When it comes to anti-estrogens, the best bet may be not in occupying the receptor sites, as does Clomid, but to compete with the testosterone/estrogen balance. At one time, Proviron was deemed a valid choice as an anti-estrogen agent until some of the sophomoric steroid students argued that it didn't have any direct anti-estrogenic properties. True, but it still looks as if it's the best choice if you feel the need to guard against estrogen build up. It does so because DHT acts as a gyno antagonist. (Yet another thing that has been oddly overlooked.) Even when DHT is applied topically it's been shown to reduce gyno in cases where the gyno hadn't been a chronic condition.

Beyond the direct effect of DHT, Proviron has distinct benefits, the first being that as a derivative of DHT it isn't capable of forming estrogen, yet it has a much higher affinity for the aromatase enzyme (which converts testosterone to estrogen) than does testosterone. That means administering it with another aromatizable compound will prevent estrogen build up due to the fact that DHT binds to the aromatase enzyme so strongly. There's also been some suggestion that Proviron may downgrade the actual estrogen receptor, thereby making it twice as effective at reducing circulating estrogen levels. And because DHT has such a high affinity for SHBG it leaves more free testosterone to impart its anabolic effects.

It makes sense that the use of Proviron is a more practical and rational method of dealing with the possibility of excess estrogen than the aforementioned method of attempting to add a weaker estrogen in the hopes that it will prevent aromatization. William Llewellyn touches upon this in Anabolics 2000. He says..."(Proviron) is in contrast to Nolvadex which only blocks estrogen's ability to bind and activate receptors in certain tissues." (such as breast tissue) In other words, the World Anabolic Reference was right when it stated; "Proviron cures the problem of aromatization at the root while Nolvadex simply cures the symptoms." Proviron in moderate doses has been shown to be remarkably safe and free of side effects in most men. If you must use an anti-estrogen, Proviron is the way go.

To this day, I don't feel completely comfortable talking about drugs. It's kind of like talking about sex, or religion, or politics. Opinions are varied and very personal and if one's perspective is in contradiction to anothers, it's a fair bet that it isn't going to be readily embraced. Be that as it may, this is The Bottom Line. And there are some indisputable facts about steroids, irrespective of anyone's personal opinions about their use.

They work.
They will be used.
They aren't as dangerous as some people claim.
They aren't as benign as some people claim.

I've been attacked on both sides of the fence on this issue. I've been accused of encouraging the use of steroids (which is absolutely not true). I've been accused of using steroids extensively (which is absolutely not true) and I've also been accused of being a total weenie and recommending pussy dosages and playing it way too safe. (Which may or may not be true.) I will say, my conservative use has given me a more accurate perspective than that of someone who uses high dosages and combinations of whatever he can get his hands on and then starts evaluating the effects of one or the other. Another reason, maybe the main reason, I don't like talking about drugs is the fact that so
many people don't really listen to what's being said.

They hear what they want to hear. I had one 18 year old guy write to me asking my advice on what was a better stack; Deca and D-bol or Sustanon and Winstrol. I felt this guy needed a reality check so I let him have it. I said; "Here's some advice. Quit bodybuilding! If you can't make gains now, you never will. Real bodybuilding takes guts and hard work and you sound like you don't have it in you, so save yourself the time and trouble of injecting a substance of dubious origin into your bloodstream and take up an easier hobby."

His response?

" I do work hard, I just maxxed out my gains. So should I go with the Deca and D-Bol?"

Ugh.


As awkward as the drug topic may be, I have no problem giving my opinion on the laws surrounding steroids. Make no mistake about it; the so called "war on drugs" is a farce. It cost the taxpayers billions. It doesn't work. It never has. It never will. Don't believe it? All one has to do is take a look at the countries that have adopted a policy of less oppression toward drug users. Drug use is down! Violence and theft stemming from the need for drugs is non-existent. The money once used to incarcerate is now used for rehabilitation. Compare that to the condition as it now exists in the United States.

And just as an aside, there is horrific destruction of property in foreign lands (burning crops, bombing poppy fields) by the U.S. government which may be more responsible for the dissent and disdain against our country than anything else. In those cases, the destruction is designed to stop the import of narcotics which possess a threat to society, although I don't know of anyone who would take a narcotic unless they wanted to. These lip service laws are just a convenient way of grouping everything into one melting pot of government issued morality.

The laws against steroids do not protect anyone. Not you, or me, or our children, or Mom or apple pie or democracy or the republic for which we stand is at risk if someone decides to increase his or her musculature. If someone is caught using steroids, it does not help them or anyone else if they are imprisoned along with murderers and rapists. It's a disgrace that it can happen in this country. But it does.

The anti-drug herd is as clueless as it gets. Their best mode of operation is to try and frighten people but anyone over the age of eleven knows that scare tactics never work. And the more they're used, the more people become anesthetized to them. I all too often hear parents lamenting on how they can keep their kids off of drugs. I think it's pretty simple. A kid will listen to a friend he admires and trusts. Be that friend. But guidance and education aren't enough, apparently. People want the government to raise their kids for them.

Here's the bottom line: In the case of drug laws, for the most part they're designed to insure that no one receives revenue without paying taxes. That's the crime. But it's shrouded by this smokescreen of arrogant indignity and bogus piety. Isn't the government protecting our health, you say? Get real.

And another thing...

If I want to go down into my basement, drink a quart of Vodka, and then juggle a couple of flaming chainsaws...that's my right. As long as nobody else gets hurt, who cares? It's my choice and I'll suffer the consequences.

The health issue regarding steroid use is one that is brought up the most often. A lot of people don't realize this, but the AMA was AGAINST the criminalization of steroids!

But the politicians needed a whipping boy and choosing one that wasn't popular with the general public was the perfect choice. (Only crazy people who want muscles would ever use steroids, right?) This is why I believe it'll be a long, long time before the prohibition against anabolics is revoked. There simply aren't enough people who want it repealed, as was the case with the prohibition of alcohol. Then candidate for President Franklin Delanor Roosevelt knew it was unpopular and by revoking it, he would improve his standing among the populace. Roosevelt went on the win the election. But don't wait for the same thing to happen with steroids. Meanwhile alcoholism is rampant, even among teenagers.

