Cycle FAQ

Anabolic steroids have traditionally been taken in cycles, which are episodes of use lasting 6 to 12 weeks or more. However, there are athletes, such as some power lifters, who use the drugs on a relatively continuous basis and increase their doses at certain times of the year-for example, to prepare for a competition.Often, athletes will take more than one steroid at a time; this is referred to as “stacking.” The supposed basis for stacking is that it allows the user to activate more receptor sites than if only one steroid is used, or that the user can achieve a synergistic effect with certain combinations of steroids. In addition, the athlete may use a number of other drugs concurrently or after a cycle (PCT) to further enhance physical capacities or to counteract the common side effects of steroids.

These drugs include stimulants, diuretics, anti-estrogens, human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), human growth hormone (hGH), anti-acne medications, as well as anti-inflammatories. They also tend to use natural food supplements, such as creatine, DHEA, multivitamins, protein and amino acids.The dose of anabolic steroids depends on the sport as well as the particular needs of the athlete. Endurance athletes use steroids primarily for their catabolism-blocking effects and employ doses at or slightly below physiologic replacement levels. Although sprinters desire similar results, the strength and power requirements of their activity result in doses that are approximately one and a half to more than double the replacement levels. Participants in the traditional strength sports seeking to “bulk up,” have generally used amounts that exceed physiologic levels by 10 to 100 times, or more. Dosing patterns will also vary among athletes within a particular sport based on each athlete’s training goals and response to the drugs and the biological activity of different anabolic steroids. Women, regardless of sport, are thought to generally use much lower doses of anabolic steroids than males.A steroid cycle should always be followed by a post-cycle treatment (PCT) that consist of a combination of drugs that interact with certain body responses to reverse the negative feedback loop of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis (HPGA/HPTA).

The perfect stack 

Due to the differences in physical characteristics of individuals like weight, height and age it is impossible to have a “one size fit all” kind of cycle that will meet everyone’s needs. Every athlete will require a custom cycle designed around their individual goals and body features.The first step in constructing your custom cycle will be to decide what you like to achieve. You might want to bulk up so that you fall into a new weight division. You might want to gain more strength or lean mass to help secure your rugby career. Maybe you want to cut down on your bodyfat percentage so that you have more muscular definition for your upcoming bodybuilding competition. Your goal can thus be to bulk, gain lean mass or to cut. Unfortunately it is not possible to bulk and cut at the same time, so decide on what you want to achieve first.Next you have to select the steroid(s) you plan to use. If this will be your first cycle it is recommended that you keep your stack as simple as possible. The proffered starting place of any cycle will be with testosterone as a base. Testosterone is found naturally in your body so the possibility for side-effects are greatly reduced compared to something like Oxymetholone (Anadrol) for example.

Testosterone and Esters

You are probably wondering which testosterone to choose, because there is a Testosterone propionate, Testosterone enanthate, Testosterone cypionate and even a blend of different testosterones. All of these are essentially the same compound; the only difference is the ester or carboxylic acids attached to the testosterone molecule. The consequence of this is that the ester will determine the active life span (Half-Life) of the parent hormone. Such alterations will reduce the steroid’s level of water solubility, and increase its oil solubility.

Once an esterified compound has been injected, it will form a deposit in the muscle tissue (depot) from which it will slowly enter circulation. Generally the larger the ester chain, the more oil soluble the steroid compound will be, and the longer it will take for the full dosage to be released. Once free in circulation, enzymes will quickly remove the ester chain and the parent hormone will be free to exert its activity (while the ester is present the steroid is inert).

To compare, an ester like decanoate can extend the release of active parent drug into the blood stream for three to four weeks, while it may only be extended for a few days with an acetate or propionate ester. The use of an ester allows for a much less frequent injection schedule than if using a water-based (straight) testosterone, which is much more comfortable for the patient.

Longer esters do have some disadvantages and we must remember when calculating dosages, that the ester is figured into the steroid’s measured weight. 100 mg of Testosterone enanthate, therefore, contains much less base hormone than 100 mg of a straight Testosterone suspension (in this case it equals 72mg of testosterone). It is also important to stress the fact that esters do not alter the activity of the parent steroid in any way. They work only to slow its release.

