The first properly controlled human clinical trial of turkesterone — a plant-derived ecdysteroid heavily marketed on social media as a natural muscle builder — has found no significant effect on muscle growth, strength, or body composition compared to placebo.
Study Design
The 12-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial at the University of Texas enrolled 120 resistance-trained men aged 21-35.
- Groups: 500mg turkesterone, 1000mg turkesterone, and placebo — all following identical training programs
- No significant difference in lean mass gain between any group (all gained 2.1-2.4 lbs)
- No significant difference in strength increases on bench press or squat
- No change in testosterone, free testosterone, or anabolic hormone markers
- Supplement was verified to contain labeled amounts of active compound
Industry Reaction
Supplement companies generating an estimated $200 million in annual turkesterone sales have pushed back on the findings, citing animal studies and anecdotal evidence. Sports nutrition researchers note this pattern is common — compounds showing promise in rodent studies frequently fail to translate to human benefits at practical doses.
