According to the "Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition" ("JISSN"), Ecdysterone is a plant sterol that has been the subject of some extraordinary claims, specifically that it can enhance lean muscle mass. However, there doesn't appear to be any strong evidence to support these assertions. Ecdysterone is advertised as an organic alternative to steroids that increases energy and enhances strength.
Origin
Ecdysterone is found in insects, some animals that live in water and in certain plants. Plants that contain ecdysterone include maral root (a herbal perennial cultivated in Russia and Eastern Europe) and suma (a large ground vine native to Central and South America) and cyanotis vaga (a plant extract from China). Other common names for ecdysterone are ecdisten, ecdysone, isoinokosterone and 20-hdroxyecdysone.
Effects
Ecedysterone is advertised as having the ability to radically increase lean body mass, improve endurance, raise metabolism and improve nerve function. The muscle-enhancing effect is said to be due to ecedysterone's powerful anabolic properties (promoting constructive metabolism) that support protein production.
Its touted effects also include decreasing fatigue while increasing strength and speed, and reducing adipose content (a kind of body tissue containing stored fat).
Other advertised effects of ecedysterone are improved brain and liver function, as well as having properties that stabilize cell membranes.
Safety
Ecdysterones is promoted as being safe for adults and teenagers. In fact, promoters assert that ecdysterone can maintain already normal blood sugar levels and improve virtually every function in the body, including the liver and brain.
It is recommended that ecdysterone be taken with 30 to 50g of protein for better absoption.
Side Effects
Unlike other muscle enhancers such as steroids, ecdysterone is said to produce no side effects such as high blood pressure and liver toxicity, nor does it have a negative effect on the hormonal system.
Animal Research
The "JISSN" states that initial animal research using rats conducted in Russia has suggested potential muscle growth with the use of ecdysterone. The Russian studies were conducted over a 20-year span, and found that while ecdysterone has some similarities to the anabolic steroid methandrostenolone, in the final analysis it does not have any substantial anabolic effects.
There have been no studies conducted to date (2009) to support claims that ecdysteroids have any significant anabolic effects on humans. Until additional research is conducted, the touted effectiveness of ecdysterone cannot be substantiated.
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