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Top 5 Best SARMs for Cutting: Help Burn Fat With These Supplements
Wed, 03 Jul 2019 09:53:37 +0000
Top 5 Best SARMs for Cutting: Help Burn Fat With These Supplements
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Summer’s here and we all want to look good at the beach. The thing is that you’re probably still working off that “belly” you built up last year and don’t know how much more training you can take without passing out. You could always go the extra, extra mile and cut calories and add to your workout regimen. But, working out harder while starving yourself is a recipe for disaster and it’ll make you miserable. The good news is there’s a way to see quick weight loss results without stressing yourself out, and no it’s not steroids. While a small group of athletes and bodybuilders still rely on ‘roids to get jacked, smarter athletes have found better methods. You can now achieve the same fast results you’d get from taking steroids but without the accompanying side effects like liver disease, cardio issues and gynecomastia (gyno) effects. Introducing; SARMs – scientifically proven to boost strength and endurance while helping with cutting. The only problem with SARMs is that there are a lot of misconceptions out there about them. Like most people, you probably have a few pressing questions that you need answers before you can go all-in on SARMs. For instance, you probably want to know if they are safe, if it’s legal to take them and whether or not they come with adverse side-effects as you may have heard? Of course, you want to find out what’s the best way to take them; through injection, needles or orally. All of these and other questions will be answered in the following article, with a hope that it’ll dispel any of the myths and misconceptions you’ve heard about SARMs. As a bonus, I’ll throw in a list of my favorite tried and tested SARMs for cutting. What Are SARMs? These are compounds that provide slightly less strength and benefits that steroids do but without the accompanying risks. They were initially introduced to the market in the early 90s much to the delight of the bodybuilding community. However, they’ve been around for much longer than that, having been first developed in the 40s for use in treating osteoporosis, cancer and other conditions related to muscle damage. It was only decades later that the mainstream media and market would recognize the vast potential of SARMs. As a consumer, it’s important to educate yourself on SARMs and fully understand their implications before you start using them. After all, it’s always best to make an informed decision. Part of what makes SARMs so effective is the fact that they actually improve the body’s reaction to testosterone. Unlike steroids that mimic testosterone, SARMs don’t come with the risk of hormonal imbalance and its adverse side effects. How Do They Work? As we age, our body changes in the way it grows muscle and bone. This often makes us weaker and it’s part of the reason why the elderly tend to lose weight. It also becomes harder to lift heavy objects and move around as we age. This … Continue reading “Top 5 Best SARMs for Cutting: Help Burn Fat With These Supplements”
The post Top 5 Best SARMs for Cutting: Help Burn Fat With These Supplements appeared first on Simply Anabolics.
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Summer’s here and we all want to look good at the beach. The thing is that you’re probably still working off that “belly” you built up last year and don’t know how much more training you can take without passing out.
You could always go the extra, extra mile and cut calories and add to your workout regimen.
But, working out harder while starving yourself is a recipe for disaster and it’ll make you miserable. The good news is there’s a way to see quick weight loss results without stressing yourself out, and no it’s not steroids.
While a small group of athletes and bodybuilders still rely on ‘roids to get jacked, smarter athletes have found better methods. You can now achieve the same fast results you’d get from taking steroids but without the accompanying side effects like liver disease, cardio issues and gynecomastia (gyno) effects.
Introducing; SARMs – scientifically proven to boost strength and endurance while helping with cutting. The only problem with SARMs is that there are a lot of misconceptions out there about them. Like most people, you probably have a few pressing questions that you need answers before you can go all-in on SARMs.
For instance, you probably want to know if they are safe, if it’s legal to take them and whether or not they come with adverse side-effects as you may have heard? Of course, you want to find out what’s the best way to take them; through injection, needles or orally.
All of these and other questions will be answered in the following article, with a hope that it’ll dispel any of the myths and misconceptions you’ve heard about SARMs.
As a bonus, I’ll throw in a list of my favorite tried and tested SARMs for cutting.
What Are SARMs?
These are compounds that provide slightly less strength and benefits that steroids do but without the accompanying risks. They were initially introduced to the market in the early 90s much to the delight of the bodybuilding community.
However, they’ve been around for much longer than that, having been first developed in the 40s for use in treating osteoporosis, cancer and other conditions related to muscle damage.
It was only decades later that the mainstream media and market would recognize the vast potential of SARMs. As a consumer, it’s important to educate yourself on SARMs and fully understand their implications before you start using them. After all, it’s always best to make an informed decision.
Part of what makes SARMs so effective is the fact that they actually improve the body’s reaction to testosterone. Unlike steroids that mimic testosterone, SARMs don’t come with the risk of hormonal imbalance and its adverse side effects.
How Do They Work?
As we age, our body changes in the way it grows muscle and bone. This often makes us weaker and it’s part of the reason why the elderly tend to lose weight. It also becomes harder to lift heavy objects and move around as we age.
This is where SARMs come in. They’re famous for their ability to increase skeletal muscle mass, which is great news for anyone that has testosterone and androgen deficiency.
It’s important to note that the results you’ll get from your SARMs are highly dependent on how you take them and how much you take. Ultimately, whichever consumption method you use will yield the same results in that they’ll function similarly to testosterone.
That’s because SARMs target the same receptors as testosterone which is why they have the same effects as the actual hormones they mimic.
The only difference is that SARMs don’t come with the associated risk of taking testosterone hormonal treatments. Instead, they build up your muscles and work to enhance overall hormonal health without any adverse side effects.
Top SARMs to Help You with Cutting
There are many SARMs available out there for you to choose from, and they’re not all made equal. I know how confusing it can be to find the best SARM for individual needs, which is why I’ve put together a list of the best SARMs that I’ve tried as well as details on how to use them.
However, I’m going to focus on the best SARMs that will help you with cutting.
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Ligandrol (LGD-4033)
Also known as LGD-4033, Ligandrol is a non-steroidal SARM. It’s taken orally which means you don’t have to worry about injecting yourself. Ligandrol was initially developed to treat patients with muscle wasting conditions like cancer.
That’s why it’s so helpful at holding muscle mass which is what you want during the cutting phase. It helps you to burn more calories and cut fat by boosting your metabolism.
LGD-4033 has a 24-hour half-life which means you only need to take it once per day. You’ll feel its effects throughout the day. The best part is that Ligandrol doesn’t cause any water retention, which is one of the few side effects that some people experience when taking SARMs.
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Stenabolic (SR9009)
Stenabolic is one of the most highly regarded compounds due to its superb results for the cutting cycle. It works similarly to Cardarine with the only difference being that it’s an actual SARM. Stenabolic is also more potent than Cardarine which means it’s even better at boosting metabolism and burning fat.
It makes it so much easier to incinerate fat and see results from all the work you put in at the gym because it actually improves glucose metabolism. However, what makes it so popular is the fact that it comes with very few mild side effects.
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Cardarine
Although I’ve included Cardarine as a SARM, it’s not exactly classified as one. But, it’s famous in the SARM community because it offers similar properties and benefits. Cardarine is very helpful at increasing muscle mass while helping you lose weight at the same time.
How does it work? Cardarine targets PPAR receptors while other SARMs target androgen receptors. Weirdly enough, even with these differences, Cardarine has similar effects as other SARMs and it’s up there with other potent SARMs when it comes to the results it delivers.
Not only will it increase your body’s metabolism so you can burn fat faster, but Cardarine can improve your body’s ability to process glucose which usually comes in the form of carbs and sugar.
If you want to burn fat while increasing your levels of good HDL cholesterol, then this is the compound for you. Not only that but this compound will help you trim up quickly by speeding up your metabolism.
