Oral Steroids VS Injectable steroids and muscle gains

Q: I’ve been on and off steroids for years. I respond well to them even at pretty low doses (300-600mg/week), but always crash afterwards no matter what I do. Lately I’ve been trying something different. For the past 12 weeks I’ve been taking 100mg of orals (Winstrol, Dianabol, Anadrol) per week, and have slowly been gaining size (about 5 pounds of lean mass) and strength.

I am hoping this will produce more permanent gains; less estrogen conversion to worry about and it shouldn’t suppress my natural testosterone. Do you have any knowledge of the efficacy of low-dose long-term use of anabolics?


A: Given that most of the oral anabolics have less estrogenicity than the standard of reference (testosterone), you should find that size is better maintained at the conclusion of a cycle compared to injectable testosterones, as you are holding, and as a result will be excreting, less water weight. When all is said and done, you’ll seem to hold more of the weight you gained on oral anabolics simply because more of what you gained was quality muscle (not water bulk) in the first place.

Anadrol is an exception among your list as it is highly estrogenic. Given the doses you are using, however, I suspect you will not notice this trait much, and (in line with what you stated) should be noticing some modest but measurable gains in strength and lean muscle mass. In the end you’ll probably gain more lean mass on a formidable dose of testosterone, but again, the difference between your on-cycle bulk weight and your off-cycle retained mass weight will be more noticeable on a cycle like this too.

If my math is correct, you are taking about 15 milligrams of oral anabolics per day. I don’t want you to be mistaken into thinking this is a “very low” dose. O.K., by some of the standards of excess today it may be considered low, but in a clinical sense it most certainly is not. Winstrol is given at a dose of 6 milligrams per day or less most commonly. When Dianabol was widely prescribed in the U.S., the common application was 5 milligrams per day. Aside from Anadrol, the doses you are taking are outside of the therapeutic range, and enough to present significant gains in lean tissue, as you have noticed. In fact, during the 1960’s and ‘70s fifteen milligrams per day was a common dose for athletes and bodybuilders.

This level of use is also more than sufficient to suppress natural testosterone production, so you still going to have to deal with some type of crash at the conclusion of this cycle, even if it is less pronounced due to less water retention. As such, a proper PCT (Post-Cycle Therapy) program is probably a good idea to look at.

The main concern I have with this practice is the fact that you are applying a sufficient dose of c-17 alpha alkylated oral steroids each day, and it is continuing for a significant amount of time. The usual cutoff point is 6-8 weeks. Immediately, I would question what your serum lipids are doing. How are you HDL (good) and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels responding to this cycle? As you may know, oral c-17 alpha alkylated steroids present much more toxicity to the body than injectable testosterones (and related non-alkylated steroids).

They tend to greatly shift the HDL:LDL balance in an unfavorable direction (increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease), and place some strain on the liver. While I wouldn’t be go so far as to say this type of practice is outright dangerous to your immediate health, I would most certainly recommend that you take caution. With any oral cycle, especially one going on for a prolonged period of time, you should be getting periodic checks on your lipids, liver enzymes, blood pressure, and general markers of health. If you find the drugs are placing too much strain on your body, they probably aren’t worth it.

If you find such is true in your situation, you’d likely be much better off looking back at the old standby injectables liketestosterone and nandrolone, which present no significant liver stress and have a much lower negative effect on serum lipids – crash and water retention be damned.

Proviron Minimum and maximum dosages per cycle.

As Proviron is one of the most misunderstood steroids on earth, so are Proviron Doses. One reason for this misunderstanding is this steroid's ratings based on its structural nature; however, its translating action does not match up to its structural nature.

This often leads many to supplement with low Proviron doses that are honestly a waste of time, but there is a similar problem with high doses. As you have seen in the profile page, Proviron has the ability to increase free testosterone levels, but it even goes a step further. This anabolic steroid has the ability to increase Luteinizing Hormone (LH) levels. LH being one of two hormones responsible for natural testosterone production, the other being Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH). While this steroid has such an ability, if the dose goes too high, natural testosterone suppression will occur; as you can see, there will be a fine line to walk when it comes to Proviron doses.

Minimum Proviron Doses:

Proviron doses of 25mg per day are enough to promote the traits held within. However, it will be minimal and often so minimal it's not going to produce anything of notable worth. Most men will need total Proviron doses of at least 50mg per day, and in many cases, this will be all they ever need. The dosing can increase, and often within the realm of safety, but you need to keep something in mind. When we increase our Proviron doses beyond the 50mg point, dihydrotestosterone (DHT) related side effects increase in risk, but we can still increase within the realm of safety.

Increasing Proviron Doses:

50mg is a great place to start, but most men will find Proviron doses of 100mg to 150mg per day to be far more efficient and effective. Such doses will ensure all the effects of this DHT compound are maximized, and if there are no underlying physical issues and no abuse of other steroids you should still be in the realm of safety. Such Proviron doses will still keep you in the realm of promoting more testosterone, and that's one of the primary reasons behind Proviron supplementation. If such doses are attempted, you will need to keep a close eye on your prostate; ensure you receive a physical on a regular basis.

Maximum Proviron Doses:

When it comes to maximum Proviron doses, 200mg per day is as far as anyone should ever take it; however, there is rarely a need for such a dosing. First and foremost, it's unlikely you'll receive a greater benefit of any worth above the 100mg to 150mg range. But you will be incurring a large DHT buildup and opening the door to side effects with a far greater risk. Further, there's a chance you may not enjoy the testosterone benefits to such a strong degree, then again you may, but Proviron doses beyond this mark is unadvisable in all cases.

As youre well aware, there are numerous types of anabolic steroids; theres no such thing as just a steroid as popular culture would have you believe. How many anabolic steroids are there; more than you could imagine, but most who supplement wont use that many; in-fact, over their life most hardcore performance enhancers wont use more than a dozen or so of the top 20 steroids. At any rate, of the more popular anabolic steroids, right in the mix is Proviron, and we can say without question this is one of the most overrated and misunderstood steroids of all time.

When speaking of overrated, theres something we need to explain; were not implying this steroid is a piece of junk, but its so misunderstood the expectations are often blown out of proportion. Brought to the market by Schering, one of the leading anabolic steroid manufacturers, Proviron has been praised for its testosterone protecting and increasing effects, and some consider it essential to their performance planning.

Further, while possessing testosterone related promotional effects, Proviron also carries an anti-estrogenic nature, and on this basis you might compare it to a SERM or AI, but we assure you its an anabolic steroid. At any rate, this is not a foundational steroid by any means, and we wouldnt put it in the same category as secondary steroids like Anadrol and Dianabol, but it serves a purpose; in that there is no doubt.

With this in mind, lets take an in-depth look at Proviron and see what we can find.

