What Is Turkesterone, How Does It Work and Can It Really Boost Testosterone Levels?

If you’re a fitness enthusiast who can’t miss any new trend from the world of supplements, you’ve probably heard of turkesterone. Interest in this substance is growing rapidly in Europe. Likewise, turkesterone is also very popular in America amongst bodybuilders and other strength athletes. You can even hear about it on one of the most famous podcasts – The Joe Rogan Experience. Other personalities such as Jeff Nippard and Dr. Layne Norton have also recently weighed in on the topic of turkesterone.

Turkesterone is a natural supplement to support healthy testosterone levels and their increase, greater muscle growth and better sports performance. And all this in a natural way and without unpleasant side effects as in the case of anabolic steroids. No wonder there’s such a buzz around it. But it doesn’t mean that all that glitters is gold, which is why we will take a pretty close look at the effects of turkesterone.

In this article you can read about the effect of turkesterone on:

What is turkesterone?

Turkesterone is a plant-based steroid that is most commonly extracted from the thistle herb family, such as Ajuga turkestanica. The latter is native to the Central Asian region and grows mainly on the territory of Uzbekistan. Turkesterone belongs to the ecdysteroid hormones that promote the growth of plants or insects, which makes them considered anabolic substances. Among its other representatives is also slightly more popular Ecdysterone. Ecdysteroid hormones resemble androgens in their structure and are therefore popular among athletes as a steroid replacement, and as dietary supplements to improve performance and muscle growth. And it is turkesterone that is the most effective of them, according to current knowledge. [1-2]

Its chemical structure is actually similar to human testosterone, which we associate mainly with male health and also with muscle growth. This has brought turkesterone to the attention of a number of bodybuilders and other athletes who want to get the most out of themselves. This is because testosterone levels in the body naturally decline over the course of our lives. That’s why athletes seeking maximum musculature often look for ways to keep testosterone at optimal levels or increase it further, taking their form to a new level. [1-2]

In addition to optimal training loads, recovery and a fine-tuned diet, these athletes also try natural supplements containing bioactive substances and plant-based steroids, such as turkesterone. Moreover, according to the latest research, it is safe for your health and does not belong to doping substances, as is the case with testosterone. But does turkesterone really have the effects that have been written about it? [1-2]

What are expected benefits of turkesterone?

After reading all the effects listed, you may think that you have just discovered the holy grail of strength sports. According to many people, turkesterone has a positive effect not only on muscle growth, but also on many other areas of life. [3]

Which are the most popular effects of turkesterone?

• maintaining healthy testosterone levels and increasing them
• muscle mass growth
• improved strength
• better overall physical performance
• fat burning and weight loss support
• more energy throughout the day
• greater resistance to stress
• brain function support
• protection against depression
• lowering of blood sugar levels
• anti-inflammatory properties
• antioxidant properties
• improved digestion
• immune function support
• liver and heart health support

The list of effects of turkesterone looks very promising. However, these are anecdotal effects, which are mainly based on personal experience and assumptions. Unfortunately, only some of them are based on scientific evidence, but this may change in the future due to the limited number of studies on turkesterone so far.

What does science say about the effects of turkesterone?

Turkesterone is most commonly associated with testosterone support, muscle growth, better recovery, athletic performance, and greater mental toughness. But what does science say about the effects of turkesterone on these key areas? 

1. Testosterone levels

Unfortunately, at present, we can’t find many studies that would clearly confirm or refute the effect of turkesterone or other ecdysteroids on testosterone levels. According to the results of one study, there was no increase in blood testosterone when taking ecdysterone. On the other hand, however, experts mention another effect that could compensate for the increase in this androgen. Turkesterone, according to them, can connect to the oestrogen beta receptor. The latter plays an important role in building muscle mass (hypertrophy) but also in its regeneration, which may give it similar anabolic effects to testosterone. However, this effect has so far only been observed in animals.   [4-6]

This means that if you want to increase or maintain healthy testosterone levels in the body, you better choose proven supplements. [7-10]

Which substances can promote healthy testosterone levels?

• Zinc is, amongst other things, needed for the production of testosterone, and to maintain normal blood levels.
• DAA or D-Aspartic Acid is an amino acid that plays an essential role in the very process of testosterone production in the body.
• Fenugreek contains steroidal saponins that are being studied for their promising potential to increase testosterone levels. In one study, a 12% increase in total testosterone levels over baseline values was observed. But in the case of this herb, more research is needed to confirm its effects.
• Tribulus Terrestris is an extract of a plant of the family Zygophyllaceae, which also contains active saponins, mainly protodioscin. This makes it very popular and is used to increase testosterone levels, libido and support reproductive functions.
• Ashwagandha is a herb that has been shown in a number of studies to have a positive effect on increasing testosterone levels. In two of them, among other things, it was mentioned that it was even able to increase total testosterone levels by 15 – 40%.
• The complex supplement in the form of AlfaMale Testobooster contains the already mentioned zinc, DAA, fenugreek, and even Beta ecdysterone and other biologically active substances. It is thus an effective combination of substances that can help optimise testosterone levels.

