Ecdysterone or ecdisthene

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Sports nutrition that contains phytoecdysterone is produced under the name Ecdysterone (as well as Ecdisten). This substance is found in plants such as safflower leuzea, Turkestan tenacious and Brazilian ginseng. Basically, all modern dietary supplements are based on the first one.

Ecdysterone is believed to have biological effects in humans. But in scientific circles there is heated debate on this issue and there is no clear opinion yet about the effectiveness of drugs on this basis. Available objective studies confirm the positive effects, but all of them were conducted on animals. There is no evidence of any effect of ecdysterone on libido or the ability to have an erection. However, since the product is relatively safe, it can be used as a nutritional supplement for athletes if the athlete himself feels improvements and shows good results.

Claimed properties and grounds for purpose

Manufacturers talk about the following properties of the additive:

• Increased protein synthesis.
• Maintaining normal nitrogen balance in muscle tissue.
• Improving the functioning of the central nervous system, especially increasing the speed and efficiency of axonal responses leading to striated cells.
• Accumulation of protein and glycogen in muscles.
• Stabilization of glucose and insulin levels in the blood.
• Reducing fatigue during training.
• Reducing cholesterol levels in the blood.
• Stabilization of heart rate.
• Skin cleansing
• Increased strength and endurance.
• Increase in “lean” muscle mass.
• Fat burning.
• Antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties.

According to manufacturers, the use of ecdisten is advisable for:

• asthenia of various origins, including those associated with overwork;
• asthenodepressive states that arise against the background of impaired protein synthesis;
• long-term intoxication;
• severe or prolonged infection;
• neuroses and neurasthenia;
• chronic fatigue syndrome;
• dysfunctions of the cardiovascular system.

Properties of Ecdisten

As we said above, the drug has a steroid structure and for this reason the mechanism of its effect on the body is similar to AAS.
The active ingredient of the drug interacts with cellular receptors and, after entering the cell, activates the production of nucleic acid, which is responsible for the synthesis of protein structures. This makes it possible to use Ecdisten for weight gain in bodybuilding. Among the most significant properties of the drug, the following should be highlighted:

• Maintains a positive nitrogen balance;
• Increases the performance of the central nervous system;
• Increases the level of protein structures and glycogen in muscle tissue;
• Reduces sugar levels and, as a result, insulin, which prevents the increase in fat mass;
• Shifts the cholesterol balance towards high-density lipoproteins;
• Powerful antioxidant effect;
• Reduces fatigue levels.

As you can see from the described properties of the drug, Ecdisten can be very useful for athletes.
We also note that the drug has already been studied well enough to make this claim. During the experiments, the effect of the drug on human performance, immunity, lipolysis and muscle mass was studied. Back in 1988, it was found that the drug increases the synthesis of protein structures in the liver and shifts the nitrogen balance in a positive direction. As you know, nitrogen directly affects muscle mass gain.

It is also known that Ecdysterone (Ecdisten) helps reduce urea concentrations and enhances erythropoiesis, which is the main reason for the increase in anabolic levels when using the drug.

The studies of the effect of the drug on the rate of gaining high-quality muscle mass were quite interesting. All subjects were divided into three groups. Representatives of the first used a placebo, the second - only protein supplements, the third - Ecdisten together with Protein. It was the representatives of the latter group who showed the best results. They were able to add about 6 percent in muscle mass while losing 10 percent of fat.

Encouraging results were also obtained when studying the effects of Ecdisten on endurance and performance. The use of the drug caused an improvement in the quality of oxygen supply to tissues, which led to an increase in all physical indicators of athletes.

Also, another fairly large-scale study was conducted in our country. According to its results, just five days after starting to use the drug, athletes became less tired during training and improved their physical performance.

What is actually known about Ecdysterone?

There is still no concrete data on whether supplements containing ecdysterone actually have a positive effect on the athlete’s body. The only confirmed information was provided by Soviet scientists in the mid and late 20th century. The anabolic activity of ecdysterone and its ability to enhance protein synthesis were revealed. In 1998, the effectiveness of the substance in combination with a protein diet was assessed, the study also showed good results, namely, the experimental subjects gained about 7% of lean muscle mass and got rid of 10% of fat. Other experiments were conducted that showed the antitumor, antioxidant and some other properties of ecdysterone.

However, despite the positive results of these studies, they cannot be considered statistically reliable. The fact is that they do not meet modern standards, namely the control group, randomization (i.e. random selection), etc. Moreover, the bulk of the experiments were carried out on animals.

