Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Coenzyme Q10 part 3

Dosing

For individuals who want to build their bodies, it is recommended that one take about 200 mg/4 times a day. The total should not exceed 1200mg. CoQ10 is also available as a Soya bean oil suspension which can be pasted on the skin or applied on gums in the mouth.

The pills are available in most health food stores. Because there is concern about the quality and quantity of CoQ10 in each formulation, it is highly recommended that one go to a reputable dealer. Fakes and contaminants in health supplements are not unheard off.

Side effects

CoQ10 is generally regarded as a safe supplement. However, there is not enough scientific data to recommend its use in children, pregnant females or those who are breast feeding.

The most common side effects of CoQ10 are an itch or a rash. This resolves when the supplement is discontinued. Other rare side effects of CoQ10 include stomach upset, nausea, diarrhea and headaches.

Diabetic should be warned that CoQ10 can lower levels of blood sugars and they need to monitor the sugar levels more closely when taking this supplement.
CoQ10 has also been found to lower the blood pressure in some individuals.

Coenzyme Q10 part 2

CoQ10 and exercise performance

Over the years many athletes have been taking CoQ10 to boost their performance in sports. CoQ10 is widely available without a prescription. There have also been many studies conducted on the benefits of CoQ10 in exercise performance. While some studies have shown little benefit, there are others which have shown moderate benefit, especially when it comes to activities that require spontaneous bursts of activity. Many athletes who have taken CoQ10 claim that they have performed well when taking CoQ10 supplements.

In some medical disorders like muscular dystrophies, CoQ10 supplements have also shown some improvement. Why some individuals improve and build muscle and others do not is not really well understood.

In some long distance sports, CoQ10 supplements have been shown to improve endurance and performance.

How long one needs to take CoQ10 to get exercise benefits is not known. Most studies indicate that at least 4-6 weeks of daily consumption is required.

CoQ10 and exercise performance

Coenzyme Q10 is a health supplement widely used by many people. CoQ10 is also known as Kaneka Q10, Ubiquinone, vitamin q10, Solu Q10.

Some individuals use Coenzyme Q10 to prevent medical diseases, others use it to cure medical disorders and others use it to boost their exercise performance. Coenzyme Q10 is a naturally occurring compound manufactured in the body. It is essential in the functioning of cell at molecular level. What is not well understood is what CoQ10 exactly does. There is a lot of evidence that it is a potent compound and plays a role in the generation of energy. That is why it is found in the highest concentrations in liver, brain, heart and kidneys.

Coenzyme Q10 or CoQ10 for short has been claimed to cure many diseases and prevent others. The puzzling feature about this compound is that it is known that levels do decline as we age. However, this decline in levels is not consistent and not directly linked to any diseases. Some individuals have low levels and have no diseases; where other individuals have high levels of CoQ10 and have some type of disease. CoQ10 deficiencies may occur if the body does not manufacture the substance or if there is impaired synthesis. Some people may have CoQ10 deficiency due to poor dietary intake.
Levels of CoQ10 can definitely be increased by taking supplement of this substance, but it is not known what really happens to this extra supplement.

Dealers who sell CoQ10 recommend it for the treatment of many medical disorders but there is little evidence that it does anything. CoQ10 has been widely tested in humans and animals. For short term use it is pretty safe. Long term data on safety of CoQ10 are not available

Sunday, May 3, 2009

Arecoline- boosting performance part 3

Bodybuilders

Betel nut chewing to extract the alkaloid arecoline is now being utilized by many body builders. The alkaloid when acutely ingested can cause a variety of responses in the body which can mimic a aggressive fight response or what is known as boosting. Some individuals can develop a sudden increase in blood pressure, rapid breathing, flushing of face and a spontaneous increase in energy. This sudden urge of cardiorespiratory stimulus is said to provide intensity for athletes to perform well in short duration sports like sprints and weight lifting. Called boosting, this is a very active area of research.

Most athletes are not keen on taking steroids and there is always a risk of getting caught. Plus the steroids have to be taken for a long time to see a response. However, now with products like Arecoline, one can produce boosting of the body’s physiological system and provide extra energy.

A number of athletes have used boosting to produce sudden increases in their cardiorespiratory system by piercing themselves with safety pins. The sudden increase in the sympathetic drive produces an intense burst of energy. This sudden charge is known to improve athletic performance. The response is physiological and legal.

Betel nut has no medical use. It is primarily used as a stimulant for most users. Chinese herbs are often mixed with Arecoline to treat parasites but today we have safer alternative drugs. Others market arecoline herbs as an aphrodisiac and as an anti aging therapy.

Like any chemical, betel nut is safe when chewed occasionally. There is evidence that persistent chewing of betel nut can in fact lead to decreased libido and cloud the mind. Dizziness, vomiting, diarrhea and convulsions have been reported in individuals who have ingested raw Arecoline. The classic features of a betel nut chewer are poor oral hygiene and darkly stained teeth and gums
Because of the nicotinic properties of Arecoline, there is now active research to determine if the alkaloid is beneficial in Alzheimer’s dementia. So far Alzheimer’s disease does not appear to be affected.

Status in Sport

Arecoline, the active ingredient in betel nut, is prohibited under the World Anti-Doping Code 20076 Prohibited List (effective from 01/01/07). Arecoline is considered a related substance to class 1A-stimulants.

Availability

Betel nut is readily available in most asian and chinese stores. The cost of betel nut can vary from $1-$2 for a single leafy package.

Legal
Betel nut chewing is legal in the USA

Arecoline- boosting performance part 2

Physiological effects

Arecoline and various other alkaloids in the betel nut all appear to have a variety of nicotinic like actions. The effects are mainly central but there are also some peripheral effects. In small doses, the nut can produce euphoric effects which last as long as the nut is being chewed.

When excess betel nut is chewed at any one point, the symptoms can be acute. One can develop an intense flush, sweat, stomach cramps, urinary incontinence, confusion, a rush of energy and memory lapse. However, for the average consumer chewing betel nut is like smoking marijuana- it produces a nice sedate feeling.

The effects of chewing betel nut are strictly related to the oily volatile Arecoline, which works like nicotine. Nicotine is a known stimulant of the parasympathetic system and can generate a range of effects including a heightened sense of awareness as well as increased salivation, heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature and intestinal function.

Negative side effects

Betel nut also has some negatives. There is evidence that chewing betel nut on a regular basis can lead to physical and psychological dependence. Besides, the nut can lead to poor oral hygiene, chronic ulcers in the mouth and there is a strong link to oral cavity cancers.

The carcinogenic properties of betel nut are linked to arecoline, arecaidine and safrole. Oral cavity cancers are very common in SE asia where betel nut chewing is common.

Betel nut or arecoline alkaloid related products are also frequently found in many chinese medicines. Often these chinese medications are used as diuretics and to treat a number of parasites.

In 2006, California became the first state to pass a bill listing Areca nut as carcinogenic and there are efforts by the state to reinforce the removal of this product from all health food stores.

Arecoline- Boosting performance in Sports

Chewing of betel nut is akin to smoking in most of SE Asia. Chewing betel nut is an old age practice-perhaps more than 4000 years old. The betel nut is broken into small pieces and placed in the mouth. The nut is slowly crushed and the sap is sucked. The small amount of oily water soluble residue is then swallowed. The betel nut is obtained from the Arexa catechu tree, a palm like tree in SE Asia. Today, various formulations of the chewable nut are available. The nut is grinded or chopped into small pieces and placed inside a pepper leaf with small amount of lime, various spices (nutmeg, tumeric, cloves, chilli, coconut, sugar) or even tobacco.

These small green leafed packages are widely available in most Asian stores across the nation. Chewing betel nut is similar to chewing tobacco. All over Asia, one can see young man with their mouth full of this concoction. Unlike tobacco, the saliva is swallowed and not spit out. Because the nut is hard, the chewing can go on for hours. While it may look socially acceptable, it sure is not going to get you any type of professional job.

Asians have been aware of the stimulant properties of betel nut for centuries. The product is widely available and is relatively cheap. Claims are that chewing on the betel nut can elevate the spirit and relax the mind. Others have even found it to be a sex stimulant. In fact, it is widely believed that betel nut chewing can prolong erections and is frequently added as gift at bridal showers and at weddings.

There are reports that many young men in SE Asia chew on the nut and then take a love making break, instead of a coffee break. The ready to hump sensations last at least for 30-45 minutes.

The chief purpose of chewing betel nut is to extract out the alkaloids from it- the major one being arecoline. The Arecoline is an alkaloid and is extracted when a little amoutnt of lime is mixed with the betel nut. Chewing raw betel nut is like eating cardboard or chalk.

Energy in a bottle or a bar; part 4

In reality we live in a country where things are always hyped up or exaggerated. Often in sports the line between Truth and fallacy merge and no one seems to care as long as you win. The majority of these sports products are a waste of money and do nothing for the body. There is no doubt that some drinks and bars contain calories but these calories can just as well be obtained by eating a banana or an apple before a race.

For those who are into endurance sports like marathons, one needs calories and carbohydrates. While bars and gels do provide this, one can just as well eat a lot of pasta before a race. The majority of African runners, who generally tend to win all the long distance events including the marathons, simply say that these products do nothing. If you do not have talent to begin with, no amount of food is going to bring magic. There are instances when there is no natural food available before a race and then perhaps one of these sports foods is an alternative but it can never replace a decent meal.

