Analyzing the anabolic power of ecdysterone

The anabolic effects of ecdysterone are said to be strong enough to put it on the doping list, but how does it work?

But why are we analyzing ecdysterone?… Well, people who take their fitness seriously are always looking for a way to improve their performance, size, and strength. A proper diet, training, sleep, and stress management will provide the vast majority of the results needed to meet their goals.

However, a few amateur and professional athletes seek that extra boost in performance and muscle gain, and this is where supplementation comes into play.

Today, we are investigating a completely natural anabolic compound that has been used by Russian athletes for decades [1]; it is called beta-ecdysterone (20-hydroxyecdysone).

Ecdysterone is a steroid-like substance found in spinach and quinoa, and as an ingredient in some supplements well known among bodybuilders, especially for its anabolic power.

It would have a more anabolic effect than scientists suspected.

Biochemists from many countries have been working to understand how ecdysterone strengthens muscle fibers; they believe this natural steroid may help older people maintain strength or help athletes increase it under certain circumstances.

A question of alpha and beta estrogen receptors

Estradiol, a female sex hormone, binds to cells through alpha and beta estrogen receptors.

Through estradiol,

• The alpha receptor stimulates the growth of fat layers around the hips and breasts, as well as a person’s aggression or irritability.
• Through the beta receptor, it maintains strong bones, a healthy cholesterol balance, flexible blood vessels, and fit muscle mass.

Let’s be realistic; compounds that stimulate beta estrogen receptors have an anabolic effect in themselves and also enhance testosterone’s anabolic effect in muscle cells. At the very least, they ensure that muscle cells produce more IGF-1 when they receive testosterone’s anabolic stimuli.

Natural beta receptor agonists

Some plant-based foods are rich in nutrients that stimulate beta estrogen receptors; soy is one such source. This is probably why soy protein is an effective muscle “builder.”

Although the amino acids in soy protein are not ideally suited to human needs, the effect of soy protein in a well-balanced diet would be almost identical to that of protein from dairy products.

For example, animal studies have shown that soy protein has an anticatabolic effect that is even similar to, and in some cases greater than, that of casein.

If we also take into account that many herbal substances that stimulate the beta estrogen receptor are also among those that partially deactivate alpha receptors, it is difficult to see why so many “influencers” claim that soy protein is dangerous for men and causes impotence or gynecomastia… but whatever, it remains a controversy…

Ecdysterone: what is it?

Ecdysterone is a naturally occurring ecdysteroid hormone that controls the molting and metamorphosis of arthropods, animals with exoskeletons, such as insects and crabs.

When their levels increase, it helps the exoskeleton detach from the animal, allowing it to emerge and grow a new one.

Ecdysterone is also produced by various plants, where it is believed to act as a defense against insect pests by disrupting their development and reproduction.

In short, they are a class of compounds that are structurally similar to androgens, hormones that promote the development of male traits such as hair and muscle growth, a deeper voice, and strength.

When we refer to steroids in a sports or bodybuilding context, we are often talking about non-natural substances known as anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS).

Ecdysterone has a strong anabolic effect but is naturally occurring.

Ecdysterone: where does it come into play?

A group of German researchers published a new study in the journal Molecular Nutrition and Food Research.

In this study, they present experiments in male rats in which ecdysterone stimulates muscle growth through the beta estrogen receptor.

Along with other ecdysteroids, it is found in large quantities in quinoa and spinach. Spinach is a particularly good source of ecdysteroids because one serving of cooked spinach can provide you with approximately 100 mg or more of the compound.

In this study, the researchers provided their laboratory animals with 5 mg of ecdysterone per day for 3 weeks. If this dose is converted to human proportions, it amounts to 50/100 mg per day [2].

The following figures show that this dose had a modest but notable anabolic effect on the rats’ leg muscles.

When the researchers exposed rat muscle cells not only to ecdysterone but also to the anti-estrogen ZK283361 (Anti Beta), the compound’s anabolic effects disappeared completely. Here, the compound ZK283361 blocked the effects of the estrogen beta receptors.

These data clearly confirm that ecdysterone is a compound with strong anabolic activity in vivo and in vitro, and that estradiol beta receptors appear to be involved at least in vitro,” according to the research.

This research and other studies conducted in the same context opened up therapeutic prospects for the treatment of muscle recovery, muscle injuries, sarcopenia, and wasting, providing the sports nutrition industry with another tool for use in targeted supplementation.

Ecdysterone: how does it work?

Some studies claim that the anabolic activity of ecdysterone is comparable to that of SARMs (selective androgen receptor modulators) and IGF-1.

However, unlike conventional anabolic agents, it exerts its anabolic effects by binding to the estrogen receptor beta (ER-beta), which is also a potent antitumor agent that exhibits vital activity against prostate cancer.

Ecdysterone does not increase testosterone levels, but research claims that it may also increase the production of the hormone erythropoietin (EPO) by the kidneys and liver, improving oxygenation and ultimately endurance in athletes, according to a publication by the Canadian Academy of Sports Nutrition [3].

This is noteworthy because:

• ER-beta signaling is involved in regulating skeletal muscle growth and regeneration by stimulating anabolic pathways, activating satellite cells, and modulating immune function [4].
• It has also been proposed that ecdysterone improves muscle protein synthesis through the direct or indirect stimulation of the PI3K / Akt signaling pathway. [5]

After these initial scientific and technical observations, let us put things in order and cite its main benefits, especially for bodybuilders and athletes.

The benefits of ecdysterone

Ecdysterone not only provides a tremendous number of positive effects on the body, but also causes zero negative effects!

