Ecdysterone is a steroid hormone that you can find in insects, plants, including spinach. It helps them regulate their development. It is also synthesized by some plants to combat pest insects. Also, it is famous as a food supplement to improve the physical performance of athletes and help bodybuilders build muscle faster [1].
If you’re wondering if it’s good for you, or what it does, or if it can help with a certain medical condition, or just want to read about its potential benefits, this guide gives you everything you need to know about ecdysterone and its most potentially valuable uses.
What is Ecdysterone?
You may be asking what ecdysteroids are. Ecdysterone is a class of steroid hormones that is common in different arthropods. Plants have reacted to this by creating compounds that not only help them to grow but also protect them from pests. Among its many roles, ecdysteroids impact the growth and differentiation of insect tissues and the development of insect structures such as wings, legs, and antennae.
Is Ecdysterone a Hormone?
Ecdysterone is also a natural type of steroid that you can find in certain plants, including spinach and quinoa. It’s technically a type of phytoecdysteroid.
Also, it’s essential to keep in mind that “steroids” are organic compounds and not necessarily the same thing as synthetic anabolic steroids.
Does Ecdysterone Increase Testosterone?
Since it may have a similar chemical structure to the hormone testosterone, it may have some hormone-mimicking effects. However, it isn’t the same as taking testosterone, it isn’t an artificial hormone that is you can use for hormone replacement therapy.
With that being said, it’s still known to be potent and may have similar effects to certain legal and illegal steroids, also including prohibited anabolic agents, such as methandienone. Some people even speculate that it’s stronger and more effective than other steroids, which are currently banned in competitive sports.
Benefits of Ecdysterone
You have probably heard of the supplement Ecdysterone, especially if you have been involved in bodybuilding and fitness. But, I know for sure that you will be surprised about a few things if you are an Ecdysterone newbie. Ecdysterone is also a substance that is a natural alternative to anabolic steroids. Furthermore, it is one of the ingredients in various supplements and is well known to people interested in personal fitness.
Increase in Protein Synthesis
A study showed an increase in 20% protein synthesis. It also stated that it showed increased rat grip strength, implying that ecdysterone could potentially help with strength. [2]
Moreover, protein synthesis is extremely important in the muscle-building process. With this, having a higher protein synthesis leads to faster muscle recovery and muscle mass.
Increase in Muscle Strength
On the basis of the research that was conducted, the performance-enhancing effects of ecdysterone showed a significant increase in strength [3].
We can conclude that Ecysterone will definitely make you stronger and help you gain muscle mass more quickly.
Anabolic Effect
Anabolic effect is important as it improves your body composition, lean body mass, hormone production, and strength. A study that focuses on the anabolic potency of ecdysterone showed that it has a higher anabolic effect than SARMs, Dianabol, and Dienedione [4]. This is pretty crazy since as we all know, those compounds are all proven to be highly effective for muscle building.
Might Improve Insulin Sensitivity
Although more research on this topic is greatly needed, at least one animal study found that ecdysterone supplements could support metabolic health, including preventing insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, and obesity [5].
Might Support Immune Function
Ecdysteroids have adaptogenic effects that help the body cope with stress and pathogens. There are some potential ways that this may support homeostasis and immune function by:
- Increases red blood cell number
- Improves quality of sleep
- Improves tolerance to thermal stress
- Supports cardiac function and circulation
- Stimulates bone growth
- Having anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects
Ecdysterone Side Effects
Ecdysterone is also safe as long as it isn’t overused. One of the most reliable studies said that taking it in supplement form doesn’t lead to symptoms of liver and kidney toxicity. It also has fewer side effects than other steroid drugs, such as changes in appetite, mood, libido, hair growth, and sleep.
As you likely know, some people commonly use ecdysterone as a dietary supplement, which is a natural steroid compound. Always remember that the scientific data is little, and more studies are being done.
Is Ecdysterone Natural?
You can also find ecdysterone in spinach extract. Moreover, it is identified as a phytosteroid which is a steroid that occurs naturally in plants and also belongs to a class called phytosterols, which are structurally similar to cholesterol [6].
It is popular that ecdysterone is a natural anabolic agent that doesn’t have any of the inherent side effects of traditional steroids. A lot of researchers of ecdysterone claim that this natural anabolic agent improves athletic performance, while some studies also suggest that using ecdysterone can also increase muscle growth.