Proviron Nature and Traits:

Mesterolone is a dihydrotestosterone (DHT) derived anabolic steroid best known by the popular trade name Proviron given to it by Schering. On a structural basis, Proviron is similar to many other DHT compounds such as Winstrol; however, its mode of action is a closer related to Masteron. As a DHT compound, Proviron does not carry an aromatizing nature and carries a low androgenic rating as does Masteron, but its anabolic rating is much higher. Even so, Proviron displays one of the most deceiving anabolic ratings of all time. Carrying an anabolic rating of 150, 50% greater than testosterone, Proviron will display little to no anabolic properties.An oral steroid, as you know, most oral steroids are C17-alpha alkylated (C17-aa) and by this nature they are toxic to the liver. While an unfortunate trait, the C17-aa nature is necessary in-order for the hormone to survive ingestion or the liver will destroy it, but it means the compound carries a hepatotoxic nature. In the case of Proviron, there is no C17-aa nature and no liver toxicity; however, this means the anabolic action of the compound is diminished greatly.

At any rate, despite lacking the C17-aa nature, Proviron carries a 1-metyhl addition that allows it to be used effectively.While weak at first glance, Proviron binds strongly the androgen receptors and Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) and it is by such actions we see many of the benefits of this steroid. Through such actions, Proviron has the ability to greatly promote direct lipolysis and even promote more free testosterone by its SHBG binding nature. Further, this creates a synergetic action that makes other steroids being used more powerful than they would be otherwise. These, along with its decent anti-estrogenic effect represent the traits that can make Proviron a valuable steroid.

The Benefits of Proviron:

From the traits and nature as described above, you should already be able to see the benefits of Proviron, but well go in a little deeper and provide you with a realistic expectation. Without question, Proviron is largely dependent on other steroids in a total stack and is virtually useless on its own; simply put Proviron has the ability to make your other steroids more powerful. Further, by its nature, it also makes the some of the other steroids you may be using safer due to its anti-estrogenic nature. In-order to put this in perspective, as you know many anabolic steroids aromatize heavily and cause an estrogen buildup, but with Proviron, as is with Masteron this can be limited and many estrogenic related side effects can be avoided. While extremely valuable, just as valuable is the exogenous testosterone you will be supplementing with in most cycles will become more powerful, you will have more testosterone to pull from and utilize thereby making your total cycle more efficient.When it comes to the benefits of Proviron, the above mentioned are the most well-known and most commonly spoken of; however, this steroids promotion or metabolic efficiency is another worthy benefit.

As is with most anabolic steroids, Proviron will enhance the overall metabolic rate, but through its strong binding to the androgen receptors it takes it a step further and can actually promote direct fat loss. Even so, we wouldnt call this a cutting steroid per say but one that simply enhances or promotes all actions to a higher level of power.

The Side Effects of Proviron:

If its an anabolic steroid, its going to carry possible adverse side effects. For that matter, if we put it into our body, and this goes for all things in life even non-steroidal substances its going to carry possible adverse side effects.

When it comes to the side effects of Proviron, in many ways we have a relatively friendly anabolic steroid. As this compound does not aromatize or promote any estrogenic activity, the side effects of Proviron cannot lead to gynecomastia or water retention, and it is relatively mild on blood pressure.

Further, despite being an oral steroid, there is no toxic nature, but were not quite out of the water. As you know by now, Proviron is a DHT compound, and there are three DHT related side effects of Proviron that must be addressed.

Of such side effects, the most concerning is prostate enlargement, and if you already suffer from prostate issues you should not touch this or any anabolic steroid. Due to this steroids strong DHT nature, large buildups in DHT can lead to prostate enlargement; it will take a large buildup and shouldnt be a concern with responsible use; however, you need to keep an eye on things in case there is an underlying issue. If for any reason problems do arise, you will find Finasteride can greatly aide you, as it is an androgen suppressor.

The next often concerning side effect of Proviron is hair loss; DHT can deteriorate the hair follicles; however, this will only be a concern for those predisposed to male pattern baldness. If you are not predisposed, you will not lose any of your hair, but if you are predisposed, while the hair loss will occur no matter what you do the DHT may speed it up. If you are predisposed to male pattern baldness and concerned about your hairline, once again Finasteride can offer protection; it doesnt always work but it does for a lot of men.

The final side effect of Proviron of any note is acne, and this is by far the most common side effect as DHT compound are notorious for causing acne. Even so, once again predisposition will play a role; specifically, those who are genetically sensitive will be the first to have a problem. If this sounds like you, youll want to ensure you put in extra effort when it comes to keeping your skin clean and dry at all times, but if this doesnt work it may mean you need to avoid DHT compounds. Even so, if you put in the effort, most will be fine.

Anabolic Steroids. Bulking, Cutting and Post Cycle Therapy

Generally, injectable steroids are more suitable for beginners. Orals can be more toxic, which we recommend to intermmediate users, so to keep our benefit to risk ratio high, we will only discuss injectables here. Many people get freaked out when thinking about sticking a needle into their body. In reality, its a very easy and painless procedure when done properly. You may read about the basic steroid injection procedure on our site.

Testosterone is the base of our cycles. A beginner doesnt need much to see great gains. Over the last couple years on the internet, the beginner dosage has slowly increased. Once upon a time, 250mgs of testosterone a week was enough to see very good strength and muscle gains. However, today, many people will say a dosage of 500mgs a week, is the very minimal. This is not true, this is being suggested under the thinking, more is better, which is false.

A successful first cycle (assuming the diet is in check), would be 250mgs of testosterone, every 5 days. Possible testosterones for this cycle would be Sustanon (a testosterone blend), Testosterone Enanthate, or Testosterone Cypionate. These testosterones have a slow acting ester, which means they do not have to be injected frequently. With a slow acting testosterone, a user will begin to see results at approximately the 3-4 week mark. If the user has proper diet and training, a 10-20lb size increase can be expected. Other positive side effects will include increased energy, sex drive, strength, and a sense of well being.

At this dose, negative side effects should not be present. Depending on the diet there may be some water retention. Taking testosterone propionate, which should be injected every second day (minimal), would decrease the water bloat, but many people do not like frequent injections.

For added boost, or possibly for a second cycle, a user can add Equipoise (Boldenone Undecyclate) with the testosterone. Equipoise is a popular veterinary steroid, which can be used for adding mass, or while dieting. Equipoise will give a slow, steady increase in mass and strength. Another plus to equipoise is that it increase appetite, which makes it more appropriate for bulking than cutting. 150mgs every three says will yield impressive results. Equipoise is a rather safe steroids, with no major side effects. It has been my many users at 800-1000mgs a week without any noticeable side effects.

A total steroid cycle should last 8-10 weeks. This is a beginner recommendation. Some suggest doing short 2-3 week cycles, on and off, while others will suggest doing 16-20 week cycles. We believe beginners should start at the basic 8-10 week cycles.

Surprisingly, the same above steroids can be taken to lose weight, and will work effectively. Steroids arent magic, they arent going to help you lose weight. They will help you maintain your muscle, while you are dieting, and give your muscles the full look, but they dont burn fat. Testosterone Suspension or Propionate are better choices than Enanthate and Cypionate, as you wont hold as much water. The Suspenion or Propionate can be taken 50mgs everyday. They are fast acting, and you should see a lot quicker results compared to the slower acting testosterones. Although equipoise increases appetite is also great for that veiny or vascular look. Winstrol (Stanozolol) is another option, but there is the chance of increased negative side effects. There is a chance of hair thinning, acne and liver toxicity but it all depends on how the users body reacts to the drug, and if they are taking anything to minimize the side effects. Winstrol can be injected at 50mgs every other day, or taken orally at 30-50mgs a day, (30mgs/day suggested) with the dosages being split up through out the day. A non-steroid drug, Clenbuterol, can be used to aid fat loss. Clenbuterol is a bronchodilator, used in treatment for asthma. It is slightly thermogenic, and increases the bodys temperature, which in turn, increase the bodys fat loss capabilities.

