What is Turkesterone & What does it do?
Turkesterone is an ecdysteroid that has shown incredible results since it has been introduced into the supplement world. What is known as a “natural anabolic agent” has been marketed to athletes to increase strength and muscle mass. In the 1980s the most active phytoecdysteroid, ecdysterone (beta-ecdysone, a “Russian secret”), was suspected to be used by Russian Olympic athletes.
Turkesterone is an ecdysteroid (ECDY) which are steroid hormones found commonly in arthropods & insects but can also be found in certain plant species. These are known as phytoecdysteroids. In plants, these groups of compounds are used to deter predators while in insects they help to regulate key processes such as moulting and metamorphosis or insect development. Few studies have been performed on Turkesterone, however there has been interest in ecdysteroids, especially 20-Hydroxyecdysone as having many potential anabolic and beneficial effects including affecting metabolism and growth.
Where Does Turkesterone Come From?
Turkesterone is one of the primary bioactive compounds naturally occurring in Ajuga turkestanica. This is plant with a long history of use in traditional medicine for its anabolic, adaptogenic, hepatoprotective and hypoglycemic activity.
In Uzbekistan and Tadzhikistan the plant has been valued for its beneficial effects on muscle strength and stomach aches. It has also been used for its protective action against heart diseases.
As mentioned Turkesterone is found in a wide variety of moulting insects and animals such as crabs. It was originally derived from the Ajuga plant, also known as Bugleweed, Ground Pine or Carpet Bugle. However, it is present & can be extracted from a wide variety of other plants including, Leuzea Carthamoides, Rhaponticum, Stemmacantha Uniflora, Vitex Fisherii & the Cyanotis Vaga plant which is common to the African continent.
Turkesterone Benefits
Lets take a look at some of the potential benefits of as an ecdysteroid.
- extracts of ajuga turkestanica have been shown to activate Notch receptors in skeletal muscle cells, which helps stem cells to develop into new muscle cells.
- possess anti-stress effects, which can indirectly support muscle building via optimizing cortisol levels in the body.
- ecdysteroid-enriched extracts of Ajuga turkestanica have also been found to display anabolic effects on muscles.
- Immune boosting and stimulating effects
As previously mentioned, few studies have been conducted on Turkesterone specifically as most of the studies have looked at a different ecdysteroid. What few studies of Turkesterone have shown that perhaps it might help promote lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, promote protein synthesis, aid muscle hypertrophy & increase strength. Human and animal studies have been conducted that do support this. While the effects were not large in effect when compared with synthetic substances, in bodybuilding as with animal nutrition, every little bit counts.
Turkesterone Benefits for Bodybuilding
When a product displays any sort of anabolic effect on the body you know the bodybuilding community will be onto it straight away. What is worth noting is the fact that is causes little if no adverse side effects. This is huge and most anabolic compounds shut down natural testosterone levels. For natural bodybuilding or recovering from cycles of Anabolic Androgenic steroids or SARMS.
Use Turkesterone Ultra Strength as a Post Cycle to help maintain gains and restrict the loss of all the hard earned muscle!
If Turkesterone has positive effects on lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, it could be a very viable supplement to help with weight maintenance and fat loss. In terms of your generic ecdysteroid, there appears that the growth-promoting effects were due to due to better nitrogen retention and therefore a better protein metabolism profile with reduced protein catabolism and increased anabolism. However, these results have not been translated to human studies.
A few studies found ecdysteroids (such as turkesterone) had performance-enhancing effects in birds and beetles (study, study). But the International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) considers these studies unreliable because they weren’t published in reputable journals, the design of the studies was subpar, and the results were poorly presented. This is not the evidence we’re looking for. So, what about human trials?
There’s one study that’s often used to show the muscle-building benefits of supplementing with ecdysterone. It’s this paper by Isenmann et al. The results were impressive:
But the study is a little weird. The ecdysteroid supplements they were testing only contained 6% of the dosage listed on the label, which shouldn’t have been enough to produce an effect. But it did. At least according to the BIA scale they used to measure muscle growth. But BIA scales are a poor way of measuring muscle growth. So although these results are interesting, I’m skeptical, as are most experts.
There’s another study we can look at, though. The researchers used DEXA scans to measure muscle growth, which is a much more reliable tool. And in this study, the placebo group gained 2.2 pounds more muscle than the guys taking ecdysteroids, though the results didn’t reach statistical significance. This isn’t to suggest that turkesterone harms muscle growth, just that small studies often find differences between groups. These differences don’t necessarily prove anything. And in this case, the difference isn’t statistically significant.
