Ecdysterone

Beta-ecdysterone (also known as 20-hydroxyecdysone) is a highly potent natural phytochemical extracted from the medicinal herb Cyanotis Vaga and standardized to 97%. Ecdysterone, more precisely: Beta Ecdysterone belongs to these ecdysteroids and was synthesized in the Soviet Union for elite athletes and according to some reports also for elite soldiers (it was and is also in circulation in the West under the name "Mesobolin"). Until recently, it was difficult to obtain as there was no efficient way of extracting it. Until about a year ago, the price of a kilogram of pure product was $ 20,000. With the breakthrough technology of in vitro cell cultivation, the purity and concentration was achieved that made its commercial use as a dietary supplement feasible. Now everyone has the opportunity to lose fat and build lean muscle mass. It is now known that beta ecdysterone extracted from plants has an even higher anabolic potency than the synthetically produced mesobolin mentioned above. On the other hand, many ecdysteroids are completely ineffective as they are not bioavailable to mammals or humans. According to current knowledge, of all ecdcysteroids only beta ecdysterone and turkesterone are of interest to athletes, whereby in animal experiments (with rats) turkesterone was even more anabolic than beta ecdysterone. However, as beta ecdysterone extracts are now available in standardized form, i.e. in contrast to Turkesterone extracts, they contain a fixed proportion of beta ecdysterone and the test results in rats cannot be directly transferred to humans, beta ecdysterone is (at least currently) the most recommendable ecdysteroid, while Turkesterone is still in a "trial state".

Functional properties of beta ecdysterone

Improved protein metabolism/anabolism

Many research groups have come to the conclusion that ecdysteroids have a stimulating effect on protein biosynthesis, but the mechanism has not yet been uncovered. It has only been clearly shown that the stimulation of protein synthesis affects not only the ribosomes, but also the nucleus and the mitochondria. It is remarkable that the stimulating effect on protein synthesis is not only present in the liver, but can also be detected in nerve tissue. The cause here has been seen in the stimulation of the enzyme glutamate decarboxylase.

Studies

Scientific research has clearly demonstrated the effectiveness of beta- ecdysterone without negative side effects. In a study conducted by B. Ya. Smetanin in 1986, 117 speed skaters were tested for training capacity, body weight and lung capacity. Supplementation with ecdysterone led to an increase in all the aforementioned parameters. In another study conducted by S. Yu. Simakin, 78 well-trained athletes were given either a placebo, protein or ecdysterone with a protein supplement. The best results were achieved by the group that received ecdysterone with the protein supplement. This group showed an increase of 6 to 7% in lean muscle mass after only 10 days and an average fat loss of 10% in both male and female subjects. This safe and effective compound is a revolutionary advance in the world of fitness and bodybuilding and also for health. For best results, ecdysterone should be taken with protein-rich meals.

Beta ecdysterone was compared with the well-known anabolic steroid metandienone (Dianabol) in animal experiments (rats) by Chermnykh et al in 1988. It was shown that both substrates had a significant anabolic effect. Surprisingly, beta ecdysterone stimulated both the "slow" and the "fast" muscle fibers, while Dianabol only stimulated the "slow" muscle fibers. In addition, beta ecdysterone was able to produce an anabolic effect even without training (rats had to swim), whereas this was not the case with Dianabol, i.e. physical training was absolutely necessary to build muscle. This official Russian study deserves or requires a few comments. Firstly, we have unofficial reports from the Ukraine according to which the two substrates were used not only on rats but also on athletes. According to these reports, at low doses both substrates were equally anabolic, while at high doses Dianabol was about twice as anabolic as Beta Ecdysterone. Apparently, the human organism "cannot defend itself" against the synthetic drug Dianabol i.e. at high doses, a large proportion of the active substance is fully effective, both in terms of anabolic effect and harmful side effects. The human organism seems to have learned to "deal" with natural beta ecdysterone extracts in the course of evolution, i.e. it obviously only absorbs high quantities to an extent that is not harmful to its health, whereby the anabolic effect also remains "within natural limits".

Perhaps even more sensational is the study carried out by Simakin et al. in 1988. In this study, 78 trained athletes consumed increased protein for 10 days, the placebo group received a protein-free placebo and the third group consumed the protein together with beta ecdysterone. The protein group had built up minimal muscle mass after the 10 days, the placebo group even lost muscle mass slightly and the protein-beta ecdysterone group gained between 6% and 7% muscle mass and even lost 10% of their existing body fat. However, it should be noted here that of course such significant improvements do not continue "forever", but naturally level off after an initial period.