Relatively recently, in 2006, a new study was conducted, which involved taking ecdysterone and simultaneous physical activity. According to the results of this experiment, it turned out that the supplement had no effect on muscle growth, endurance or strength. Many “experts” refer specifically to this study. But is this reasonable? The experimental protocols record that the subjects took only 30 mg of ecdysterone per day, which is 14 times less than the doses that showed an anabolic effect in animals. While the control group of men weighing 84 kilograms had to take a daily dose of at least 400 mg. Therefore, this study is useless and has no scientific value.

Another experiment was conducted in 2008 on rats. He showed that ecdysterone affects the number of satellite cells, from which muscle cells are subsequently formed.

From all that has been said, the following conclusions can be drawn:

1. For all this time, not a single objective study has been conducted that would show how ecdysterone actually affects humans.
2. Experiments conducted at the end of the last century and the beginning of this prove that the substance is effective in relation to animals.

Ecdysterone Mega 3000

Ecdysterone from Fitness Formula is a natural steroid compound, an alternative to the use of prohibited doping substances. Effectively increases performance and changes body composition towards the predominance of the muscle component FitnessFormula EcdySterone: quality and doping safety. For the production of FitnessFormula EcdySterone, ecdysterone (CAS: 5289-74-7) with a purity of more than 98% is used. Identification of ecdysterone as a compound and quantitative control are carried out by NMR spectrometry. The quality and safety of FitnessFormula EcdySterone 3000, including the absence of doping substances, is guaranteed by the manufacturer. is the official supplier of ecdysterone for the Ministry of Sports of the Republic of Belarus. At the request of consumers, the company provides a test report to the National Anti-Doping Laboratory.

Ecdysterone is an alternative to anabolic steroids. Ecdysterone (synonyms and related compounds: 20-hydroxyecdysone, 20-beta-hydroxyecdysterone, turkesterone, ponasterone, ecdysone, ecdisthene, etc.) belongs to natural steroid compounds of the ecdysteroid class. Another class of phytosteroids is also known - brassinosteroids. Steroids are widely represented in the plant world. Compounds related to plant steroids are also found in living organisms. Moreover, the existence of a certain universality of the action of steroids has been shown: synthetic analogues of human steroids are capable of exerting a regulatory effect on plant objects, and vice versa, plant steroids can be effective in regulating the functions of the human body, incl. in improving performance. Thus, highly purified plant steroids, or their synthetic analogues, identical to natural ones, are an alternative to the use of doping substances in elite sports.

Biological effects of ecdysterone: According to numerous tests, ecdysterone has the following main biological effects: • increases physical performance, speed-strength indicators and endurance; • stimulates metabolism and has a tonic effect; • reduces the fat component of body weight; • enhances protein synthesis, incl. stimulating protein synthesis in nervous tissue, and increases the total content of protein, glycogen, ATP and creatine phosphate in muscles; • suppresses hypoglycemia by stabilizing the level of glucose and insulin in the blood, thereby stopping the production of fat; • activates the inclusion of glycogen in protein tissues such as liver and muscles; • promotes the transport of nutrients to muscles and organ tissues, stimulating muscle growth and recovery; • has a powerful cholesterol-lowering effect; • stabilizes cell membranes; • has a powerful antioxidant effect; • improves the oxygen transport function of blood; • has an anti-inflammatory effect, helps strengthen bone tissue and joints; • is an anti-catabolic agent, which is associated with the prevention of high cortisol levels; • increases potency in men.

It should be noted that the presented effects of ecdysterone were recorded in studies with high purity drugs.

How it works? Research into the molecular mechanisms of ecdysterone action began relatively long ago (in the 80s of the last century). However, in recent years, new effective test methods have become available to experimenters, allowing them to reveal in more detail the mechanisms of action of this plant steroid. In particular, in one of the experiments (Parr ea, 2014) it was shown that ecdysterone increases the size of muscle fibers, the concentration of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in the blood serum and reduces the concentration of corticosterone and 17β-estradiol (E2). The results also indicate that estrogen receptor beta (ERβ), but not estrogen receptor alpha, mediates the anabolic effects of ecdysterone. A study by Velders M. et al (2012) also showed that ecdysterone, through estrogen receptor beta, is involved in the regulation of skeletal muscle growth and regeneration, stimulating anabolic pathways, activating satellite cells and modulating the body's immune response. Data from endocrinologists at the University of Göttingen (Germany), published in J.Steroid. Biochem. Mol. Biol. (2010) showed that even low doses of ecdysterone (in human terms - up to 100 mg per day) not only increased the muscle component of the body, but also reduced the amount of fat in the body. Thus, modern data reveal the molecular mechanism of action and clearly indicate the high effectiveness of ecdysterone, as well as the possibility of its widespread use in various sports.

General indications for the use of ecdysterone in sports: • reduced performance and adaptation to physical activity; • conditions associated with weakening of protein synthesis processes and increased catabolism; • past infections, intoxications, neurasthenia, neuroses, hypotension under conditions of intense training loads; • dysfunction of the cardiovascular system (pronounced signs of myocardial overstrain).

