PumptheIron – Body Building Blog

Government health officials recently sent out a warning to dieters and body builders to immediately stop using Hydroxycut, a widely sold supplement linked to cases of serious liver damage and at least one death.

The Food and Drug Administration said the company that makes the dietary supplement has agreed to recall 14 Hydroxycut products. Available in grocery stores and pharmacies, Hydroxycut is advertised as made from natural ingredients. At least 9 million packages were sold last year, the FDA said.

Dr. Linda Katz of the FDA’s food and nutrition division said the agency has received 23 reports of liver problems, including the death of a 19-year-old boy living in the Southwest. The teenager died in 2007, and the death was reported to the FDA this March.

Other patients experienced symptoms ranging from jaundice, or yellowing of the skin, to liver failure. One received a transplant and another was placed on a list to await a new liver. The patients were otherwise healthy and their symptoms began after they started using Hydroxycut.

Iovate Health Sciences, which makes the diet pills, said it agreed to the recall out of “an abundance of caution.” Hydroxycut products are dietary supplements that are marketed for weight loss, as fat burners, as energy-enhancers, as low carb diet aids, and for water loss under the Iovate and MuscleTech brand names.

“While this is a small number of reports relative to the many millions of people who have used Hydroxycut products over the years, out of an abundance of caution and because consumer safety is our top priority, we are voluntarily recalling these Hydroxycut-branded products,” the company said in a statement on its Web site. Consumers can get a refund by returning the pills to the store they purchased them from, the company said.

Katz said it has taken so long to get a handle on the Hydroxycut problem because the cases of liver damage were rare and the FDA has no authority to review supplements before they’re marketed. “Part of the problem is that the FDA looks at dietary supplements from a post-market perspective, and an isolated incident is often difficult to follow,” she said.

The FDA relies on voluntary reports to detect such problems, and many cases are never reported, officials acknowledge.

Health officials said they have been unable to determine which Hydroxycut ingredients are potentially toxic, partially because the formulation has changed several times.

Public health researcher Ano Lobb, who has studied Hydroxycut and other dietary supplements for Consumer Reports, said the problem may be an ingredient called hydroxycitric acid. Derived from a tropical fruit, it’s been linked to liver problems in at least one medical journal study. Lobb said it’s likely that other supplements containing the same ingredient remain on the market.

“You really have to be careful about dietary supplements, especially weight-loss pills,” said Lobb. “People believe that the FDA has verified that these products are at least safe and effective, and that’s really not the case. When you see fantastic claims _ that’s generally what they are.”

Recalled Products

The list of products being recalled by Iovate currently includes:

* Hydroxycut Regular Rapid Release Caplets
* Hydroxycut Caffeine-Free Rapid Release Caplets
* Hydroxycut Hardcore Liquid Caplets
* Hydroxycut Max Liquid Caplets
* Hydroxycut Regular Drink Packets
* Hydroxycut Caffeine-Free Drink Packets
* Hydroxycut Hardcore Drink Packets (Ignition Stix)
* Hydroxycut Max Drink Packets
* Hydroxycut Liquid Shots
* Hydroxycut Hardcore RTDs (Ready-to-Drink)
* Hydroxycut Max Aqua Shed
* Hydroxycut 24
* Hydroxycut Carb Control
* Hydroxycut Natural

A prosteroid or designer steroid, is a (over the counter) substance that is actually a steroid but has not yet been classified as a controlled substance; a prohormone is simply one that requires an enzymic or other chemical interaction before becoming an active hormone.

Although many of the original prohormones/prosteroids such as Halodrol-50, by Gaspari Nutrition, are no longer sold because many of them were voluntarily discontinued by the manufacturer due to government pressure, many of the substances themselves were never made illegal, resulting in the later day production of clones of the originals. So basically, some of the original prohormones/prosteroids from years ago like Halodrol-50, are technically still available; you just have to know what you are looking for to find a clone, if one exists. Some of the prohormones/prosteroids were never even banned. Here are a few real prohormone or prosteroid supplements that are legally available.

