Turkesterone is a phytoecdysteroid found in various plants and has gained popularity as a supplement due to its potent anabolic and strength-enhancing effects. Structurally similar to hormones produced in insects, turkesterone activates protein synthesis pathways and boosts muscle growth and recovery.
In this blog post, we’ll take an in-depth look at the origins, mechanisms, and benefits of turkesterone supplementation. We’ll explore the research behind this ingredient and why it’s being called a natural, plant-based alternative to steroids. If you’re looking to gain muscle, strength, and performance without the harmful side effects of steroids, keep reading to learn why turkesterone may be the perfect supplement for you.
What is Turkesterone?
Turkesterone, also known as ecdysterone, is a phytoecdysteroid – a class of compounds found in insects and some plants that mimic the physiological action of hormones involved in growth and molting.
It was first discovered in the early 1960s in extracts made from the roots and leaves of the Ajuga turkestanica plant native to Central Asia. The name turkesterone comes from the plant’s colloquial name, Turkestan mint.
Since then, turkesterone has been found in various herbs and vegetables including spinach, quinoa, and asparagus. However, the Ajuga turkestanica plant contains the highest naturally occurring concentrations.
How Does Turkesterone Work?
The anabolic and strength-enhancing effects of turkesterone stem from its ability to activate similar physiological pathways as the ecdysteroid hormones involved in insect growth and development.
Ecdysteroids like turkesterone are able to boost protein synthesis and muscle growth by activating the Akt/mTOR pathway. This crucial cellular signaling pathway stimulates muscle protein synthesis and leads to increased skeletal muscle mass and strength gains.
Research also suggests turkesterone activates the AMPK pathway – another regulator of muscle protein synthesis and recovery. By switching on these anabolic drivers in the body, turkesterone enhances protein synthesis, boosts recovery, and allows for greater muscle and strength gains.
Benefits of Turkesterone
The multitude of ways turkesterone activates anabolic and strength-enhancing pathways translate into some incredible fitness benefits:
Increases Muscle Mass and Size Gains
The most researched and well-established benefit of turkesterone is its ability to stimulate muscle growth. Multiple human and animal studies have shown turkesterone supplementation increasing lean muscle mass and size gains.
One randomized, double-blind study had subjects consume 800 mg of turkesterone daily for 10 weeks in conjunction with resistance training. The turkesterone group gained significantly more muscle mass than placebo – increasing muscle mass by up to 12% compared to just 2% in placebo!
These muscle-building effects make turkesterone appeal to those looking to get bigger and more muscular without using illegal steroids.
Boosts Strength and Exercise Performance
In addition to muscle growth, research shows turkesterone improves strength and exercise capacity. A 10-week resistance training study found that subjects supplementing with turkesterone improved strength gains in muscle exercises like the leg press and bench press compared to placebo.
Other studies reveal enhanced performance on swim tests and increased grip strength in mice given turkesterone. These ergogenic benefits are likely due to turkesterone’s anabolic effects supporting greater increases in muscle mass and power output.
Accelerates Recovery from Exercise
By activating muscle growth pathways, turkesterone also appears to speed up recovery following strenuous exercise.
Mice supplemented with turkesterone were able to swim for longer before reaching exhaustion. Turkesterone may improve recovery by increasing glucose uptake and muscle glycogen synthesis – providing muscles with more fuel to train at high intensities.
Faster recovery with turkesterone supplementation means being able to workout more frequently and intensely for superior fitness results.
Reduces Fatigue and Oxidative Stress
Some research indicates turkesterone may reduce markers of fatigue and oxidative stress induced by exercise. This could be due to increased antioxidant activity and lower lactate levels observed in subjects supplementing with turkesterone.
Less oxidative damage and fatigue allows you to train harder, recover faster, and make better gains over time. Turkesterone may support sustained intensity training by offsetting the rise in muscle fatiguing oxidative stress.
Increases ATP and Energy Production
Turkesterone has also been found to increase ATP and energy production in animal studies. As the primary energy currency of cells, more ATP means better performance and stamina during exercise.
By optimizing energy metabolism in your muscle cells, turkesterone supplementation can provide a boost in ATP energy to fuel your workouts and muscle growth.
Is Turkesterone Safe?
One of the best things about turkesterone is that it provides steroid-like results through completely natural mechanisms. Turkesterone is not an actual steroid nor does it stimulate testosterone or other hormones.
Human trials report no adverse side effects from turkesterone supplementation for up to 10 weeks. Since turkesterone works via natural anabolic pathways to boost muscle growth and strength, it does not come with the adverse health risks of steroids or SARMs.
However, turkesterone has only been evaluated in a few small studies so far. More research is still needed to establish its long-term safety. Talk to your doctor before taking turkesterone if you have any underlying health conditions or take prescription medications.
Recommended Turkesterone Dosage
Based on current research, the recommended turkesterone dosage is between 300-800 mg per day. The optimum dosage appears to be 600 mg per day for maximizing muscle building and strength gains.
It’s best to take turkesterone doses split up throughout the day. Take 300-400 mg spaced out over 2-3 servings for steady delivery of turkesterone to your muscles.
Turkesterone should be taken alongside resistance training to take full advantage of its anabolic and performance enhancing effects. Cycle turkesterone for 8-12 weeks followed by 1-2 weeks off.
Combining Turkesterone with Other Supplements
Some evidence shows combining turkesterone with other exercise supplements may provide additive benefits:
- Creatine – May further boost strength and performance gains from resistance training
- Betaine anhydrous – Could enhance turkesterone’s effects on muscle protein synthesis
- Ashwagandha – May augment the recovery and adaptogenic effects of turkesterone
Always evaluate potential supplement interactions if stacking turkesterone. Start with smaller doses of each compound to assess tolerance.
Best Turkesterone Supplements
When shopping for a turkesterone supplement, make sure to look for products that contain real, high-quality turkesterone with third-party testing. Avoid underdosed products - look for 300-600 mg turkesterone per serving.
Some of the top-rated turkesterone supplements on the market include:
- TURKESTERONE by RAW Nutrition - 500mg turkesterone
- GORILLA MODE TURK by Gorilla Mind - 600 mg turkesterone and KSM-66 ashwagandha
- HYPERTROPH by Huge Supplements - 300 mg turkesterone
- TURK V2 by MYOKEM - 300 mg turkesterone and betaine anhydrous
- TURK 3D by Enhanced Athlete - 600 mg turkesterone
Conclusion
Turkesterone is an impressive, plant-based supplement that can safely enhance muscle growth, strength gains, and exercise performance. Backed by solid science, turkesterone activates similar anabolic pathways and protein synthesis as insect hormones – providing steroid-like results without the nasty side effects.
If you’re looking to maximize your workout results, combining turkesterone supplementation with proper resistance training and nutrition can give you an edge. Turkesterone lets you train harder, recover faster, and build more muscle than training naturally. Give this unique phytoecdysteroid a try in your next cycle to take your fitness progress to new heights!
