The Re-emergence of Ecdysterones For Muscle Building
If any of you remember back to 2000 through about 2002 you will recall that ecdysterone products came into the market place with great fan fair. They where being touted as the “Soviet” secret to muscle building and where often compared to Dianabol as well as other anabolic steroids. These products where even reviewed in the EAS Supplement Review which had a huge following at the time. Even this supposedly credible source was comparing ecdysterones to anabolic steroids. The premise was that these compounds would increase protein synthesis and nitrogen retention on a cellular level. Basically they would have some similar effects to anabolic steroids without affecting hormone levels. If this had actually panned out it would have been great for strength and muscle gains with limited chance of any side effects. The problem was that all of the hype was based on a less then credible study done in the old Soviet Union before the collapse of communism. When reviewed the study was not well designed and had numerous flaws not to mention when people used ecdysterone products they where not seeing results. Ecdysterone products quickly fizzled out as the lack of results put an end to all the hype surrounding the compounds.
As is typical in this industry we are now seeing a re-emergence of ecdysterones all be it under different names but with the same big claims as before. The new ecdysterone extracts are using names like 25r spiro stan, 6 keto diosegin, 20 beta-hydroxy, and 20 hydroxy ecdysone. Manufacturers of these compounds are claiming that the new extracts are standardized to active compounds so the potencies are higher and that these compounds will produce increases in nitrogen retention and protein synthesis. The steroid claims are also being used in some of the marketing of these compounds. While the steroid claims are again inaccurate some of these compounds may produce small increases in nitrogen retention and protein synthesis. Don’t expect dramatic gains but if you have some extra cash adding these compounds into a muscle building supplement regimen could help promote some muscle gains.
