Beta-Ecdysterone – (20-Hydroxyecdysone, Ecdysterone or 20E) is a natural hormone-like substance that controls the molting and metamorphosis process in arthropods. Ecdysterone is the most common hormone in insects, crabs, and other members of the class.
A separate phytoecdysterone, which is present in plants: Cyanotis vaga, Leuzea saflorovidnaya, Yuppie, Suma, Turquoise and others, its function, according to scientists is to suppress the reproduction of insect pests.
Ecdysterone has a biological effect on humans, but there is still a lot of controversy on the subject. Most modern supplements are made from the plant Cyanotis vega and Leuzea saflorovidnaya.
History
Ecdysterone was first studied by the Soviet scientists Syrov and Kurmukov in 1976, revealing its anabolic activity and enhancement of protein synthesis. Then, a similar study was conducted by Chermynkh in 1988, comparing the anabolic activity of Metandrostenolone and ecdysterone, the results were surprising: ecdysterone showed higher activity on the synthesis of contractile proteins, compared to the steroid Metandrostenolone.
Animal studies (rats and Japanese quail) showed that ecdysterone exhibited pronounced anabolic properties. From which it was assumed that ecdysterone could have a similar effect on humans as well In 1998, a Russian scientist evaluated the effectiveness of ecdysterone in combination with a protein diet. The results were positive, with subjects gaining an average of 6-7% lean muscle mass and reducing fat deposits by 10%. Researchers also found that ecdysterone helped lower blood glucose levels without affecting insulin levels. Sugar levels decreased when it was normal and slightly elevated (up to 16 mmol/l) before intake, high levels did not change. Thus, this makes it possible to use ecdysterone in people with type 2 diabetes.
There have also been studies where ecdysterone has shown itself to be an antitumor agent, an adaptogen, and an antioxidant.
Sources of ecdysterone
The main sources of ecdysterone and ecdysteroids are:
Maral root (Rhaponticum carthamoides), Ajuga turkestanica (Ajuga turkestanica), Serratula coronata (Serratula coronata), Suma brazilica (Pfaffia paniculata), and Cyanotis vaga.
Cyanotis vaga is considered poisonous and only highly purified extracts are made from it. This raw material is used in China.
Suma brazilica is an adaptogen on a par with leuzea.
Ecdysteroids are also found in many plants, for example:
- In plants of the genus Silene and the genus Lychnis, family Clove, namely: Silene, Lychnis
- In the plants Strawflower or Achyranthes japonica and Achyranthes aspera.
- In the plant, Mars white (Chenopodium album)
The claimed effects of ecdysterone
- increased protein synthesis
- Increases the supply of protein and glycogen to the muscles.
- Stabilizes blood sugar levels, improving hypoglycemic recovery in lean lifters
- Prevents fat deposition by stabilizing blood sugar and insulin levels
- Lowers blood cholesterol levels
- Stabilizes cell membranes
- beneficial effect on heart rate
- antioxidant effect
- anti-catabolic effect
- cleanses the skin
- increases strength and endurance
- increases lean muscle mass
- reduces fat mass
Manufacturer’s Description
Scientists who have studied ecdysterone have come to incredible conclusions: under the influence of ecdysterone muscle anabolism is increased by 190-200%, which is comparable to injections of Methandrostenolone. So how does ecdysterone work on human muscles? Scientists claim that ecdysterone stimulates protein synthesis in the cytoplasm of muscle cells by accelerating the synthesis of protein chains from amino acids. Ecdysterone is thought to increase the concentration of potassium and calcium ions inside the muscle cell, which in turn causes an increase in DNA, RNA and protein synthesis.
As for side effects, ecdysterone is not only safe but also beneficial! It prevents cortisol from destroying cells and normalizes creatine synthesis. It increases the adaptive capacity of the heart, improves liver function and blood composition! Astonishingly, ecdysterone, being a powerful anabolic, does not suppress testosterone secretion by the body. The same thing happens with growth hormones. Those who have been taking steroids for a long time usually have to take growth hormone injections as well, while even taking ecdysterone for many years not only does not suppress natural somatotropin secretion, but it even increases it! Eckdisteron, unlike steroids, sports physicians recommend taking 30-50 mg daily, but the dose can be increased to 100 mg without any risk of complications – everything depends on your financial possibilities.