Other steroids
There are a few other steroids that are also for beginners; with very little side effects. You have:

• Deca Durabolin (Nandrolone Decanoate)
• Anavar (Oxandrolone)
• Primobolan

The only problem with the above three is the price, it can get quite expensive. Deca Durabolin can take the place of equipoise in the above bulking cycle, but we wouldnt recommend it in the cutting cycle. Users can hold water with Deca, and you just wont get the same look and feel, as you will with equipoise. Anavar is a great overall drug, but is probably the most expensive steroid available. It is known as the safest steroid, side effects are extremely rare. It yields slow steady gains, and can be used while bulking or cutting. Primobolan, similar to Anavar, it will give slow, steady gains, with very little side effects. Primobolan and Deca are injectables, while Anavar is an oral steroid. Several years ago, Primobolan and Deca Durabolin were two of the top steroids on the market. Because of research on other drugs, availability, and changing in prices, they arent used quite as often anymore.

If you dont come off properly, you can lose your gains, have emotional problems, and your testosterone may remain shut down, just to name a few. As you can see, its very important to come off anabolic steroids the right way.

First, let us see the basics. Forget the steroids, forget the drugs, we need to really concentrate on the training, dieting, and rest part of your life. Training focus and intensity must remain high. Your mentality can change once you are off steroids, so you must keep training hard, and keep your mind focused. You must keep your protein intake high as well. Dont think once you are off you can stop eating properly. This is possibly the most important time to make sure your diet is in check. Rest, rest and rest. Make sure you get a lot of rest. While you were on steroids, your body, more specifically you muscles recovered a lot faster than they would naturally. Get a lot of rest, and make sure you dont overtrain.

On to the drugs and supplements. Over the years there have been a number of different theories of how to come off anabolic steroids. Some say take HCG, some say not to, some say take Clomid, some say dont, some say take Nolvadex, some say dont you get the point. More info on those drugs are on our main page, and there is a huge drug database in our members section.

We are going to give two basic choices, and reasons why we decided to offer two choices. Remember, there are numerous ways to come off steroids, or Post cycle therapy (PCT). This is our way, and we feel its best. However, its just our opinion, everyone can do more research and decide what is best for them. Method one, Nolvadex (Tamoxifen Citrate) only.

Recommended dosage:
40mgs a day for 14 days, then 20mgs a day for the next 14 days. The idea to use Nolvadex post cycle came around not too long ago, and Nolvadex only, even sooner than that. Users report full recover in their testosterone product and overall feeling. No side effects noticed. Thats it for the first method, nice and simple.

Method two, Nolvadex with clomid (Clomiphene Citrate). Users report an even better recovery with this, than Nolvadex alone. On the down side, Clomid has known to cause temporary side effects. Some users will get acne and extremely emotional for 2-4 weeks. However, many believe this is due to the natural testosterone production, and the imbalance with estrogen levels. 2-4 weeks is a very short period, considering your body is once again producing its natural testosterone once again, and you shall keep almost all of your gains.

As for health supplements, some like to take tribulus territories, which helps with the libido. Protein powders are always useful, while on or off steroids. Glutamine, which some swear by, while others claim it is useless, may be used as well, which is supposed to aid in muscle recovery. Creatine can also be started, which will help you keep your strength and weight (water) up, to avoid any immediate emotional disorders ie. if you happen to lose a bit of weight or strength, you may go into a depressed state.

Melanotan and Melanotan II

Melanotan and Melanotan II are peptides that have recently become very popular due to their abilities to cause tanning of the skin, something much sort after by many bodybuilders and those who like to have dark and tanned skin for aesthetics. The secretion of melanin causes the tanning and darkening of the skin, and melanin is heightened by Melanotan (more melanotan equals more melanin), a peptide characteristically twinned with α-MSH. The functions are not just limited to skin pigmentation, however. Hair pigmentation, libido and appetite are also determined by Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone. The tanning effect is heightened by the exposure of UV light, although tanning of the skin has been noted in areas of the body that do not usually get expose to the light. Tanning is usually more pronounced in the facial area and arms.

Within clinical studies the main side effects noted were nausea and flushing of the face. Appetite suppression is also widely noted with Melanotan, which could either be welcomed or unwelcome for a bodybuilder depending on their dietary goals at the time! Many of users experiences with melanotan has backed this up with many users reporting a feeling of nausea after the injections. At the dosages outlined in this article it would be less common to actually vomit from the result of the administration of the Melanotan, although this side effect has been noted in clinical studies (which usually involve higher dosages). Users have noted fatigue as another side effect of the Melanotan. Tanning, headaches, nausea, flushing, itching and irritation, tiredness, dizziness, and the formation of white patches are all possible. Melanotan II has been noted to have more side effects than those just previously listed, including increased sexual arousal.

The side effects associated with Melanotan often decrease with each administration of the substance, although most will experience the most common side effects of nausea and flushing only shortly after injecting the peptide, with the effects lasting up to a few hours.

Melanotan is the peptide that is being trailed for main stream use due to its shorter list of possible side effects from its usage. Melanotan II has a greater list of side effects due to its interaction with a greater number of melanocortin receptors. This brings about more effects from the peptides usage, and also can make the outlined side effects that both Melanotan and Melanotan II share more pronounced.

Melanotan and Melanotan II are supplied in vials as powders that need to be mixed with bacteriostatic water for injection. The Melanotan and Melanotan II powder are best stored in a freezer due to their slow degradation at room temperature, and are often shipped in ice packs for this reason. The degrading process is slow, so if your Melanotan did not get shipped in ice packs it will not make your batch that less effective as long as the exposure to the higher temperature has not exceeded several days.

As previously stated, Melanotan needs to be mixed with bacteriostatic water prior to injection. To achieve a concentration of 10mg/8ml, use 8ml of bacteriostatic water in your 10mg vial of powder. From this we can have a concentration level of 0.25mg per 0.2ml. This should be enough liquid for you to accurately draw up using a 1ml marked syringe, although you could choose your own concentration level using a similar process. By using a 1ml syringe we can successfully attach and detach needles, and store the solution filled syringe in the fridge ready for the next injection.

The required dosages of Melanotan are greater than that of Melanotan II. A daily dosage of 2-3mg of Melanotan will bring about fruitful results, and a daily dosage of 1mg will do the same for Melanotan II. To restrict the undesirable side effects it is often best to start the dosages at a level of 1-1.5mg for Melanotan and 0.25mg-0.5mg for Melanotan II, and build the dosages by .25mg each day until the target dosage is reached. The injection itself is done into the sub-cutaneous layer.

