Not every athlete is able to discern a genuine medicine among all the variety, to opt for the steroid that is best suited for him. How not to make a mistake and make the right choice, you will learn from the article. The popularity of anabolic steroids both among professional athletes and among amateur bodybuilders is growing every year. The pharmaceutical industry produces a huge number of different steroid drugs.
Demand creates supply, and at the same time provokes dishonest manufacturers to produce counterfeit drugs. According to the most conservative data, on the Russian steroid market, about half are dummies.
Not only a beginner athlete, but also a professional athlete with extensive experience can make a mistake in choosing. To avoid such a situation, you should not buy stimulants anywhere, you need to choose specialized steroid sales points.
A Brief Bodybuilder Dictionary - Everything You Need to Know
The most common group of stimulants is anabolic-androgenic steroids, or ACC. Their main task is to help athletes build muscle mass, increase endurance, strength and burn subcutaneous fat.
Such drugs appeared in the middle of the 20th century, and every year the number of drugs increases. In order to disassemble the most popular steroid drugs, we will first consider the frequently used terms in this area:
- anabolic - this property is responsible for gaining muscle mass;
- androgenic - is responsible for the development of secondary male characteristics, such as hair growth of the skin, coarsening of the timbre of the voice, the work of the genitals;
- aromatization - a process that occurs in a man's body as a result of an excess of testosterone. In fact, this is the conversion of testosterone into estrogen, which entails the development of female characteristics in the stronger sex, such as the deposition of subcutaneous fat in the waist area, the growth of mammary glands. The effect occurs as a result of non-compliance with the recommended doses of steroids with increased androgenic activity;
- hyperplasia - an increase in the number of cells in muscle tissue;
- hypertrophy - an increase in muscle volume due to an increase in cell size;
- well - the length of time during which the athlete takes anabolic steroids;
- methyl radical at position 17 - a negative property of many steroids, which has a toxic effect on the liver;
- synergy - the process of improving the properties and, as a consequence, the results due to the combined intake of several medicines;
- testosterone - the main male hormone that affects the functioning of the reproductive system and has both androgenic and anabolic properties;
- estrogen - the sex hormone of women, which is responsible for secondary female characteristics, is observed in small quantities in men.
Steroid Methandrostenolone
A legendary steroid that began to be produced in the United States in the early 60s. The initial purpose of the release of the drug was to treat extensive burns, but over time, the drug began to be actively used in bodybuilding. Over the past 30 years, this drug has gained the greatest popularity in Russia. In fact, methandrostenolone is considered a symbol of Russian bodybuilding.
Such popularity is understandable. Anabolic has a good effect on the growth of muscle tissue, while at a very affordable price. On average, over a course of 6 weeks, 30 mg per day, methandrostenolone is able to increase muscle mass by 8-10 kilograms. The main effects of methane include:
- fast set of muscle mass;
- increase in endurance and strength indicators;
- improved appetite;
- the possibility of burning subcutaneous fat in a small amount.
Features of the steroid profile: methane exceeds the anabolic activity of testosterone by 200%, the androgenic effect of the same hormone is 50%. Aromatization exists, but not high, moderate hepotoxicity. Anabolic is produced in forms for injection and for oral administration. The elimination time from the body is 3 months.
Of the side effects, the main ones are:
- Retention of water in the body, which, as a result, can lead to a partial loss of results at the end of the course.
- Acne on the skin.
- Increased blood pressure.
- Inhibition of the production of its own hormone testosterone; this phenomenon disappears after the end of the course.
- Liver toxicity. This side effect is mild; with the parallel intake of additional medications that protect the organ, the negative effect is practically not observed.
- In rare cases, as a rule, with an overdose of methane, the manifestation of gynecomastia is possible.
- With long courses with irregular doses of anabolic, testicular atrophy may develop.
- For women, taking Methandrostenolone is fraught with the development of secondary male characteristics, that is, masculinization appears.