Improved carbohydrate metabolism

A Japanese working group investigated the effect of 20E on the blood sugar levels of hyperglycemic mice. In contrast to the comparison group of normoglycemic mice, 20E was able to lower the blood glucose level.

An experiment with 14C-labeled glucose showed increased metabolism to glycogen. Due to the apparently favorable influence on a diabetic metabolic state, a patent was granted in Japan for an antidiabetic drug containing ecdysteroids (Takahashi and Nishimoto, 1992). Similar effects have also been demonstrated in human studies.

Improved fat metabolism

In the past, exogenously hypercholesterolemic rats were treated with various ecdysteroids in different concentrations.

Serum cholesterol levels were reduced by up to 30% depending on the dose and ecdysteroid used. The authors of this article assume a purely physical effect as the cause, in the sense of a displacement of cholesterol by ecdysteroids at the cell membrane.

Immune system

Many recent studies have focused on the influence of ecdysteroids on the immune system. The effect on inflammatory processes should be emphasized here. Animal experiments have shown that beta ecdysterone at a dose of 10-20 mg/kg bw per day has an anti-inflammatory effect equivalent to that of cortisone acetate. The therapeutic dose of cortisone acetate is 1 mg/kg bw. Another working group investigated the release of histamine from mast cells in the peritoneum of rats. Here too, an anti-inflammatory effect of beta-ecdysterone was found, probably by inhibiting intracellular Ca2+ mobilization.

Cell nucleus repair

In the Ukraine, some scientists investigated the effect of phytoecdysteroids on laboratory animals exposed to mutagenic substances such as chloroform or chlorofos. They came to the conclusion that phytoecdysteroids have genoprotective effects; a de-repression of DNA repair mechanisms is suspected.

Antioxidant properties and vitamin D metabolism

Ecdysteroids appear to have vitamin D-synergistic effects. On the one hand, it was found that beta ecdysterone, like vitamin D, has a radical-reducing effect; both were able to reduce radical-induced lipid peroxidation Furthermore, beta ecdysterone is able to significantly improve enteral Ca2+ absorption in chickens with D-hypovitaminosis.

Improvement of the nervous system

Beta ecdysterone can improve endogenous GABA biosynthesis and acethylcholinesterase. Recently it has been shown that ecdysteroids appear to be neuroprotective substrates that reduce glutmamate-induced neuronal death. Neuroprotective effects on the side effects of alcohol and Diazepharm have also been observed.

Improvement of liver function

Beta Ecdysterone and also Turkesterone improve the recovery of the liver after hepatitis induced by heliotrine treatment and/or subcutaneous injection of carbon tetrachloride. Many insiders even speak of ecdysteroids as universal health substrates, since in addition to the above mentioned, positive functional properties regarding kidney, heart, lung function, on the cardiovascular system, faster wound healing, faster healing of bone fractures as well as antibiotic and even cosmetic properties (rejuvenation or repair of the skin, when used in creams or lotions e.g. by Christian Dior) have been proven. However, ecdysteroids have not been included in the doping list of the International Olympic Committee. They are ingested by humans in relevant quantities through food and there are numerous references in the literature to various positive functional effects of these hormones on the human organism, whereby harmful side effects - in contrast to genuine steroids - are not to be expected. In order to prevent a possible discussion about the side effects of ecdysteroids, it should be mentioned that these substances are found in many plants and anyone who eats 300 grams of spinach, for example, has already consumed more than the 30 mg of beta ecdysterone usually recommended in the sports sector. Perhaps the American cartoon stories about Popey are not so far-fetched, but can be traced back to the beta ecdysterone in spinach as a source of strength.

Dosage

On December 31, 1998, a complete safety test was conducted by ICN Biochemicals to determine the toxicity of ecdysterone. The results established the amount needed to achieve toxicity. The amount? 6400 mg/kg! In other words, an average person of about 75Kg would have to take 494,528mg of Ecdysterone to reach this point! That's 4121 times more than the recommended dose. The recommended dose of Ecdysterone is 80-120mg per day. Based on Japanese and Russian studies, five milligrams per kilogram of body weight per day appears to be necessary to produce a noticeable effect. Lower doses do not lead to the desired results. So a daily dose of 400-600mg per day is recommended. I have even heard reports of bodybuilders achieving amazing results with a daily dose of up to 1200mg. It seems advisable to divide the daily dosage into three doses (e.g. with meals). Beta-ecdysterone can be taken in phases: e.g. four to six weeks of intake followed by a two-week break. This saves money and increases effectiveness. Remember, for best results, ecdysterone should be taken with protein-rich meals!

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