Embarking on a journey with Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators (SARMs) or anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) often marks a significant commitment towards physique enhancement or performance improvement.
Look at you go. Sam would be proud.
Now, before you go make that not-so-legal purchase you might want to consider the liver damage. The kidneys. Your gonads. And all the other negative side effects… Yeah, they’re going to show themselves. Even the most common side effects can result in some pretty severe negative effects if you’re reckless.
This is why you’ll need cycle support, a range of supplements or products that are only around to protect you. And your heart. And liver. And kidneys. And prostate, and and and…
Key Takeaways
- Most organ protection supplements will cover you, but you should be looking for key ingredients to help you the most
- Some of the best cycle support supplements you can get include L-Glutathione, Tudca, and Kidney support
- When designing your cycle support you need total organ protection, as well as hormonal balance support
What is Cycle Support?
Let’s not beat around the bush, SARMs and steroids can disrupt blood pressure, kidney and liver health, and hormone balance. They may elevate blood pressure, strain the liver and kidneys, and cause hormonal imbalances like testosterone suppression and estrogen-related issues.
To mitigate these risks, cycle support is essential.
This approach involves integrating strategies to safeguard health throughout the cycle. It includes managing blood pressure through lifestyle adjustments and potential medication use, supporting liver and kidney function with supplements like milk thistle and N-acetylcysteine, and restoring hormonal balance post-cycle with selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) or aromatase inhibitors.
Regular monitoring through blood work ensures the body’s safety and well-being during the cycle. By prioritizing cycle support, users can minimize the adverse effects of SARMs and steroids, making their use safer and more sustainable.
How to Design Your Cycle Support
There is really only one question you need to be asking yourself: What are my needs? Once you realize that your needs will dictate what you actually use, your life becomes a lot easier. Once you identify the problems you have (or will run into) you can use the right tools.
The key ingredients can do anything, but only if presented in the right environment. This means that your anabolic cycle will dictate the support you need. If you are going to be using something that elevates blood pressure, well, you need to manage that. Thus, take great care in learning what your needs are, what your needs will be, and what you need to have ready.
Cycle Support for Health
Cycle support comes in two distinct parts, health and hormone balance. The latter might seem scarier, but the former is far more important if you really think about it…
Kidney Health
Unlike many other organs in the body, your kidneys are extremely sensitive. Increased blood pressure exerts excessive force on the delicate blood vessels within the kidneys, leading to a condition known as hypertension. Over time, this constant strain damages the small blood vessels and nephrons (functional units of the kidneys), impairing their ability to filter waste products and regulate fluid balance effectively. As a result, kidney function gradually declines, increasing the risk of kidney disease and ultimately leading to irreversible kidney damage or failure.
Additionally, high blood pressure can accelerate the progression of existing kidney conditions and contribute to complications such as proteinuria (excess protein in the urine) and glomerulosclerosis (scarring of the kidney’s filtering units). Therefore, controlling blood pressure is crucial for preserving kidney health and preventing the development or progression of kidney-related complications.
For overall kidney health, the best cycle support ‘supplement’ would be Telmisartan, but since that is a prescription medication, you might see some benefit from things like N-Acetyl Cysteine, IP6, and NAD+.
NAD+
NAD+ plays a crucial role in kidney health by supporting cellular energy production and maintaining the integrity of various metabolic pathways. As a precursor to NAD+, nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) contributes to the synthesis of NAD+ in the body. NMN, derived from vitamin B3 (nicotinamide), is essential for replenishing NAD+ levels, which tend to decline with age.
Studies have shown that NMN supplementation can effectively increase NAD+ levels in tissues, including the kidneys, leading to improved mitochondrial function and cellular metabolism. By enhancing energy production and supporting cellular repair mechanisms, NMN has demonstrated potential benefits for kidney health.
Liver Health
Oral versions of certain steroids and SARMs can impose strain on the liver due to their hepatotoxic nature. When ingested, these compounds pass through the liver, where they undergo extensive metabolism, potentially leading to liver damage or dysfunction. Prolonged or excessive use of hepatotoxic compounds can elevate liver enzymes, impair liver function, and increase the risk of liver-related complications, including hepatotoxicity, cholestasis, and liver tumors.
TUDCA
TUDCA (Tauroursodeoxycholic acid) is a bile acid derivative naturally occurring in the body, synthesized through a microbial process. It supports liver health by promoting bile flow and mitigating oxidative stress and inflammation.
TUDCA supplementation is beneficial for individuals with compromised liver function or those seeking to enhance overall health and well-being, particularly in areas where TUDCA is crucial for optimal function.
Additionally, TUDCA benefits other bodily functions, including supporting brain function, insulin sensitivity, mitochondrial health, genetic expression, gut microbiome, and immune response. Its protective effects extend to kidney health, defending against pathogens, and promoting eye health.
Cholesterol Levels
Your cholesterol will also take a huge hit when taking anabolic steroids or SARMs. Remember, even at ‘adequate dosages’ used in the hospital these compounds cause an increase in cholesterol. Managing this will benefit heart health and all the other vital organs. This is one of the cycle support supplements you cannot really forget. That said, living healthy (cardio, low saturated fats) will help a ton.
