What is Myostatin?
As someone trying to build muscle mass, I’ve become interested in compounds that can help optimize muscle growth. One substance I came across that shows promise is called myostatin.
From my research, myostatin is a peptide hormone that helps regulate and control muscle tissue development in the body. It is produced primarily by skeletal muscle cells and essentially functions as a brake on muscle growth.
Higher myostatin levels inhibit muscle cell differentiation and protein synthesis. Lower levels allow greater muscle growth to occur. That’s why there is interest in myostatin inhibition as a method to support increased muscle mass gains from training.
Does Myostatin Really Work?
Based on current science, myostatin does appear to play an important role in modulating muscle growth.
- Clinical studies confirm higher myostatin = less muscle growth
- Animals bred with myostatin deficiency show significant increases in muscle mass
- Olympic athlete genetic mutations show lower myostatin levels
Methods that can lower myostatin levels safely do seem to offer potential for improved lean muscle gains. This can include a proper diet, certain exercises, and potentially supplemental myostatin inhibitors. Much more research is still needed, however.
Benefits of Myostatin Inhibition
For me, the theoretical benefits of lowering myostatin for muscle growth include:
- Increased protein synthesis and larger muscle fibers
- Enhanced differentiation of muscle progenitor cells
- Improved activation of muscle satellite cells
- Provides greater capacity for gains in lean mass
- Maximizes the effects of resistance training
- May increase bone mineral density
- It helps counteract muscle-wasting conditions
Myostatin inhibition alone won’t increase muscle if training and diet aren’t optimized. But it could take results up a notch when combined with proper lifestyle factors.
Side Effects of Myostatin Inhibition
Potential side effects of lowering myostatin may include:
- Increased risk for tendon or ligament injury with sudden strength gains
- Possible impacts on heart muscle if levels dip too low
- Unwanted smooth muscle growth in organs like the heart
- Safety is unknown with long-term suppression for the past six months
- Lack of regulation for myostatin-inhibiting supplements
Careful monitoring by a doctor is important if attempting to lower myostatin for any length of time. And training must be adjusted slowly to avoid injury with rapidly increased strength. Long-term safety still needs more research.
Is Myostatin Inhibition Legal in the US?
Currently, there are no FDA-approved medications specifically for lowering myostatin levels. However, some supplement companies sell alleged myostatin inhibitors like follistatin, irisin, etc.
These compounds are not scheduled or prohibited currently, but they lack safety regulation and approval for human use. They are sold legally as “research compounds” only.
My advice would be to avoid unproven myostatin supplement products. But research on natural inhibition methods like diet, exercise selection, etc. appears entirely legal.
Where to Buy Myostatin Inhibitors Online
Some peptide websites offer research compounds alleged to lower myostatin, like follistatin, myo-193, or ACVR2B. However, I don’t recommend purchasing any unapproved supplements for this purpose.
The best approach is to work naturally with a doctor on lifestyle methods that may impact myostatin, such via nutrition, training regimens, sleep, etc. This is safest until more rigorous human data is available on other inhibition methods.
While the science is promising, purposefully manipulating myostatin long-term warrants caution currently. I plan to learn more about natural inhibition through diet and workouts first. Always talk to a doctor before attempting any form of myostatin modulation.