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Ecdysterone

Ecdysterone was temporarily quite certainly the most googled supplement - hardly any other sports nutrition supplement was searched and found more often on the net in recent years. The number of athletes looking to buy ecdysterone has been immensely high since 2019: ecdysterone and its "twin" turkesterone are among the undisputed best sellers in the fitness scene, alongside creatine. For most users, the expectations they associate with these supplements are also fulfilled, because Ecdysterone and Turkesterone can cause terrific muscle gains in natural athletes. However, some athletes also have sobering experiences. Read here what Ecdysterone is really all about.

Ecdysterone was temporarily quite certainly the most googled supplement - hardly any other sports nutrition supplement was searched and found more often on the net in recent years. The number of... read more »
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Ecdysterone

Ecdysterone was temporarily quite certainly the most googled supplement - hardly any other sports nutrition supplement was searched and found more often on the net in recent years. The number of athletes looking to buy ecdysterone has been immensely high since 2019: ecdysterone and its "twin" turkesterone are among the undisputed best sellers in the fitness scene, alongside creatine. For most users, the expectations they associate with these supplements are also fulfilled, because Ecdysterone and Turkesterone can cause terrific muscle gains in natural athletes. However, some athletes also have sobering experiences. Read here what Ecdysterone is really all about.

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Pure Labs Beta Ecdysterone 60 caps Dose Pure Labs Beta Ecdysterone 60 caps
Content 60 Kapsel(n) (€0.38 * / 1 Kapsel(n))
€22.95 *
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Haya Labs Ecdysterone 100 Kapse Dose Haya Labs Ecdysterone 100 caps
Content 100 Kapsel(n) (€0.30 * / 1 Kapsel(n))
€29.95 *
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GN Laboratories Ecdysterone 60 Kapsel Dose GN Laboratories Ecdysterone 60 caps
Content 60 Kapsel(n) (€0.58 * / 1 Kapsel(n))
€34.95 *
Psycho Pharma Ecdysterone 120 vcaps Psycho Pharma Ecdysterone 120 vcaps
Content 120 Kapsel(n) (€0.50 * / 1 Kapsel(n))
€59.95 *
PEAK Ecdysterone 120 caps PEAK Ecdysterone 120 caps
Content 120 Kapsel(n) (€0.24 * / 1 Kapsel(n))
€28.95 *
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Nutra Innovations Ecdysterone 60 Kapsel Dose Nutra Innovations Ecdysterone 60 caps
Content 60 Kapsel(n) (€0.83 * / 1 Kapsel(n))
€49.95 *
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Chemical Warfare Trident 120 Kapsel Dose Chemical Warfare Trident 120 caps
Content 120 Kapsel(n) (€0.42 * / 1 Kapsel(n))
€49.90 *
Project X Ecdysterone 60 Kapsel Dose Project X Ecdysterone 60 caps
Content 60 Kapsel(n) (€1.00 * / 1 Kapsel(n))
€59.95 *
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Pure Labs Beta Ecdysterone 60 caps Dose
Pure Labs Beta Ecdysterone 60 caps
Content 60 Kapsel(n) (€0.38 * / 1 Kapsel(n))
€22.95 *
Ausverkauft
Haya Labs Ecdysterone 100 Kapse Dose
Haya Labs Ecdysterone 100 caps
Content 100 Kapsel(n) (€0.30 * / 1 Kapsel(n))
€29.95 *
Ausverkauft
GN Laboratories Ecdysterone 60 Kapsel Dose
GN Laboratories Ecdysterone 60 caps
Content 60 Kapsel(n) (€0.58 * / 1 Kapsel(n))
€34.95 *
Psycho Pharma Ecdysterone 120 vcaps
Psycho Pharma Ecdysterone 120 vcaps
Content 120 Kapsel(n) (€0.50 * / 1 Kapsel(n))
€59.95 *
PEAK Ecdysterone 120 caps
PEAK Ecdysterone 120 caps
Content 120 Kapsel(n) (€0.24 * / 1 Kapsel(n))
€28.95 *
Ausverkauft
Nutra Innovations Ecdysterone 60 Kapsel Dose
Nutra Innovations Ecdysterone 60 caps
Content 60 Kapsel(n) (€0.83 * / 1 Kapsel(n))
€49.95 *
Ausverkauft
Chemical Warfare Trident 120 Kapsel Dose
Chemical Warfare Trident 120 caps
Content 120 Kapsel(n) (€0.42 * / 1 Kapsel(n))
€49.90 *
Project X Ecdysterone 60 Kapsel Dose
Project X Ecdysterone 60 caps
Content 60 Kapsel(n) (€1.00 * / 1 Kapsel(n))
€59.95 *
Weider Beta-Ecdysterone 150 caps
Weider Beta-Ecdysterone 150 caps
Content 150 Kapsel(n) (€0.30 * / 1 Kapsel(n))
€44.95 *
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Everbuild Nutrition Ecdysterone 90 Kapsel Dose
Everbuild Nutrition Ecdysterone 90 caps
Content 100 Kapsel(n) (€0.30 * / 1 Kapsel(n))
€29.95 *
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Krause Hof Ecdysterone 90 caps
Krause Hof Ecdysterone 90 caps
Content 90 Kapsel(n) (€0.33 * / 1 Kapsel(n))
€29.95 *
MST Nutrition Beta Ecdysterone 240 Kapseln Dose
MST Nutrition Beta Ecdysterone
Content 120 Kapsel(n) (€0.22 * / 1 Kapsel(n))
From €26.75 *

Ecdysterone: A steroid for natural athletes

What is Ecdysterone?