Testosterone Propionate is a powerful steroid

In the world of anabolic steroids testosterone is king; in-fact, all anabolic steroids owe their allegiance to the testosterone hormone, for without it they would not exist. Of all the forms of anabolic steroids it is testosterone that was first and regarding mass production Testosterone Propionate was the first to hit the shelves in mass quantity ready for human use. Testosterone Propionate is one of the longest existing anabolic steroids and since its inception and into the present day it has remained one of the most popular of all time. Its popularity stems from many points but first and foremost it remains popular because it is simply pure testosterone, a hormone of great anabolic and androgenic power. Further, as we will shortly see testosterone is one of the more versatile hormones we can ever become acquainted with and while all testosterone forms are simply that, testosterone, Testosterone Propionate holds a special place in the hearts of many performance enhancers due to its fast acting nature. Regardless of anything else Testosterone Propionate is the easiest testosterone form to control, it is very easy to maintain stable levels, easy to control in-terms of side-effects and generally one of the more user friendly anabolic androgenic steroids anyone could ever choose.

Testosterone is a hormone produced by both men and women and is essential to our very functioning existence. As it is responsible for a host of functions we can see the majority of the functions when we examine low levels of the hormone and the negative effects it can cause. As for Testosterone Propionate, what we have is identical to the testosterone hormone you naturally produced, the only difference being Testosterone Propionate is synthetically manufactured.

How important is the testosterone hormone? Largely the examination of low levels can tell us everything we need to know and while low levels in of themselves are not life-threatening they can be beyond problematic and lead to many problems that can be life-threatening indeed; look at it like opening a door that should remained closed. Individuals who suffer from low testosterone and while more men will fall prey many women do as well, will often find symptoms such as increases in body-fat, loss of muscle tissue and strength, the inability to lose body-fat even when dieting and exercising, loss of libido, erectile dysfunction in men, a weakened immune system, lethargy, depression, a lack of mental focus, a lack of clarity of thought; the list goes on and on. Again, directly none of these conditions are life-threatening but you’d be hard pressed to make a positive argument regarding a single one. Further, it’s no secret, excess body-fat and a loss of muscle tissue is well-known to be the gateway to many serious physical problems, many of which are quite life-threatening indeed. An interesting note, in recent year’s low testosterone has also been linked to dementia, most notably regarding fatal Alzheimer’s disease.

For the individual who suffers from low levels, when he supplements with testosterone and Testosterone Propionate can be used for just that, he will in-fact see each and every area that was once found lacking improved upon and to a strong degree this is exactly how we can look at performance enhancing. For the performance enhancer the idea is simple, to take the levels of testosterone past what can be produced naturally thereby enhancing the traits and functions for what it is responsible for greatly. It really is that simple and is nowhere nearly as complicated as many like to make it out to be.

So how does it all work? By its nature and direct mode of action Testosterone Propionate as a pure testosterone form greatly increases nitrogen retention in the muscles as well as overall protein synthesis. Both of these traits are key factors in building lean tissue as well as preserving it and as lean tissue increases so does our overall metabolic rate. If nothing else this makes the hormone immeasurable in-terms of how truly beneficial it is but as you may have guessed its direct mode of action goes much deeper.

Testosterone Propionate will dramatically reduce and inhibit the release of glucocorticoid hormones in the body. This is important because these are the hormones that destroy muscle tissue and promote the storage of body-fat; while you may not be familiar with all glucocorticoid hormones you’ve probably heard of one, the most famous of all, cortisol. By supplementing and increasing our testosterone levels through the use of Testosterone Propionate we now have less cortisol in our body; again, promoting greater metabolic activity.

Testosterone also plays a key and vital role along with IGF-1, a naturally produced peptide hormone of immense anabolic power and importance. IGF-1 effects nearly every single cell in the human body and the more testosterone in your system the greater release of this peptide hormone there will be. IGF-1 also play a direct role alongside another peptide hormone, the most famous of all, Human Growth Hormone (HGH) and it is the release of IGF-1 that plays a very important role in how much HGH you produce.

While this gives you a general understanding of the testosterone hormone you still need to understand the Propionate ester. Propionate is not a steroid, it is not a hormone, it is an ester that can be attached to a hormone and testosterone is not the only one. Propionate is one of the smaller esters we have available, not the smallest but pretty close; of the most common esters used the only smaller ester most will use will be Acetate. As a small ester based testosterone, Testosterone Propionate will become active and noticeable very quickly and as to be expected will carry a very short half-life; meaning, the total duration of activity is very short lived, thereby making frequent administration necessary. Testosterone Propionate carries a half-life of approximately 4 days and will need to be administered at least every 3 days with every other day being far more optimal. Further, as more of an interesting note, as the Propionate ester is so small it will take up very little mass in the compound; meaning a larger portion of the compound will be pure testosterone. For example, 100mg of Testosterone Propionate will yield more usable testosterone than 100mg of a larger ester based form such as Testosterone Cypionate. In the end, while worthy of note it is of little consequence since dosing can easily be adjusted to receive the same amount with any form.

As Testosterone Propionate is just that, testosterone it is for all intense purpose one of the very few perfect anabolic steroids. Individual goals can greatly vary from treating low testosterone, performance enhancement, bulking, cutting, improving athletic performance or simple vanity and Testosterone Propionate can have a place in each and every one. As is evident from the hormones description above Testosterone Propionate can greatly add muscle mass, increase strength, improve metabolic efficiency, improve athletic performance and grant you a greater sense of well-being; is there really much more you could want? Further, because Testosterone Propionate is such a fast acting anabolic steroid, while most will tolerate it very well if you are one of the few who does not for whatever reason, simply discontinuing use will be very simple as the hormone will clear in just a few days.

By-and-large the simplest way to look at the benefits are as we discussed above; when we understand what testosterone is responsible for we then understand why it’s important to make sure levels are adequate if they are lacking. Further, regarding performance enhancement when we understand again what the hormone is responsible for we understand very easily how increasing our levels increases its efficiency by in-which it functions, we literally enhance the performance of the testosterone hormone.

Anabolic steroids carry with them possible side-effects and as Testosterone Propionate is an anabolic androgenic steroid it too carries with it possible side-effects. However, it is very important to remember testosterone is not akin to taking medicine; although steroids are often labeled “Drugs” such a label is somewhat haphazard. As you recall, testosterone is a hormone you naturally produce and have so your entire life and by basic logic the presence of testosterone will generally be very well tolerated. Even so, when we present to our body anything in exogenous form there is always some level of risk; how great the risk varies from each and every item and in the world of anabolic steroids the level of risk varies with each and every one. In the case of Testosterone Propionate, as it is very well-tolerated in most healthy adult men most will not have any problems; however, responsible use will always be the safest route to follow. Of course it must be noted, “responsible use” can mean quite a few different things to different people but nevertheless, there are facts and there are real life experiences we can pull from to gauge our choices.

 Of the possible side-effects you will find they most commonly include Gynecomastia, water retention, high blood pressure and issues of a cholesterol nature as well as testicular atrophy; testicular atrophy being the one guaranteed side-effect in all men. Testicular atrophy occurs for one simple reason; the presence of anabolic androgenic steroids, even testosterone suppresses natural testosterone production. As testosterone is produced in the testicles and production comes to a halt the testicles simply shrink in size; no, contrary to popular belief they do not shrink to where you can barely see them, we’re speaking of a slight decline is fullness. Once use is discontinued your testicles will return to their normal size as natural testosterone production will begin yet again.

