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SUPPLEMENT_SCHOLAR
evidence · mechanism · dose
Supplements/Compound

(-)-Epicatechin

aka Cocoa epicatechin

Cocoa flavanol that suppresses myostatin and improves NO.

Muscle Growth

Overview

Cocoa flavanol that suppresses myostatin and improves NO.

Natural sources
    Common forms

      Mechanism of action

      Inhibits myostatin/SMAD signaling; activates eNOS.

      Pathways

        Effects on the body

        Organ system effects

        Evidence-based benefits

        Increases follistatin:myostatin ratio in humans

        Limited evidence

        Potential side effects

        Common
        • · Headache
        Rare
          Serious

            Drug interactions

            No notable interactions reported.

            Supplement interactions

            Pairs well with

            None listed.

            Avoid combining with

            No specific avoidances listed.

            Dosing & bioavailability

            Typical dose
            100–200 mg
            With food?
            Either

            Where to buy

            Affiliate-style search links to reputable retailers. We don't endorse specific brands — verify third-party testing (USP, NSF, Informed Sport) before purchase.

            Compound
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            iHerb
            Global delivery · curated brands
            Compound
            (-)-Epicatec…
            Thorne
            Practitioner-grade · NSF tested

            Scientific evidence (8)

            CohortJ Nutr Biochem · 2014

            (-)-Epicatechin on muscle in elderly

            Gutierrez-Salmean G, et al.

            1-week pilot in 6 elderly subjects.

            Key findings

            Increased grip strength and improved myostatin/follistatin ratio.

            Open study
            Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

            PubMed: (-)-Epicatechin — Increases follistatin:myostatin ratio in humans

            Live PubMed search

            Live results for "(-)-Epicatechin Increases follistatin:myostatin ratio in humans" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

            Key findings

            Opens current human and preclinical literature matching (-)-Epicatechin and "Increases follistatin:myostatin ratio in humans". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

            Open study
            Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

            PubMed: (-)-Epicatechin — randomized controlled trial

            Live PubMed search

            Live results for "(-)-Epicatechin randomized controlled trial" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

            Key findings

            Opens current human and preclinical literature matching (-)-Epicatechin and "randomized controlled trial". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

            Open study
            Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

            PubMed: (-)-Epicatechin — meta-analysis

            Live PubMed search

            Live results for "(-)-Epicatechin meta-analysis" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

            Key findings

            Opens current human and preclinical literature matching (-)-Epicatechin and "meta-analysis". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

            Open study
            Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

            PubMed: (-)-Epicatechin — pharmacokinetics

            Live PubMed search

            Live results for "(-)-Epicatechin pharmacokinetics" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

            Key findings

            Opens current human and preclinical literature matching (-)-Epicatechin and "pharmacokinetics". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

            Open study
            Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

            PubMed: (-)-Epicatechin — safety adverse events

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            Live results for "(-)-Epicatechin safety adverse events" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

            Key findings

            Opens current human and preclinical literature matching (-)-Epicatechin and "safety adverse events". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

            Open study
            Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

            PubMed: (-)-Epicatechin — dose response

            Live PubMed search

            Live results for "(-)-Epicatechin dose response" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

            Key findings

            Opens current human and preclinical literature matching (-)-Epicatechin and "dose response". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

            Open study
            Systematic reviewGoogle Scholar · 1970

            Google Scholar: (-)-Epicatechin — clinical evidence

            Live Scholar search

            Cross-database citation index for (-)-Epicatechin as it relates to "clinical evidence".

            Key findings

            Includes preprints, theses, and journal articles. Useful for tracking citation counts and follow-on work.

            Open study
            Educational use only. This profile is not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any supplement, especially if you take prescription medication or have a chronic condition.