Ecdysterone

WHAT IS IT?
Beta-Ecdysterone is a naturally occurring phytochemical found in herbs such as Cyanotis vaga. It was first discovered in insects acting as an invertebrate polyhydroxylated sterolic growth hormone. However, it never received much attention because there was no cost-effective way to extract it. It's only recently that companies have developed a way to extract an extremely concentrated form of Beta-Ecdysterone standardised up to 97%.

HOW DOES  WORK?
Beta-Ecdysterone has been tested for its effects on work capacity, immune function, lean body mass and fat loss in a number of scientific studies. The vast majority of research indicates an increase in lean mass. Results were further improved when Beta-Ecdysterone was consumed with protein.

Russian scientists believe that Beta-Ecdysterone leads to a stimulation of protein metabolism, which in turn leads to a positive nitrogen balance in the body. Nitrogen balance is your primary concern when thinking about muscle growth. It is the anabolic effects of protein flooding into muscle cells and the lowering of catabolic effects, where muscle proteins are broken down, lead to a build up of muscle tissue. If you were to think of your muscles like a helium balloon. When you fill a balloon with air, it gets bigger. The same thing happens to your muscles. When they fill with protein, they grow in size. Scientists call this process protein synthesis. Without an increase in protein synthesis, your muscles won’t grow at all. Beta-Ecdysterone has a dramatic and powerful effect on increasing protein synthesis, leading to faster gains in muscle size and strength.

One study by top Russian researchers compared Beta-Ecdysterone with Dianabol, which is an extremely powerful anabolic steroid. The study shows that both Beta-Ecdysterone and Dianabol increased the size and strength of the muscles. Russian research published in the Scientific Sports Bulletin shows similar results. A group of 78 elite athletes were assigned to one of three groups. The first group made no changes to their diet. Group two consumed a high-protein diet. Group three combined a high-protein diet with Beta-Ecdysterone. The group making no changes to their diet lost muscle, while athletes on the high-protein diet showed a slight increase in muscle mass. However, those using protein plus Ecdysterone showed a 6-7% increase in lean muscle tissue with a 10% reduction in fat. These are rather encouraging results for a natural non hormonal altering compound.

There are many different versions of Beta-Ecdysterone. Some are more effective than others. Effective products are those containing at least 50% Beta-Ecdysterone standardised extract. Although products containing this superior form of Beta-Ecdysterone are slightly more expensive than others, they're usually far more effective and make it more likely that you will be able to duplicate the results obtained by the Russian researchers. This means a rapid build up of muscle tissue in response to increased protein synthesis and a lowering of body fat.

HOW MUCH AND WHEN?
Depending on what other nutrients it is taken with, a daily dose of between 40 and 300 milligrams of Beta-Ecdysterone (50% extract or above) has been shown to be highly effective at promoting the growth of lean muscle tissue. No side effects are reported with up to 800 milligrams daily.

Expect to see faster gains in muscle size, with greater recovery between workouts. Several Russian scientists testing Ecdysterone also report that subjects experienced less fatigue, more motivation, and improved strength.

Because of its powerful effect on protein synthesis, Beta-Ecdysterone should be combined with extra protein. It also works well with Methoxyflavone. Some experts believe that Beta-Ecdysterone has a synergistic effect with Tribulus Terrestris. Synergy means that the combination of two or more nutrients may yield better results than any one of those nutrients by itself. However, double-blind placebo controlled studies of this combination have yet to be completed. Still, anecdotal reports from several top Eastern European athletes who have used Beta-Ecdysterone and Tribulus Terrestris remain impressive.