AICAR

AICAR was the first compound shown to produce exercise-like metabolic adaptations in sedentary mice via AMPK activation. It has been studied clinically for cardioprotection during cardiac surgery. It is explicitly banned by WADA for sport use, and its long-term effects in trained humans are unknown.

Adenosine analog that activates AMPK, mimicking the metabolic state of exercise. Increases fatty-acid oxidation and glucose uptake in skeletal muscle.

• Fat loss

  Fat Loss & Body Composition

  AMPK activation shifts substrate use toward fat oxidation.

  STRENGTH

  60%
• Energy

  Energy & Mitochondrial Output

  Mimics exercise-induced metabolic upregulation.

  STRENGTH

  55%

Transient hyperuricemia and lactic acidosis reported at high IV doses. Limited chronic-use data.

• Gout
• Renal impairment

Not approved for general use. WADA Prohibited List S4 (banned at all times).