YK-11 Myostine

YK-11 is a supplement intended for people looking for radical support in muscle mass building. Although it is a relatively new substance and its mechanism of action has not been yet fully explained, it undoubtedly has powerful anabolic potential.

Does YK-11 certainly belong to SARMs?

YK-11 is the common name for (17α, 20E) -17.20 – [(1-methoxyethylidene) bis (oxy)] – 3-oxo-19-norpregna-4,20-diene-21-carboxylic acid methyl ester. It is classified to selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs), although it does not fully match the characteristics typical for the supplements in this group, as discussed below.

Firstly, research indicates that it is a genoselective, only partial androgen receptor agonist that does not induce the amino/carboxy-terminal interaction, abbreviated to N/C, and also limits the possibility of its stimulation by 5α-DHT. Secondly, unlike most products from the group of SARMs, YK-11 has a steroid structure and contains methyl groups in its molecule. Thirdly, YK-11 can activate the pathways similar to those activated by dihydrotestosterone, which leads to the activation of protein kinase B that initiates anabolic processes in muscle and bone tissue. Fourthly, it is the only SARM that acts as a myostatin inhibitor, which gives it a genuinely effective anabolic capacity.

Myostatin inhibitor

Myostatin (also known as GDF-8 – growth differentiation factor 8) is a protein responsible for regulating skeletal muscle growth and development. Under physiological conditions, it restrains excessive growth of muscle tissue. Under pathological conditions, it leads to the destruction of muscle mass – excessive concentration of myostatin is noted in wasting diseases such as AIDS. Research results indicate that a decrease in myostatin expression may increase muscle mass.

YK-11 has been proven to be a myostatin inhibitor. The mechanism of its action is unique and involves the promotion of the synthesis of another protein – follistatin, which by binding to myostatin inhibits its activity. Thanks to this, physiologically-conditioned limitation of muscle tissue growth is lowered, enabling quick and effective muscle building.

Remarkable potential of YK-11

Regardless of many characteristic mechanisms of interaction, YK-11 also interferes in physiology according to the well-known processes, typical for the compounds belonging to SARMs. Despite the before mentioned only partial activation of androgen receptors, YK-11 binds to them in muscle and bone tissue, thus exerting an anabolic effect. This increases muscle mass, whereas in adverse conditions (such as insufficient calorie supply) it limits the degree of muscle catabolism.

Although YK-11 has not yet been fully evaluated, it is a noteworthy SARM. Its multidirectional activity in the body allows for comprehensive support of the process of building muscle mass, providing significant gains in a short time. Besides, according to users’ reviews, YK-11 supplementation also causes a decrease in body fat, which gives this preparation even greater potential in terms of body optimization.

Side effects

Like all agents that modify certain biological pathways in the body, YK-11 also carries the risk of side effects. Note that since it is a relatively new supplement on the market, there is a lack of comprehensive scientific studies on its side effects.

The side effects most commonly reported by users include joint pain, skin problems, increased hair loss, high blood pressure, and increase in aggression. Moreover, the compound may have a negative effect on the liver as well as on testosterone levels, which is associated with the necessity to introduce the PCT cycle after discontinuation of the preparation or to use it along with testosterone replacement therapy (TRT).

The risk of the aforementioned side effects is determined by the dose and duration of the cycle, which means that it can be reduced by using the product wisely. Nevertheless, these data are only based on individual user reviews, which may be unreliable, due to the simultaneous use of other means and individual predispositions.

Summary

To sum up, YK-11 is a product intended for experienced users or professional athletes aware of potential benefits and risks. It has a broad but yet to be fully evaluated spectrum of activity focused on anabolism within muscle and bone tissue. Used rationally, it is a good way to build impressive muscle mass in a short time, being a good alternative to anabolic-androgenic steroids.
____________________

Expert’s advice on YK-11 application

It is recommended to start with the minimum dose, i.e. 5 mg. In the first cycle, it is not recommended to exceed this daily dose, nor the 6 weeks of the product use. If the product is well tolerated, the dose can be extended to 10 mg or maximally 15 mg a day up to 8 weeks. However, such the plan is intended for experienced users and it requires careful monitoring of the body’s response.
YK-11 has a relatively short half-life (exact numbers have not yet been determined), therefore when using a dose of 10 mg or more, it should be divided into the largest possible number of portions taken at equal intervals.

After the YK-11 cycle, PCT should be implemented. Due to the content of methyl groups in the molecule, you should also consider using supplements that support liver function while taking this product.
When using YK-11, regular blood tests are necessary, especially in terms of liver function, lipid profile, and hormone levels.
The agent should not be used by people with any cardiovascular problems. Any emotional disorders and liver dysfunction are also a contraindication to the use of YK-11.
It should be remembered that YK-11 is on the list of substances banned by the international anti-doping agency, therefore it should not be used by athletes participating in competitions supervised by WADA inspections.

Sources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28440570
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30379415
https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/bpb/41/3/41_b17-00748/_article
https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/bpb/34/3/34_3_318/_article
https://crazybulk.com/blog/yk11-sarm/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23995658

https://selfhacked.com/blog/yk11/