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Prohormones... What's all the hype about? Aren't they the miracle supplement that allows Natural Bodybuilders to attain "steroid-like" results naturally? Are there side effects? What scientific proof is there? Isn't andro illegal?
Obviously there is a lot of confusion about prohormones. The media and the supplement companies haven't exactly helped to clarify the issue either! The Mark McGuire incident, although generally negative in nature didn't exactly harm the supplement companies in their effort to sell prohormones. (namely Androstenedione) In fact it did the exact opposite. It brought "Andro" to the mainstream and brought it "front and centre" and gave it massive FREE press coverage! Wow! That negative press sure backfired! Sales skyrocked around the United States and the world. Why? Hype, hope and misinformation. And consequently the Supplement companies (whom are generally just marketers and don't manufacture a thing) saw a golden opportunity.
The Theory:
So what is the theory behind prohormones? Well, prohormones are precursors to actual hormones. This means that when you use prohormones, these "raw materials" are converted into powerful hormones through natural processes. These hormones can help dramatically in gaining muscle and losing fat. The most powerful and (in)famous one of the bunch would be testosterone. While taking testosterone without a prescription is illegal in most countries, taking a precursor which is converted into testosterone isn't. Depending on your definition of what exactly Natural Bodybuilding is, it could provide a method of getting steroidal results naturally! Sound good to anyone?
Reality:
Many of these substances are very harsh on the liver, are very inefficient at delivering the "raw-materials" to your body, are definitely not proven in long term studies, may cause unwanted side effects and may actually increase estorgen levels, not testosterone depending on many factors! There is also the issue of whether or not these products are/can be considered "natural."
General characteristics of these substances:
Before we discuss the differences in the particular hormone precursors, we should discuss the general characteristics of these substances. Androgens are types of substances which will increase muscle mass. They will however also increase body hair, acne and a deepening of voice. Another reality of these substances is that although there may be an increase in Testosterone or Nandrolone, it also has the unwanted effect of increasing Estrogen levels! Yeah, that's the FEMALE sex hormone! Not exactly good for increasing muscle, in fact it's just the opposite.
For instance, when an increase in Testosterone occurs, some is converted to Estrogen. This process is known as aromatization. Estrogens have no real benefits to bodybuilders and are responsible for Gynocomastia (male breast tissue development!)
Other problems which occur with anabolic steroids as well as some types of prohormones include increases in DHT. Increased DHT levels contribute to such undesirable results as an increase in male pattern baldness as well as prostate enlargement. Not something I particularly want to have to deal with.
Liver and Inefficiency:
These problems of liver toxicity and the relative inefficiency of the current Prohormones offerings are both directly related to the delivery method of choice - namely capsules. Once ingested, the capsules are broken down and absorbed into the gut. The substance is then passed through the liver and only a very small portion passes through in a useable form. This process is somewhat taxing on the liver. It seems somewhat inefficient that in order to absorb 10 mg of the substance, we need to ingest 100-200mg! What a waste! So is there any way to bypass the liver?
Other Delivery Methods:
Up until now, the only method of getting prohormones has been the relatively common and unintimidating capsule. There are many alternative delivery methods that have been used in medicine and pharmaceuticals for years, even decades. They are probably familiar to you: The patch, nasal spray, sublingually (under the tongue), suppository form (you know what that means!) and intramuscularly (injection directly into the muscle!!!) These methods are alternatives which supplement companies are "toying" with to see what gets the best results, which are the cheapest, which are legal (or would remain legal) and which would be best received by the public.
Many of these methods are much more efficient methods of getting the active ingredient into your system. There are however obvious downsides to these as well. Besides the obvious discomfort of a suppository and the pain/morality of sticking a needle into yourself, these methods would obviously command the attention of regulatory bodies whom would be forced to re-evaluate the legal status of these products. There has already been much uproar about these substances thanks to the McGuire incident, and these "alternative" delivery methods would probably cause an outright ban.
Long term effects of usage:
Although almost any sceptic will argue that everything a Natural Bodybuilder does is not proven to be healthy in the long term, it seems logically relevant when considering prohormones. They alter the natural levels of hormones in your body. These hormones are very powerful and are responsible for some serious functions. Although some of these supplements are reported to have been used in Germany in the the 1960's, and no significant side effects have been seen, this certainly cannot be confirmed. It has been reported that these "athletes" used a nasal mist delivery method and as a result destroyed their nasal membranes and it ate away the part between the nostrils. Of course no side effects from the active substance (androstenedione) were reported or stressed. This is because the source of this information was a magazine which represented a large supplement company whom was planning on selling you the same substance in a "safe" capsule form of the supplement. So it is clear that one can conclude that the long term effects have yet to be confirmed/determined.
