Follistatin
Shop FollistatinFollistatin is a protein your body makes on its own. It is not a simple peptide, but a larger protein that helps control growth and repair in the body. Scientists study it in labs, and some people seek versions of it made outside the body. It is not an approved medicine.
Follistatin works by blocking other proteins called activin and myostatin. Myostatin puts the brakes on muscle growth, so blocking it may allow muscles to grow more. Follistatin also plays roles in healing, in the brain where it may support learning and memory, and in women's reproductive health. Because of its effects on muscle, it has drawn interest from people who want to build strength.
Much is still unknown. Almost all the research has been done in animals or lab cells, not in people. In some countries, follistatin has been found in seized black-market doping products, so quality and safety of such products are serious concerns. There is no approved dosing guidance, and risks are not well understood. Anyone considering it should know the science in humans is not settled.
Benefits
What Follistatin Helps With
The benefits people report — backed by research.
Benefits (3)
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Safety
Known Side Effects
Adverse effects reported in the research and by community use.
- Potential Hormonal ImbalanceModerate 95/100Rated 95/100Source typePeer-reviewed studyIndependent sources1Every claim links to the page it came from, and stronger sources rate higher. Full methodology →↗ pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Reported in research and community sources — not exhaustive. Discontinue use and consult a healthcare professional if side effects occur.
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Evidence
Research Citations (32)
Every claim above traces back to a source you can check — here are 32 of them.
- Source
FST follistatin [Homo sapiens (human)] - Gene
95/100Rated 95/100Source typePeer-reviewed studyIndependent sourcesstill being verifiedEvery claim links to the page it came from, and stronger sources rate higher. Full methodology → - Source
FST follistatin [ Homo sapiens (human) ]
95/100Rated 95/100Source typePeer-reviewed studyIndependent sourcesstill being verifiedEvery claim links to the page it came from, and stronger sources rate higher. Full methodology → - Source
Fst follistatin [ Mus musculus (house mouse) ]
95/100Rated 95/100Source typePeer-reviewed studyIndependent sourcesstill being verifiedEvery claim links to the page it came from, and stronger sources rate higher. Full methodology → - Source
Isolation and partial characterization of follistatin: a single-chain Mr 35,000 monomeric protein that inhibits the release of follicle-stimulating hormone.
1987 95/100Rated 95/100Source typePeer-reviewed studyIndependent sourcesstill being verifiedEvery claim links to the page it came from, and stronger sources rate higher. Full methodology → - Source
Human follistatin-related protein: a structural homologue of follistatin with nuclear localization.
2001 95/100Rated 95/100Source typePeer-reviewed studyIndependent sourcesstill being verifiedEvery claim links to the page it came from, and stronger sources rate higher. Full methodology → - Source
Delivery of recombinant follistatin lessens disease severity in a mouse model of spinal muscular atrophy.
2009 95/100Rated 95/100Source typePeer-reviewed studyIndependent sourcesstill being verifiedEvery claim links to the page it came from, and stronger sources rate higher. Full methodology → - Source
Elevated circulating follistatin associates with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes.
2021 95/100Rated 95/100Source typePeer-reviewed studyIndependent sourcesstill being verifiedEvery claim links to the page it came from, and stronger sources rate higher. Full methodology → - Source
Elevated circulating follistatin associates with increased risk of mortality and cardiometabolic disorders.
2024 95/100Rated 95/100Source typePeer-reviewed studyIndependent sourcesstill being verifiedEvery claim links to the page it came from, and stronger sources rate higher. Full methodology → - Source
The activin-follistatin system: Key regulator of kidney development, regeneration, inflammation, and fibrosis
72/100Rated 72/100Source typeEstablished referenceIndependent sourcesstill being verifiedEvery claim links to the page it came from, and stronger sources rate higher. Full methodology → - Source
Identification of follistatin as a possible trait-causing gene in polycystic ovary syndrome.
2000 95/100Rated 95/100Source typePeer-reviewed studyIndependent sourcesstill being verifiedEvery claim links to the page it came from, and stronger sources rate higher. Full methodology → - Source
Follistatin-based ligand trap ACE-083 induces localized hypertrophy of skeletal muscle with functional improvement in models of neuromuscular disease.
2019 95/100Rated 95/100Source typePeer-reviewed studyIndependent sourcesstill being verifiedEvery claim links to the page it came from, and stronger sources rate higher. Full methodology → - Source
Gene therapy for follistatin mitigates systemic metabolic inflammation and post-traumatic arthritis in high-fat diet-induced obesity.
2020 95/100Rated 95/100Source typePeer-reviewed studyIndependent sourcesstill being verifiedEvery claim links to the page it came from, and stronger sources rate higher. Full methodology → - Source
The structure of the follistatin:activin complex reveals antagonism of both type I and type II receptor binding.
2005 95/100Rated 95/100Source typePeer-reviewed studyIndependent sourcesstill being verifiedEvery claim links to the page it came from, and stronger sources rate higher. Full methodology → - Source
Transgenic expression of a myostatin inhibitor derived from follistatin increases skeletal muscle mass and ameliorates dystrophic pathology in mdx mice.
2008 95/100Rated 95/100Source typePeer-reviewed studyIndependent sourcesstill being verifiedEvery claim links to the page it came from, and stronger sources rate higher. Full methodology → - Source
Activin-type II receptor B (ACVR2B) and follistatin haplotype associations with muscle mass and strength in humans.
2007 95/100Rated 95/100Source typePeer-reviewed studyIndependent sourcesstill being verifiedEvery claim links to the page it came from, and stronger sources rate higher. Full methodology →
News
Latest on Follistatin
Dated, sourced reporting that mentions Follistatin.
New Follistatin Gene Therapy Improves Function in Becker Muscular Dystrophy
Coverage of the Phase 1/2a trial of AAV-delivered FS344 follistatin gene therapy in Becker muscular dystrophy patients. The majority of patients showed significant gains in six-minute walk distance and stair-climbing tests. Investigator Jerry Mendell called it the first gene therapy clinical trial to demonstrate functional improvement in any form of muscular dystrophy.
Follistatin Gene Therapy Improves Ambulation in Becker Muscular Dystrophy
The paper reviews the first clinical follistatin gene therapy trial using the FS344 isoform in Becker muscular dystrophy. Six ambulatory BMD patients received dose-ascending AAV-delivered FS344 to build muscle mass. In each cohort of three subjects, two patients improved in the distance walked on the six-minute walk test.
Tailor Made Compounding LLC
FDA warned Tailor Made Compounding LLC (Nicholasville, KY) after a 2018 inspection found it compounded drug products with bulk substances ineligible for 503A exemptions. The letter explicitly lists the compounded substances: Follistatin, GHRP-2, GHRP-6, AOD 9604, BPC 157, Bremelanotide (PT-141), Cerebrolysin, DSIP, Epitalon, GHK-Cu, Ipamorelin, LL-37, Melanotan II, Selank, Semax, and CJC 1295, among others. The firm was cited for insanitary aseptic processing (adulteration), unapproved new drugs, and misbranding, and removed GHRP-2 and GHRP-6 from its formulary in response.
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