Hermetica Superfood Encyclopedia
Legacy index-continuity record: the score and narrative are provisional and must not be represented as validated or human-approved.
Review flags: AWAITING_SEMANTIC_VALIDATION
Ecdysterone (20-hydroxyecdysone) is a naturally occurring ecdysteroid compound that promotes muscle protein synthesis through estrogen receptor beta activation. It increases lean muscle mass and enhances athletic performance without affecting hormone levels.
Reported Benefits (Provisional)
Origin & History
Ecdysterone, also known as 20-Hydroxyecdysone, is a naturally occurring ecdysteroid found in various plants and insects. It is commonly extracted from spinach and quinoa through processes that isolate and concentrate the active compound.
Research Narrative (Provisional)
Ecdysterone has been studied in several RCTs, showing promise in enhancing muscle mass and strength. Meta-analyses suggest it may be a safe and effective supplement for athletes.
Preparation & Dosage
Dosage guidance is withheld because the publication gate has not recorded adequate support for this profile.
Nutritional Profile
Ecdysterone (20-Hydroxyecdysone) is a polyhydroxylated steroid hormone (phytoecdysteroid) with molecular formula C27H44O7 and molecular weight 480.6 g/mol. It is not a macronutrient but a bioactive phytochemical found naturally in spinach (~0.01% dry weight), quinoa, and Cyanotis vaga root (0.5–2% dry weight concentration used in extracts). As a supplement, it is typically standardized to 95–98% purity in doses of 100–500mg per serving. It contains no caloric value, fiber, or conventional vitamins/minerals. Bioavailability is moderate and highly variable — oral absorption is estimated at 30–40%, with peak plasma concentrations reached within 1–3 hours. Bioavailability is significantly enhanced when complexed with hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HPBCD), which can increase absorption by up to 33x compared to free-form ecdysterone. The compound acts primarily through estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) activation and mTOR pathway stimulation without androgenic side effects.
Reported Mechanism (Provisional)
Ecdysterone binds to estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) in skeletal muscle tissue, activating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway to stimulate protein synthesis. It upregulates mTOR (mechanistic target of rapamycin) and increases ribosomal protein S6 kinase 1 phosphorylation. Unlike anabolic steroids, it does not interact with androgen receptors or disrupt natural hormone production.
Clinical Narrative (Provisional)
A 10-week randomized controlled trial with 46 participants showed 1.9kg greater lean mass gains with 12mg daily ecdysterone versus placebo. Studies demonstrate 6.7% increase in muscle mass and improved VO2 max in trained athletes. Current research is limited to small sample sizes (20-50 participants) with short-term protocols. More large-scale, long-term studies are needed to confirm efficacy and optimal dosing protocols.
Also Known As
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