It's interesting how there are so many bodybuilding supplements on the market, but many people always use almost the same few supplements. It's almost like how a man could have lots of pants, but he still sticks to his two or three favorite denims. Anyway, anyone who is serious about bodybuilding knows that it’s important to stay updated with the latest supplements even if they don’t plan on using them. It’s this knowledge that can help you stay ahead of the competition at all times.
Epicatechin is not as popular as many other bodybuilding supplements. However, it has gained a lot of traction in the last year or so. Part of the reason for its continued popularity is that it increases size, strength, and performance while keeping the risk of side effects at a minimum. It's also a natural supplement, so it doesn't have a detrimental impact on organs and hormone production. How effective is it for bodybuilding, though, and can you rely on it to take your fitness journey to the next level?
What is Epicatechin?
Epicatechin is a natural antioxidant flavonol extracted from tea, cocoa, and apples. It’s also said to be the main ingredient in dark chocolate. Epicatechin has been linked to a number of health benefits like reduced risk of dementia. For bodybuilding, you need to take Epicatechin in high doses. You cannot get such doses through consuming fruits, tea, or cocoa. There's only so much chocolate you can take, and it still won't be enough to give you the Epicatechin doses you need to build muscles. Therefore, many people rely on supplements to get sufficient Epicatechin that can make an impact.
The truth is there is very limited research on this compound as far as its muscle-building properties go. As I said, the compound is not very popular, and part of the reason for that is the lack of enough clinical trials. That hasn't stopped some people from using it, though. And from this data, we can see that, indeed, Epicatechin can promote muscle building and boost performance.
How Does It Work?
Epicatechin may be a mouthful, but its working mechanism is very simple. Have you ever heard of Myostatin? No? Okay, Myostatin is a myokine protein, also known as GDF-8 or growth differentiation factor 8. We all have Myostatin in our systems. Animals also have the protein. The function of Myostatin is very simple; it prevents us from gaining unlimited muscle mass. This is actually a good thing because lots of muscle mass can have a devastating effect on the body, especially if other tissues, e.g., bones and tendons, do not have the capacity to support the mass.
The levels of Myostatin vary from one person to another. This partly explains why some people can naturally gain more lean muscle mass than others. It's also why some animals like gorillas can have more muscle mass than humans because they have less Myostatin in their system.
So, Epicatechin reduces the Myostatin levels allowing an increase in follistatin, which boosts more muscle growth. The fact that this is achieved through a natural compound is very interesting because many people usually use synthetic compounds to combat Myostatin. Perhaps the most popular of them is YK11, which is usually sold as a Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator (SARM) when it is actually a Myostatin-inhibitor.
Therefore, Epicatechin is a possible alternative to chemical-based Myostatin inhibitors and other synthetic bodybuilding compounds. You could use it in place of SARMs, Prohormones, and some oral steroids. It’s also said to be safe enough for female bodybuilders to use.
Unfortunately, without enough clinical trials, it's hard to tell how Epicatechin's gains compare to those of synthetic products. From a personal experience, I don't think Epicatechin can really beat YK11 in boosting gains.
Results
Limited scientific and anecdotal evidence identifies the following benefits of Epicatechin:
- Increased Muscle Mass
This is, without a doubt, the most appealing benefit of Epicatechin, especially among athletes and bodybuilders. Epicatechin reduces Myostatin levels hence increasing your muscle-building potential. It effectively removes or rather raises the biological ceiling that prevents you from gaining as much muscle mass as you can. It also increases follistatin, which stimulates more muscle growth.
You should know that Epicatechin is not a magic bullet. A drop in Myostatin does not automatically translate to increased muscle mass even when you are not doing anything. You have to add a serious strenuous training routine to see the result you want. A protein-rich diet will also go a long way towards ensuring your efforts are producing the maximum results.
- Increased Nitric Oxide
Studies show that Epicatechin increases Nitric Oxide levels in the body. This can be beneficial in several ways. Nitric oxide improves vasodilation. An increase in NO makes the blood vessels relax hence allowing more blood flow. This improves muscle pumps dramatically. It also increases the nourishment and recovery of muscle tissue since they’ll have more access to oxygenated blood.
Another benefit of vasodilation is it reduces blood pressure. It may also help with type 2 diabetes. Further clinical research is warranted to fully understand the potential benefits of Epicatechin on diabetes and heart health.
- Antioxidant Protection
Epicatechin is a natural antioxidant that protects cells against oxidative damage. This keeps the cells functioning optimally and reduces the risk of contracting different medical conditions.
Other reported benefits of Epicatechin are:
- Enhanced endurance
- Improved recovery
- Increased strength
- Reduced cholesterol
Side Effects
Epicatechin is a safe compound with no severe adverse reactions. This is the beauty of using natural compounds like Epi. It's highly unlikely to experience any adverse reactions unless you are allergic to the Epicatechin sources. Taking the drug in high doses may also increase the risk of side effects, so do not exceed the recommended dosage.
Dosage
The ideal Epicatechin dosage ranges from 150 to 250mg per day. As a new user, you want to start with 150mg per day. Monitor your response to the drug for a few days and increase the dosage if you don’t experience any side effects.
Epicatechin usually comes in capsules, so dosing it accurately is never a problem. You can use Epi every morning with a meal.
What’s the Best Epicatechin Supplement?
Epitech from Huge Supplements is the best Epicatechin supplement at the moment. This natural anabolic will give you lean muscle gains and other Epicatechin benefits by taking just two capsules per day. They've also enhanced the formula with extra ingredients like Astragalus & Panax Notoginseng Extract and Bioperine, which boost the performance of the supplement even further.
Epitech is available on the official Huge Supplements website. A 1-month supply goes for around $49.95, which is quite reasonable.
Can I stack Epicatechin Supplements?
Yes, you can stack Epicatechin supplements with other compounds for better results. For instance, Epitech can be stacked with Arachidone and Annihilate. You can also stack these supplements with Laxogenin.
Final Thoughts
Epicatechin is an excellent natural compound that can be very helpful for athletes and fitness enthusiasts. It is especially a great alternative for synthetic Myostatin inhibitors, which are linked to a number of side effects. Epi will help you rack up the gains you want without risking your health. It will also deliver additional benefits as highlighted up. Epicatechin reviews also make a very compelling case for Epi supplements like Epitech.