Anabolic steroid information resource

SCIENTIFIC SUPPLEMENT STRATEGIES FOR THE DISCRIMINATING ATHLETE

If there’s ever been an article needed in the Performance Enhancement industry, it’s one objectively discussing intelligent supplement strategies, both on- and off- cycle. To give you an idea of how sad the existing state of literature on the subject is, consider that Dr. Michael Colgan, author of the groundbreaking Optimum Sports Nutrition, contends that creatine and glutamine are snake oil. Furthermore, Fred Hatfield, a noted member of the industry and holder of a PhD, advocates the use of oral dibencozide (Vitamin B12). I assure you that this article will be 100% objective because I have absolutely no business relationship with any supplement manufacturer (oh, I’m sure it’s just coincidence that Colgan, who works for Twinlab, trashed Creatine when EAS was making a killing off Phosphagen, while he touted L-Carnitine as the world’s greatest fatburner and it just so happened to be a Twinlab product they were taking a dive on). For purely information purposes, when relevant, I will identify a brand or product within the discussion of that particular supplement that I think is outstanding. On the other hand, if a product needs trashed, I’ll be doing that also.

CAVEAT: For one to be able to get the best benefit from the information contained in this article, they really need to have a fundamental grasp of dieting strategies. However, there is just so much material to be covered on supplements alone that this will grow from an article into an encyclopedia if I extend the scope. I am sure that Bobby will provide you with an article about dieting strategies in the very near future.

Rather than tackle each supplement individually, I’m going to list the problems athletes seek supplements as a solution for and categorize them into on- and off-cycle categories. Please note that since this is a "pharmaceutical" related site, I use the term "off-cycle" to refer to the period proceeding a cycle, as opposed to any drug-free athlete. Obviously, there’s some overlap between the two categories. For instance, the problems associated with elevated estrogen levels or increased workload on the liver are concerns during both periods. However, they will only be discussed once to avoid redundancy.

The term "supplement" refers to any product that is legal to purchase over the counter in the United States, whether the product is classified as an herb, medicine, or nutritional supplement. Many of the products I cover are fairly common. Hopefully, you can learn something new about them. However, I’m most excited about bringing new and exciting research to your attention. I love to educate and enlighten. Still, let’s have fun with this rather than making it a boring lecture.

PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED DURING A CYCLE:

1. Elevated Blood Pressure

There is no product I’d recommend for reducing blood pressure because: (1) you can legally import beta blockers, (2) no effective products exist, and (3) I don’t recommend diuretics such as dandelion root because they rob the body of needed electrolytes. I mention this category because if you have blood pressure problems, it’s important to avoid taking creatine while on a cycle because it will further increase water retention.

2. Acne

Take the following products and stick with a reliable brand. 6 cups of burdock root tea/day, 2 tbspn of flaxseed oil/day, and 25,000 IU of Vitamin A/day. In fact, Accutane is nothing more than a super concentrated version of Vitamin A.

3. Gynecomastia

I bring this up not to surprise you with a "magic" supplement, but to burst the Chrysin X bubble. This product is touted as a miracle antiestrogen. Even if it did have antiestrogen characteristics, the human body cannot digest plant flavones into usable form. If we could, the gamma orazynol hype of the 80s may have panned out.

4. Excessive Aggression/Anxiety

300mg/day of Valerian, 420mg/day of Kava Kava, 200mg/day of chamomile, and 3tbspn of powdered inositol/day. Very promising clinical studies in Canada indicate that inositol is a very effective treatment for panic attacks.

5. Increased Risk of Cardiovascular Complications

CoEnzyme Q10 (400mg/day) is a prescription heart medication throughout Europe. It accelerates the hearts ability to process oxygenated blood.

Evening Primrose Oil (1500mg/day) is a rich source of GLA, an Omega 6 EFA, that promotes healthy cardiovascular function.

Creatine – I’m sure this one surprises you, but the heart is a muscle and as such it gives heart patients more strength and endurance.