There's also a lot of media generated propaganda surrounding anabolics. Let's face it, it's hard to defend something that has the potential for disaster. Still, I get infuriated when I see ads that say; "Buying drugs supports terrorists." Hell, buying gasoline supports terrorists. It's the illegality of drugs which makes them a viable black market for anyone, maybe even terrorists. So, if anything, it's the inane laws that are put into place that support terrorism. But the honchos in Washington D.C. love to place the blame elsewhere -- and you're as good a place as any.

At the core of all this idiocy is the fact that steroids aren't understood very well by the public. One of the negative stigmas concerning steroid use is the myth of "roid rage." I say myth because I don't believe anyone has ever exhibited violent behavior because they were on steroids. Being a malcontent, mentally unstable asshole on steroids -- that's a different story. But the way I see it, it's like alcohol. You know how some people are "nasty drunks?" Well, it isn't the alcohol that makes them nasty. The alcohol just lowers inhibition. They were nasty all along. The booze just gave them an excuse to be more at ease with being their assholy-selves. It's the same thing with anabolics. If you're an overly aggressive person with all sorts of issues which I really don't care about, the increased strength and heightened sense of well being from additional androgen might turn you into a raging, hostile prick. Don't blame the drugs -- but they do make a handy excuse for coping a plea in court.

It's only natural to side with a conviction based on one's personal preferences, and the issue of steroid use is no different. If you decide not to use steroids...great. But that doesn't mean it's wrong or immoral and those who choose to partake are evil. Yet many people equate morality with legality (which I find more than a little disturbing). And for all of the people who are outraged by unfair laws, there are just as many people who are just fine with them. The truth is, many people want laws. They provide a clear cut guideline. They're safe. Follow them and everything will be alright. (And may you sleep soundly in your beds tonight dear citizens.)

It works the other way too. Those who enforce the laws are by nature bureaucratic thinkers -- in other words, they don't think at all. Their job is to act in a regulated manner and a law is permission to do so, even for atrocities such as slavery or the holocaust. If those references are too abstruse for you, let's bring it a little closer to home. If someone makes a right turn after stopping at a red light in a deserted part of town at 3:00 in the morning, according to the law set forth by the Department of Motor Vehicles, it's no different than someone who runs right through a red light at 3:00 in the afternoon across the street from a schoolyard. Now anyone with an ounce of sense knows that the first person shouldn't be bothered and the second person should have his testicles chopped off with a rusty hatchet. But on the books, it's the same crime. So don't expect to talk any sense into those who enforce it.

Humans are by nature a flocking species and some people aren't much more analytical than sheep. Tell them what to do, or what not to do, and they're just fine with it. Thinking is hard.

There's also the reactionary aspect to drug use. The media loves to sensationalize because that's what gets ratings. Here's an example: What if you saw the words "Child Molested!" as a headline in a newspaper or an opener of a news show? Chances are you'd think of a heinous and vicious crime. But what if the charge was against an 18 year old girl who had sex with an 17 year old boy? Technically, the charge is the same, but suddenly the dynamic is different. It isn't really a "crime" at all. Come to think of it, it's kinda nice. Yet it can be presented as the most vile and egregious act imaginable. Distortions such as this happen all the time. One would think that our founding fathers allowed for freedom of the press in order to insure that the public would get all the facts straight. But news is now entertainment, which means it's a business, which means it's governed by money, which means that any possible twisting of the facts that may lead to a more sensational story is fair game. And drug use makes good copy.

Let's not discount the feminists role in all of this. This nation has been pussified within an inch of its life. Turn on any news show, talk show or TV show in general and anytime you hear the word "testosterone", it's in a negative context. It symbolizes all that is evil about men -- aggression, belligerence, misogyny. Men are vilified if they so much as openly exhibit any masculine traits. Movies that are considered "cute" have women who are thieves, embezzlers or prostitutes and as long as she's presented as the heroine, she'll be so. Women love it. Yet men are depicted as incompetent boobs incapable of cooking, cleaning, child rearing or rational thinking. Women love that too. And men sit back and take it, as if they should somehow be apologetic for having balls. The irony of all of this is that women loathe these wimps whom they've psychologically castrated. Then they wonder; "where are all the real men?"

Think this isn't a feminist driven society? Then tell me this: Why is it that a man can take female hormones to become a woman and it's considered acceptable yet if he takes hormones to become more manly he's a criminal?

Enough politics, philosophy, psychology and sociology.

My original intention for a chapter on drugs was to compose an update of the "Steroids For Health" report which was written in 1997 (published in 1998). Instead, I thought it might be a good idea to look back at it and interject comments along the way. In this way, I could provide updates, insights and retrospection to the basic principles.

Keep in mind, this was six years ago. There wasn't much available information and we were all shooting from the hip back then. Dan Duchaine's original Underground Steroid Handbook is loaded with inaccuracies but that doesn't diminish its significance, nor does it detract from the fact that Dan's insights were nothing short of brilliant. Bill Phillip's Anabolic Reference Guide was a combination of medical text and empirical evidence -- often erroneous and less germane today, nevertheless, it helped people learn more about anabolics -- for better or worse. The Steroid Bible was read by thousands of people and it was little more than generic referencing of the various drugs. The World Anabolic Reference made a giant leap in detailed scientific information along with firsthand application recommendations for bodybuilding and athletic enhancement. Still, it was often guessing and guessing wrong.

According to a lot of folks in the industry, Steroids For Health is a part of that early catalog of steroid information, albeit a less technical one but one which offered another perspective. And for all its foibles and antiquated references, I have to say, it still holds up as pretty good advice.

So here, presented in its original text, as written on an old word processor (hence, no italics -- but hey, I thought I was so high tech that I wasn't using a typewriter!) is the original Steroids For Health article with interspersed epilogue. I trust that it may help you make intelligent decisions regarding the use of steroids.Note: Learn to use the law to your advantage. If you run into any trouble regarding possession of anabolics, call someone who knows your rights. I'd recommend reading LEGAL MUSCLE by Rick Collins. Never, NEVER, NEVER say anything without representation! Check out www.steroidlaw.com and let them do the talking for you. You won't regret it.

