Turkesterone Vs. Deca: A Head-to-Head Comparison
Fitness enthusiasts have long relied on anabolic androgenic steroids like Deca to increase their muscle strength and enhance their performance in the gym. But with the ballooning consumer demand for cleaner, organic products, retailers are beginning to see a shift in sales; an apparently high demand for natural supplements such as turkesterone.
However, the big question is, are these natural supplements worth the hype, or is it just yet another marketing gimmick by retailers? Below, we give you a detailed comparison of turkesterone vs. Deca to help you make an informed decision.
Turkesterone Vs. Deca: What Is the Difference?
What Is Turkesterone?
Turkesterone is a plant-based dietary supplement that contains natural steroid hormones found in certain insects and plants. It’s mainly extracted from a perennial herb known as Ajuga turkestanica. You can also find it in foods, such as spinach, yams, and quinoa, though in negligible amounts.
What Is Deca?
Nandrolone decanoate, sold under the brand name Deca, is an anabolic androgenic steroid (AAS) developed to maximize anabolic benefits and lower androgenic effects in fitness enthusiasts.
Deca is popular among bodybuilders for its muscle-building properties. But it’s important to note that it was not originally intended for the fitness community. Developed in the 1960s, this anabolic steroid was primarily used to treat chronic diseases associated with muscle wastage. These include AIDS, cancer, renal or hepatic failure, obstructive pulmonary disease, and osteoporosis.
Fast forward to today, Deca has found its way into the fitness and bodybuilding community, thanks to its ability to promote muscle growth.
Deca goes through the same metabolism process as testosterone. Once metabolized by the enzyme 5α-reductase, it binds to the androgenic receptors that mediate skeletal muscle tissue, resulting in muscle growth.
Turkesterone Vs. Deca: Pros and Cons of Using Turkesterone
The Pros | The Cons |
---|---|
Enhances Muscle Growth:Phytoecdysteroids increase muscle protein synthesis, which is crucial for building bigger muscles. This occurs through the optimization of the mRNA translation in the skeletal muscle cells. During the process, the cells interpret messenger RNA (mRNA) information and create proteins or essential amino acids that act as muscle-building blocks. | Turkesterone supplements are costly compared to anabolic steroids. |
Burns Fat: Turkesterone can also aid in fat loss, a common target among athletes and gym goers. While reducing calorie intake is a typical approach to gaining lean muscles, it often comes with the risk of losing muscle mass. That’s because when the body is calorie deficient, it tends to shed fat and muscle. But turkesterone can help prevent muscle breakdown by increasing the nitrogen content in muscles during fat loss. | There are limited studies on the effects of turkesterone on humans. |
Reduces Workout Fatigue: Ajuga turkestanica extract increases adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production in the muscles. ATP is a molecule involved in the storage and transfer of energy between body cells. High ATP levels can increase your strength output, allowing you to exercise longer without feeling tired or fatigued. | Turkesterone is not suitable for pregnant or breastfeeding women because of the lack of research on its effects on fetal development. |
Enhances Faster Post-Workout Recovery: After intense exercise, it’s common to experience sore muscles due to micro tears in the muscles and connective tissues. Turkesterone promotes muscle growth and aids in repairing these micro tears. It also helps reduce cortisol levels in your bloodstream, allowing for quick muscle recovery. Cortisol is the stress hormone that hinders muscle recovery after workouts. | |
Suits Both Men and Women: Men and women can use turkesterone. Unlike anabolic steroids, it doesn’t affect the hormonal system. So you won’t get virilization symptoms like acne, enlarged breasts in men, facial hair growth, deepening of the voice, or menstrual cycle interruptions from using it. | |
No Need for Post-Cycle Therapy (PCT): Unlike anabolic steroids, which can suppress natural testosterone production, turkesterone does not cause hormonal suppression. So you don’t need post-cycle therapy to restore natural testosterone levels when you stop taking the supplement. It also doesn’t cause dependency, no matter how long you use it. |
Does Turkesterone Produce Side Effects?
Animal research suggests a high safety margin for turkesterone. That’s because it doesn’t meddle with natural testosterone levels and doesn’t cause adverse health effects like liver damage, high blood pressure, and heart attack.
However, anecdotal reports suggest that taking turkesterone on an empty stomach or exceeding the recommended daily serving of 500mg to 1,000mg may cause side effects, such as nausea, upset stomach, dizziness, or weakened memory.
Is Turkesterone Legal?
Yes, turkesterone is legal. You can buy it online or over the counter as a natural supplement. It’s also not on the list of prohibited substances by Anti-Doping Agencies, so athletes can use it to enhance their performance.
Turkesterone Vs. Deca: Pros and Cons of Using Deca
The Pros | The Cons |
---|---|
Massive Muscle Gains: Proteins are essential for massive muscle gains, and nitrogen is a vital building block of protein. Deca allows your muscles to preserve more nitrogen, boosting protein production necessary to build muscle. | Not suitable for women as it causes menstrual cycle disruptions. |
Increases Strength Output and Energy: Deca increases oxygen circulation in your muscles, giving you the explosive energy to perform strenuous workouts without burnout or fatigue. | After finishing your cycle of Deca, you'll need post-cycle therapy to restore your body's natural testosterone levels. |
Faster recovery times: Deca can increase collagen synthesis, which aids in joint recovery and eases the risk of injury. | You may need a medical prescription to buy Deca from supplement companies. |
Does Deca Produce Side Effects?
Taking Deca can set off a sequence of acute and chronic negative effects in the body. The acute adverse effects include:
- Headaches
- Gastrointestinal irritation
- Stomach pain
- Hypertension
- Diarrhea
- Menstrual disruptions
The chronic harmful effects of Deca abuse include:
- Infertility issues
- Acne
- Aggressiveness
- Seizures
- Liver damage
- Tendon ruptures
- Sleep apnea syndrome
- Gynecomastia
Is Deca Legal?
No. The Anabolic Steroids Control Act of 1990 classifies Nandrolone decanoate as a Schedule III controlled substance. Thus, the nonmedical use of Deca is a criminal act. It’s also a prohibited substance by most sports organizations, including WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency).
Turkesterone Vs. Deca: The Bottom Line
Both turkesterone and Deca can help users build muscle, recover fast from strenuous exercises, and increase their energy levels. However, if you’re looking for an all-natural supplement, then turkesterone is the best fit. Unlike Deca, it doesn’t cause adverse health effects, such as liver damage, seizures, and tendon raptures. It’s also legal, meaning you can buy it over the counter.
That said, remember that all supplements can only work with routine resistance training and a healthy diet. So you should work hard to see results from whichever supplement you settle for.