What is Epicatechin
Epicatechin (hereafter called epi) ,CAS NO : 490-46-0 , is a kind of flavonoid , which is present in many plants ,such as grape, buckwheat etc, high levels of epi can be found especially in green tea and cocoa
As a strong antioxidant, epicatechin has been shown to:
- Anti-cancer
- Improve cognitive function
- Improve insulin sensitivity
- Lower cholesterol and improve blood pressure
- Promote heart health
But today, another benefit from this compound has been paid more and more attention by people, especially by sportsmen and bodybuilders: Increase muscle growth and strength
How Epicatechin works on increasing muscle growth and strength?
Epicatechin is able to exert its muscle and strength enhancing capabilities through the increase of follistatin and subsequent reduction in myostatin. In the body, follistatin and myostatin are tied to one another, as when one’s follistatin levels increase, their myostatin decreases to a similar degree.
Myostatin is a protein that acts on muscle cells autocrine function, inhibiting myogenesis (creation of muscle tissue). The more Myostatin one has in their body, the harder it is to build muscle, with the inverse of less myostatin equaling more muscle growth to be true.
Epicatechin holds a lot of promise as being a true non-hormonal anabolic, safe to use for extended periods of time, and may be able to both inhibit myostatin and boost follistatin. Also, Epi is able to increase blood flow, making it easier to deliver nutrients integral for muscle growth,
Research has also shown that epi is also associated with an improvement of muscle mitochondrial function due to their powerful antioxidant capacity. Mitochonrdria are the powerhouses of the muscle cells thus the better they are functioning, the more energy can be produced.
Epicatechin dosage
Research suggests epi should be dosed at around 1-2mg/kg of body weight, or 150-200mg daily. we suggest consulting a healthcare practitioner for proper dosage before you take .
