Anabolic steroids are synthetic substances that are related to the way male sex hormones work. Steroids work to promote skeletal muscle growth and the development of male sexual characteristics in both men and women. It is believed that it was during the 1930s that scientists discovered that anabolic steroids could, in fact, promote skeletal muscle growth and this unfortunately led to the abuse of steroid supplements, firstly by bodybuilders and weightlifters, and then by other athletes in a variety of situations. Different sports. It has gotten to the point now that steroid abuse is so widespread in athletics that it can affect the outcome of some competitions and more and more athletes are being disqualified for using illicit supplements.
Prohormones are structurally similar, completely natural, and have some functional differences that make them “safer” as oral agents. Although they cannot reach the insane levels that steroids can reach, they can reach “sane” levels of increased androgens. One study using 5-DHEA indicates that it increases testosterone levels by up to approximately 500mg of testosterone injections per week! However, you can’t just buy 5-DHEA and expect these kinds of results. Also, they are not conclusive, but they give an idea of how much can be done with real prohormones. Prohormones need enzymes for them to activate and that limiting factor is what may allow them to actually be safer. Also, typical REAL prohormones (not gray market steroids) do not contain liver stressors. Real prohormones that are legal by DSHEA standards do not contain the 17amethyl group that causes liver stress. If you see this in the formula, stay away. The industry has turned away from responsible manufacturers who have no idea what they are doing and are making very ugly cocktails that are throwing caution to the wind.
One of the main reasons people abuse steroids is that they can see the impact it has on their body and the improvement it has on their athletic performance. In recent years, experts have implemented strict methods to detect steroid abuse in athletics; however, there are some newer designer drugs that may escape detection, so the problem is not solved. Still, it is shown that people who use steroids and prohormones are not athletes or school children, but adults who have college degrees and who want to look and feel their best. The environment is full of estrogens like the alarming BPA or Bisphenol A, which is found in most soda bottles and plastics. BPA can act like estrogen in the body, upsetting its normal balance. In this case, prohormones and steroids can benefit people. Also, one of the main “fears”, which is prostate cancer, seems to have more to do with estrogen than with androgens like testosterone. Compared to xenoestrogens in the environment, I personally see no reason not to take things like prohormones to bring the body back into balance.
Many people turn to steroids to increase the size of their muscles or reduce the amount of body fat they carry. Although steroids are effective for enhancing performance and increasing muscle mass, they are not without their problems. Oral anabolic steroids can have very profound effects on the various organs of the human body. The severity of the damage done to the body depends on the type of drug used, the amount and the duration of steroid use. Injectable steroids are believed to have fewer adverse effects compared to oral medications due to the 17amethyl functional group.
The liver can be damaged by taking oral anabolic steroids, and use can lead to cysts, fibrosis, benign and malignant tumors, and generally cause the liver to deteriorate at a faster rate than expected. If the liver is exposed to high levels of oral steroids, stressors can be released. Only oral steroids with the 17a methyl group have this problem and only if the products are abused. Still, with the jerks creating these cocktails, it is absolutely essential to omit these 17aMethyl variants for both scheduled and unscheduled variants. Also, it is important not to drink or abuse other drugs when taking illegal oral steroids. True natural prohormones do not have these side effects, except for the possible temporary interruption of natural LH production, which can reduce natural testosterone production. Since you are supplementing with external androgens, this is not a problem while you are “on cycle”. People tend to take things like Nolvedex and Arimidex on the black market or take agents like 3-Beta-Hydroxy-Urs-12-En-28-Oic Acid and 2-Phenyl-Di-Benzyl-Benzopyran-4-One available as Natural supplements. These, plus things like ellagic acid and resveratrol, can help make your recovery faster, but it will happen on its own either way.
Anabolic steroids are closely related to male hormones such as testosterone, if the drugs are abused the male reproductive system is at risk of damage. Long-term exposure can cause the intensity of male hormones like LH and FSH to drop dramatically and a person might even suffer from the development of man boobs. However, this has been shown to recover in a decent amount of time on its own. Prohormones are similar, but again they don’t have the liver stressors. Products like LG Sciences’ Methyl 1-D can counteract these effects with the inclusion of anti-aromatase agents and estrogen blockers, making it one of the few products that meets my criteria for a valid formula.
Women taking anabolic steroids are also at risk of harm, as they can affect levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone, which in turn can lead to a disturbed menstrual cycle. Taking steroids can even lead to acne, hair loss, facial hair, and breast reduction in women. If women are going to take them, they are better off taking nandrolone derivatives like 19NorDHEA. This is because the main virulizing aspect, conversion to DHT, is absent and replaced by the more benign DHN.
Those who take oral steroids increase the risk of blood clots forming in the blood vessels, and the medications can potentially disrupt blood flow around the body. This can have a serious effect on the heart so much so that it will not be able to pump blood throughout the body as well as having the potential to raise cholesterol. It’s important to get checked out before using any legal or illegal hormones to make sure you don’t have a pre-existing condition. Also, it doesn’t hurt to take some supportive supplements like CoQ10, Hawthorn Berry, Fish Oil, and N-Acetyl-Cystine. Prohormones like Methyl 1-D already have some of these aspects built in, but additional supplementation is always a good idea.
Steroids are illegal in the US and are on a Schedule III controlled substance list. Selling or carrying these agents can carry a heavy fine. True prohormones like Methyl 1D are exempt from these lists and enjoy them due to their relative safety. Also, true prohormones must comply with DSHEA, which is FDA law. Very few products meet this criteria and anything with a 17-methyl is immediately in violation of DSHEA.
If you want the best balance of hormones for your body, check out Methyl 1-D from LG Sciences, it has a host of nutrients that should help increase conversion and reduce side effects. Of course, the science is preliminary and cannot be considered conclusive, and results always depend on proper diet and exercise. Additionally, this article does not constitute medical advice and always consult with your physician before beginning any diet and exercise program in conjunction with supplementation. Used correctly, I believe that Methyl 1-D is a safe alternative to illegal steroids, but it should only be used by people over the age of 21.
