In the world of fitness and bodybuilding, the search for a safe and effective supplement to enhance muscle growth, strength, and overall performance is a never-ending quest. One such compound that has emerged as a popular choice among fitness enthusiasts is Ostarine, also known as MK-2866.
This selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM) has gained significant attention for its ability to selectively target androgen receptors in muscle and bone tissues, offering a safer alternative to traditional anabolic steroids.
Developed initially for the treatment of muscle-wasting diseases and osteoporosis, Ostarine has found its way into the supplement regimens of athletes and bodybuilders alike, thanks to its numerous benefits.
With a high anabolic-to-androgenic ratio, MK-2866 promotes muscle growth and increases bone density without causing many of the unwanted side effects typically associated with anabolic steroids, such as liver toxicity, prostate enlargement, or cardiovascular issues.
Ostarine is versatile, making it suitable for various fitness goals, whether it’s bulking, cutting, or body recomposition. Its ability to maintain lean muscle mass while promoting fat loss makes it a favorite among those looking to achieve a lean, defined physique.
Furthermore, its relatively mild side effect profile and well-tolerated nature make it the best SARM for beginners.
In this article, we will dive deep into the world of Ostarine, exploring its benefits, dosage recommendations, potential side effects, and how it can help you achieve your fitness goals safely and effectively.
What is Ostarine?
Ostarine MK-2866, is an orally-active, non-steroidal selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM). It is manufactured by the company GTx, Inc. and is regarded as one of the safest, best-tested, and most effective bodybuilding SARMs available.
It is considered the best SARM for beginners due to its versatility, as it aids in bulking, cutting and body recomposition. Its high anabolic-to-androgenic ratio and mild side effect profile make it an appealing option for fitness enthusiasts.
Ostarine research
Ostarine, also called MK 2866 or Enbosarm, was developed by GTx Inc. in 1997 to treat muscle wasting diseases and osteoporosis.
In 2007, this SARM was already in Phase 2 of clinical trials.
In 2011, there were many human trials. One of the studies that focused on elderly men proved that Ostarine resulted in a significant increase in lean body mass.
In 2016, Ostarine failed phase 3 clinical trials for treating muscle wasting diseases in people with lung cancer. While it almost successfully completed these trials, it failed eventually because people with lung cancer were too weak to use MK-2866.
As of right now, MK-2866 is still in development. It’s successfully going through numerous clinical trials to one day treat muscle wasting diseases.
What does Ostarine do to the body?
Ostarine SARM, selectively binds itself to proteins within the body that are called androgen receptors. When attached to the androgen protein, it communicates the message for it to get bigger.
One of the key differences between SARMs and anabolic steroids, is the fact that SARMs are tissue-selective. They target the androgen receptors in skeletal tissue (muscles and bones) giving them anabolic properties.
But unlike steroids, they have little effect on the androgen receptors in the organs, which results in limited unwanted side-effects. Unlike anabolic steroids, Ostarine does not convert to estrogen or DHT.
What are the benefits of MK-2866
Promoting Muscle Growth
Research has shown that even at a dose as low as 1mg per day, Ostarine is able to increase muscle mass.
In a study done on the effects on lean muscle mass, researchers found that it could increase muscle mass drastically. After administering a daily 1mg dose of the compound to participants over a 16-week period, researchers found that they’d gained 1 to 1.5 KG of lean muscle mass. Even after increasing their daily dose to 3mg, the participants still failed to show negative side effects.
The amount of muscle growth is less spectacular, when compared to more potent SARMs such as LGD-4033 or RAD-140, but it is very effective at maintaining muscle mass during a caloric deficit. This makes it ideal for cutting cycles or dieting phases.
Increasing Bone Density
Another benefit of MK-2866 is that it positively impacts bone health by increasing bone density. Improved bone strength reduces the risk of fractures and injuries. This is particularly beneficial for older individuals or athletes involved in high-impact sports.
Improved Insulin Resistance
There is a growing body of research pointing towards Ostarine working as an effective insulin regulator.
By increasing the body’s natural insulin resistance, Ostarine may help to keep blood sugar levels more consistent, preventing both high and low blood glucose levels. If proven, these findings would suggest that Ostarine could help better absorb nutrients and increase muscular recovery.