Some athletes using this steroid have reported increased sexual performance, heartburn, and baldness. In very rare cases, myocardial hypertrophy was manifested.
Methane works well with many other anabolic steroids such as Winstrol, Retabolin, Testosterone Enanthate or Primobolan. The recommended dose of methane per day is up to 30 mg, it is better to take the steroid after meals, for less effect on the liver. The average course duration is 6 weeks.
To reduce the level of aromatization, it is recommended to start taking aromatase inhibitors, such as Anastrozole, from 2 weeks of the course. Their use will eliminate the effects of estrogens, including the formation of puffiness and the accumulation of excess fluid in the body.
Within two to three weeks after the end of the course, you should take Tamoxifen, a drug of the PCT group. To exclude an increase in blood pressure, you can take Enalapril, and also slightly reduce the dose of anabolic if the pressure is above normal. After a course of Methandrostenolone, testosterone production is disrupted, so a booster of this hormone should be taken for several weeks.
The drug is contraindicated in persons under 21 years of age due to open growth zones that the steroid can disrupt, as well as for people with heart, liver and kidney problems. In our steroid market, you can find preparations containing the main component methandrostenolone, these include:
- Akrikhin.
- Bioreactor.
- Nerobol.
- Anabol.
- Retabolil.
Steroid Retabolil (Nandrolone Decanoate)
Nandrolone Decanoate, aka Retabolil, appeared in 1962 and has become one of the most popular injectable anabolic steroids. The popularity of the drug is explained by its high anabolic activity and the relatively low incidence of side effects. The steroid has the following pronounced effects:
- The growth of muscle mass is considered to be quite intense; if used correctly, you can gain up to eight kilograms per course.
- Strengthening the musculoskeletal system. Previously, anabolic was used in the treatment of pathologies associated with the human skeleton.
- Elimination of joint pain by improving the production of synovial fluid in them.
- Improving oxygen circulation in body tissues.
- Increasing the protective functions of the body.
It is also important to note that the drug practically does not retain water in the body, but, on the contrary, promotes its excretion, and this allows you to gain high-quality dry mass. With regard to the steroid profile, the anabolic activity relative to testosterone in Retabolil is 150%, while the androgenic effect is only 30% of this hormone. The toxicity level for the liver is low, aromatization is practically not manifested.
In terms of side effects, there are relatively few of them, especially when compared with other groups of anabolic steroids. Since androgenic activity is quite low, such manifestations as excess body hair growth, baldness or skin rashes are practically not observed. Their appearance is not excluded, but only in cases where the dosage of the medication is violated.
Estrogenic activity with manifestations in the form of water retention in the body or the growth of mammary glands is possible only if the recommended doses of the drug are significantly exceeded.
Despite all the positive aspects of the remedy, there are still side effects. The main one is a possible decrease in libido with a sluggish erection, this point is explained by progestin activity. This manifestation can be avoided; it is necessary to use prolactin inhibitors during the course. In addition to this such an unpleasant phenomenon, the following negative manifestations are possible:
- increased blood pressure;
- headache;
- depressive states and irritability;
- abdominal pain;
- rhinitis.
But it is worth noting that all these manifestations occur in no more than 20% of athletes taking Retabolil.
Regarding the course of administration, it should be a little longer than when taking other steroids, since Nandrolone, although it helps to build high-quality muscle mass, does not happen quickly. There is a significant, but unsharp growth of muscle tissue.
The recommended course is 8-10 weeks, with one injection per week, at a dose of 200 to 400 mg. If you decide to try this drug for the first time, you need to start with the minimum dose, gradually increasing it. During and after the course, to prevent the occurrence of various side effects, it is recommended to take additional medications, such as:
- Gonadotropin.
- Bromocriptine.
- Clomid.
- Testosterone boosters.