There is not a single product out there in the sporting world which can substitute for good natural food. Every one of the synthetic products can't match real foods obtained from nature. A simple glass of milk does more than any drink available on the market. Other great natural foods that can rival any sporting foods are yogurts, cheese, nuts, peanut butter, toast, banana and apples but unfortunately no dealer wants to endorse Tiger Woods eating a banana- not exciting nor is it profitable.

Some athletes may benefit from these jeezed up high energy sport foods but for the majority they do very little except empty the pockets. People seem to forget that food and beverages were made to be enjoyed at home, not while running a marathon or lifting weights.

Conclusion

Energy drinks, bar, chocolates drinks and whatever else is out there in the world of sports are simply a business trying to make money. There is nothing wrong in making money but at least the manufacturers should be honest about their products. For all athletes, these sports foods are a waste of money and will do nothing. The ways things are going in the world of foods, never assume that all these products are healthy for you. Only suckers buy these energized foods hoping to develop talent. Talent does not come with foods- you either got it or you don’t .

If you are not an athlete and love to watch sports, drink any type of beverage. For the athlete who feels that he/she needs something energizing, go get yourself a beer. It is not only cheaper but provides some calories and is enjoyable.

Energy in a bottle or a bar; part 3

Carbohydrate Content (%): There has been a lot of research that has looked at the amount of carbohydrates in a sports drink. It is myth that more is better. Beverages which contain 6% carbohydrates (14 oz sugar per 8 oz fluid) provide the optimum sweetening and allow the stomach to empty and deliver energy to the body. Beverages which contain more than this amount of carbohydrates have been shown to cause stomach upset, heart burn or decrease the rate of stomach emptying. Running or performing with a stomach which is full of sugar only promotes nausea or vomiting- not to mention poor performance.

Type of Carbohydrate: Many studies have also looked at the type of carbohydrate in a sports drink. Some beverages have a lot of sugars like sucrose and others have fructose. Both these sugars require an active transport mechanism to across the intestine. Drinks which are high in fructose generally cause stomach upset as they diminish the transit time and delay absorption. For most people who consume fructose based sports drinks, a bloated feeling is common.

Electrolytes:
Almost all sports beverages have some sodium, chloride and potassium in the drinks. These electrolytes are essential for the absorption of nutrients, proper function of enzymes and nerve function. Sodium is always lost during exercise and thus is a requirement in all drinks.

Vitamins:
There is no evidence that addition of vitamin to a sports beverage can increase exercise performance. Manufacturers of sports beverages always hype up their drink with mega doses of vitamins. Vitamins function on a delayed basis and have no acute effects. There is no vitamin that can work in 1 hour and build your body or improve your exercise performance.

Minerals:
Many sports drinks have a range of minerals and elements. Having copper, zinc, iron, selenium, magnesium, calcium is great but they in fact do very little in 1-2 hours of exercise. Does anyone out there believe that a tiny amount of calcium dissolved in a drink can make anyone run faster or jump higher?
Carbonation: Many sports drinks are also carbonated. A lot of research has shown that carbonated drinks lead to heart burn and stomach bloating. Collection of a carbonated drink in stomach and exercise simple do not go together. And at the end of the day, you will be passing a lot of gas and God help anyone sitting next to you.

Preservatives:
Preservatives like sodium and potassium benzoate are commonly added to sports beverages. Excess use of these preservatives has been associated with gastric upset, worsening of peptic ulcer disease and throat burn.

Acidity: There have also been many studies on acidity of sports drinks. These studies have found that the higher the acidity of the beverage, the more damage it causes to the tooth enamel. Many athletes who consumed sports beverages for decades have been followed and have been found to have greater erosion of their teeth than those who consumed water.

Energy in a bottle or a bar; part 2

Sports drinks

For some unknown reason, everyone seems to believe that water is no longer important for athletes and that sports drinks fortified with unknown chemicals are great. There are thousands of sports drinks, cocktails, liquids and syrups available on the market. Some come in different colors; others come in different flavors but only a few come colorless. The majority of the sports drinks do nothing except rehydrate.

The only difference between sports drinks and water is calories and perhaps some electrolytes. For most people who are not active, water is the answer. For those who are athletes this can be achieved with any home made fruity drink or water.

There are companies who sell drinks made from vegetables, fruits with a whole bunch of chemicals like chromium, amino acids, free fatty acids, selenium, zinc, caffeine. Some claim that poly-lactated drinks can help improve endurance and reduce fatigue.
The point is there is absolutely no proof that these drinks do anything for anyone.

The majority of these sports drinks have ordinary ingredients like inositol, arginine, taurine and omega fatty acids. There is nothing special about any of these chemicals.

No one questions the fact that fluids and foods that contain more than water like carbohydrate and electrolytes are essential for adequate body function, as well as recuperation and repair. But the majority of extra nutrients are in fact useless. There is no evidence that drinking a beverage consisting of lots of carbohydrates or minerals can do anything to a body, except provide fluid. One does not question the value of vitamins or minerals in the diet, but these are not required during any exercise. In fact the majority of these high calories drinks can cause a heart burn; stomach upset or gives you diarrhea.

Energy in a bar and a bottle: more gimmicks for bodybuilders!

The world of sports has gone bonkers. Sure, there is an energy crisis in the real world, but is there a lack of energy in the sporting world? Is everyone limping, handicapped and not able to walk, run or jog anymore without drinking or eating something exotic? Are we going to solve the sporting crises by eating a chocolate bar or drinking Gatorade? Americans spend more than 5 billion dollars each year but does the average consumer derive any benefit from all these sports drinks?

Almost every professional athlete today carries his/her favorite beverage. Some of the drinks have exotic names, others have beautiful colors and yet others have different shapes of bottles. Even the names are colorful like Red Bull, Amp, Accelerade. Gatorade, Energize and Power Bar and so on. But are these drinks energizing or just a gimmick?
Sure, Tiger Woods takes a sip or two of his favorite drink on TV but he gets paid millions of dollars do to that. And I doubt that he would be any worse of as a golf player if he stopped drinking Gatorade. I have personally tried tasting many of these energizing drinks and the bottom line is that they suck- the majority are simply water with a bit of coloring and flavoring. The question whether these drinks have energy is again debatable. Sure, the pros endorse these drinks, but in reality the story is a lot more complex.

Today there are 100s of chocolates, bars, ices, goos, candy bars and they have all one common theme- eat us and you will be stronger, taller and faster than anyone else. Not to be outdone, there are also beverages with a multitude of vitamins and minerals- some vitamins which have yet to be discovered and again the vendors of these drinks claim that by consuming these beverages one will play better golf or throw the baseball better. And then there are other nutrients such as chocolates, cappuccinos, fudge and poppy seeds- claiming that one can walk to Mars and come back and yet not feel tired. The claims are exaggerated and hyped.

First of all, many of these beverage manufactures never actually reveal what is inside the drink except for the basic label whereas other manufacturers do reveal the entire gamut of what is in the drink.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Halotestin: good anabolic steroid to build the body part 4

Bodybuilders

The majority of bodybuilders use a slightly higher dose than what is used for medical patients. The most common dose is around 20-30 mg/day divided in 2-4 small doses. Some individuals take as much as 40 mg/day. The drug is taken with food and lots of water to prevent stomach cramps. Halotestin is easily absorbed from the stomach. Some individuals also combine Halotestin with other anabolic steroids to potentiate the effects. The most common combination is winstrol, Anavar and anadrol. Others have combined injectable testosterone preparations with Halotestin.

Most bodybuilders claim that weight gain is obvious at around 3-4 weeks. Further, there is also an improvement in exercise performance. However, when the drug is stopped, weight gain also starts to decline with time. To ensure that weight gain remains, others go on a low dose Clomid cycle for 2-3 weeks.

Unlike many other anabolic steroids, Halotestin is typically used for only a few weeks and not months. However, even though it does not have estrogen activity, it does have other potent side effects which limit its long term use.

The drug can be taken in orally and is rapidly absorbed from the stomach. The half life is about 9 hrs meaning that it can still be detected in the body for about 4-6 days.

Cost

Halotestin is not easily available on the black market. There are several Halotestin products out there made by the French, Greek and Italians. Halotestin when available is not cheap either. Each tablet of 5/10 mg is frequently sold for a dollar or more. The increasing market for this product has also created a list of fake products, especially from the Far East. So always get your Halotestin from a reputable dealer.

Detection

After a single dose, Halotestin can be detected in the urine for up to 4-6 days. However, advances in development have led to tests that can detect the metabolites of Halotestin for up to 45-60 days after the last dose. The drug is best used in preseason since the chances of undergoing testing are low.

Control


Halotestin is classified as a Schedule 3 drug according to the anabolic Steroids control Act. It is considered illegal to possess this drug without a physician’s prescription.

Halotestin: good anabolic steroid to build the body part 3

Side effects

Like all androgenic steroids, Halotestin also has a fair number of side effects. These side effects do not occur in all individuals. While side effects are rare, they are more prominent when the treatment is prolonged. The side effects include:

Females


- Menstrual irregularities
- Deepening of voice
- Clitoral enlargement
- Hair growth

Unfortunately clitoral enlargement is always not irreversible even after stopping treatment.