Furthermore, this would suggest that Ostarine has potential benefits as a treatment for Type II diabetes.
If it can help regulate blood insulin resistance, it could help stabilize diabetic blood glucose levels and act as a daily treatment against the disorder.
Accelerating Recovery
A faster recovery time is crucial for consistent progress in any fitness journey. Ostarine speeds up recovery, allowing you to get back to training sooner. It supports the healing of muscles and joints and can maximize muscle regeneration, speeding up the healing process. This leads to improved performance and better results.
MK-2866 can improve joint and tendon health by promoting collagen synthesis. This strengthens connective tissues, reducing the risk of injury and providing relief from joint pain.
Minimal Side Effects
Compared to traditional anabolic steroids, Ostarine has a significantly lower risk of side effects. Its selective mechanism of action means it primarily affects muscle and bone tissues, minimizing impacts on other organs.
Ostarine side effects
Research and anecdotal reports have both shown that MK-2866 usually doesn’t cause any adverse side effects.
That being said, though, a select few studies have suggested that taking Ostarine for an extended period could lead to some serious health issues. One such study found that long-term Ostarine usage can lead to acute liver injury.
Other commonly reported symptoms related of this SARM include:
- Headache
- Back Pain
- High Blood Pressure
- Suppress testosterone
- Liver Injury
It’s hard to say with 100% accuracy what the exact range of side effects are but scientists and medical researchers are actively investigating how long-term Ostarine usage can impact the body.
That being said, though, one of the most widely accepted side effects of taking a SARM is testosterone suppression.
It is believed that SARMs suppress testosterone production by binding to androgen receptors in the body, which interferes with the production of testosterone. When this happens, your body will start to undergo changes, including reduced muscle mass, loss of bone density, and changes in sexual function.
However, Ostarine is considered the least suppressive SARM on the market, and any dip in testosterone levels will quickly return to baseline after the end of the cycle. It is unlikely to experience any serious amount of suppression unless taken in very high dosages or for a really long time.
Is Ostarine legal?
The legal status of MK-2866 can be quite confusing, with varying rules and regulations in different parts of the world. So let’s provide some clarity.
As a selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM), Ostarine is not approved for human consumption by regulatory agencies such as the FDA or the EMA. Despite its promising results in clinical trials, the compound has not undergone enough testing for approval as a therapeutic drug or dietary supplement.
Research chemical
However, Ostarine is legally available for purchase as a research chemical. This means that it can be sold and bought for laboratory research purposes, but not for human consumption. As a result, many supplement companies and online vendors market Ostarine as a research chemical, allowing consumers to access it despite its unapproved status.
Banned in sports
In the world of professional sports, Ostarine is considered a performance-enhancing drug. It has therefore been banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) in competitive sports. Athletes found to have used Ostarine or other SARMs may face penalties such as disqualifications, suspensions, or bans from their respective sports.
Ostarine dosage information
Based on clinical trials, MK-2866 has shown to be effective in dosages as low as 1mg per day.
However, an average dose used by bodybuilders and fitness enthusiasts, is somewhere in the range of 10 to 30mg per day. Anecdotal evidence has indicated that a 20mg dose of Ostarine provides optimal effects in terms of muscle growth, strength and recovery, with minimal side-effects.
Half-life
By studying the half-life, you can space out your dosages to guarantee you are getting the maximum dosage at all times.
According to recent studies, Ostarine has a half-life of around 24-hours. This means that you can run a cycle by taking the appropriate dose just once a day.
If you are planning to start a MK-2866 cycle, we recommend taking it at the same time every day, but it doesn’t really matter if you take it in the morning, evening or before a workout.
Cycle length
The normal cycle length for MK2866, and most other SARMs and SARM-like compounds with the exception of MK 677, is 8 weeks. In this time period, you will be able to get great results if you train and diet at least decently and have pure products.
If you feel good at the end of the 8th week you can extend that up to 12 weeks.
So basically, the best Ostarine cycle length is 8 weeks, as this will provide effective results, with minimal side-effects.