Oh yeah!

I will not be discussing every drug used for bodybuilding purposes for two reasons.

One: I don't use them and any advice would not come from firsthand experience,
therefore it would just be a rewording of other material, so you might as well find that
material in the first place if that's what you're looking for.

And Two: I believe substances such as Clenbuterol, Insulin, DNP, Cytomel, Nubain, Synthol, RU486, Dopamine and Diuretics are dangerous and unhealthy and have no place in bodybuilding.

During the week (Monday - Friday), you eat (by calories) about 55..60% fat, 30..35% protein, and no more than 30g of carbohydrates.

The plentiful supply of fat causes a metabolic shift from primarily burning carbs to primarily burning fats. Insulin levels remains low (which increases GH release). Increased dietary fat is also linked to increased testosterone levels.

Despite popular belief, the human body can run pretty well without carbs (otherwise Eskimos wouldn't be doing too well). During the weekend (Saturday - Sunday, about 24 to 48 hours), you eat a high carb, medium fat (30..40%), low protein (10..15%) diet. This causes an insulin spike. While this can increase fat deposits, it moves more nutrients into your muscles, and has an anabolic effect. The important thing is to switch back to the high fat / low carb mode before you put on too much fat.

What are the benefits ?

Increased lean body mass without the use of illegal substances.

Maximize the effects of your own hormones.

Reduced cortisol levels resulting in reduced catabolism.

Increased energy level compared to low-fat diets.

Decrease body fat without increasing lean mass, e.g. lose 90% fat, 10% muscle instead of 60% fat
40% muscle on most other diets.

Burning fat is less efficient -> increased metabolic rate.

Plentiful supply of protein.

What about Cholesterol ?

If you keep your fat intake somewhat balanced, i.e. not exclusively saturated fats, you should have no problem. For example, eggs tend to increase your HDL level (good Cholesterol). Your actual mileage may vary - test your Cholesterol level before you start.

Getting started / tips

Eat 5 to 6 meals daily.

Eat something when you are hungry - don't wait.

Keep sodium intake reasonable, some meat products can be pretty high.

Drink enough water !

This diet doesn't work if your fat intake goes too low (below about 40%).

Start at around 3000 calories per day (or 18*bw), then adjust up or down depending on your results and goals.

You may need to use a fiber supplement (watch out for hidden carbs).

First week can be rough - stick with it.

Regularly check bodyfat percentage (for example using calipers).

During the weekend, be careful with foods with high glycemic index - they can wreak havoc on your insulin level, and switch you into fat storage mode more quickly.

Low carb foods

Try to get as much natural fiber as possible from salad or vegetables, while staying within the 30g carb target.

The usual suspects:
Beef, Chicken etc. Fish Cheese Butter Any kind of oil

Veggies:
Almonds (1oz = 5..6g), Asparagus, Avocado (1/2 = 6g), Broccoli, Cauliflower, Eggplant, Green beans, Lettuce, Mushrooms, Olives, Peanuts (1oz = 6g), Red / Green peppers, Spinach, Sprouts, Tofu, soy milk, Zucchini

Condiments:
Caesar salad dressing, Oil and vinegar salad dressing, Mustard (e.g. Dijon), Pickles, Sour cream

For the sweet tooth:
Dole or Welsh no sugar added fruit pops (6g each) Sugar free Jell-O + whipped cream (within reason) Caffeine can help burn fat (but only on a low carb / high fat diet).
Ephedrine is questionable.

Sustanon: The "king" of testosterone blends.

The four different testosterone esters in this product certainly look appealing to the consumer, there is no denying that. But for the athlete I think it is all just a matter of marketing (Hell, why buy one ester when you can get four?). In clinical situations I can see some strong uses for it. If you were undergoing testosterone replacement therapy for example, you would probably find Sustanon a much more comfortable option than testosterone enanthate. You would need to visit the doctor less frequently for an injection, and blood levels should be more steadily maintained between treatments. But for the bodybuilder who is injecting 4 ampules of Sustanon per week, there is no advantage over other testosterone products. In fact, the high price tag for Sustanon usually makes it a very poor buy in the face of cheaper testosterone enanthate/cypionate. Bodybuilders should probably stop looking at the four ester issue, and stick with totals (Sustanon is just a 250mg testosterone ampule). Were enanthate to be available for say $10 per amp of 250mg, and Sustanon priced nearly double that, buying the Sustanon would be like throwing money away. If you could get nearly double the milligram amount for the same price with enanthate, this is the better product to go with hands down. Leave the high priced stuff for the guys who don't know any better.

IN CONCLUSIONWhile the advent of esters certainly constitutes an invaluable advance in the field of anabolic steroid medicine, clearly you can see that there is no magic involved here. Esters work in a well-understood and predictable manner, and do not alter the activity of the parent steroid in any way other than to delay its release. Although the lure surrounding various steroid products like testosterone cypionate, Sustanon, Omnadren etc. certainly makes for interesting conversation, realistically it just amounts to misinformation that the athlete would be better off ignoring. Testosterone is testosterone and anyone who is going to tell you one ester form of this (or any) hormone is much better than another one should do a little more research, and a lot less talking.
Acetate: Chemical Structure C2H4O2.

Also referred to as Acetic Acid; Ethylic acid; Vinegar acid; vinegar; Methanecarboxylic acid. Acetate esters delay the release of a steroid for only a couple of days. Contrary to what you may have read, acetate esters do not increase the tendency for fat removal. Again, there is no known mechanism for it to do so. This ester is used on oral primobolan tablets (metenolone acetate), Finaplix (trenbolone acetate) implant pellets, and occasionally testosterone.
Propionate: Chemical Structure C3H6O2.

Also referred to as Carboxyethane; hydroacrylic acid; Methylacetic acid; Ethylformic acid; Ethanecarboxylic acid; metacetonic acid; pseudoacetic acid; Propionic Acid. Propionate esters will slow the release of a steroid for several days. To keep blood levels from fluctuating greatly, propionate compounds are usually injected two to three times weekly. Testosterone propionate and methandriol dipropionate (two separate propionate esters attached to the parent steroid methandriol) are popular items.