Males


- gynecomastia
- baldness
- acne
- oily skin
- water retention
- nausea, vomiting
- jaundice
- liver cancers (rare)
- decreased libido
- headache
- mental- anxiety, anger, depression
- allergic reactions

Warnings


Halotestin should be used with great caution in people with breast cancer as it can cause hypercalcemia. Long term use has been associated with development of liver cancer.

In children, Halotestin can accelerate bone development without compensating for gains in linear growth- resulting in grotesque features.

Contraindications

Halotestin should not be used in individuals who have:

- hypersensitivity to steroids
- males with breast cancer
- males with prostate cancer
- pregnant females
- individuals with serious heart or liver disease

Halotestin: good anabolic steroid to build the body part 2

Indications

Halotestin is indicated for the treatment of disorders where there is a deficiency or absence of testosterone. These testosterone deficiency conditions include:

- primary hypogonadism
- orchitis
- after surgery- orchidectomy
- brain tumors
- delayed puberty

In females, Halotestin is also used to treat several disorders which include:

- palliation of androgen responsive recurrent breast cancers
- those with breast cancer which is hormonal sensitive

Dose

The dose of Halotestin is usually influenced by the condition. It is usually administered in divided doses of 5-20 mg/day. The general principle is to give the highest dose and then taper it down once the response has been obtained. Doses are repeated over the day to ensure that blood levels remain high for the 24 hr period. Depending on the condition, most individuals receive this drug for 1 -6 months. Halotestin is only available as a tablet of 2, 5, or 10 mg.

Halotestin: good anabolic steroid to build the body

Halotestin is a synthetic anabolic steroid that has potent androgenic properties. Halotestin has been shown to increase growth and development of male sex organs and develop secondary sex characteristics. It can also increase protein anabolism, decrease protein catabolism and leads to positive nitrogen balance when sufficient calories are provided. Further, the steroid has ability to stimulate production of red blood cells by releasing erythropoietin from the kidneys. This leads to more hemoglobin and extra oxygen carrying capacity.

Halotestin is a very potent androgen and it is rapidly establishing itself as the anabolic drug of choice among many athletes. This synthetic drug has many ideal features for many bodybuilders. It is rapidly acting, is not converted to estrogen and can lead to significant improvement in exercise performance. Aggression and strength are two key features of the drug which have made it quite famous.

Detection of Anabolic steroids part 4

Causes of falsely positive tests

Often these tests are falsely positive, meaning that the test will show the presence of anabolic steroids but the individuals has not taken anything illegal. Some of the reasons for this include:

Taking oral contraceptives which contain norethisterone. Thus, all women must tell the sporting agencies what type of oral contraceptive they are taking

If someone is pregnant

Someone who has ingested animal products which have been injected with steroids

Some medical disorders where there is an overproduction of testosterone- usually cancers

Consumption of certain plants (yams) can induce a positive test

Cost

Testing for anabolic steroids using GCMS is relatively expensive. A single test costs anywhere from $150- $250 depending on who does it. Because testing can get to be expensive when done on hundreds of athletes, only random testing is performed. Often the tests have to be repeated to ensure that one has a true reading. Cost is a limiting factor and is the reason why these tests are not routinely done.

Final Word

Despite all the buzz about steroid testing, chances are likely that one will never get tested. In any case, the testing is getting sophisticated and can detect very low levels of anabolic steroids in the urine. The best way to not get caught is simply not use steroids.

Detection of Anabolic steroids part 3

Home Urine Kits

The steroid detection kits can also be used at home, school or gym. The company usually sends a kit which contains sterile containers. One collects urine in the container and ships it back. Within a week, the results are ready.

Detection time frame

The detection of anabolic steroids in the urine is a tricky task. Not all steroids appear in the urine at the same time. Some steroids are excreted faster and can be detected in the urine in a few days after use. Other anabolic steroids remain in the body for months and can be detected in urine months after their use has been discontinued. Detection of testosterone in the urine is meaningless. Testosterone is a natural hormone and low amount are normally detected in urine of most males. However, when high levels of testosterone are detected in the urine, it is usually due to exogenous use.

Facts about Anabolic Steroid Testing in Urine

Laboratories who work in conjunction with sports agencies must be certified to ensure that they have decent quality and excellent staff.

The laboratories have a standard cutoff level of 2 ng/ml for all anabolic steroids. If the levels of an anabolic steroid are more than 2 ng/ml, it always raises suspicion of illegal use.

Since all tests can detect levels of testosterone and epitestosterone, the cut off point for these two steroids are different.

For Testosterone and epitestosterone, the ratios of two substances are compared in the urine. The cutoff is 4:1. In the healthy adult male, the ratio of testosterone and epitestosterone is roughly 1:1. when this ratio is altered, there is always suspicion of illegal steroid use. While the ratio of 4:1 is the standard cutoff, there are some laboratories that use a cut off of 6:1.

When the testosterone levels are 4 times or more than the levels of epitestosterone, it means that someone has been using anabolic steroids.

In the majority of cases, the naturally occurring testosterone will not be detected in urine unless the dose is greater than 2 ng/ml.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Detection of Anabolic steroids part 2

First a standard drug is run through the machine and a base line is developed. Then a random sample is run and if it matches the peaks of the standard, then you have tested positive.

The technique of GC-MS can not only detect anabolic steroids but thousands of other pharmaceutical products. The synthetic anabolic steroids that can be detected with the present system include the following:

Anabolic Steroid................Detection times


Anavar........................3 weeks
boldenone.....................5 months
Clenbuterol...................4 days
Durabolin (nandrolone)........12 months
Deca Durabolin................18 months
Equipose......................4-6 months
Finaplex (trenbolone..........4-6 months
Ganabol.......................4-6 months
Halotestin....................2 months
Maxigan.......................4-6 months
19 Norandrosterone............12 months
Nilavar (norathandrolone).....5-6 weeks
Oxandrolone...................3 weeks
Oxymetholone..................2 months
Parabolan.....................4-6 weeks
Primobolan....................4-6 weeks
Proviron (Mesterolone)........5-6 weeks
Stanozolol....................21 days
Sustanon......................3 months
testosterone undecanoate......7-12 days
testosterone propionate.......2 weeks
testosterone cypionate/enanthate3 months

Detection of Anabolic steroids

Detection of anabolic steroids is fast becoming a major industry. Laboratories have cropped up all over the nation and involve some of the best scientists in the country. The majority of such laboratories cater to the sporting industry and help detect illegal substance in the urine.

Most companies use the technique of Liquid chromatography-Mass spectrometry to detect anabolic steroids in the urine, hair or skin. The name sounds complex but it is a very simple technique. First a standard anabolic steroid is injected into the machine. The machine recognizes it and develops a curve with peaks. The peaks are then depicted on a timed graph. The data is stored in the computer as a reference. Then an unknown drug is injected into the machine. If it is the same drug as the standard, it will appear in the same position at the same time. This immediately tells the technician that the unknown drug has matched a standard drug. The latest devices can even compute dose of the drug. The amount of drug that can be detected with the latest machines is in nanograms (10-9 g). for those who do not know what this number means- take a sugar crystal and dissolve it in about 1 liter of fluid. Take a small amount of fluid (the size of a pinhead) and the machines can detect sugar molecules in that fluid.

When it comes to sports, urine/hair samples are randomly collected and injected into the machine and all peaks are analyzed to see if they match any known peaks from reference steroids.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Androstenedione 101 part 5

Legal Implications

Since the beginning of 2001, the Federal Government and many sports agencies have become concerned regarding the use of anabolic steroids among athletes. In March of 2004, the US senate introduced the Anabolic Steroid Control Act adding these drugs on to the controlled substances list. What this means is that anyone caught with these products without a legal prescription from a physician are committing a Federal crime. Later in April of 2004. Androstendione was taken off the market and is no longer available for sale. Today, the FDA and DEA closely monitor the sell of this drug, esp on the internet. The penalties for those caught in possession or distribution of this drug are harsh and include both monetary fines and jail time.

Cost


The product is widely sold over the internet. For a 30 day supply of 100 mg pills, cost is anywhere form $15-$50. However, one should be aware that there are many counterfeit products in cyberspace. Analysis of products bought over the internet have shown that many products claiming to be androstenedione are in fact fake and only contain a variety of harmless sugars.

Conclusion


The current recommendations are that androstenedione has minimal or no effects on the body and should not be taken to promote body growth. Plus, the long term side effects remain unknown. One other feature of this drug that all males should know is that androstenedione is also converted to the female sex hormone, estrogen- so unless a male is undergoing a sex change procedure, androstenedione should be avoided.

Today, the role of Androstenedione as an anabolic steroid is in question. Most of the manufacturers or sellers (esp. on the internet) claim that it can increase body mass and size. These claims are also made by many sports athletes. However, none of these claims are scientifically proven. In the end, one can decide what one wants- a smooth skin with a healthy body or lots of acne, oily skin, risk of heart disease and loss of sex drive- the choice is very simple- supersized body!

Androstenedione 101 part 4

Androstenedione Benefits?

