Epicatechin

What Does Epicatechin Do?

Epicatechin is a bioactive flavanol found naturally in dark chocolate and green tea that acts as a potent myostatin inhibitor. It is primarily utilized in muscle-building supplements to help you bypass genetic limitations on muscle hypertrophy and strength gains.

• Myostatin Inhibition: By reducing levels of myostatin, a protein that limits muscle growth, epicatechin allows your body to build more lean tissue than it normally would.
• Increased Follistatin: It stimulates the production of follistatin, a signaling protein that promotes muscle repair and works in direct opposition to myostatin.
• Nitric Oxide Production: Epicatechin enhances blood flow by increasing nitric oxide synthase, which improves nutrient delivery to working muscles and enhances the "pump."
• Mitochondrial Biogenesis: It may increase the density of mitochondria in muscle cells, leading to improved aerobic capacity and better endurance during high-volume training sessions.
• Enhanced Recovery: Its antioxidant properties help mitigate exercise-induced oxidative stress, potentially shortening the time you need between intense workouts.

Clinical vs. Gym Bro Dosing

Key Insight: To maximize the effectiveness of epicatechin, consistency is more important than a massive single dose. It typically takes 2-4 weeks of daily supplementation at the 150mg clinical dose to see noticeable changes in muscle fullness and strength.

Side Effects & Warnings

• Digestive Upset: Some users report mild nausea or stomach cramping, particularly when taking high doses on an empty stomach.
• Blood Sugar Fluctuations: Epicatechin can improve insulin sensitivity, which may cause lightheadedness in individuals prone to hypoglycemia or those on strict ketogenic diets.
• Headaches: Increased blood flow and vasodilation can occasionally cause mild tension headaches in sensitive individuals.

Tip: Because epicatechin is non-hormonal and does not suppress natural testosterone production, it does not require a Post Cycle Therapy (PCT) and is a safe option for both men and women looking to increase lean mass.