Phenylpropionate: Chemical Structure C9H10O2.Also referred to as Propionic Acid Phenyl Ester. Phenylpropionate will extend the release of active steroid a few days longer than propionate. To keep blood levels even, injections are given at least twice weekly. Durabolin is the drug most commonly seen with a phenylpropionate ester (nandrolone phenylpropionate), although it is also used with testosterone in Sustanon and Omnadren.
Isocarpoate: Chemical Structure C6H12O2.

Also referred to as Isocaproic Acid; isohexanoate; 4-methylvaleric acid. Isocaproate begins to
near enanthate in terms of release. The duration is still shorter, with a notable hormone level being sustained for approximately one week. This ester is used with testosterone in the blended products Sustanon and Omnadren.
Caproate: Chemical Structure C6H12O2.

Also referred to as Hexanoic acid; hexanoate; n-Caproic Acid; n-Hexoic acid; butylacetic acid; pentiformic acid; pentylformic acid; n-hexylic acid; 1-pentanecarboxylic acid; hexoic acid; 1-hexanoic acid; Hexylic acid; Caproic acid. This ester is identical to isocarpoate in terms of atom count and weight, but is laid out slightly different (Isocaproate has a split configuration, difficult to explain here but easy to see on paper). Release duration would be very similar to isocaproate (levels sustained for approximately one weak), perhaps coming slightly closer to enanthate due to its straight chain. Caproate is the slowest releasing ester used in Omnadren, which is why most athletes notice more water retention with this compound.
Enanthate: Chemical Structure C7H14O2.

Also referred to as heptanoic acid; enanthic acid; enanthylic acid; heptylic acid; heptoic acid; Oenanthylic acid; Oenanthic acid. Enanthate is one of the most prominent esters used in steroid manufacture (most commonly seen with testosterone but is also used in other compounds like Primobolan Depot). Enanthate will release a steady (yet fluctuating as all esters are) level of hormone for approximately 10-14 days. Although in medicine enanthate compounds are often injected on a bi-weekly or monthly basis, athletes will inject at least weekly to help maintain a uniform blood level.
Cypionate: Chemical Structure C8H14O2.

Also referred to as Cyclopentylpropionic acid, cyclopentylpropionate. Cypionate is a very popular ester here in the U.S., although it is scarcely found outside this region. Its release duration is almost identical to enanthate (10-14 days), and the two are likewise thought to be interchangeable in U.S. medicine. Althletes commonly hold the belief than cypionate is more powerful than enanthate, although realistically there is little difference between the two. The enanthate ester is in fact slightly smaller than cypionate, and it therefore releases a small (perhaps a few milligrams) amount of steroid more in comparison.
Decanoate: Chemical Structure C10H20O2.

Also referred to as decanoic acid; capric acid; caprinic acid; decylic acid, Nonanecarboxylic acid. The Decanoate ester is most commonly used with the hormone nandrolone (as in Deca-Durabolin) and is found in virtually all corners of the world. Testosterone decanoate is also the longest acting constituent in Sustanon, greatly extending its release duration. The release time with Decanoate compounds is listed to be as long as one month, although most recently we are finding that levels seem to drop significantly after two weeks. To keep blood levels more uniform, athletes (as they have always known to do) will follow a weekly injection schedule.
Undecylenate: Chemical Structure C11H20O2.

Also referred to as Undecylenic acid; Hendecenoic acid; Undecenoic acid. This ester is very similar to decanoate, containing only one carbon atom more. Its release duration is likewise very similar (approximately 2-3 weeks), perhaps extending a day or so past that seen with decanoate. Undecylenate seems to be exclusive to the veterinary preparation Equipoise (boldenone undecylenate), although there is no reason it would not work well in human-use preparations (Equipoise certainly works fine for athletes). Again, weekly injections are most common.
Undecanoate: Chemical Structure C11H22O2.

Also referred to as Undecanoic Acid; 1-Decanecarboxylic acid; Hendecanoic acid; Undecylic acid. Undecanoate is not a commonly found ester, and only appears to be used in the nandrolone preparation Dynabolan, and oral testosterone undecanoate (Andriol). Since this ester is chemically very similar to undecylenate (it is only 2 hydrogen atoms larger), it has a similar release duration (approximately 2-3 weeks). Although this ester is used in the oral preparation Andriol, there is no reason to believe it carries any properties unique of other esters. Andriol in fact works very poorly at delivering testosterone, bolstering the idea that oral administration is not the idea use of esterified androgens.
Laurate: Chemical structure C12H24O2.

Also referred to as Dodecanoic acid, laurostearic acid, duodecyclic acid, 1-undecanecarboxylic
acid, and dodecoic acid. Laurate is the longest releasing ester used in commercial steroid production, although longer acting esters do exist. Its release duration would be closer to one month than the other esters listed above, although realistically we are probably to expect a notable drop in hormone level after the third week. Laurate is exclusively found in the veterinary nandrolone preparation Laurabolin, perhaps seen as slightly advantageous over a decanoate ester due to a less frequent injection schedule. Again athletes will most commonly inject this drug weekly, no doubt in part due to its low strength (25mg/ml or 50mg/ml)

There are many different esters that are used with anabolic/androgenic steroids, but again, they all do basically the same thing. Esters vary only in their ability to reduce a steroid's water solubility. An ester like propionate for example will slow the release of a steroid for a few days, while the duration will be weeks with a decanoate ester. Esters have no effect on the tendency for the parent steroid to convert to estrogen or DHT (dihydrotestosterone: a more potent metabolite) nor will it effect the overall muscle-building potency of the compound. Any differences in results and side effects that may be noted by bodybuilders who have used various esterified versions of the same base steroid are just issues of timing. Testosterone enanthate causes estrogen related problems more readily than Sustanon, simply because with enanthate testosterone levels will peak and trough much sooner (1-2 week release duration as opposed to 3 or 4). Likewise testosterone suspension is the worst in regards to gyno and water bloat because blood hormone levels peak so quickly with this drug. Instead of waiting weeks for testosterone levels to rise to their highest point, here we are at most looking at a couple of days. Given an equal blood level of testosterone, there would be no difference in the rate of aromatization or DHT conversion between different esters. There is simply no mechanism for this to be possible.