When Androstenedione is taken by an individual, it can increase levels of serum testosterone within a few hours. The dose at which androstenedione increases testosterone levels is around 300 mg/day. Any dose lower than 200 mg/day does not increase levels of testosterone. However, there is no correlation between dose of androstenedione and levels of testosterone. Some individuals do show increase in testosterone and others do not- this is believed to be due to the rapid breakdown of testosterone.

Many studies have looked at effects of androstenedione on muscle mass and strength. At the lower doses (less than 100 mg/day), androstenedione has no effects on any organ in the body. At 300 mg per day, the data are controversial because all studies so far have been carried out in a non randomized fashion. Some studies do reveal an increase in muscle mass, and some show no effects. However, at higher then 300-500 mg/day, there are anecdotal reports that the drug does increase body mass. Furthermore, even these studies are conflicting because many individuals were also taking other supplements to promote muscle growth.

Potential Long-Term Risks

Androstenedione as such has no side effects. The side effects occur from conversion to the male sex hormone, testosterone and the female sex hormone, estrogen. The commonly reported side effects in individuals who take high doses of Androstenedione include:

Males

- breast enlargement
- growth of prostate
- risk of prostate cancer
- impotence
- loss of sex drive
- acne
- oily skin
- loss of hair

Females

- growth of facial hair
- deep voice
- enlargement of genitals
- risk of blood clots in the legs
- risk of endometrial cancer
- masculine features

the majority of these side effects reverse when the steroid stopped. some side effects in females are not always reversible.

Androstenedione 101 part 3

Detection

Another reason why androstenedione is preferred by athletes is that when the steroids is taken orally, levels of the drug decline very rapidly. This makes it undetectable within a few hours or even days. Because androstenedione levels can not be reliably measured, levels of testosterone are measured instead. The ratio of testosterone and epitestosterone is normally between 2-3:1. individuals who pump steroids can alter this ratio. Androstenedione can alter this ratio to about 10:1 or higher. According to the Olympic Committee, when this ratio is greater than 6:1, it is considered positive for abuse of anabolic steroids. Most athletes take androstenedione for a few months and then stop it a few weeks before a sporting event. This will gradually diminish levels of testosterone and hence avoid detection.

Dosing


Androstendione is available in various formulations. It can be taken as a pill, injection or a spray. The spray is usually placed underneath the tongue and results in very rapid absorption of the steroid. The dose of androstenedione is variable. Some bodybuilders take 100mg/day and others take 300 mg/day. The drug is taken for a few months for the best results. When androstenedione is taken as a pill, majority of it goes to the liver where it is immediately broken down into inactive metabolites. There are also other formulations of androstenedione which come as pastes or gels. These gels are simply rubbed or applied on skin and are slowly absorbed into the body. Their effectiveness is questionable because levels of androstenedione found in the body are very low. For Androstenedione to work as a anabolic steroid, it must be converted into testosterone.

Androstenedione 101 part 2

BodyBuilding

Androstendione is a naturally occurring steroid in the body that is manufactured by a number of organs including adrenals, ovary and testes. Androstenedione is then released into blood stream and rapidly converted into the male sex hormone, testosterone. Some androstenedione is also converted into the female sex hormone, estrogen, in peripheral (fatty) tissues. In all individuals, manufacture of androstenedione in adrenal gland is controlled by the pituitary hormone ACTH, whereas production of gonadal androstenedione is under control of gonadotrophins, LH and FSH.

There are several reasons why individuals take androstenedione.

The one major reason why anabolic steroids have become popular is that there is a wide spread belief that this agent can help increase body and muscle mass. For decades, sports athletes, both professionals and amateurs, have been trying to get a quick fix to their body size. Everyone wants to throw further, run faster, lift more and play better. While the exact number of athletes who take anabolic steroids is not known, the numbers are indeed high. The problem is not only in professional sports but also at college and high school level. The lure of money in professional sports has everybody pumping steroids . Surveys from schools indicate that at least 3-9% of all high school athletes have tried out some type of performance enhancing drug. And this includes both genders. The problem is not only seen in North America but appears to be common in Europe, Russia, and even some parts of Africa.

The first reason why androstenedione is hormone of choice by bodybuilders and athletes is because testosterone is not effective when taken orally. Testosterone is rapidly broken down by liver before it can interact with tissues. To circumvent this problem of rapid metabolism of testosterone, many formulations of androstenedione have been developed.

Androstenedione 101

Introduction

Androstenedione is a steroid-like chemical which acts as a precursor for synthesis of testosterone and estrogen. It is a known fact that androstenedione has anabolic properties. Androstenedione occurs naturally in the body but can also be manufactured synthetically. This steroid can be administered by mouth, injection or a nasal spray.

Because androstenedione is known to be converted into testosterone, there has been a lot of media hype about its potential as an anabolic steroid. Starting in the 60s, andostenedione was manufactured and has been sold as a dietary supplement. Often called Andro, it was widely available in most health and food stores. Andro received world wide attention after the Mark McGwire baseball scandal. In the last few years, Andro has continued to make news, especially in the field of professional baseball and cycling.

In cyberspace, both sellers and manufacturers of androstenedione claim that the steroid can rapidly increase muscle size and strength. These anabolic effects help to build a body which can tolerate extremes of exercise and help recovery after injury. Others claim that Androstenedione can increase sexual performance, make one look young and even grow hair. There is not one iota of scientific evidence to back up any of these claims. There are no rigorous controlled trials that have been done to document the fact that androstenedione has any anabolic properties or any other medical benefits. All data on androstenedione have been exaggerated by unscrupulous manufacturers and distributors of the product.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Prohormones & Bodybuilding 101 part 4

Formulations

The majority of prohormones which are available on the black market can be taken either as oral pills or oily suspensions which have to be injected. In most cases, the prohormones have a poor absorption rate when orally ingested. For better bioavailability, it is recommended that one buy the oily suspensions. The oily suspensions do sting when injected and the site has to be rotated.

Prohormones have to be taken for at least 4-6 weeks and cycled with other drugs to have the best effect. Not all prohormones work the same way in all individuals. Some individuals have different metabolism or enzyme activities and thus the conversion to testosterone may vary. Only a process or trial and error can tell which is the best prohormone for you. Be patient, exercise, eat a decent high protein diet and give yourself at least 4-8 weeks to see the results. If the drug works for you, gradually increase the dose in the next cycle. While stacking is hyped, this is a myth. The body can only build so much muscle at anyone point in time. People encourage stacking primarily because the first drug is ineffective. If the drug works, stick to it. Stacking also increases the chance of side effects.

Where to buy

There are many websites selling prohormones. Because of fakes or counterfeits, get a referral to a reputable site. Join a blog and ask questions. Many Mexican website do sell prohormones which are quite cheap. However, there is always a question about quality and quantity with these Mexican products. In the majority of cases, the prohormone is sold under a different name and often advertised as a health supplement.

Detection


One should not believe that prohormones cannot be detected in blood or urine. The sophisticated testing systems available today can easily identify almost any anabolic steroid in the urine anywhere from 5-22 days after the last dose.

Prohormones & Bodybuilding 101 part 3

Current prohormones

Androstenedione is widely available despite the ban by FDA. Some clinical research has shown that at least 5%-10% of the drug does get converted into testosterone when ingested. Androstenendione also gets converted into estrogen and thus a few males also develop breast enlargement. Androstenedione does work within a few weeks and most individuals begin to see results of muscle mass increase in 4-8 weeks. Like all anabolic steroids, Androstenedione also cases acne, mood changes, loss of hair, decreased libido and oily skin.

4 Androstenediol
is very similar to Androstenedione and also sold in some places as a prohormone. Because of it lipid solubility, at least 20% of the drug is converted into a testosterone. Unlike Androstenedione, it does not get converted to estrogen. It has a great advantage of being primarily anabolic with less androgenic effects.

19 Norandrostenedione gets converted to nortestosterone (AKA nandrolone). It does get converted into testosterone but not to dihyrdoxytestosterone. This makes the drug more anabolic and less androgenic. Of course if you ingest more, the drug will be converted into dihyrdoxytestosterone.

1 Androstenediol
and 1, 4, Androstenediol are very potent prohormones. It is claimed that the majority of these two prohormones get converted into testosterone and thus the prohormones have solid anabolic activity. Because the prohormones cannot be aromatized, no estrogens are formed. Side effects depend on the drug dosage ingested.

Methyl 1 testosterone when ingested does get converted into testosterone. It also does not get aromatized into an estrogen and one does not develop breast enlargement.

Prohormones & Bodybuilding 101 part 2

For decades anabolic steroids have had a bad rap and now the ill-reputation also follows the prohormones. Most prohormones were easily available in health food stores and cyberspace. Well, the lax rules by the FDA have come to an end. Today, in America, the FDA subjects prohormones to the same category as anabolic steroids and considers them illegal to dispense, possess or distribute without a prescription.

For decades, the hormone Androstenedione was sold as a dietary supplement to build muscles. When it comes to a prohormone, a drug like Androstenedione can be ingested and then converted by the body into testosterone. Androstenedione is still used in hospitals to treat individuals with stunted growth. However, now the FDA has banned this substance from sale as a dietary agent. Of course, website and health stores sell it under other names.