As for the other side-effects, they are by no means guaranteed but if they do occur they will do so because of the testosterone conversion process. Testosterone converts into estrogen via the aromatase process and as excess estrogen builds up such related side-effects can become problematic. Absolutely, the total dose of Testosterone Propionate you take will play a big role; the more testosterone in your system the more testosterone there is to convert into estrogen. Individual sensitivity will also play a large role but there are things we can do if we are sensitive or as simple precautionary measures and none is better than supplementing with an aromatase inhibitor (AI.) An AI inhibits the conversion to estrogen and further reduces the amount of estrogen in the body; as the brunt of potential side-effects are brought on by estrogen you an easily see how and why this can be so beneficial.

Go to any steroid related message board and you’ll find individuals who claim Testosterone Propionate is better suited for cutting cycles and that longer ester based testosterones should be used when bulking; the point, do not listen to these people. Testosterone Propionate can be used for any cycle, as can pretty much any testosterone form; Testosterone Propionate is a perfect steroid because it is pure testosterone and it is not the ester that deems it better for one purpose or the other. It is true, some people will hold a little less water when they use this small ester version but in most cases any water problems can be controlled with diet and the use of AI’s. As for bulking, again, as this is pure testosterone and testosterone is the best agent for a bulking cycle Testosterone Propionate can be perfect. Yes, you’ll need to inject frequently regardless of the end goal but sometimes this isn’t really a bad thing. Frequent injections of small ester based anabolics are often much easier to control in-terms of maintaining stable and peaked levels of a particular hormone. In the end, when making your choice you’ll find Testosterone Propionate to be a fine one regardless of anything else but other forms can be just as good.

For the Testosterone Replacement Therapy candidate generally dosing will fall in the 100mg-200mg per week range and rarely surpassing this amount. However, as frequent injections are necessary most physicians will generally opt for larger ester forms, most commonly Testosterone Cypionate so the patient only has to inject once per week.

For the performance enhancer the dosing will be much larger and the varying levels will be much wider too but he must necessarily inject frequently as discussed if he is going to maintain stability. Generally the minimal dose when supplementing for performance purposes will be 100mg every other day with 200mg every other day being as high as most will ever go. Yes, you an absolutely take more, there is no set in stone amount but understand such high-end doses can open up the doors to side-effects that you may have wished to remain shut. In elite level competitive sports, especially in elite level bodybuilding it is not uncommon to see doses surpass a 2,000mg per week range but this can be very harsh and there is simply no way such a dosing could ever be recommended in a responsible manner.

As with all cycles, as natural testosterone production will be suppressed, once use is discontinued and responsible use will include breaks Post Cycle Therapy (PCT) is a must in order to aid and speed up the recovery process. This is where Testosterone Propionate has a bit of advantage over many other forms of testosterone; as a small ester that clears very quickly if your cycle ends with Testosterone Propionate and there is no other long ester gear present in your system your PCT plan can start almost immediately. Remember, the sooner we start our PCT the better off we’ll be and such rapid PCT application cannot be accomplished with long ester based testosterone. If your cycle ends with Testosterone Propionate you could reasonably wait 3 days before PCT therapy begins; if it ends with large ester gear you will need to wait approximately 2 weeks. 

Bodybuilding with protein-rich diet is healthier

Strength training will result in more muscle mass when combined with a protein-rich diet. Nothing new here, but that strength training combined with a protein-rich diet is healthier might be news to you. Researchers at Pusan National University in South Korea reach this conclusion in a small human study.

The Koreans got 18 males in their twenties, none of whom had previously done weight training, to do strength training for a period of 12 weeks. The men did working sets with 60-80 percent of the weight with which they could just manage 1 rep.

Half of the subjects ate a more or less ‘normal’ diet during the experiment. The energy in their diet consisted of 60 percent energy derived from carbohydrates, 15 percent from protein and the remaining 25 percent from fat. [norm.-prot.]

The other half of the men ate a protein-rich diet. In that diet the energy was derived for 55 percent from carbohydrates, 30 percent from protein and 15 percent from fat. [high-prot.]

Both groups consumed the same amount of kilocalories.

After the training period the researchers discovered that the men who had followed the high-protein diet had built up more lean body mass. This was not the case for the men who had consumed a normal amount of protein in their diet. The body fat percentage had declined in both groups, but the decrease was bigger in the men who had eaten more protein.

The Koreans detected no dramatic effects of the combination of strength training and a high-protein diet on IGF-1, cortisol and testosterone levels. What they did observe was that there was considerably more growth hormone circulating in the blood of the subjects in the high-protein group than in the subjects that had eaten less protein.

The HOMA-IR – a measure of insulin resistance – decreased in the men who had consumed a lot of protein. This meant that their cells became more sensitive to insulin, which is a positive sign.

Moreover, the cholesterol balance of the men who had eaten the high-protein diet improved. Their amount of ‘good cholesterol’ HDL increased.

“In conclusion, these findings suggest that there are hormonal interactions to ameliorate body composition, metabolic profiles, and energy metabolism after a long term higher protein diet and resistance exercise”, the researchers summarise. “However, replication studies with various types of resistance exercise programs and high protein diet are required in order to confirm the results of the present study for current practice in the field.”

How To Prevent Age Related Muscle Mass

Is a loss of strength, mobility, and functionality an inevitable part of aging? No, it’s not. It’s a consequence of disuse, suboptimal hormone levels, dietary and nutrient considerations and other variables, all of which are compounded by aging. One of the greatest threats to an aging adult’s ability to stay healthy and functional is the steady loss of lean body mass – muscle and bone in particular.

The medical term for the loss of muscle is sarcopenia, and it’s starting to get the recognition it deserves by the medical and scientific community. For decades, that community has focused on the loss of bone mass (osteoporosis), but paid little attention to the loss of muscle mass commonly seen in aging populations. Sarcopenia is a serious healthcare and social problem that affects millions of aging adults. This is no exaggeration. As one researcher recently stated:

“Even before significant muscle wasting becomes apparent, ageing is associated with a slowing of movement and a gradual decline in muscle strength, factors that increase the risk of injury from sudden falls and the reliance of the frail elderly on assistance in accomplishing even basic tasks of independent living. Sarcopenia is recognized as one of the major public health problems now facing industrialized nations, and its effects are expected to place increasing demands on public healthcare systems worldwide”

Sarcopenia and osteoporosis are directly related conditions, one often following the other. Muscles generate the mechanical stress required to keep our bones healthy; when muscle activity is reduced it exacerbates the osteoporosis problem and a vicious circle is established, which accelerates the decline in health and functionality.

What defines sarcopenia from a clinical perspective? Sarcopenia is defined as the age-related loss of muscle mass, strength and functionality. Sarcopenia generally appears after age 40 and accelerates after the age of approximately 75. Although sarcopenia is mostly seen in physically inactive individuals, it is also commonly found in individuals who remain physically active throughout their lives. Thus, it’s clear that although physical activity is essential, physical inactivity is not the only contributing factor. Just as with osteoporosis, sarcopenia is a multifactorial process that may involve decreased hormone levels (in particular, GH, IGF-1, MGF, and testosterone), a lack of adequate protein and calories in the diet, oxidative stress, inflammatory processes, chronic, low level, diet-induced metabolic acidosis, as well as a loss of motor nerve cells.

