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Ecdysterone, strength, hypertrophy and recovery: introduction
Although it is entirely possible to build an athletic, muscular and well-defined physique whilst gaining strength without resorting to doping, a persistent misconception still holds sway today: that performance-enhancing drugs are the only route to improved performance and body composition. This is a completely unfounded misconception!
Thanks to advances in research and nutraceuticals, and assuming that your diet and training are already optimised to meet your goals, several studies have examined this topic. One such study, recently conducted at the Free University of Berlin, suggests that, of all the natural supplements on the market, ecdysterone could be a particularly effective compound for improving strength, hypertrophy and speeding up recovery, without causing the side effects associated with synthetic anabolic steroids.
So, is ecdysterone a steroid? Is it legal? Are there any side effects? Let’s find out together.
What is ecdysterone?
Ecdysterone (also known as beta-ecdysterone or 20-hydroxyecdysone) is an ecdysteroid, a natural hormone found in certain insects and plants, including spinach. It has excellent properties for increasing muscle mass and athletic performance. As a bit of trivia, the term ‘ecdysteroid’ is made up of two parts: ‘ecdy’ refers to ecdysis (the moulting process in insects prior to growth) and ‘steroid’, as it is a compound whose basic structure is a polyhydroxylated ketosteroid.
At the molecular level, ecdysteroids are synthesised from cholesterol (like many hormones) after being metabolised by the liver via cytochrome P450. Ecdysteroids are therefore considered to play an essential role in morphogenesis, the process necessary for tissue development.
But what does this have to do with us? This is where it gets interesting, as this process is not limited to insects. It has been established that humans also possess ecdysteroid receptors which, once activated, can promote various health benefits, including muscle growth and recovery.
What exactly does ecdysterone do?
It has been suggested that its use could offer benefits in human clinical and sporting contexts, particularly for building muscle mass and during periods of stress. Initially, it was thought to be a purely androgenic compound, capable of interacting only with hormones such as testosterone. However, it is interesting to note that the receptor to which ecdysterone binds is specifically the oestrogen receptor beta (ERβ); this, in fact, explains the use of the term ‘beta’ in its name. At first glance, this might seem puzzling, but contrary to popular belief, binding to oestrogen receptors has beneficial effects on health and muscle development.
Although oestrogens have a bad reputation – often unjustifiably, and particularly amongst men – it has been shown that adequate oestrogen levels have a positive influence on the development of muscle mass. Muscle satellite cells, a subclass of stem cells, are largely responsible for muscle repair, growth and hypertrophy. Healthy oestrogen levels can increase the activation and proliferation of these skeletal muscle satellite cells. This activation is mediated specifically by the oestrogen receptor located on skeletal muscle, which, in turn, can activate a range of potential signalling pathways, including the IGF-1 pathway, the NO (nitric oxide) pathway and the PI3K/Akt pathway. These are all important pathways for recovery, for optimal protein synthesis and, consequently, for beneficial muscle growth.
Muscle Mass Pure: the perfect supplement for increasing muscle mass
This is where ECDY PURE PROFESSIONAL comes in. Although it does not act like an anabolic steroid in terms of binding affinity (it is non-androgenic), by providing a good amount of beta-ecdysterone, it optimises muscle protein synthesis and stimulates anabolic signalling pathways.
The benefits of supplementing with ECDY PURE PROFESSIONAL from Tsunami Nutrition
Firstly, its key feature is that it promotes improved muscle growth and optimised athletic performance. Several studies confirm the potential of ecdysterone for muscle growth. A recent study, designed to assess the effects of beta-ecdysterone supplementation on human physical performance, revealed that taking ecdysterone, combined with resistance training, can significantly increase muscle mass and even improve maximum strength performance (per repetition).
Further research has confirmed that supplementation with ecdysterone has a high anabolic rate, meaning it has the potential to further contribute to:
- Stimulation of muscle cell formation (anabolism)
- Protein synthesis
- Bone remodelling
These anabolic effects are mediated by its ability to bind to the oestrogen receptor (ER). As mentioned previously, this is a key factor in regulating the growth, regeneration and increase in skeletal muscle, as well as in ensuring effective immune function: all important factors for both recovery and high-level performance.
On this last point, it is worth noting that ecdysteroid supplementation also appears to provide certain adaptogenic effects capable of supporting the body in the face of stress and pathogens.
This would appear to be confirmed by its role in supporting homeostasis and immune function within the body:
- Increase in the number of red blood cells
- Improved sleep quality
- Improved stress tolerance
- Support for cardiac function and circulation
- Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.
Finally, scientific evidence has also shown that beta-ecdysterone induces skeletal muscle hypertrophy to a similar extent to that of anabolic-androgenic steroids, SARMs and IGF-1. The conclusion of Dr Parr’s 2015 study suggests that this molecule is similar to supplements classified as ‘hardcore’ (e.g. SARMs, prohormones) in terms of its ability to increase strength and muscle mass.
Turning our attention to general health, other research has suggested that supplementation with ecdysterone and other ecdysteroids could offer a variety of other health benefits and clinical applications, such as:
- The treatment of muscle disorders and the prevention of cachexia
- Reducing stress and inflammation
- Support against Alzheimer’s disease, type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome.
Why has BIOPERINE® been included in the ECDY Pure formula?
Bioperine® is a highly renowned, patented black pepper extract, specifically designed to enhance the bioavailability of certain molecules. Given its unique properties and affinity with ecdysterone, here at Tsunami Nutrition we wanted to offer you an innovative product that stands out from the standard offerings on the market. Not only does it provide an ideal amount of beta-ecdysterone, but it also ensures optimal absorption. And so, after extensive research, ECDY Pure Professional was born!
How can you build muscle mass quickly?
Furthermore, the benefits of Bioperine® go beyond simply optimising the product’s absorption and bioavailability: it can help you optimise overall absorption and, potentially, deliver even greater benefits.
Conclusion
Beta-ecdysterone is a type of phytoecdysteroid derived from insects and certain plants such as spinach and quinoa.
Ecdysterone supplements are taken for their performance-enhancing effects, where they can help increase muscle mass, strength and recovery.
Always choosing a high-quality beta-ecdysterone, such as our ECDY Pure Professional, will not only give you the assurance of a safe product, but will make all the difference in helping you achieve your aesthetic goals and improve your performance.
