Multiply your strength with ecdysterone: myth or scientific reality?

Ecdysterone, a natural compound with surprising anabolic effects. Is it the secret of the natty or a controversial substance to watch out for?

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Ecdysterone: a muscle secret from the East?

Increase your strength and muscle mass with a product as powerful as anabolic steroids, without the side effects of traditional steroids and while staying natural? That’s indeed the conclusion of the study PMID: 31123801.

We remain realistic and do not fully adhere to this conclusion.

Researchers have suggested that ecdysterone could be more powerful than some traditional anabolic steroids while having a superior safety profile, leading WADA to consider adding it to the list of prohibited substances.

But what exactly is it? Ecdysterone is a compound found in certain plants, like spinach (that’s where Popeye gets his strength), quinoa, or potatoes. But in very small quantities. These plants use it as a natural pesticide to defend against insects.

Can ecdysterone really transform you by boosting your muscle mass, or is it just a commercial product? That’s what we’re going to find out together, by exploring scientific research and separating fact from fiction. Let’s dive into the fascinating world of natural anabolism!

What is ecdysterone?

You’re probably wondering where this supposedly miraculous molecule comes from. Well, it turns out that ecdysterone is closer to us than you think! It is naturally found in certain plants, like spinach, quinoa, or potatoes. But in very small quantities. These plants use it as a natural pesticide to defend against insects.

But don’t be fooled, ecdysterone is not just a simple plant compound. Its chemical structure is quite complex, with no less than 27 carbon atoms! (For budding chemists, we’re talking about a polyhydroxylated steroid). This configuration gives it interesting properties, notably its ability to interact with certain receptors in our body.

Now, let’s compare it to other anabolic substances you might know:

• Unlike traditional anabolic steroids, ecdysterone does not bind to androgen receptors. No more annoying side effects like acne or hair loss!
• It is more akin to SARMs (selective androgen receptor modulators), but with a different mechanism of action.
• Its action would be comparable to that of IGF-1, a natural growth factor in our body.

You’ve got it, ecdysterone is a bit of a five-legged sheep among anabolic substances. It promises the benefits without the drawbacks.

So, what do scientific studies really say? That’s what we’re going to see in the next section.

The anabolic effects of ecdysterone: muscle miracle or smoke and mirrors?

You’re probably wondering if ecdysterone really delivers on its promises. Hold on to your dumbbells, because the study results are quite… surprising!

Let’s start with our animal friends. Research conducted on rats (sorry, little rodents) has shown that ecdysterone caused a significant increase in muscle mass. But beware, that’s not all! These same studies revealed that our star molecule was even more effective than some well-known anabolic steroids. Yes, you read that right: more effective!

Is this also the case for human muscle cells? Rest assured, scientists did not stop at rats. In vitro experiments on C2C12 muscle cells (a type of cell commonly used in research) showed that ecdysterone caused hypertrophy, meaning an increase in the size of muscle fibers.

Now, let’s compare it with other anabolic agents:

• Against methandienone (aka Dianabol), ecdysterone showed superior efficacy at equal doses. Not bad for a natural substance, right?
• Compared to testosterone, our plant molecule held its own in terms of increasing the diameter of myotubes (the precursors of muscle fibers, for the uninitiated).
• Even IGF-1, a powerful growth factor, did not outperform ecdysterone in some studies.

So, could ecdysterone be the Holy Grail for bodybuilders? Not so fast! These impressive results raise as many questions as they do hopes. How can such efficacy be explained? And above all, do these effects hold true in humans?