The drug combines well with other anabolic steroids, in particular, with Winstrol, Sustan, Testosterone or Methandrostenolone. A combined course is considered better than a solo one, as it avoids a decrease in sexual activity and suppression of one's own testosterone production. In any case, it is necessary to draw up a course based on the individual characteristics of the organism, and in conjunction with a professional.
Steroid Nandrolone Phenylpropionate
Unlike Retabolil in the form of Decanoate, Nandrolone Phenylpropionate acts softer, which is manifested by less water retention in the body and, as a result, an increase in better-quality muscles. Its half-life is much shorter (1-2 days), which requires more frequent injections.
But thanks to this same property, its absorption into the blood is much faster, thereby affecting the body less. It also takes less time to restore the production of its own testosterone after a cycle.
The disadvantage of the drug is its long-term detection in the body, up to one and a half years, which is why it is not suitable for athletes participating in doping control competitions.
The main positive effects of the steroid are:
- Improving protein synthesis in muscle mass.
- Reducing protein loss, which has a positive effect on such a negative point as the rollback phenomenon.
- Retention of fluid in the inter-articular tissues, which avoids pain in the joints and ligaments.
The main difference between Retabolil and Nandrolone Phenylpropionate is the time of their release from the body, the rest of their properties are similar, since they have one derivative.
With regard to side effects, mainly their occurrence is associated with a violation of the dosage of the drug. Aromatization appears insignificantly, most of the side effects cause an increase in the level of prolactin in the blood.
Large doses cause accumulation of water, which is manifested by severe swelling and increased blood pressure. A significant increase in prolactin levels can cause manifestations of gynecomastia and decreased libido. To reduce prolactin levels, it is recommended to take Cabergoline or Bromocriptine. In general, the nandrolone group is considered a steroid for professional careers and is not preferred by beginners.
The weekly dosage of anabolic should vary between 300-400 mg, the frequency of injections - every 3-4 days. Nandrolone phenylpropionate is almost never used alone. The course is combined mainly with such anabolic steroids as:
- Methandrostenolone;
- Testosterone Propionate;
- Turinabol;
- Winstrol and others.
It is not uncommon to combine three medications, and it is important to reduce the total steroid dosage.
In a survey of athletes using different nandrolone esters, decanoate and phenylpropionate, 79% preferred phenylpropionate. The overall assessment of the drug is also positive - 92% of athletes noted an increase in muscle mass, the absence of a rollback phenomenon and, in general, the effectiveness of the steroid.
How to distinguish a fake steroid from a genuine drug?
Counterfeiting of steroids is a common problem that dishonest manufacturers profit from. The main reason for such popularity of handicraft production is the extensive demand, high cost and difficulty in identifying the original from a fake.
If the fake is made with high quality, it is very difficult even for a professional to disassemble the original from the counterfeit products by all visual signs. Here you only need a laboratory study of the composition of the content. But still, there are some points that you should pay attention to when buying:
- Additional closure, it is almost always inherent in original drugs, which is something that counterfeits cannot boast of.
- On the label, if the steroid is genuine, the batch number, expiration date and date of manufacture are printed in a different font than everything else.
- A separate imprint is placed because the labels are prepared in advance, and the marking is placed on the day the drug is released. In case of counterfeiting, as a rule, the label is already prepared with a fictitious production date and batch number, so it does not differ from other inscriptions.
- Falsified steroids often lack leaflets with information on the chemical composition of the medication, on the recommended doses and contraindications.
- The original bottle cap cannot be turned by hand.
These are the main visual differences to look out for before purchasing. Of course, they will not be able to completely protect you from counterfeiting, but still. Give preference to buying only steroid drugs in specialized stores.
Combine steroid use with vigorous training, sports nutrition and a protein diet, and the result will not keep you waiting. Just remember that eating a lot is not good. Overdoses of anabolic steroids instead of piles of muscle can put you in a hospital bed. Always adhere to the recommended doses.
Video on the use of steroids:
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