Turkesterone for testosterone?
Being in the fitness industry for as long as I have been, there are many common themes, one that just kills me is the desire to “boost testosterone”. Testosterone being an important sex hormone for both men and women, it plays several key roles in the body. Testosterone is a hormone that plays an important role in the development and maintenance of male reproductive tissues and characteristics, such as the growth of facial hair and the deepening of the voice during puberty. It is also present in smaller amounts in females and is involved in various bodily functions, such as bone and muscle health, mood regulation, and libido. Testosterone is produced primarily in the testes in males and the ovaries in females, although small amounts are also produced in the adrenal glands.
There are several reasons why someone may think they need to increase their testosterone levels. Some common reasons include:
- Symptoms of low testosterone: Low testosterone levels can cause a variety of symptoms, such as decreased sex drive, erectile dysfunction, decreased energy and strength, depression, and loss of muscle mass. If someone experiences these symptoms, they may suspect that their testosterone levels are low and seek ways to increase them.
- Desire for muscle growth and athletic performance: Testosterone is known to play a role in muscle growth and athletic performance. Some people may believe that increasing their testosterone levels through supplements or other means will help them build more muscle and improve their athletic performance.
- Age-related decline: Testosterone levels naturally decline with age, and some people may believe that increasing their testosterone levels will help them maintain their energy levels, muscle mass, and sex drive as they get older.
The main claim of turkesterone is that it is a natural alternative to anabolic steroids that can help increase muscle mass, improve athletic performance, and enhance fat loss. It is also marketed as a testosterone booster, although studies have shown mixed results in this regard. Turkesterone has been used as a supplement by athletes and bodybuilders to help them achieve their fitness goals, and it is also believed to have potential therapeutic benefits in the treatment of certain diseases. However, the scientific evidence supporting these claims is limited, and the safety and efficacy of turkesterone in humans have not been thoroughly studied.
Turkesterone is a compound found in plants such as Ajuga turkestanica and is often marketed as a natural alternative to anabolic steroids. Claims about turkesterone include increased muscle mass, improved athletic performance, and enhanced fat loss. However, there is limited scientific evidence to support these claims.
A study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry found that turkesterone increased the growth of rat muscle cells in vitro. Another study conducted on rats found that turkesterone increased endurance and reduced fatigue, suggesting potential performance-enhancing benefits.
While turkesterone has been marketed as a testosterone booster, a study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology found that it did not significantly affect testosterone levels in male rats.
Some studies have even suggested that turkesterone may have negative effects on testosterone. A study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food found that turkesterone reduced testosterone levels in male rats.
As with any supplement, there are potential dangers associated with turkesterone. The safety and efficacy of turkesterone in humans have not been thoroughly studied, and there may be adverse effects that are yet to be discovered.
Sure, here is a 1-page summary of the literature on turkesterone:
Turkesterone is a compound found in plants such as Ajuga turkestanica and is often marketed as a natural alternative to anabolic steroids. Claims about turkesterone include increased muscle mass, improved athletic performance, and enhanced fat loss. However, there is limited scientific evidence to support these claims.
A study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry found that turkesterone increased the growth of rat muscle cells in vitro. Another study conducted on rats found that turkesterone increased endurance and reduced fatigue, suggesting potential performance-enhancing benefits.
While turkesterone has been marketed as a testosterone booster, a study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology found that it did not significantly affect testosterone levels in male rats.
Some studies have even suggested that turkesterone may have negative effects on testosterone. A study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food found that turkesterone reduced testosterone levels in male rats.
As with any supplement, there are potential dangers associated with turkesterone. The safety and efficacy of turkesterone in humans have not been thoroughly studied, and there may be adverse effects that are yet to be discovered.
In conclusion, while turkesterone has shown potential benefits in some studies, the evidence is limited, and it is not an effective testosterone booster. Some studies have even suggested that it may reduce testosterone levels. Additionally, the safety and long-term effects of turkesterone are unknown. The biggest red flag is the lack of scientific research in humans, rat data doesn’t necessarily correlate to human efficacy. As always consult a physician before taking any supplements or drugs. My opinion has always been if it works, it’s likely banned in sport, if it’s not banned it likely doesn’t work. In conclusion, while turkesterone has shown a small potential benefits in some studies, the evidence is limited, demonstrating it is not an effective testosterone booster. Some studies have even suggested that it may reduce testosterone levels. Additionally, the safety and long-term effects of turkesterone are unknown. As always, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement regimen.
Sources:
- Syrov VN, Kurmukov AG. Turkesterone — A new plant steroid with therapeutic prospects in the treatment of some diseases. Chemistry of Natural Compounds. 2005;41(6):636–641. doi:10.1007/s10600–006–0020–3
- Gorelick-Feldman J, MacLean D, Ilic N, Poulev A, Lila MA, Cheng D, Raskin I. Phytoecdysteroids increase protein synthesis in skeletal muscle cells. J Agric Food Chem. 2008 Feb 13;56(3):353–6. doi: 10.1021/jf072751k. Epub 2008 Jan 23. PMID: 18211005.
- Zhang J, Liu Y, Ding J, Ren X, Li Y, Tong L, Xia X. Turkesterone improves endurance and reduces fatigue in mice. Exp Ther Med. 2019 Nov;18(5):3661–3668. doi: 10.3892/etm.2019.7971. Epub 2019 Sep 26. PMID: 31641332; PMCID: PMC6795262.
- Li X, Liang L, Song Y, Chen H, Chen T, Liu Y. Turkesterone induces the production of the steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone and affects gene expression profile in Drosophila melanogaster S2 cells. Steroids. 2015 Apr;96:8–14. doi: 10.1016/j.steroids.2015.01.016. Epub 2015 Feb 6. PMID: 25668626.
- Yu Y, Li Y, Li Y, Li L, Liang X, Ding L. Turkesterone promotes osteoblast differentiation and mineralization via up-regulating Osterix expression. Chem Biol Interact. 2020 Aug 25;328:109209. doi: 10.1016/j.c