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Ecdysterone 20-Hydroxy — SacredBod supplement bottle (illustrative)
Supplement · Muscle & Performance

Ecdysterone 20-Hydroxy

500 mg · vegan · gluten-free · 60 caps

Low muscle massWeaknessHigh cholesterolPoor exercise recoverySarcopenia MusclesHeartLiverBlood
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Overview Stacks Timing Related Research FAQs

What it is

Ecdysterone (20-hydroxyecdysone, 20HE) is a phytoecdysteroid found in spinach, quinoa, and the roots of Rhaponticum carthamoides. It is structurally similar to insect molting hormones but acts on mammalian cells through estrogen receptor beta and PI3K/Akt pathways to stimulate protein synthesis. WADA added it to their monitoring program in 2020 due to reported performance-enhancing effects.

How it works

Ecdysterone increases protein synthesis in skeletal muscle cells by up to 20% through activation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and interaction with estrogen receptor beta (non-androgenic). It enhances ATP synthesis in muscles, reduces plasma cholesterol, promotes red blood cell production, and decreases triglyceride lipase activity. Unlike anabolic steroids, it does not suppress endogenous testosterone or affect the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis.

Who should take it

Athletes and bodybuilders seeking natural muscle growth, individuals recovering from muscle loss (sarcopenia), those wanting cholesterol reduction, and anyone interested in non-hormonal anabolic support. Popular among natural bodybuilders and strength athletes.

Avoid / careful

People competing in WADA-tested sports (monitoring program status), those with estrogen-sensitive cancers (theoretical ER-beta interaction, though non-genomic). Side effects: Extremely safe. The LD50 in mice exceeds 9 g/kg orally. No androgenic side effects (no hair loss, gynecomastia, or testicular shutdown). May cause mild stomach upset at very high doses.

When to take it

Morning
Noon
Evening
Night

How to take it

With food
Empty stomach
Before food

FAQs

Frequently asked

How long before I see muscle results?
Strength improvements may appear within 2–4 weeks. Visible muscle mass changes require 8–12 weeks combined with resistance training and adequate protein intake (1.6–2.2 g/kg body weight).
Is it safe to take daily?
Yes. Ecdysterone has an exceptionally high safety margin. Rat studies showed no adverse effects at 500 mg/kg/day for 3 months. It does not suppress natural testosterone or cause liver stress.
Will it show up on a drug test?
Ecdysterone is NOT currently on the WADA prohibited list — it is on the monitoring program only. However, athletes in tested competitions should check current WADA updates as status can change. It is not detectable on standard steroid panels.

In plain English

A plain-English read of the literature behind this supplement. Not a clinical recommendation.

Key citations: PMC11085066 (Ecdysterone & Turkesterone review — sport nutrition, 2024), PMC11547563 (Phytoecdysteroids on gastric smooth muscles, 2024), Gorelick-Feldman 2008 (Protein synthesis increased 20% in muscle cells, J Agric Food Chem)

Editorial notes

SacredBod's longer take on Ecdysterone 20-Hydroxy — context the structured blocks above don't capture.

Ecdysterone is the most exciting natural muscle-building compound to emerge in decades — a spinach-derived molecule that increases protein synthesis by 20% without touching your hormones. No testosterone suppression. No liver toxicity. No androgenic side effects. And yet WADA added it to their monitoring program in 2020 because the performance gains were too significant to ignore.

What the Research Shows

The landmark 2008 study by Gorelick-Feldman et al. (J. Agric. Food Chem.) found that phytoecdysteroids increased protein synthesis by up to 20% in both murine C2C12 and human primary myotubes. In vivo, rats given 50 mg/kg ecdysterone or 1,000 mg/kg spinach extract showed improved grip strength comparable to those given methandrostenolone (Dianabol) — but without the androgenic side effects.

A 2019 human study by Isenmann et al. gave 46 resistance-trained men either ecdysterone (200 mg/day) or placebo for 10 weeks. The ecdysterone group gained significantly more muscle mass and strength, with no adverse effects on liver, kidney, or hormone markers. This remains the most important human trial to date.

A 2024 comprehensive review (PMC11085066) confirmed that ecdysterone is non-toxic to mammals (LD50 > 9 g/kg orally in mice), does not affect the endocrine system, and provides benefits including faster adaptation, stress reduction, antioxidant defense, joint cartilage protection, and neuroprotection.

India Context

  • Availability: GREENDORSE, VITARUHE, and Humming Herbs offer ecdysterone capsules on Amazon India. Most products combine it with turkesterone for synergistic effect.
  • Price: ₹800–₹1,500 for 60 capsules
  • Dietary source: Indians consume ecdysterone through spinach (palak), quinoa, and ajwain seeds — but dietary amounts are negligible compared to supplemental doses.
  • WADA status: Indian athletes should note that ecdysterone is on WADA’s monitoring program, meaning it could be added to the prohibited list in future updates.

Dosage & Safety

  • Standard dose: 500 mg daily with food
  • Performance dose: 200–500 mg daily (based on human trial)
  • Best time: Morning with breakfast, pre-workout on training days
  • Critical caution: Very safe. No hormonal suppression. No liver toxicity. WADA monitoring program status means competitive athletes should stay updated on prohibited list changes.
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