What’s the Difference Between Turkesterone and Ecdysterone?

If there’s one common thread within the weightlifting community, those who hit the gym are continually looking to get the edge. And in turn, there’s a supplement industry looking for chances to capitalize on finding ways to offer that “edge.” It seems like every year or so, a new wonder supplement on the market helps see more significant gains or cuts recovery time in half.

There’s been dozens of these moments over the years, like when D-Aspartic acid and Tribulus Terrestris, both considered “exotic” testosterone boosters, started to show up in pre-workout supplements. One of the latest ingredients to see the hype train come rolling in is turkesterone — a compound that’s touted by some to be as dominant in the body as anabolic steroids. So, is the hype on turkesterone fact or fiction?

What is Turkesterone?

Turkesterone is a primary bioactive compound in Ajuga turkestanica — a plant long used in traditional medicine for its anabolic, adaptogenic, hepatoprotective, and hypoglycemic properties. In Uzbekistan and Tadzhikistan, the plant has been praised for its effects on muscle strength and stomach issues, as well as its supposed protective properties against heart diseases. 

Turkesterone Supplement is an analog of 20-hydroxyecdysone and belongs to a family known as ecdysteroids — anabolic compounds found in plants, arthropods, and fungi that regulate insect molting and metamorphosis. The problem is, there’s not a lot of tangible research available on the subject, which clouds its effectiveness in humans and how it affects the body as it trains. 

What’s the difference between Turkesterone and Ecdysterone?

Turkesterone and ecdysterone are the two significant ecdysteroids found in Ajuga turkestanica, each accounting for ~0.2–0.4% of the dry aerial part weight. Ecdysteroids are responsible for insect and plant growth. They have a steroid backbone containing a Cis A/B ring junction, a 7-ene-6- one chromophore, and a 14α-hydroxyl group, which have been found to display anabolic effects on muscles. Turkesterone and ecdysterone possess anti-stress effects, which can support muscle building via regulating cortisol, and energizing Notch receptors in muscle cells, which helps stem cells develop new cell blocks.

One roadblock with widespread Turkesterone adoption is that there are no human studies to date, and all research has been done in cell cultures and animals. Extrapolating a human equivalent dose would be around 400mg of ajuga turkestanica standardized to 40% ecdysteroids, with the ecdysteroid content slanted toward 20-hydroxyecdysone rather than turkesterone. To have an honest, scientific-based conversation with plausible points of view and results, more clinical research must be done with humans rather than small mammals, like rats.

Ecdysterone is designed for muscle mass and strength

Ecdysterone (20-hydroxyecdysone) is a naturally occurring steroid found in plants and insects within a compound family called ecdysteroids. In recent years, Ecdysterone has found an audience within the lifting community thanks to its natural ability to help users see results without poisoning their bodies with harsh artificial chemicals.

Ecdysterone promotes lean mass gains due to estrogen receptor-beta (ERβ) activation. ERβ signaling generates skeletal muscle growth and regeneration by pushing anabolic pathways, activating satellite cells, and modulating immune function. Ecdysterone supports muscle protein synthesis via direct or indirect stimulation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Ecdysterone doesn’t interact with androgen receptors, so no suppression or other unwanted side effects are found with AAS. Ecdysterone supplementation resulted in no elevation in biomarkers indicating liver or kidney toxicity. There are clear mile markers for success with provable data points with Ecdysterone, which leads to a healthier alternative for the body while in the weight room.

Turkesterone vs. Ecdysterone explained

There’s nothing available that cites taking Turkesterone as a slam dunk. Research is spotty, so while the animal test results are positive, they don’t translate on a 1:1 basis to healthy human subjects taking the supplement. On the other hand, Ecdysterone has been studied in healthy humans and has multiple studies to back its effectiveness when taken and used in combination with resistance training (see Advanced Molecular Labs Ecdysterone for one option from the same brand behind the study review above).