• Halodrol
  (4-chloro-17a-methyl-1,4-diene-3,17 diol)
  Halodrol-50 was introduced to the bodybuilding world in 2005 by Gaspari Nutrition and is a prosteroid of Turinabol, the banned East German designer steroid. It is essentially a “diol” version of Turinabol. The original Halodrol-50 by Gaspari Nutrition may have been the single best selling hormonal product ever sold over the counter in the U.S. during its brief production period. Gaspari discontinued production of Halaodrol-50 in mid 2006 admist governmental pressure. Although Gaspari’s Halodrol-50 is no longer available, there are generic equivalents today such as Competitive Edge Labs H-Drol or EST Hemadrol. The typical dose for products such as H-Drol is 50mg-100mg a day, which equates to one to two tablets daily. This prosteroid is non-aromatizable, and exhibits a greater tendency for anabolic as compared to androgenic effect.
  Effects & Side effects: Like the old prohormone 4-AD, this is a 4-en-3b-ol and so should have excellent first-pass conversion to the active compound in the liver. Oral Turinabol (the target hormone) will not aromatize and probably only has a moderate suppressive effect upon the HPTA. There is not a whole lot of literature out there on its anabolic potency, though Vida has it listed as less than one time the anabolic potency as methyltestosterone orally, so this is not the most potent stuff in the world. The Vida data on androgenicity is lacking, but the chemical’s combination of delta 1,2 unsaturation and 4-chloro substitution likely combine to make it pretty low in this regard. As a weak androgen and non-aromatizer, it probably does not have much liver toxicity, although being a 17a-methyl the potential is always there.
  Bottom line is this stuff is one of the safer products out there, although dosages of at least 25-50 milligrams a day for men are probably needed for really noticeable effects. These effects nonetheless should be high quality— lean mass with minimal water retention. Chlorodehydromethylandrostenediol is a c17-alpha alkylated compound and is hence, hepatotoxic. Intake of c17-alpha alkylated steroids is commonly limited to 6-8 weeks, in an effort to avoid escalating liver strain. Studies have shown that taking an oral anabolic steroid with food may decrease its bioavailability so prosteroids and prohormones should be taken on an empty stomach.
• Methylclostebol
  (4-chloro-17a-methyl-androst-4-en-3b,17b-diol)
  This is very closely related steroid to the Oral Turinabol, differing only by the lack of the 1,2-double bond. It converts to a steroid called Methylclostebol that may or may not have been marketed in Europe at one time. Once again, the 4-chloro substitution prevents it from being aromatized and also prevents 5a-reduction to a DHT derivative so its androgenic potential is only moderate (Vida has it at 0.1 versus methyltest). Methylclostebol only has an anabolic rating of 0.4 versus methyltest, though, so this precursor— despite likely having excellent conversion— is not a really strong compound. But for safe and clean fun, it’s not a bad bet. It likely does not differ too much from the Oral Turinabol precursor in both potency and quality of results. This oral anabolic steroid is derived from testosterone and is also non aromatizable. This product was designed by Bruce Kneller, the same person that developed Halodrol, and was marketed as Promagnon by Peak Performance Labs and voluntarily discontinued in 2006. This product is closest in structure to chloromethyltestosterone, which is a non aromatizable and milder analog of methyltestosterone which displays 30-50% of the anabolic activity of methyltestosterone, with about 10% accompanying androgenic activity. Dosages: 50-100mg.
• Epistane/Havoc/Methepitiostane/Hemaguno
  (2a-3a-epithio-17a-methyl-5a-androstan-17b-ol)
  Methepitiostane is an oral anabolic steroid derived from dihydrotestosterone. This drug exhibits an anabolic effect that is roughly 12 times more pronounced than its androgenic effect, and also imparts an anti estrogenic effect. RPN’s product Havoc and IBE’s Epistane were introduced at practically the same time and considered interchangeable by many. However, it should be noted that even when two products are identical, users can experience different effects depending on the quality of the isomer, manufacturing process and so on. With Havoc and Epistane they are chemically very slightly different 2a,3a-epithio-17a-methyl-5a-androstan-17b-ol 2 (Havoc), and 2, 3a-epithio-17a-methyletioallo cholan-17b-ol (Epistane). Dosages are usually in the 10-30mg range. Competitive Edge Labs E-Stane is probably the cheapest listed version of Methepitiostane.
  Effects & Side Effects: Contrary to the previous two entries— which were steroid precursors— this is an active steroid. It also differs from the previous two in that it is a very potent hormone. According to Vida, it possesses 11 times the anabolic potency of methyltest while being 0.9 as androgenic. In the lab it breaks down under heat and certain chemical conditions to the steroid DMT (17a-Methyl-androstan-2-en-17b-ol), which has similar potency. Whether this happens in the body I don’t know, but the possibility exists that this compound is simply a pro-drug and it is DMT that is actually the physiologically active species in the body. This stuff is a methylated derivative of the Japanese drug Epitiostanol, which is used to treat breast cancer due to its estrogen antagonist action. Because of this property, the gains seen from its use are relatively dry. The extent of HPTA shutdown is unknown, but being a powerful hormone, it is not likely to be modest in this regard. Liver toxicity is unknown as well, however user reports are lacking in the usual subjective feedback that indicates heavy liver strain— lethargy, appetite disturbances, etc. This is one of the newest steroid products to hit the market and it is very popular right now. It probably is considered the best bang for the buck of the current lot.
