Turkesterone Supplements – The Next Muscle Booster?

Are you lifting hard at the gym and upping your protein intake, but are still struggling to gain muscle? As a result, you may have looked into a turkesterone supplement as an alternative to taking hormones like testosterone.

As a Registered Dietitian who works with active people, I commonly get asked about performance-enhancing supplements. 

But what exactly is turkesterone in particular, is it safe, and should you consider it? Find out the truth about this popular supplement in this article. 

Keep reading to learn all the ins and outs including whether this natural anabolic agent can truly supercharge your muscle growth and fitness level.

What Is Turkesterone?

Turkesterone is considered an ecdysteroid, a type of steroid hormone class found in insects and plants. It is most commonly found in the Ajuga turkestinica plant in central Asia, hence the origin of its name. It is said to play a role in defending against insect pests and supporting the reproductive cycle but has more recently gained popularity as a supplement in the sports and fitness world. 

In particular, turkesterone supplements are being used for muscle growth and to enhance muscle performance, among other claimed benefits. It is also said that turkesterone can also support healthy testosterone levels, promoting the development of masculine traits like hair and muscle growth, deepening of the voice, and physical strength.  

Many turkesterone supplement reviews report increased muscle strength and enhanced performance during workouts and during NEAT activity (unscheduled exercise), with limited side effects. Let’s go over these possible benefits in more detail.

Turkesterone Supplement Benefits

Turkesterone has been seen to act as an anabolic hormone, similar to testosterone. Here are a few reported benefits seen from taking ecdysteroids, the class of steroid hormones turkesterone is a part of.

• Enhanced muscle growth
• Improved athletic performance
• Faster recovery
• Reduced fatigue
• Improved body composition
• Supports healthy joints

These benefits are based on anecdotal reports and a few limited animal and human studies.

One 2015 rat study on ecdysteroids suggested they should be added to the list of prohibited anabolic substances in sports, which means they may have the potential to trigger muscle growth. 

In addition, ecdysteroids’ performance-enhancing abilities were tested in a 2019 human study. This study involved 46 young men who took the ecdysteroid called ecdysterone. Those taking this supplement had significantly higher increases in muscle mass, and it may be effective in terms of sports performance.

Keep in mind there are over 300 types of ecdysteroids, however, and it’s difficult to determine if all of them will produce these results. There are no studies that have tested turkesterone specifically, therefore most benefits reported are anecdotal. 

Turkesterone Side Effects

Compared to true steroid hormones like testosterone, users generally report fewer side effects from natural anabolic steroids like turkesterone. 

However, the following side effects have still been reported, which are more common in high doses or long-term use:

• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Digestive upset

The turkesterone dosage is very important regarding the likelihood of side effects. For example, rodent studies have shown an increased risk of toxicity when taking ecdysteroids at a dose of 9000 mg per kilogram of body weight. 

Fortunately, this is much higher than most turkesterone supplement dosages. 

Turkesterone Dosage

Because there is still limited research on ecdysteroids, there is no established clinically effective dose for turkesterone yet.

With that said, a typical turkesterone supplement dose is 250-500 mg per day. However, in rodent studies, a dose of up to 800 mg has been safely tested in humans.

To minimize the risk of side effects, make sure to seek medical guidance on the best turkosterone dosage and plan for your goals and health status. 

It’s also essential to choose a high-quality turkesterone brand that has been third-party tested if possible, to have peace of mind what is on the ingredient label is accurate.

Bottom Line – Should You Take A Turkesterone Supplement?

Turkesterone supplements have gained widespread popularity for their potential to promote muscle growth, enhance strength, and boost exercise performance. If you are looking for a natural supplement to improve your physical performance, a quality turkesterone supplement may be worth considering.

However, more research is needed to confirm its effectiveness and proper dosage. If you’re curious about it, speak with your doctor to see if it’s a good fit for you.

Don’t forget the importance of a balanced diet with adequate protein. Getting enough protein enables your body to build muscle and repair itself after intense workout sessions. Good dietary protein sources include lean beef, chicken, fish, eggs, tofu, Greek yogurt, cheese, cottage cheese, beans, and legumes.  If you need more tips on following a balanced diet, check out our post “8 Tips To Healthy Eating.”

If you decide to take a turkesterone supplement based on your doctor’s guidance, always follow the recommended dosage and stop immediately if you experience any side effects. 

FAQ #1: Is turkesterone a steroid?

Yes, but it is a natural steroid hormone produced by animals and plants. It is different from unnatural, synthetic steroids known as “anabolic-androgenic steroids” (AAS) which may come with more side effects.

FAQ #2: What type of steroid is turkesterone?

Turkesterone is a steroid in the ecdysteroid family, a natural steroid found in a central Asian plant called Ajuga turkenstinica. 

FAQ #3: Is turkesterone safe?

Yes, so far the research points to the fact that turkesterone is generally safe and considered non-toxic. The exception is if it is taken in high doses way above the 800 mg limit seen in studies.

However, there are still risks for possible side effects such as nausea, dizziness, and digestive upset.

FAQ #4: Does turkesterone work?

Turkesterone has the potential to support muscle growth and performance, being that it is a natural steroid with anabolic properties. Many users have reported positive results, but more human research is needed to confirm its effectiveness, the proper dose, and the optimal length of time to take it.

FAQ #5: What does turkesterone do?

Turkesterone is a dietary supplement purported to support muscle growth, boost strength, and enhance physical performance. Many users have confirmed these results in customer reviews.

FAQ #6: How much turkesterone should I take?

As of this time, there is not an optimal turkesterone dosage determined yet. The highest ecdysteroid dose seen to be safe in humans is 800 mg per day, but this was not tested in turkesterone specifically. Because of this, it is best to stick to a lower dose of 250-500 mg commonly found in supplements and consult with your doctor before use.

FAQ #7? How is turkesterone different from testosterone?

Turkesterone is similar to testosterone in chemical structure and function. They both are considered anabolic substances, meaning they stimulate growth in the body – but in different ways. 

Turkesterone does this by stimulating an estrogen receptor called estrogen-receptor beta, while testosterone increases blood levels of testosterone directly.

FAQ #8: Does turkesterone increase testosterone levels?

No, it does not. Turkesterone works as an anabolic hormone in other ways, such as by stimulating estrogen receptors and protein synthesis.

FAQ #9: How long does it take to see results from turkesterone? 

Most people report seeing results within 4-8 weeks, with results leveling off shortly after that. It’s important to remember that every person is different, and turkesterone before and after results can vary.