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Ostarine (MK-2866)
Ostarine is one of many compounds and SARMs that are created by GTx, Inc. which is one of the most well-known pharmaceutical companies in the world. GTx, Inc. initially developed Ostarine for the purpose of healing bone and muscle wasting conditions.
How does it work? Well, Ostarine basically boosts nitrogen and protein levels in the body, which are the primary building blocks needed to create that rippling muscle aesthetic.
As a SARM, Ostarine specifically targets receptors that are responsible for growing muscle and bone. It doesn’t cause any fluid retention so you won’t get bloated or anything like that. It’ll only help you build and protect muscle tissue.
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Andarine (S4)
Andarine is a favorite for bodybuilders and athletes that want to bulk up. But, in recent times it has gained popularity for its ability to facilitate faster and more effective cutting as well. This makes Andarine arguably the most versatile SARM you’ll come across. It’s an all-in-one solution that offers a wide variety of benefits.
Why is Andarine so effective at delivering quick results? Mainly because it’s an anabolic substance. This means it can help you bulk up while shredding fat. In a nutshell, it’s the SARM to take if you want Bruce-Lee body fat percentage while looking just as jacked. You just need to put in the work as well by sticking to a healthy diet in order to maximize your results.
Visit www.simplyanabolics.com/sarms/s4-andarine/ to learn more about this SARM.
Conclusion
Now that we’ve gone through the full gamut of the SARMs you can use for cutting, I hope this guide will make it much easier to find an option that works optimally for you.
You have at your disposal all the basic information that one would need in order to make an informed purchasing decision.
My final piece of advice would be to consider your unique personal situation and your needs. Then look at the benefits and features that come with each SARM so you can pick an option that best matches your needs.
Although not absolutely necessary, it might help if you have previous experience with other compounds, because you already know what your body responds to. Otherwise, all the best and here’s to making the most of what’s left of this summer!
The post Top 5 Best SARMs for Cutting: Help Burn Fat With These Supplements appeared first on Simply Anabolics.
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Wed, 19 Jun 2019 10:09:19 +0000
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What Is A SARM? A SARM, also known as a Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator, is used to help treat conditions like obesity and muscle wasting diseases. They are chemical compounds that interact with the brain and helps the body in various ways. They are generally used by amateur bodybuilders, gym goers and athletes to maintain fitness levels and keep their body in perfect shape. They tend to have the same effects as androgenic drugs but have slight to no side effects. How Do SARMs Work? SARMs are chemicals that modulate specifically selected sites that are responsible for the development of muscles in our body. A typical SARM will speed up the process of muscle building. There are various types of SARMs available in the market that are used for different purposes ranging from muscle building to weight loss and more. The exact way how they speed up the process is still unknown and research is being conducted on it. SARMs or Steroids? Steroids are powerful drugs that mostly help to increase muscle density, muscle weight, etc. Unlike SARMs, steroids are powerful drugs that are required in very small quantities and they also tend to have side effects. Although SARMs too have side effects, the side effects they cause are nothing as compared to the side effects caused by steroids. Earlier, there was another group of chemicals known as pro-hormones that are responsible for similar effects as SARMs and Steroids. Pro-hormones are substances that change the concentration of certain important hormones in our body, thereby causing faster rates of muscle growth. Pro-hormones are also not as dangerous as steroids because like SARMs they also have lesser known and moderate side effects. So it might be fit to think that pro-hormones can replace SARMs or can be used alternatively but that is not the case. Although pro-hormones and SARMs have similar side effects, in case of pro-hormones, they generally convert to estrogen after completion of their work cycle. Accumulation of estrogen in the male body can cause female characteristics to develop, such as gynecomastia. In females, excess of estrogen can cause joint pains, irregular ovulation, etc. So, as far as bodybuilding results are considered SARMs, Steroids and Prohormones have similar effects but in varying intensities. The amount of steroid needed for the same increase in muscle weight is less as compared to SARMs. Talking about general gym goers, SARMs are way better than steroids because they have milder side effects. For bodybuilders, though, SARMs can act as a starter mechanism for them. They will need regular doses of steroids and they can use SARMs in between as a bridge between steroid cycles as a way to retain the steroid muscle gains. Side Effects of SARMs SARMs have mild to no side effects. Unlike steroids and pro-hormones, they are safer and also deliver what they are used for. Following are a few of the side effects of using SARMs- Nausea, Vomiting, Headache (Mild) Muscle Pain, Muscle Stiffness (Severe) Partial Paralysis if SARM is … Continue reading “Bodybuilding and SARMs: A Boon or a Bane?”
The post Bodybuilding and SARMs: A Boon or a Bane? appeared first on Simply Anabolics.
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What Is A SARM?
A SARM, also known as a Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator, is used to help treat conditions like obesity and muscle wasting diseases. They are chemical compounds that interact with the brain and helps the body in various ways. They are generally used by amateur bodybuilders, gym goers and athletes to maintain fitness levels and keep their body in perfect shape. They tend to have the same effects as androgenic drugs but have slight to no side effects.
How Do SARMs Work?
SARMs are chemicals that modulate specifically selected sites that are responsible for the development of muscles in our body. A typical SARM will speed up the process of muscle building. There are various types of SARMs available in the market that are used for different purposes ranging from muscle building to weight loss and more. The exact way how they speed up the process is still unknown and research is being conducted on it.
SARMs or Steroids?
Steroids are powerful drugs that mostly help to increase muscle density, muscle weight, etc. Unlike SARMs, steroids are powerful drugs that are required in very small quantities and they also tend to have side effects. Although SARMs too have side effects, the side effects they cause are nothing as compared to the side effects caused by steroids.
Earlier, there was another group of chemicals known as pro-hormones that are responsible for similar effects as SARMs and Steroids. Pro-hormones are substances that change the concentration of certain important hormones in our body, thereby causing faster rates of muscle growth.
Pro-hormones are also not as dangerous as steroids because like SARMs they also have lesser known and moderate side effects. So it might be fit to think that pro-hormones can replace SARMs or can be used alternatively but that is not the case.
Although pro-hormones and SARMs have similar side effects, in case of pro-hormones, they generally convert to estrogen after completion of their work cycle. Accumulation of estrogen in the male body can cause female characteristics to develop, such as gynecomastia. In females, excess of estrogen can cause joint pains, irregular ovulation, etc.
So, as far as bodybuilding results are considered SARMs, Steroids and Prohormones have similar effects but in varying intensities. The amount of steroid needed for the same increase in muscle weight is less as compared to SARMs.
Talking about general gym goers, SARMs are way better than steroids because they have milder side effects.
For bodybuilders, though, SARMs can act as a starter mechanism for them. They will need regular doses of steroids and they can use SARMs in between as a bridge between steroid cycles as a way to retain the steroid muscle gains.
Side Effects of SARMs
SARMs have mild to no side effects. Unlike steroids and pro-hormones, they are safer and also deliver what they are used for. Following are a few of the side effects of using SARMs-
- Nausea, Vomiting, Headache (Mild)
- Muscle Pain, Muscle Stiffness (Severe)
- Partial Paralysis if SARM is taken in high quantity with unregulated timings. (Extreme)
Who Uses SARMs?
SARMs and bodybuilding generally go hand in hand, i.e. Bodybuilders use SARM as an intermediate between their regular steroid cycles. Although these chemical Androgen Modulators are less harmful than steroids, they do not produce as good results as steroids and thus bodybuilders use them only as intermediates.
Following are a few other professions where SARMs are used:
Gym Goers
Regular gym goers who do not need a lot of muscle to show, generally use these supplements to enhance their effect on the body. It is important to note that gym goers can and should only stick to SARMs and not use steroids. This is because steroids do have some nasty potential side effects that lightweight people will not be able to handle.
Thus SARMS are the best choice for people who use gyms only to stay fit and build some muscle.