6. Headaches

Aleve (naproxen sulfate – 500mg/day) or Ibuprofen (800mg/day), combined with caffeine (400mg/day) are great for headaches but stay away from Tylenol and Aspirin while juicing. Acetimenophen is harsh on the liver and Aspirin is brutal on the stomach.

7. Heartburn

Aloe – (1000mg/day) is incredible for reducing stomach acid. This is crucial because excess stomach acidity destroys other supplements/drugs before they can fully be assimilated.

Zantac, Axid, or Pepcid (2 tabs/day), but no Tagament because it elevates endogenous estrogen levels. There are actually documented cases where guys have developed gyno and impotency JUST from using Tagament.

8. Gas

Forget Beano and related products because they interfere with digestion. Take the maximum recommended dosage (on the bottle) of each of these products twice per day: chamomile, goldenseal, papaya, and peppermint.

9. Hepatic Pain Increased Risk of Liver Problems

This is probably the most common problem experienced by steroid users, especially those relying heavily on orals. Take 400mg of silymarin (milk thystle) twice per day. This recommendation is so common I’m going to explain how it works. First, it alters the structure of the outer cell membrane of hepatocytes in such a way as to prevent penetration of the poisons into the interior of the cell. Second, it stimulates the action of nuleolar polymerase A, resulting in an increase in ribosomal protein synthesis, and thus accelerates regenerative ability of the liver and the formation of new hepatocytes. Add 2 times the recommended daily dosage of folic acid for even greater results.

10. DHT problems - Enlarged Prostate and Premature Hair Loss

Take 160mg of Saw Palmetto 4 times per day. Please note that this binds to anabolic receptors (it works by attaching to receptors before DHT can), so it does diminish gains, but an enlarged prostate is a major problem. Other effective products include 120mg of beta sitosterol/day and 20mg of lycopene/day.

11. Immune System Suppression/Increased Risk of Cancer

Echinacea is the most fantastic herb in existence. If it wasn’t an herb so that a company could patent it, they’d make a fortune off of it. However, the way things stand, they discourage advertising its benefits because they would lose money they’re making from selling inferior products. Combine 360mg of echinacea with 125mg of Goldenseal during stressful periods, including the post cycle experience, or at the first sign of illness.

Vitamin C (4000g/day) – if my stomach would tolerate it, I would take 10,000mg of Vitamin C a day. It’s a fabulous antioxidant and it accelerates recuperation abilities.

NAC (4500mg/day) – this is a powerful antioxidant that increases nitric oxide levels in the bloodstream, so it aids in recuperation. Vitamin E (800 IU/day) – stay away from synthetic

Vitamin E; this is one vitamin where the natural version is far superior. Vitamin E and CLA (3000mg/day) are the most potent anticarcinogenic products on the market. Lycopene (20mg/day) is a super concentrated version of beta carotene. The allicin in Garlic Extract has such potent antibiotic properties that the U.S. Army has administered it to soldiers on the battlefield when they’ve exhausted their supplies of Penicillin. Cat’s Claw (1500mg/day) is another immunostimulatory product that is quite cost efficient.

12. Insomnia

This combination is awesome! One of my training partners was able to completely stop taking medication for sleeplessness after being on it for years with no withdrawal symptoms. Take 210mg of Kava Kava, 300mg of Valerian, 6mg of Melatonin, and ZMA (no more than 30mg of zinc, 450mg of magnesium, and 10.5mg of Vitamin B6) one hour before bedtime. My clients have had obtained the best results using the Substrate Solutions brand of ZMA.

13. Kidney/Urinary Tract Pain and decreased kidney efficiency

Make a Nettle infusion by adding 1.5g of finely cut Nettle to cold water and bringing it to a boil and then steeping it for 10 minutes before straining. Consume 12g of Nettle in this fashion/day. Maxi-Life Red Wine/Grape Seed Extract Caps (8/day) by Twinlab are another beneficial addition.

Cranberry (1000mg/day) helps fight urinary tract infections and protects the entire urinary system from bacteria, while detoxifying the kidneys.

