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5 Best Ecdysterone Supplements 2024: Top Brand Reviews
Updated on
- Written by Mitchelle Morgan, Health Writer
Medically reviewed by
Kathy Shattler, MS, RDN
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Huge Supplements Ecdysterone
- Promotes lean muscle mass.
- Enhances exercise performance.
- Increases protein synthesis.
Muscle Empire Beta Ecdysterone Supplement
- Affordable.
- Increased energy levels.
- Supports healthy cholesterol.
Nutrissa Ecdysterone
- Promotes weight loss.
- Enhances muscle growth.
- No side effects.
In the current world, staying fit and healthy can be very important in improving one’s quality of life. One of the best ways of doing this is eating right and exercising. Sometimes, doing the two things just mentioned may seem like it takes forever to notice good results, especially for people looking to build lean muscle and improve their physique.
There are various ways and products available that can help you gain lean muscle and build muscle mass. However, we are all aware of the negative side effects of some of these products, especially those of steroid origin.
Luckily, other ways to help you gain lean muscles quicker are derived from natural substances and do not have the same side effects as steroids. Examples of natural compounds from plants and some insects with androgen properties are turkesterone and ecdysterone. Let us briefly look at ecdysterone and how it can help muscle growth.
5 Best Ecdysterone Supplements On The Market In (April. 2024)
- Huge Supplements Ecdysterone – Editor’s Choice
- Muscle Empire Beta Ecdysterone – Best Affordable Ecdysterone Supplement
- Nutrissa Ecdysterone – Best Vegan Ecdysterone Supplement
- Double Wood Beta Ecdysterone – Best Third-Party Tested Ecdysterone Supplement
- Earth Elixir Ecdysterone – Best For Enhancing Strength
What Is Ecdysterone?
Ecdysterone (also known as beta-ecdysterone) has completely taken over the muscle-building supplements market as a way to build lean muscles without the need to use anabolic steroids. Ecdysterone, a naturally occurring steroid in plants, does not attach itself to your androgen receptors in bone and muscle tissue the same way as anabolic steroids. Research suggests that they act via the estrogen receptors[1] in the body.
This indicates little to no chance of experiencing androgenic side effects. Furthermore, several plant steroids[2] are thought to encourage good cholesterol levels in your body.
Since it shares structural similarities with testosterone, ecdysterone helps plants develop powerful physical components and perform vital repairs. Plants contain these steroidal sapogenins, including those that humans eat – for example, spinach; but in minimal amounts.
Whilst sapogenins like ecdysterone share a structural similarity with testosterone, it is unclear if they also function similarly.
It is important to note that not much research has been done on the roles that ecdysterone can play in muscle growth. Nonetheless, many believe it can have anti-tumor, protein synthesis, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, and anabolic properties.
Due to its anabolic properties, ecdysterone has quickly become one of the most used supplements in the bodybuilding industry, especially since it does have side effects like anabolic steroids.
Is Ecdysterone Legal?
Yes, ecdysterone is legal. This is especially the case if you are not a pro athlete. This is why ecdysterone supplements can be bought over the counter without needing a prescription and are not included in the list of banned substances.
However, if you are a pro athlete, you should exercise caution and research since the World Anti-Doping Agency — WADA — has placed the substances on its watch list.
5 Best Ecdysterone Supplements To Buy In 2024
Huge Ecdysterone
Huge Ecdysterone supplement is among the most used supplements by bodybuilders because of its effectiveness in building muscle mass, improving strength, exercise performance, and protein synthesis.
- Promotes lean body mass.
- Enhances exercise performance.
- Increases protein synthesis.
- Relatively pricey.
Huge is a reputable brand in the dietary supplements industry. Huge Ecdysterone has a potent and unique formula that supports the product’s ability to provide the required results to its users. This natural anabolic supplement enhances exercise performance, protein synthesis, and lean muscle mass and strength.