Athletes
Those who require endurance and speed boosts use specially modified androgen modulators that help them in the cause.
SARMs have mild side effects and are very effective. One added benefit that comes with using SARMs for athletes is that, since these chemicals bind with the cytoplasm and stay there for a long time, they are generally very hard to detect in blood tests which are conducted before competition (sports at the highest levels will have better drug testing protocols which will detect SARMs).
Cyclists
One other use of these supplements is by professional cyclists. Pro-cyclists have been known to use SARMs to help boost endurance.
Other Sports
SARMs are also banned in various sports like Football, Cricket, Basketball, Volleyball, Tennis, etc for increasing general efficiency, endurance and robustness.
It is important to note that in most of the above cases, using SARMs or any other such chemicals that help to build muscle, boost endurance or in any way change the chemical nature of the body is forbidden. Yet these chemicals find a lot of use in these events and sports.
Be aware!
SARMs are mostly still being researched and hence there is no government body responsible for actual control and elimination of such chemicals.
Since these are still research drugs, there are a lot of companies that sell adulterated drugs that are more dangerous than genuine ones. This is why it is important to buy and use SARMs from a trusted vendor and not from the first shop that you see. Do some research before buying.
There are a lot of companies that sell food supplements adulterated with such androgen modulating compounds and thus sometimes they work better than expected.
These adulterated supplements are very hard to detect because in most cases the ingredients column do not show the presence of any such chemical that can resemble a SARM.
The reviews that they get are better initially, which drives the market for a little time. You do at times read about a professional sports person claiming the failed a drugs test due to a tainted supplement. This is someonthing that does actually happen because of the reason above.
What Are The Best SARMs?
As already stated above, SARMs are used for various purposes. Some of the best SARMs in the market that come with mild to no side-effects are-
- Cardarine – is a very strong drug that helps in reducing fat while retaining muscle density and muscle weight. The recommended dosage pattern is 15-20 mg per day with meals once a day and 30-45 minutes before an intense workout. This cycle should continue for 8-12 weeks. Learn more here.
- Andarine (S4) – is probably the most popular and sought after androgen modulating supplement in the current market. S4 is a widely used SARM that has very slight side effects and helps not only in cutting down of fat but also helps in the building of muscle. The recommended dosage is 50mg per day split into two doses of 25mg each during the morning and evening hours with at least a 12-hour gap between them. The cycle should continue for 8 -12 weeks.
- A stack of LGD–4033 and RAD140 help in bulking of muscle mass and density. This mixture is one of the most used SARM combos by gym goers. An equal dosage of 10mg a day for about 8 weeks will help in gaining muscle mass and muscle density. Find out more about RAF140 here www.simplyanabolics.com/sarms/rad140-testolone/.
As stated earlier, SARMs are still in the research phase and none of them guarantees to deliver the intended results without the slight risk of side effects.
It is best to stick to natural supplements, a good diet and lifting weights for building muscle. But for anyone who must use SARMs to help them on this road, do so by buying from reputed stores and respected vendors.
The post Bodybuilding and SARMs: A Boon or a Bane? appeared first on Simply Anabolics.
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1660
Wed, 14 Dec 2016 08:49:22 +0000
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Steroids come in all shapes and sizes but injectables are often the gentlest on the body and the easiest to tolerate, despite the more challenging route of administration. Quite aside from the effects of the steroids themselves, you’ll also need to consider whereabouts you plan on injecting as some sites are preferable to others. Here’s a quick look at the difference between subcutaneous and intramuscular, along with everything you need to know. Injecting intramuscularly (IM) For the most part, steroids are designed to be injected intramuscularly and there’s a wide range of sites to choose from. Most can hold between 3-5cc of fluid without too much of a problem but you should rotate the muscles used so that ideally you don’t inject any one area more than once in 7-10 days. The buttocks The gluten are a big hit with many users because the muscle is one of the biggest in the body, with scant nerve endings. These two factors combined make it one of the best sites to use. You’ll need to aim for the upper, outer part of your buttocks as you’ll find that not only is this less painful as there’s few muscle endings, but also there’s far less blood vessels to hit too. Twisting around to jab yourself in the butt might not feel terribly easy at first but with practice you’ll find it gets less challenging. The thighs This is another site which is very popular, being that it is large and much easier to administer. The other reason why it’s often used is that it’s much simpler to deliver the injection, without the need to twist round uncomfortably. Because the thigh muscles are so big, it’s possible to inject deep into the muscle using both hands. For many people this is their favorite site. Pecs Not a particularly common site to use but more those who are more experienced may decide to give it a go. Using the chest area provides an additional site to rotate the injections around. Inject into the deepest section of the pecs in a slightly across motion to get the best result. Deltoids This is a site which is more commonly used again, being reasonably easy to access and not too sensitive. To be effective you’ll need to inject into the deepest part of the shoulder; this should be higher than the armpit and in the area known as the lateral head. Biceps and triceps If you like using your deltoids as an injection site, your triceps and biceps may also be a good spot for you. Always make sure you inject into the deepest area to achieve the right result. Subcutaneous This isn’t usually the preferred route for injecting steroids but in some cases, it may be possible, depending on the type of drug and how fast acting it is. The thing to bear in mind is that subcutaneous injections must be much smaller as there’s not the same room to accommodate larger amounts of fluid. The upper … Continue reading “Best site injection areas for injectable steroids”
The post Best site injection areas for injectable steroids appeared first on Simply Anabolics.
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Steroids come in all shapes and sizes but injectables are often the gentlest on the body and the easiest to tolerate, despite the more challenging route of administration.
Quite aside from the effects of the steroids themselves, you’ll also need to consider whereabouts you plan on injecting as some sites are preferable to others.
Here’s a quick look at the difference between subcutaneous and intramuscular, along with everything you need to know.
Injecting intramuscularly (IM)
For the most part, steroids are designed to be injected intramuscularly and there’s a wide range of sites to choose from. Most can hold between 3-5cc of fluid without too much of a problem but you should rotate the muscles used so that ideally you don’t inject any one area more than once in 7-10 days.
The buttocks
The gluten are a big hit with many users because the muscle is one of the biggest in the body, with scant nerve endings. These two factors combined make it one of the best sites to use.
You’ll need to aim for the upper, outer part of your buttocks as you’ll find that not only is this less painful as there’s few muscle endings, but also there’s far less blood vessels to hit too.
Twisting around to jab yourself in the butt might not feel terribly easy at first but with practice you’ll find it gets less challenging.
The thighs
This is another site which is very popular, being that it is large and much easier to administer. The other reason why it’s often used is that it’s much simpler to deliver the injection, without the need to twist round uncomfortably.
Because the thigh muscles are so big, it’s possible to inject deep into the muscle using both hands. For many people this is their favorite site.
Pecs
Not a particularly common site to use but more those who are more experienced may decide to give it a go.
Using the chest area provides an additional site to rotate the injections around. Inject into the deepest section of the pecs in a slightly across motion to get the best result.
Deltoids
This is a site which is more commonly used again, being reasonably easy to access and not too sensitive.
To be effective you’ll need to inject into the deepest part of the shoulder; this should be higher than the armpit and in the area known as the lateral head.
Biceps and triceps
If you like using your deltoids as an injection site, your triceps and biceps may also be a good spot for you.
Always make sure you inject into the deepest area to achieve the right result.
Subcutaneous
This isn’t usually the preferred route for injecting steroids but in some cases, it may be possible, depending on the type of drug and how fast acting it is.
The thing to bear in mind is that subcutaneous injections must be much smaller as there’s not the same room to accommodate larger amounts of fluid.
The upper arm, thigh and lower back can all be used for subcutaneous injections but the most popular by a long stretch is the abdomen. This is because it’s simpler to administer and there’s more subcutaneous tissue.