14. Heightened Need for Protein

The whey protein hype is one of the all time greatest supplement marketing schemes next to the Cybergenics and Hot Stuff ads in the ‘80s and the current proliferation of MuscleTech ads. Actually, without added glutamine, whey is one of the worst proteins you can ingest for anabolism promotion. It’s super fast digestion rate makes it perfect to consume along with a high glycemic index carb drink post workout. However, this expeditious gastric emptying can lead to catabolism unless whey is consumed very frequently. Hence, except for the post-workout drink, stick to "mixture" proteins, containing whey, egg, and casein protein. For whey alone, I prefer Nature’s Best IsoPure (great digestability, cheap, and 100% isolates). For the combo protein, you can’t beat Met-Rx Pro 50.

15. Stretch Marks

There is nothing you can do to get rid of stretch marks. However, the following cocktail is awesome for preventing stretch marks when it’s applied where the stretch marks commonly appear. Make a mixture of virgin olive oil, aloe vera gel, Vitamin E oil, and Vitamin A oil and apply it to areas where you’re predisposed to tight skin.

1. Testosterone Suppression

Methoxyisoflavone – The same 2 companies touting Acetyl L Carnitine are testing the limits of the Truth in Advertising Laws. Cytodyne goes so far as to guarantee 10 pounds of muscle in less than a month. This is another plant "hormone" like Chrysin and while it looks awesome in vitro, I have yet to meet an athlete that’s turning in his creatine bottle and dbol tabs to buy more Methoxy. Let’s not forget that the only trials conducted and referred to were done outside the U.S. (where scientific standards are not nearly as rigorous) over 20 years ago by the company that applied for the patent. Now, they wouldn’t cause biased results would they? If the product was so great, why haven’t we heard about it in the last 20 years? I think you see my point.

Prohormones – I’m not even going to bother listing the various prohormones because the government has already decided to take them off the market, thereby making them illegal, in the very near future. Although they are not nearly as effective as Anabolic Steroids, Louie Simmons and I agree on one thing regarding the usefulness of prohormones – next to Halotestin, prohormones are better at stimulating preworkout aggression than any other steroid. For aggression, I’d go with the Androstat 100 Poppers by Pinnacle, or a 5-AD product. 5-AD is actually the demethlated version of the schedule III ANABOLIC STEROID METHANDROIL (Methyltestosterone).

ZMA – this product has some intriguing science behind it, but it’s primary function is to promote restful sleep and to prevent deficiencies of these minerals that are necessary for testosterone production. Unless you have a less-than-ideal diet and/or you don’t sleep as soundly as you’d like, then don’t waste your money in ZMA.

2. Body Fat Accumulation

E/C/A – this combo flat out works! I rarely recommend it though because Clenbuterol is more effective and much safer because it’s a more selective beta2 stimulator; hence, it causes less stimulatory side effects. This combo also stimulates brown fat thermogenesis and is an excellent appetite suppressant. This is another product where you need to beware of the hype – forget Ripped Fuel, Xenadrine, and Hydroxycut. Aside from KIX by USA HEALTH, all other brands pack their E/C/A stack with unneccasary fillers, requireing you to take 2, 3, and sometimes 4(Hydroxycut) capsules to reach the full dose. You can also make your own (1 vivarin or 2 cups of coffee + 20mg of ephedrine + 100mg of aspirin). WARNING: Do not combine with Yohimbe or St. John’s Wort because the interaction can cause an acute hypertensive crisis.

Yohimbe (standardized for 4.5mg of yohimbine, take 450mg/day) is awesome for attacking stubborn lower body fat and cellulite.

Synephrine – this product is touted as a milder, safer, and more effective form of ephedrine. That’s just not true; there’s not one study to prove that….the marketing of this product stemmed from the companies searching for an ephedrine replacement when the gov. was cracking down on its use.

HCA – this product works great for rats, but it does nothing for humans but give them heartburn. But, if you listen to MuscleTech, you’ll believe you can eat an unlimited amount of carbs and not gain weight if you supplement with HCA.