• Finigenix Magnum
  (Estra-4, 9-dien-3, 17-dione)
  This is another steroid precursor, a dione to be specific. Diones only have moderately decent conversion, so this product will not possess the full activity of its active metabolite. The active metabolite in this case is the nandrolone derivative Estra-4,9-dien-17b-ol-3-one and according to Vida, it has an anabolic potency equal to methyltestosterone and an androgenic potency 0.1 times. It does not appear from my knowledge of steroid metabolism that this steroid aromatizes. However the potential for progestational activity is there, as it is with many 19-norandrogens. This stuff has been referred to as a trenbolone precursor, however this is inaccurate because trenbolone has an additional double bond in the structure and the body does not have the capacity (as far as I know) to insert this double bond. Bottom line is that this is a weak hormone with so-so conversion that probably requires 50mg-100mg for physiological effects to be seen in most men. On the upside is the fact that it is not 17a-alkylated, so liver toxicity is not a serious issue.
• Pheraplex
  Madol/DMT-Desoxymethyltestosterone (17a-methyl-17b-hydroxy-5a-androst-2-ene) or you may notice the clone products listed as (17a-methyl-etioallocholan-2-ene-17b-ol). Note the following nomenclature:
  etioallocholan = 5a-androst = ‘a skeleton’ or ‘a isomer’
  etiocholan = 5b-androst = ‘b skeleton’ or ‘b isomer’
  17beta-hydroxy = 17b-ol
  estra = 19-norandrost
  Pheraplex was originally sold as a sports nutrition product in 2005 as ErgoMax LMG (Lean Mass Generator) which is now found in the form of clones like Kilo Sports’ Phera-Mass or Competitive Edge Labs’ P-Plex. Madol/DMT is an exceedingly potent synthetic oral steroid with a very high anabolic to androgenic rating (Anabolic 1,200 to Androgenic 187). Madol is mg for mg significantly more anabolic than methyltestosterone. It should be noted that manufacture of this product is not easy and impurities of the product (being both a 2-ene and 3-ene isomers in a 4:1 ratio on the DMT raw material tested by the UCLA Olympic Analytical Lab) are so common that the existence of pure DMT (Desoxymethyltestosterone), has not been independently confirmed. Typically dosed at 5-15 mg a day, the dosage should be 10-30 mg a day due to the product possibly being an impure mixture of DMT and its isomers. DMT is most ideally used during cutting phases but is potent enough to stack with other agents for bulking purposes.
• Superdrol
  Currently available from Competitive Edge Labs, and KiloSports
  Nomenclature: 2a, 17a-dimethyl-5a-androstane-17b-ol-3-one
  Methyldrostanolone/ Methasteron/c17-alpha version of Masteron (Drostanolone)
  Potent oral anabolic that is 4 times as potent as methyltest and only 20% the androgenicity. Dosage is 10-30mg daily. A nickname for Superdrol is Super-Anadrol, in reference to its strength being close to the mildness of Anadrol. Expect a ten pound gain off this product alone, not 30 lbs.  However, this stuff is potent and toxic. It used to be the best selling of the legal steroids of the post-2005 ban. It also used to be touted as being safe, with little HPTA shutdown or liver toxicity. We now know better. People have reportedly gotten sick from this stuff, some almost died. Many have had prolonged testosterone suppression for long times after taking it. Of course some have loved the stuff and experienced little in the way of negative side effects. Personally, I tried it and it put weight on me, but gave me headaches and bloody noses and made me feel like I was hit by a truck. The companies that originally sold it had to stop because they got letters from the FDA. It now pops up in some formulas, usually hidden under funny names. I suggest if you see any funny products with steroids in them then try to figure out exactly what is in them, because if they contain this stuff you probably want to steer clear. Stacks well with Boldenone for definition, or testosterone for mass where its lack of estrogenicity is highly favored. Superdrol has a Anabolic rating of 400 and Androgenic rating of 20 as compared to Methyltestosterone as a standard and is also non aromatizable. It is worth noting that although no clinical trials have been performed on this drug, many users have reported an incidence of a host of very strong side effects being associated with this supplement.
• M-1,4ADD
  (17a-methyl-1,4-androstadiene-3,17 diol) -Pro hormone to Dianabol (17a-methyl-hydroxy-1,4-androstadien-3-one) or (1-Dehydro-17a-methyltestosterone)
  This compound has recently been reintroduced by Competitive Edge Labs among others and is from the old school of prohormones – a classic wet bulker which converts into Dianabol. This pro hormone is a good choice for rapid mass and strength gains but the gains will tend to cause smoothness due to the aromatization, water retention, and in increase in body fat along with muscle. Having a lower level of relative androgenicity than testosterone, methandrostenolone is classified as an “anabolic” steroid, although quite a distinct androgenic side is still present. This drug (as the steroid-Dianabol) was designed as an oral medication although injectible veterinary solutions exist, has historically been the most commonly used oral steroid used for physique enhancing purposes. It is interesting to note that Dianabol is structurally identical to Boldenone, except that Dianabol is methylated-17a-methyl. The obvious differences between the characteristics of the two hormones makes clear the impact that methylation has on hormones. Dianabol has an androgenic range of 40-60 and a anabolic value range of 90-210 as compared to methyltestosterone. As a steroid, Dianabol (17a-methyl-hydroxy-1,4-androstadien-3-one) should be dosed at 15-30mg per day for a 6-8 week cycle; the prohormone dosage may or may not be identical.