Injecting into the abdomen is relatively easy but you’ll need to take it slowly. It’s also much easier to acquire scar tissue so rotation is imperative and you should always leave at least an inch between the area you inject into. Stay away from the belly button by at least two inches.
The post Best site injection areas for injectable steroids appeared first on Simply Anabolics.
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727
Tue, 08 Nov 2016 08:13:05 +0000
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Episode 12 of “Ask the Expert” with Dave Crosland. Is it possible to cause permanent damage from a dbol only cycle? I did 50mg a week for 10 weeks and I finished my pct 2 months ago now. I now feel as if I can’t hold an erection like I could before. I’m wondering if the fact that I’m worrying is either causing it or making it worse. Damage is quite a vague term so to be more specific, if you’re asking whether the cycle could have caused a permanent shutdown, the answer is that yes, it’s possible. However, this usually only occurs if you had a pre-existing problem prior to starting the dbol. The type of PCT could also be a factor; if it wasn’t sufficient it may be that it hasn’t been effective which is why recovery has been delayed. Unfortunately, the only way to be certain about what’s going on is to go and get your hormones tested. Medichecks offer a good service which doesn’t cost a fortune. If you can try to stop worrying it will help as stress could exacerbate the problem. What’s your opinion on tren? Is it something you have had success with? People rave about the stuff. Tren is a very powerful and effective drug but it is also quite harsh, so it is down to the individual whether they feel the rewards outweigh the risks. The other problem is that it is a very expensive product to produce which results in a lot of it being either under dosed or fake. This obviously doesn’t affect every purchase of tren but it’s one of the drugs where issues with purchases are seen more regularly. Think very carefully before you start this drug and do your homework as there is a very real potential for things to go wrong. If I cruise on 200mg test a week how much HCG should I take to keep the testes working? We’re hoping to have another child so this is something that’s important to us both. For a genuine trt cruise, 200mg is too high; you’d generally need to take no more than around 100mg a week. Secondly, no matter how much HCG you take it isn’t going to keep everything working whilst on gear, it will only maintain testicular mass. It’s possible to keep them turning over but this normally following a period of full functioning. If you’ve come straight from a cycle to a cruise, you’ll be completely shut down and would need to run a pct to restore production first. Only then could you run 100iu hcg eod during your cycle/cruise. However, if you run 100iu eod post cycle during cruise it’s not really going to have the impact you want but if you go much higher you will desensitize the Leydig cells which can have catastrophic longer term results. An alternative is HMG which is very effective for fertility. What’s the longest cycle you have done? Are you a fan of short or long cycles and why? In the past, I’ve been on for 4 years but that was due to stupidity! It’s … Continue reading “Episode 12”
The post Episode 12 appeared first on Simply Anabolics.
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Episode 12 of “Ask the Expert” with Dave Crosland.
Is it possible to cause permanent damage from a dbol only cycle? I did 50mg a week for 10 weeks and I finished my pct 2 months ago now. I now feel as if I can’t hold an erection like I could before. I’m wondering if the fact that I’m worrying is either causing it or making it worse.
Damage is quite a vague term so to be more specific, if you’re asking whether the cycle could have caused a permanent shutdown, the answer is that yes, it’s possible. However, this usually only occurs if you had a pre-existing problem prior to starting the dbol.
The type of PCT could also be a factor; if it wasn’t sufficient it may be that it hasn’t been effective which is why recovery has been delayed. Unfortunately, the only way to be certain about what’s going on is to go and get your hormones tested. Medichecks offer a good service which doesn’t cost a fortune. If you can try to stop worrying it will help as stress could exacerbate the problem.
What’s your opinion on tren? Is it something you have had success with? People rave about the stuff.
Tren is a very powerful and effective drug but it is also quite harsh, so it is down to the individual whether they feel the rewards outweigh the risks. The other problem is that it is a very expensive product to produce which results in a lot of it being either under dosed or fake. This obviously doesn’t affect every purchase of tren but it’s one of the drugs where issues with purchases are seen more regularly. Think very carefully before you start this drug and do your homework as there is a very real potential for things to go wrong.
If I cruise on 200mg test a week how much HCG should I take to keep the testes working? We’re hoping to have another child so this is something that’s important to us both.
For a genuine trt cruise, 200mg is too high; you’d generally need to take no more than around 100mg a week. Secondly, no matter how much HCG you take it isn’t going to keep everything working whilst on gear, it will only maintain testicular mass. It’s possible to keep them turning over but this normally following a period of full functioning. If you’ve come straight from a cycle to a cruise, you’ll be completely shut down and would need to run a pct to restore production first. Only then could you run 100iu hcg eod during your cycle/cruise. However, if you run 100iu eod post cycle during cruise it’s not really going to have the impact you want but if you go much higher you will desensitize the Leydig cells which can have catastrophic longer term results. An alternative is HMG which is very effective for fertility.
What’s the longest cycle you have done? Are you a fan of short or long cycles and why?
In the past, I’ve been on for 4 years but that was due to stupidity! It’s not a good idea and not something I’d recommend. I prefer 12 week cycles; I’ve been longer when I did Under Construction 1 and 2 but overall 12 week cycles are the optimal length.
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Thu, 20 Oct 2016 10:58:11 +0000
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If you’re a serious bodybuilder and want to take your physique to the next level, you might be considering taking a supplement, such as anabolic steroids. Although they’re used by many athletes and committed gym rats, there are risks associated with taking steroids which need to be considered. Here’s an overview of the factors that should always be taken into account and the dangers that steroids present. Cardiac risks Every anabolic steroid is different and loads the body in different ways so it’s impossible to make a statement that universally applies. However, some steroids do put pressure on the cardiovascular system so if the user has a history of heart problems, use is not advised. Drugs which have estrogenic effects can cause bloating and water retention, which in turn can raise blood pressure. Other drugs cause rises in total cholesterol, as well as the reduction in “good” HDL cholesterol and an increase in “bad” LDL cholesterol. Androgenic and estrogenic effects Although the result of raising testosterone levels in the body can produce a marked positive change in the muscles, there are problems which can be associated with it too. Acne, an increase in body hair and for those who are already prone to it, male pattern baldness can all occur. Avoiding steroids which are based on DHT can to reduce these effects. Androgenic effects can be a particular problem for female users as they could experience something known as virilization. This includes growth of body hair, deepening of the voice and enlargement of the sexual organs. Some steroids are prone to react to the aromatase enzyme, which means they can be converted to oestrogen within the body. As well as causing fluid retention, excess oestrogen can result in an undesirable swelling of breast tissue in men, known as gynecomastia. If the signs are spotted early, the condition is reversible but if allowed to fully develop, surgery will be required to correct it. Age of the individual Anabolic steroids are tough on the body and can have a whole host of effects which need to be carefully monitored. In older individuals, this may be managed but in younger individuals, there’s the prospect of longer term damage. The androgen system takes some time to fully develop and become established and even though it might be legal for an individual to drink and vote, they still may have some biological maturing left to do. Every steroid has an effect on the production of testosterone and while most adult’s men can bounce back with the proper PCT, it can cause significant problem for those whose testosterone production is not yet fully developed. In addition, case studies have shown that when used in younger men, depression and psychological issues can be a problem. This is possibly linked to the low levels of testosterone, and the inability of the body to recover easily. Method of administration Some of the dangers of steroids come not just from the drug itself but from the route of administration. Oral … Continue reading “What potential dangers do steroids present?”
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If you’re a serious bodybuilder and want to take your physique to the next level, you might be considering taking a supplement, such as anabolic steroids.
Although they’re used by many athletes and committed gym rats, there are risks associated with taking steroids which need to be considered.
Here’s an overview of the factors that should always be taken into account and the dangers that steroids present.