Chitosan (take one 500mg tab with each meal) has actually proved almost as effective as the new, highly touted prescription drug, Xenical. It’s mechanism of action is similar also, as it binds to fat molecules contained in the food you eat.

Pyruvate (60mg v. 6mg) absolutely, positively, without a doubt works. However, it takes 10 times the recommended dosage for it to work. If you want to risk bankruptcy to use a product that’s not as effective as DNP or Clen, then knock yourself out.

Green Tea Extract is the "hot" fat burner of the moment. Studies have conclusively indicated that it has a substantial thermogenic effect independent of its caffeine content. In fact, it raises the metabolism by as much as 4%. Take 2 green tea extract tablets with your first 3 meals.

L-Tyrosine (1500mg/day) is great to add to the E/C/A stack because it triggers the neurotransmitter network, thereby catalyzing the effectiveness of the E/C/A stack.

Guggulsterones were introduced to the BB world by the Guru himself, Dan Duchaine. Dan had some incredible theories in his time, many of which panned out in the real world. Sadly, this wasn’t one of them. The Enzymatic Therapy brand that Dan touted has developed a reputation of selling underdosed products and the guggul extract’s alleged thyroid-stimulating properties never materialized. In fact, ProLab Nutrition lost a small fortune on their Thyrolean products, that were developed around this very product.

MCT Oil – like any other fat, MCT’s slow gastric emptying, thereby reducing appetite. Moreover, they are rapidly absorbed and oxidized by the liver as fuel, unlike other fats, thereby coaxing the body into burning the consumed carbs for energy. For this purpose, take 2 tbspn of MCT oil with breakfast and lunch along with your carbs.

Garlic – yes, you read that correctly, I said garlic. The allicin and sulfur-containing compounds in garlic enhance thermogenesis by increasing norepinephrine secretion.

3. Depression

St. John’s Wort (standardized for 0.14% hypericin – 2000mg/day) is the most common prescription antidepressant in Europe. It’s a weak MAO Inhibitor, so stay away from beer and stimulants other than caffeine while on this product.

Fish Oil (600mg/day each of EPA and DHA) is highly effective because the brain is partially fueled by these fatty acids and brain membranes consist largely of these fatty acids. I highly recommend you read the book Why Fish Don’t Get the Blues.

4. Insufficient Aggression

Prohormones – as stated above, under "testosterone suppression" prohormones, esp. the highly androgenic (luckily the cheaper ones) ones, such as androstenedione, are better at stimulating aggression than almost all steroids. If you are a fan of prohormones, you better stock up because they are going to be illegal soon!

5. Fatigue

E/C/A (200mg caffeine, 20mg ephedrine, 100mg aspirin) – ephedrine and caffeine are both powerful CNS stimulants and aspirin delays their downregulation, thereby prolonging their effectiveness.

Ribose (2000mg/day with 1000mg preworkout and 1000mg postworkout)

Ginkgo Biloba (400mg/day) encourages clarity of thought much like the European smart drugs such as Deprenyl.

Ginseng (450mg of Korean Ginseng/day) is great for energy and well being.

Glycerol Fuel (2tbsp 1.5 hours before your workout)

6. Testicular Atrophy

Tribulus Terrestris has not proved itself in clinical studies, but it has worked for everyone I have seen use it. That’s the kind of proof I need anyway. Hell, HCA looks good in the lab. Use the actual Bulgarian Tribestan brand to stimulate LH to get your testicular function kickstarted.

7. Increased Risk of Joint Injuries

Combine Glucosamine (2000mg/day) and Chondroiton (1200mg/day) [they usually come together in a combo product] to support your body’s own natural defenses against free radical damage and connective tissue breakdown, while stimulating joint viscosity.

Naproxen Sulfate (500mg/day) is great to alleviate swelling and inflammation, but don’t get crazy and injure yourself while the naproxen is masking your pain.

MSM (600mg/day) provides pain relief and anit-inflammatory benefits to sore and swelled joints, while increasing blood supply.