It is quite common to hear people speak about the properties of different esters, almost as if they can magically alter a steroid’s effectiveness. This is really nonsense. Enanthate is not more powerful than cypionate (perhaps a few extra milligrams of testosterone released per injection, but nothing to note), nor is Sustanon some type of incredible testosterone blend. The same goes for all other steroid molecules with attached esters. Basically a beginner would want to choose a steroid that requires less frequent injections, so something like testosterone enanthate or cypionate will be perfect as injections are only required weekly.

More advanced users might want a steroid with less weight taken by the ester and something that works faster, so they will go for propionate or acetate compound. These will require much more frequent injections and it’s not uncommon to take them daily. Power lifters often use straight testosterone suspension before it’s their time to perform as it will work in less than 10 minutes after injecting. However it will leave your body just as quickly and to achieve stable blood concentrations will require injections every couple of hours making it impractical for bodybuilding use.When stacking different esterified steroids together it is advisable to choose esters of roughly the same ester chain length as that will allow you to inject them at the same intervals. For example- Testosterone propionate and Trenbolone acetate makes a very good stack because then you can mix both in one syringe before injecting every day or every second day. Another example is Testosterone enanthate with Trenbolone enanthate as that will allow weekly injections of both. However stacking Testosterone propionate with Trenbolone enanthate will only complicate your cycle unnecessarily, because that will require daily injections of the propionate and weekly injections of the enanthate compound. The more frequently you inject the more stable blood concentrations will be and thus providing better results in the long run.

So far we have only been talking about injectable steroids and nothing about oral steroids. Chemists realized that by replacing the hydrogen atom at the steroid’s 17th alpha position with a carbon atom (a process referred to as alkylation), its structure would be notably more resistant to breakdown by the liver thus making it possible to ingest steroids orally.

A steroid with this alteration is commonly described as a C-17 alpha alkylated. There are many steroids modified this way but the most common are Dianabol, Winstrol, Anavar, Halotestin and Turinabol. The principle drawback to these 17 alpha alkylated compounds are that they place a notable amount of stress on the liver, which in some instances can lead to actual damage to this organ. However there are a few with different chemical alterations like Primobolan and Proviron which are alkylated at the one position (methyl).

In addition to 1 methylation, Primobolan also utilizes a 17 beta ester (acetate) to further protect against reduction to inactive form. While Primobolan and Proviron do not place the same stress on the liver, they are also much less resistant to breakdown than 17 alkylated orals, and are ultimately less active milligram for milligram.

Oral steroids generally have very short active half-lives of only a few hours, but they also tend to show results very quickly. For that reason it became common practice to use an oral steroid of high potency near the beginning of a cycle as to “boost” gains in the first few weeks. This is known as frontloading. This period is generally only 2 to 4 weeks long depending on the liver toxicity of the compound. The more toxic the compound the shorter the period of usage is. This is to prevent damaging your liver. A milder steroid like Anavar, Proviron or Primobolan is often added towards the end of a cycle. This is done in an attempt to minimize the loss of gains when the main compounds are discontinued. These mild steroids are often extended for a few weeks after the cycle at very low dosages also known as a bridge. The purpose of a bride is to minimize muscle or strength losses in the period between the cycle and PCT. During PCT no steroid should be used as that will hinder recovery of the HPTA axis.

It is very important to select your choice of steroids according to your goal. Every compound has certain characteristics that make it more suitable to a specific use. For example- Trenbolone is not very good at bulking; however its fat burning properties are outstanding. So that will make it a very attractive addition to a cutting or lean mass cycle. Side-effects of each steroid compound should always be taken into consideration whenever a stack is planned. Never combine compounds that exert similar side-effects. For example- Combining Dianabol and Anapolon can be very dangerous as both are very toxic to begin with and combining them will only worsen their toxicities and that can do serious and irreversible damage.