  This Dianabol precursor differs only in the presence of a hydroxyl group in the 3 position, where a ketone is supposed to be, however the conversion of the hydroxyl to the ketone in the body should be quite efficient. The possibility exists, however, for any remaining unconverted material to exert direct estrogenic effects, but I have not heard of any user reports concerning this that have raised any alarm. Dianabol, of course, is a decent anabolic compound with modest androgenic action and low toxicity for a 17a-methyl. Most people feel good on Dianabol and I see no reason why they would not feel similarly on this stuff, unless the estrogen problem I mentioned becomes an issue. Users would likely need a minimum of 25mg to start seeing gains. This stuff came out years ago and when I tested it at the time on my GC/MS I found it contained a mixture of the correct compound and its delta-4 analog (which would be a methyltestosterone precursor). This was likely due to the process used to manufacture it from Dianabol called a borohydride reduction. It gives a mixture of these two isomers unless a certain catalyst is used and apparently the Chinese who made it were not aware of this catalyst. I remember that made me chuckle at the time, but I am sure the Chinese steroid manufacturers have come a long way since then.
• 1,4 AD Boldione
  Innovator: Molecular Nutrition Dosages: 300-600mg
  Boldione (1,4 Androstadiene-sterone or 1,4-Androstadiene-3,17-dione) is a pro hormone to the steroid, Boldenone (1,4-androstadiene-3-one, 17beta-ol). As compared to Testosterone as a standard, Boldenone has an androgenic rating of 50 and an anabolic rating of 100. A good non liver toxic prosteroid that works best when stacked with another steroid. Will produce slow, mild gains that are known to last. Boldenone is not a rapid mass builder and positive effects become most apparent when it is used for longer cycles around 8 weeks or more in duration. The muscle gained should be more defined and solid as opposed to a cycle of testosterone. With the pro hormone Boldione, expect a dramactic increase in appetite and some joint repartioning effects have even been common. Boldenone often replaces Decca in many users stacks due to similar low androgenic and joint repartioning properties. A down side to this pro hormone is that it must be dosed high (well over 600 mg a day), which tends to make this an expensive supplement to use.
• Propadrol
  Innovator: EST Nutrition
  Nomenclures: 12-ethyl-3-methoxy-gona-diene &
  6-17 dihydroxyetiocholone-3-ol proponate
  It is usually dosed at 90mg a day.
  Effects: noted to be good for reducing body fat and for promoting rapid strength and muscle gains.
  Side effects: relatively mild with this compound
• Max LMG
  Innovator: ALRI, Several Clones exist now such as Mass LMG and Super Tren-MG
  Nomenclature: 13-ethyl-3methoxygona-2, 5(10)-dien-17-one
  (13-ethyl-3methoxygona-2, 5(10)-dien-17-one)
  This is usually dosed at around 100mg a day.
  Effects: rapid gains in bulk of a wet nature due to its progestogenic nature are possible. Great for those needing fast weight gain.
• Methoxy-TST
  (17b-methoxytrienosterone)
  This product was brought to the market by Bioscience Technologies and is usually dosed at 6-12mg to see results. A clone of this particular product may not be available anymore.
  Effects: not a strong bulking product unless doses are pushed high despite its androgenic profile. In this respect it is not dissimilar to AAS such as Masteron and Proviron which are not efficient for bulking.
  Side effects: androgenic side effects such as hair loss are reported quite frequently and many users report a damaging effect on libido. This product or a clone of this product may not be on the market anymore.
• Furaguno/ Orastan-A
  Miotolan (Furazabol)
  Nomenclature: 17-Methyl-5a androstano[2,3-c] furazan-17b-ol
  In my opinion, this chemical looks a lot more impressive than the actions it has in the body are. It is a structural analog to the methylated steroid Furazabol. Furazabol is an androgen that used to be used in Japan to treat high cholesterol. It is best known as the steroid that Ben Johnson was supposed to be receiving from Dr. Astaphan back in 1988. Of course, the stuff Ben was putting in his ass was actually stanozolol (so the story goes), which led to his humiliating drug-positive days after whipping Carl Lewis’ ass in the 100 meters in Seoul.
  Furazabol is in fact a lot like stanozolol (aka Winstrol) in that it shares an odd heterocyclic ring attached to the A ring of the steroid nucleus. Pharmacologically, the two are much alike as well— highly anabolic compounds which do not aromatize and give very nice dry gains. However, this analog does not seem to share anywhere near the potency of its methylated cousin. In fact doses as high as 100mg only give very slight gains, if any at all. The rationale behind the development of this stuff (and the stanozolol analog I am addressing next) is that unmethylated analogs of potent methylated compounds should also be potent. This simply is not the case and there are many cases in the literature where this fact has been demonstrated with steroid derivatives. Here is a analysis of Furaguno. [3,2-c]pyrazole-5a-androstan-17b-tetrahydropyranol ether is the stanozolol equivalent of the furazabol analog. And every crappy thing I said about the former applies to this one. I don’t think I need say more, hence they are listed together.
• 11-oxo/Adrenodione
  Innovator: Anabolic Xtreme / Ergopharm
  11-Oxo was developed by Ergopharm, whose founder Patrick Arnold first brought prohormones to the bodybuilding market. 11-Oxo is noted for its ability to lower cortisol levels. It is dosed at between 300-600mg a day with 450mg typical.
  Effects: used mainly as a recomposition agent and to promote fat loss.
  Side effects: although it can cause the same side effects as other prohormones, it is considered very mild in this regard so a good choice for people looking to diet with minimal side effects.
  Dosages: 450mg
  Nomenclature: andrenosterone, 11-oxo-androstenedione, or 4-androstene-3,11,17-trione (all mean the same)

