Methoxyflavone: First Choice of Bodybuilders

Methoxyflavone (5-methyl-7-Methoxyisoflavone) is a semisynthetic vegetable isoflavonoid used in sports to increase strength, increase muscle mass and burn fat. Methoxyflavone is a slightly modified formula of Ipriflavone (7-isopropoxyisoflavone), but the effects vary significantly. Currently, Methoxyflavone is widely used in bodybuilding as a sports supplement under the guise of commercial studies, according to which Methoxyflavone has a pronounced anabolic effect on the human body. In fact, Methoxyflavone does not affect muscle or fat mass and does not affect performance.

History

In the period of in-depth study and search for new anabolics (70s), the researchers sought to obtain new compounds that would not have the pharmacological status of anabolic steroids in order to use it in sports and freely distribute. The patent for Methoxyisoflavone (US patent 4,163,746) was obtained in 1977 and issued for the pharmaceutical company Chinoin, which was the leader in the field of flavonoid research. The scientists of the company tried to find an active anabolic agent that could make the human body use fat as a source of energy, but the attempt failed and Methoxyflavone was forgotten for some time.

In the 1980s, Methoxyflavone found application in agriculture, as it was discovered that it is capable of increasing the growth of dry muscle mass in cattle.

After 20 years (1997), the term for the patent expired and Methoxyisoflavone attracted attention of manufacturers of sports nutrition. In the market there are many additives with this substance, which are actively sold to the present time. Nevertheless, manufacturers of sports nutrition relied on research data obtained in animal experiments, which are not always relevant to humans.

The effectiveness of methoxyflavone

Producers of additives state that Methoxyflavone has the following effects:

• Increased muscle mass
• Increase in productivity
• Anticatabolic action
• Fat Burning
• Mental concentration
• Increased tonus and activity

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However, in 2006 the marketing deception was put an end. Colin D Wilborn, Lemuel W Taylor, Bill I Campbell, Chad Kerksick, Chris J Rasmussen, Michael Greenwood, and Richard B Kreider conducted an independent study on athletes in which it was found that Methoxyflavone did not have any of the above effects.  Later, other studies were performed that confirmed the ineffectiveness of additives with Methoxyisoflavone. Nevertheless, active advertising propaganda and a lack of objective information make it possible to sell Nandrolone Phenylpropionate Methoxyisoflavone successfully. Producers often refer to experiments with animals. As well as studies with Ipriflavone, which has nothing to do with Methoxyflavone, except chemical similarity.

The reason for the lack of effectiveness is also the high instability of Methoxyisoflavone in the digestive tract. Almost all of it is destroyed in the stomach, the rest is destroyed in the liver on the first pass.

In addition, Methoxyflavone has a negative effect on the testosterone-converting enzyme, which can inhibit the conversion of precursors to testosterone . Methoxyisoflavone is close in structure to estrogens (female sex hormones), so it may have estrogenic activity, which is completely undesirable for men.