The different types of prohormones and their hormonal effects:
There are 3 main types of prohormones that are commonly available on the market in the common capsule form.
Androstenedione:
This is the most commonly known and popular prohormone and was the first mass produced and mass marketed granddaddy of them all is good ol' Andro. As stated above, Andro converts to Testosterone under ideal conditions. In the blood, the percentage of Androstenedione that is converted to Testosterone is only 5.61%. Along with this increase in Testosterone, comes a risk of both aromitization (Gynocamostia) and DHT increases (male pattern baldness, prostate enlargement, acne) as well as other normal problems associated with "T" increases. (Increased facial and body hair, deepening of voice and clitoral enlargement in women) Note: these increases in "T" are not very substantial when taken as directed when compared to a cycle of pure "T" which is only legal with a prescription and non-natural bodybuilders use cycles several times larger than that often, however neither of these options are recommended. The exception is of course while under the direct supervision of a qualified, knowledgeable and informed doctor and only with the use of a prescription. Note: Your "natural" status may be questionable, depending on your definition or that of a governing sports body.
Nor-Androstenedione:
This is a lesser known prohormone which converts to another hormone - Nor-Testosterone which is also known as Nandrolone. This is the main active substance that is present in Deca-Durabolin. "Deca" is an extremely popular anabolic steroid which is responsible for great gains and little in the way of side effects. This steroid causes large gains, but one side effect is that it causes water retention and thus the condition known as "moon face!" Also, as a result of the water retention, much of the WEIGHT that is gained will disappear after the user comes off of it. Nor-Andro can theoretically lead to mild gynocamostia but as with all prohormones, only if taken in large amounts/doses and if you are genetically predetermined to having this condition. A benefit for those who are genetically predetermined to head hair loss is that this prohormone has few DHT problems and is much less likely to cause any additional hair loss. Similarly to Andro, in the blood, the percentage that is converted is low; only 5.61% of Nor-androstenedione is converted to Nandrolone. Nor-Androstenedione and consequently Nandrolone are not naturally occurring substances in the human body except for minute trace amounts in the placenta of pregnant women. As such, supplementing with it may not be considered "natural" by your definition. It is essentially introducing a foreign substance into your system and allowing it to be converted into a powerful steroid hormone. Consequently, if any of the prohormones are banned, this one may be the first to go, although androstenedione is another candidate simply due to its notoriety.
Androdiol:
This prohormone is widely regarded as the "king of prohormones" This is primarily because it is the most potentially potent as of yet. Androdiol too converts to Testosterone, although it does so with a different enzyme which makes the conversion more efficient. 3 times more efficient! Androdiol converts to testosterone at a rate of 15.76%. As a result, the likelihood for side effects that are associated with Testosterone use is increased as compared to Androstenedione. Androdiol however, can not convert to DHT and as a result, hair loss and the other related problems are largely reduced. It is clear from these facts that Androdiol is FAR superior to Androstenedione and much more anabolic (muscle building potential) than Nor-Andro. This is the prohormone with the most muscle building potential currently.
Which one then???
As noted above, Androdiol is by far the most anabolic of all prohormones. There are of course some potential side effects, although they are less than "real steroids" and are mostly applicable to those whom are genetically predetermined to them. Nor-Andro is the prohormone with the fewest potential side effects however it is less anabolic than Androdiol. The choice becomes whether of not you are concerned about minimising potential side effects or gaining the most amount of muscle possible.
Are they "natural"?
This is the question that has everybody talking. The real base of this question depends on how you define natural. Can a natural bodybuilder use them and still be considered natural? An upcoming article will deal with exactly this issue! Be sure to check back often.
Future speculation:
These products have good scientific theory behind them. They should be very effective at raising hormone levels and consequently gaining muscle. Some see them as being an alternative to "real steroids". Decent and reliable scientific studies haven't been done with well-trained athletes yet and even when they are, there are so many variables to control. It is foreseeable that they could help you to gain muscle.
It is clear however that the current delivery methods are unacceptably inefficient and that there is massive room for improvement. In fact, there are many companies working on making these products more efficient right now. One company recently leaked that it has developed a topical micro-spray delivery method which it sees as being the future, however one must use common sense and caution when listening to a companies own marketing hype.
It is also likely that any method that produces acceptable/good/great results and absorption will be cracked down on faster than you can say "Food and Drug Administration." Injectible, sublingual and transdermal applications are all likely candidates, but with the increased "effectiveness" there is an increased chance of potential side effects.
Conclusion:
Of the many products that are currently available, only two really stand out as being a possible option. These are Androdiol and Nor-Androstenedione. One being more potent, while the other is less potent with fewer possible side effects respectively. The future will hold a place for these substances once a better method of delivery becomes viable.
