Ecdysterone, the natural steroid that's changing the face of sport?

ecdysterone, a natural compound with surprising anabolic effects. Is it the natty secret or a controversial substance to keep an eye on?

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Ecdysterone: a muscular secret from the East?

Increase your strength and muscle mass with a product as powerful as anabolic steroids, without the side-effects of conventional steroids and without going overboard? That's the conclusion of the study PMID: 31123801.

We remain realistic and do not fully support this conclusion.

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

But what exactly is ecdysterone? Ecdysterone is a compound found in certain plants, such as spinach and quinoa. It belongs to the ecdysteroidshormones which play a crucial role in insect development. 

Can ecdysterone really give you a tenfold increase in muscle mass, or is it just a commercial product? That's what we're going to find out together, as we explore the scientific research and sort out the real from the fake. We dive into the fascinating world of natural anabolism !

What is ecdysterone? 

You're probably wondering where this molecule with its supposedly miraculous effects comes from. Well, it turns out that ecdysterone is closer to us than you think! It is found naturally in certain plants, such as spinach (which is where popeye gets its strength from).)quinoa or potatoes. But in very small quantities. These plants use it as a natural pesticide to defend themselves against insects. 

But make no mistake, ecdysterone is not just a simple plant compound. Its chemical structure is rather complex, with no fewer than 27 carbon atoms! (For budding chemists, this is known as a polyhydroxylated steroid). This configuration gives it some interesting properties, in particular its ability to interact with certain receptors in our bodies.

Now let's compare it to other anabolic substances you may be familiar with:

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

As you can see, ecdysterone is a bit like the five-legged sheep of anabolic substances. It promises the benefits without the drawbacks. 

So what do the scientific studies really say? That's what we'll be looking at in the next section.

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

You're probably wondering whether ecdysterone really delivers what it promises. Hold on to your dumbbells, because the results of the studies are surprising, to say the least!

Let's start with our animal friends. Research carried out on rats (sorry, little rodents) have shown thatecdysterone caused a significant increase in muscle mass. But that's not all! These same studies revealed that our star compound was even more effective than certain well-known anabolic steroids. Yes, you read that right: more effective!

Is this also the case for human muscle cells? Rest assured, scientists have not stopped at rats. In vitro experiments on C2C12 muscle cells (a type of cell commonly used in research) have shown that ecdysterone causes hypertrophy, i.e. an increase in the size of muscle fibres. 

Now let's compare with other anabolic agents:

  • Faced with metandienone (aka Dianabol), ecdysterone has been shown to be more effective in the same dose. Not bad for a natural substance, eh?
  • Compared to testosteroneour plant molecule was equal in terms of increasing the diameter of myotubes (the precursors of muscle fibres, for the uninitiated).
  • Even IGF-1a powerful growth factor, did no better than ecdysterone in some studies.
 

So is ecdysterone the Holy Grail of bodybuilders? Not so fast! These impressive results raise as many questions as they do hopes. How can such effectiveness be explained? And above all, can these effects be confirmed in humans under real-life conditions?

This is where things get tricky, my dear Schwarzenegger apprentices. Because while laboratory studies are promising, research on humans is still limited. And let's not forget that every organism is unique and can react differently.

So, before you go rushing off with your Popeye spinach, let's take a closer look at how this mysterious molecule works in our bodies. 

Ecdysterone

How ecdysterone flexes its muscles: a surprising mechanism of action

You may be wondering how this molecule from the plant world manages to stimulate muscle growth. Hold on to your hats, because the answer may well shake up your certainties about anabolism!

Contrary to what you might think, theecdysterone does not play in the same league as traditional anabolic steroids. Instead of using androgen receptors, our molecule prefers to knock on another door: that of the oestrogen receptors. Yes, you read that right!

More specifically, ecdysterone appears to have a soft spot for the oestrogen receptor beta (ERβ). Studies have shown that it binds there with impressive affinity, with an ED50 of just 13 nM. For the uninitiated, this means that only a very small dose is needed to trigger a response.

But how can we explain this preference? That's where molecular modelling comes in. Docking" experiments (imagine a game of molecular Tetris) revealed that ecdysterone adapts perfectly to the shape of the ERβ receptor, forming additional hydrogen bonds compared to the ERα receptor.

This unique interaction could explain why ecdysterone causes muscle hypertrophy without the typical side effects of androgenic steroids. No risk of ending up with a baritone voice or hair like a bear!

But the story doesn't end there. Once bound to the receptor, ecdysterone appears to trigger a cascade of reactions, in particular activating the PI3K/Akt signalling pathway. This pathway is known to play a key role in protein synthesis and muscle growth.

Ecdysterone versus its cousin, Turkesterone

While Ecdysterone is already making waves in the world of sport, it is not the only ecdysteroid to attract the attention of athletes and researchers. Its cousin, Turkesterone, is gaining in popularity and attracting more and more interest. Discover their similarities, their differences, and what the science says about them in our article " Ecdysterone vs Turkesterone: which molecule to choose for your performance?" . 

This analysis will give you a better understanding of why Ecdysterone is considered a revolutionary 'natural steroid', while exploring the promising potential of Turkesterone.

Does ecdysterone really deliver on its promise of strength?

After all we've seen, the question is burning: does ecdysterone really make you stronger? Let's take a look at the facts.

Studies on animals and muscle cells are promising. They show thatecdysterone can actually increase muscle mass and strength. In rats, it has been shown to be more effective than certain well-known anabolic steroids.

However, caution is still called for. Why should you be? Here are a few points to consider:

  • Studies on humans are still limited. Most research has been carried out on animals or in vitro.
  • The long-term effects of ecdysterone consumption are not yet well understood.
  • The optimal dose for humans has not been clearly established.

Despite these reservations, many of our customers, athletes and bodybuilders report significant gains in strength and muscle mass after using ecdysterone supplements. These testimonials, although subjective, are consistent with the results of scientific studies.

It's important to note that increasing strength is not just about taking supplements. Proper training and a balanced diet are still essential to achieve results.

Ultimately, although ecdysterone looks promising for increasing strength and muscle mass, further research is needed to confirm its effectiveness in humans. If you are considering using this supplement, it would be wise to consult a healthcare professional beforehand.

So, is ecdysterone the secret to becoming stronger? The jury's still out, but the early indications are encouraging. As always in science, the key is to remain open-minded while keeping a critical eye on new discoveries.

Where can I buy quality ecdysterone in France?

If you're convinced by the promise of ecdysterone and want to try it, it's important to choose a quality product. In France, our brand stands out for the quality of our Ecdysterone and formulation to optimise its absorption

This supplement offers an exceptional concentration of 98% ecdysterone, extracted from high-quality Cyanotis arachnoidea, combined with a hydroxypropyl-ß-cyclodextrin complex and black pepper for optimal absorption. 

With 700 mg per capsule and a competitive price, our ecdysterone represents excellent value for money. What's more, it is rigorously laboratory-tested to guarantee its purity and effectiveness. For those looking to increase their strength and muscle mass naturally, our Ecdysterone could be the ideal solution.

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