Of the two papers, this second is generally seen as more credible, especially since DEXA scans are so much more reliable than BIA scales. As a result, the ISSN’s stance on turkesterone is:
Ecdysterones [including turkesterone] are not recommended for supplementation to increase training adaptations or performance.
The International Society of Sports Nutrition
It’s also worth pointing out that the above are studies on ecdysteroids, not on turkesterone specifically. At the moment, there’s no good research showing turkesterone is effective. But this isn’t our area of expertise. Maybe we’re missing something. So we reached out to Eric Trexler, Ph.D., for a more specific answer, asking him whether he recommends using turkesterone to bulk up.
Dr Trexler has published over 30 studies. Perhaps more relevantly, he also professionally reviews strength training and hypertrophy research, including doing brief reviews of the two studies above. Most recently, he broke down the research on turkesterone for the Stronger by Science podcast. He told me:
At this time, there is not sufficient evidence to suggest that turkesterone enhances increases in strength or muscle mass in humans.
Eric Trexler, PhD, Monthly Applications in Strength Sport (MASS)
If you’ve been in the fitness industry for a while, you know how these things go. Glutamine is the hot thing, then gets disproven. Then arginine. Then BCAAs. Then Tribulus. All of them were disproven. Supplement hype rarely lasts long, but while it does, millions of dollars are made from people yearning for an edge.
Effects Observed From Ecdysterone Supplementation:
- Increased synthesis of fast and slow twitch muscle fiber proteins
- Increased body weight via enhanced muscle to fat ratio
- Improved removal of lactic acid
- Increased muscle glycogen concentrations
- Enhanced ATP and PCr resynthesis
- Increased appetite
- Increased red blood cell number
- Improved quality of sleep
- Improved tolerance to thermal stress
- Stimulation of osteogenesis (bone growth)
- Improvements in cardiac function
- Anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects
- Mild anti-coagulant effects
- Enhanced resistance to infections
- Improved food conversion index (amt of food required to produce a constant unit of living mass)
- Slight stimulant effect on the CNS without elevating blood pressure
Are There Any Side Effects?
Is Turkesterone Safe?
With the various studies that have been done on Turk there have been no side effects that have been seen to warrant any serious concern. The known issue with ecdysteroids is that they are easily metabolised in the body so larger amounts may be needed.
There doesn’t appear to be any serious side effects to Turkesterone use and few if any published toxicology studies. However, ecdysterone, another common ecdysteroid has a proposed lethal dose in mice of 6.4g-9g/kg of body weight depending on method of administration. The issue with ecdysteroids is that they are actually very easily metabolised in the body and thus it is thought that a large amount is required to offer the benefits mentioned above. Interestingly, low doses of around 0.02 ug/kg of bodyweight in animals have been shown to offer beneficial effects. Therefore more studies & time may be required to ascertain the safety of Turkesterone.
Turkesterone and Ecdysteroids – Anabolic NOT Androgenic
The research was revived when scientists moved away from androgenic receptors, and looked at protein synthesis rates.
They found protein synthesis rates increased in animal muscle tissue. Test tube studies have repeatedly shown such results.
Turkesterone, possibly the most powerful of the ecdysteroids has been directly studied in comparison with anabolic androgenic steroid Nerobol and found to be more potent.
The upshot is: if the ecdysteroid makes it to the muscle tissue, they increase protein synthesis, and they do it fast, powerfully and with a lasting effect.
Furthermore, ecdysteroids appear to exert positive health effects on the liver, intestines, cholesterol levels, blood glucose and possibly even brain tissue.
How much Turkesterone to take?
There are no current dosing recommendations for Turkesterone as it is such a new compound to hit the market. General consensus has it at and found 600mg – 1000mg of pure Turkesterone day to hit the sweet spot.
Lysandrone Labs has 200mg of pure Turkesterone compared to all market competitors of 50mg
With different scenarios of dosage and lengths the market has found 8 - 10 weeks to be the ideal for Turkesterone at 600mg - 1000mg
When taking 1000mg of pure Turkesterone per day, split the dose up if possible. 200mg in the morning, 200mg in the afternoon and 200mg in the evening can be seen the ideal timing of this compound. Advance uses could find higher dosage to fit their requirements.
There is little scientific consensus on dosing for Turkesterone nor are there recommendations for ingredient timing. It is best there for to be cautious with your dosages and keep them at a level of under 10mg/kg of body weight daily. In fact, one study which used ecdysterones on resistance trained males only used a supplement containing 30mg consumed once per day in the morning. Some manufacturers of Turkesterone viewed are recommending of 600mg to 1000mg of pure Turkesterone daily.
Lyasdrone Labs - Turkesterone Ultra Strength 40% Standardised 500mg Caps are equivalent to 200mg. The leading market providers only offer 10% 500mg caps or less which is equivalent 50mg.