Cardiac risks
Every anabolic steroid is different and loads the body in different ways so it’s impossible to make a statement that universally applies.
However, some steroids do put pressure on the cardiovascular system so if the user has a history of heart problems, use is not advised.
Drugs which have estrogenic effects can cause bloating and water retention, which in turn can raise blood pressure. Other drugs cause rises in total cholesterol, as well as the reduction in “good” HDL cholesterol and an increase in “bad” LDL cholesterol.
Androgenic and estrogenic effects
Although the result of raising testosterone levels in the body can produce a marked positive change in the muscles, there are problems which can be associated with it too.
Acne, an increase in body hair and for those who are already prone to it, male pattern baldness can all occur. Avoiding steroids which are based on DHT can to reduce these effects.
Androgenic effects can be a particular problem for female users as they could experience something known as virilization. This includes growth of body hair, deepening of the voice and enlargement of the sexual organs.
Some steroids are prone to react to the aromatase enzyme, which means they can be converted to oestrogen within the body. As well as causing fluid retention, excess oestrogen can result in an undesirable swelling of breast tissue in men, known as gynecomastia. If the signs are spotted early, the condition is reversible but if allowed to fully develop, surgery will be required to correct it.
Age of the individual
Anabolic steroids are tough on the body and can have a whole host of effects which need to be carefully monitored.
In older individuals, this may be managed but in younger individuals, there’s the prospect of longer term damage.
The androgen system takes some time to fully develop and become established and even though it might be legal for an individual to drink and vote, they still may have some biological maturing left to do.
Every steroid has an effect on the production of testosterone and while most adult’s men can bounce back with the proper PCT, it can cause significant problem for those whose testosterone production is not yet fully developed.
In addition, case studies have shown that when used in younger men, depression and psychological issues can be a problem. This is possibly linked to the low levels of testosterone, and the inability of the body to recover easily.
Method of administration
Some of the dangers of steroids come not just from the drug itself but from the route of administration.
Oral steroids are incredibly harsh on the liver, and can usually only be taken for a short time because of the dangers of creating a toxic effect.
The main alternative to oral administration is the injection of steroids, a more popular choice among regular users.
However, injecting drugs is not as easy as popping a pill and you need to understand the different levels of injection: intravenously, subcutaneously and intramuscularly.
Injections are intended to be delivered into the muscle; administering the steroid into the vein could cause a heart attack or other serious health problem such as a pulmonary embolism. It is possible to administer the injection subcutaneously but if you try to deliver the same amount as into the muscle you’ll be in a lot of pain!
The injection technique is not the only issue; the needles and equipment must be scrupulously clean and never shared. Dirt or unhygienic practices can cause infections and abscesses at the site of administration which can be very nasty indeed.
Reduction in testosterone production
When an individual takes an anabolic steroid, it pumps up the blood levels of testosterone which in turn has the desired impact on muscle growth.
The problem with this is that the body identifies too much is circulating around the body, and shuts down natural production of testosterone. This isn’t a problem during the cycle but once the steroid use stops, the body can take a long time to kick start production leaving the individual with some unpleasant side effects in the meantime. If steroids are abused, the production of testosterone may be permanently affected.
Following any steroid cycle with PCT to encourage the body to recommence production as quickly as possible is imperative to limit any permanent damage.
Be smart
Although it’s possible that steroids can cause a whole range of unpleasant side effects which can be dangerous, many of the worst cases are caused by not monitoring the use, or from abuse.
Steroid abuse comes in different forms and could mean taking a dose which is too high, using them too frequently, for cycles which are too long or simply not allowing the body to recover.
There are dangers which can be associated with use of anabolic steroids so if you decide to go down this route, it’s imperative you do your research, understand the warning signs and never exceed the recommended cycle dose and length.
To continue learning about anabolic drugs please visit our homepage simplyanabolics.com.
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Sun, 11 Sep 2016 21:28:05 +0000
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Human Growth Hormone, more commonly referred to as HGH, is a substance which is produced naturally within the body by the pituitary gland. It plays an important function both during the formative years when it helps organs, muscles and bones to grow and also during adulthood when it’s responsible for keeping the same areas strong and healthy. HGH also plays a role in metabolic function, skin health and the immune system. Because it’s such a vital element to the growth of the body – hence the name! – it’s perhaps not surprising to discover that levels of HGH peak during adolescence. By the time you reach your 30’s, levels of it start to rapidly decline. The drop in HGH is what leads to some of the signs of ageing such as loss of bone density, fatigue, decreased muscle, rise in body fat and deterioration in the skin. Some individuals suffer from a deficiency of HGH and replacement therapy is given via injection in these cases. HGH can be given to both children and adults. Other medical causes for which HGH is prescribed include organ transplants and muscle wasting related to AIDS. HGH originally was harvested from cadavers for treatment but in 1985 a synthetic version was created which is what is now used. Because HGH plays such a fundamental role in so many processes within the body, it has been used as a supplement by the bodybuilding community. The drug has been used to assist with recovery times and to improve bone density but more recently it has been promoted as an aid to quick weight loss. The use of HGH in this capacity remains controversial with no definitive proof that it can achieve true weight loss, even when taken at a higher dose. The weight loss theory Over the years, lots of wonder drugs have been explored, all of which claim to promote weight loss. This is interesting to the general population but also bodybuilders who are looking to get really shredded. As well as providing additional strength, muscular growth and a competitive edge, HGH can also help with fat loss. When HGH is produced by the body it is transformed into a substance known as IGF1. This substance competes with insulin at the receptor sites, causing less glucose to be carried to the cells for energy and instead forcing the body to burn off fat. This is very different from the usual biological process where the body first burns off all the available glucose before turning to fat stores for the surplus required. Because the body needs energy all of the time, even while you’re sleeping, you don’t need to do copious amounts of energy to see the fat-burning effect. HGH will continue to burn off fat stores even if you’re immobile. You won’t need to follow a particularly strict diet to lose while using HGH you will need to ensure you eat foods which have a low glycaemic index – which means low carb diets. This is … Continue reading “Weight Loss With Human Growth Hormone”
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Human Growth Hormone, more commonly referred to as HGH, is a substance which is produced naturally within the body by the pituitary gland.
It plays an important function both during the formative years when it helps organs, muscles and bones to grow and also during adulthood when it’s responsible for keeping the same areas strong and healthy. HGH also plays a role in metabolic function, skin health and the immune system.
Because it’s such a vital element to the growth of the body – hence the name! – it’s perhaps not surprising to discover that levels of HGH peak during adolescence. By the time you reach your 30’s, levels of it start to rapidly decline. The drop in HGH is what leads to some of the signs of ageing such as loss of bone density, fatigue, decreased muscle, rise in body fat and deterioration in the skin.
Some individuals suffer from a deficiency of HGH and replacement therapy is given via injection in these cases. HGH can be given to both children and adults. Other medical causes for which HGH is prescribed include organ transplants and muscle wasting related to AIDS.
HGH originally was harvested from cadavers for treatment but in 1985 a synthetic version was created which is what is now used.
Because HGH plays such a fundamental role in so many processes within the body, it has been used as a supplement by the bodybuilding community. The drug has been used to assist with recovery times and to improve bone density but more recently it has been promoted as an aid to quick weight loss. The use of HGH in this capacity remains controversial with no definitive proof that it can achieve true weight loss, even when taken at a higher dose.
The weight loss theory
Over the years, lots of wonder drugs have been explored, all of which claim to promote weight loss. This is interesting to the general population but also bodybuilders who are looking to get really shredded.
As well as providing additional strength, muscular growth and a competitive edge, HGH can also help with fat loss.
When HGH is produced by the body it is transformed into a substance known as IGF1. This substance competes with insulin at the receptor sites, causing less glucose to be carried to the cells for energy and instead forcing the body to burn off fat.