If you are wondering what consequences testosterone deficiency can have on health, read our article Ten Symptoms of Testosterone Deficiency – What Causes It and How to Address It?

On the other hand, there are other studies that have also been done on ecdysterone, and these have not confirmed its positive effects on muscle growth. In one of them, strength athletes took 200 mg, 800 mg or 1000 mg of ecdysterone daily for eight weeks. In neither group did the researchers observe any changes in testosterone levels, strength abilities or body composition. [13]

Next study investigated the effect of this substance on increasing muscle protein synthesis (MPS) in mice. No positive changes in muscle mass formation were then observed. Even when co-administered with leucine, the anabolic effect of leucine was reduced. [14]

While the results from some studies look promising, there are others that have come up with the opposite finding. So we can’t yet draw definite conclusions based on them. There is currently a lack of good quality studies that prove or disprove the anabolic effect of turkesterone. If your goal is to grow muscle mass, it is still true that a well-designed training and supplementation plan, diet, adherence to the principle of progressive overload and sufficient rest are essential.

However, dietary supplements can also be part of a comprehensive approach that is scientifically sufficient and as yet insufficiently validated. These often lack stronger evidence of their effects, but on the other hand, it may also depend in part on how convinced we are of their efficacy, as placebo is also a large measure of success. [15]

If you’re wondering what you can do in terms of exercise and diet to grow more muscle, check out our article Top 10 Nutrition and Training Tips for Maximum Muscle Growth.  

You might be interested in these products:

3. Muscle regeneration

The support for muscle protein production (MPS) that we mentioned above also contributes to better recovery. Thanks to faster repair of training-damaged muscles, we can exercise more often or more intensively.

Ecdysteroids, to which turkesterone belongs, can also promote leucine metabolism and its incorporation into cells, according to some studies. This essential amino acid is one of the most important in terms of repairing muscle fibres damaged by training. Paradoxically, one study reported the opposite. [2, 14, 16-17]

However, even turkesterone is not a miracle substance that will totally prevent muscle pain after exercise within an hour. Again, you should continue to rely on quality sleep, rest between workouts, sufficient protein in the diet and other methods that can promote recovery. These include, for example, cold water therapy, a sauna or massage. For some massage, you can also use a massage gun at home, for example. Then add turkesterone or other dietary supplements that will best suit your goals and requirements.

Find out more about why recovery is so important and what you can do to support it in our article Eight Quick Ways to Recover After Training.

4. Better sports performance

The growth of muscle mass typically goes hand in hand with greater strength. But that’s not the only potential effect of turkesterone on athletic performance. Ecdysteroids can also help increase glycogen stores in the body in general, according to a number of scientific papers. These in turn are directly related to the production of energy in the form of ATP, which is the basic fuel unit in the body, just like petrol or diesel in internal combustion engines. This allows to exercise for longer periods of time without feeling fatigued. This effect has so far only been described in animals. However, we will have to wait to confirm or refute its effectiveness in humans. [18-20]

Which substances can enhance athletic performance?

• Creatine helps to restore ATP during physical activity. This makes it especially important for supporting quick burst of energy, which is important in strength, team and combat sports.
• Caffeine is one of the most popular stimulants in the world that helps maintain alertness and concentration during workouts. According to some studies, it promotes strength and endurance. [21]
• Beta-alanine can enhance athletic performance in high-intensity activities that typically last for a short period of time. It can positively affect the breakdown of lactic acid from working muscles. [22]
• Nitric oxide (NO) is formed from arginine in the body. This contributes to better blood flow to the working muscles, which can lead to a more efficient supply of nutrients and oxygen to the muscles. This can then typically translate into better overall performance. [23] 
• A complex pre-workout supplement such as Thor contains the aforementioned caffeine, arginine, beta alanine and other active ingredients. Overall, it will help prepare the body for intense activity and even improve it.

