(-)- Epicatechin is a bioactive flavanol found in trace amounts in many foods including green tea and dark chocolate. While different food sources have different levels of (-)- Epicatechin, dark chocolate contains some of the highest levels while pure cocoa contains the highest amounts at almost 3mg of (-)- Epicatechin per gram.
(-)- Epicatechin is most commonly used as a workout supplement as it may support follistatin volume, which hinders myostatin signaling, thus allowing (-)- Epicatechin to indirectly promote muscle growth. However, (-)- Epicatechin has some lesser known benefits to cognition as well. Several studies indicate that (-)- Epicatechin can help promote blood flow and has notable benefits to cognitive tasks like memory and executive function. Some of these studies also suggest that (-)- Epicatechin may demonstrate synergistic effects with other compounds that support blood flow and cognitive function. Let’s dive deeper into (-)- Epicatechin benefits!
An in vitro study was conducted to measure the effect of (-)- Epicatechin extract on myostatin levels in old and young muscle tissues. The study’s findings determined that as people age, muscles tend to contain higher myostatin levels and lower follistatin levels. The same study looked at the follistatin and myostatin levels in old and young mice to confirm the age-related difference. The mice were given an (-)- Epicatechin supplement twice a day. After two weeks, results found notable myostatin regulation with overall support to follistatin levels. A similar study was conducted to measure myostatin and follistatin levels in humans. Six participants supplemented an (-)- Epicatechin supplement twice a day. Results found overall support of follistatin levels, however researchers also noticed that myostatin levels seemed regulated as well.
(-)- Epicatechin bodybuilding communities praise the compound for its potential to support muscle growth. Even though (-)- Epicatechin is a non-hormonal compound, some studies found that (-)- Epicatechin extract may help support testosterone levels in the body. Anecdotally, (-)- Epicatechin bodybuilding enthusiasts reported feeling more energized and stronger than they normally would without taking (-)- Epicatechin. Bodybuilders who have used (-)- Epicatechin for muscle growth have hypothesized that it promotes strength and seems to stimulate new muscle tissue growth, even on days they aren’t in the gym. However, as mentioned previously, most of these findings are completely anecdotal and haven’t been confirmed through a testing process specifically evaluating (-)- Epicatechin for muscle growth. More (-)- Epicatechin research is needed to fully understand the beneficial impact (-)- Epicatechin has on humans.
We added Piperine because Piperine helps regulate absorbed (-)- Epicatechin from being pumped back out into the intestines. Piperine achieves this by regulating the function of p-glycoprotein, which is mainly responsible for pumping absorbed (-)- Epicatechin back into the intestines. Piperine also regulates glucuronidation of (-)- Epicatechin, which further promotes bioavailability. Overall, the combination of (-)- Epicatechin with Piperine, significantly amplifies the (-)- Epicatechin benefits!
Check out some of our recommended (-)- Epicatechin stacks, to help you maximize your (-)- Epicatechin benefits!*
Cardiovascular Function Stack: (-)- Epicatechin +CoQH-CF
Stack (-)- Epicatechin with CoQH-CF for a well rounded stack to promote overall cardiovascular function!*
Strength and Endurance Stack: (-)- Epicatechin + Tongkat Ali 10% Eurycomanone Tablets
The combination of (-)- Epicatechin and Tongkat Ali 10% Eurycomanone makes for a solid stack for supporting strength, endurance, and muscle function. You may also experience a slight uptick in energy levels with this stack!*
Cognitive Function Stack: (-)- Epicatechin + Triacetyluridine
This combination is great for those looking for an effective and bioavailable way to promote cognitive processes!*
As a dietary supplement, take one 200mg (-)- Epicatechin + 6mg Piperine tablet once daily.
To gain more insight, see the (-)- Epicatechin reviews and experiences below.
