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Ecdysterone (20-Hydroxyecdysone) is a naturally-occurring steroid hormone in arthropods such as insects or water animals. Ecdysterone is also found in some plants, providing natural protection against insects or pests. Did you know it’s even found in everyday foods like spinach, asparagus, or quinoa? 

In the commercial market, ecdysterone is widely marketed as a natural anabolic and adaptogenic compound. In other words, ecdysterone supplements could help improve physical or athletic performances.     

If you’re interested in ecdysterone and searching for one, keep reading to find out the three best ecdysterone supplements you can get today. 


Quick Summary

Best For Cost-Effectiveness: Double Wood Beta Ecdysterone

Great For Training: Universal Nutrition Natural Sterol Complex

Best For Vegetarians: Nutriissa Ecdysterone 


Product NameEcdysterone Content (mg)Price / Amount Direction To Use 
Double Wood Beta Ecdysterone250~ $50/120 capsulesTake 1-2 capsules daily with or without food
Nutriissa Ecdysterone 500~ $36/90 capsulesTake 1 capsule twice daily 
Universal Nutrition Natural Sterol Complex~$40/180 capsules Take 3-6 tablets with any meal or half an hour before training 

Best Ecdysterone Supplements 

Double Wood Beta Ecdysterone

This best ecdysterone supplement is trusted by many consumers

ECDYSTERONE CONTENT (mg):

250

PRICE/AMOUNT:

~ $50/120 capsules

DIRECTION TO USE:

Take 1-2 capsules daily with or without food. Do not take more than 4 capsules per day. 

PROS: 

  • Non-GMO
  • Manufactured in the USA
  • Soy and gluten-free

CONS: 

  • Gelatin capsules unsuitable for vegetarians or vegans

Double Wood Beta Ecdysterone supplement is manufactured on par with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) quality. Besides, this product is rigorously tested for safety in the USA. It’s marketed to support muscle recovery and growth post-workouts or after resistance training. 

This product’s effectiveness is backed up by multiple 5-star reviews from satisfied customers, alongside positive ecdysterone supplement reviews claiming an increase in endurance during workouts and improvements in energy levels throughout the day. Additionally, there are zero to no complaints of gastrointestinal side effects after ingesting this supplement. 

This supplement is also plant-based and suitable for vegan consumers. Each bottle comes with 60 servings worth of capsules, sufficient to last for two months. That being so, Double Wood Beta Ecdysterone is one of the most cost-effective options for ecdysterone supplements out there!


Nutriissa Ecdysterone 

This ecdysterone supplement is vegan friendly

ECDYSTERONE CONTENT (mg):

500

PRICE/AMOUNT:

~ $36/90 capsules

DIRECTION TO USE:

Take 1 capsule twice daily. Intermediate to advanced users may take 1 capsule 3-4 times per day.

PROS: 

  • Vegan
  • Easy to swallow
  • Standardized to 98% purity

CONS: 

  • May have an unpleasant taste as it’s unflavoured

Nurtiisa is a brand that focuses on manufacturing all-natural and vegan supplementation products with reliable effects on the human body. Their products are formulated with carefully selected ingredients with generous dosage content — their ecdysterone supplement is no exception!

This natural anabolic dietary supplement has an excellent 4.2 stars rating from over 200 customers. It has one of the highest ecdysterone dosages per serving, making it a great source of ecdysterone for those wanting to build and maintain muscle mass.

Some customers claim stacking ecdysterone supplements with other natural extracts unleashes more significant health benefits. However, we’d recommend you consult your healthcare provider before doing so for the sake of safety.


Universal Nutrition Natural Sterol Complex

This natural sterol complex contains ecdysterone and other compunds

PRICE/AMOUNT:

~$40/180 capsules 

DIRECTION TO USE:

Take 3 to 6 tablets with any meal or half an hour before training with plenty of water.

PROS: 

  • Has a 4.6 stars rating
  • No aftertaste
  • No reports of gastric side effects

CONS: 

  • Large pills that may be hard to swallow

This product contains a unique natural sterol complex comprising various sterol sources, with Beta Ecdysterone being one of them. However, this product doesn’t disclose information on the percentage of ecdysterone content alone.

Other than the sterol complex, this product is co-formulated with different advanced formulas such as mass and density blend, muscle cell protection blend, and support blend. The holistic formulation of Universal Nutrition Natural Sterol Complex makes it one of the best sports supplements, offering a range of nutrients in each serving.


How To Choose Ecdysterone Supplements? 

Firstly, consider the ecdysterone content per serving. The amount of ecdysterone you require depends on the type and intensity of your physical activities. Avoid consuming excess amounts of ecdysterone as it may cause ecdysterone side effects such as heartburn, nausea, headaches, or diarrhea.

Secondly, you should also research the brand reputation. Products with a majority of negative customer reviews are likelier to be unsafe or ineffective. A brand’s reputation can also tell you a lot about the quality of its product. A more established and reputable brand will likely have a better standard of ecdysterone supplements. You can also compare the prices of supplements to determine the most affordable option for yourself.   
Finally, consult your healthcare provider about a product before purchasing or starting. Your healthcare provider will help ensure ecdysterone is suitable for you, doesn’t interact with your current medications, or potentially exacerbates any existing medical conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does an ecdysterone supplement do?