Ecdysterone vs. Turkesterone
While turkesterone is the primary active ingredient in the plant of Ajuga turkestanica, another major component called ecdysterone has also gained popularity as an anabolic supplement during recent years. In terms of potential anabolic activity, how does turkesterone compare with its analog?
Main Differences:
Main Similarities:
- Both ecdysteroids
- Both anabolic-androgenic steroids
- They both have similar benefits
- Neither has significant toxicity side effects
- Turkesterone is an analog of ecdysterone
Turkesterone has spectacular research behind it, the studies that in animals (rats) and cell cultures do not translate on a 1:1 basis to healthy human subjects taking the supplement orally. Moreover, most turkesterone supplements on the market are inadequate as they contain a tiny percentage of actual turkesterone.
It’s nice to know that ecdysterone has been studied in healthy humans and shows promising results which are effective and safe when taken orally and used in combination with resistance training.
Dosage
It’s important to always remember that the effects of ecdysterone ingestion are dose-dependent. This also means that the supplement might be ineffective or less effective in lower doses. The ideal ecdysterone dosage depends on the individual anatomy and how responsive the body is to anabolic compounds.
Below are the recommended dosages for ecdysterone:
- Beginner Dose: 250mg/day
- Intermediate Dose: 500mg/day
- Advanced Dose: 1,000mg/day
Some have pushed their upper limits of ecdysterone doses and taken over 2,000mg per day, but most studies suggest that a small amount such as 500mg per day of ecdysterone will yield significant results [9].
The Bottom Line
Ecdysterone is a supplement that has a lot of potentials to become one of the new best muscle builders on the market. Multiple studies conclude that it also has a high anabolic potency and shows in increase muscle mass and strength in humans. Furthermore, human trials are essential to back up these claims.
Other researchers say, it doesn’t have any adverse effects, making it a perfect option instead of anabolics or SARMs, which are both familiar to carry side effects.
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.
Editorial References And Fact-Checking
- Shuvalov, O., Fedorova, O., Tananykina, E., Gnennaya, Y., Daks, A., Petukhov, A., & Barlev, N. A. (2020). An Arthropod Hormone, Ecdysterone, Inhibits the Growth of Breast Cancer Cells via Different Mechanisms. Frontiers in pharmacology, 11, 561537. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2020.561537
- Gorelick-Feldman, J., Maclean, D., Ilic, N., Poulev, A., Lila, M. A., Cheng, D., & Raskin, I. (2008). Phytoecdysteroids increase protein synthesis in skeletal muscle cells. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, 56(10), 3532–3537. https://doi.org/10.1021/jf073059z
- 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
- Parr, M. K., Botrè, F., Naß, A., Hengevoss, J., Diel, P., & Wolber, G. (2015). Ecdysteroids: A novel class of anabolic agents?. Biology of sport, 32(2), 169–173. https://doi.org/10.5604/20831862.1144420
- Kosovskiĭ, M. I., Syrov, V. N., Mirakhmedov, M. M., Katkova, S. P., & Khushbaktova, Z. A. (1989). Vliianie nerobola i ékdisterona na nekotorye sviazannye insulinzavisimye protsessy v norme i pri insulinorezistentnosti [The effect of nerobol and ecdysterone on insulin-dependent processes linked normally and in insulin resistance]. Problemy endokrinologii, 35(5), 77–81.
- Parr, M. K., Botrè, F., Naß, A., Hengevoss, J., Diel, P., & Wolber, G. (2015). Ecdysteroids: A novel class of anabolic agents?. Biology of sport, 32(2), 169–173. https://doi.org/10.5604/20831862.1144420
- 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
- Syrov, V. N. (2000). Comparative experimental investigation of the anabolic activity of phytoecdysteroids and steranabols. Pharmaceutical Chemistry Journal, 34(4), 193–197. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf02524596
- Parr, M. K., Botrè, F., Naß, A., Hengevoss, J., Diel, P., & Wolber, G. (2015). Ecdysteroids: A novel class of anabolic agents?. Biology of sport, 32(2), 169–173. https://doi.org/10.5604/20831862.1144420
