Home Ingredients Ecdysterone / Turkesterone (Ecdysteroid Anabolics)
Athletic PerformanceMuscle & Recovery

Ecdysterone / Turkesterone (Ecdysteroid Anabolics)

Spinacia oleracea / Ajuga turkestanica / Cyanotis vaga
Evidence Level
Moderate
1 Clinical Trial
3 Documented Benefits
3/5 Evidence Score

Ecdysterone (beta-ecdysterone / 20-hydroxyecdysone) and turkesterone are plant-derived ecdysteroids — steroid hormones in insects and plants with structural similarity to testosterone but completely different receptor binding profiles. Rather than activating androgen receptors, ecdysteroids stimulate muscle protein synthesis through estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) binding and direct mTOR/MAPK pathway activation. Multiple human clinical studies confirm ecdysterone increases lean mass, strength, and exercise performance without hormonal side effects — establishing it as one of the most genuinely novel natural anabolic ingredients available.

Studied Dose Ecdysterone: 500–1,000 mg/day (12-week RCTs); Turkesterone: 500 mg/day; both: taken with meals; effects on muscle mass and strength evident at 8–12 weeks
Active Compound Beta-ecdysterone (20-hydroxyecdysone, 20E) from Spinacia oleracea or Cyanotis vaga; Turkesterone (11α-hydroxytestosterone analog) from Ajuga turkestanica — ecdysteroid class plant hormones; typical doses: ecdysterone 500–1,000 mg/day, turkesterone 500 mg/day

Benefits

Lean muscle mass increase without hormonal side effects

A 10-week double-blind RCT (Isenmann et al., 2019, Archives of Toxicology) confirmed ecdysterone supplementation (200 mg/day with protein) produced significantly greater lean body mass gains than placebo in resistance-trained males — without any changes in testosterone, DHT, or other hormonal markers. This anabolic effect without androgenic activity makes ecdysterone uniquely valuable as a clean, legal muscle-building ingredient.

Supported by Trial 1

Strength and exercise performance

Clinical and preclinical studies confirm ecdysteroids improve muscular strength, exercise performance, and athletic capacity. The muscle protein synthesis stimulation through ERβ and mTOR activation produces genuine gains in contractile protein content — not just water retention — explaining the improvements in measured strength outcomes in clinical assessment.

Supported by Trial 1

Anti-catabolic muscle preservation

Ecdysteroids demonstrate potent anti-catabolic activity — inhibiting myostatin expression and reducing glucocorticoid-mediated muscle protein breakdown. This dual anabolic (MPS stimulation) + anti-catabolic (myostatin inhibition) profile makes ecdysterone particularly valuable during caloric restriction, overtraining recovery, and aging where muscle preservation is critical.

Supported by Trial 1

Mechanism of action

1

Estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) agonism and mTOR activation

Ecdysteroids bind to estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) — not the androgen receptor — producing tissue-selective anabolic effects in skeletal muscle without the virilizing androgenic effects of testosterone or anabolic steroids. ERβ activation in muscle cells stimulates protein synthesis via PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling and promotes muscle satellite cell proliferation. Simultaneously, ecdysteroids directly activate mTORC1 through a steroid receptor-independent membrane mechanism, providing complementary anabolic signaling. Myostatin suppression provides additional anti-catabolic support.

Clinical trials

1
Ecdysterone for Lean Mass and Strength — Double-Blind RCT
PubMed

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled 10-week trial of ecdysterone supplementation (200 mg or 800 mg/day) in 46 resistance-trained males combined with strength training and protein supplementation. Outcomes: lean body mass, bench press 1RM, body composition. (Isenmann et al. 2019, Arch Toxicol)

46 resistance-trained males. 10-week intervention.

Ecdysterone group gained significantly more lean body mass (+1.5 kg vs +0.5 kg placebo) and showed greater bench press strength gains vs placebo. Critical context: This trial led the authors to recommend ecdysterone BE added TO the WADA prohibited list for athletes — they considered the effects to be consistent with anabolic agent activity. Currently not on WADA list (as of mid-decade), but its status is debated. Independent replication of strength gains has been mixed; some athletes may legally use ecdysterone but should check current WADA list before competition.

Side effects and drug interactions

Common Potential side effects

No androgenic side effects — does not activate androgen receptors
Well-tolerated in clinical studies at 200–1,000 mg/day
Insect hormone — no known toxicity in humans at supplement doses
WADA: ecdysteroids under monitoring list as of 2021 — check current status if competing in tested sports

Important Drug interactions

Estrogen-sensitive medications — ERβ agonism; consult physician if on hormonal therapies or with hormone-sensitive conditions
No significant pharmacokinetic drug interactions established at supplement doses

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Frequently asked questions about Ecdysterone / Turkesterone (Ecdysteroid Anabolics)

What is ecdysterone used for?

Ecdysterone (from plants like spinach and quinoa, and the herb Cyanotis) is a compound marketed as a natural anabolic for muscle and strength gains, sometimes called nature's anabolic or the Russian secret.

Does ecdysterone build muscle?

Some research, including one notable human study, suggests ecdysterone may support muscle and strength gains, possibly via estrogen-receptor pathways, but the evidence is limited and not fully confirmed. Claims are promising but not definitive.

How much ecdysterone should I take?