The main ingredient in the formulation is, of course, the ecdysterone hydroxypropyl b-cyclodextrin blend. A dosage of 500 milligrams to 1,000 milligrams of ecdysterone is considered good for most gym enthusiasts. One thing that appeals to users is that the supplement is made in the USA and adheres to the highest manufacturing standards, which consumers appreciate, especially for an ecdysterone supplement. According to the manufacturer, the products are created in an FDA-registered facility that meets the GMP — Good Manufacturing Practices — standards.
The manufacturer recommends taking two capsules on an empty stomach first thing in the morning. Currently, the supplement costs $59.95 on the official website.
Each container of the product comes with 30 servings — 60 capsules. Each dose contains 1,000 milligrams of the ecdysterone B-cyclodextrin complex — making it one of the most stacked supplements on the market. This, together with greater absorption technology, makes the supplement our top pick for the best ecdysterone supplement.
Muscle Empire Beta Ecdysterone
Operated by HR Supplements, Muscle Empire Beta Ecdysterone Supplement is one of the most affordable options on the market.
- Affordable.
- Increased energy levels.
- Supports healthy cholesterol.
- Unpleasant flavor.
- Contains maltodextrin, known for disrupting the gut microbiome.
Apart from being a good option for building lean muscle, one thing that stands out is that it is vegan-friendly since even the capsules are made from vegetarian cellulose. Other key ingredients include Rhaponticum carthamoides, Suma, Maral root, Cyanotis arachnoidea, and Cyanotis vaga.
Maltodextrin, an ultra-processed food additive that can disrupt[3] the gut microbiome, is also included in the formula. While approved as a safe food additive by the Food and Drug Administration, studies have shown it to cause digestive distress in some people, cause gastrointestinal inflammation,[3] thus aggravating gut diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome and it has a high glycemic index[4] potentially affecting blood glucose control of those who have prediabetes or diabetes.
According to the manufacturer, the supplement can support healthy cholesterol levels. Additionally, the manufacturer regularly tests all their ingredients and the final product for potency, quality, and purity, ensuring they only provide users with high-quality products.
Each container comes with 60 servings or capsules. According to the product’s label, every serving contains 275 milligrams of standardized beta ecdysterone. The manufacturer recommends taking one serving, or tablet, twice daily.
Nutrissa Ecdysterone
A vegan-friendly ecdysterone supplement designed to help with fat loss and enhance muscle growth.
- Promotes weight loss.
- Can increase lean muscle mass.
- No side effects.
- The website provides minimal product information.
Nutrissa Ecdysterone — 20-hydroxy ecdysterone — is a natural anabolic agent with many benefits. One of the main ones is that ecdysterone supplementation can help boost athletic performance and muscle growth. This results in an increase in the production of proteins in your skeletal muscles.
Additionally, the manufacturer states that it can be a good weight loss aid. The supplement can achieve this by sustaining the user’s strength as they go through the cutting phase, thus effectively enabling them to pack more lean muscle mass while also helping them lose fat.
Since there is no suppression after using the supplement, users do not require post-cycle therapy — PCT. This makes it easier to maintain muscle gains while eliminating any risks of negative hormonal consequences.
The product is made using veggie capsules to ensure that even vegetarians can enjoy the same muscle-building benefits enjoyed by their meat-eating counterparts. It also does not contain any other filler ingredients making it a good option for those who want to stack their ecdysterone supplements.
The container has 90 capsules, and the recommended dosage is 2 capsules per day or 45 servings per bottle for $49.95 on a one-time purchase or $42.46 on a subscription basis.
Double Wood Beta Ecdysterone
An ecdysterone supplement designed to enhance muscle growth while helping support healthy testosterone levels.
- Made in the U.S.
- Enhances lean muscle growth and recovery.
- Third-party tested.
- Not vegan.
Double Wood Supplements is a company founded by two twin brothers. While its ecdysterone supplement has yet to receive many reviews on its official website, it is one of the best beta ecdysterone supplement products on Amazon.
One of the stand-out features of the supplement is that it is third-party tested for quality and purity of ingredients. The manufacturer also displays the Certificate of Analysis — COAs —results on its website to go a step further. This is something that many supplement companies fail to do.