In sports, ecdysterone has been used since 1985, and in the former Eastern Bloc countries, the study of ecdysterone effects has been put on a solid scientific basis. Eckdisterone was often given to elite weightlifters for its powerful “steroid” effect. Then they found out about ecdisterone in Europe. It was widely used in the U.S. weightlifting team. Dragomir Charoslan, the head coach of American weightlifters, says: “Our training program is so heavy and serious that there cannot be any useless substances in it. As for ecdysterone, it really increases strength and muscle volume and speeds up recovery. Today ecdysterone is one of the most popular sports supplements in the diets of elite athletes of all countries. “When strength training, ecdysterone is simply indispensable,” is the opinion of the American and internationally renowned athlete consultant coach Jay Schroeder, “it allows athletes to reach a level of fitness that we could only dream of before.”
Objective description
Currently, there is no reliable information about the positive effects and efficacy of supplements that contain ecdysterone, except for information provided by Russian scientists in the last century. Unfortunately, all the research data are not statistically reliable, since the experiments do not meet modern requirements: the presence of a control group, randomization, multicenter and so on, most of them were conducted on animals.
In 2006 an independent study led by Colin D Wilborn was conducted in which athletes took ecdysterone and performed physical activity. The results showed that ecdysterone had no effect on muscle mass gain and did not increase strength or endurance performance with a daily protein intake of up to 1.7 g/kg and an unstable daily caloric intake of up to 40±12 kcal/kg. Short-sighted “sports specialists” like to refer to the above-mentioned study “proving” the ineffectiveness of ecdysterone. But we were not lazy to follow the proposed link and read the study protocols. The study is methodologically and statistically correct, but…The daily doses of ecdysterone taken by athletes were “30 mg”(c). This is 14 times less than the doses that showed pronounced anabolic effects in animals ( 5mg per kg body weight. The control group of men in the study had an “average weight” of 84 kg and had to take ecdysterone in doses comparable to 400 mg/day). This is a classic example of manipulation of the facts. The researchers took doses that were known to be ineffective and they proved them to be ineffective. This study is useless and has no scientific value for objective evaluation of ecdisterone effectiveness.
In 2008, Hungarian scientists conducted a new study in rats, which showed that ecdysterone can affect the number of satellite cells, which later form new muscle cells, as well as increase the size of the muscles. There is also evidence that this drug can increase free testosterone levels by displacing it from binding to SHBG.
Summary: 1. No objective studies of the ineffectiveness of ecdysterone for humans have yet been found. 2. Several objective studies prove ecdysterone to be highly effective in animals. 3. The efficacy of ecdysterone for humans is supported by testimonials and studies that cannot be considered objective because they do not meet the form requirements.
Ecdisterone Doses
Special attention should be paid to the doses of Ecdisterone! In all studies where positive results were obtained, Ecdisterone was used in doses equivalent to 500 mg per day for humans. However, most manufacturers and supplements of Ecdysterone contain several tens of times smaller doses (Ecdysterone B – 2.5 mg, Ecdysterone ACE – 2.5 mg, Ecdysterone MEGA – 2.5, Ecdysten from ThermoLife – 15mg and others). If you see that the dose is below 100mg, then this supplement is completely useless. But recently new supplements with adequate doses have appeared: GeoSteron 20 mg per capsule, EcdySterone from SciFit 300 mg, SyntraEC from Syntrax 275 mg (discontinued), and others.
Most manufacturers recommend taking the supplement after meals or before a workout.
Ecdisterone side effects and harms
Ecdysterone is a natural non-hormonal product that does not affect the metabolism of human sex hormones. Ecdisterone does not cause steroid side effects because it has a different mechanism of action. Eckdisteron is not harmful to the body even in very high doses, reaching several grams. Some people use Eckdisteron in doses over 1000 mg per day, without any side effects or noticeable harm, but physicians do not recommend exceeding the dose of 800 mg per day.
Combination
As noted above, Ecdysterone has a much more pronounced effect when used together with protein, so it is recommended to consume a slow- or fast-acting protein concentrate (whey protein) or gainers at the same time. Also take a vitamin and mineral complex, since the anabolic processes require significantly more vitamins and trace elements. You can add creatine and Tribulus terrestris products to your complex to increase strength and muscle growth.
