One of the most popular SARMs (selective androgen receptor modulators) around, Ostarine MK 2866 (or Enobosarm) is commonly used for two core purposes.
While one, as you may expect, is athletic performance enhancement, the other is to improve involuntary weight loss in people who are severely unwell. This is usually known as cachexia or wasting syndrome.
Ostarine was acquired and licensed in 1997 by GTx Incorporated, who quickly developed this popular drug even further. Since then, Ostarine MK 2866 (or simply ‘Ostarine’) has been through a variety of trials.
However, SARMs side effects and Ostarine benefits have long been debated. Especially by those looking to bulk up without fear of gaining fat.
We take a closer look at this popular drug, as well as Ostarine side effects, potential benefits and even Ostarine dosage.
How does Ostarine MK 2866 work?
Like all SARMs, Ostarine works by binding to proteins in the body, called androgen receptors (ARs). Unlike anabolic steroids, its anabolic effects are tissue-selective.
In doing this, Ostarine benefits include accelerated muscle growth, increased bone density and enhanced athletic performance. When Ostarine binds to these receptors, it sends signals to your muscles, encouraging growth.
With plenty of side effects in relation to popular anabolic steroids, such as Anadrol, Trenbolone and Dianabol – it comes as no surprise that SARMs side effects are pretty prominent, too.
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What is Ostarine usually used for?
As we touched upon briefly earlier, Ostarine MK 2866 has been associated predominantly with cachexia or wasting syndrome. As well as aiding those involuntary losing weight, Ostarine has also been linked with the following:
- Age-related muscle loss (sarcopenia)
- To increase lean body mass in cancer patients
- Muscular dystrophy
- Breast cancer
- Loss of bladder control
Outside of medicinal purposes, Ostarine is used as a performance and physique enhancing drug since it is incredibly versatile. This means that stacking Ostarine MK 2866 to support muscle growth and weight loss goals is totally possible.
As well as helping you grow muscle, Ostarine can also help you maintain muscle mass during a strict calorie deficit.
Ostarine benefits
Aside from helping cancer patients regain muscle mass, Ostarine benefits have long been compared to anabolic steroids. If you’re not a fan of needles, you’ll be pleased to hear that an Ostarine dose can be given orally, with no need for injections.
Here are some potential Ostarine benefits you can achieve during an Ostarine cycle.
However, this doesn’t mean that Ostarine side effects don’t exist, but we’ll cover the potential risks a little later.
Muscle growth
Although previous clinical studies focused on Ostarine’s ability to prevent muscle loss, they also noticed at the time that these popular SARMs also boosted lean muscle mass.
When paired with a healthy, varied diet and regular exercise, muscle growth results were pretty impressive. Once Ostarine was adopted by bodybuilders, they soon realised that a single cycle delivered several pounds of lean muscle mass.
This meant that the right Ostarine dosage, diet and workout routine could easily deliver some 15 pounds of lean muscle mass.
Meanwhile, without dedicated time in the gym, could Ostarine benefits be the same? Well, not quite. At a beginner level, however, you could see gains of 5 to 8 pounds within a few weeks. If you up your training and get your diet right, this number could of course be even higher.
On the subject of SARMs rookies, Ostarine is considered one of the best for those just starting out, since this drug is considered somewhat mild.
Fat burn and insulin resistance
As well as Ostarine’s benefit of muscle growth, some research has suggested that Ostarine could potentially work to cure diabetes and other metabolic syndromes.
Since Ostarine MK 2866 has the ability to lower blood glucose levels, it can therefore improve insulin resistance. Since these uses are outside of Ostarine’s initial medicinal uses, it comes as no surprise that Ostarine was quickly banned by the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) in 2018.
Enhanced stamina
As well as prevent muscle loss and boosting muscle growth, Ostarine has also shown to improve physical performance.
During an Ostarine cycle lasting 8 to 12 weeks, users noticed an increase in strength and their performance in the gym.
Increased bone density
Initially developed to treat osteoporosis, Ostarine MK 2866 has the ability to enhance bone density. With the intention to treat weak and brittle bones, this Ostarine benefit comes as no surprise!
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Furthermore, some studies have suggested that Ostarine can even help prevent this condition, by further increasing bone mineral density and protecting users against fractures.
Quick healing and recovery time
Since Ostarine supports the healing of muscles and joints, Ostarine MK 2866 can maximize muscle regeneration, speeding up the healing process.