Why the FDA is always banning everything related to anabolic steroids is a puzzle – the reason is that there is a strong belief that these prohormones possess a real health risk. As far as androstenendione and health risks are concerned, there is no study to show that. All the reports about side effects are anecdotal and there have only been a few complications reported. Motor vehicles accidents kill thousand times more people, but so far there is no ban on the use of cars! Just because Chris Benoit killed his family is not a reason to ban all steroids. There are estimated to be at least 2 million adverse drug reactions (with many deaths) each year in North American hospitals- so why have all these drugs not been banned?

Do prohormones work?

Definitely, they work, if one can get the real prohormone-it works just like the actual anabolic steroid. These prohormones can increase muscle mass, reduce fat, boost endurance and exercise performance. There is a major thrust among certain individuals who do not want to age to use prohormones. The anti aging or life extension purists believe that these hormones can prolong life and keep the body young. Many prohormones are sold at Life Extension websites under different names.

As far as side effects are concerned, there is no difference between the real hormone and prohormone. The side effects are dose dependent and increase with dosage. The typical side effects of anabolic prohormones include acne, oily skin, hair loss, breast growth, etc. when the prohormone is stopped, the side effects disappear.

Prohormones & Bodybuilding 101

In the last few years, many athletes have turned to prohormones to build their body. But just what are prohormones? A prohormone is essentially a substance that is a precursor to the real hormone itself. It usually only has minimal physiological or pharmacological activity on its own. A classic example of a prohormone is proinsulin. Before insulin can work, the hormone has to be processed by the body’s enzymes. In most cases, the prohormone usually undergoes a specific change that results in the production of the active hormone.

Prohormones and Bodybuilders

Ever since the rules have been tightened on anabolic steroids, athletes have been trying to obtain these drugs by other means. Some go to Mexico and bring back the raw plants known to contain steroids. Others try home made remedies and try to extract steroid hormones from these plants. Some try to synthesize anabolic steroids in home made laboratories. And now we come to prohormones.

Use of prohormones by athletes is not new at all. Prohormones have been taken by athletes for decades. It was a secret that was not divulged to the rest until the FDA came cracking on the use of anabolic steroids. Even though prohormones are chiefly ingested or injected by athletes (both men and women), the problem is even more widespread at school and college levels.

Today, many athletes take prohormones to build their bodies. It is hoped that by taking these prohormones the body will convert them to the active hormone. Why go through this route of taking drugs? Well, there was a time period when many anabolic steroids were easily available but with the recent FDA clamp down, people have turned to other means of getting to the steroids.

Monday, April 13, 2009

DBOL- the best anabolic steroid ever! Part 3

Dose

The dose of DBOL is about 10-30 mg per day and should be used for 6-8 weeks to prevent prolonged suppression of body’s own testosterone. One should take a break from the drug for a month. When DBOL is complimented with a high calorie diet, the muscle building is pretty rapid. Please be realistic, there is no drug which can build a body in one week. Fast weight gain is usually due to water. Over time the fat disappears and lean body mass starts to appear.

Most bodybuilders think that if they take more DBOL, the body will grow faster. Unfortunately, there is no relationship between weight gain and drug dosage- the only thing you will be guaranteed are the side effects with high dosage.

Most people begin to add about 4 pounds within 6 weeks. Remember if you do not respond by this time period, the product is either fake or your diet is not high in calories. And do not forget you need to exercise also.

There is also an injectable form of DBOL which comes as 25mg/ml formulation and is used an IM injection.

DBOL is often combined with other steroids to maximize the anabolic effects but this also raises the chance of developing side effects.

Where to buy from

Various websites sell DBOL. Buying DBOL from outside North America is a problem because shipping can be a problem and quality of product cannot be verified.
The best way to get DBOL is from an American Website. The cost of DBOL is variable. On average a 10 mg tablet costs anywhere from $0.50 -$1.50.

Because of counterfeits, it is important to get DBOL from a reliable source.

There are a lot of counterfeit products sold, especially from the eastern bloc countries and Mexico. So chose your buyer well

Detection


The final thing everyone should know is that DBOL can easily be identified in the urine. The sophisticated testing available can identify DBOL in the urine even two weeks after the drug has been stopped. If you are going to a meet, the drug should be stopped at least 4-6 weeks prior to the event.

DBOL- the best anabolic steroid ever! Part 2

BodyBuilding

DBOL has the ability to increase protein synthesis and rapidly cause a positive nitrogen balance in a very short time. Most bodybuilders claim that within 6-9 weeks they see a big difference in their body physique. The drug also has the ability to stimulate production of red blood cells. With an increase in red blood cells is an increased capacity to carry oxygen and hence better performance in sports. DBOL when used at low doses and recycled at 2 monthly intervals generates the best result. It is recommended that during the wash out phase one take Clomid to maintain testosterone levels and also reduce the water retention.

Side effects

DBOL is generally safe when used for short periods. A few individuals do develop transient side effects which include the following:

- acne
- oily skin
- baldness
- gynecomastia
- high blood pressure
- liver damage
- depression, mood changes
- anger
- impotence

Women who take DBOL can develop hoarseness and musculanization features. There have been a few reports of liver damage or heart attacks. However, these complications are rare. It is highly recommended that individuals who take any type of anabolic steroid get their liver enzymes monitored by a health care expert.

DBOL can induce the development of breast in males and thus, it is important to take an aromatase inhibitor like tamoxifen or Clomid to suppress the estrogen effects.

The majority of side effects are reversible when the drug is stopped. There is a lot written about mood alteration and ROID rage with anabolic steroids but the episodes are rare and only seen when mega doses of drug are ingested. The media unfortunately hypes up every side effect of Anabolic Steroids, chiefly because of ignorance.

DBOL- the best anabolic steroid ever!

Dianabol better known as DBOL is an anabolic steroid that has been around longer than most steroids. For decades it has been used an anabolic steroid to build the body. The Soviets, Cubans, East Germans, many Europeans and even Americans athletes have at one time used DBOL. Unlike many other anabolic steroids, this drug has solid anabolic properties. IF you can’t build your body with DBOL, it is unlikely that you will be able to do it with other anabolic steroids.

DBOL is an analogue of testosterone and probably the one steroid which has reliably and consistently helped athletes build the body. Once it was used in hospital settings to build muscles in sick patients but concern over side effects led to its restricted use. Later the bodybuilders started to use DBOL. Even though the steroid was used globally, a few reports of liver damage and or heart attack soon led the FDA to put a ban on this drug. For the most part, DBOL is safe when used for short periods. Most of the hype about its toxicity is from people who are clueless about this steroid. More people die from gunshots and car accidents by at least a thousand fold- but no one seems to want to ban driving or guns!

Today, DBOL is banned by the FDA and is not available in North America. The pharmaceutical industries in Europe and North America do not make DBOL any more and thus, most of DBOL is available only on the black market.

The majority of DBOL sold in North America is from Russia or Mexico. Further, in countries like Mexico, Russia, Thailand and Eastern Europe, DBOL can be bought without a prescription. In Mexico, it is sold as Reforvit-b. The quality of DBOL from these countries is questionable.

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Boldenone (Equipose) & BodyBuilding Part 6

Control

Boldenone is not for use in humans and the FDA has classified this drug under the Controlled Substance Act as a Schedule 3 drug. The drug is unlawful to possess, distribute or for personal use.

Detection


Boldenone has a very long half life and can remain in the body for months or even years. The oily emulsion has an affinity for fatty tissues and resides in the body for months. The metabolites of boldenone have been found in urine 12 months after the last injection. So one has to have a plan before shooting this drug. If you are going to enter a competition in the next few months, boldenone is the last drug you should inject. It is best reserved for the novice athlete who is just starting out and wants to build his/her body. Further one must not anticipate engaging in sports for that time period.

Every sporting organization has banned use of Boldenone and it is always checked in the urine. The tests available can identify boldenone and its metabolites.

Boldenone (Equipose) & BodyBuilding Part 5

Warnings

All anabolic steroids come with a warning that they have the potential to cause damage to your liver, decrease libido and shrink your testes. There are numerous reports that prolonged intake of boldenone can lead to severe alterations in sexual behavior and spontaneous changes with mood. Aggression and violent behavior have been widely reported after the use of most anabolic steroids.

Over dosage

Like most anabolic steroids, over dosage is very unlikely with boldenone. Even if someone took many pills at the same time, the major problem would be nausea, vomiting or abdominal cramping. In any case, the individual should go to the hospital for monitoring and supportive care. Since all anabolic steroids can damage the liver, measurement of liver enzymes is essential.

Contaminants


The very lucrative anabolic steroid market has led to many unscrupulous sellers, esp. on the internet selling fraudulent steroids. Since the drug is only available on the black market, many consumers have no recourse even if they know they have been suckered into buying a counterfeit or fake product. And there are lots of reports of counterfeit or contaminated Boldenone formulations. In the USA, the boldenone is smuggled in from Mexico, Japan, Thailand and South America.

Once upon a time there were tablets of 25 and 50 mg available as well as liquid formulations of 50 cc vials. However, it is now evident that the tablets were not Boldenone but a mixture of other steroids. The price for 10 mls vial (50mg/ml) averages about $50-$75. Because of fake products and contamination, always get your drug from a reputable dealer. The cyberspace is full of charlatans who will sell you junk because they do know you can’t go and complain to anyone about the product they sell you.