A loss of muscle mass also has far ranging effects beyond the obvious loss of strength and functionality. Muscle is a metabolic reservoir. In times of emergency it produces the proteins and metabolites required for survival after a traumatic event. In practical terms, frail elderly people with decreased muscle mass often do not survive major surgeries or traumatic accidents, as they lack the metabolic reserves to supply their immune systems and other systems critical for recovery.
There is no single cause of sarcopenia, as there is no single cause for many human afflictions. To prevent and/or treat it, a multi-faceted approach must be taken, which involve hormonal factors, dietary factors, supplemental nutrients, and exercise.

Dietary considerations

The major dietary considerations that increase the risk of sarcopenia are: a lack of adequate protein, inadequate calorie intake, and low level, chronic, metabolic acidosis. Although it’s generally believed the “average” American gets more protein then they require, the diets of older adults are often deficient. Compounding that are possible reductions in digestion and absorption of protein, with several studies concluding protein requirements for older adults are higher than for their younger counterparts. These studies indicate that most older adults don’t get enough high quality protein to support and preserve their lean body mass.

There is an important caveat on increasing protein, which brings us to the topic of low level, diet-induced, metabolic acidosis. Typical Western diets are high in animal proteins and cereal grains, and low in fruits and vegetables. It’s been shown that such diets cause a low grade metabolic acidosis, which contributes to the decline in muscle and bone mass found in aging adults. One study found that by adding a buffering agent (potassium bicarbonate) to the diet of post-menopausal women the muscle wasting effects of a “normal” diet were prevented. The researchers concluded the use of the buffering agent was “… potentially sufficient to both prevent continuing age-related loss of muscle mass and restore previously accrued deficits.”

The take home lesson from this study is that – although older adults require adequate intakes of high quality proteins to maintain their muscle mass (as well as bone mass), it should come from a variety of sources and be accompanied by an increase in fruits and vegetables as well as a reduction of cereal grain-based foods. The use of supplemental buffering agents such as potassium bicarbonate, although effective, does not replace fruits and vegetables for obvious reasons, but may be incorporated into a supplement regimen.

As most are aware, with aging comes a general decline in many hormones, in particular, anabolic hormones such as Growth Hormone (GH), DHEA, and testosterone. In addition, researchers are looking at Insulin-like Growth factor one (IGF-1) and Mechano Growth factor (MGF) which are essential players in the hormonal milieu responsible for maintaining muscle mass as well as bone mass. Without adequate levels of these hormones, it’s essentially impossible to maintain lean body mass, regardless of diet or exercise.

It’s been shown, for example, that circulating GH declines dramatically with age. In old age, GH levels are only one-third of that in our teenage years. In addition, aging adults have a blunted GH response to exercise as well as reduced output of MGF, which explains why older adults have a much more difficult time building muscle compared to their younger counterparts. However, when older adults are given GH, and then exposed to resistance exercise, their MGF response is markedly improved, as is their muscle mass.

Another hormone essential for maintaining lean body mass is testosterone. Testosterone, especially when given to men low in this essential hormone, has a wide range of positive effects. One review looking at the use of testosterone in older men concluded:

“In healthy older men with low-normal to mildly decreased testosterone levels, testosterone supplementation increased lean body mass and decreased fat mass. Upper and lower body strength, functional performance, sexual functioning, and mood were improved or unchanged with testosterone replacement”

Contrary to popular belief, women also need testosterone! Although women produce less testosterone, it’s as essential to the health and well being of women as it is for men.

The above is a highly generalized summary and only the tip of the proverbial iceberg regarding various hormonal influences on sarcopenia. A full discussion on the role of hormones in sarcopenia is well beyond the scope of this article. Needless to state, yearly blood work after the age of 40 is essential to track your hormone levels, and if needed, to treat deficiencies via Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). Private organizations like the Life Extension Foundation offer comprehensive hormone testing packages, or your doctor can order the tests. However, HRT is not for everyone and may be contraindicated in some cases. Regular monitoring is required, so it’s essential to consult with a medical professional versed in the use of HRT, such as an endocrinologist.

There are several supplemental nutrients that should be especially helpful for combating sarcopenia, both directly and indirectly. Supplements that have shown promise for combating sarcopenia are creatine, vitamin D, whey protein, acetyl-L-carnitine, glutamine, and buffering agents such as potassium bicarbonate.

Creatine

The muscle atrophy found in older adults comes predominantly from a loss of fast twitch (FT) type II fibers which are recruited during high-intensity, anaerobic movements (e.g., weight lifting, sprinting, etc.). Interestingly, these are exactly the fibers creatine has the most profound effects on. Various studies find creatine given to older adults increases strength and lean body mass. One group concluded: “Creatine supplementation may be a useful therapeutic strategy for older adults to attenuate loss in muscle strength and performance of functional living tasks.”

Vitamin D

It’s well established that vitamin D plays an essential role in bone health. However, recent studies suggest it’s also essential for maintaining muscle mass in aging populations. In muscle, vitamin D is essential for preserving type II muscle fibers, which, as mentioned above, are the very muscle fibers that atrophy most in aging people. Adequate vitamin D intakes could help reduce the rates of both osteoporosis and sarcopenia found in aging people leading the author of one recent review on the topic of vitamin D’s effects on bone and muscle to conclude: “In both cases (muscle and bone tissue) vitamin D plays an important role since the low levels of this vitamin seen in senior people may be associated to a deficit in bone formation and muscle function”
and “We expect that these new considerations about the importance of vitamin D in the elderly will stimulate an innovative approach to the problem of falls and fractures which constitutes a significant burden to public health budgets worldwide.”

Whey protein

As previously mentioned, many older adults fail to get enough high quality protein in their diets. Whey has an exceptionally high biological value (BV), with anti-cancer and immune enhancing properties among its many uses. As a rule, higher biological value proteins are superior for maintaining muscle mass compared to lower quality proteins, which may be of particular importance to older individuals. Finally, data suggests “fast” digesting proteins such as whey may be superior to other proteins for preserving lean body mass in older individuals.

Exercise is the lynchpin to the previous sections. Without it, none of the above will be an effective method of preventing/treating sarcopenia. Exercise is the essential stimulus for systemwide release of various hormones such as GH, as well as local growth factors in tissue, such as MGF. Exercise is the stimulus that increases protein and bone synthesis, and exerts other effects that combat the loss of essential muscle and bone as we age. Exercise optimizes the effects of HRT, diet and supplements, so if you think you can sit on the couch and follow the above recommendations…think again.

Although any exercise is generally better then no exercise, all forms of exercise are not created equal. You will note, for example, many of the studies listed at the end of this article have titles like: “GH and resistance exercise” or “creatine effects combined with resistance exercise” and so on. Aerobic exercise is great for the cardiovascular system and helps keep body fat low, but when scientists or athletes want to increase lean mass, resistance training is always the method. Aerobics does not build muscle and is only mildly effective at preserving the lean body mass you already have. Thus, some form of resistance training (via weights, machines, bands, etc.) is essential for preserving or increasing muscle mass. The CDC report on resistance exercise for older adults summarizes it as:

“In addition to building muscles, strength training can promote mobility, improve health-related fitness, and strengthen bones.”