Obviously there is a lot of confusion about prohormones. The media and the supplement companies haven't exactly helped to clarify the issue either! The Mark McGuire incident, although generally negative in nature didn't exactly harm the supplement companies in their effort to sell prohormones. (namely Androstenedione) In fact it did the exact opposite. It brought "Andro" to the mainstream and brought it "front and centre" and gave it massive FREE press coverage! Wow! That negative press sure backfired! Sales skyrocked around the United States and the world. Why? Hype, hope and misinformation. And consequently the Supplement companies (whom are generally just marketers and don't manufacture a thing) saw a golden opportunity.
The Theory:
So what is the theory behind prohormones? Well, prohormones are precursors to actual hormones. This means that when you use prohormones, these "raw materials" are converted into powerful hormones through natural processes. These hormones can help dramatically in gaining muscle and losing fat. The most powerful and (in)famous one of the bunch would be testosterone. While taking testosterone without a prescription is illegal in most countries, taking a precursor which is converted into testosterone isn't. Depending on your definition of what exactly Natural Bodybuilding is, it could provide a method of getting steroidal results naturally! Sound good to anyone?
Reality:
Many of these substances are very harsh on the liver, are very inefficient at delivering the "raw-materials" to your body, are definitely not proven in long term studies, may cause unwanted side effects and may actually increase estorgen levels, not testosterone depending on many factors! There is also the issue of whether or not these products are/can be considered "natural."
General characteristics of these substances:
Before we discuss the differences in the particular hormone precursors, we should discuss the general characteristics of these substances. Androgens are types of substances which will increase muscle mass. They will however also increase body hair, acne and a deepening of voice. Another reality of these substances is that although there may be an increase in Testosterone or Nandrolone, it also has the unwanted effect of increasing Estrogen levels! Yeah, that's the FEMALE sex hormone! Not exactly good for increasing muscle, in fact it's just the opposite.
For instance, when an increase in Testosterone occurs, some is converted to Estrogen. This process is known as aromatization. Estrogens have no real benefits to bodybuilders and are responsible for Gynocomastia (male breast tissue development!)
Other problems which occur with anabolic steroids as well as some types of prohormones include increases in DHT. Increased DHT levels contribute to such undesirable results as an increase in male pattern baldness as well as prostate enlargement. Not something I particularly want to have to deal with.
Liver and Inefficiency:
These problems of liver toxicity and the relative inefficiency of the current Prohormones offerings are both directly related to the delivery method of choice - namely capsules. Once ingested, the capsules are broken down and absorbed into the gut. The substance is then passed through the liver and only a very small portion passes through in a useable form. This process is somewhat taxing on the liver. It seems somewhat inefficient that in order to absorb 10 mg of the substance, we need to ingest 100-200mg! What a waste! So is there any way to bypass the liver?
Other Delivery Methods:
Up until now, the only method of getting prohormones has been the relatively common and unintimidating capsule. There are many alternative delivery methods that have been used in medicine and pharmaceuticals for years, even decades. They are probably familiar to you: The patch, nasal spray, sublingually (under the tongue), suppository form (you know what that means!) and intramuscularly (injection directly into the muscle!!!) These methods are alternatives which supplement companies are "toying" with to see what gets the best results, which are the cheapest, which are legal (or would remain legal) and which would be best received by the public.
Many of these methods are much more efficient methods of getting the active ingredient into your system. There are however obvious downsides to these as well. Besides the obvious discomfort of a suppository and the pain/morality of sticking a needle into yourself, these methods would obviously command the attention of regulatory bodies whom would be forced to re-evaluate the legal status of these products. There has already been much uproar about these substances thanks to the McGuire incident, and these "alternative" delivery methods would probably cause an outright ban.
Long term effects of usage:
Although almost any sceptic will argue that everything a Natural Bodybuilder does is not proven to be healthy in the long term, it seems logically relevant when considering prohormones. They alter the natural levels of hormones in your body. These hormones are very powerful and are responsible for some serious functions. Although some of these supplements are reported to have been used in Germany in the the 1960's, and no significant side effects have been seen, this certainly cannot be confirmed. It has been reported that these "athletes" used a nasal mist delivery method and as a result destroyed their nasal membranes and it ate away the part between the nostrils. Of course no side effects from the active substance (androstenedione) were reported or stressed. This is because the source of this information was a magazine which represented a large supplement company whom was planning on selling you the same substance in a "safe" capsule form of the supplement. So it is clear that one can conclude that the long term effects have yet to be confirmed/determined.