Boldenone (Equipose) & BodyBuilding Part 4

Side effects

Boldenone is an anabolic steroid and has the full spectrum of side effects which include:

- Oily skin
- Acne
- Hair loss
- Mood changes- aggression, paranoia, depression
- Water retention
- Swelling, edema
- High blood pressure
- Fatigue
- Gynecomastia at high doses
- Testicular atrophy
- Possible liver cancer
- Fatigue

Unlike other anabolic steroids, the side effects of Boldenone do persist for a long time even after the drug is stopped. Some individuals will continue to have acne and oily skin for months. The side effects do not occur in everyone and usually do disappear once the drug is stopped.

Contraindications


While Boldenone is not acutely toxic, the drug is not recommended for use in individuals who

- are pregnant
- have prostate or breast cancer
- have liver problems
- have history of heart disease
- renal failure
- hypercalcemia

Boldenone (Equipose) & BodyBuilding Part 3

Dosing

Since the drug has never been approved for human use, the dose of Boldenone has been derived by simple guess work. Someone has analyzed what horses require than simply extrapolated that dose to humans. The average dose for bodybuilding is not known. It varies from 200—800 mg/week. The recommended dose in horses is about 1mg/kg every 2-3 weeks. Most body builders administer about 400mg/week. It is claimed that doses lower than 300mg/week do not help gain weight.

Boldenone is administered as an intramuscular injection. With formulations available today, it cannot be taken orally. The drug is injected into the buttock area with care. Since the drug comes as an oily suspension, one should not inject more than 4-8 mls at a time. Large volumes of fluid in the buttock area can cause pain and are very uncomfortable. The dose for women bodybuilders is about 50-75 mg/week. If the injections are painful one can inject the drug in 2-3 different sites or change the dosing to 2-3 times a week- same dose but smaller amounts given every other day.

The oily suspension can irritate the skin and it is recommended that the site be rotated every week. Besides the buttocks one can inject the drug into outer parts of the thighs. The drug is quite painful when injected in the arms.

Boldenone (Equipose) & BodyBuilding Part 2

Bodybuilders

How the drug went from horses to humans is not really known. But the fact is that Boldenone does have potent anabolic activity and low androgenic activity and is useful for building body mass. Boldenone can also cause a significant retention of water and sodium at high doses. Like all anabolic steroids it increases nitrogen balance and protein synthesis. The drug is also known to stimulate the kidney and can release EPO-which then stimulates the synthesis of red blood cell in the bone marrow. This leads to enhanced oxygen carrying capacity.

Even though the drug is only meant for animal use, many bodybuilders routinely use this drug. Boldenone is often taken in conjunction with other anabolic steroids. Because of its long half life, many bodybuilders take the drug during off season to avoid detection. The drug is continued for a few months and then stopped when the sports season starts. Boldenone is also a potent appetite stimulant.

Boldenone does not immediately cause weight gain. It is much slower than many other anabolic steroids. The muscle mass is typically gained over 4-8 weeks and is steady. The majority of bodybuilders notice that the weight gain is more durable and longer lasting after several cycles, with each cycle lasting about 8 weeks. The one great thing about this drug is that the weight gain is pure muscle mass and not related to water.

Boldenone is not a drug one should take during the active sports season. It has a very long half life and is readily detectable in the body. The majority of bodybuilders use it during off season to build up the bulk. Often it is combined with other drugs like anadrol, Anavar and sustanol. When the diet is rich in calories, the size of muscles can be impressive.

Because the drug can cause suppression of testosterone, most bodybuilders cycle it with tamoxifen or clomiphene. This allows the levels of testosterone to be maintained at high levels.

Boldenone (Equipose) & BodyBuilding

Equipose

Equipoise (boldenone undecylenate) is an anabolic steroid sold under many other names like Boldenone, Ganabol and Ultragan. It is a synthetic anabolic steroid with a similar structure to testosterone. The drug is only recommended for use in veterinary medicine. It has never been approved for human use in North America. Boldenone has come to fame mainly because of its abuse by bodybuilders.

Pharmacology

Boldenone has pharmacological actions like many other synthetic steroids. It is a potent anabolic agent at low doses and at high doses possesses both anabolic and androgenic properties. At low doses it can build the body when the diet is rich in calories. However, because it acts like an anabolic steroid, it can suppress the normal synthesis of testosterone in the testes. This can lead to impairment in spermatogenesis and decrease in libido.

When the drug is taken in high doses, it can also be converted into estrogen which can result in gynecomastia and also leads to water retention.

One other feature of Equipoise is that it can stimulate erythropoiesis (an increase in red blood cells). The mechanism for this effect has been associated with stimulation of the erythropoietin stimulating factor which then stimulates the bone marrow. The resulting increase in red blood cells, leads to more hemoglobin and a higher oxygen carrying capacity. Equipose, like other anabolic steroids can also cause changes in electrolytes because of its potent mineralocorticoid properties.

One major negative of Equipose, unlike its other analogues, is that it can stay in the body for a very long time. It has a prolonged half life because the drug does stay bound to tissues and is not broken down by the liver. Many reports indicate that the drug can be detected as long as 12-15 months after first use.

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Trenbolone acetate (Finaplex) Part 5

Warning

There are reports that Finaplex formulations can degrade with time. A few cases of kidney damage have been reported after use of this steroid. The major problem is that bodybuilders take so many other drugs it is difficult to pinpoint the cause of kidney damage. Plus, one never knows what other junk is mixed in with the Finaplex formulation. Whether kidney damage occurs or not, always make sure you inject a fresh product. If the oily suspension you have looks brownish and clumped, get yourself a new vial.

The drug can also alter cholesterol levels in the body and lead to a future risk of heart damage.

Availability

There are a lot of sites on the internet who claim to have the real Finaplex. The drug is not manufactured by any pharmaceutical company and is presently being made in home made laboratories. While the product may be available, the purity and quality are in question. There have been many reports of fake and contaminated Finaplex products on the market. One of the chief reasons why anabolic steroids fail to work is because the real steroid is not present as an ingredient. Many products bought from these internet sites have been examined and found to contain other products or contaminants. Since it is illegal to sell anabolic steroids online, it is doubtful that the real “Finaplex” is available. The only sure way to know is to analyze the steroid in a laboratory.

Even in the field of veterinary medicine, the drug is under strict control. A sure bet is that almost the majority of anabolic steroids Online are fakes.

Cost

The exact cost of Finaplex is quite variable and depends on whom you buy it from. Both the injection and oral formulations are available. A 10cc vial can cost as much as $150-$200 and the purity and quality remains suspect. There are also tablets of Finaplex on sell in cyberspace. These tablets cost anywhere from $50-$75 for 45 tablets (300mg)

Detection


Like all anabolic steroids, Finaplex is banned for use in sports. Every major sports organization now checks levels of this hormone in the urine. The tests available today can easily detect Finaplex or its metabolites in urine 7-30 days after stopping the drug.

Legal


Finaplex is classified as a schedule 3 drug under the controlled substance act. This means that anyone caught with possession or distribution the drug can face harsh penalties including monetary fines and jail time.

Trenbolone acetate (Finaplex) Part 4

Cycling

Finaplex is used to build muscle; the majority of users suggest cycling it with other steroids for a period of 3-6 weeks. The most common other steroids used with trenbolone are Dianabol and Anavar. Further, one needs to eat a diet high in calories to gain weight. Others recommend Finaplex with Growth hormone/thyroxin at low doses. The main thing to note is that one should not take Finaplex for more than 4 weeks at a time. This increases side effects and also leads to a suppression of testosterone levels. To avoid the suppression of testosterone, some even recommend starting clomiphene after a 2 week washout period.

Unlike many other anabolic steroids, Finaplex does increase the muscle mass, but it does not provide the increased surge in performance. Many experts recommend starting on this drug at the start of sports season and combining it with other anabolic steroids.

Side effects


Like all anabolic steroids, Finaplex is associated with a number of side effects. In general, the drug is well tolerated and has minimal estrogenic effects. The low side effects is the reason why many bodybuilders still prefer Finaplex. The side effects include

- Insomnia
- high blood pressure
- Increased aggression
- Sweats
- Decreased/Increased libido
- Virilization
- Kidney damage
- Clitoral enlargement
- Cough
- Mood swings
- Deep voice

The majority of these side effects reverse once the drug is stopped. Some virilizing effects in females are not irreversible.

One annoying side effect of Finaplex reported by many users is that of a dry cough. The cough starts 2 weeks after the injection and is persistent. It is not associated with any fever or sputum production but occurs all the time. The cause of cough is not known but believed to be due to a contaminant in the product or some type of reaction with the oily suspension. In a few cases, the cough does persist for a few months even after the drug has been stopped. Since many of these anabolic steroids are prepared in unsterile environments, the quality and purity of the products remain questionable.

Trenbolone acetate (Finaplex) Part 3

Dose

Finaplex is only available as an injection. The dose of Finaplex is 200mg/week and is gradually increased to 1200mg/week. Because this anabolic steroid has never been approved for human use, all the dosing schedules have been derived empirically- meaning guess work. If it worked on the cow, then it is surely going to work on the human athlete. Because of the ester linkage, Finaplex accumulates in fatty tissues and is slowly released over time.

