YK11 has gained popularity in the fitness and bodybuilding community for being a very potent SARM with an unique characteristic: lowering myostatin, or as some meatheads chemists call it; the ultimate limiting factor to muscle growth. Let’s see what could the potential benefits or YK11 be and its side effects profile so you can decide if you’re willing to use this compound
What is YK11
YK11 stands out as an exceptional and captivating SARM with unique properties. Belonging to the 19-Nor (Nandrolone) family of steroidal SARMs, it is also supposed to lower Myostatin, which is the ultimate limiting factor for muscle growth.
In theory these characteristics, make it a very strong and dynamic molecule that can be exploited to break through plateaus and overcome genetic limitations.
Regrettably, despite its alluring attributes, YK-11 has never undergone testing, leaving us with very limited anecdotal knowledge about its effects.
In reality, YK-11 has only been explored in laboratory settings, and it has never been subjected to in vivo pre-clinical studies involving rats or primates.
This article serves as an exhaustive guide to YK-11, drawing upon the latest scientific data as well as the meticulous analysis of numerous anecdotal reports and online experiences.
Benefits of YK11
YK11 is most well known for its purported ability to inhibit myostatin – a protein that limits the growth of muscle cells. Thus it is almost always stacked with other SARMs in order to leverage this unique property.
Myostatin Inhibition
Myostatin is a protein that prevents the growth of muscle cell.
From an evolutionary aspect, holding too much muscle mass is an inconvenience for survival as it increases TDEE (total daily energy expenditure) drastically.
It makes sense that our body has systems in place to prevent excessive muscle mass.
The way YK-11 is supposed to inhibit myostatin is by causing a spike in the production of Follistatin, an antagonist to Myostatin.
This image of genetically engineered rats from a study that researched Myostatins and Follistatins’ impact on muscular development shows exactly how significant their role is.
The rats in the middle and right both had low myostatin, and it is a great exemple of what low myostation can do.
Somethig important to note is that results shown in rat studies does not automatically translate to humans.
To this day, there is no data to either support or disprove YK11’s effects on myostatin in human, nor do there is enought data to know what the long term effects of lowering myostatin in humans can be.
Take everything regarding this compound with a grain of salt.
Muscle Growth
It is difficult to say how much muscle you can put on using YK-11 alone as it’s usually stacked with other compounds.
Still anecdotal data shows that this drug is very potent and some “juice heads” who’ve used it said it yielded similar effects to trenbolone.
Strength & Performance
As seen from a lot of anecdotes, massive strength gains can be expected, but unfortunately reports of aching joints are very common also.
This effect on the joints is supposed to be caused by the myostatin inhibition, but again we do not know for certain.
The negative impact on the joints make it very difficult, if not impossible, to lift heavy (10 reps or less).
Fat Loss
Low levels of myostatin are linked to a reduction of fat mass. In theory it should help with losing fat.
Enhanced Recovery
Recovery is significantly faster on YK-11, but the true extent of the increase in recovery is unknown, still many users experience a level of recovery that no other SARM can equal.
Aesthetics
YK11 is a dry compound, meaning that it won’t make you gain any water weight. It is often compared to Winstrol and Masteron for the very dry and vascular look it can give.
YK11 Dosage Guidelines
YK11 can either be ingested orally or injected intramuscularly.
Most people who chose to administer it orally, generally dosed it at 5-10 mg/day for 4-8 weeks. Since the half life is unknown it is usually taken once in the morning, once at noon, and once before bed.
Anecdotal data shows that going over 10 mg/day administered orally will lead to a disproportionate increase in side effects compared to benefits.
Anecdotal reports of people using injectable YK11 are even more rare, but it seems to be more potent when injected compared to when ingested.
YK11 Side Effects
Testosterone Suppression
Anecdotal reports tend to show that it is as suppressive as steroids or S23. YK11 will cause a complete shutdown of endogenous testosterone production even at low dosages, and using a test base is mandatory.
SHBG Crash
YK11 will crash SHBG levels, leading to increased circulating hormones in the body (when used with a test base).
Negative Impact on Lipids
Like, most steroids and SARMs, YK-11 will cause dyslipidemia, meaning your HDL (good cholesterol) will be considerably lower and your LDL (bad cholesterol) higher.
It is considered to be harsher on lipid panels than most SARMs, and the effects are comparable to that of some oral steroids.
Liver Toxicity
YK-11 is a methylated oral AAS, unlike the other SARMs. This means that YK11 is significantly more liver toxic than other SARMs. This is shown on the bloodwork of people who used this compound.
Androgenic Side Effects
While YK-11 is not a DHT derivative, reports of androgenic side effects like hair loss, acne and aggression are very common.
Anecdotal reports show that YK11 is very bad for the hair. If you have male pattern baldness and you’re planning to use it without being on a topical anti-androgen regimen, expect to be losing a lot of hair.
Blood Pressure Increase
YK11 is notorious for being one of the SARMs if not the SARM that increases resting blood pressure the most.
If using this compound, resting blood pressure and resting heart rate should be monitored very carefully.
Should you use YK11?
In my opinion no. It has almost 0 clinical data. Anecdotal evidence suggests that it has a ton of side effects, comparable to the side effects of very unhealthy steroids like trenbolone.
I would personally never use YK11, or at least don’t plan of using it unless I decide to try to become an IFBB pro (lol).
Simply put there a just better alternatives that are way less risky.
Better Alternatives to YK11
YK11 is such a terrible compound in my opinion that any other SARM or any steroid (with the exception of maybe trenbolone) seems like a better idea.
For a similar dry and vascular look, I would instead use Rad 140 or S23 if I really want to be on something very strong.
Where to Buy YK11
Although I think that taking YK11 is a horrible idea, if you decide to take it here are the best sources I know for quality SARMs and peptides :
