Drumrolls, dim the lights, kick the riff, for we have the latest rock star of supplements available on the market: Turkesterone. Why is it causing such a fuzz in the fitness community? What are its benefits? And does it work with no apparent negative side effects?
The following guide showcases Turkesterone’s origin, composition, and difference from anabolic androgenic agents. Also, for science nerds in the audience, we present many studies that evidence Turkesterone’s positive feedback in stimulating protein synthesis, muscle strength, definition, and endurance.
Stay with us as we dive deep into the issue!
What is Turkesterone?
Turkesterone, otherwise known as Ajuga Turkestanica Extract, belongs to the group of ecdysteroids. Ecdysteroids are naturally occurring steroid hormones found in plants and arthropods. Research has shown them to be highly effective at building muscle and enhancing performance.
These ecdysteroids are found in food sources like quinoa, spinach, and yams. However, the amount in these food sources is way too low to be effective. Because of their unique mechanism of inducing anabolic reaction, Turkesterone has become highly popular amongst bodybuilders, athletes, and gym rats.
Benefits of Turkesterone
Turkesterone is unique because it holds an array of benefits that vastly separates itself from other competing products.
We can attribute this to the fact that Turkesterone is a natural anabolic steroid that binds to the estrogen receptor-beta of the body, compared to other synthetic anabolic steroids which bind to androgen receptors. (To learn more, check out our FAQ)
Muscle Growth
Turkesterone has proven to build muscle by increasing muscle protein synthesis. This is done by optimizing the mRNA translation process. It also promotes leucine uptake into muscle cells which impacts protein synthesis resulting in a positive nitrogen balance. (To learn more, check out our FAQ)
Stamina & Endurance
Turkesterone also helps increase muscle ATP content which boosts muscle strength and endurance during workouts.
Increased Libido & Reduced stress
It is noteworthy to say that Turkesterone is considered an adaptogen for inhibiting myostatin and cortisol in the body (4). Adaptogens are substances that increase the state of nonspecific resistance to stress.' They stimulate our body's stress-protection response and help its systems return to "homeostasis." (5)
Furthermore, Turkesterone works similarly to testosterone, the sex hormone that feeds the sex drive.
So, in other words, Turkesterone is a stress reliever that boosts libido & muscle mass.
Regenerative Properties
Besides the benefits Turkesterone can bring to your life in the gym and beneath the sheets, it can also help other health issues of the body.
Ecdysteroids such as Turkesterone have proven to:
- Stimulate bile secretion and improve liver regeneration (hepatoprotective). Improve skin quality by accelerating wound healing
- Lower cholesterol
- Relieve osteoporosis
- Improve nervous function.
- Improve heart and lung function.
- Have hypoglycemic properties, to the point of Turkesterone being recommended for the correction of type 1 diabetes in humans.
NO side effects*
Though some users reported feelings of dizziness and stomach ache, there haven’t been listed any adverse side effects up to date.
Needless to say, each person’s physiology is unique and reacts differently to the ingestion of supplements and anabolic agents. Hence, we advocate for you to thoroughly research and consulting with your physician when buying fitness supplements.
2.5.1 Difference with anabolic androgenic steroid
Binding anabolic agents to the estrogen receptors instead of to the androgen receptors avoid the nasty side effects that androgens can cause.
You see, “androgen receptor” modulation has unpredictable reactions with other “satellite receptors” in the body that constitute prime composites of the feedback mechanism in the immune system.
So, while exerting significant physiological amounts of androgens in your body can increase testosterone levels, it also severely accelerates the process at which underlying genetic deficiencies proliferate. Put simply, if you are genetically prone to balding, high blood pressure, cancer, and other vicious things, agonizing the androgen receptors to overlap their function increases the possibility for abnormal accumulation of corrupted cells to appear in the organism (1).
Remember, the body is looking for homeostasis, and androgen/estrogen receptors are essential to the process.
Other popular steroids, like “Dianabol,” induce anabolic effects by androgenic receptors (SERMS) that affect estrogen secretion and hormonal balance.
These steroids are potent substrates for aromatase that falsely inflates the weight in the form of water weight. Therefore, the weight gain from Dianabol is not always lean gain like with the phytoecdysteroids.
Turkesterone, instead, is an anabolic agent that binds to estrogen receptors (aromatase inhibitors), which factually and anecdotally, has proven to work in different, positive ways.
2.5.2. Side effects of anabolic ANDROGENS:
Contrary to Turkesterone, anabolic androgenic steroids can cause:
- Spike in liver enzymes.
- Nephrotoxicity (deterioration in the kidney function due to the toxic effect of chemicals).
- Blatant biomarker aberrations associations (chromosome damage).
- Intrusion in the HPTA (hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis)
- Hair loss, acne, negative impact on libido, and virilizing outcomes in women.
FAQ
Is Turkesterone an ecdysteroid?
Although all ecdysteroids are not turkesterone, they do have a similar chemical structure that may give insight into the anabolic effectiveness of turkesterone. This explains why many Turkesterone studies might refer to it by calling it as an “ecdysteroid.”
Dosage – How many pills a day?