This is very different from the usual biological process where the body first burns off all the available glucose before turning to fat stores for the surplus required.
Because the body needs energy all of the time, even while you’re sleeping, you don’t need to do copious amounts of energy to see the fat-burning effect. HGH will continue to burn off fat stores even if you’re immobile.
You won’t need to follow a particularly strict diet to lose while using HGH you will need to ensure you eat foods which have a low glycaemic index – which means low carb diets. This is because an excess of glucose circulating around your body can lead to a pre diabetic condition known as impaired glucose tolerance. Over time, this can change into full-blown diabetes. It’s therefore sensible not to overload the body with foods with a high glycemic index. A high protein diet will not only assist with muscle gain but will also reduce the likelihood of these kind of weight loss products causing more serious problems.
Does it work for weight loss?
Firstly, it’s worth mentioning that the FDA have never granted approval for HGH to be used for weight loss although it does have a license for a number of other conditions. Therefore, it’s not been deemed as unsafe for human consumption, but it’s not been formally recognised as being able to effectively aid weight loss.
In 1990 a study was published in an established medical journal which seemed to suggest that HGH could lead to weight loss, with individuals shedding 14% of body fat with no changes to their diet or exercise. At the same time individuals gained just under 9% in muscle mass.
This study is often cited as proof that HGH for weight loss really works, but subsequent research has failed to demonstrate the same effect. The journal that published the original study has since warned about the dangers in using the results, given subsequent research.
There are a number of diet programs which claim human growth hormone supplements hold the key to rapid weight loss. However, none of the HGH weight loss drugs have been clinically proven to help to lose weight. Despite these types of diet programs claiming to promote natural weight loss, no evidence is yet available to back them up.
However, there does seem to be some suggestion that even if human growth hormone for weight loss isn’t a success, it can change the overall composition of the body. Fat loss seems to increase while muscle mass simultaneously increases, but only to a small degree.
Positive effects of HGH
Although there remains a question about whether HGH can actually lead to any weight loss, there are some other positive effects.
There’s no question that HGH can help to grow muscle mass which makes it a popular supplement in the bodybuilding community. And in addition to increasing strength, it can also shorten recovery times too. Tissue which has become damaged can be healed more quickly with HGH while ligaments and joints receive extra support.
There is limited evidence to show that HGH can help with fat loss too and the composition of the body, even if the overall weight remains the same.
Administration
For those who choose to take HGH, it is necessary to administer it via injection. This is because HGH is a protein which if taken orally, will be broken down by the stomach and won’t reach the bloodstream.
Some companies will market HGH powder or HGH pills and claim the same rate of effectiveness. However, due to the metabolic process, the only way to take HGH is via injection. Some of the HGH tablets claim to be releasers instead, rather than the actual substance. These claim to trigger the body’s own system into producing more HGH rather than introducing it directly.
There is the choice of injecting HGH either subcutaneously or intramuscularly. The former has a greater bioavailability at about 75%, dropping to 63% when injected intramuscularly.
Dosage
To avoid side effects, it’s a good idea to ease gently when you start a HGH cycle for weight loss. Users should begin with 1-2 IU and gradually increase this to between 2-4 IU taken twice a day. The time of the dosage isn’t as important as with stimulant drugs so can fit in with the rest of your cycle.
Half life
The half life for HGH is short, which means frequent administration is necessary. The half life varies between 3-5 hours depending on whether the injection is made subcutaneously or intramuscularly. The latter has the longer half life, lasting on average 4.9 hours.
Use in women
HGH can be used safely in women without any of the virilization risks which are present with the use of anabolic steroids. However, the dose must be much lower to prevent overdosing, as squaring of the jaw can be a much more common side effect in women.
For this reason, it’s recommended that just 1-2 IU is taken at first, and any increase on this is introduced very slowly and with caution. A maximum dose of 3-4 IU can be taken for bodybuilders and those seeking out extreme results but the effects on the body must be carefully monitored at this level.
Cycle length
Although HGH has an extremely short half life, it takes an extended period before any effects on the body become evident.
When HGH is taken for weight loss, a cycle of between 12-16 weeks is required. No fat loss will be seen in cycles which are shorter.
For an anabolic effect and an increase in athletic performance, cycles of 6 months at the maximum dose are common.
Side effects
Unlike anabolic steroids, the side effects of HGH are relatively mild.
One of the most common problems seen with the use of HGH is water retention and pain in the joints. It doesn’t affect everyone and for those who are afflicted, it should be relatively mild.
Although water retention is an undesirable side effect, especially for those trying to lose weight, the good news is that once the cycle is over, the surplus fluids will be lost.
The joint pain is usually relatively mild and bearable for most people. Occasionally cold and flu-type symptoms such as headaches and fatigue can also occur.
HGH has been linked to the squaring off and thickening of fingers, toes and the jaw, a condition known medically as acromegaly. However, this side effect is usually only seen in those who abuse HGH at abnormally high levels for an extended period of time. If you follow the recommended dose, you shouldn’t ever experience this.
One area you do need to take care is if you have any history of abnormal cell growth within your body, such as prostate tumors. A benign prostatic growth wouldn’t normally be cause for concern but because HGH encourages the growth of cells it can become dangerous. Anyone with either a personal history of strong family history of cancer should therefore steer clear of HGH.
The other proven side effect is carpal tunnel syndrome; anyone who takes HGH is at an increased risk of this.
We have much more information which you can find by clicking this link.
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Fri, 12 Aug 2016 12:56:39 +0000
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If you’re serious about bodybuilding, you’ll need to make sure that your training and diet are absolutely on point whether you’re trying to bulk or cut. However, there’s only so much that even the perfect regime can achieve without a little extra help. Anabolic steroids have been around for decades and have been proven to be incredibly effective in taking bodybuilding to the next level. No matter if you’re looking to get shredded or add bulk and muscle, steroids can help you achieve your goals more quickly and comprehensively. Unfortunately, they don’t come without a price: anabolic steroids can be very harsh on the body and there’s a whole host of side effects which can be very serious. If you’re considering using anabolic steroids, it’s absolutely imperative you get steroid information first as there’s different types of steroids and ways to mitigate some of the worst effects. Below is a guide to the anabolic steroids side effects you may experience both in the short and long term. Androgenic effects Some anabolic steroids are renowned for being very androgenic which means that not only are they out of the question for use in females, but that they can also produce very marked side effects in men. However, any anabolic steroid could produce androgenic side effects; some individuals will be more sensitive than others so extremely androgenic drugs aren’t suitable for all. One of the most pronounced androgenic effects can be baldness or thinning of hair, but unless you have the male pattern baldness gene you won’t be affected. However, if you do lose your hair simply stopping the steroid won’t reverse the changes so if you think you may be prone it could be a good idea to use anabolic steroids which have a lower level of androgenic effects. Hair loss is often associated with DHT (dihydrotestosterone) which attaches to the hair follicles and causes them to be permanently shed. Blocking this action can prevent the hair loss and drugs such as Finasteride can help with this. The drugs work on the enzyme which converts the testosterone into DHT, 5-alpha reductase, and are known as 5-alpha reductase inhibitors. Unfortunately, not all hair loss associated with steroid use is as a result of the actions of this enzyme. Some drugs which already contain a derivative of DHT don’t interact with the enzyme which means blocking drugs won’t have any effect. Trenbolone, Primobolan, Winstrol and Deca Durabolin are examples of androgenic steroids which won’t respond to treatment. The androgenic effect of steroids can also include acne where the receptors which lie beneath the skin bind with the androgen and lead to a rise in the production of sebum. This means that no matter how scrupulously clean you keep your skin; you could still suffer from acne. Estrogenic effects Although testosterone is the main hormone associated with men, once it’s within the body it converts to estradiol which is a female hormone. This is a normal process and essential for a variety of bodily … Continue reading “Possible Steroid Side Effects”
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If you’re serious about bodybuilding, you’ll need to make sure that your training and diet are absolutely on point whether you’re trying to bulk or cut.