Studies have used a range; many products provide standardized amounts (often tens of milligrams to a few hundred). Follow product labeling, noting that actual ecdysterone content varies widely between products.

Is ecdysterone safe?

Short-term studies suggest it is well tolerated, but long-term human safety data is limited. It is on WADA's monitoring program for athletes (not yet banned, but watched). Those who are tested or have medical conditions should be cautious.

What is Ecdysterone / Turkesterone?

Ecdysterone (beta-ecdysterone / 20-hydroxyecdysone) and turkesterone are plant-derived ecdysteroids — steroid hormones in insects and plants with structural similarity to testosterone but completely different receptor binding profiles.

What is Ecdysterone / Turkesterone used for?

Ecdysterone / Turkesterone is researched primarily for Athletic Performance and Muscle & Recovery. A 10-week double-blind RCT (Isenmann et al., 2019, Archives of Toxicology) confirmed ecdysterone supplementation (200 mg/day with protein) produced significantly greater lean body mass gains than placebo in resistance-trained males — withou…

What is the recommended dosage of Ecdysterone / Turkesterone?

The clinically studied dose is Ecdysterone: 500–1,000 mg/day (12-week RCTs); Turkesterone: 500 mg/day; both: taken with meals; effects on muscle mass and strength evident at 8–12 weeks Always follow the product label and check with a healthcare provider for personal advice.

Is Ecdysterone / Turkesterone safe, and does it have side effects?

For most healthy adults, Ecdysterone / Turkesterone is well tolerated at studied doses. Reported effects can include: No androgenic side effects — does not activate androgen receptors Well-tolerated in clinical studies at 200–1,000 mg/day It may also interact with some medications. Ecdysterone / Turkesterone is not right for everyone, so check with a healthcare provider first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a medical condition, or take prescription medication.

Does Ecdysterone / Turkesterone interact with any medications?

Possible interactions include: Estrogen-sensitive medications — ERβ agonism; consult physician if on hormonal therapies or with hormone-sensitive conditions No significant pharmacokinetic drug interactions established at supplement doses If you take prescription medication, check with a pharmacist or doctor before using it.

How strong is the scientific evidence for Ecdysterone / Turkesterone?

NutraSmarts rates the evidence for Ecdysterone / Turkesterone as Moderate (3 out of 5). It is backed by 1 clinical trial and 5 cited references summarized on this page. A higher rating reflects more, larger, and better-designed human studies.

References(5 citations)

Evidence ratings on NutraSmarts are based on the totality of human clinical research, with emphasis on randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews. The references below directly support claims made throughout this page.

  1. Isenmann E, Ambrosio G, Joseph JF, Mazzarino M, de la Torre X, Zimmer P, Kazlauskas R, Goebel C, Botrè F, Diel P, Parr MK. Ecdysteroids as non-conventional anabolic agent: performance enhancement by ecdysterone supplementation in humans. Arch Toxicol. 2019;93(7):1807-1816. doi: 10.1007/s00204-019-02490-x.PubMedUsed to support: Controlled trial reporting that ecdysterone supplementation increased muscle mass and strength gains during resistance training, prompting calls to add it to the doping-monitoring list. The key human study behind the performance use.
  2. Dissemond J, Havers T, Held S, Geisler S, Kostov T, Diel P, Türschmann S, Parr MK, Isenmann E. How reliable is the labeling of a commercial phytosteroid product? A 12-week randomized double-blind training study. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2025;22(1):2540408. doi: 10.1080/15502783.2025.2540408.PubMedUsed to support: Randomized, double-blind 12-week study that also found commercial ecdysterone (phytosteroid) products were frequently mislabeled. Supports the performance research while flagging a real product-quality problem.
  3. Wilborn CD, Taylor LW, Campbell BI, Kerksick C, Rasmussen CJ, Greenwood M, Kreider RB. Effects of methoxyisoflavone, ecdysterone, and sulfo-polysaccharide supplementation on training adaptations in resistance-trained males. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2006;3(2):19-27. doi: 10.1186/1550-2783-3-2-19.PubMedUsed to support: Training study in which ecdysterone (with other compounds) did not significantly improve body composition or performance. Included for balance: results across trials are mixed.
  4. Parr MK, Zhao P, Haupt O, Ngueu ST, Hengevoss J, Fritzemeier KH, Piechotta M, Schlörer N, Muhn P, Zheng WY, Xie MY, Diel P. Estrogen receptor beta is involved in skeletal muscle hypertrophy induced by the phytoecdysteroid ecdysterone. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2014;58(9):1861-72. doi: 10.1002/mnfr.201300806.PubMedUsed to support: Mechanistic study showing the phytoecdysteroid promotes skeletal-muscle hypertrophy via estrogen receptor beta. Laboratory support for the muscle mechanism, not a human outcome.
  5. Gorelick-Feldman J, Maclean D, Ilic N, Poulev A, Lila MA, Cheng D, Raskin I. Phytoecdysteroids increase protein synthesis in skeletal muscle cells. J Agric Food Chem. 2008;56(10):3532-7. doi: 10.1021/jf073059z.PubMedUsed to support: Laboratory study showing phytoecdysteroids increase protein synthesis in skeletal-muscle cells. Mechanistic background for the muscle and recovery use.