Ecdysterone supplements are indicated for male bodybuilders, weightlifters, and also athletes. This is because ecdysterone supplements could boost muscle growth and performance levels by increasing bodily protein synthesis. Additionally, ecdysterone supplement may improve the formation of lean muscle tissue and promote fat loss. 

Is ecdysterone a steroid?

Yes, but it’s not similar to other steroids in the human body. Ecdysterone is classified as a phytosteroid or phytosterol, a class of steroids that occurs naturally in plants. Although ecdysteroids are said to have a similar structure to the male hormone testosterone, there’s no concrete evidence that it works like testosterone in humans. In fact, an 8-week cohort study involving 45 male participants revealed that ecdysterone does not increase testosterone levels. 

Is ecdysterone a good supplement?

Ecdysterone is a “good supplement” because it doesn’t have bothersome side effects when taken in recommended dosages. Moreover, ecdysterone does not require post-cycle therapy (PCT) because it doesn’t interfere with biological hormone synthesis processes.

You will not experience any suppression following its use, further eliminating the risk of side effects. That said, more research should be conducted to know, with certainty, the short and long-term safety of ecdysterone. 

Does ecdysterone really work?

There is no good scientific evidence to support the uses and benefits of ecdysterone. That being so, the question of its effectiveness heavily depends on the individual consumer themselves. You may or may not see benefits from ecdysterone, but trialing it for at least 6-12 weeks is advised before judging its effectiveness. 

Which supplement is better: turkesterone or ecdysterone?

Both turkesterone and ecdysterone supplements provide plant-derived testosterone support. They are advertised to facilitate muscle protein synthesis and increase lean muscle mass composition. The difference between turkesterone and ecdysterone lies in the extent of research studies done on them. 

While both turkesterone and ecdysterone are fairly new supplements, the effects of ecdysterone have more studies on mammals and humans. Therefore, considering the lack of studies, ecdysterone may be a better option of supplement for now.  

Bottomline: Best Ecdysterone Supplements

Ecdysterone supplements are a topic of interest for many because it’s said to replicate the effects of anabolic steroids without detrimental risks and side effects. However, the outcomes of ecdysterone on the human body are inconclusive secondary to a lack of sound trials and studies. But that doesn’t mean it’s ineffective. 

Ecdysterone supplements may bring many positive impacts, but it’s very subjective to the consumer. Therefore, we recommend you take ecdysterone supplements with reasonable and realistic expectations.

Disclaimer: This article is only a guide. It does not substitute the advice given by your own healthcare professional. Before making any health-related decision, consult your healthcare professional. We have assembled this article through in-depth research based on the information available at the date of publishing.  We may receive a small commission for purchases you make through our links, but this comes at no extra cost to you. This commission allows us to continue doing what we love through Health Plugged, which is delivering evidence-based health information to our readers worldwide.

Editorial References And Fact-Checking

  • Ecdysteroids as non-conventional anabolic agent: performance enhancement by ecdysterone supplementation in humans. (2019, May 23). SpringerLink. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00204-019-02490-x?error=cookies_not_supported&code=72c1b353-06b7-4668-998e-b05660575aaf
  • Isenmann, E., Ambrosio, G., Joseph, J. F., Mazzarino, M., de la Torre, X., Zimmer, P., Kazlauskas, R., Goebel, C., Botrè, F., Diel, P., & Parr, M. K. (2019). Ecdysteroids as non-conventional anabolic agent: performance enhancement by ecdysterone supplementation in humans. Archives of toxicology, 93(7), 1807–1816. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00204-019-02490-x
  • Wilborn, C. D., Taylor, L. W., Campbell, B. I., Kerksick, C., Rasmussen, C. J., Greenwood, M., & Kreider, R. B. (2006). Effects of methoxyisoflavone, ecdysterone, and sulfo-polysaccharide supplementation on training adaptations in resistance-trained males. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 3(2), 19–27. https://doi.org/10.1186/1550-2783-3-2-19
  • Shuvalov, O. (2020). An Arthropod Hormone, Ecdysterone, Inhibits the Growth of Breast Cancer Cells via Different Mechanisms. Frontiers. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2020.561537/full

Author

  • Irshika Suthakar, B.Pharm

    Irshika is a Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm) graduate who enjoys crafting in-depth health and wellness content. Her experience interacting with real-life patients during work has enabled her to pick up valuable communication skills, which translates into well-written and highly-engaging content for her readers. Being a health content writer is what she considers a huge privilege because she loves empowering people to make informed health choices. LinkedIn

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Irshika is a Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm) graduate who enjoys crafting in-depth health and wellness content. Her experience interacting with real-life patients during work has enabled her to pick up valuable communication skills, which translates into well-written and highly-engaging content for her readers. Being a health content writer is what she considers a huge privilege because she loves empowering people to make informed health choices. LinkedIn