On cyberspace there are also Finaplex pills available. However, the drug is very poorly absorbed and immediately metabolized in the liver when taken by mouth. Thus, an oral supplement is not recommended.

The injection is usually done in the buttock area. One should not inject Finaplex in the arms or the abdomen because the injections can be painful and very uncomfortable. Because the drug is dissolved in an oily suspension, it is best to give small volumes of injections. Large volumes can cause pain. The site of injection also has to be rotated to prevent the development of abscess. The other most common site of injection is the outer thigh.

Extraction from Pellets


Many years ago, Finaplex was manufactured as pellets which were placed under the skin of livestock. These pellets contained Finaplex which was then slowly released into the blood stream. Somebody builders have resorted to crushing the pellets and extracting the Finaplex with an organic solvent like DMSO. Once the extraction is done, Finaplex is dissolved in a little oil- vegetable or sesame seed and injected.

One can even apply the oil on to the skin. The extraction process is crude and home made recipes have never turned out to be effective. Applying Finaplex on the skin can result in absorption of the drug but this is unpredictable and the dosage absorbed remains unknown. further one has to apply the drug all over the body to get sufficient amount of Finaplex absorbed.

Trenbolone acetate (Finaplex)

Bodybuilders

The drug is still widely abused by bodybuilders to increase muscle mass. The question is whether it is really Finaplex that is being injected. Since the drug is no longer manufactured by pharmaceutical companies, all the production is done in SE Asia, Mexico and Eastern Europe. There are some clandestine laboratories that do make the drug, but quality and purity of the product is in question. The drug when injected is slowly absorbed and remains in the body for 3-20 days. Finaplex has been shown to increase protein synthesis and induce a positive nitrogen balance. Most bodybuilders claim that it increases appetite, decreases muscle breakdown and also helps recovery after injury.

At low doses, Finaplex is safe. When used at very high doses, Finaplex is converted into estrogen- which causes water retention and gynecomastia.

Over the years, Finaplex injections have become available in various formulations. All of them have an ester bond attachment. The longer this aliphatic chain, the greater is the duration of action. The short action Finaplex is quickly absorbed in the body after an injection and is excreted within 2-5 days. The longer acting formulations stay in the body for 10-30 days. Most bodybuilders inject themselves 1-2 times a week for 4-6 weeks.

Trenbolone acetate (Finaplex)

Finaplex (also known as trenbolone) is a synthetic steroid which was once used in the agriculture industry to fatten livestock. The drug is a potent weight stimulant agent and can increase appetite. Finaplex is an esterified steroid which enables it to act for a longer period of time. Even though it was used as an anabolic agent, it is also a potent androgenic drug. It is only available as an intramuscular injection.

As soon as it was realized that the drug had anabolic properties, many bodybuilders and other athletes started to consume it in large amounts. The drug was basically bought from the veterinarians or obtained illegally through some pharmacies. The drug does increase body weight and muscle mass as long as the diet is rich in calories.

Pharmacology

Like many anabolic steroids, Finaplex has similar activities. Besides increasing protein synthesis and muscle mass, the drug can also increase numbers of red blood cells. This leads to a higher hemoglobin level and a slightly increased oxygen carrying capacity. The higher the dose, the more significant the effects.

Finaplex has never been approved for treatment of any medical disorder in humans. In animals, Finaplex when administered at low doses is found to be pretty safe but at high doses, it does possess potent side effects. The drug is no longer manufactured in North America.

Monday, April 6, 2009

Creatine for BodyBuilding- Legal and Works Part 3

Availability

Creatine is sold under a number of names and formulae. It comes as a powder, pill and even a serum. The liquids containing creatine come in a variety of flavors and are easy to drink. The dose of creatine is 400 mg/kg or about 25 grams per day. All individuals who take creatine must hydrate them selves well.

To increase the work capacity, it has been recommended one take 5 grs four to five times a day. It takes about 6-8 weeks to build the lean protein mass and once the body has been built, one should take 2-3 pills a day. However, most athletes take anywhere from 25-75 g per day.

Besides the liquid and oral formulations, creatine also comes as an injectable. Both intramuscular and intravenous dosing is only limited for hospital use. For individuals less than 18 years of age, the dose should be limited to 5 g per day.

Safety


Generally creatine is very safe. It has been known to cause worsening of asthma in a few individuals. Individuals with a history of allergy, itching or dermatitis should be careful when using this supplement. Other side effects include nausea, diarrhea, stomach cramps and loss of appetite.

Muscle cramping is the most common side effect noticed by athletes. It is not known if this is directly due to creatine or due to the intense training, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance or heat. In any case, one must drink ample water when taking creatine.

There are no long term studies to determine the safety of creatine. However, it is recommended that all individuals who take this supplement be regularly monitored by a health care physician.

Individuals who have liver or kidney problems should refrain from taking creatine. If they do, then the liver and kidney function must be monitored.

There are rare reports that creatine in large doses can cause compartment syndrome of the lower leg. This is a surgical emergency. Mild headaches, thirst, abnormal heart rhythms and seizures have also been reported.

Because athletes take so many pills, it is hard to know if these side effects are strictly related to creatine. Creatine is not recommended for use in pregnant or breast feeding females

Creatine for BodyBuilding- Legal and Works Part 2

Who takes Creatine?

Today, creatine is widely taken by many men and women. It is the most widely used health supplement by athletes. The majority of these individuals are in a rush to build their body and take mega doses of this health supplement

Surveys of professional athletes indicate that close to 25%-50% of players in basketball, baseball or football take creatine supplements. The numbers are even higher at the college and high school levels. Estimates of the creatine market in North America, indicates that consumers spend close to $400 million on this supplement alone. In the 90s and early 2000, many sports directors even handed out the supplement to their athletes. This practice today is banned.

Evidence


As far as real evidence is concerned, several studies have shown that creatine can increase muscles mass. Both lean body muscle, mass, strength and the total amount of work can be improved with regular use of creatine. The role of creatine in the treatment of many medical disorders like renal failure, Parkinson’s disease, osteoporosis, heart failure is still questionable.

Does creatine improve performance and endurance? Well the results are mixed. Many studies have been undertaken in both males and females who swim, run, or sprint and the results are not always reproducible. But individuals who do take the supplement claim they do perform better.

Creatine for BodyBuilding- Legal and Works

These days everyone seems to be taking creatine. Some take this supplement to be healthy, others want to build their body and others just take it because everyone else is taking it.

Creatine is a natural substance made in the body. It is chiefly made in the liver and kidney by various amino acids and is used up by muscles. The majority of synthesized creatine is located in skeletal muscles of the body.

Creatine has been widely available in many health food stores. It has been used as a health supplement for more than 40 years. The soviets initially used to give all their athletes creatine because they believed it not only built muscle but also improved the performance in sports. Most athletes who competed in activities requiring intense bursts of speed claim that creatine helped them perform better.

Studies from Russia have shown that when one takes oral creatine on a regular basis, the levels of creatine in muscles will also steadily increase. While this happens in a number of individuals, the effect is not consistent. Other factors that may affect levels of creatine in the muscles from going up include the diet, exercise and muscle fiber type. Eating a carbohydrate diet facilitates uptake of creatine in the muscles. Similarly, performing activities that require short bursts of energy also helps boost the levels of creatine in muscle

Friday, April 3, 2009

Amino Acids and BodyBuilding Part 3

Branched chain amino acids acid

The three branched chain amino acids, leucine, valine and isoleucine are vital for all athletes. They have a lot of benefits and are essential in building the body. A lot of research work has shown them to improve energy, endurance and strength.

Proteins Snacks

There are a variety of proteins snacks available sold as meal replacement packages that either come as a liquid or an edible bar. They can be consumed instead of a meal. These foods contain a lot of protein and have minimal fat. The packages also contain a variety of vitamins and minerals. The majority of protein in prepackaged meals are whey, calcium, soy and egg albumin. For the body builder it is important to select the right prepackaged meal product because they are many varieties- the ones labeled with creatine, glutamine, casein and lactoferrin should be selected.

Exercise


For the athletes it is important to note that eating foods high in protein is not the answer. This must be supplemented with intense exercise to help build the muscles. Because many protein supplements are relatively expensive, one should first invest in proper home cooking of protein diets. Protein should be supplemented as needed. In most cases if one eats a high protein diet, there is no need to buy individual amino acids. The majority of amino acids are water soluble because of the addition of sodium and can be very salty. The sodium can also lead to water retention. The best thing is to buy foods which contain at least the essential amino acids.

When exercise and diet is combined, the body will slowly start to grow in a matter of months. Be realistic and do not expect to see any changes in a few weeks. Muscles are protein and they have to be synthesized from scratch and that takes time.

Amino Acids and BodyBuilding Part 2

Foods rich in amino acids

For the bodybuilder, it is essential to know which foods contain amino acids. These protein containing foods include:

Lean meat, poultry
Whey protein supplements
Eggs
Milk, (which contains casein)
Soy
Rice
Beans

Once these foods are eaten, the body breaks up the food into different molecules including amino acids. The amino acids are then recycled for synthesis of more protein and generate energy

Supplements

For the majority of individuals there is no need to take health supplement of amino acids because one can derive all amino acids from foods. However, for an individual who is exercising or trying to build the body, one may either eat more protein foods or buy amino acid supplements. Protein supplements are also essential in individuals who are ill, hospitalized, have cancer or have suffered an serious injury.