Nootropics Depot offers 30ct or 90ct. jars of high quality (-)- Epicatechin + 6mg Piperine tablets. Nootropics Depot’s (-)- Epicatechin has been lab-tested and verified for both product purity and identity.
| *Attention: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. |
quality packaging and product from ND but I am unable to determine if it does indeed increase my lean muscle mass and strength as I also take creatine and beta alanine but it definitely causes muscle water retention and I think slight fat loss. Either way it doesnt have side effects and did also have similar paraesthesia effects as beta-alanine so I assume similarly nitric oxide delivery is boosted.
I have been taking epicatechin + piperine for several months. My initial reason for trying it was for cognitive support. I respond quickly to most supplements, though those early effects never last, and this one was no exception. What I was not prepared for was the extraordinary sense of well-being I experienced. That leveled off in a day or two and I stopped taking it, thinking to save on the cost. In three days, I was in a very low state, so I started taking the epicatechin again and came right back up and then dissipated again. A couple more times of trying that out and I finally figured out that nothing has gone away, it's just that my baseline has shifted. Since then I have added some other ND supplements, but this one is the ground I stand on, supplement-wise. I am so grateful for it, for ND, the product reviews, and the subreddit. I learn so much from all of them.
quality packaging and product from ND but I am unable to determine if it does indeed increase my lean muscle mass and strength as I also take creatine and beta alanine but it definitely causes muscle water retention and I think slight fat loss. Either way it doesnt have side effects and did also have similar paraesthesia effects as beta-alanine so I assume similarly nitric oxide delivery is boosted.
I have been taking epicatechin + piperine for several months. My initial reason for trying it was for cognitive support. I respond quickly to most supplements, though those early effects never last, and this one was no exception. What I was not prepared for was the extraordinary sense of well-being I experienced. That leveled off in a day or two and I stopped taking it, thinking to save on the cost. In three days, I was in a very low state, so I started taking the epicatechin again and came right back up and then dissipated again. A couple more times of trying that out and I finally figured out that nothing has gone away, it's just that my baseline has shifted. Since then I have added some other ND supplements, but this one is the ground I stand on, supplement-wise. I am so grateful for it, for ND, the product reviews, and the subreddit. I learn so much from all of them.
I've always been lightly muscled and a little weak but I definitely notice more ambient strength and muscle tone taking two of these a day. I did an experiment where I took four a day (two in the morning, two at night) for a little while but couldn't sustain that at the price point so back to two a day in the morning. This stuff is pretty awesome
I bought this product because I read how epicatechin is a myostatin inhibitor & since the product uses piperine to maximize absorption. Right away I felt an energy boost and had a great workout, easily feeling the pumps which really helps with that mind-to-muscle connection. I also looked a little more ripped due to how epicatechin basically dehydrates you (I guess by making your body produce more nitric oxide), so be sure to drink almost twice the amount of water you normally do while on this pill. The next day I felt a little groggy/fatigued and took the pill again but did not notice the same benefits, though I still got further dehydrated and drank a lot of water again. I also was feeling and looking much more smaller framed, while retaining the muscle mass. So yes this is good if you want that smaller & shredded look. Since your body can get used to the pill, I recommend only taking it as a pre-workout on workout days only, which is one out of every 2 or 3 days for me. Another reason I only take it this often is cause the dose of both epicatechin and piperine is a little too high. Recommendations for epicatechin is 1mg for ever kilogram of body weight per day. That would be 97mg for me and this pill is 200mg so I also cut it in half. Piperine is very potent and helps increase testosterone which translates to feelings of aggression and irritability, so be sure to exhaust those feelings in the gym right after taking the pill or you'll feel uneasy throughout the day. I also noticed immediately my hair quality was lackluster and my face looked more dry with fine lines more visible than before, and was noticing more falling hairs in the shower the day after taking this pill. Again this is due to the piperine. I couldn't stand this anymore and the negatives began outweighing the positives so I only take 1/4 of the pill prior to workout and I take half of an epicatechin-only pill that I purchased separately from another source. The combination and spacing out of dosage works perfectly for me with hardly any notice of the side effects I mentioned.