The different types of prohormones and their hormonal effects:
There are 3 main types of prohormones that are commonly available on the market in the common capsule form.
Androstenedione:
This is the most commonly known and popular prohormone and was the first mass produced and mass marketed granddaddy of them all is good ol' Andro. As stated above, Andro converts to Testosterone under ideal conditions. In the blood, the percentage of Androstenedione that is converted to Testosterone is only 5.61%. Along with this increase in Testosterone, comes a risk of both aromitization (Gynocamostia) and DHT increases (male pattern baldness, prostate enlargement, acne) as well as other normal problems associated with "T" increases. (Increased facial and body hair, deepening of voice and clitoral enlargement in women) Note: these increases in "T" are not very substantial when taken as directed when compared to a cycle of pure "T" which is only legal with a prescription and non-natural bodybuilders use cycles several times larger than that often, however neither of these options are recommended. The exception is of course while under the direct supervision of a qualified, knowledgeable and informed doctor and only with the use of a prescription. Note: Your "natural" status may be questionable, depending on your definition or that of a governing sports body.
Nor-Androstenedione:
This is a lesser known prohormone which converts to another hormone - Nor-Testosterone which is also known as Nandrolone. This is the main active substance that is present in Deca-Durabolin. "Deca" is an extremely popular anabolic steroid which is responsible for great gains and little in the way of side effects. This steroid causes large gains, but one side effect is that it causes water retention and thus the condition known as "moon face!" Also, as a result of the water retention, much of the WEIGHT that is gained will disappear after the user comes off of it. Nor-Andro can theoretically lead to mild gynocamostia but as with all prohormones, only if taken in large amounts/doses and if you are genetically predetermined to having this condition. A benefit for those who are genetically predetermined to head hair loss is that this prohormone has few DHT problems and is much less likely to cause any additional hair loss. Similarly to Andro, in the blood, the percentage that is converted is low; only 5.61% of Nor-androstenedione is converted to Nandrolone. Nor-Androstenedione and consequently Nandrolone are not naturally occurring substances in the human body except for minute trace amounts in the placenta of pregnant women. As such, supplementing with it may not be considered "natural" by your definition. It is essentially introducing a foreign substance into your system and allowing it to be converted into a powerful steroid hormone. Consequently, if any of the prohormones are banned, this one may be the first to go, although androstenedione is another candidate simply due to its notoriety.
Androdiol:
This prohormone is widely regarded as the "king of prohormones" This is primarily because it is the most potentially potent as of yet. Androdiol too converts to Testosterone, although it does so with a different enzyme which makes the conversion more efficient. 3 times more efficient! Androdiol converts to testosterone at a rate of 15.76%. As a result, the likelihood for side effects that are associated with Testosterone use is increased as compared to Androstenedione. Androdiol however, can not convert to DHT and as a result, hair loss and the other related problems are largely reduced. It is clear from these facts that Androdiol is FAR superior to Androstenedione and much more anabolic (muscle building potential) than Nor-Andro. This is the prohormone with the most muscle building potential currently.
Which one then???
As noted above, Androdiol is by far the most anabolic of all prohormones. There are of course some potential side effects, although they are less than "real steroids" and are mostly applicable to those whom are genetically predetermined to them. Nor-Andro is the prohormone with the fewest potential side effects however it is less anabolic than Androdiol. The choice becomes whether of not you are concerned about minimising potential side effects or gaining the most amount of muscle possible.
Are they "natural"?
This is the question that has everybody talking. The real base of this question depends on how you define natural. Can a natural bodybuilder use them and still be considered natural? An upcoming article will deal with exactly this issue! Be sure to check back often.
Future speculation:
These products have good scientific theory behind them. They should be very effective at raising hormone levels and consequently gaining muscle. Some see them as being an alternative to "real steroids". Decent and reliable scientific studies haven't been done with well-trained athletes yet and even when they are, there are so many variables to control. It is foreseeable that they could help you to gain muscle.
It is clear however that the current delivery methods are unacceptably inefficient and that there is massive room for improvement. In fact, there are many companies working on making these products more efficient right now. One company recently leaked that it has developed a topical micro-spray delivery method which it sees as being the future, however one must use common sense and caution when listening to a companies own marketing hype.
It is also likely that any method that produces acceptable/good/great results and absorption will be cracked down on faster than you can say "Food and Drug Administration." Injectible, sublingual and transdermal applications are all likely candidates, but with the increased "effectiveness" there is an increased chance of potential side effects.
Conclusion:
Of the many products that are currently available, only two really stand out as being a possible option. These are Androdiol and Nor-Androstenedione. One being more potent, while the other is less potent with fewer possible side effects respectively. The future will hold a place for these substances once a better method of delivery becomes viable.