The dosage used is important in determining the level of benefit received. Anabolic steroids tend to be most efficient at promoting muscle gains when taken at a moderately above therapeutic dosage level. Below this (therapeutic), potential anabolic benefits are often counterbalanced, at least to some extent, by the suppression of endogenous testosterone. At very high doses, smaller incremental gains are noticed. In the case of Testosterone enanthate or cypionate, for example, a dosage of 100 mg per week is considered therapeutic, and is generally insufficient for noticing strong anabolic benefits. When the dosage is in the 300-600 mg per week range, however, the drug is highly efficient at supporting muscle growth. Above this range, a greater level of muscle gain may be noticed, but the amount will be small in comparison to the dosage increase. Avoid taking the higher end of the dosage range during your first couple of cycles. You will have excellent results from lower dosages during your first few cycles. Lower dosages are also less likely to cause excessive side-effects and give you the opportunity to learn how your body reacts to steroid usage.

Dianabol (Methandrostenolone) the first anabolic steroid

Dianabol has an anabolic-androgenic ratio of 90-210:40-60 and has the molecular weight of 300.44 g/mol at the base.Dianabol may be detected in the urine sample usually via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Primary urinary metabolites of Dianabol can be detected for up to 4 days, and hydroxymethyl metabolite can be found in urine for up to 19 days after a single 5mg oral dose. The chemical name of Dianabol is [17a-methyl-17b-hydroxy-1,4-androstadien-3-one] and its molecular formula is C20H28O2.

Dianabol has the ability of stimulating dramatic and nearly-permanent improvements in terms of muscle strength, muscle function and size, glycogenolysis, and protein synthesis. This anabolic androgenic steroid can easily pass through the liver and only a small part of this steroid gets broken down because of 17α-methylation of Dianabol. This means Dianabol can even be used by athletes who are prone to liver toxicity when using oral steroids.

Dianabol has been extremely popular among amateur and professional bodybuilders and some of the most eminent names to have accepted its use include Arnold Schwarzenegger, Ronnie Coleman, and Phil Heath. Dianabol is best used at the start of a steroid cycle to kick start gains and may even be used as a bridge between steroid cycles for maintaining muscle mass and body strength gains.

Dianabol is rated a better option (gram for gram) than Testosterone as Dianabol minimizes affinity of the steroid for sex hormone binding globulin, which is a protein deactivating steroid molecules and capable of inhibiting them from further reactions in the body. In addition to this, Dianabol remains the favorite choice among power lifters and bodybuilders as it helps them increase repetitions during intense workouts and reduces workout fatigue to a significant extent. Dianabol also has the ability to promote the sense of well being and sleep patterns. Dianabol use is also associated with the promotion of calcium deposits in the bones, improving bone strength, and enhancing muscle density while improving endurance capacity.

Recommended Dose Of Dianabol

Male athletes usually use Dianabol in doses of 25-50mg every day while female athletes prefer using Dianabol in doses of 10-20mg every day. Dianabol is ideally stacked with Primobolan, Deca Durabolin, Trenbolone Acetate, Testosterone enanthate or propionate, and Deca Durabolin. Athletes administered with Dianabol should always emphasize on post cycle therapy with Clomid and Nolvadex. This is important for restoring the production of natural testosterone in the body and preventing excess estrogen formation that could have resulted in estrogenic side effects like oily skin, gynecomastia, and acne.

Dianabol is not recommended to those diagnosed with health conditions such as hypertension, high blood pressure, and prostate or breast cancer. It is also not advised to those diagnosed with health conditions such as testicular atrophy, testicular cancer, liver damage, kidney damage, stroke, or respiratory problems. It is also not recommended for children and girls and women, especially those who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or who may get pregnant while using it. Dianabol is also not advised to those who are allergic to its ingredients.

Dianabol should not be overdosed in hopes of quick benefits. The use of Dianabol over extended periods of time should always be avoided as it may lead to liver damage in case of qualified knowledge or lack of appropriate care. Moreover, it should always be purchased from a reputed steroid pharmacy with a valid medical prescription. Abuse or overdosing or use of low grade Dianabol can lead to side effects like male pattern baldness, clitoral hypertrophy, oily skin bouts, and insomnia or difficulty when urinating, edema (swelling), increased aggression, fever, or pain in the lower back (particularly in the kidney areas), and high blood pressure.

