If your training, looking for increased recovery, wanting to put on some muscle and gain some strength it is the perfect supplement for you.

What is Ecdysterone?

Ecdysterone (20-hydroxyecdysone) is a naturally occurring steroid that is found in plants and insects and is part of a family of compounds known as ecdysteroids. In insects, ecdysteroids play a role in the regulation of molting and metamorphosis (in fact, their name is coined from the process of insects shedding prior to growth). Ecdysteroids also contribute to plant growth and are found in various plant species including quinoa and spinach. In addition to their known roles in insect and plant systems, research has been conducted on the effects of ecdysteroids in mammals, and this has typically shown them to have beneficial properties in mammalian species as well. Documented benefits have included anabolic, adaptogenic (stress protective), hepatoprotective, and anti-diabetic effects. 

What can I expect from supplementing with Ecdysterone? 

The interest in ecdysterone as an oral supplement in the fitness industry comes from its anabolic properties and positive influence on both lean muscle gains and performance, and this can be backed up by results from human trials investigating supplementation with ecdysterone in healthy individuals in combination with resistance training. A study published in 2019, for example, carried out a 10 -week intervention trial in young men who were strength training, with different doses of ecdysterone administered to evaluate its performance enhancing effect. In comparison to those participants who received a placebo, those who were given ecdysterone showed a significantly higher increase in muscle mass and, further, exhibited significant increases in one-repetition max bench press. So, not only were there pronounced differences in muscular hypertrophy, but a noticeable enhancement of strength related performance. Even better news is that the oral supplementation with ecdysterone in this trial did NOT lead to any elevation in markers for kidney or liver toxicity, indicating its safety for human use. 

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How does Ecdysterone work? 

There are a few different proposed mechanisms for how ecdysterone works, but research has not yet been totally clear on the influence of each of these pathways. One possibility is that ecdysterone promotes gains in lean muscle mass through estrogen receptor-beta activation. Although estrogen is often thought of as doing the opposite of promoting muscle gains, this is not always true, and in fact the beta receptor subtype has anabolic properties and stimulates muscle protein synthesis! Another hypothesis is that ecdysterone supports muscle protein synthesis via direct or indirect stimulation of the PI3K/Akt signalling pathway.

Are there any side effects from taking Ecdysterone?

Ecdysteroids are NOT anabolic-androgenic (like testosterone for example), and they do not interact with androgen receptors. This means that they don’t interfere with the endocrine (hormonal) system in humans, and they do not cause the negative side effects that come with supplementation with anabolic-androgenic agents. There has also been no record of elevation of markers for either kidney or liver toxicity when supplementing with ecdysterone, indicating that ecdysterone is likely safe for most healthy individuals and can be taken without unwanted hormonal consequences.

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Stacking Ecdysterone

Beta Ecdysterone is almost seen as the big brother of Turkesterone due to it having been around for so long. It has been over-shadowed by the popularity of the Turk more recently which is surprising considering the research and history of the compound. Using the Turkesterone or the Beta Ecdysterone will inevitably enhance body composition. Stacking the two compounds together will enhance that even more.