In addition, the supplement is manufactured in the USA and in facilities that adhere to GMP standards and was third-party tested for ingredients and microbiological and heavy metal contamination.
According to the maker, the product may promote protein synthesis, especially when combined with resistance training.
Each container of the product comes with 120 capsules. With the recommended dosage being two capsules per day, one container is enough for 60 servings – a two-month supply of ecdysterone.
Earth Elixir Ecdysterone
A supplement formulated to provide added strength manufactured and tested in the USA.
- Enhances strength.
- Third-party tested.
- Contains Hydroxypropyl-β-Cyclodextrin Complex.
- Daily value of ingredients not established.
The manufacturer claims that the Earth Elixir Ecdysterone supplement is the best one on the market. The formulation contains the Hydroxypropyl-β-Cyclodextrin Complex, which greatly helps improve the absorption of ecdysterone.
Like most reputable supplement products, third-party labs also test this one. It is also manufactured in the U.S. and in facilities that are GMP-certified.
This ecdysterone capsule formula can improve your strength, promote muscle growth, and promote protein synthesis.
The product is vegan-friendly and free from GMOs, soy, and gluten. The container comes with 90 capsules. Each two-capsule serving contains 1,000 milligrams of standardized ecdysterone. The manufacturer also states that the user can move to 4 capsules daily after a week of usage if they want stronger effects. Also, it is advised that you split the dosage between evening and morning. Research on the effects of taking 2,000 mg of ecdysterone is not currently available.
On the product’s label, the manufacturer has warned users who are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have underlying medical conditions to consult a physician before using this supplement.
Benefits Of Ecdysterone Supplements
There is limited research and study material on the effects and benefits of ecdysterone. However, here are some of the most significant benefits ecdysterone supplementation can offer:
Promoting Protein Synthesis
This animal study[5] which examined the results of phytoecdysteroids, determined that they can support protein synthesis up to about 20% more than baseline. Due to its ability to support muscle protein synthesis, it can help improve the building of muscle. Additionally, it can help increase muscle mass and maintain a faster muscle recovery rate.
The study also determined that the rats’ grip strength improved significantly, indicating that the supplement can increase strength.
This study[6] showed that after using ecdysterone for 10 weeks, individuals gained around 2 kilograms —4.41 pounds — of lean muscles. The study was so significant that the end recommendation was that WADA includes it in its list of banned anabolic substances.
Enhancing Muscle Strength
Researchers in this study[6] found out that ecdysterone has performance-enhancing effects. One of the effects was an increase in the subjects’ strength. The study involved 46 individuals who were given ecdysterone or placebo pills over 10 weeks.
The participants that took ecdysterone increased the bench press and did not exhibit adverse effects.
How To Choose The Best Ecdysterone Supplements?
Ingredients Testing
The best supplement manufacturers always test their ingredients for purity and quality before using them on their products. The topmost of these brands will even go a step further and provide the results of their Certificate of Analysis results on their website for users to see.
Natural Ingredients
While it may not be possible to avoid artificial fillers such as additives and preservatives, it is best to do so if you can manage. Most of the products we listed above used natural ingredients and did not contain fillers, except for Muscle Empire, where maltodextrin was in the formula.
Scientific Research
The first and perhaps best way to eliminate products you are trying to purchase is by looking at their ingredients list and what research is available to support the manufacturer’s claims.
The best products will include scientifically proven ingredients and formulations to ensure their products effectively deliver the claims they have made to their users.
Potential Side Effects
There have not been any reported side effects from using ecdysterone supplements. One main factor that has excited people about these supplements is that they do not have the same side effects as steroidal supplements.
Nonetheless, we recommend that users follow the dosage recommendations provided by the manufacturers, even though ecdysterone has minimal toxicity and no adverse effects. Also, several manufacturers have warned against pregnant and breastfeeding women, those under 18, and people with underlying medical conditions or taking medications to consult their physicians before using these supplements.
Still, we believe that anyone looking to use ecdysterone powders or capsules should seek their doctor’s advice before doing so.
Lastly, users ought to be cautious about using these supplements, especially since they are new to the market and no extensive research has been done on their full effects on human beings.
