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Cardarine (GW-501516)

Evidence: ★★☆☆☆ · Status: Not Approved

💡 Did you know? Cardarine was dropped by its pharma developer after long-term animal studies showed cancer — yet it still circulates as an 'endurance' compound. A cautionary tale.

In plain English

Tells muscles to burn fat for fuel and dramatically boosts endurance — but development was halted because it caused cancer in multiple organs in rodent studies at multiple doses.

How it works

Not a SARM — a PPARδ (PPARD) agonist. Switches muscle fuel use toward fat oxidation and boosts endurance/mitochondrial genes; an "exercise mimetic."

Molecular target & official sources

PPARD peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta (NCBI Gene) · GW501516 (PubChem CID 9803963)

Watch out

Dose- and multi-site carcinogenicity in animals. This is the key reason it was abandoned.

Helps with: Build Muscle & Strength · Lose Fat · Endurance · Live Longer

Stacks with

Shares a pathway — often paired with: Omega-3 (EPA/DHA), Vitamin D3 (+ K2), Testosterone (TRT), Finasteride / Dutasteride.

Availability & where to buy

Not widely approved. Not approved for general sale in most markets (Singapore included). Grey-market only — dose, purity and legality uncertain.

How it works: the Nuclear receptors pathway →

Common questions

Does Cardarine (GW-501516) actually work?

Human-evidence rating: 2 of 5. Tells muscles to burn fat for fuel and dramatically boosts endurance — but development was halted because it caused cancer in multiple organs in rodent studies at multiple doses.

What are the risks or side effects of Cardarine (GW-501516)?

Dose- and multi-site carcinogenicity in animals. This is the key reason it was abandoned.

Is Cardarine (GW-501516) legal or approved?

Regulatory status: Not Approved.