# Ecdysterone and Turkesterone—Compounds with Prominent Potential in Sport and Healthy Nutrition

## TL;DR

This review explores the health and performance benefits of ecdysterone and turkesterone, plant-based compounds with potential in sports nutrition and chronic disease management.

## Contribution

The paper highlights the novel therapeutic potential of phytoecdysteroids beyond sports nutrition.

## Key findings

- Ecdysterone and turkesterone may enhance athletic performance and general health.
- Phytoecdysteroid-rich extracts show promise in treating chronic fatigue and cardiovascular diseases.
- These compounds are found in plants like Rhaponticum carthamoides and Ajuga turkestanica.

## Abstract

The naturally occurring compounds ecdysterone and turkesterone, which are present in plants, including Rhaponticum carthamoides Willd. (Iljin), Spinacia oleracea L., Chenopodium quinoa Willd., and Ajuga turkestanica (Regel) Briq, are widely recognized due to their possible advantages for both general health and athletic performance. The current review investigates the beneficial biological effects of ecdysterone and turkesterone in nutrition, highlighting their roles not only in enhancing athletic performance but also in the management of various health problems. Plant-based diets, associated with various health benefits and environmental sustainability, often include sources rich in phytoecdysteroids. However, the therapeutic potential of phytoecdysteroid-rich extracts extends beyond sports nutrition, with promising applications in treating chronic fatigue, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders.