Ursolic acid overseas has recently gained popularity. This fairly new component of dietary supplements allegedly has a positive effect on reducing the risk of obesity and building lean muscle mass. Is it really effective? In this article we will try to provide you with the most important information about ursolic acid. We will tell you how to use it, what to expect from it and what potential side effects can we be exposed to.
What is Ursolic Acid?
Ursolic acid is a chemical compound found among others in the natural wax of apples. This acid was identified for the first time in the 1920s, when it was found in fruits, as well as in herbs such as rosemary and thyme.
Today we know that ursolic acid is present in many plants, fruits and herbs - including many ordinary foods consumed every day. Ursolic acid can be found among others in apples, basil, cranberry, peppermint, rosemary, lavender, oregano, thyme and dried plums.
The largest amount of this substance is found in the skin of apples. This way we deliver it the most in everyday life. For the needs of supplements, it is extracted from oregano. Ursolic acid is also found in a wide range of cosmetics, where it is used as an important supplement. Other names for ursolic acid are: urson, prunol or malol. The name comes from its chemical name: 3-beta-3-hydroxy-urs-12-ene-28-acetic acid.
The benefits of ursolic acid
Why is ursolic acid becoming more and more popular? Well, in the past few years, a number of potential biochemical effects of using ursolic acid have been studied. So far, there have been no clinical trials on humans showing that ursolic acid has any beneficial effect on our health. However, in vitro studies (on cells outside the human body) and studies in mice linked ursolic acid with a number of health benefits.
These studies have shown that ursolic acid can, for example, inhibit the proliferation of various types of cancer cells. Researchers have observed that it works by inhibiting the STAT3 activation pathway. Also, induction of apoptosis and reduction of cancer cell proliferation as well as other benefits were observed.
Other advantages of ursolic acid are the weakening of leukemia cells.
Ursolic acid has not become a fashionable component of the supplement because of the alleged benefits of cancer. Its popularity is due to the ability to increase the amount of muscle and brown fat while reducing the amount of white fat in the body. Again, in human clinical trials, no benefits were seen in increasing muscle mass of ursolic acid. However, they were observed in studies in mice. In studies in mice, it was shown that acid stimulates muscle growth, provides cardioprotective activity and reduces the risk of obesity.
Ursolic acid supplements
Ursolic acid supplements began to appear on the Internet. Labrada Nutrition has recently introduced its own ursolic acid supplement, which contains 120 capsules of ursolic acid. Ursolic Acid
This supplement promises the following effects:
- support during reduction of body fat
- increasing lean muscle mass
- improving the cardiovascular system
Labrada talks about how important it is to maintain lean muscle mass during the slimming process. Loss of body fat is a very desirable effect, but it is definitely more beneficial for us to maintain muscle mass at the same time. Otherwise, you just get rid of your muscles. Ursolic acid can help us by partially limiting the loss of muscle tissue.
In Labrad's articles, he admits that no human ursolic acid tests have been carried out so far, and all the benefits are associated with research in mice. Nevertheless, they claim that their supplement can be used to draw anti-catabolic effects (ie to preserve muscle mass) along with fat loss and improved health.
The ursolic acid used in this supplement comes from the extract of rosemary leaves. In each serving 4 capsules are 200 mg of ursolic acid. This dose is actually controversial. In the famous Korean ursolic acid test, the recommended dose was 450 mg per day. Considering that there are only 200 mg of ursolic acid in each serving of 4 capsules, you can double or triple your dose.
What are the opinions about ursolic acid?
There are a lot of opinions about ursolic acid, we searched the network in their search and we met with a few, quite extreme ones.
Labrad's official website is definitely positive. Reviewers seem to be divided into two groups: some people think that ursolic acid is a good thing in the sports supplement industry and this group is observing the increase in muscle mass and increased energy level. And the second group did not observe any beneficial effects on health