5. Adaptogenic effects 

Ecdysteroids, including turkesterone, are also included among the adaptogens. These substances are known for their positive effects on psychological resilience, stress management and overall wellbeing of a person. According to studies conducted so far, turkesterone may contribute to increased stress resilience and better adaptation of the body to challenging conditions. It can help cope more easily with difficult life situations, stressful exams or new work challenges. Even in this case, however, we are speaking about the results of animal studies and have to wait for human study results. [24-25]

If you are wondering which other plant substances are part of the adaptogens, read our article Adaptogens: Natural Substances that Help Manage Stress.

How is turkesterone typically taken and dosed?

• Turkesterone is most commonly found in the form of a plant extract in capsules or tablets, which is usually standardised to 10% active ingredient content.
• It is recommended to take with food at any time of the day or before training, but never on an empty stomach.
• The recommended daily dose of turkesterone is most often in the range of 500 – 1000 mg per day.
• You can also calculate the recommended daily dose by multiplying 10 mg of this substance per 1 kilogram of fat free mass of our body (Fat Free Mass). For example, for an 80 kg person with 10% fat, this corresponds to 720 mg of turkesterone per day. [26-27]

Is it necessary to cycle the turkesterone?

Turkesterone is not classified as an androgen and thus should not cause suppression of the body’s natural testosterone production. This often happens when taking anabolic steroids. For this reason, it is not necessary to interrupt its supplementation for some time. However, most users of turkesterone take a few weeks break after 8-12 weeks of taking it. They need to go through the adaptation of the body to this substance, which could lead to a gradual decrease in the effect. [28-30]

Does turkesterone have any side effects?

Turkesterone is considered safe, unlike anabolic steroids. It does not bind to androgen receptors in the body, which is considered risky with these substances. Thanks to this, there is no risk of side effects if taken as per the recommended dosage. However, if it is not taken at the correct dosage or if the substance is taken on an empty stomach, nausea or indigestion may be experienced. [3, 30]

What should you remember?

To sum it up, we can say for sure that turkesterone has some potential influence on improving some areas of life. On the other hand, these conclusions are based on a small number of studies and we lack evidence of an effect on the sporting population. However, at normal dosages it is a safe supplement, so anyone can see for themselves the effect of this substance if they are interested.

However, you should always follow the basic rules of training, diet and rest when achieving goals such as muscle growth or optimising testosterone levels. And you can then add turkesterone supplementation additionally.

Do you have someone amongst your friends who are interested in the latest sports supplements? Share this article with them, thanks to which they will learn interesting information about turkesterone. 

Sources:

[1] Guibout, L., Mamadalieva, N., Balducci, C., Girault, J.-P., & Lafont, R. The minor ecdysteroids from Ajuga turkestanica. – https://doi.org/10.1002/pca.2563

[2] Frank, K., Patel, K., Lopez, G., & Willis, B. – Ecdysteroids Research Analysis. https://examine.com/supplements/ecdysteroids/

[3] Dr. Axe. How Turkesterone Can Benefits Your Workouts. – https://draxe.com/nutrition/turkesterone-supplement/

[4] Parr, M., Botrè, F., Naß, A., Hengevoss, J., Diel, P., & Wolber, G. Ecdysteroids: A novel class of anabolic agents? – https://doi.org/10.5604/20831862.1144420

[5] PubMed. Effects of methoxyisoflavone, ecdysterone, and sulfo-polysaccharide supplementation on training adaptations in resistance-trained males. – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18500969/

[6] Seko, D., Fujita, R., Kitajima, Y., Nakamura, K., Imai, Y., & Ono, Y. Estrogen Receptor β Controls Muscle Growth and Regeneration in Young Female Mice. – https://doi.org/10.1016/j.stemcr.2020.07.017

[7] Frank, K., Patel, K., Lopez, G., & Willis, B. Testosterone Research Analysis. – https://examine.com/topics/testosterone/

[8] Rao, A., Steels, E., Inder, W. J., Abraham, S., & Vitetta, L. Testofen, a specialised Trigonella foenum-graecum seed extract reduces age-related symptoms of androgen decrease, increases testosterone levels and improves sexual function in healthy aging males in a double-blind randomised clinical study. – https://doi.org/10.3109/13685538.2015.1135323

[9] Ahmad, M. K., Mahdi, A. A., Shukla, K. K., Islam, N., Rajender, S., Madhukar, D., Shankhwar, S. N., & Ahmad, S. Withania somnifera improves semen quality by regulating reproductive hormone levels and oxidative stress in seminal plasma of infertile males. – https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2009.04.046

[10] Ambiye, V. R., Langade, D., Dongre, S., Aptikar, P., Kulkarni, M., & Dongre, A. Clinical Evaluation of the Spermatogenic Activity of the Root Extract of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) in Oligospermic Males: A Pilot Study. – https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/571420