Turkesterone Supplements
Lysnadrone Labs stocks multiple Turkesterone and Ecdysterone products. Both compounds are very similar, and we have found stacking them enhances the effects even more! Try them separately to see how they go or stack them for the ultimate muscle building stack.
Stacking Turkesterone
Turkesterone can be stacked well with other testosterone boosters, growth hormone boosters or estrogen blockers. It may also be used with fat loss supplements due to its possible ability to alter lipid and carbohydrate metabolism.
Stacking Turkesterone with another strong ecdysteroid like 20-Hydroxyecdysone has shown compounding benefits. As these two compounds are seen as the strongest natural anabolic agents available, one can only image the benefits that can be made by stacking.
20-Hydroxyecdysone on its own has been shown to produce the same anabolic effects if not more than Turkesterone. We have been able to source APO Compounds 20-e which contains 20-Hydroxyecdysone. It also uses a very popular delivery system that is seen in the pharmaceutical industry. SMEDDS (self-microemulsifying drug delivery system) is a liquid that a hydrophobic (poor water-solubility) or lipophilic (soluble in fats or oils) drug is dissolved in to increase its oral bioavailability. In fact, SMEDDS are a vital tool in overcoming the formulation difficulties and improving the oral bioavailability of hydrophobic or lipophilic drugs.
Turkesterone PCT
This compound will not require a PCT as it does not cause any suppressions of natural levels. Ecdysteroids don’t show binding affinity to the AR (Androgen Receptop), but this is a good thing!!
When coming off a cycle of SARMS or steroids the general consensus is to come off everything. Some people like to play around with other compounds like NOLVA or CLOMID but you are essentially delaying the inevitable.
Using Ecdysteroids like 20-Hydroxyecdysone and Turkesterone will give you the most anabolic compounds available that will not further cause suppression. Using these along with a good natural test boosters l will go a long way to keeping all those hard earned gains!
Turkesterone Australia
Lysandrone Labs is very happy that we can supply 40% pure Turkesterone to its customers. Even better with ecdysteroids like Turkesterone there is no side effects or suppression of natural levels.
Turkesterone Muscle Growth
Turkesterone enhances muscle repair and growth by increasing muscle protein synthesis. There is also evidence to suggest that ecysteriods, such as turkesterone , are also able to increase muscle ATP content, which translates to increased muscular energy and endurance during exercise.
Turkesterone Reviews
Since Turk has not been commercially used for long periods of time there is not 100’s of reviews that flow through. BUT with the response from products like Gorilla Mind Turkesterone we KNOW its going to be absolutely EPIC. The readiness and keenness to use Turkesterone - Ultra Strength 40% Standardised 500 mg Capsuales clearly shows that individuals who have been lucky enough to use that compound just want more!
Turkesterone FAQs
Does Turkesterone have any side effects?
The Pope Eye Supplement (as Team 3D Alpha likes to call it) does have one known side effect. The side effect included muscle building effects that can be observed after weeks of consuming the product. In all seriousness there is no known side effects currently for Turkesterone. Due to it being a new compound we will likely see more research carried out on the actual ingredient itself. It can be noted that some individuals have felt a little nausea when taking the product on an empty stomach.
What foods contain Turkesterone?
Ajuga turkestanica is a plant used in traditional medicine for its high ecdysteroid content, including the presence of the particularly active turkesterone, which possess efficient anabolic activity.
Is Turkesterone a steroid?
The industry got very excited when Ecdysteroids where first looked at because their structure looks very similar to androgenic hormones. If anything naturally occurring looks this way it can only mean a huge breakthrough with lots of new products.
When ecdysteroids didn’t show binding affinity to the AR (amongst other things) the research was largely abandoned and everyone forgot about the compounds.
When the studies moved away from androgenic receptors and looked into muscle protein synthesis rates everything changed. It was found that protein synthesis rates increased in animal muscle tissue!
If the ecdysteroid makes it to the muscle tissue, they increase protein synthesis, and they do it fast, powerfully and with a lasting effect.
Does Turkesterone actually work?
Lets wrap up what we know about Turkesterone!
- Ecdysteroids like Turkesterone are naturally occurring plant and insect growth factors
- Humans have receptors for them
- They do not exhibit androgenic behaviour
- This means their safety profile is very high compared to other steroids
- They can increase protein synthesis rates
- They can have positive side effects for organs and general health
Team 3D Alpha
The original OG on bringing Turkesterone Supplementation to attention on his weekly segment of " T
Beta-Ecdysterone: Building Muscle With The Help of Spinach
Generations have heard the rumor that spinach makes children strong. The comic book hero Popeye used canned spinach to build up his superpowers in seconds and hunt down the baddies of the world. What is the truth about the myth of spinach as a strength donor? Does spinach extract really make muscles grow? Scientists investigated this question in a study to find out whether spinach makes you really strong and why athletes shouldn't pour spinach cans into themselves like the cartoon character Popeye. Find out more about beta ecdysterone and how the active ingredient from the spinach can optimally support you in building muscle.
