For those subject to anti-doping rules, it’s important to understand how substances make their way into supplements and other treatments marketed to athletes. Ecdysteroids, for example, are among the many substances that are added to supplements along with claims of anabolic effects and performance enhancement.
While not currently prohibited under the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), ecdysteroids are on the WADA Monitoring List so WADA can determine if they should be added to the Prohibited List. Keep reading to learn more about ecdysteroids.
What are ecdysteroids?
Ecdysteroids, such as ecdysterone (also known as 20-hydroxyecdysone or 20E), ecdysone, and turkesterone, are steroid-like compounds that occur naturally in insects, some plants, and some fungi. Ecdysteroids regulate many processes in insects, including molting, growth, and reproduction. In plants, ecdysteroids play a role in protecting the plants from stress and from insect attacks.
Are ecdysteroids found in foods or supplements?
Yes, ecdysteroids are found in many plants, with the highest concentrations found in spinach and quinoa, so you may be consuming ecdysteroids as part of your normal diet. Ecdysteroids are also marketed in dietary supplements that often claim to have anabolic effects. Athletes using any dietary supplement, including supplements with ecdysteroids, should be aware of the risks of dietary supplements and use only third-party certified supplements. Make sure to visit Supplement Connect to learn about the risks of supplement use and read USADA’s recommendation on the use of third-party certified supplements.
What are the effects of ecdysteroids on humans?
Mammalian systems do not naturally produce ecdysteroids, and the actions of ecdysteroids in mammals are not well understood. Because of significant structural differences between ecdysteroids and human steroid hormones, it was thought for a long time that ecdysteroids would not bind to any human hormone receptors and therefore would not have any actions in the body. However, there is some recent evidence that ecdysteroids may interact with some estrogen receptors in the body, and that consuming ecdysteroids in supplements can have anabolic effects. Research is ongoing around the effects of ecdysteroids in humans.
Are ecdysteroids prohibited?
No, at present, WADA has not added ecdysteroids to the Prohibited List. However, there has been increasing interest in the potential performance-enhancing effects of ecdysteroids, with WADA adding it to the WADA Monitoring List in 2020.
Can I get a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) for ecdysteroids?
No, you cannot get a TUE because ecdysteroids are not prohibited, so a TUE is not required for use.
Are there any medical uses for ecdysteroids?
At present, there are no FDA-approved medications that contain ecdysteroids.
Have more questions?
Even when a treatment is prescribed, athletes should use GlobalDRO.com to check on the anti-doping status of any procedure or medication and determine if they need an approved Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE). For questions about specific products, substances, and methods, you can also contact USADA’s Drug Reference Line at drugreference@usada.org or call (719) 785-2000, option 2.
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