Which amino acid for the bodybuilder?

Well, all amino acids are important in the body building process. However, there is some data which shows that glutamine can become rapidly depleted during exercise. This is one supplement which is highly recommended. Glutamine is available as a fine powder which is soluble in water or any type of beverage. While there are reports that glutamine supplements can build energy levels, there is little proof that glutamine alone can build the body.

Amino Acids and BodyBuilding Part 1

Other Functions of Amino acids

Besides being used to build protein, amino acids are also important in certain other functions.

Some of them play a role as a neurotransmitter. For example, tryptophan is used to make serotonin which is a potent neurotransmitter and plays a role in depression.

Glycine is essential in formation of the heme molecule which binds to oxygen

Arginine is known to be a precursor for nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is now thought to play an important role as a vasodilator (PS Viagra is believed to act by making nitric oxide).

Amino acids are widely used in the food industry to make animal feed and soy based products. Some amino acids are also used to enhance flavor (Glutamic acid) and others act as sweeteners (Aspartame)

Medical uses


Amino acids play a vital role in a few medical disorders. L tryptophan is an important amino acid used to make serotonin and the majority of anti depressant available today are known to affect levels of serotonin.

Phenylalanine (L dopa) is used in the treatment for Parkinson’s disease.

Amino Acids and BodyBuilding


What is an amino acid?


An amino acid is the most fundamental molecule required for our body to function. The molecules have a certain structure and play important role in metabolism. Amino acids are building blocks to make protein. These amino acids are linked by bonds which are quite strong. There are 20 amino acids. Some are essential amino acids (8 of them) - meaning that the body cannot make them and needs to get them from food sources. There some amino acids which are non essential and these are synthesized in the body.

When amino acids are eaten in diet, they are either used to make more protein or used as an energy source. The amount of amino acids one requires is different in adults versus children. Individuals who are into sports or body building need more amino acids in the diet


The Essential amino acids include

- Isoleucine
- leucine
- lysine
- methionine
- phenylalanine
- threonine
- tryptophan
- valine

The non essential amino acids include:

- alanine
- arginine
- aspargine
- aspartate
- cysteine
- histidine
- glutamate
- glutamine
- Glycine
- proline
- serine
- tyrosine

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Mesobolin-the Siberian pumper or fibber? Part 4

The price of Mesobolin is quite variable; some sell the pills for $100 and others for much less. If you order right way there are discounts. Many sites have no address except an 1800 numbers and e mails. There are no promises of refunds. The quality and quantity of products cannot be verified.

Final word

It is nice to have body like the Governor of California but I am sure if you ask the man, he put in a lot of work and effort. Our economy is tough and we are all going through tough times. Cyberspace is the last place one should be buying health care and medical products. Cyberspace is an illusion with lots of false promises – it is a place where mysterious people lurk watching, selling and hustling. And when you spend money on cyberspace, you are going to be terribly disappointed.

So if you want to build your body the right way, go eat something decent, start an exercise program and soon you will get there. The progress may be slow, but rest assured it is safe and sound, and you will have saved your money.

Mesobolin-the Siberian pumper or fibber? Part 3

The Real Facts

There are no real data on Mesobolin and no bona fide published scientific studies. There is not even one report in any scientific magazine about the product. In fact I had trouble looking for a plant in Russia which had anabolic steroids as its major constituent (perhaps like the KGB it is a state secret).

The product has been hyped up by each and every website who sells the product. For all bodybuilders, it is practically impossible to put on 10 pounds in one week, unless it is simply water. Proteins take time to build up- weeks and months – not days. Almost everyone who sells Mesobolin claims they put on 10 pounds in weight in 1 week and gained super human strength. Each and every website says, "Order now or the product will disappear". Large discounts are given if you order 9 months supply. In America Supersize is common terminology for our burgers, in Russia the word has taken on another meaning- super sized scams.

As far as side effects are concerned, everyone claims that Mesobolin has none. There is no such thing in all of medicine. If any anabolic steroid has no side effects than it is not the real thing. There is no pharmaceutical or herbal product out on the market without side effects. Even too much coffee will make you crazy.

Not only is the price not given out by many dealers, nor is the dose, how it is extracted and what else it contains. We have all heard about stories from China and addition of fake products to drugs- Mesobolin is simply another fib along the same lines.

Mesobolin-the Siberian pumper or fibber? Part 2

Recently the Russians have announced that they have a plant based anabolic steroid, which is the best anabolic steroid ever. Known as Mesobolin it has caught on like wild wire. The soviets claim that the anabolic steroid when extracted from the plant is superior to all other synthetic anabolic steroids. The underground reports indicate that it is selling as fast as oil and gas and the Soviets underground industry has had to open many laboratories.

The reports claim that Mesobolin has been analyzed in the laboratory and has been shown to have potent anabolic activities. There are no real clinical studies but a lot of anecdotal reports (chiefly by the dealers who sell the Mesobolin). Each report claims that Mesobolin improves nitrogen balance, increases muscle size and strength. And the surprising thing mentioned on each and every website is that Mesobolin has no side effects.

Other users of Mesobolin claim that the drug can help one gain 8-10 pounds in just one week and increase strength by 22-25 percent. Most users claim that Mesobolin has to be taken for less than a month. It is claimed that the plant derived hormone is legal, available without a prescription and safe.

These truly are impressive results about Mesobolin.

Mesobolin is widely sold over the internet as a dietary supplement. The company it appears is always sold out and is trying to increase their supply source. You simply have to give your credit card number and Mesobolin will be delivered to your home in no time. the majority of websites claim that supplies are so low that everyone has to wait. But wait, if you give out your credit card and leave a deposit, you will be the first to get the supplement (and we used to think Nigerians have outrageous scams!).

The sad thing is many bodybuilders do give out their credit cards. And no, they do not get mesobolin but a lot of talcum powder mixed with sugar and flour.

Mesobolin-the Siberian pumper or fibber?

The search for a naturally occurring anabolic steroid had been going on for years. While there are many plants and shrubs which do contain some type of steroids, many of these are not anabolic in nature.

The majority of anabolic steroids on the market are synthetics and difficult to come by. Some are fake, others are counterfeit and many can not be obtained legally.

In North America, most physicians are hesitant to prescribe such drugs for fear of abuse. There is so much media hype about the side effects about anabolic steroids that everyone it appears has become paranoid. Yes, Chris Benoit did a bad thing and killed his family- probably related to roid rage. However, one can actually count on one hand the fatalities from anabolic steroids in North America. But on the other hand smoking, motor vehicle accidents and alcohol cause thousands of deaths each year and yet no one seems to be concerned.

People, we need to get things in perspective (are you listening Mr FDA and DEA?

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Primobolan (methenolone acetate) Part 5

Detection

Primobolan has a long half life. Past data indicate that it can stay in the body for 5 days and is easily detected in the urine for up to 3-8 weeks. The drug is regularly tested by all sports organizations. Because it is detected in the urine for long periods, the drug is only used during the preseason.

Availability

Primobolan is not easy to get even on the black market. The drug simply is not manufactured any more. There are a few illegal laboratories that make the product- but the purity and quality is questionable. A few years ago much of Primobolan was smuggled in from the East, Mexico and Europe and there have been countless reports of fake products. The price of one tablet (25 mg) is said to cost about $2-$4. Many even sell 100 mg vials for injection for $5-10.

There are some body builders who get their anabolic steroids by searching for farms who feed their livestock with these drugs. They consume only chickens and other animals that have previously been injected with Primobolan. However, athletes who consume such meat containing hormones are always at a risk for detection also.

Legal

Primobolan is classified as a schedule 3 drug under the controlled substance act. It has no use in clinical medicine and possession, distribution or selling the drug is considered illegal.

Final Advice: The real Primobolan is not available anymore; save your money to buy some other anabolic steroids or better still- go clean.

Primobolan (methenolone acetate) Part 4

Results

Some individuals claim that recovery after injury is quick when the topical Primobolan is applied to the site of trauma. However, in all such cases, the quality and purity of the Primobolan is suspect.

The weight gain seen with Primobolan is a little faster when the diet is complemented with high calories. While there are many cycling regimens, everyone has their own individual regimen. One thing to note about this drug is that it does not always produce the same effects in each individual. The reasons for this are unknown but believed to be related to fake drugs or contaminated products.

Women


While there are reports that Primobolan can burn fat, this thermogenic is not attributed to the drug but more to the intensity of the exercise. At low doses, Primobolan does not cause any virilization, but at higher doses these effects are obvious. Primobolan is also widely used by women since it does not cause unnecessary water retention.

Side effects

There is no data base of the side effects since the drug has never been approved for use in humans. However, surveys from body builders indicate that the drug is generally safe and the side effects are rare. The most common reported side effects of Primobolan include the following:

- generalized fatigue
- nausea, vomiting
- abdominal cramping
- mood changes- depression, anger
- acne, oily skin
- retention of body water
- breast enlargement

The majority of these side effects resolve when the drug is stopped.