Your body controls the levels of testosterone in your blood. Levels are usually highest in the morning and decline during the day. So, to boost gains, it’s preferable to divide doses between the morning and afternoon (pre-workout and after-workout), accompanied by meals or drinks, to avoid stomach aches.
Side Note: Watch out for the average Turk seller who compounds the product with other chemicals to “boost” its effects because they have low levels of actual Turkesterone in their pills. Here in Black Forest we have the purest Turkesterone in the market at 95% purity!
Cycle - How long should I take Turkesterone?
There is no need to cycle Turkesterone as it does not negatively affect the HPTA (hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis) and therefore won’t shut down endogenous testosterone levels.
To attain the muscle-building benefits from Turkesterone it is common for users to run an 8-12 week cycle.
In any case, persistent intake is advisable to maximize hypertrophy. Results can begin to show by weeks 2-3 of ingestion.
Is Turkesterone safe?
Despite all of Turkesterone's benefits, there's still much suspicion about its efficacy. We must address that these detractors typically don't state that Turkesterone is even dangerous. They support their claims by citing the lack of extensive human studies due to the product's newfound popularity.
However, this is pretty standard for most new supplements on the market! You only get more data by testing products extensively, and, as we've shown, there's plenty of individualized and anecdotal data which shows promising results.
Is Turkesterone legal to buy?
Turkesterone is legal to buy. However, it has been included in the WADA monitoring program for anabolic agents as of 2021.
Needless to say, Black Forest Turkesterone is manufactured in an FDA approved facility and third party tested.
What’s the science?
Welcome to Black Forest Biochemistry 101!
We are not looking to bore you with complex chemical concepts and fancy words, but to approach the world of supplements and anabolic steroids, we must understand the facts. Which will help you avoid undesired consequences, and achieve your fitness goals through a healthy course of action.
With this said, let us get some concepts straight:
- At the source of it all, we find our metabolism, which maintains the normal functioning, and sustenance of life in the body. When regulated in balance (homeostasis), it is constituted by sequential chemical processes called: anabolism and catabolism.
- Catabolism: is the degradation of complex molecules (food, drinks) into smaller units that are oxidized to release energy, in the form of ATP, through anabolism.
- Anabolism: is the process that constructs molecules from smaller units using energy. It serves various bodily functions, such as the growth and repair of cells in the body (scarring), hair, nails, and muscles.
- Androgens, which are products of anabolic reactions, are natural or synthetic steroid hormones that regulate the development and maintenance of male characteristics (and in lesser degree of female) in vertebrates by binding to Androgen Receptors (AR). AR mediators oversee the development and maintenance of the reproductive, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, immune, neural and hematopoietic systems. Natural testosterone is an anabolic-androgenic steroid. "Anabolic" refers to muscle building and "androgenic" to increased male sex characteristics.
- On the other hand, Estrogen is often referred to as the female hormone, helps regulate reproductive development and function of both males and females, and is involved in other non-reproductive physiological events such as bone maturation, mineralization, and different metabolic processes. The Estrogen Receptors (ER) mediate estrogen, which, similarly to the androgen receptors, exert a vast range of biological effects on the cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, immune, and central nervous systems.
(AR) are responsible for protein synthesis and serve as prime conductors for the proliferation of testosterone. This explains why anabolic agents (marketed steroids) have historically affected steroid receptors of androgenic composition. Recently, scientists tested that (ER) can also inflict action of similar nature, which is how scientists and athletes have discovered novel methods for utilizing anabolic agents like ecdysterone and its close relative, Turkesterone, to their advantage.
Muscle Growth Studies
Turkesterone is getting amazing results! Don’t just take our word for it, simply look at the science!
Research on ecdysteroids, and subsequently turkesterone, is still at an early stage. Nevertheless, we can mention one study that aimed at investigating its effects on human sport exercise. A 10-week intervention study of strength training of 46 young men was carried out. The project observed significantly higher increases in muscle mass in those participants that were dosed with ecdysterone. (2)
Likewise, a good amount of research conducted on rodent models holds concrete, factual results for aspiring consumers. Here is what we have managed to dig up. Research from the “Center for Preventive Doping Research, German Sport University, Cologne, Germany'' found that the phytoecdysteroid was reported to stimulate protein synthesis and enhance physical performance. This study aimed to investigate underlying molecular mechanisms, particularly the role of ER beta (ERβ).
In the following image you can see how in graph C, which illustrates “Levator ani” (a proxy for muscle growth), the highest results in muscle tissue increase come from testosterone propionate mediated by ER-beta selective agonist. As understood, the ecdysteroid offers the highest weight in comparison to other stimulants in the monotherapy context.
Then, as observed in the next table on content, ecdysterone and turkesterone offer better results in terms of weight gain, with a significant difference, to that of its competing anabolic agents.
The study concluded that “these findings provide new therapeutic perspectives for the treatment of muscle injuries, sarcopenia, and cachectic disease.” (3)
Conclusions
When it comes to muscle building, Turkesterone is best accompanied by a strong commitment towards gains! Black Forest can be a great catalyst for achieving maximum physiological potential, but it is also a product subject to your willpower. The energy used during physical activity is the only energy expenditure that you have any control over. So, learn how to harness its capacity, and always remember that your mind sets the limits.