However, there’s only so much that even the perfect regime can achieve without a little extra help. Anabolic steroids have been around for decades and have been proven to be incredibly effective in taking bodybuilding to the next level. No matter if you’re looking to get shredded or add bulk and muscle, steroids can help you achieve your goals more quickly and comprehensively.
Unfortunately, they don’t come without a price: anabolic steroids can be very harsh on the body and there’s a whole host of side effects which can be very serious.
If you’re considering using anabolic steroids, it’s absolutely imperative you get steroid information first as there’s different types of steroids and ways to mitigate some of the worst effects. Below is a guide to the anabolic steroids side effects you may experience both in the short and long term.
Androgenic effects
Some anabolic steroids are renowned for being very androgenic which means that not only are they out of the question for use in females, but that they can also produce very marked side effects in men.
However, any anabolic steroid could produce androgenic side effects; some individuals will be more sensitive than others so extremely androgenic drugs aren’t suitable for all.
One of the most pronounced androgenic effects can be baldness or thinning of hair, but unless you have the male pattern baldness gene you won’t be affected. However, if you do lose your hair simply stopping the steroid won’t reverse the changes so if you think you may be prone it could be a good idea to use anabolic steroids which have a lower level of androgenic effects.
Hair loss is often associated with DHT (dihydrotestosterone) which attaches to the hair follicles and causes them to be permanently shed. Blocking this action can prevent the hair loss and drugs such as Finasteride can help with this. The drugs work on the enzyme which converts the testosterone into DHT, 5-alpha reductase, and are known as 5-alpha reductase inhibitors. Unfortunately, not all hair loss associated with steroid use is as a result of the actions of this enzyme. Some drugs which already contain a derivative of DHT don’t interact with the enzyme which means blocking drugs won’t have any effect. Trenbolone, Primobolan, Winstrol and Deca Durabolin are examples of androgenic steroids which won’t respond to treatment.
The androgenic effect of steroids can also include acne where the receptors which lie beneath the skin bind with the androgen and lead to a rise in the production of sebum. This means that no matter how scrupulously clean you keep your skin; you could still suffer from acne.
Estrogenic effects
Although testosterone is the main hormone associated with men, once it’s within the body it converts to estradiol which is a female hormone. This is a normal process and essential for a variety of bodily processes. The change from testosterone to estradiol is known as aromatization because it’s performed with the help from the aromatase enzyme.
However, problems arise when you introduce anabolic steroids into the balance because some of these also have the ability to aromatize. Because of the high doses of testosterone which are present in the body, there is far more of the female hormone estradiol than there should be and it’s this which can lead to estrogenic side effects.
The estrogenic side effects of steroid use include gynecomastia, water retention and excessive body fat. The overall look is typically soft and puffy, without the shredded muscular appearance that many bodybuilders want.
Aromatization isn’t the only process which can lead to estrogenic side effects; some steroids interact directly with the receptors creating the same undesirable outcome.
The good news is that you don’t have to simply stop taking steroids in order to get rid of the estrogenic effects. There’s two groups of drugs that you can try: either Aromatase Inhibitors or Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERMs).
An Aromatase Inhibitor (AI) such as Arimidex will block the enzyme Aromatase which is to blame for the estrogenic conversion. Care needs to be taken when using this because otherwise side effects of estrogen deficiency will manifest and these include erectile dysfunction, depression, loss of libido and lack of energy.
Alternatively, a SERM such as Nolvadex can be used; this has an advantage over AI drugs such as Arimidex because it doesn’t block the estrogen completely.
Cardiovascular effects
A bit of a crossover effect, steroids which are particularly estrogenic can lead to water retention (as described above). But as well as being aesthetically undesirable, it can actually be dangerous as it can lead to raised blood pressure.
Some types of anabolic steroid can also adversely affect levels of cholesterol in the body, specifically the LDL/HDL ratio, decreasing healthy cholesterol and sometimes increasing the amount of bad cholesterol too.
This combined with raised blood pressure can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. The good news is that using drugs to eliminate estrogenic side effects and eating a clean diet which is low in fat, as well as taking regular cardiovascular exercise can more or less offset the problems.
However, other cardiovascular side effects can also occur but in the vast majority of cases, this is due to abuse of anabolic steroids. This means unduly long cycles, not allowing your body time to recover and taking a dose which is too high.
Overuse or abuse of anabolic steroids can lead a to a whole host of cardiovascular side effects including an enlarged heart and polycythemia.
Liver toxicity
Hepatotoxicity is a major problem for some types of anabolic steroids, but less of an issue for others.
Generally, the drugs that are injected don’t have a particularly negative effect on the liver. But in direct contrast, many of the steroids administered orally can present a real problem, particularly those in the 17-alpha-alkyl group.
Oral steroid side effects range from elevated liver enzymes (which can be taken as an indicator that damage could occur if sustained) to the development of cysts and tumors. In many cases these tumors are benign, but cysts may cause a fatality if they burst. In addition, in some instances oral steroids can lead to malignancy.
Although liver enzymes can be monitored some damage to the liver will take some time to manifest, returning normal blood test results. Therefore, while monitoring is useful it won’t necessarily be sufficient to pick up all signs that hepatotoxicity has occurred.
Long term studies have shown a variable effect on the liver but some experts suggest that the pre-steroid condition of the liver may be the deciding factor. Having pre-existing abnormal liver function tests or being a heavy drinker could therefore significantly increase the risk of hepatotoxicity occurring with anabolic steroid use.
The side effects of oral steroids are considered to be such a problem for the liver that they’re not recommended for longer cycles and primarily used as a kickstarter to supplement other steroids.
Testosterone shutdown
Steroid side effects in men can be problematic on a cosmetic and also medical basis, and testosterone shutdown can be a real issue for both.
By increasing the amount of testosterone in the body by taking anabolic steroids, the body shuts down its own production. This occurs with every single anabolic steroid because the testosterone production system relies on a feedback loop; when excessive amounts of testosterone are detected within the blood, production ceases. And because the goal of anabolic steroids is to up the amount of testosterone, it’s impossible to escape the problem.
Shutting down the body’s own supply of testosterone can lead to shrinking of the testicles as a result of the lack of stimulation (testosterone is produced in the testicles).
Although this effect may be very undesirable, it is reversible after the cycle is complete. Providing proper PCT is carried out and there is no abuse of anabolic steroids, the body will revert to producing testosterone eventually and volumes in the testicles will increase once again.
Side effects in women
Although any of the above side effects could be equally a concern for women, female bodybuilders thinking of using anabolic steroids have additional factors to consider. Steroid side effects in women can be extremely difficult to manage, especially on certain drugs.
Some steroids are more likely to lead to a collection of symptoms which are known as virilization. These include a deepening of the voice, growth of body hair, cessation of menstruation and enlargement of the clitoris. Dry skin and a reduction in breast size may also occur.
If these symptoms start to become apparent while taking anabolic steroids, the drug must be stopped straight away. If caught in time, the side effects will fade but if steroids continue to be taken the effects will become permanent.
Steroids which are particularly androgenic can present the biggest challenge to female bodybuilders. All steroids can cause virilization in women but the ones which potentially have a lower likelihood of doing so include Anavar, Primobolan and Winstrol.
Because the risk of side effects in women is a very serious concern, it’s recommended that female steroid users avoid any drugs which have a long ester. Having steroids in the body which take a long time to clear could result in virilization effects becoming permanent.