In the practice of sports training, ecdysterone is indicated for athletes of various specializations, where it is necessary to increase performance, improve speed and strength qualities, correct body weight, stimulate the effect and high recovery.

Composition: Content of biologically active substances in one capsule: ecdysterone - 250 mg.

Other ingredients: dextrose monohydrate, gelatin, titanium dioxide E171.

Doses and rules of administration

If ecdysterone works in humans, which has not yet been proven, the daily dose for an adult should be at least 400-500 mg. It is worth noting that most supplements available on the market contain 10 or even 20 times smaller doses (among these are Ecdysterone MEGA - 2.5 mg, B - 2.5 mg, Ecdisten from ThermoLife - 15 mg). But today new supplements with more adequate doses have appeared. Ecdysterone from SciFit - 300 mg, GeoSteron 20 mg (per capsule).

To get the effect, you should take ecdysterone for at least 3-8 weeks, 400-500 mg per day. After the course they take a two-week break. The supplement should be taken after meals or before training.

Contraindications

Ecdisten is prohibited for use by people with diseases of the nervous system, severe neuroses, epilepsy and hyperkinesis, and women during pregnancy and lactation. The drug should be used with caution by hypertensive patients.

If you have a history of gonadal cysts, pituitary dysplasia, prostate dysplasia or other hormone-dependent neoplasms, you should consult with an endocrinologist and other specialized doctors before use.

Side effects

Phytoecdysterone does not affect the functions of the endocrine glands, does not disrupt the athlete’s hormonal levels, does not have an androgenic effect and does not suppress the production of gonadotropins. The thymoleptic effect of the drug has not been confirmed (i.e. it does not work as an antidepressant).

It is believed that the supplement is not harmful to the body even in very large doses. Sometimes it is taken in quantities of more than 1000 mg per day, without side effects or overdose. Nevertheless, experts do not recommend exceeding a dose of 500 mg, although there are doctors who are confident that you should not take more than 100 mg per day, with unproven side effects.

According to manufacturers, people with an unstable nervous system may:

• insomnia;
• excessive excitement;
• increased blood pressure;
• migraine;
• Sometimes individual intolerance to the drug is observed.

If redness, rash, or slight swelling appear during administration, then you should stop taking the tablets and begin symptomatic treatment with antihistamines. Negative manifestations can be minimized if you strictly follow the instructions, follow the drinking regime, diet, and do not independently increase the duration of the course.

ECDISTEN[edit | edit code]

Source:

"Handbook of Sports Pharmacology".
Publisher
: Soviet Sport, 2014

Composition and release form[edit | edit code]

Natural compound with steroid structure.

In tablets of 0.005 g (5 mg), in a package - 30 pieces.

Pharmacological action[edit | edit code]

A tonic that enhances protein biosynthesis in the body. The drug weakens the effect of sleeping pills and increases physical performance. Unlike anabolic steroids, Ecdisten does not have an androgenic, antigonadotropic, thymolytic effect, and does not affect the functionality of the adrenal cortex.

Recommendations for use in sports[edit | edit code]

Asthenic and asthenodepressive conditions associated with weakening of protein synthesis processes, prolonged intoxication, infections, neurasthenia, neuroses, hypotension in athletes during intense training, dysfunction of the cardiovascular system, especially with pronounced signs of myocardial overstrain and increased protein catabolism, as well as as a remedy , which increases speed and strength qualities during preparation for competitions.

Method of administration and dosage[edit | edit code]

Orally 0.005-0.01 g 3 times a day, before meals. The course of treatment is 15-20 days; if necessary, it can be repeated after a 1-2 week break.

In sports medicine, the drug is used at a dose of 0.01-0.02 g 3 times a day for 2-3 weeks.

Higher doses for adults orally: single - 0.025 g (25 mg), daily - 0.1 g (100 mg).

Contraindications[edit | edit code]

Nervous excitement, insomnia, hypertension, epilepsy and hyperkinesis.

Side effects[edit | edit code]

In patients with a labile nervous system, the following are possible: insomnia, increased blood pressure. In these cases, reduce the dose or stop taking the drug in the evening.

Special instructions[edit | edit code]

To achieve the effect simultaneously with the use of Ecdisten, it is necessary to use adequate amounts of proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals.

Note

While taking Ecdysterone, the athlete must carefully monitor the quality of his diet. It is important to consume enough proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals. Since the product to some extent promotes muscle mass gain, it is necessary to provide the cells with additional building material.

Intense training combined with supporting the body with zinc, magnesium, omega-3,6,9 acids, protein and calcium gives the best results and keeps the athlete healthy.