There is however one way that we can say an ester does technically effect potency; it is calculated in the steroid weight. The heavier the ester chain, the greater is its percentage of the total weight. In the case of testosterone enanthate for example, 250mg of esterified steroid (testosterone enanthate) is equal to only 180mg of free testosterone. 70mgs out of each 250mg injection is the weight of the ester. If we wanted to be really picky, we could consider enanthate slightly MORE potent than cypionate (I know this goes against popular thinking) as its ester chain contains one less carbon atom (therefore taking up a slightly smaller percentage of total weight). Propionate would of course come out on top of the three, releasing a measurable (but not significant) amount more testosterone per injection than cypionate or enanthate.

Clenbuterol

You may be familiar with clenbuterol, as it is a very popular dieting drug among bodybuilders. Specifically this drug has an effect on the body similar to the endogenous hormone adrenaline (epinephrine). The properties of this drug are similar to ephedrine and norephedrine, which work
mainly to stimulate certain adrenergic receptors. Clenbuterol most specifically binds to the beta-2 receptor, which is directly related to fat loss. When this receptor is activated, the body is prompted to release fatty acids into circulation (lowering fat stores). Clenbuterol also acts as a strong CNS stimulant, and users quite commonly report associated side effects like shaky hands, insomnia, sweating, increased blood pressure and nausea during treatment. Such side effects generally subside after a week or so once the user becomes accustomed to the drug. Only consider clenbuterol when the stimulating effects of Phenyltropic PPA have subsided.

Cytomel

Cytomel is a syntehtic form of the endogenous thyroid hormone triiodothyronine (T-3). Thyroid hormones are the primary regulators of body metabolism, and effect virtually all organ systems. T-3 is the hormone that displays the most pronounced activity in the body, although there are a number of other hormones and precursors in this group. Thyroid drugs are advantageous to the athlete for their ability to markedly increase the metabolic rate (affecting the rate in which proteins, fats and carbohydrates are utilized by the body). In particular, the use of thyroid drugs can have a dramatic impact on an individuals body-fat stores. So much that many bodybuilders find it possible to shred off excess fat without the same level of caloric restrictions needed with "natural" diets. Dieting is in fact very difficult for most people, because the body will quickly notice a deficit in food intake, and will respond by reducing the level of thyroid hormones in the blood. This makes it increasingly more difficult for the average person to consistently lose weight during a diet, as the body is constantly striving to lower its daily need for calories. Thyroid use clearly circumvents this problem, making this type of drug use very popular among serious competitors. These drugs are not without side effects however, which include, but are not limited to, heart palpitations, agitation, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat, sweating, nausea, headaches, and psychic/metabolic disorders. Cytomel is a powerful hormone, one that can permanently alter the functioning of the body if it is misused. When administering it, one must take caution to increase the dosage slowly. It is also a good recommendation to take no more than 100mcg daily.

Synthroid

Synthroid is a synthetic form of the thyroid hormone thyroxine (T-4). Thyroxine was the first thyroid hormone isolated by scientists, who at first mistakenly thought it was the primary thyroid hormone. Later we have come to find however that T-3 is the hormone which displays the most activity. Thyroxine is actually looked at as a relatively inactive thyroid product in its initial state, and exerts most of its action by converting to T-3. 80% of blood T-3 actually comes from the conversion of T-4, so thyroxine can be thought of as a form of storage for active thyroid hormone in the body. Administration of a synthetic T-4 can markedly increase basal metabolism however, its effect is limited by the rate at which the body can convert it. It is therefore considered as a weaker thyroid option, although its effect is still quite substantial. As with Cytomel, side effects can be a major concern (see above). Synthroid is also believed to have the potential to permanently alter thyroid functioning if misused, so don't be tricked into thinking it is completely weak or benign. Similar dosing regimens to Cytomel apply, with the total daily amount not to exceed 300-400mcg.

Tiratricol

Tiratricol is a synthetic thyroid hormone popular among bodybuilders in Europe. Similar to Synthroid, this compound is relatively inactive in its initial state. Its effect on the body stems from its ability to convert to T-3, the body's primary thyroid hormone. It is interesting to note that tiratricol is commonly used in Europe to treat cases of hyperthyroidism (overproduction of thyroid hormones). Apparently in such conditions the intake of tiratricol can cause the body to recognize a surplus of thyroid hormone levels (feedback mechanism), signaling for the reduced secretion of TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone). This will ultimately aid in the regulation of hormone production, as natural T-3 and T-4 output would be reduced. Healthy bodybuilders however do not feel the use of this item lowers thyroid levels, and instead find it to be a very effective drug for elevating T-3 and increasing the removal of excess body fat. Tiratricol is comparatively weaker than the previously mentioned thyroid products, although one should still take caution when administering it. The maximum dosage should not be taken from the onset; instead it is to be built up slowly. A typical daily dosage is somewhere in the range of ten to fourteen .35mg tablets, with two to four tablets being considered the customary starting point. This is usually increased by two tablets every subsequent day (or two). Likewise the dosage should be slowly reduced as the drug is discontinued. This drug is not without side effects, however; they are much less prevalent than with other thyroid medications.

Week One: Follow the ketogenic diet alone, or on Sunday night of the diet inject 1 to 2 Units Humulin R Insulin, until blood sugar levels have dropped. No more than 3-4 small injections (1-2 units) should be necessary to enter ketosis, as outlined above. Week Two: Begin using Phenyltropic PPA on Monday at one tab/day and work up to three tabs/day.* Week Three: Continue as outlined above making Sunday the Humulin R insulin day with no Phenyltropic PPA.

