This page is intended to offer some clear information on what prohorones are and what they do to the body. You will find offered here some sound guidance on what works and what you should avoid. To premise,however, NO ONE SUPPLEMENT OR COMBINATION THEREOF CAN SUBSTITUTE FOR INTENSE, SERIOUS CONDITIONING THROUGH WEIGHT TRAINING, CARDIOVASCULAR WORK AND BALANCED NUTRITION!!!
Also, we are NOT endorsing the use of any particular prohormone, simply educating you on what is available and offering you some brand names that we have had tested independently.
Hormone - secreted from an organ; affects the body's metabolism.
Prohormone - a variant of a hormone that can be altered by various natural enzymes in the body so that a more active hormone is produced; have 'drug-like' effects; are legal.
Prohormones that are currrently 'hot' include those that affect growth promotion, specifically of muscle. These include testosterone, growth hormone and insulin. Presently available are the prohormones that convert to testosterone or are actual testosterone derivatives that act similarly to testosterone. Growth hormone derivatives are also emerging.
The first noticed prohormone was DHEA. It is the mother of all prohormones as it is the most abundant androgen (hormone produced by the adrenal glands) in a human's body. DHEA is more or less a building block for other more complex and active hormones, including testosterone. If I were to draw a diagram of DHEA and all its derivatives on the way to testosterone, however, you would not see a direct line, nor efficient. DHEA is important but it is not directly responsible for testosterone. Scientific proof shows that supplementing with 50 mg of DHEA each day can improve the immune system and possibly prevent some cancers. More research is pending.
In terms of actual muscle growth, there are more direct paths to it. Thus born were the first generation of testosterone boosters - Androstenediones (pronounced - an-dro-sten-de-owns). These are DIRECT precursors to testosterone. In other words, these are the 'front steps' to the door of Mr. Testosterone. East German Olympic athletes have used these for years. A company called OSMO reintroduced the products to the bodybuilding world a few years ago.
Though more direct than DHEA, adrostenedione has some unique downfalls. In men there can be some conversion troubles as the enzymatic pathways require some other predominantly female hormones (progesterone) to offer efficient conversion. Plus too, any conversions to testosterone in the body leaves one susceptible to the negative side effects - see more below.
The more interesting variant of androstenedione is the nor-androstenedione version. Now, bear with me here....nor-androstenedione is NOT a precursor in male humans, but pregnant women have large amounts of it, as do swine and horses. Biochemically, this androstenedione is different (it actually lacks a few atoms off the 19th position of the 4-ring steroid structure, to be correct). This uniqueness allows a powerful thing to happen. When converted, the active compound is NOT testosterone but it is nandrolone, one of the most powerful placental anabolic hormones for fetal development. Nandrolone is a less extreme androgen and has virtually none of the masculinizing side effects of testosterone and none of its components act like estrogen. Thus there is no concern for 'bitch tits' otherwise none as 'gyno'. Also you won't need to worry about loss of scalp hair. Women, too, can safely use this product.
A benefit of nandrolone is that it stays active longer than testosterone. Also, it stays on the steroid receptor longer. The products are often named - nor-andro or something similar.
Androdiol is considered the 'next generation' of prohormones. This is really a faux pas named assigned to the substance - 4-adrostene-3beta, 17beta-dioil (4-AD). Androdiol is actually trade-named for another androgen - 5-AD. (complicated, don't worry about it!) Basically, 4-AD is not a precursor to testosterone, but is a metabolite, meaning it happens AFTER testosterone is made. Since the pathway to testosterone is reversible (trust me here), we can call this a prohormone. The enzymes to convert 4-AD to testosterone are more plentiful than for androstenedione and nor-andro. Plus, 4-AD in its unconverted state is more powerful than testosterone alone. Big problems though---- acne, oily skin, scalp hair fallout. Not good and not worth it.
A variant of 4-AD is Nor-Androdiol. It converts to nandrolone but uses the pathway of the 4-AD, so greater conversion rate. Side effects don't happen here and also stacking nor-androstenedione and nor-Androdiol can be safe and effective as they use two different paths to nandrolone.
5-AD is 'supposed' to be the king of prohormones right now. There is greatly differing research on this at the moment and I venture to say the verdict is still out. 5-AD also converts to testosterone and is most powerful in its unconverted state. The conversion and its effects on the body are not clear yet. If I were you, I would wait on this!
What do I recommend to my clients?
I am secure in recommending they use one or a stack of the prohormones that convert to nandrolone (nor-andro and/or nor-androdiol). These offer the least side effects and are seen to be very potent. I recommend Nor-Andro by Dymatize or 19-NorForce by Euthenics, both of which I have had tested and they come out as the real deal. Substrate Solutions (a division of MetRx) offers a nice norandrodiol as well. Take these products as prescribed on the bottles. I can access all these for you if you are interested and may be able to connect you to some cheaper prices.
In combination with a good exercise and nutrition plan, expect some dramatic improvements in strength and then ultimately muscle mass. Hope this helps!!
If you have any further questions we would be glad to assist you, please email us at fitnhealthy@eudoramail.com.
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