For overall health and cholesterol a blend of natural ingredients could provide powerful support, something like Anti-OX. This product contains Acetyl Cysteine, Tudca, Grape Seed Extract, ALA, Zinc, L-Thyrosine, and a lot more.
Anti-OX
Anti-OX is a product that includes many ingredients and has been specifically designed for people who are on cycle. Compared to other products, this is meant to tackle various factors of being on cycle. Chief amongst which is high cholesterol levels.
With ingredients such as ALA, Zinc, and many others, Anti-OX stands to lower your LDL and increase HDL while also helping to maintain healthy levels of Triglycerides.
This support supplement has been designed with people on cycle in mind.
Cycle Support for Hormonal Balance
The second part of cycle support is of course the hormonal part. There are high-quality ingredients that will help you manage hormonal side effects, but they need to be clinically dosed and they need to be the right ones.
Estrogen Management
Estrogen will increase as a result of introducing more Testosterone into the body. Test will convert to Estrogen via the Aromatase enzyme, which can have some pretty bad side effects if left untreated, such as gyno. So, what are you to do?
Arimistane
Androsta-3, 5-diene-7, 17-dione, also known as Arimistane, is a compound that inhibits aromatase, an enzyme that converts testosterone into estrogen. This inhibition helps control estrogenic side effects, particularly in situations of elevated testosterone levels. Arimistane permanently binds to aromatase, shutting it down and forcing the body to create new enzyme molecules. Lowering estrogen levels signals the body to produce more testosterone, akin to a forgetful grandmother baking more cookies when she sees fewer present. This feedback loop can be beneficial for enhancing anabolic factors.
You have two ways. One, don’t use stuff that converts into Estrogen. But if you have to, then consider things like Aromasin. Aromasin is a suicide inhibitor that’ll not only stop Estrogen from taking effect, it’ll actually bind to the Estrogen receptor leaving it inactive. This is the only anti-estrogen product that can be seen as a ‘healthy function’ and is an all-in-one protection against estrogen.
Progesterone Management
Progesterone is another culprit that can rise when using certain products, such as Nandrolone anabolic steroids. The easiest way to manage this is Vitamin B6. A very high dose of this can easily take care of the pesky progesterone. There are other supplements that might help as well, but Vitamin B6 is the easiest.
If you are looking for the strongest support, then you would need to consider Cabergoline. However… the side effects of this product are quite severe – buyer beware.
DHT Management
When you introduce certain compounds into the human body you will see an increase in dihydrotestosterone or DHT. Increased DHT is a great product for strength and muscle, however, it will also be a great product for hair loss. Prostate growth. Acne. So, to mitigate these side effects, you will need to take a supplement or two to make sure you do not suffer from this DHT stress.
HIS-Essentials
HIS-Essentials wasn’t designed as a dedicated DHT blocker, but it does contain Saw Palmetto.
Saw palmetto is a plant extract commonly used in supplements aimed at addressing issues related to testosterone metabolism, particularly in men. It’s believed to work by inhibiting the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase, which converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is a more potent form of testosterone and is associated with conditions like hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which is the non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland.
The ‘His Essentials’ product from Pure Rawz is a great place to start seeing as it contains Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens). This will help manage your DHT levels along with some other ingredients. If this is not enough, however, you might need to look at a DHT blocker, something like Finasteride.
Cycle Support for SARMs
Cycle support for SARMs are pretty much exactly the same as cycle support for any other anabolic property. You will need to ensure you look after the following factors:
- Blood pressure support
- Kidney support
- Cholesterol and cardiovascular system support
- Essential Vitamins and Minerals
The best bet is to get something for each and every one of these side effects. You might be able to find a supplement that covers all of them, however, you might also be low on certain essential ingredients. Women might also need to pay close attention to their hormonal levels, as the female endocrine system is a lot more susceptible to damage than the male endocrine system. If you are strapped for cash, your best bet is something like total organ protection.
Conclusion
Embarking on a journey with Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators (SARMs) or anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) necessitates thorough consideration of potential health risks, especially concerning liver, kidney, and hormonal balance. Cycle support, comprising supplements like TUDCA, Telmisartan, and essential vitamins and minerals, is essential to mitigate adverse effects and safeguard overall health throughout the cycle.
By prioritizing cycle support, individuals can minimize risks, optimize organ function, and promote long-term well-being. Remember, your health is paramount, and investing in comprehensive cycle support is a proactive step towards ensuring a safer and more sustainable experience with these compounds.
What does on cycle support do?
On-cycle support refers to a regimen of supplements or medications taken concurrently with anabolic steroid or SARM (Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator) use. Its primary aim is to mitigate potential side effects and safeguard overall health during the cycle.
When should I take cycle support?
2 Weeks before your cycle, during your cycle, and at least 1 week after your cycle. If you are using an advanced liver assist or advanced formula, you might not need so much time.
What not to eat while on steroids?
Stay away from highly processed foods and sugars.
What should you not mix with steroids?
Alcohol. Alcohol is one of the worst things you can mix with Steroids, and will severely impact your overall health.