*NOTE: As with any other type of supplement containing caffeine and norephedrine, Phenyltropic PPA should be titrated onto slowly and titrated off the same way. As with all stimulants, one tends to become accustomed to them over time. Soon you need to take more to get the same effect. The individual taking Phenyltropic PPA is really the only one who can answer if the dose is too high. Most athletes work up to three tabs/day. You've also got to watch out for other sources of caffeine when using a product such as Phenyltropic PPA. Within three weeks after the full dosage has been reached, the body will adjust and the caffeine will lose its effect. However, if you add a baby aspirin with each dose, the potentiating effect of the aspirin will prolong the effectiveness of the "stack" for quite a while longer. Remember there is additional stress on the adrenal glands and at least one day per week the stack should be discontinued. A total break for at least two to three weeks after 4-6 weeks of usage is also a good idea.

Phenyltropic PPA is a new and improved drug based diet product unsurpassed in its ability to help athletes burn body fat, and is currently legal for sale in the United States. In fact while working with my clients, I have found that the combination of a ketogenic diet and Phenyltropic PPA is the best way for you to lose body fat while protecting muscle mass. Phenyltropic PPA is the Mass Quantities version of the EAC stack-a combination of ephedrine, caffeine, and aspirin. Though chemically similar, Mass Quantities has replaced the ephedrine component of the stack with DL norephedrine HCl because of its greater potential to raise the body's metabolic rate-resulting in greater lypolysis or fat loss. Studies have in fact shown norephedrine to be the most potent and the most thermogenic of all the ephedrine alkaloids, making this switch a very beneficial one. Since norephedrine does not cross the blood-brain barrier to the same extent as ephedrine we do not see the same level of central nervous system stimulation or side effects as with ephedrine. No more jitters! It also does not (currently) carry the same FDA restrictions as ephedrine, and is therefore more readily available to the public.

The combination of norephedrine with caffeine works synergistically to drastically increase the body's production of adrenaline and noradrenaline-the primary adrenergic hormones. These hormones bind to the various adrenergic receptors, of which there are the beta sub 2, beta sub 3, and alpha sub 2 receptors, that together affect fat loss and fat dispersal. The stimulation of the beta sub 2 and the beta sub 3 receptors in particular is what's responsible for the mobilization and burning of adipose tissue (fat). These are the receptors that you want to stimulate to affect fat loss in a positive way and thankfully the caffeine/norephedrine combination is quite efficient at this.

The other receptor of great interest to the bodybuilder is the alpha sub 2. Studies have shown that this receptor blocks the mobilization of adipose tissue. In men these receptors are concentrated primarily in the lower abdomen and sides or love handles; in women, they are concentrated in the lower body. This explains why on many diets weight is lost, but the physique is not drastically improved because the lost fat is intermuscular, with the subcutaneous fat-the fat just under the skin-not being effected. Here is where the addition of Yohimbine proves useful. Yohimbine blocks the alpha sub 2 receptor, enabling a greater level of fat loss in the body's most resilient areas.

A controversial secret for getting into fat burning ketosis faster with Humulin R-8 hours instead of 3 days-and how you can get it!

There is a hardcore trick the pro's use that forces your body into ketosis within only 8 to 12 hours allowing more time for the body to burn fatty acid stores before your carb-up stage. The trick, originally brought to my attention by Dan Duchaine, is the use of Humulin R injectible insulin. Humulin R insulin is important compared to other types of insulin because it reaches its peak effect in 2 hours, causing a quick metabolic shift into ketosis. Using small amounts of insulin will cause your blood glucose to drop, in a quick and controlled manner. Glucose levels hit about 50 mg/ml and force your body into ketosis at a much faster rate. Insulin is one of the most controversial drugs used in bodybuilding today. The reality is that if you slip up and use too much insulin, you could enter a hypoglycemic coma, which could cause irreversible damage to your body and in some cases prove fatal. Please note that that the following information is highly controversial and provided solely for informational purposes.

Despite the controversy surrounding its use insulin is one of the easiest substances in bodybuilding to obtain legally. It is available over the counter in most U.S. states and costs between $20-$30 in local pharmacies and is even cheaper through U.S. mail order pharmacies. In most U.S. states a prescription is required to purchase and possess the insulin syringes used to administer the drug. This problem can be avoided by ordering syringes from mail order sources. A person using insulin for bodybuilding purposes should face no real legal ramifications. The only problems that can arise is getting caught possessing syringes with out a script or actually selling insulin for any purpose other than the treatment of diabetes.

A glucometer, to display your blood glucose levels, is highly recommended while attempting to use insulin safely. A glucometer costs around $100. It is possible to use insulin without a glucometer if your are cautious but it is not recommended. You will also need to purchase insulin syringes that hold up to 100 units. Do not use regular syringes. You will need to measure out precise amounts of insulin, between 2-3 units, which cannot be measured accurately using a regular syringe.

Here's how it works: After you eat your last carb meal on Sunday night, you will need to take a reading on the glucometer to check your blood glucose level. The body's normal blood glucose level is usually between 80mg/ml and 120 mg/ml. At this point, draw 2-3 units of insulin into a syringe and inject it subcutaneously into a fold of skin. After waiting between two or three hours, take another reading with the glucometer. You blood glucose level will have dropped since your last measurement. Again inject 2 units of insulin and measure your blood glucose level around 2 hours after your injection. Repeat this cycle until your blood glucose level is between 55 mg/ml and 65 mg/ml. When your blood glucose is at this level, you will descend into ketosis while you sleep. ALWAYS REMEMBER TO STAY AWAKE FOR AT LEAST 2 HOURS AFTER AN INSULIN INJECTION. The last thing you want is to fall asleep after an injection and have your blood glucose drop to a dangerously low level while you sleep. You could fall into a hypoglycemic coma and no one will recognize the symptoms until it is too late.

Upon waking in the morning, measure your urine with the Ketostix. Measuring ketones in the morning is necessary because the sticks show only the unused level of ketones in your body and should show trace to moderate ketone levels. If you measure them in the afternoon the numbers will not be as accurate, because most of the ketones that were produced will have been used by your body as fuel.