Think about it… here we have a compound that has gone head-to-head with steroids in studies and won in terms of anabolism without any of the side effects associated with chemical steroids!…

It is worth highlighting all of its effects because it improves almost all bodily functions, including the brain and liver, but also:

• Produces a drastic increase in lean body mass
• Gives you greater endurance.
• Stimulates metabolism.
• Improves nerve function and improves erythropoiesis (the development of mature red blood cells (erythrocytes)).
• Lowers blood sugar.
• Reduces adipose tissue.

It is safe and effective for men, women, and even adolescents, preventing muscle mass loss while promoting muscle fiber growth.

It does all this without virilization, conversion into estrogenic compounds, liver toxicity, hypertension, testicular shrinkage, or effects on the hormonal system.

Ecdysterone and protein synthesis

A rodent study on the effects of phytoecdysteroids showed a 20% increase in protein synthesis.

They also showed in this study that it increased grip strength, implying that ecdysteroids could potentially help with strength.

Protein synthesis is created through stimulation of the PI3K pathway and is extremely important in the muscle development process. Maintaining higher protein synthesis can lead to faster recovery and greater muscle mass.

• A study showed that after 10 weeks of using ecdysterone, they gained 2 kg of lean muscle mass [6].

Ecdysterone and muscle strength

A study on the performance-enhancing effects of ecdysterone showed a significant increase in strength [7].

• Participants in this study used an ecdysterone supplement or a placebo for 10 weeks.
• The group that took the ecdysteroids showed a pronounced increase in their bench press 1RMs without adverse effects. The group also increased its squat by 19.4%, from 100 kg to 120 kg.

Another rodent study already showed that there was always a substantial increase in grip strength, therefore..

• Ecdysterone could definitely make you stronger, which will help improve your performance with weights.

Ecdysterone and its anabolic effects

A study on the anabolic potency of ecdysterone showed that it has a higher anabolic effect than SARMs, Dianabol, and Dienedione. This is pretty crazy, since all of those compounds have been shown to be highly effective but synthetic.

The fact that this natural steroid has greater anabolic potency than some of the better-known products says a lot about the potential of this supplement.

A study dating back to 1988 on the difference between Dianabol and ecdysteroids in physical endurance showed that ecdysterone had a more pronounced influence. This study was consistently updated, demonstrating the same results [8].

Researchers at the Smolenk State Medical Institute in Russia speculate that the compound decreases the concentration of urea in the body and increases hemoglobin levels by enhancing a process called erythropoiesis.

Erythropoiesis is the development of mature red blood cells.

This leads to stimulation of the anabolic process in protein metabolism, which in turn leads to a positive nitrogen balance in the body.

Ecdysterone and lean tissues

The most frequently cited scientific study on ecdysterone was published in Scientific Sports Bulletin by S. Simakin in 1988. The objective of Simakin’s famous study was to determine the effect of ecdysterone on muscle and fat tissue mass while analyzing hormonal changes in the subjects.

For the study, three control factors were used: a placebo, protein, and ecdysterone with protein.

The results significantly favored the third factor;

• Of the 78 highly trained male and female athletes who consumed protein alone, they showed only a slight increase in muscle mass over the 10-day period.
• In most of the experiments, they used 5 mg per kilogram of body mass per day as the dosage.
• Those who used a placebo lost a small amount of lean muscle.
• Meanwhile, those who used protein plus ecdysterone showed a 6–7% increase in lean muscle tissue, with an almost 10% reduction in fat.

This is very significant and even surprising, because no other supplement would help you transform those values.

At this point, safety tests were conducted over the same period and showed no differences in hormonal balance.

Wow, if ecdysterone plus protein can do this for experienced athletes, just think about what it can do for the average recreational athlete.

Ecdysterone and performance

Another study conducted in 1986 by the Russians examined the variables of endurance and energy.

For this study, 117 highly trained speed skaters between the ages of 18 and 28 were assessed for work capacity, body weight, lung capacity, and VO2 max.

The results speak for themselves: all the parameters mentioned increased, as did the maximum O2 pulse and CO2 exhalation.

Basically, their cells received more oxygen.

This amounts to reducing recovery time, maximizing performance, enabling optimal muscle anabolism, and maximizing fat loss.

This also means that athletes who used ecdysterone, compared with those who took a placebo, experienced less fatigue, greater endurance, and more energy and motivation during training.

How long did it take before these athletes reported these effects? Months? Weeks? NO… five days… in addition, no adverse side effects were reported.

Ecdysterone and other benefits

We will cite three additional properties of this fabulous compound:

• Stimulates the immune system, allowing the body to combat unpleasant diseases and infections. Ecdysterone could improve your athletic performance and may help treat all health problems associated with having weak defenses.
• Supports joint health; in this instance, the increase in alkaline phosphatase activity means that the bones are being protected or strengthened, and this effect is achieved through the estrogen beta receptor by the action of ecdysterone.
• Regulates blood sugar; in a sense, it appears to suppress glucose formation in the liver, reducing blood sugar without depending on serum levels or insulin secretion.

Ecdysterone supplements (ecdysterone)

In our online store, we offer different plant-based Ecdysterone supplements (Cyanotis Arachnoidea).

Ecdysterone: how should it be used?

Most studies were conducted with doses of between 50 and 500 mg per day over a period of 3 to 12 weeks.

The researchers also discovered that higher doses of the active ingredients produced better results in terms of size and strength, but it should be effective at doses as low as 12 mg per day.

The study that conducted a human trial used a generic supplement marketed as 100 mg of ecdysterone per capsule; however, it contained only 6 mg of active ingredients, and 2 capsules were taken per day… undoubtedly, about 100 mg in two 50 mg doses is usually a valid option for active athletes…

However, due to the lack of androgenicity, their safety profiles are much better than those of synthetic anabolic-androgenic steroids.

Also remember that, to generate muscle hypertrophy, you have to assume that techniques exist and that nutrition is only one part of the process.