Ecdysterone and Turkesterone Dietary Supplements
- 20-Hydroxyecdysone (20E)
- Beta-Ecdysterone
- Beta-Ecdysone
- Ecdysterone
- Turkesterone
NOT prohibitedWhat are ecdysterone and turkesterone in dietary supplements?
- Ecdysterone and turkesterone are naturally occurring ecdysteroids, which are steroid hormones found in certain plants (phytoecdysteroids), fungi (mycoecdysteroids), and insects (zooecdysteroids). In insects, zooecdysteroids are responsible for molting and development. In plants, phytoecdysteroids serve as a defense mechanism against insects. Ecdysteroids should not be confused with anabolic steroids, which are “controlled substances” and are illegal to purchase, use, or possess without a prescription.
- In dietary supplement products, these substances are often marketed as “natural anabolic agents,” “natural steroids,” or “steroid alternatives” to promote performance-enhancing benefits such as muscle growth, strength gains, or increased testosterone levels.
- Dietary supplement labels might list these substances by names, including 20-hydroecdysone, 20E, beta-ecdysterone, beta-ecdysone, ecdysterone, and turkesterone, or as components of plant extracts. Plant sources of ecdysterone and turkesterone include Cyanotis vaga, Ajuga turkestanica, and Rhaponticum carthamoides. These substances are also found in foods such as spinach, asparagus, and quinoa.
Are ecdysterone and turkesterone beneficial as claimed?
Laboratory and animal studies have shown potential anabolic effects of ecdysterone and turkesterone due to their possible interactions with an estrogen receptor. However, results from the few small human studies are inconsistent. As a result, more large-scale, high-quality scientific studies are needed to substantiate the claimed benefits of ecdysterone and turkesterone.
Safety and Considerations
Current clinical trial data suggests that a pharmaceutical-grade formulation of ecdysterone (namely BIO101) is possibly safe at doses of 350 mg twice daily for up to nine months. However, the safety of ecdysterone when used as a dietary supplement ingredient remains unknown. Similarly, there is currently insufficient scientific evidence to confirm the safety of turkesterone supplementation in humans.
Concerns regarding ecdysterone and turkesterone dietary supplements include:
- Inaccurate labeling: The actual ecdysterone or turkesterone content in dietary supplement products can vary from batch to batch and differ from the amount claimed on the labels.
- Potential contamination and adulteration: There is a risk that ecdysterone and turkesterone dietary supplements may contain prohibited substances or unknown ingredients. The Food and Drug Administration has warned that “bodybuilding products can be risky” and that some “may illegally contain steroids or steroid-like substances.”
Ecdysterone has been placed on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Monitoring Program since 2020. This list includes substances that are not currently on the WADA Prohibited List but are being monitored in order to detect potential patterns of misuse in sport.
Although ecdysterone, turkesterone, and their plant sources are not prohibited for use by Service Members, it is important to carefully review the product labels. Some products may list these ingredients along with hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HP𝛽CD), which is on the DoD Prohibited Dietary Supplement Ingredients List.
Bottom Line
- Ecdysterone, turkesterone, and their plant sources are not currently on the DoD Prohibited Dietary Supplement Ingredients List.
- More research is required to determine if ecdysterone and turkesterone actually provide the performance-enhancing benefits marketed to consumers. Current evidence is based on small human studies with inconsistent results.
- Currently, there is little to no information on the safety of ecdysterone and turkesterone when used as dietary supplement ingredients.
- Choose ecdysterone and turkesterone dietary supplements that are third-party certified by well-vetted organizations.
Posted 12 June 2026