8. Catabolism (Increased Cortisol & Decreased GH)

Creatine Monohydrate (15g/day – 10g postworkout and 5 30 minutes before the workout) – creatine supplementation minimizes strength and mass loss by maintaining the swelled intracellular environment caused by the anabolics. Science has finally conclusively established that a loading dose is not necessary, so just start out at the 15mg/day dosage. Always take your creatine between meals or postworkout with a high glycemic index carb, glutamine, and alpha lipoic acid.

PS, or Phosphatidylserine, is one of the few supplements that you can feel work in a matter of days. It dramatically reduces cortisol production, which is crucial when coming off a cycle. Take 2000-3000mg/day of PS (until you can actually feel a difference) and stabilize at that dosage. You’ll be glad you did!

HMB (6000mg/day) HMB at twice the daily recommended dosage of 3000mg is an excellent anticatabolic. The only reason supplement companies aren’t pushing it now is because the patent has expired on it and because customers expect "creatine-like" results.

Acetyl L Carnitine (3000mg/day) If one believed everything the read (MuscleTech Acetabolan ads and Cytodyne Technology’s Cytodyne ads), they’d think ALC was more powerful than Anadrol. Unfortunately, that just isn’t close to being the case. ALC is more expensive than PS, Glutamine, and HMB and is not nearly as effective.

OKG (10,000mg/day in one large serving during the middle of the night) - I have to give Dr. Colgan credit; he hit a grand slam with this one. When I read about this in his book I laughed because I’d experimented with OKG and found it to be useless. However, when I tried his high dosage/middle of the night strategy, I honestly could feel a difference within 2 days.

Glutamine (2g after breakfast, 4g postworkout, and 2g 1 hour after your last meal)

BCAA’s (2000mg/day of leucine, 500mg/day of valine, and 500mg/day of isoleucine)

Post-workout "Anabolic Cocktail" (200mg of alpha lipoic acid, 10g of creatine, 100g of Ultra Fuel, 1000mg of ribose, 4g of glutamine, and 50g of whey protein) – this takes full advantage of your postworkout window of opportunity by nailing all anabolic hormones.

GHRPs (Growth Hormone Releasing Peptides, i.e. Symbiotropin and Secretogue One) are completely useless. To be effective, HGH has to remain refrigerated and be injected because it’s so delicate it has to bypass digestion. Furthermore, several large pharmaceutical companies funded the research that ultimately led to these products and they scrapped them with millions of dollars of out-of-pocket losses because they were completely ineffectual.

TMG – this product hasn’t panned out at all but I’m including because Met-Rx is giving it a huge push.

9. Impaired insulin sensitivity

The following products transport amino acids and glucose into muscle where it is converted into glycogen, which aids in recovery from exercise.

Alpha Lipoic Acid (400mg/day)

Vanadyl Sulfate (30mg/day)

Chromium Picolinate (2000mcg/day)

D-pinitol (4mg/day)

I know I have harped on Twinlab a lot in this article, but in addition to Dr. Colgan’s biased reports, I am very disturbed by Twinlab/Muscular Development magazine’s hypocrisy. Let me call your attention to pages 16 and 17 of the January, 1999 edition of Muscular Development. Steve Blechman, publisher and editor-in-chief of Muscular Development, as well as the major player for Twinlab, trashes prohormones. He goes so far as to say that "they are lousy … and provide absolutely no benefits." On this basis, Blechman concludes that "ABSOLUTELY NO ADS FOR ANDROSTENEDIONE OR ADS FOR PROHORMONE PRODUCTS WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR PUBLICATION. NO EXCEPTIONS. THAT INCLUDES US." Once Blechman realized the enormous money generating potential of prohormones Twinlab introduced every prohormone formula in existence, including ANDROSTENEDIONE. Furthermore, Muscular Development is filled with such ads now. Trust me, it’s not just Twinlab I have a problem with (don’t get me started here, hehehehe)! Just don’t get caught up in the name brand or marketing hype. These are greedy companies out to separate you from your hard-earned money. The lesson here is caveat emptor, my brothers.