Mortality risk
Much has been written in the media about the link between using anabolic steroids and the risk of death, yet many bodybuilders still opt to continue to take them. Surely a reckless decision?
The problem arises because all too often anabolic steroid use and steroid abuse are lumped in together. There’s no question that these types of drugs can be extremely harsh on the body and if care isn’t taken, the side effects of steroids can be severe.
Nevertheless, the real risk comes from individuals who abuse anabolic steroids.
When taking anabolic steroids, it’s critical to understand the right dose and the length of the cycle as well as considering the impact of other drugs or supplements you may be taking simultaneously. When the recommended ranges are adhered to, the risk of mortality appears to be low.
The real problems start to arise in individuals who ignore the recommended dosage, extend their steroid cycles beyond the advised length or don’t allow their body time to recover properly between cycles. This kind of abuse can lead to excessive strain on the body, and could contribute to an early death. And it’s these cases which hit the headlines and earn anabolic steroids the unfair reputation of being killer drugs.
Long term effects
Although a certain number of bodybuilders may dabble with the use of anabolic steroids for a number of years, long term steroid use is another matter. Much research has been carried out into the immediate and short term effects of steroids but the symptoms of steroid use in the long term have the potential to manifest in a very different way.
The effects of steroids on the body can take their toll but some individuals continue to take them for a number of decades, seemingly with no permanent ill effects.
The studies conducted on long term use of steroids has been extremely limited and much more data is needed to be conclusive on the subject. It’s been suggested that the long term effect will also depend in part on how well the side effects from steroids are managed in the shorter term.
There are individuals who have used anabolic steroids for many years and continue to do so, but this shouldn’t mean that it should be assumed that no-one will have problems with continued use. The effect on cholesterols and insulin, together with the number of other drugs being taken, seem to play an integral role in whether there will be any problem in the longer term.
The post Possible Steroid Side Effects appeared first on Simply Anabolics.
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Wed, 27 Jul 2016 05:01:54 +0000
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Shredding every last pound of body fat while simultaneously building lean muscle can take more than complete dedication to eating a clean diet and training well. Getting to your absolute physical best often requires a boost from supplements. Many bodybuilders opt for anabolic steroids but there are risks attached, despite the considerable benefits. One alternative to taking anabolic steroids is the use of prohormones, another group of drugs which offer the chance to improve your physique immeasurably. But like any performance enhancing drug, it’s essential to understand what they are, how they work and the warning signs to watch out for. Here’s our guide to prohormones and how to use them for bodybuilding. What is a prohormone? Despite having a different name, you might find a lot of people referring to prohormones as “weak steroids”. Although this isn’t technically true, the two groups of drugs very closely resemble each other and have a similar effect on the body. Anabolic steroids are created to mimic testosterone in order to activate the androgen receptor. It’s this process which kickstarts the anabolic effect within the body. By contrast, prohormones are a type of hormone precursor which means that once introduced into the body, they act on the same androgen receptors to produce very similar effects to anabolic steroids. Most prohormones are introduced to the body in an inactive form and transform after they are exposed to certain enzymes. Although prohormones and anabolic steroids are different types of compounds, the net effect on the body is the same. However, prohormones tend to produce a weaker result because they have to go through a process of transformation in order to take effect. Anabolic steroids are ready to work immediately and are a far more potent type of drug. The benefits Although prohormones aren’t generally as powerful as anabolic steroids, they can produce a very similar effect within the body. Prohormones lead to greater muscle mass which is achieved via improved protein synthesis in the body. Endurance and strength is also heightened, which makes it possible to train longer and harder. This is another reason why prohormones help to add bulk. Although they affect the androgen receptor, don’t expect to get good results without doing any training. The other major benefit is that you’ll recover faster too. So after a really hard session you’ll do less potential damage to your joints, and be back ready to work out again much more quickly. The neural drive also increases too which will not only up your sex drive but make you feel extra competitive. This can provide a read edge when it comes to training. For those who aren’t a fan of injections, prohormones could be a very viable alternative. They have a high level of oral bioavailability which means they don’t need to be injected. The disadvantages Although prohormones can deliver some very solid results, it’s important to understand that just because they are weaker than anabolic steroids, they still can cause significant side effects. Just like … Continue reading “What are Prohormones?”
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Shredding every last pound of body fat while simultaneously building lean muscle can take more than complete dedication to eating a clean diet and training well.
Getting to your absolute physical best often requires a boost from supplements. Many bodybuilders opt for anabolic steroids but there are risks attached, despite the considerable benefits.
One alternative to taking anabolic steroids is the use of prohormones, another group of drugs which offer the chance to improve your physique immeasurably.
But like any performance enhancing drug, it’s essential to understand what they are, how they work and the warning signs to watch out for. Here’s our guide to prohormones and how to use them for bodybuilding.
What is a prohormone?
Despite having a different name, you might find a lot of people referring to prohormones as “weak steroids”. Although this isn’t technically true, the two groups of drugs very closely resemble each other and have a similar effect on the body.
Anabolic steroids are created to mimic testosterone in order to activate the androgen receptor. It’s this process which kickstarts the anabolic effect within the body.
By contrast, prohormones are a type of hormone precursor which means that once introduced into the body, they act on the same androgen receptors to produce very similar effects to anabolic steroids. Most prohormones are introduced to the body in an inactive form and transform after they are exposed to certain enzymes.
Although prohormones and anabolic steroids are different types of compounds, the net effect on the body is the same. However, prohormones tend to produce a weaker result because they have to go through a process of transformation in order to take effect. Anabolic steroids are ready to work immediately and are a far more potent type of drug.
The benefits
Although prohormones aren’t generally as powerful as anabolic steroids, they can produce a very similar effect within the body.
Prohormones lead to greater muscle mass which is achieved via improved protein synthesis in the body. Endurance and strength is also heightened, which makes it possible to train longer and harder. This is another reason why prohormones help to add bulk. Although they affect the androgen receptor, don’t expect to get good results without doing any training.
The other major benefit is that you’ll recover faster too. So after a really hard session you’ll do less potential damage to your joints, and be back ready to work out again much more quickly.
The neural drive also increases too which will not only up your sex drive but make you feel extra competitive. This can provide a read edge when it comes to training.
For those who aren’t a fan of injections, prohormones could be a very viable alternative. They have a high level of oral bioavailability which means they don’t need to be injected.
The disadvantages
Although prohormones can deliver some very solid results, it’s important to understand that just because they are weaker than anabolic steroids, they still can cause significant side effects.
Just like anabolic steroids, the side effects you could experience depend on the drug being used. Many have a low conversion rate to estrogen but those which do aromatize carry the risk of gyno, bloating and water retention just like their steroid counterparts.
A good number of pro hormones are also not particularly androgenic but the same can’t be said for all of them. However, pro hormones such as 1-androstenediol are strongly androgenic and can cause the same problems such as male pattern baldness and acne.
Although taking prohormones might seem like a convenient form of administration, you are running a much greater risk of doing damage to your liver. Orally administered drugs have to pass through the liver and can ultimately harm it in the longer term.
Legality
One of the biggest problems with anabolic steroids is the legality, with potentially hefty consequences even for personal possession.
When pro hormones were first introduced in the 1990s, they could be bought legally which is one of the reasons why they were so attractive. This is because they weren’t named in the 1990 Steroid Control Act.
However, the Designer Anabolic Steroid Control Act of 2014 changed this for good. The legislation allows any drug which has a similar effect to anabolic steroids to be treated in the same way, and there’s also no longer the burden of proof on the FDA to prove the case. Instead, the manufacturer must now prove the substance is not like an anabolic steroid in order to be exempted.
This means that while prohormones are still used by the bodybuilding community, they are more similar than ever to anabolic steroids, with use of either being punishable under US law.