What is Cardarine?
Cardarine, also GW-501516, is often mentioned in the same breath as SARMs but is not one. It is an agonist at the PPAR-delta receptor, a switch in energy metabolism. It was originally developed by GlaxoSmithKline for metabolic disease.
In the community Cardarine is known mainly for its endurance and fat-burning profile. Equally important is an honest read of the animal data, see below.
How it works
Through the PPAR-delta receptor Cardarine switches on programs in muscle cells tied to fat burning and oxidative metabolism. In animal models this shifted energy use toward fat and increased endurance performance.
Cardarine does not act on the androgen receptor, so it does not suppress the testosterone axis. It is hormonally neutral, which fundamentally separates it from the SARMs.
How to take it
Oral, usually once daily.
- One dose per day is generally enough, some split because of the half-life.
- Often taken before training.
- With some water, with or without food.
Dosing
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What the research shows
The best-known study (Narkar, 2008) showed in mice that GW1516 together with training markedly increased the number of oxidative muscle fibers and endurance performance, a classic exercise-mimetic result.
The other side: GlaxoSmithKline stopped development after long-term animal studies at high doses showed increased tumors in several organs. That is the central reason Cardarine never reached approval. Human long-term safety data are missing. Anyone using Cardarine should know these animal data and not talk them away.
Side effects
- Central point: increased tumor rate in long-term animal studies at high doses, the reason for the development stop.
- Short term, users report few acute effects, which is exactly what hides the real risk.
- No solid long-term human safety data.
Practice
- The animal tumor data are real, take them seriously rather than ignoring them.
- If at all, then low and not over long periods.
- Banned and detectable in official competition.
Storage
Store dry, cool and protected from light, out of reach of children. Keep the original container closed and mind the expiry date.