Combined with HRT (if indicated), dietary modifications, and the supplements listed above, dramatic improvements in lean body mass can be achieved at virtually any age, with improvements in strength, functionality into advanced age, and improvements in overall health and general well being.

To summarize, to prevent or treat sarcopenia:

• Get adequate high quality proteins from a variety of sources as well as adequate calories. Avoid excessive animal protein and cereal grain intakes while increasing the intake of fruits and vegetables.

• Get regular blood work on all major hormones after the age of 40 and discuss with a medical professional if HRT is indicated.

• Add supplements such as: creatine, vitamin D, whey protein, acetyl-l-carnitine, glutamine, and buffering agents such as potassium bicarbonate.

• Exercise regularly – with an emphasis on resistance training – a minimum of 3 times per week.

I’m going to conclude this article the way most people would start it, with the good news and the bad news. The bad news is, millions of people will suffer from a mostly avoidable loss of functionality and will become weak and frail as they age from a severe loss of muscle mass. The good news is that you don’t have to be one of those people. One thing is very clear: it’s far easier, cheaper, and more effective to prevent sarcopenia – or at least greatly slow its progression – than it is to treat it later in life. Studies have found, however, that it’s never too late to start – so don’t be discouraged if you are starting your sarcopenia fighting program later in life. People following my programs for either weight loss or weight gain (in the form of muscle…) will be following the proper guidelines for avoiding sarcopenia.

Hair Loss and Bodybuilding

Everybody loses some hairs daily, for example, when combing or washing their hair, and this is a norm. But losing too much hair is a pathology and should be treated. Some start to lose hair in their twenties. The hair of others start to thin and fall out after a stress, while some people are just predisposed to hair loss and become bald gradually, as they age. Statistically men are affected by baldness much more often, than women. But what causes hair fall in men and how can it be treated?

About one of three men suffers from hair loss. Men are more predisposed to hair fall due to testosterone, the principal male sex hormone, which is normally present in a male’s body in larger amounts, than in a female’s one. In general hair fall can be caused by the following factors:

• stress,
• chemotherapy,
• pregnancy,
• overactive or malfunctioning thyroid gland,
• certain infections,
• iron deficiency,
• menopause

One of the side effects of anabolic steroids is baldness. This is due to the fact, that anabolic steroids contain this male sex hormone. As bodybuilding is associated with anabolic steroids, bodybuilders often suffer from this condition. Avoiding steroid abuse can help prevent hair loss.

No matter, what causes hair loss – stress or the intake of certain drugs, – the following procedures are proved to be effective against hair fall:

• hormone therapy,
• applying special lotions,
• hair transplantation.

The first way to treat baldness is hormone therapy. It hinders the male sex hormone affecting hair follicles and, thus, stops hair fall. It can be quite effective, if used during a long period of time. One of the disadvantages of hormone therapy is the fact, that the side effects of its long-term use are unknown. By the way, it’s not recommended to bodybuilders, as it can hinder muscle growth, which is actually the aim of every bodybuilder.

In addition to hormone therapy, there are also local solutions of the hair fall problem, such as using topical lotions containing minoxidil (Brand name: Rogaine). They are applied directly to the scalp. Such lotions improve blood circulation of the hair follicles, which slows down hair loss. There has not been carried out any studies on the interaction of lotions containing minoxidil and anabolic steroids taken intramuscularly or orally.

Today hair transplantation has become pretty popular among men wanting to stop losing their hair. It is a surgical procedure and involves the following: the hair follicles are taken from one part of the head (or the body) and are then implanted in the “problematic zones”. This procedure is very promising to give men losing hair their head of hair back. Besides, it can be used by bodybuilders, as there hasn’t been found contraindications.
Before choosing this or that method of hair loss treatment, consult a qualified doctor.

Smart Bodybuilding Nutrition

There is so much confusing and contradictory information out there about healthy eating.  I will try to summarize what I have learned as a bodybuilder who wants to stay healthy as I age.  The choices of foods that we can now can have a significant effect not only on our body shape and quality of life, but also  mortality and on how well we age.

The components of whole food.
Foods are made up of many different components—some are “micro” or smaller quantity nutrients, like vitamins, and some are “macro” or larger quantity nutrients. The three macro groups that compose the majority of our diets are carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. These three units are the basic materials that fuel our activities and metabolism and maintain body composition. Selecting the best sources and amounts of these three macronutrients may help to minimize metabolic disorders (such as high cholesterol and blood sugar) and prevent loss of lean body mass and accumulation of body fat.)

The best carbohydrates.
Carbohydrates provide our body’s main source of quick energy. After carbohydrates are digested and after some processing by the liver, they are released into the bloodstream as a sugar called glucose to be delivered to the cells.

Insulin and insulin resistance.
The hormone insulin is produced by the pancreas to control blood sugar and store it in muscles for later use as glycogen. Insulin’s main job in the body is to promote the delivery of sugar energy as glucose to cells. When a small amount of glucose is delivered into the bloodstream, a small amount of insulin is produced by the pancreas to accompany it. When there is a large amount of glucose, the pancreas works to produce a large amount of insulin to facilitate its delivery so that cells can take in as much glucose as possible. Extra glucose that cannot be taken in by the cells circulates in the bloodstream and can be toxic to brain cells, so under normal circumstances, most of it is soon converted into triglycerides (fat) in the liver to be stored for later use. But we have to be careful with high blood levels of triglycerides, since they are what feed fat cells.
The correct amount of carbohydrate sources will provide enough sugar to give a healthy amount of glucose to the cells, but not too much at once. Thus, levels of glucose and insulin in the bloodstream are not unusually elevated for any long period of time. The pancreas works, but it is not overworked trying to keep up with an unusual demand for insulin.  However, in the U.S., much of the diet consists not only of large amounts of high-calorie carbohydrate sources, but also of carbohydrates from sweets and sodas, which are very concentrated sources of sugar. The net effect that intake of these calorie-dense carbohydrate foods creates is a bloodstream that is occasionally flooded with large amounts of glucose, a pancreas that is overworked, and large amounts of insulin and triglycerides circulating in the bloodstream. Note that excess insulin causes increased production of cholesterol.

Over time, these occasional glucose, triglyceride, and insulin floods can cause a decrease in the sensitivity of the cells’ response to insulin, which reduces the cells’ ability to take in glucose. Insensitivity to insulin is called insulin resistance, and it is a serious consideration in metabolic problems. Some HIV medications can worsen insulin resistance, so we need to be aware of nutritional considerations that can help. Ways to decrease insulin resistance are to exercise, follow a proper diet, and taking medications that improve insulin response. For instance, several studies have found that people consuming an overall high-quality diet, rich in fiber and adequate in energy and protein, were less likely to gain fat. This is why it is best to select the majority of your carbohydrate intake from fiber-rich, slow-releasing carbohydrate sources that do not contain an excessive amount of calories. And these good carbs should be accompanied by good sources of protein and fats.

