Plant steroids that appear to build muscle without acting on male hormone receptors. Human evidence is thin: single studies for walking speed, pneumonia, and an intestinal parasite; muscle gains conflicted. Most marketed products contain far less than claimed; a substantial minority carry an undeclared contaminant. With batch-certified material and serious training, risk appears low and possible gain modest and unconfirmed. (Full Review)
| Marker | Target | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Alanine aminotransferase | 10-26 U/L (men), 8-22 U/L (women) | Detects liver injury from contaminants |
| Aspartate aminotransferase | 10-26 U/L | Separates a liver signal from a muscle signal |
| Creatine kinase | 50-200 U/L | Tracks muscle breakdown, the one documented serious event |
| Creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate | Above 90 mL/min/1.73 m² | Renal clearance dominates elimination |
| Total testosterone | 600-900 ng/dL (men), 15-70 ng/dL (women) | Confirms the claimed absence of hormonal suppression |
| Estradiol | 20-30 pg/mL (men); no single target in cycling women — track change from own baseline at the same cycle phase | Tests whether the receptor mechanism produces a downstream hormonal effect |
| Sex hormone-binding globulin | 20-40 nmol/L | Shows whether free hormone shifted even when total did not |
| Fasting insulin | Below 5 μIU/mL | The metabolic outcome with the clearest human signal |
| Fasting glucose | 75-86 mg/dL | Screens for the additive glucose-lowering effect flagged under interactions |
| High-sensitivity C-reactive protein | Below 0.55 mg/L (men), below 1.0 mg/L (women) | Tracks the anti-inflammatory claim |
| Lean body mass by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry | No established target; track change from own baseline | The primary claimed benefit, measured objectively |
| 400-metre gait speed | Above 1.0 m/s | The functional endpoint the pharmaceutical trial used |
Cadence: Full panel at baseline. Liver, kidney and muscle enzymes repeated at 8-12 weeks, then every 6-12 months while use continues. Sex-hormone axis re-tested once at 12 weeks. Body composition and performance re-measured at 12 weeks.