Last updated: January 15, 2026, 10:48 am
Turkesterone: Does the Science Support the Hype?
By: Marc Lobliner, IFBB Pro
Quick take (TL;DR)
- Human data so far is underwhelming: multiple 4-week studies found no meaningful changes in body composition or performance vs placebo.
- Mechanism is plausible (ecdysteroids may influence protein-related pathways), but plausibility ≠ proven outcomes in real lifters.
- If you want guaranteed ROI: creatine, protein, calories, training progression, and sleep still dominate.
- If you still want to try it: treat it like an experiment, use a consistent dose, track outcomes, and don’t expect “natural steroid” results.
Turkesterone exploded into the mainstream as a “natural anabolic” that supposedly boosts muscle growth, strength, and recovery. The problem: marketing moved faster than science. Let’s break down what turkesterone is, what human studies actually show, how to dose it, and whether it’s worth your money.
What is turkesterone?
Turkesterone is a type of ecdysteroid, a steroid-like compound found in certain plants and insects. The supplement form is commonly sourced from Ajuga turkestanica. Unlike anabolic-androgenic steroids, turkesterone is not thought to work by binding to the androgen receptor the way testosterone or Dianabol would.
In plain English: it’s often marketed as “anabolic without the steroid side effects,” but that claim depends on whether it actually produces meaningful muscle/strength outcomes in humans.
Does turkesterone work? What the best human studies show
Here’s the key point: the most relevant evidence is human trials measuring body composition and performance. And the most direct turkesterone supplementation studies we have right now are short (4 weeks) and generally show no meaningful advantage vs placebo.
Human study #1: 500 mg/day turkesterone for 4 weeks (DXA body comp)
A 2024 study randomized active men and women to 500 mg/day turkesterone or placebo for 4 weeks and measured changes via DXA. Result: no significant differences in body mass, lean mass, fat mass, or body fat percentage compared to placebo.
Human study #2: “turkesterone-containing product” (Turk Builder®) for 4 weeks
A 2025 randomized, double-blind trial tested a turkesterone-containing product for 4 weeks and tracked body composition, handgrip strength, mood, and sleep. Result: no significant differences between treatment and placebo groups across those measures.
Acute study: multiple doses and short-term markers
A 2024 preliminary study looked at acute dosing and markers like IGF-1 and resting metabolic rate over a short window. It did not find statistically significant effects, though it notes the work is “foundational” for future research.
Bottom line from human trials so far:
If you’re expecting obvious hypertrophy or strength jumps in a month, current human studies suggest you’ll likely be disappointed.
Study snapshot table (for quick scanning)
| Study | Design | Dose / Duration | What they measured | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antonio et al. (2024) | Randomized, placebo-controlled | 500 mg/day, 4 weeks | DXA body composition | No significant change vs placebo |
| Crisanti et al. (2025) | Double-blind, placebo-controlled | Turk Builder® 1 cap/day, 4 weeks | Body comp, handgrip, mood, sleep | No significant differences vs |
| Harris et al. (2024) | Acute dosing study | Multiple doses, short time window | IGF-1, RMR, metabolic markers | No significant effects; exploratory |
| Isenmann et al. (2019) (ecdysterone) | Training intervention (ecdysterone) | 10 weeks (varied dosing) | Performance / training outcomes | Suggestive effects, but different compound & context |
How might turkesterone work? (Mechanism)
Ecdysteroids are hypothesized to influence pathways related to muscle protein synthesis, energy metabolism, and recovery. A 2024 review summarizes proposed mechanisms (protein synthesis support, ATP-related effects, and other metabolic influences), but also makes clear that mechanisms are still being clarified and don’t guarantee real-world hypertrophy.
Key takeaway: A plausible mechanism can be interesting, but users ultimately care about outcomes, and current human outcomes are not impressive.
Turkesterone benefits: what’s realistic?
- Muscle gain: Not convincingly supported by current short-term human trials.
- Strength/performance: No clear improvements in the direct turkesterone trials; ecdysterone research is a different bucket. :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}
- Recovery/“feel” effects: Mostly anecdotal—hard to separate from placebo without longer, larger trials.