Intro of Prohormones

Prohormones are compounds which, technically speaking, are converted via an enzymatic process to anabolic hormones in the body. As such they have similar effects in the body to anabolic steroids, causing rapid muscle and strength gains, but of a lesser magnitude due to the rate limiting effect caused by the enzyme conversion. However, this technical definition is considered somewhat out of date due to the advances which have occurred in supplement science since the introduction of the first prohormone androstenedione. Instead, nowadays the term prohormones commonly covers not just precursors to steroid hormones but also covers compounds active in their own right and which require no conversion to a different hormone to engender an anabolic effect, hence the term prosteroid.

Prohormones were introduced into the supplement market in 1996 by Patrick Arnold who brought the prohormone androstenedione to the market. Androstenedione certainly generated a lot of excitement in the athletic world and is heavily linked in the popular press with baseball players such as Mark McGwire whose use of the supplement first brought notoriety both to that sport and garnered the attention of lawmakers in the USA. Androstenedione was rapidly followed by a number of compounds – androstenediol, norandrostenediol, 1-4-androstadienedione and 5 alpha androstenediol to name a few. These all had different effects profiles, some being converted to testosterone in the body after their ingestion, while others were converted in the body to target hormones such as nandrolone, boldenone, and dihydrotestosterone (DHT).

Eventually, Arnold introduced the prohormone 1-ad, which converted into a hormone called 1-testosterone. This was the first prohormone considered to be of comparable effectiveness to illegal steroids such as Winstrol or Primobolan. At this time prohormones had advanced considerably since the introduction of androstenedione (widely considered within bodybuilding to be pretty worthless). Following the introduction of 1-ad, the prohormone market changed dramatically. Realising that the process of enzymatic conversion meant that prohormones were necessarily weaker than taking an equal amount of the target hormone they converted into, some supplement companies began to avoid the use of hormone precursors, and began introducing onto the market products such as 1-testosterone (the hormone which 1-ad would convert to) and, eventually, methyl-1-testosterone (M1T), which was a 17-alpha alkylated or methylated hormone. In layman’s terms this meant that it was highly resistant to breakdown in the liver, and was the most powerful product on the market, causing rapid strength and muscle gains even for long-time steroid users, as well as causing a host of deleterious side effects such as high blood pressure, and elevation of liver enzymes.

The End of the Beginning
Many in the supplement industry argued that the proliferation of powerful products such as M1T would eventually cause negative publicity to attach itself to the supplement industry. They were proven right and eventually the US congress passed into law the Anabolic Steroid Control Act of 2004 which effectively classed all the products then on the market as illegal drugs on a par with anabolic steroids. By early 2005 they had been removed from the market.

Prohormone Characteristics

Prohormones and prosteroids exert their effects through multiple pathways but the ones that are most important to people are their actions via their effects on the body’s androgenic, estrogenic and progestogenic receptors. It is through these that their effects are largely mediated and their interaction with other pathways is of secondary importance. Most prohormones, like anabolic steroids, are androgen agonists meaning they work via their effect on the androgen receptor. A strong androgen receptor agonist will mean effects related to the male hormone testosterone will be particularly prominent – notably increased aggression, sex drive, increased risk of hair loss and acne. Linked to these is large increases in muscle strength, strong muscle gains of a dry nature, and a hardening effect on the muscles. Estrogenic and progestogenic effects tend to be similar – prohormones that convert to estrogen and progesterone can cause large increases in mass and strength but much of the mass is of a poor quality visually and such gains often disappear rapidly as they are associated with water retention more than anything else. Estrogenic side effects are feared by bodybuilders and include increased water weight, increased susceptibility to fat gain in the presence of high estrogen and worst of all, from a cosmetic standpoint, gynecomastia.

It should be stated that while there are some products which are almost exclusively androgenic in nature with little to no risk of estrogenic/progestogenic side effects, the reverse is not true, in that compounds with high affinity for estrogen and progesterone receptors will still have an impact on the androgen receptor. You will often hear of prohormones and prosteroids being called androgenic or oestrogenic or even both, but it should be stated this is often based on their primary method of action and that all will have an androgenic effect at some level. Apart from this, prohormones will differ in their impact on other variables. Typically strong androgens are useful for promoting strength gains via the central nervous system (CNS) stimulation, independent of their anabolic or muscle building effects. All OTS steroids will promote enhanced red blood cell production which is why users of prohormones and prosteroids typically experience great pumps and vascularity.

The British Journal of Pharmacology published a Review of the Pharmacology of Anabolic Steroids (2008) that is a very good explanation of the nature of the relationship between anabolics and how they act in the body.

Paraphrasing and additions were referenced from the original article Prohormones – A Comprehensive Guide on Predatornutrition.com written by Reggie Johal, as well as MuscularDevelopment.com and Patrick Arnold.

Also referenced is the book Anabolics 2009, as cited below.

Llewellyn, William. Anabolics. 9th ed. Jupiter, FL: Molecular Nutrition, 2009.

Here is a short article posted by MuscularDevelopment -the most hardcore bodybuilding magazine- in which Robbie Durand MA, writes about cholesterol’s direct relationship to muscle building.

In short, cholesterol is needed for testosterone production. An increase in testosterone results in a rise in anabolism. That is why eggs have always been a staple of a bodybuilder’s diet. Click here to view a steroidogenesis chart diagramming cholesterol’s direct chemical pathway relationship to testosterone production. Notice that cholesterol is the base for all of the hormones produced in the chart.

Many people are afraid to eat large amounts of eggs in the quantity that bodybuilders are known to, for fear of heart related health risks. For anyone subscribing to that train of thought, I challenge you to read a previous article titled: Cholesterol- Key Role in Muscle Mass Increases- Don’t Be Afraid of The Egg!!

