Supplement
Ursolic acid is a waxy plant compound found in apple peels and herbs like rosemary, and it appears to influence signaling in muscle and fat tissue. The evidence is limited, but in one small study of 16 men, levels of IGF-1, a hormone tied to muscle growth, went up. Body fat and blood glucose showed no clear difference in that same small group, so it is far too early to say much more.
Sources: PMID 25352765
- Updated
- How we grade
- 1 study cited
- Best evidence
- Grade C
- Conditions studied
- 4
- Outcomes
- 25
- Graded outcomes
- 0014
Evidence by condition
- Strong
- Moderate
- Limited
- Very limited
Muscle Size Strength
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IGF-1 Small Increase | Improves (the measure goes up) | Small effect | 1 study | 16 people | ||
Studies that measured igf-1 | ||||||
| Body Fat No effect | NoneNo effect | 16 people | ||||
| Insulin | Changes; see studies | 16 people | ||||
| Irisin | Improves (the measure goes up) | 16 people | ||||
| Muscle Mass | Improves (the measure goes up) | 16 people | ||||
| Power Output | Improves (the measure goes up) | 16 people | ||||
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blood glucose No effect | NoneNo effect | 16 people | ||||
| IGF-1 | Improves (the measure goes up) | 1 study | 16 people | |||
Studies that measured igf-1 | ||||||
| Body Fat | Improves (the measure goes down) | 16 people | ||||
| Insulin | Changes; see studies | 16 people | ||||
| Irisin | Improves (the measure goes up) | 16 people | ||||
| Muscle Mass | Improves (the measure goes up) | 16 people | ||||
General Athletic Performance
- Blood glucose
- IGF-1: improves
- Body Fat: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blood glucose No effect | NoneNo effect | 16 people | ||||
| IGF-1 | Improves (the measure goes up) | 1 study | 16 people | |||
Studies that measured igf-1 | ||||||
| Body Fat | Improves (the measure goes down) | 16 people | ||||
| Insulin | Changes; see studies | 16 people | ||||
| Irisin | Improves (the measure goes up) | 16 people | ||||
| Muscle Mass | Improves (the measure goes up) | 16 people | ||||
| Power Output | Improves (the measure goes up) | 16 people | ||||
Muscle Size & Strength
- Body Fat
- IGF-1: improves
- Insulin: changes; see studies
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Body Fat No effect | NoneNo effect | 16 people | ||||
| IGF-1 | Improves (the measure goes up) | 1 study | 16 people | |||
Studies that measured igf-1 | ||||||
| Insulin | Changes; see studies | 16 people | ||||
| Irisin | Improves (the measure goes up) | 16 people | ||||
| Muscle Mass | Improves (the measure goes up) | 16 people | ||||
| Power Output | Improves (the measure goes up) | 16 people | ||||
Key findings
- IGF-1Improves (the measure goes up)
- Body Fat
- Blood glucose
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- Grade C
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Studies cited
1 study from PubMed