What is Beta Ecdysterone - A Miracle Drug From Spinach?
Together with scientists from the Cologne Sports University and other experts, Freie Universität Berlin examined the question of what is actually true about the myth surrounding spinach. Particular interest was aroused by an active ingredient in spinach, known as ecdysterone, or more precisely beta-ecdysterone, which belongs to the group of ecdysteroids.
Ecdysteroids are produced by plants as protection against predators. In the form of dietary supplements, they are very popular with athletes to increase strength and muscle mass during weight training, reduce fatigue and recover from sore muscles. Several studies have found numerous pharmacological effects of ecdysteroids. The most active phytoecdysteroid, beta-ecdysterone, has probably been used by Russian athletes since the 1980s and is known as "Russian Secret".
The methods for obtaining beta-ecdysterone used to be less developed and very expensive, so that the preparation was only affordable for top athletes. In the meantime, the production methods have been further developed, and the efficacy of the drug is no longer just a matter of guess.
The Beta-Ecdysterone Study of Freie Universität Berlin
The study examined the effect of beta-ecdysterone on 46 male volunteers. In the course of the study, however, six subjects dropped out because they were absent or no longer available for more than 10 percent of the training sessions. The subjects were on average 25.6 years old and 181.9 cm tall. At the beginning of the study they weighed an average of 80 kg.
The study was conducted over a period of ten weeks and the subjects were divided into four groups. The first group (Ec1) received 12 mg beta-ecdysterone, the second group (Ec2) 48 mg beta-ecdysterone (*). One placebo group received capsules without the active ingredient. Another control group received capsules without the active ingredient and also did not participate in the training sessions completed by the other three groups.
The training consisted of three strength training sessions per week. Each training session was followed by a rest day. During each training unit, six dumbbell exercises, which train the entire body, were performed by the test persons. In addition, the weight was continuously increased during the study.
Increased Maximum Strength and Muscle Growth through Beta-Ecdysterone
At the end of the 10-week study, the three groups that had participated in the training sessions had improved their performance. In bench press, the placebo group showed an average increase of 3.59 percent (3.33 kg), the Ec1 group 11.5 percent (9.58 kg) and the Ec2 group lifted 9.5 percent more (8.5 kg). The muscle mass increased Ec1 by 1.58 kg and Ec2 by 2.03 kg. In contrast, the placebo group even lost 0.35 kg muscle mass on average.
Side effects due to the intake of beta-ecdysterone were not detected in the study by extensive blood tests of the participants.
Where to Find Beta-Ecdysterone?
Anyone who now plans to have the daily spinach smoothie or creamed spinach for lunch will unfortunately have to be disappointed. In order to achieve the desired effect, it is advisable to take beta-ecdysterone in the form of a food supplement, because otherwise several kilograms of spinach would have to be on the menu every day.
The active ingredient beta-ecdysterone is not only found in spinach but also in other foods. Besides spinach, asparagus, mushrooms and quinoa contain the active ingredient. A particularly high proportion of pure beta-ecdysterone is contained in the root extract of Cyanotis.
The advantage of dietary supplements is obvious when compared to their occurrence in vegetables: taken as beta-ecdysterone capsules, the bioavailability is significantly higher because the active ingredient is contained in concentrated form. This makes it easier to make a valuable contribution to a muscle-building programme.
Nutrition, Training and Beta-Ecdysterone: The Successful Concept Consists of Three Parts
At a high-dose beta-ecdysterone helps to build muscle, but it is not possible without effort. Sports training is one of three pillars on which your successful muscle build-up is based. Just like in the university study, your build-up program should also contain constant increases in a reasonable amount. Also essential: a balanced diet that contains all the necessary nutrients. Protein-rich, healthy meals fit best with the intake of Beta-Ecdysterone capsules. Because the body can only build up muscles if the building blocks are supplied. During the athletic build-up phase you should consume about 1 to 1.5 g protein per kg body weight daily. To achieve an optimal level of the active ingredient, it is best to take your capsules at the same time every day. In this way beta-ecdysterone capsules can develop their full effect.
Use the concentrated power from nature - and let your muscles grow, just like Popeye in his adventures!
* the capsules used in the study contained 100 mg of ecdysterone per capsule according to the manufacturer However, an analysis carried out as part of the study showed that only 6 mg beta-ecdysterone was present.