Turkesterone dosage (what people use vs what studies used)
Many supplement brands recommend around 500 mg/day, commonly split into 1–2 doses. That’s also the dose used in one of the most direct 4-week trials. :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}
If you insist on trying it:
- Use a consistent dose daily for 6–8 weeks (longer than most studies),
- Track body weight, waist, lifts, sleep, and training volume,
- Don’t change 10 variables at once (diet + training + 6 new supplements),
- Stop if you experience side effects.
Turkesterone side effects & safety
Direct long-term safety data in humans is limited. However, broader ecdysteroid literature often describes a favorable safety profile in mammals and summarizes toxicology background.
That said, athletes should also understand regulatory context: ecdysteroids are not currently prohibited, but are on WADA’s monitoring list (meaning it’s being tracked and could change in the future).
Commonly reported issues are usually mild (e.g., GI discomfort), but high-quality data is sparse. If you’re pregnant/nursing, have a medical condition, or take medications, talk to a qualified healthcare professional first.
FDA disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This content is for educational purposes and is not medical advice.
Turkesterone vs creatine (and what you should take instead)
If your goal is to build muscle and get stronger, creatine monohydrate is still the king because it has a much larger, higher-quality evidence base than turkesterone. If you’re choosing where to spend money, creatine + protein + total calories + training progression will almost always beat “hype” supplements.
Related Content:
Should you take turkesterone? (Honest verdict)
If you want something “natural” and you enjoy experimenting, turkesterone is unlikely to be dangerous for most healthy adults—but based on current human evidence, it’s also unlikely to be a game-changer.
Best use-case: advanced lifters who already have training, sleep, protein, and creatine dialed in, and are okay paying for a “maybe.”
Worst use-case: beginners expecting “steroid-like” results without fixing calories, protein, and progressive overload.
Turkesterone FAQ
Does turkesterone build muscle?
Current 4-week human studies using 500 mg/day turkesterone or a turkesterone-containing product found no significant improvements in body composition vs placebo.
How long does turkesterone take to work?
Most direct human studies are 4 weeks and show no clear effect. If someone tries it, 6–8 weeks is a common real-world experiment window, but results are not guaranteed.
What is the best turkesterone dose?
A common dose is around 500 mg/day (often split with meals). That’s also the dose used in a key human trial.
Is turkesterone safe?
Long-term human safety data are limited. Ecdysteroid reviews often describe low toxicity in mammals, but evidence is still evolving.
Is turkesterone banned in sports?
Ecdysteroids are not currently prohibited by WADA, but they are on the monitoring list. Athletes should stay updated and use third-party tested supplements.
Should You Take Turkesterone?
If you are looking for a mild muscle-building supplement with potential recovery benefits, turkesterone might be worth experimenting with. However, if you’re expecting steroid-like effects, you will likely be disappointed. Given the lack of large-scale human studies, it should not replace proven supplements like creatine, whey protein, or BCAAs.
For those looking to try turkesterone, we have Hi-Tech Turkesterone 650 and many other quality options, which you can get at TigerFitness.com.
Final Verdict: Does Turkesterone Live Up to the Hype?
While turkesterone shows promise as a natural muscle-building compound, it is far from being a game-changer. Until more human trials confirm its effectiveness, it remains an intriguing but largely unproven supplement in the fitness industry.
For those looking for anabolic-like benefits without hormonal side effects, turkesterone is a low-risk option, but for most lifters, creatine monohydrate, a high-protein diet, and a solid training program remain the best path to muscle growth.
References
- Antonio J. et al. (2024). 4 weeks of 500 mg/day turkesterone: no significant body composition changes. :contentReference[oaicite:24]{index=24}
- Crisanti A. et al. (2025). Turkesterone-containing product for 4 weeks: no significant differences in body comp/handgrip/mood/sleep. :contentReference[oaicite:25]{index=25}
- Harris D.R. et al. (2024). Acute dosing: no significant effects on IGF-1/RMR markers. :contentReference[oaicite:26]{index=26}
- Todorova V. et al. (2024). Review of ecdysterone/turkesterone mechanisms & safety context. :contentReference[oaicite:27]{index=27}
- USADA: athlete guidance on ecdysteroids + WADA monitoring context. :contentReference[oaicite:28]{index=28}
- WADA resources on ecdysterone monitoring/research. :contentReference[oaicite:29]{index=29}