Another post that emphasizes the nutritional value of eggs can be read here and is titled: What Is Being In a State of Positive Nitrogen Balance? What Are Amino Acids? What Is Complete Protein? Learn About Protein Utilization (Chart) & Relationship To Food

As you read the above listed post, it is important to note that eggs are such a good source of quality protein that they are used as a basis of comparison in rating the protein quality of other foods, with eggs given an arbitrary value of a perfect 100. Eggs contain only 12% protein by weight. Yet because of the specific balance of amino acids present in that protein, 94% of it can be used by your body. Eggs are ultimately the most absorbable food source.

Here is the following article by Robbie Durand titled: Dietary Cholesterol Increases Muscle Mass.

Many of the bodybuilders of the ‘60s who wanted to put on mass were on the Vince Gironda diet of steak, eggs and protein powder mixed with whole cream. The diet also recommended 36 whole eggs per day and 1-2 pounds of red meat per day. It was a high-fat, high-protein, low-carb diet, with plenty of green veggies. It was also packed with a lot of cholesterol, which may have been the most important component of the diet. Based on the last several articles that I have written, it should be no surprise that cholesterol is important for building muscle. Cholesterol is a precursor for testosterone production. Unlike most cells that use cholesterol primarily for normal cell functioning, Leydig cells (testosterone-producing cells in the testis) have additional requirements for cholesterol, because it is the essential precursor for testosterone production. A new study in Endocrinology sheds some interesting new evidence to support how cholesterol is needed for testosterone production. Researchers reported that an increase in leutinizing hormone (a hormone that signals testosterone production) resulted in an increase in the synthesis of cholesterol synthesis and uptake in the testis.¹⁶ So if you are on a low-cholesterol diet, it may have a negative impact on muscle building due to impaired androgen production. Researchers have long thought that cholesterol may be important for muscle building, but never had the science to back it up…until now.

A recent study put the cholesterol muscle building theory to the test. They took 25 men and 30 women who filled out food diaries of what they ate and followed them over 12 weeks in conjunction with a resistance training program. The researchers compared the relationship between dietary cholesterol and gains in muscle mass. At the end of the study, the average dietary cholesterol consumption was strongly associated with the change in lean mass. Interestingly enough, although dietary protein was correlated with dietary cholesterol, protein by itself was not significantly correlated with change in lean mass. This means the researchers found that cholesterol— but not protein— was associated with changes in lean muscle mass. This means that all those cholesterol-free Egg Beaters that bodybuilders have been eating for years aren’t going to do jack for building muscle! The researchers noted that the study participants with higher cholesterol levels were more likely to have higher levels of inflammatory chemicals and cardiovascular disease risk factors. The scientists noted that cholesterol increases the body’s inflammatory response to the muscle damage from exercise and that this inflammation response stimulates the body’s muscle-building “anabolic” processes. (While chronic inflammation in arteries or other tissues is unhealthful, short-lived inflammation is an integral part of the muscle-building process.)

1.    Riechman SE, Andrews RD, Maclean DA, Sheather S. Statins and dietary and serum cholesterol are associated with increased lean mass following resistance training. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci, 2007 Oct;62(10):1164-71.

Arachidonic acid is thought to enhance androgen receptor sensitivity and amplify training related muscle inflammation, in turn magnifying hypertrophy.

Arachidonic acid is a prime ingredient in many popular bodybuilding non-pro hormone ‘anabolic’ supplements such as: Universal’s Animal Test, Gaspari Nutrition’s Halodrol Liquigels, Axis Labs’ Hemodraulix, iForce Nutrition’s Max Out, and Molecular Nutrition’s X-Factor.

Inflamed muscles may be good, but inflammation in your joints can be crippling to a bodybuilder. As with all supplements, consuming the correct dosage of a product will decide whether or not it is beneficial or detrimental. The dosages of arachidonic acid contained in the supplements listed above may or may not be the ideal amount to supplement with, but if in your efforts to consume copious amounts of lean protein you are eating several servings of farm raised tilapia & catfish, then you may be ingesting unhealthy amounts of arachidonic acid that may lead to problems such as joint inflammation or tendinitis.

Deep down we all knew farmed raised fish had to be different than wild fish, and that this source of lean(est) protein was too good to be true. Turns out, farm raised tilapia and catfish contain surprisingly high amounts of inflammation inducing arachidonic acid.

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Article by Robbie Durand, MA

Muscular Development Magazine

Bench Press Hurting Your Shoulder???

Victor Prisk MD, wrote an article published in the September 2008 issue of Muscular Development Magazine that I believe almost all bodybuilders and bench press enthusiasts will find beneficial. Hopefully this will help you in your training.

Click image to enlarge for reading:

Arnold said that heavy bench pressing is one of the best exercises for developing a thick massive chest.

We all naturally assume this to be true anyways, but Arnold also said that this exercise is most important and will have the most positive impact when used in the first two years of a bodybuidler’s training. This is when an aspiring bodybuilder should be training like a powerlifter using heavy weight and low reps in order to establish mass on his frame. If a bodybuilder never really trains with heavy weight & performs heavy core lifts, then the individual will never develop a truly powerful looking build, but more of a magazine clothing model look. After the first two or so years of heavy training, then training methods should change to more of a bodybuilder’s style. Shifting from barbell to dumbell training is highly recommended at this point to avoid shoulder injury & before you get caught up in the endless bench press (powerlifting) race with other people in the gym.

