Introduction
Follistatin is a fascinating protein that can increase muscle mass beyond natural potential by suppressing myostatin. Scientists first identified follistatin while examining porcine (re: pig) follicular fluid in the ovaries.
Follistatin, specifically Follistatin 344 (FS344), quickly gained popularity in the bodybuilding community as a potential supplement to rapidly increase lean tissue mass. Another protein, follistatin-related gene (FLRG) acts on similar pathways as FS344 regarding its muscle-building properties. Increased lean tissue mass could give a bodybuilder an advantage in a competitive setting and be the differentiating factor between first and second place.
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How it works?
Follistatin works by binding to and inhibiting transforming growth factor-? (TGF-?) peptides such as myostatin which is responsible for regulating and limiting muscle growth- it’s also worth pointing out that myostatin may have a regulatory role in skeletal muscle fibrosis; too much myostatin can impair tissue function and cause chronic disease in vital organs, tissues, and bone marrow. [4] [5]
In addition to suppressing the degenerative properties of myostatin, follistatin also suppresses the pituitary gland synthesis and secretion of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). High FSH levels in men may indicate that testicles are not functioning correctly; this condition limits muscle growth, recovery, and normal hormonal function. [6] However, FSH levels that are too low can also negatively impact health and reproductive capabilities.
Whereas some myostatin inhibitors like Trichostatin A (TSA) require daily administration, increased levels of FS344 were observed up to 15 months after initial injection. The lack of need for daily administration makes follistatin an attractive alternative for suppressing myostatin.
The recent increase in attention in the science community on follistatin and other myostatin inhibitors is primarily due to the desire to find an alternative means to treat muscle disorders; the most popular current option is androgen steroids which pose a number of side-effects and long-term health risks. At this point you might be wondering why follistatin use isn’t more widespread in bodybuilders and other athletes. In the next section we will examine the current research on follistatin and whether it builds muscle mass.
Side Effects
Keep in mind that the safety profile of follistatin is relatively unknown, given the lack of well-designed clinical studies. The list of side effects below is, therefore, not a definite one. You should consult your doctor about other potential side effects based on your health condition and possible drug or supplement interactions.
Some side effects commonly reported by the bodybuilding community include muscle soreness or swelling after working out, as well as temporarily weakened ligaments and tendons. However, these effects may just be a result of muscle strain, rather than follistatin itself.
According to long-term studies of patients receiving bone marrow and blood stem cell transplants, people with higher levels of follistatin may have a higher risk of organ rejection (graft versus host disease). While the reasons for this are not clear, this may have something to do with follistatin’s role in inflammation and tissue repair [59].
More information
Follistatin is fascinating protein that can increase muscle mass beyond natural potential by suppressing myostatin. Scientists first identified follistatin while examining porcine (re: pig) follicular fluid in the ovaries.
Follistatin is naturally found in the skeletal muscle of almost all mammals with advanced or developed characteristics, such as humans, rodents, and cows. Follistatin is high in the non-essential amino acid cystine but unlike most proteins discussed in the fitness world, follistatin has carbohydrates attached to it.
Follistatin, specifically Follistatin 344 (FS344), quickly gained popularity in the bodybuilding community as a potential supplement to rapidly increase lean tissue mass. Another protein, follistatin-related gene (FLRG) acts on similar pathways as FS344 regarding its muscle-building properties. Increased lean tissue mass could give a bodybuilder an advantage in a competitive setting and be the differentiating factor between first and second place.
Dosages
Follistatin is recommended for research, but people who have tried it themselves typically take injection 100 mcg/day of dose via injections for 10 to 30 days. Ideally, it can be taken every third day. People who have taken doses up to 200 mcg have not shown suffered from any adverse effects than the ones who have taken lower doses.
Conclusion
There are mixed reviews regarding the effectiveness of supplements in boosting follistatin levels. The supplements that get more positive reviews usually do not directly contain follistatin, but instead, increase follistatin levels indirectly through natural compounds such as epicatechin or Ecklonia cava.
User Reviews
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I’m on my third day, feeling the change.
Review 2
Follistatin definitely worked for me.
Review 3
Seem to be normally clean and strong peptides working perfectly well.
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