[11] Gorelick-Feldman, J., Cohick, W., & Raskin, I. Ecdysteroids elicit a rapid Ca2+ flux leading to Akt activation and increased protein synthesis in skeletal muscle cells.– https://doi.org/10.1016/j.steroids.2010.03.008

[12] Gorelick-Feldman, J., Maclean, D., Ilic, N., Poulev, A., Lila, M. A., Cheng, D., & Raskin, I. Phytoecdysteroids increase protein synthesis in skeletal muscle cells. – https://doi.org/10.1021/jf073059z

[13] Wilborn, C. D., Taylor, L. W., Campbell, B. I., Kerksick, C., Rasmussen, C. J., Greenwood, M., & Kreider, R. B. Effects of Methoxyisoflavone, Ecdysterone, and Sulfo-Polysaccharide Supplementation on Training Adaptations in Resistance-Trained Males. – https://doi.org/10.1186/1550-2783-3-2-19

[14] Anthony, T. G., Mirek, E. T., Bargoud, A. R., Phillipson-Weiner, L., DeOliveira, C. M., Wetstein, B., Graf, B. L., Kuhn, P. E., & Raskin, I. Evaluating the effect of 20-hydroxyecdysone (20HE) on mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling in the skeletal muscle and liver of rats. – https://doi.org/10.1139/apnm-2015-0301

[15] Smits, R. M., Veldhuijzen, D. S., Hartman, T. O., Peerdeman, K. J., Vliet, L. M. V., Middendorp, H. V., Rippe, R. C. A., Wulffraat, N. M., & Evers, A. W. M. Explaining placebo effects in an online survey study: Does ‘Pavlov’ ring a bell? – https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0247103

[16] Isenmann, E., Ambrosio, G., Joseph, J. F., Mazzarino, M., de la Torre, X., Zimmer, P., Kazlauskas, R., Goebel, C., Botrè, F., Diel, P., & Parr, M. K. Ecdysteroids as non-conventional anabolic agent: Performance enhancement by ecdysterone supplementation in humans. – https://doi.org/10.1007/s00204-019-02490-x

[17] Duquette, S., & PTS, M. W.-N., BHSc. Is Turkesterone a Good Supplement for Building Muscle? – https://bonytobeastly.com/turkesterone-for-building-muscle/

[18] Turkesterone—Ecdysteroid for muscle building & more strengthTurkesterone - Ecdysteroid for Muscle Building & More Strength. – https://www.american-supps.com/turkesterone-shop

[19] Shanely, K. A. Z. A. R., Merritt, E., & McBride, J. Phytoecdysteroids: A Novel, Non-Androgenic Alternative for Muscle Health and Performance. – https://doi.org/10.4172/2157-7536.S12-E001

[20] Lafont, R., & Dinan, L. Practical uses for ecdysteroids in mammals including humans: An update. – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC524647/

[21] Mielgo-Ayuso, J., Marques-Jiménez, D., Refoyo, I., Del Coso, J., León-Guereño, P., & Calleja-González, JEffect of Caffeine Supplementation on Sports Performance Based on Differences Between Sexes: A Systematic Review. – https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11102313

[22] Frank, K., Patel, K., Lopez, G., & Willis, B. Beta-Alanine Research Analysis. – https://examine.com/supplements/beta-alanine/

[23] Frank, K., Patel, K., Lopez, G., & Willis, B. Arginine Research Analysis. – https://examine.com/supplements/arginine/

[24] Zwetsloot, K., Shanely, R., Merritt, E., & McBride, J. A Novel, Non-Androgenic Alternative for Muscle Health and Performance. – https://doi.org/10.4172/2157-7536.S12-e001

[25] Shakhmurova, G., Syrov, V., & Khushbaktova, Z. Immunomodulating and antistress activity of ecdysterone and turkesterone under immobilization-induced stress conditions in mice. – https://doi.org/10.1007/s11094-010-0387-8

[26] Mr Supplement. Turkesterone | Facts, Benefits, Effects, Dosage. – https://www.mrsupplement.com.au/turkesterone

[27] MassiveJoes.Com. Turkesterone. – https://massivejoes.com/articles/turkesterone/

[28] Gorilla Mind Turkesterone Review. Legit or a Scam? – https://totalshape.com/supplements/gorilla-mind-turkesterone-review/

[29] Frigo, J. A Complete Guide to Turkesterone Supplements. – https://www.bestpricenutrition.com/blogs/new-products/a-complete-guide-to-turkesterone-supplements

[30] Debutify. What Is Turkesterone?– https://pro-hormones.co.uk/blogs/news/a-complete-guide-to-turkesterone