If you have questions or have no idea what I am talking about, then let me refer you to Arnold’s BodyBuilding Encyclopedia as well as a previous posted article written by the crew at AniamlPak.com that is titled, BodyBuilder’s Home Economics 101. This is how a beginner should approach his training.

Pro Hormones

Nomenclature/Chemical naming info:

For reference:

etioallocholan = 5a-androst = ‘a skeleton’ or ‘a isomer’

etiocholan = 5b-androst = ‘b skeleton’ or ‘b isomer’

17beta-hydroxy = 17b-ol

estra = 19-norandrost

1-AD (1-androstenedione) 1-androstene-3b,17b-dione or androst-1-ene-3b,17b-dione

1-AD (1-androstenediol) 1-androstene-3b,17b-diol or androst-1-ene-3b,17b-diol

4-AD (4-androstenedione) 4-androstene-3b,17b-dione or androst-4-ene-3b,17b-dione

4-AD (4-androstenediol) 4-androstene-3b,17b-diol or androst-4-ene-3b,17b-diol

1,4AD (Boldione) 1,4-androstadiene-3b,17b-dione or androst-1,4-diene-3b,17b-dione

M1,4AD (Dianadiol) 17a-methyl-1,4-androstadiene-3b,17b-diol or 17a-methyl-androst-1,4-diene-3b,17b-diol

19-Tren X (Pro-Dienolone) 19-norandrosta-4,9-diene-3b,17b-dione or estra-4,9-diene-3b,17b-dione

Max LMG 13-ethyl-3-methoxy-gona-2,5(10)-diene-17-one

Orastan-A (Furazabol THP) 5a-androstano[2,3-c]furazan-17b-tetrahydropyranol ether

Orastan-E (Stanozol THP) [3,2-c]pyrazole-5alpha-etioallocholane-17b-tetrahydropyranol

Halodrol-50 (Turinadiol) 4-chloro-17a-methyl-androst-1,4-diene-3b,17b-diol

Promagnon-25 (Methyl-Clostediol) 4-chloro-17a-methyl-androst-4-ene-3b,17b-diol

Propadrol 12-ethyl-3-methoxy-gona-diene-17 6-17 dihydroxyetiocholove-3-ol proponate

11-OXO (Adrenosterone) 4-androstene-3,11,17-trione or 11-oxo-androstenedione

Methoxy-TRN 17b-methoxy-trienbolone

Methoxy-TST 17b-methoxy-trienosterone

19-Nor (19-norandrostenediol) 19-nor-4-androsten-3b,17b-diol or 19-norandrost-4-ene-3b,17b-diol

5AA (5-alpha-androstanediol) 5a-androstane-3b,17b-diol

M5AA (Mestanolone) 17a-methyl-5a-androstanediol

3-Alpha (3-alpha-androstanediol) 5a-androstane-3alpha,17b-diol

M1T (Methyl 1-Test aka 17aa-1-testosterone) 17a-methyl-1-androstene-3-one-17b-ol or 17a-methyl-5a-androst-1-ene-3-one-17b-ol

Superdrol (Methyldrostanolone) 2a,17a-dimethyl-5a-androst-3-one-17b-ol or 2a,17a-dimethyl-etiocholan-3-one-17b-ol

Pheraplex (Madol or DMT) 17a-methyl-etioallocholan-2-ene-17b-ol or 17a-methyl-5a-androst-2-ene-17b-ol

Ergomax LMG (Ergo Matrix) 17a-methyl-delta-2-etioallocholane

Epithio (Havoc or Epistane) 2a,3a-epithio-17a-methyl-5a-androstan-17b-ol or 2a,3a-epithio-17a-methyl-etioallocholan-17b-ol

Methyl-D (Methyl Dienolone) 17a-methyl-19-Norandrosta-4,9(10)-diene-3-one-17b-ol or 17a-methyl-17b-hydroxy-estra-4,9(10)-diene-3-one

M4OHN (Methylhydroxynandrolone) 17a-methyl-4-hydroxy-19-norandrost-4-ene-3-one or 17a-methyl-4-hydroxy-estra-4-ene-3-one

4OHT (hydroxytestosterone) 4-hydroxy-androst-4-ene-3-one-17b-ol or 4,17-dihydroxy-androst-4-ene-3-one

MDHT (methyl-DHT/mestanolone) 17a-methyl-5a-androstane-3-one

• Prohormone Chart 1
  
• Prohormone Chart 2
  
• Prohormone Chart 3
• Prohormone Chart 4
• Prohormone Chart 5

    According to Wikipedia, "Steroidogenesis is the process wherein desired forms of steroids are generated by transformation of other steroids. The pathways of steroidogenesis can differ from organism to organism, but the pathways of human steroidogenesis are shown in the figure". Products of steroidogenesis include:

• Androgens
• Testosterone
• Estrogens and progesterone
• Corticoids
• Cortisol
• Aldosterone

 I think this is a useful reference chart from Wikipeida to pathways of formation of testosterone from cholesterol, or if you are taking a pro hormone, for example the original 1-AD (1-androstenedione), you can locate it in the chart and see how close it is to testosterone and its pathway. You can also see how estrogens are also formed from testosterone precursors as well as testosterone. No wonder the original 1-AD was so beloved by bodybuilders when it was on the market; it is one step away from conversion to testosterone! Dually note that it converts to estrone then estrodiol as well….thats not so good. Some conversion is necessary but to much is bad and will result in side effects such as gynocomastia. Remember a previous article that I posted (from Muscular Development) on the necessity of the presence of cholesterol for testosterone increases and protein synthesis! Hence you need cholesterol to build muscle, and the no or low cholesterol diets are not in the best interest of anabolism.

