Ecdysterone

Who would have thought that a small, unassuming plant had the power to naturally promote muscle growth? Ecdysterone, often referred to as a herbal anabolic steroid, is gaining increasing attention in the fitness and sports world.

This compound, which is found in various plants such as spinach, was originally discovered in insect hormones and has attracted scientific interest in recent years. Researchers and athletes alike are interested in its potential benefits, from high performance to rapid recovery.

What is ecdysterone?

Ecdysterone is a naturally occurring steroid hormone found in both animals and plants such as spinach. This substance performs a protective function in plants by acting as a defense mechanism against predators. In the world of dietary supplements, however, ecdysterone is particularly popular with athletes.

One of the best-known forms is plant-extracted beta ecdysterone, which has a higher anabolic potency compared to synthetic mesobolin. This anabolic effect can demonstrably lead to performance-enhancing and muscle-building effects. An international study by the Free University of Berlin has shown significant improvements in performance and muscle growth in athletes taking ecdysterone.

Ecdysterone can be consumed in the form of food supplement capsules. One example is the nutriplus Ultra Ecdysterone capsule, which contains almost 90 % pure ecdysterone from safflower mountain ash. This dietary supplement can have positive effects on physical performance, especially in combination with protein-rich meals and effective training.

Use in the sports and fitness world

Ecdysterone has quickly made a name for itself in the sports and fitness world as it improves athletic performance and promotes muscle growth. Various studies have shown that it can significantly increase muscle size without the dreaded side effects of synthetic anabolic steroids. These properties make it particularly attractive for athletes who want to increase their performance in a natural way. Interestingly, one study showed that athletes who consumed ecdysterone together with a protein supplement achieved an increase in lean muscle mass and a reduction in body fat after just 10 days.

Ecdysterone has been on the World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) monitoring program since 2020 - a clear sign of its potential performance-enhancing properties. This recognition indicates that ecdysterone may soon be added to the list of banned substances. The use of ecdysterone, especially in high-dose extracts, therefore promises to optimize the effectiveness of muscle building through the use of spinach extracts at the highest level of knowledge.

Supplements with active ingredients containing ecdysterone

Ecdysterone has now become one of the most promising dietary supplements in bodybuilding, primarily due to its positive effects on muscle strength and mass. The plant-based steroid hormone is mainly obtained from spinach extracts and studies have shown that it can significantly increase muscle growth in athletes. Its use in combination with strength training has led to a significant increase in muscle mass in one study, which has further boosted its popularity in the fitness sector.

Dietary supplements containing ecdysterone are often offered in the form of high-dose spinach extract capsules. These products often also contain the protein-forming amino acid leucine, which is intended to support the effect of ecdysterone. In addition to spinach extracts, some ecdysterone products also use extracts from other plants such as safflower mountain ash or Cyanotis arachnoidea.

The combination of these natural ingredients makes ecdysterone supplements particularly popular. They are valued for their alleged anabolic effect, which is said to be comparable to that of known chemical steroids, but without their undesirable side effects. This gives ecdysterone broad acceptance and increasing demand among fitness enthusiasts worldwide.

General benefits of ecdysterone supplements:

• Increasing muscle strength
• Increase in muscle mass
• Anabolic effects similar to chemical steroids

Due to its alleged anabolic effect, which is said to be comparable to chemical steroids, ecdysterone remains a sought-after supplement for effective training and a healthy lifestyle.

Functionality and effects

Ecdysterone is a plant-based phytosteroid that is mainly extracted from spinach. In scientific studies, it has shown anabolic effects on the muscles without noticeably affecting hormone metabolism in humans. A remarkable property of ecdysterone is its ability to bind to the estrogen receptor beta. This indicates the activation of metabolic pathways that promote carbohydrate and fat metabolism as well as protein biosynthesis. These effects contribute to an increase in muscle mass and strength, as confirmed by a placebo-controlled study in which subjects showed significant improvements compared to a placebo group. In addition to its function in the human body, plants use ecdysterone as a protective mechanism against predators. The World Anti-Doping Agency has placed ecdysterone on its watch list of potentially abused substances due to its performance-enhancing properties.