Ecdysterone is a natural steroid. More precisely: an ecdysteroid. Ecdysteroids occur as secondary constituents in numerous plant species and as hormones in insects, spiders and crustaceans. While their function in plants is not yet clearly understood (they are thought to play a role in defense against pests), their action in crustaceans is known: They cause the initiation of the molting phase and also influence reproduction. 

To date, about 200 different ecdysteroids have been scientifically probed. Most of them have no significance for vertebrates and for humans, because there are no ecdysteroid receptors in their organism. Nevertheless, two ecdysteroids also play a role for humans: turkesterone and ecdysterone. Both are chemically very similar in structure, differing only marginally (unlike ecdysterone, turkesterone has a side-chain modification of its chemical structure). And according to studies, both promote protein biosynthesis - in other words, muscle building!

History of Ecdysterone 

The existence of ecdysteroids has been known to science since the 1980s, and since that time there has been research looking at the effect of ecdysteroids on human metabolism. In the former Soviet Union, beta-ecdysterone was shown in studies to have a performance-enhancing effect, whereupon ecdysterone became a key substance in Soviet athlete supplementation. Later studies repeatedly confirmed the anabolic effect (e.g. Syrov [2000]: "Comparative experimental investigation of the anabolic activity of phytoecdysteroids and steranabols", Pharmaceutical Chemistry Journal), but since ecdysterone could only be extracted from plants at great expense, the substance was not initially of interest to the supplement industry. This changed in the 2010s: New processes made it possible to obtain ecdysterone at low cost - and so ecdysterone once again became the focus of sports nutrition research. Then, in 2019, a study by the FU Berlin, reported in the German Medical Journal, caused a stir: it showed that ecdysterone, even as a low-dose supplement (<50 mg), promotes strength gains. WADA, which was involved in the study, then considered adding ecdysterone in all versions (as beta-ecdysterone or 20-hydroxyecdysone and as turkesterone) to the list of banned substances. So far, however, it has not done so. One of the reasons for WADA's reluctance in this matter could be the fact that ecdysterone is found in various vegetables (including spinach), and athletes would get to a high enough dosage just by eating large quantities of vegetables. Ecdysterone is therefore not declared as a doping agent.

Effect of Ecdysterone

Only a strength-increasing effect has been proven or documented by studies; according to the experience of users, ecdysterone is also said to 

  • promote muscle growth, 
  • improve muscle recovery after training 
  • accelerate fat loss and 
  • strengthen the immune system. 

Opinions differ as to how strong these effects are in each case. Some athletes report a steroid-like building effect, others a rather mild effect, similar to a vitamin B12 cure. Especially in terms of strength increase, the results are very different. It is remarkable, however, that even athletes who have been training for years were still able to achieve increases with ecdysterone. However, it should not be concealed that some users also noticed no effect. As with creatine, there seems to be a small group of "non-responders" who do not benefit from supplementation.

The "catch": This is why some athletes doubt ecdysterone.

Despite the scientific evidence of ecdysterone's effectiveness, some bodybuilders declare that they would never buy ecdysterone. The main reason for their doubts: people do not have ecdysteroid receptors. That the 2019 study nevertheless demonstrated strength increases associated with ecdysterone supplementation may also have been due to the study's flawed design; moreover, the strength increases were not dramatic (8.5 to 9.5 kg in the bench press; squats showed no significant increase). It is also not entirely clear through which receptors ecdysterone actually acts in the human organism. Wikipedia states that "non-specific effects through activation of other nuclear receptors are discussed." There is also the theory that ecdysterone blocks the protein myostatin, which slows down muscle growth in the human body. Ecdysterone would thus not have a direct building effect, but rather a "freeing" effect.

Side effects of ecdysterone 

Since ecdysteroids do not affect the gonadal regulatory circuit in the body (i.e. the sex hormone balance), they do not have any of the known anabolic steroid side effects. In men, they do not suppress endogenous testosterone production, promote prostate growth, or endanger heart health. In women, they do not produce masculinization symptoms. To date, there are virtually no known side effects at all.

Differences between ecdysterone and turkesterone 

Ecdysterone, which is also called "20-hydroxyecdysone" or "beta-ecdysterone", is a phyto-ecdysteroid just like turkesterone. Of all known phyto-ecdysteroids, 20-hydroxyecdysone and turkesterone are the most biologically active. The main differences between them are as follows: 

Ecdysterone (20-hydroxyecdysone / beta-ecdysterone)
Turkesterone
  • Effect in humans proven by studies.
  • Effect on humans not proven by studies (there were only animal experiments and in vitro studies). 
  • Primarily extracted from Cyanotis Arachnoidea, a plant of the Commelina family native to southern China. In some products, the base is also spinate extract.
  • Obtained primarily from Ajuga Turkestanica, a thistle-like plant that grows in southern Siberia, Kazakhstan, Bulgaria, and Central Asia. 