This means that you really get into beast mode in the gym, resting assured that healing and muscle recovery will be supported.
Heart health
With the ability to lower bad LDL cholesterol, Ostarine benefits include supporting heart health. Since heightened cholesterol can put you at risk of heart attract, high blood pressure and strokes, Ostarine can boost heart health by reducing these risks.
Plus, Ostarine MK 2866 can also increase insulin resistance, lowering blood glucose levels.
Ostarine dosage
When it comes to getting the right Ostarine dose, there are several factors that need to be considered. These include:
- Age
- Health
- Several other conditions
While Ostarine benefits are typically associated with its medicinal purpose, hitting the right dosage for bodybuilding may take a little trial and error.
Since this popular SARM has plenty of room for further research, the optimal Ostarine dosage isn’t quite so easy to define. However, many users find the right dosage that works for them through experimentation.
Most used while cutting, Ostarine works to prevent muscle loss during a calorie deficit. Despite being relatively mild, Ostarine MK 2866 can actually lead to muscle gain, even while cutting.
During a cut phase, Ostarine users tend to opt for around 10 to 20mg daily, for a cycle of 8 to 12 weeks. If you’re using Ostarine during a bulk, you may up this amount to 20 to 30mg.
Of course, if you’re pretty new to Ostarine dosage, it could be beneficial to start at 10mg and adjust as you see fit. Although many SARMs have a half-life of 6 to 12 hours, Ostarine’s is around 24 hours – meaning you can take your entire dosage one time each day.
SARMs side effects
With the popularity of these research chemicals increasing, SARMs side effects are becoming more prominent by the day.
As ‘research chemicals’ Ostarine MK 2866 and other SARMs have not yet been approved for human use, Ostarine supplementation has been banned in all tested sports by WADA.
Also Read: Check out OSTABULK – The 100% legal, safe alternative to Ostarine
While users report muscle gains and enhanced performance, they also frequently seek advice regarding high blood pressure, impotence and skin rashes in relation to SARMs.
As well as these SARMs side effects, users have also reported a green or yellow tinge to their eyesight – which is particularly scary!
Since we’ve already covered Ostarine benefits, it’s about time we let you in on potential Ostarine side effects. These include:
- Liver damage / toxicity
- May negatively impact HDL and LDL levels
- Suppression of natural T production
- Increased estrogen conversion
Other common side effects of Ostarine include constipation, diarrhea, headaches, heart attacks, stomach pain, nausea and even stroke.
Since using Ostarine long term hasn’t been explored enough, it is recommended you do not exceed 25mg a day.
While Ostarine side effects were so far are pretty daunting, I’m afraid there’s more to be discussed. As your Ostarine dosage gets higher, suppression of testosterone can be a difficult issue to face.
Much like other popular anabolic steroids, it’s crucial to go into post cycle therapy (PCT) in order to kickstart testosterone production once more.
As well as Ostarine side effects on your testosterone levels, there’s also the opportunity for Ostarine MK 2866 to increase estrogen conversion – the complete opposite of what you’re trying to achieve here!
Stacking Ostarine
For those looking for fast results, you may opt for a stacking method. Stacking Ostarine involves using a combination of drugs.
If you’re new to Ostarine and SARMs in general, always opt for the basic Ostaring dosage to allow your body to familiarize itself with this type of drug.
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The benefits of stacking Ostarine MK 2866 include:
- Increased stamina and endurance
- Faster lean muscle growth
- Enhanced muscle recovery rate
- Burns stubborn fat
- Overall faster results
So, should you take Ostarine MK 2866?
Although considered safer than prohormones, Ostarine side effects are still very much a concern. Having not been approved for this type of use, there is still room for further research into potential long term SARMs side effects.
While it is legal to buy and sell, Ostarine – like all SARMs – are considered research chemicals. This means they’re still pretty much in testing mode, so we cannot promise there won’t be side effects of Ostarine and other SARMs.
Is Ostarine worth the risk?
With the potential for testosterone suppression, increased estrogen conversion and a whole world of other health concerns, we would recommend steering clear of Ostarine MK 2866.
But what’s the alternative? Enter OSTABULK.
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Get ready to push past those workout plateaus and build muscle like never before. With zero side effects and no injections, OSTABULK delivers all the SARMs benefits without any of the risks.