Promotion of muscle growth

Ecdysterone is known for its ability to promote muscle growth by thickening muscle fibers to a similar degree as the anabolic steroid metandienone, both in animal studies and in vitro. Remarkably, it achieves this without the known side effects of anabolic steroids. In a placebo-controlled study, it was shown that subjects taking ecdysterone had significantly higher muscle mass and more strength after ten weeks than the participants in the placebo group. This anabolic effect could be based on the interaction of ecdysterone with the estrogen receptor beta, a finding that is supported by current studies. The daily intake of 12 mg ecdysterone in combination with moderate muscle-building training led to a significant increase in muscle mass in both older and younger adults. Another mechanism of ecdysterone is its effect on the expression of myostatin, a protein hormone that inhibits muscle growth. Compared to methandienone, ecdysterone shows more effective myostatin-inhibiting properties, which emphasizes its role as a potent muscle growth stimulant.

Biosynthesis and physiological effect

Ecdysterone is a polar polyhydroxy steroid found in plants such as spinach. It influences carbohydrate and fat metabolism and increases protein biosynthesis in the body. Studies have shown that ecdysterone binds to the estrogen receptor beta (ERbeta), which leads to the activation of certain metabolic pathways. These mechanisms contribute to the anabolic effect of ecdysteroids in humans. Due to these properties, the World Anti-Doping Agency has classified ecdysterone as performance-enhancing.

In moulting animals such as insects, ecdysterone plays a central role in their life cycle by regulating the moulting process and metamorphosis through activation of intracellular ecdysone receptors. Interestingly, mammals, including humans, lack a specific receptor for ecdysteroids. Despite this deficiency, ecdysterone nevertheless shows significant effects on protein biosynthesis as well as fat and carbohydrate metabolism, which underlines its effectiveness as a dietary supplement. These physiological effects make it an interesting subject of research and a popular supplement for fitness enthusiasts.

Dosage and application

Ecdysterone is gaining popularity for its potential muscle-building and performance-enhancing effects. The recommended daily dose is between 80 and 120 mg, but 400-600 mg per day is often recommended for significant results:

• Daily intake: Ecdysterone should be taken daily, although splitting the dose on training days may prove advantageous. For example, one half of the dose can be taken in the morning and the other after a workout.
• Take on an empty stomach: It is recommended to consume ecdysterone in the morning on an empty stomach to optimize absorption.

What you can also consider when taking ecdysterones in order to achieve the best possible results.

1. Regular training: Effective training is crucial to fully utilize the anabolic effect of ecdysterone.
2. Individual adjustment: Listen to your body and adjust the dose if necessary.

Possible side effects

Ecdysterone is generally considered safe when taken in the recommended amounts and is associated with few undesirable side effects. In rare cases, however, gastrointestinal complaints may occur.

However, symptoms such as back pain, muscle cramps, stiffness and muscle pain have been reported when larger amounts are taken. This underlines the importance of adhering to the recommended dosages.

Another key point is that ecdysterone differs from synthetic steroid hormones in its effect. It lacks the harmful side effects that often occur with testosterone derivatives. However, it should be noted that ecdysterone has been classified as performance-enhancing by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and has been on its watch list of potentially abused substances since 2020.

Ecdysteroids are not yet recognized as doping substances in human nutrition, as humans can absorb relevant amounts from natural sources such as spinach. Nevertheless, people who are active in sports and are considering performance-enhancing products should carefully follow the current guidelines and recommendations.

Do ecdysterones make sense in weight training?

Ecdysterone is a natural steroid hormone found in animals and plants. Its anabolic effect is the focus of many studies that have demonstrated significant improvements in protein biosynthesis and in carbohydrate and fat metabolism in humans. It should be emphasized that ecdysterone can increase muscle mass and strength by binding to the estrogen receptor beta.

Since natural food sources, such as spinach, only contain small amounts of ecdysterone, supplements are necessary to absorb an effective amount. Thus, a significant amount of pure ecdysterone can achieve the desired anabolic effect.

In summary, ecdysterone offers promising muscle-building effects, especially when used in combination with protein-rich meals and effective training. Ecdysterone could therefore be a valuable supplement for a healthy lifestyle and anabolic potency.