If you do not have access to a glucometer, you will need to be much more cautious when attempting to use insulin. Since you will not be able to accurately measure your blood glucose, only small amounts of insulin should be used. You can start out with 2 units of insulin after your carb meal on Sunday. After that you should not use anymore than 1-1 1/2 units of insulin every two hours. A total of two or three injections should be made and then you should measure with the ketostix upon waking in the morning. If you still have not entered ketosis, use insulin injections of 1-1 1/2 units every two hours until you enter ketosis. This way takes longer, but you should enter ketosis within 18-20 hours.

In the not too distant future, Insulin intake will become even easier. Thanks to a new insulin inhaler, by Generex, insulin injections may become relics of the past. The inhaler sprays insulin out into the mouth like a mist, which coats the membranes of the mouth, throat and tongue. The insulin then passes quickly through the membranes into the bloodstream. The new insulin inhaler is in phase two clinical trials. If all goes well, the Food and Drug Administration could put it on a fast track for approval, making it available on the market in less than two years.

Here is the basic formula for calculating your BMR and AMR. (Do not worry if this looks hard, an easy way follows.) Women: 655 + [4.36 x Weight (lbs.)] + [4.32 x Height (inches)] - (4.7 x Age) = your BMR Men: 66 + (6.22 x Weight (lbs.)] + [12.7 x Height (inches)] - (6.8 x Age) = your BMR Next, to determine the amount of total calories your active body needs or its AMR simply multiply your BMR by the appropriate activity factor listed below. Lightly active (normal, everyday activities)... BMR x 1.3 = Maintenance Calorie Level Moderately active (exercise 3 to 4 times a week)... BMR x 1.4 = Maintenance Calorie Level Very active (exercise more than 4 times a week)... BMR x 1.6 = Maintenance Calorie Level Extremely active (exercise 6 to 7 times a week for more than 1 hour duration)... BMR x 1.8 = Maintenance Calorie Level

Interestingly, simply by changing from a lightly active lifestyle to a very active lifestyle you can increase your caloric intake by 24% (about 500 calories). Once you've completed the above calculations you should cut your AMR by 15% and consume this number of calories in total each day while on the ketogenic diet. For a quick and easy way to calculate all that, here's a web site that will do the math for you: http://tqd.advanced.org/10991/german/bmr.html

The third thing to do before you begin is to purchase Ketostix from your local pharmacy. They are found behind the pharmacy counter, but you do not need a prescription to purchase them. These sticks are traditionally used by diabetics to measure the amount of ketones in their urine and are an intrigal part of a successful ketogenic diet, but more on this later. How a ketogenic diet works:

This diet starts at around 6-8 p.m. on Sunday night with a meal of carbohydrates and lasts until the following weekend (approximately 5-7 days). This Sunday night meal should be made up of simple carbs like breakfast cereal or fruit and no fats. Complex carbs like pasta, bread, or rice should be avoided as they take a long time for your body to break down and use as fuel. We want carbs that are easily available to the body in order to create an insulin spike prior to the beginning of the diet. This insulin spike will allow the body to lower blood sugar levels and enter ketosis more efficiently once you begin the high fat, low carb portion of the diet.

Following this final high carb meal and lasting until you enter ketosis, you need to eat about 75 to 80% of your daily calories from fat and 20% to 25% daily calories from protein. This very high fat intake is necessary to enter ketosis as quickly as possible so that you can begin the fat burning process. If the protein amounts are too high, then the body might not be able to make the required metabolic shift to producing ketones. More importantly, you must not eat more than 15-20 grams of carbs during this period. This means that you can eat no more than 3-4 grams of carbs per meal spread out between 5-6 meals per day. Eating 20 grams of carbs per day is fine, but eating all 20 grams of carbs at once will definitely bring you out of ketosis.

You may be asking yourself what kinds of food can be eaten on this diet that are high in fat and also contain no carbs. Unfortunately, the menu on this diet is very limited. Few foods contain near zero carbs. Fortunately, you can eat any combination of ground beef, prime rib, and sirloin steaks, which all contain high amounts of fat with zero carbs as long as you eat hem without breading or sauces. Chicken with the skin on is also a good choice. This is also your chance to eat Buffalo Wings with blue cheese and even McDonald's beef patties without the bread or condiments. You will definitely have to be careful at restaurants because you never know exactly how the food is prepared. Eggs are good while on a ketogenic diet; they have less than 1 gram of carbs per egg, but be careful with any dairy products like processed cheeses, which often contain 2-3 grams of carbs per slice. Other foods like sausage, pork, flounder, cheddar cheese, tuna, and butter have near-zero carbs and are high in fat. Green vegetables like lettuce, broccoli, and celery are great as they are made up of mostly water and contain near-zero carbs. When it comes to food choices the bottom line is that you have to read nutrition labels. If you are not sure if the food contains carbs simply don't eat it.

In terms of training it would be great if you could do aerobics and weight train with the same energy and intensity as you would with carbohydrates in your system. Unfortunately you cannot. When your body is in a state of ketosis, you will probably feel a little lethargic, especially the first week. This doesn't mean that you should stop aerobic activity or weight training-just lower the intensity. Limit aerobics to 2 days per week on an empty stomach first thing in the morning. Limit weight training to 2 or 3 days during the week on nonaerobic days. You should train big muscle groups like legs, back, and/or chest on Monday when you still might have stored glycogen in your muscles. Save the small muscle groups like arms, shoulders, and calves for Tuesday or Wednesday.

By about Wednesday your body should be in ketosis. This means that there will be detectable ketone bodies present in your urine, which you can measure with a Ketostix. Remember, the darker the shade of purple on the stick, the deeper you are in ketosis. Most people will reach only the moderate level (pink to light purple) while others will be able to get into deep ketosis more easily. Once you are in at least moderate ketosis it is o.k. to up your protein intake to 35-40% of your daily calories. Fat intake should be between 60-65% with less than 5% from carbs. For a person who is eating between 2400-2700 cal/day this would translate into no more than 30 grams of carbs per day. Again remember, it is important that the carbs be spread throughout the day to not bring you out of your ketogenic state. I also recommend that you check the Ketostixs at least twice a day once they show that you are in ketosis. This will allow you to do some damage control by eating almost all of your calories from fat if you've made a mistake and start to come out of ketosis.

