When you step into the electrifying world of fitness and nutrition, one topic sets off alarm bells louder than any other: Turksterone supplements. Why, you ask? Because while the allure of these supplements often seems enticing, their actual efficacy frequently lacks the solid scientific foundation we crave.
In this blog, we're taking a deep dive into a specific supplement that's got the fitness world buzzing: Turkesterone.
Picture this: The '80s, Russian Olympic bodybuilders in the spotlight, and suspicions of Turkesterone use for doping swirling around. The name itself might jog your memory—it's not too far from testosterone. In fact, Turkesterone can be seen as the botanical and insect equivalent of the powerhouse hormone.
Turkesterone: Unveiling the Essence
Turkesterone is a distinctive phytoecdysteroid, akin to a steroid hormone found in insects and select plant species. It's believed to serve as a natural defense mechanism against predators and a regulator of reproduction.
This potent compound emerges from the Ajuga turkestanica plant, but here's the kicker: Turkesterone isn't flying solo. It often teams up with Ecdysterone, also known as "20HE," in supplements bearing its name.
Initially, Turkesterone was a star in the development of safer insecticides, given its remarkable non-toxicity to mammals. Interestingly, these compounds are also present in common mammalian diet items like spinach. But wait, there's more! Turkesterone has shown hints of medical potential and gene expression regulation.
How Turkesterone Strikes Gold
Let's take a closer look at the chessboard of chemical structures. Phytoecdysteroids like Turkesterone and testosterone share uncanny similarities. Why, you ask? Because Turkesterone, much like its human counterpart, is synthesized from cholesterol—the very backbone of human steroid hormones!
Now, shift the spotlight to gene expression. Phytoecdysteroids don't hijack human steroid receptors or sabotage natural hormone production. Instead, they dance as influencers, orchestrating vital pathways like protein synthesis. This sparked a thrilling theory: Could phytoecdysteroids, Turkesterone in particular, be the Holy Grail, a safe alternative to anabolic steroids? Could they avoid the notorious side effects of anabolic steroid use—acne, gynecomastia, aggressive behavior, high blood pressure, and more?
While hard data on Turkesterone remains somewhat elusive, its cousin, Ecdysterone, has faced the research scrutiny. These findings provide the scaffolding for Turkesterone's potential prowess.
Unpacking the Research
Let's start by celebrating a couple of home runs:
In a rodent study, scientists set out to investigate Ecdysterone's impact on calf muscle size. Rats were dosed with 5mg/kg of Ecdysterone, along with two other anabolic steroids and a placebo, for 21 days. Hungry for action, these rats underwent a battery of exercise tests to rev up those muscles. The result? Ecdysterone flexed its muscle, significantly boosting muscle fiber size compared to its steroid siblings.
Flash forward to 2019—a human study set its sights on male collegiate weightlifters. The objective? Gauge the effects of Ecdysterone on strength parameters. Those who tapped into the Ecdysterone power surge showed substantial improvements in their 1 rep-max for back squats and bench presses compared to the placebo posse.
Beyond these triumphs, a menagerie of studies featuring mice, sheep, and pigs unveiled promising perks. Blood glucose levels dropped, cardiovascular and liver tissues found healing, and the immune defense system emerged fortified.
Do You Need Turkesterone?
The results so far are tantalizing, sparking dreams of Turkesterone as the ultimate muscle-building secret weapon. But before you sprint to embrace this potential steroid alternative, heed the whispers of caution and examine studies at odds with the optimistic tune. Scrutinize the design and methods of these promising studies, for the devil lies in the details.
One study spotlighted the effects of Ecdysteroids on sarcopenia (the age-related loss of muscle mass) in rats. The conclusion? A 28-day Ecdysteroid regimen had zero impact on body, muscle, or organ mass. The signaling markers for protein synthesis remained unmoved, painting a picture of Ecdysteroid's insignificance in muscle protein synthesis.
Additionally, most studies flaunting their Ecdysterone victories unfolded in vitro, confined to test tubes and culture dishes, rather than in vivo, where whole organisms take the stage. And here's where the dream falters: Several reasons cast doubt on Turkesterone's might compared to traditional anabolic steroids:
Ecdysteroids have a swift exit and short half-lives, demanding hefty daily doses for any discernible impact.
The absence of standardized dosing poses a perilous risk, as we teeter on the precipice of the unknown.
Turkesterone's metabolic journey through peripheral tissues remains shrouded in mystery.
The intricacies of genetic manipulation, binding, and gene expression influence remain a riddle.
The human puzzle is nearly missing from the research mosaic, with most studies focused on our furry friends.
In Conclusion
Supplements may often race ahead of the research curve, but it's imperative to scrutinize the existing data before welcoming a new "chemical" into your body—one that doesn't naturally reside there.
When considering a new supplement, keep a razor-sharp focus on these five key points:
- Verify that all individual ingredients adorn the supplement label in plain sight.
- Seek assurance through banned substance testing.
- Confirm that the ingredients are crafted from raw materials.
- Demand dosages grounded in solid scientific research.
- Opt for supplements birthed in NSF facilities, bearing both banned substance and cGMP certification.
If any of these pillars crumble, exercise the utmost caution before embracing a new supplement. Turkesterone, while alluring in theory and boasting encouraging results in various animal models, beckons for a torrent of research before unveiling its secrets and potential applications