Combining carbohydrates with protein, fiber, and fat.
Protein, fiber, or fat will slow the absorption into the blood of glucose from carbohydrates, which helps to reduce the rise in blood sugar and insulin spikes. So, mixing carbohydrates with protein, fiber, and good fats is one way to reduce their problematic effect on blood sugar and insulin. Ensure that every meal and snack you consume has a mix of these three macronutrients. But what are the best fats, protein, and high-fiber carbohydrates sources out there?

Fats and oils.
The main point is that since we need EFAs and other fats for health, we should be getting them in our diets from fresh, high-quality sources. A proper diet reduces the amount of starchy carbohydrates while maintaining a certain amount of healthy fats so that there is a different macronutrient balance than the old high-carbohydrate, high-protein, low-fat diets contained. This means striving to get fatty acids from several sources, the least of which are the saturated fats in butter or animal fat. Understand that saturated fats are not the demons we have been led to believe. When we realize that we evolved getting a certain amount of saturated fat from foods in the wild, it is only logical that they would have a place in a healthy diet. One recent study showed that dietary saturated fat and mono-unsaturated fat were associated with healthy testosterone production in humans, while EFAs had no effect. So it appears that we need a little saturated fat for optimal hormonal health. However, most people get far too much saturated fat, which promotes insulin resistance and metabolic problems, and not enough EFAs, which are needed for healthy cells and immune function.
The other important kind of fat that we should consciously include in our daily diet is mono-unsaturated fat, which we get from foods like olive oil. Recent data have shown that mono-unsaturated fats decrease the risk of certain cancers, and have an anti-inflammatory effect.

Fatty acid recommendations.
EFAs include the omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Most people get an imbalance of these two by consuming too small an amount of omega-3 fats, which have anti-inflammatory properties, and relatively too large an amount of omega-6 fats, which tend to promote inflammation when out of balance. To get more omega-3s, eat more fish, including salmon, tuna, sardines, anchovies, mackerel, rainbow trout, and herring. Omega-6s are contained in common vegetable oils, like sunflower, safflower, and corn oils. Try to reduce your intake of these.

Oils and cooking.
Olive oil is one of the best oils to cook with. For sauteing that exposes oil to high temperatures, you can also cook with high-oleic sunflower oil, avocado, canola, macadamia, or any oil that is high in mono-unsaturated fatty acids.
Avoid cooking with oils made from corn and sesame. These oils contain more omega-6 fats, and less mono-unsaturated fats, so they have a higher potential for spoiling and turning to trans-fats, which are bad for the immune system. Try to avoid any intake of these oils when they are not absolutely fresh.
Also, choose oils that are minimally processed. Most of the clear oils in supermarkets are stripped of some of their natural components to make them more suitable for sitting on store shelves for long periods of time without spoiling. Do not use these stripped oils. When you do cook, do not overheat the oil so that it smokes, which causes the formation of carcinogens and destroys the beneficial fatty acids.

Avoid margarine, hydrogenated fats, or processed oils.
Do your best to avoid processed fats or oils, as they have negative effects on cellular health, overall metabolism, and your immune system. Look out for the words hydrogenated and partially-hydrogenated. These kinds of manipulated fats probably do increase the risk of cancer and heart disease. They also weaken healthy cellular immune metabolism. Lastly, they are also likely to promote high lipid levels and insulin resistance.

Protein, food for the immune system.
Dairy protein fractions, such as caseine (contained in milk curd) and whey, are at the top of the list of proteins that optimally feed lean body mass growth. In dairy products, the amino acid balances, insulin-raising potential, and overall growth factor content add up to one thing: milk proteins were created to make mammals grow bigger. While there is a lot of hoopla related to which dairy protein fractions are best, there is more misinformation than reality in this area. Those with lactose intolerance should be careful in their selection of milk-based products. Aged cheeses and yogurt may be more tolerable for those who cannot digest lactose.

Benefits of Dianabol - Methandrostenolone advantages

Methandrostenolone (also known as Dbol and Dianabol) is one of the best anabolic steroids and performance enhancing drugs when it comes to improving mood, self-esteem, appetite, and self-confidence enhancements and normalizing effect on all functions of the body. Use of this anabolic steroid is also associated with nearly permanent glycogenolysis, nitrogen storage, protein synthesis, muscle mass, muscle function, and body strength gains.

Categorized as a Schedule III drug under the Anabolic Steroid Control Act of 1990, Methandrostenolone is medically recommended to people suffering with osteoporosis and health complications requiring improved protein synthesis. It is routinely prescribed by medical practitioners for treating health conditions like chronic adrenocortical insufficiency, thyrotoxicosis, interstitial-pituitary insufficiency, diabetic angiopathies (retinopathy and nephropathy), steroidal diabetes, and pituitary dwarfism.

Dianabol has a profound effect on protein metabolism and promotes well being by facilitating positive nitrogen balance besides promoting physical and mental state and improving sleep patterns. This steroid is commonly part a part of a long bulking cycle and multiple doses of it are required to be taken throughout the day because of its short active life. The recommended dose of Methandrostenolone is 25-50 mg per day when taken orally and 50-150 mg per week when taken in an injectable form and it is commonly stacked with testosterone enanthate, Nandrolone, Anadrol, Proviron, testosterone propionate, Trenbolone acetate, and testosterone cypionate. This anabolic steroid is not advised to people suffering from health problems like testicular atrophy, testicular cancer, prostate cancer, breast cancer, liver damage, kidney damage, stroke, high blood pressure, and respiratory problems.

Letrozole by QD Labs - exceptional estrogen reducer

Letrozole is considered to be one of the most widely used estrogen reducers in today’s steroid market. This is because it can offer greater benefits than Nolvadex or Proviron when it comes to reducing or eliminating estrogen levels. This drug is also used by members of the medical fraternity for handling cases of infertility for ovulation induction. In addition to that, it is also hailed as an exceptional product when it comes to reversing the spread and extent of breast cancer after treatment options such as Tamoxifen therapy have failed to deliver any results.

Femara is chemically described as 4,4′-(1H-1,2,4Triazol-1-ylmethylene)dibenzonitrile and has the molecular weight of 285.31 g/mol. The inactive ingredients of Femara tablets are colloidal silicon dioxide, ferric oxide, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, maize starch, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, odium starch glycolate, talc, and titanium dioxide.

Letrozole and Bodybuilding

Letrozole can reduce the levels of estrogens in bodybuilders and others by as much as 98 percent, which is more than what Proviron and Nolvadex can offer. Furthermore, it facilitates improvements in the levels of luteinizing hormone, sex hormone-binding globulin, and follicle-stimulating hormone to a great extent. This means that bodybuilders on anabolic steroids do not need to worry about water retention, acne, or gynecomastia. In short, this miracle drug is best for both bulking and cutting cycles that involve harsh androgens.
Recommended dose of Letrozole

The recommended dose of Letrozole is 2.5 mg per day, with or without meals.

It is important to note that Letrozole tablets are required to be kept at a controlled temperature of 25°C (77°F) with excursions permitted up to 15-30°C (59-86°F).