On Saturday or Sunday, you will be ready to begin the fun part of the diet, the carb up! In order to achieve the best results, you need to deplete the muscles of glycogen with a full body circuit workout on Friday in order to prep them for maximum carb absorption on the weekend. This means that you have to do a few sets of exercises for all of your muscle groups in one exhaustive workout. Use lightweights and high repetitions on all exercises with as much intensity as you can muster. I recommend using compound exercise movements that involve the most muscle groups in an effort to fatigue all of your muscles in the shortest amount of time. Exercises such as squats, incline bench presses, front barbell shoulder presses, and front machine pulldowns will take care of all the big muscle groups while incorporating smaller muscle groups as well. Throw in 1-2 sets of bicep curls, tricep pushdowns, and calf raises and your total body workout is completed.

On Saturday and Sunday eat 10-15% above your (AMR) active maintenance number of calories broken down as follows: high carb (60%), low fat (15-20%), medium protein (20-25%). This will again cause an insulin spike as it did at the beginning of your diet week. The spike of insulin drives the carbohydrates into your depleted muscles, which has an anabolic effect. You will need to eat often, every 2-2 1/2 hours. Bodybuilding guru Dan Duchaine even recommends waking-up during the night to eat. Remember, that for these two days you will no longer be in the ketogenic state that uses fat as the body's primary fuel. Now is the time to cut back and eat no more than 20% of your calories from fat.

The first day of the weekend carb meals should contain foods with the highest glycemic index in order to cause the greatest possible insulin spike. The rate at which food raises blood glucose is called its glycemic index. Some foods with a high glycemic index are instant rice, baked potatoes, carrots, graham crackers, rice cakes, bagels, watermelon, and pineapple. You can eat high glycemic foods like bowls of sugary breakfast cereals with skim milk or waffles with maple syrup. Eating these foods will cause a rush of carbohydrates that will be forced directly into your muscle cells. Since added fat will slow down this insulin response and negatively effect the carb up, it would be wise to limit your intake of meats and cheeses during the first day. You can increase your protein intake by using a protein supplement like a soy or whey protein and eating foods like tuna or chicken breasts. Click here for a comprehensive glycemic index guide for various foods.

NOTE: On Sunday evening be sure to switch back to the high fat / low carb mode after your last high carb meal (from 6-8PM). These are the basics of a ketogenic diet. The most important thing you should remember is that your body needs to make the metabolic shift necessary to convert fatty acids into ketones which it will then burn for energy-without the shift the diet will not work. As a dieter, you will be able to drive your body into ketosis by following the diet procedures outlined above. Though definitely effective the diet process outlined above takes you into ketosis in anywhere from 48 to 72 hours. That means your body is using stored fatty acids as fuel for only 48 to 72 hours before you begin the weekend carb-up stage of the diet.

There is no better way to get them ripped and into contest ready shape than the use of a modified ketogenic diet. In fact, when helping a bodybuilder get ready for a contest, I will not work with him until he is in the metabolic state called ketosis. This state is the point at which the body burns fats for fuel in the absence of carbohydrates. A high fat diet you ask-won't that make me fat? The answer is YES. If you do not restrict carbohydrates, perhaps there is no better way of getting fat. The answer is NO if you restrict your carbohydrates to the point that your body makes the metabolic shift from burning carbohydrates for its daily energy needs to burning fat. This metabolic shift occurs when your blood sugar levels drop below normal and your body starts converting fatty acids into what is called ketones or fractured fats. At this point your body will burn those ketones as its primary energy source. More on this in a moment, let's first take a look at the problems with traditional low-fat diets, especially when used by people who are not fat (i.e. athletes) in order to better understand the exclusive benefits to the high fat, low carbohydrate ketogenic diet.

Traditional Low fat diets: Low fat diets make the body's metabolism lazy. The body will prefer to get all of its energy requirements from glycogen (carbohydrates) than from the body's fat reserves. Low fat sends the body into starvation mode, it tries to hold on to body fat, and will burn muscle instead.

When carbohydrate stores are exhausted the body will burn protein before switching to fat. Carbohydrates increase serotonin levels and cause sleepiness. Carbs cause insulin swings that cause the body to deposit unburned carbs as body fat. Protein supplements are needed for the bodybuilder on a low fat diet. Low-fat foods are much more expensive than the conventional version and contain more "chemistry" i.e. are highly processed.

The high fat, low carbohydrate ketogenic diet: Increases lean body mass without steroids while dieting. Maximizes the bodybuilding effects of your own hormones such as testosterone, insulin, and natural GH (growth hormone). Lowers cortisol levels resulting in reduced catabolism or muscle breakdown. Increases energy level compared to low-fat diets. Decreases body fat without sacrificing lean mass: lose 90% fat and only 10% muscle vs. the 60% fat and 40% muscle loss of other diets.

Burning fat is less efficient which results in an ever increased metabolic rate. Plentiful supply of protein-found in all the meat that is consumed. This diet makes an excellent base for using additional "tricks" that stimulate metabolism and burn additional body fat. Drugs like clenbuterol, Cytomel, Synthroid, Phenyltropic PPA and even caffeine become more effective.

Before explaining how a ketogenic diet works there are three things many dieters do to get ready. First of all, before you start on this diet, many athletes get a physical including blood work. Among other things, this gives you a baseline cholesterol level. Knowing that your cholesterol levels are healthy at the start of a high fat diet is a good safety precaution. PLEASE NOTE: This diet is controversial and should not be used by pregnant women.

Second, to achieve goal results on a ketogenic diet, or any diet for that matter, it is important to determine how many calories you eat each day? To best answer this question you need to calculate your Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) and your Active Metabolic Rate (AMR.) Your BMR is the number of calories your body needs to sustain basic body functions while at rest. This means if you have a BMR of 2000 calories, you need to take in this many calories each day to simply maintain your body weight if you were to spend the whole day at rest. Your AMR is the amount of calories your body needs to sustain basic functions plus the calories needed to perform at your average daily activity level. If you eat more calories than your AMR then you will gain weight, if you eat less calories than your AMR then you will lose weight. It is that simple.