How To Take Ecdysterone Supplements Safely
In most cases, the manufacturer recommends 500 milligrams or 1000 milligrams of ecdysterone daily. At the same time, others recommend splitting the dosages into two sessions — one in the morning and another in the evening — some do not.
While the dosages above are commonly used and suggested by manufacturers, we have found no scientific evidence to suggest that this is the optimal amount to get the best results.
Consult a registered dietitian before using these supplements. Ensure that you follow the manufacturer’s recommendations regarding how much ecdysterone to take.
Final Thought
Like many other everyday supplements, there is a huge number of ecdysterone products on the market. This can sometimes make it hard to find the best products to buy. We hope the list above is at least enough to get your search moving in the right direction.
Furthermore, despite the many positive reviews about the products mentioned above, and their muscle-building claims, you must do the due diligence before using the supplement by doing your own research and reading customer reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions
Huge Supplements Ecdysterone appears to be the best product. Many users have bought, used, and noted the positive results in their customer reviews. Still, we advise you to consult with your physician before using the product.
Yes. It is much better compared to anabolic steroids. It provides the same benefits, if not better, but without the side effects.
At the writing of this review, we think ecdysterone is a much better option than turkesterone. While research is minimal on both, human studies support the claimed benefits of ecdysterone, while none have been found for turkesterone.
One of the healthy foods with the highest levels of ecdysterone is spinach extract; another is quinoa.
Most manufacturers recommend using the supplements for at least 12 weeks before you can have noticeable results. However, not all human physiologies are the same; thus, some have noticed quicker results, while others did not notice any results.
In most cases, you must take the supplement in the morning or the morning and evening. Always follow the manufacturers’ recommendations on dosing and schedule.
The official website or Amazon are two of the first places to look.
It is fine to take your entire daily dose in the morning with your breakfast. Although some fitness buffs insist on splitting their dose, there is no research indicating that this is advantageous to the effects or absorption.
+ 6 sources
Health Canal avoids using tertiary references. We have strict sourcing guidelines and rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic researches from medical associations and institutions. To ensure the accuracy of articles in Health Canal, you can read more about the editorial process here
- Parr, M., Botrè, F., Naß, A., Hengevoss, J., Diel, P. and Wolber, G. (2014). Ecdysteroids: A novel class of anabolic agents? Biology of Sport, [online] 32(2), pp.169–173. doi:10.5604/20831862.1144420.
- Cabral, C.E. and Klein, M.R.S.T. (2017). Phytosterols in the Treatment of Hypercholesterolemia and Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases. Arquivos Brasileiros de Cardiologia. [online] doi:10.5935/abc.20170158.
- Arnold, A.R. and Chassaing, B. (2019). Maltodextrin, Modern Stressor of the Intestinal Environment. Cellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, [online] 7(2), pp.475–476. doi:10.1016/j.jcmgh.2018.09.014.
- admin (2021). Maltodextrin: Glycemic Index (GI), glycemic load (GL) and calories per 100g. [online] Glycemic Index Guide. Available at: https://glycemic-index.net/maltodextrin/ [Accessed 10 Jan. 2023].
- Gorelick-Feldman, J., MacLean, D., Ilic, N., Poulev, A., Lila, M.A., Cheng, D. and Raskin, I. (2008). Phytoecdysteroids Increase Protein Synthesis in Skeletal Muscle Cells. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, [online] 56(10), pp.3532–3537. doi:10.1021/jf073059z.
- Isenmann, E., Ambrosio, G., Joseph, J.F., Mazzarino, M., de la Torre, X., Zimmer, P., Kazlauskas, R., Goebel, C., Botrè, F., Diel, P. and Parr, M.K. (2019). Ecdysteroids as non-conventional anabolic agent: performance enhancement by ecdysterone supplementation in humans. Archives of Toxicology, [online] 93(7), pp.1807–1816. doi:10.1007/s00204-019-02490-x
Written by:
Mitchelle Morgan, Health Writer
Medically reviewed by:
Medically reviewed by:
