific evidence does not support magnesium or vitamin C as drivers of increased semen volume. Zinc is important for sperm and semen development.
Excess supplementation, particularly of a single mineral like zinc, risks backfiring. Studies on men taking more than 40 mg daily have documented adverse outcomes, and no high-quality trials demonstrate that mega-doses increase ejaculate volume in healthy men.
A Better Alternative: Load Boost by VB Health
Load Boost by VB Health is backed by targeted clinical evidence. Load Boost is formulated with six ingredients that each address different aspects of male sexual health, semen production, and prostate support:
- Pygeum: Derived from African cherry bark, pygeum has been shown to improve prostate function and seminal fluid production. Clinical trials on benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) report improvements in ejaculate volume and urinary flow, both of which are linked to healthy semen release.
- Sunflower Lecithin: A natural source of phosphatidylcholine, lecithin is integral to semen composition. Research has linked lecithin supplementation with improved seminal plasma quality and fluidity, which can influence volume and sperm motility. Lecithin is commonly said to help achieve thicker cum.
- Bromelain: An enzyme from pineapple, bromelain is (anecdotally) known to improve semen flavor.
- L-Citrulline: A nitric oxide booster that relaxes blood vessels, improving erectile function and sexual performance. Clinical studies have shown that L-citrulline supplementation can improve erection hardness and frequency, which correlates with healthier, fuller ejaculates.
- Zinc (balanced at safe levels): Load Boost keeps zinc within evidence-based, safe ranges. Zinc is essential for sperm production, prostate health, and testosterone metabolism, but only when dosed responsibly.
- Copper: Added intentionally to prevent the mineral imbalance caused by zinc supplementation. High zinc without copper can cause deficiencies that impair fertility. By balancing both, Load Boost protects long-term reproductive health.
This multi-ingredient strategy means Load Boost doesn’t rely on a single nutrient at potentially toxic levels, but instead uses complementary, clinically relevant ingredients. It is also NSF certified and third-party tested for purity, setting a higher bar for safety and transparency than typical Amazon gummies.
The Bottom Line
Friend of Dorothy’s semen volume supplements are essentially high-dose zinc gummies in different flavors. While zinc is important for male reproductive health, the doses provided exceed safe limits and are unlikely to deliver the promised effect. Magnesium and vitamin C add little to the mix.
Consumers looking for real improvements in semen volume and sexual health should be cautious with over-the-counter “cum gummies” and consider alternatives supported by peer-reviewed research—such as Load Boost by VB Health, which is designed with both safety and efficacy in mind.
Sources:
- National Institutes of Health (NIH), Office of Dietary Supplements. Zinc Fact Sheet for Health Professionals.
- National Institutes of Health (NIH), Office of Dietary Supplements. Magnesium Fact Sheet for Health Professionals.
- Showell MG, et al. "Antioxidants for male subfertility." Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (2014).
- Balercia G, et al. "Coenzyme Q10 and L-carnitine treatment in infertile men with idiopathic oligoasthenoteratozoospermia." Fertility and Sterility (2005).
- Gonzales GF, et al. "Maca (Lepidium meyenii) improved semen parameters in adult men." Asian Journal of Andrology (2001).
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554548/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11243279/