 

  • Often not standardized; for standardized products, standardization varies from 5% to 95% depending on plant species.
  • Usually standardized to 10%. 
  • Probably has a slightly weaker anabolic effect than Turkesterone - although this is only an assumption. 
  • Probably has a slightly stronger anabolic effect than beta-ecdysterone - although this is only an assumption (animal studies with rats suggest this). 

Which foods contain ecdysterone? 

As mentioned above, ecdysterone is found in spinach, among other foods. The ecdysterone content in spinach leaves is between 5% and 10%, depending on the growth phase of the plant. To reach a dose of 80 mg per day - doses in this range have been used in most human studies - an athlete would therefore have to consume at least 800 g of spinach per day. Although it is perfectly possible for an adult human to consume such amounts, this seems impractical. Other foods that contain ecdysterone include white mushrooms, asparagus, quinoa, and yams; however, they do not contain more of the active ingredient per 100 g than spinach. Those who want to give ecdysterone a chance should therefore rely on appropriate supplements - i.e. ecdysterone capsules or ecdysterone powder - and buy concentrated ecdysterone.

Intake and dosage 

How much ecdysterone is needed daily if you want to achieve a noticeable muscle-building effect? Most Russian studies used 80-120 mg per day, with the 2019 study using even lower dosages (6 mg to just under 50 mg). Manufacturers' recommendations are usually at least 150 mg per day. There are also much higher-dose products, such as Ecdysterone from Nutra Innovations, which provides 250 mg per capsule.

Buy Ecdysterone: What should you look for? 

Ecdysterone or 20-hydroxyecdysone products are available from numerous manufacturers, including Pure Labs, Project X and Weider . The best known is probably the product from PEAK, as this was used in the 2019 trial. Anyone who wants to buy ecdysterone should pay particular attention to the active ingredient content per capsule. This is not the same as the respective plant extract amount, because depending on the plant, the ecdysterone content in the extract can be higher or lower. The standardization is therefore decisive: it indicates the percentage of effective ecdysterone contained in an extract. The actual amount of active ingredient can then be calculated (if it is not indicated on the label). For example, at the manufacturer PEAK, each capsule contains 2,000 mg of spinach extract standardized to 5% ecdysterone content - so the amount of active ingredient per capsule is 100 mg. GN Laboratories' Ecdysterone provides only 300 mg of Cyotis arachnoidea root extract per capsule, but these are standardized to 80% ecdysterone content - so the active ingredient amount is 240 mg.

FAQs 

  1. Is Ecdysterone legal? 
  2. How long should you use ecdysterone? 
  3. Which is better - ecdysterone or turkesterone? 
  4. Can you combine ecdysterone with creatine? 
  5. How much muscle gain can I expect from ecdysterone? 

Is Ecdysterone legal?

Yes. Ecdysterone is freely available and not subject to any quantity restrictions. The fact that ecdysterone is chemically a steroid does not matter (not all steroids are banned or prescription substances). Ecdysterone is also not a doping substance. 

How long should one use ecdysterone? 

Experience has shown that it takes about 4 weeks for an effect to become noticeable in terms of muscle growth or strength development. Most users take ecdysterone in phases: A phase of 6 to 8 weeks is followed by a break of the same length, then the next cycle begins. 

Which is better - ecdysterone or turkesterone? 

There is no general answer to this question - basically they are the same active ingredient. Turkesterone has a slightly different molecular structure and has shown a slightly better anabolic effect in animal studies; however, there are no corresponding human studies comparing ecdysterone and turkesterone. Some athletes swear by ecdysterone, others by turkesterone. 

Can ecdysterone be combined with creatine? 

There is nothing at all against combining the two most effective legal substances for enhancing athletic performance. In fact, there are already combination products available on the market - but whether it makes sense to combine both substances in one capsule product remains to be seen (after all, this means that you cannot then dose the two active ingredients independently of each other). Since both ecdysterone and creatine are usually taken in short or phased doses over several weeks, followed by a longer break, the two supplements can also be taken alternately - e.g. ecdysterone for 6 weeks, then creatine for 6 weeks, then ecdysterone again for 6 weeks, and so on. This way, as a natural athlete, you would have support from a strong anabolic [legal] substance at all times. 

How much muscle gain can I expect from ecdysterone? 

The amount of muscle gain you can expect depends on a number of factors - first and foremost, of course, how much and how well you eat within your ecdysterone intake phase. (Those who follow a strict 2,000-kcal diet parallel to their ecdysterone regimen will probably end up with no muscle gain at all). You also can't compare the effects of ecdysterone to the effects of extreme muscle-builder products like prohormones or SARMs: While an 8-week prohormone regimen may well yield muscle gains in the range of 2 to 4 kg, an equally long ecdysterone application will yield half that at best, perhaps even less. On the other hand, eceysterone is in no way harmful to health - and you can repeat the application at any time without hesitation.

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