• Cholesterol Steroidogenesis Chart

  Below is information such as estimated half life and A:A ratio’s on certain compounds. I’ll update more as I find further info as much of it is compiled from original manufacturer claims and as such this should be used for reference purposes only. If anyone sees anything they can add or change please let me know. Anabolic to Androgenic ratio’s based on original manufacture claims and Vida info. Note many other unseen factors come into play that aren’t apparent in the ratio’s such as progesterone activity, and how ’strongly’ a compound binds to the androgen receptors. For example Masteron has a relatively low A:A ratio and a pretty low androgenic # of about 25 but it binds very strongly and/or with high affinity compared to other compounds. Q-Factor is the anabolic # divided by androgenic #. Some anabolics are listed with a ‘range’ for the most accurate possible estimate. Methyl Testosterone is the oral of which all other orals are compared, just as IM Test is to other injectibles: 

• Prohormone Oral Availability Chart
  
• Steroid Pharmocology Chart 1
• Steroid Pharmocology Chart 2
• Steroid Pharmocology Chart 3

Here is an interesting article out of the June issue of Muscular Development about some research that was conducted pertaining to a possible negative side effect that steroids may have on the heart. I would like to stress that the term the article uses is long term steroid abuse and not just steroid use.

Link to larger version of the article:

Here is an article out of June’s Muscular Development magazine that talks about research showing the importance of cholesterol in relation to building muscle mass. I decided to post this article to shed some light on the notion a lot of people have (especially bodybuilders that only eat the egg whites for fear of cholesterol), that you should avoid cholesterol intake as much as possible.

This article’s research states that, "researchers found that cholesterol-but not protein-was associated with changes in lean muscle mass……although dietary protein was correlated with dietary cholesterol, protein by itself was not significantly correlated with change in lean mass". But what does it mean? Basically, the presence of protein along with cholesterol and not just protein alone is what is needed to build muscle mass.

Are you skeptical about that last statement? Allow me to put this in bodybuilding terms. Go back and check the ingredients (& amounts) on your last can of Muscle Milk. Oh what did you find included???? Looks like a significant amount of cholesterol!!! Looks like Cytosport may have heard the same rumor that cholesterol must be present for protein synthesis to occur.

It is all making sense now. Cytosport didn’t forget to take out the cholesterol, they added it along with the protein to make it that much more of an anabolic compound.

And just for all of you worry warts out there that swear that eating five eggs for breakfast will give you a stroke by Christmas next year, check out what Dr. Franco Columbu (yes he is a doctor of kinesiology and is also a Chiropractor and Mr Olympia) says about the relationship between eating eggs and cholesterol intake; "Eggs are one of the richest sources of choline, yet many people are afraid to eat them, believing the cholesterol they contain will lead to clogged arteries. Yet the cholesterol found in eggs is accompanied by lecithin, a waxy substance that not only nullifies the harmful substances in cholesterol but my also play an important role in lowering any risk of clogged arteries and heart attacks".

Sounds like eggs are actually beneficial to lowering heart problems to me. And just a note from Franco Columbu for all of the egg eaters, "Larger eggs are usually a better buy per ounce, but smaller ones often have a better flavor". 

Columbu, Dr. Franco. The BodyBuilder’s Nutrition Book. Chicago, Illinois: Contemporary Books, 1985.

Durand, Robbie. "Nutrition Performance: Dietary Cholesterol and Statins Increase Muscle Mass." Muscular Development May-June 2008: 180-184.

BodyBuilding.com functions dually as a Super Site and Super Store:

Just simply click the link then choose to enter the site or the store.

SuperSite

• Over 20,000 pages of bodybuilding and fitness information with content updated every single day!
• Learn the truth about gaining muscle, losing fat, competing and staying motivated.
• Interact with our popular message boards and chat!
• Contest listings and results, amateur profiles, exercise guides and more!

SuperStore

• Over 6,500 products including supplements, clothing, tanning supplies, accessories and more!
• Complete scientific info on each product. We help you choose the right products for you!
• Guaranteed safe and easy ordering. We keep your info private.
• Award winning customer service! We are here for you when you need us.

The super site has a wealth of product information and is a good place to conduct research at. If you need to research a product before you buy it, this is a good place to start. Everything from protein to prohormones, you can find articles about them here.

As far as the super store goes, the prices are good, service is excellent, and you get a free gift with most orders. Bodybuilding.com will pricematch with any other site, just keep in mind that shipping policy will be matched as well.

BodySpace

is another added feature to Bodybuilding.com

BodySpace can be compared to a MySpace for bodybuilders.