Turkesterone is an excellent muscle growth supplement that is helping people get amazing results. It is safe to consume as no turkesterone user has come across any health problems. If you want to experience its results, you must give this supplement a try and for that, you should make sure to buy this supplement from a reliable source.
One of the best and the most reliable websites to visit is Black Forest Supplements. It is the supplement company that specializes in helping men become the most masculine version of themselves. Also it has the purest form of Turkesterone, which is third party tested, and Made in the USA in a FDA approved facility. You can visit their website to learn more about it and place your order if it seems like the right fit for you
Turkesterone reviews and Related Blogs
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Andrew Huberman and Joe Rogan discuss Turkesterone as a Testosterone booster on the JRExperience
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Derek from More Plates More Dates dives deep into Turkesterone’s literature
And of course, check out our reference list of links and research! Happy gains & learning!
Sincerely, Black Forest Family
References
- Black Forest. (n.d.). TURKESTERONE 500mg (95%) Ultra High Purity. Black Forest. https://blackforestsupplements.com/products/95-turkesterone-pro
- NCBI - Phytoecdysteroids increase protein synthesis in skeletal muscle cells. (2008). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18444661/
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (1998, July 20). Homeostasis | Definition, Function, Examples, & Facts. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/science/homeostasis
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2022, October 19). Adenosine triphosphate | Definition, Structure, Function, & Facts. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/science/adenosine-triphosphate
- DIAsource - Androgens. (n.d.). https://www.diasource-diagnostics.com/en/IVD-Products/ImmunoAssays/Fertility/Androgens
- Davey RA, Grossmann M. Androgen Receptor Structure, Function and Biology: From Bench to Bedside. Clin Biochem Rev. 2016 Feb;37(1):3-15. PMID: 27057074; PMCID: PMC4810760.
- Cooke PS, Nanjappa MK, Ko C, Prins GS, Hess RA. Estrogens in Male Physiology. Physiol Rev. 2017 Jul 1;97(3):995-1043. doi: 10.1152/physrev.00018.2016. PMID: 28539434; PMCID: PMC6151497.
- Rochira V, Madeo B, Diazzi C, et al. Estrogens and male reproduction. [Updated 2016 Nov 24]. In: Feingold KR, Anawalt B, Boyce A, et al., editors. Endotext [Internet]. South Dartmouth (MA): MDText.com, Inc.; 2000-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK278933/
- Bodybuilding, I. (2022, October 22). Turkesterone: Benefits, Side Effects & Results. Inside Bodybuilding. https://insidebodybuilding.com/turkesterone/
- NIDA. 2021, April 12. What are the side effects of anabolic steroid misuse?. Retrieved from https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/steroids-other-appearance-performance-enhancing-drugs-apeds/what-are-side-effects-anabolic-steroid-misuse on 2022, November 22
- Isenmann E, Ambrosio G, Joseph JF, Mazzarino M, de la Torre X, Zimmer P, Kazlauskas R, Goebel C, Botrè F, Diel P, Parr MK. Ecdysteroids as non-conventional anabolic agent: performance enhancement by ecdysterone supplementation in humans. Arch Toxicol. 2019 Jul;93(7):1807-1816. doi: 10.1007/s00204-019-02490-x. Epub 2019 May 23. PMID: 31123801.
- Syrov, V. N. (2000, April 1). Comparative experimental investigation of the anabolic activity of phytoecdysteroids and steranabols. SpringerLink. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF02524596?error=cookies_not_supported&code=56213e73-e06f-400b-a112-5f41b77a19ad
- Shakhmurova, G. A. (2010). Immunomodulating and antistress activity of ecdysterone and turkesterone under immobilization-induced stress conditions in mice. AGRIS: International Information System for the Agricultural Science and Technology. https://agris.fao.org/agris-search/search.do?recordID=US201301859691
- Pro Hormones. (2022, April 7). What are Adaptogens? Prohormones. https://pro-hormones.co.uk/blogs/news/what-are-adaptogens
- Lafont R, Dinan L. Practical uses for ecdysteroids in mammals including humans: an update. J Insect Sci. 2003;3:7. doi: 10.1093/jis/3.1.7. PMID: 15844229; PMCID: PMC524647.
- Int J Cur Res Rev | Vol 12 • Issue 21 • November 2020 obtained from: https://ijcrr.com/uploads/3042_pdf.pdf
- Webb, A. (2022, October 10). A Complete Guide To Turkesterone 2022. Prohormones. https://pro-hormones.co.uk/blogs/news/a-complete-guide-to-turkesterone
- Dinan, L. (n.d.). Effects and applications of arthropod steroid hormones (ecdysteroids) in mammals. Joe. https://joe.bioscientifica.com/view/journals/joe/191/1/1910001.xml
- Supplements, B. (2021, December 10). Is Turkesterone a steroid? Bodytech Supplements. https://www.bodytechsupplements.com.au/is-turkesterone-a-steroid-2/