An example cycle of MK-2866 might look like this:
| Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 8 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ostarine dosage | 20mg | 20mg | 20mg | 20mg | 20mg | 20mg | 20mg | 20mg |
If your goal is to simply enhance recovery, a cycle with a lower dosage is sufficient:
| Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 8 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ostarine dosage | 10mg | 10mg | 10mg | 10mg | 10mg | 10mg | 10mg | 10mg |
Where to buy Ostarine?
Because SARMs such as Ostarine have became so popular, vendors are popping up left and right, with some only being in it to make a quick buck. This has led to numerous bunk vendors selling fake products under the guise of SARMs.
Of course, you want to avoid this at all costs. You must buy from a reputable vendor to guarantee that you’re getting a good quality product.
Stacking Ostarine
Stacking Ostarine with other compounds can amplify its benefits and help achieve specific fitness goals more effectively. As a versatile selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM), Ostarine can be combined with various other SARMs or supplements to enhance muscle growth, fat loss, and overall performance.
Best MK-2866 cutting stack
Ostarine is ideal for cutting purposes because it helps to maintain lean muscle mass during a caloric deficit . During a calorie-restricted diet, this SARM helps to maintain muscle mass, ensuring that weight loss comes primarily from fat stores.
Cardarine, or GW-501516, is not a SARM but rather a PPARδ receptor agonist that enhances endurance and fat oxidation. It boosts the body’s ability to utilize stored fat for energy, promoting increased fat loss during cutting phases. Furthermore, the improved endurance allows for longer, more intense training sessions, contributing to overall calorie expenditure and weight loss.
By combining Ostarine’s muscle-preserving properties with Cardarine’s fat-burning and endurance-enhancing effects, this stack creates an optimal environment for achieving a lean, shredded physique.
| Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 8 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MK-2866 | 20mg | 20mg | 20mg | 20mg | 20mg | 20mg | 20mg | 20mg |
| GW-501516 | 20mg | 20mg | 20mg | 20mg | 20mg | 20mg | 20mg | 20mg |
Best MK-2866 recomp stack
Ostarine is also an excellent option for body recomposition. The goal of a recomp cycle is to promote muscle growth while simultaneously shedding body fat.
By combining the muscle-persevering properties of Ostarine with the anabolic effects of RAD-140 it is possible to gain muscle mass while losing fat. This requires a caloric deficit.
| Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 8 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MK-2866 | 20mg | 20mg | 20mg | 20mg | 20mg | 20mg | 20mg | 20mg |
| RAD-140 | 10mg | 10mg | 10mg | 10mg | 10mg | 10mg | 10mg | 10mg |
Ostarine vs Ligandrol
Ligandrol is another effective SARM for bulking. If you are looking to pack on lean mass fast then this is a good bet for you.
In terms of pure mass gains, Ligandrol is more effective than Ostarine. Ligandrol is also an excellent choice when it comes to pure strength gains.
Ostarine vs Testolone
RAD-140 is far more potent than MK-2866 in terms of muscle growth and strength. It is also more suppressive and more likely to present unwanted side-effects.
RAD-140 and MK-2866 provide an efficient stack for a recomp.
Ostarine FAQ
Is Ostarine a steroid?
MK-2866 is not a steroid, but a SARM (Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator). It has many steroid-like qualities such as the ability to increase muscle mass, enhance recovery and improving bone density. But it is more selective in its actions, resulting in less side-effects than anabolic steroids.
What are the negative effects of Ostarine?
MK-2866 is the mildest of all the SARMs, but it is not completely free of side-effects. When taken in excessive amount or for a really long time, testosterone suppression may occur.
Is Ostarine the best SARM?
It highly depends on the definition of “best” in this context. Other SARMs such as LGD-4033 and RAD-140 are more potent. However, Ostarine is the best-researched and safest SARM on the market, with a very mild side effect profile.
Do I need a PCT for Ostarine?
MK-2866 is the least suppressive SARM around. As long as you don’t take massive dosages for an extended amount of time, the suppression of natural testosterone is limited and will bounce back to baseline quickly after a cycle.
When taken in exceptionally large dosages or for a very long period of time, a PCT is recommended.
What is the half-life of Ostarine?
MK-2866 has a half-life of 24 hours. This means that there is no reason to split the dosage and divide it over the day. It doesn’t matter when you take Ostarine, as long as you take it at the same time every day.