Dianabol capsules, pills, or injections should be discarded by taking the advice of a pharmacist or local waste disposal company in case they are not to be used any more or expired.

Bodybuilding Peptide Combinations Guide

Growth Hormone (GH) and IGF-1 are naturally occurring hormones in the human body responsible for many enviable aesthetic traits such as muscle mass, leanness and a firm/even skin tone. As people age, levels of growth hormone rapidly decline and this is one of the main reasons humans put on weight, lose muscle mass and develop sagging/uneven skin. It's no surprise then that synthetic Human Growth Hormone is a sought after product for anti-aging by persons looking to remain youthful, bodybuilders looking to put on muscle mass and people in general who are looking to "tone up" or lose stubborn belly fat.

The following guide indicates the best way to combine different peptides depending on your experience level of diet/training and also your goal:

Fat Loss

The most potent weight loss peptide is HGH Fragment which is the part of the Growth Hormone molecule responsible for fat burning. In HGH Frag Studies, it has been proven to reduce body fat, particularly in the abdominal area. The second most potent fat loss peptide is CJC-1295 DAC since it causes the overall GH level to rise in the body (the opposite of what happens naturally as a person gets older, which is why people tend to put on weight as they age). If your only goal is fat loss, it's often best to avoid the use of GHRP products (GHRP-6, GHRP-2 or Ipamorelin) since they can stimulate hunger and/or raise cortisol, both of which can be counterproductive to fat burning.

Diet Considerations

For GH to exhibit its fat burning effects, insulin must NOT be present. Insulin release in the body is caused mainly by consuming carbohydrates, although all types of macronutrients (carbs, fat and protein) still cause the release of insulin to some extent. Since HGH Fragment 176-191 works by causing the body to break down and release stored fat for use as energy, if you have recently consumed calories (food or beverage) your body will just use that for energy instead and little extra fat will be burnt. If however there is no food present for the body to use as energy, it will use the stored fat which the HGH Fragment 176-191 has caused to be released and you will notice reductions in body fat over the ensuing weeks.

Due to CJC-1295 DAC's long half-life the timing of meals is not important and this is what makes it an appealing addition to HGH Frag 176-191 to accelerate fat loss. To get the most out of your peptide usage for fat loss, the following guidelines should be followed:

• Avoid eating/drinking anything with calories for three (3) hours either side of your injection. 
• Try to make all your meals throughout the day high protein, low fat and low carbohydrates (eg. meat/fish with vegetables/salad). 
• Have as few meals as possible during the day as periods of fasting have been shown in many studies to improve fat loss and also longevity (i.e. eating less will make you live longer).

Sample Peptide Cycles

Beginners

1. HGH Fragment 176-191 at 250-500mcg per day.

Advanced

1. HGH Fragment 176-191 at 250-500mcg per day + CJC-1295 DAC at 300mcg per day or; 
2. HGH Fragment 176-191 at 250-500mcg per day

Example Injection Routines

Example 1 - Night Time Injection (recommended) ◦Ensure you do not eat or drink anything containing calories within three (3) hours of going to bed (with the exception of water, diet sodas, coffee/tea with artificial sweeteners).

• Take your HGH Fragment 176-191 injection just before getting into bed and your body will therefore be burning stored fat for the duration of your sleep. 
• If possible, do some cardio first thing in the morning and wait as long as possible before having breakfast to allow the fat burning to continue throughout the morning/day.

Example 2 - Morning Injection

• Wake up and inject your HGH Fragment 176-191 (250mcg to 500mcg is a good dosage depending on your budget). 
• Wait as long as possible before having your first meal (the longer you wait the more fat you will burn). 
• When you do eat, try to make the meal high protein, low fat and low carbohydrate (example meat and salad/vegetables). 
• If possible, try to do some cardio in the hours after your injection to increase the fat burning effect.

Note: If you are a person concerned about loss of muscle mass, you can consume a small amount of protein every 2-3 hours (amino acid tablets such as EAA and BCAA are good for this purpose and can be purchased from any health food shop or ordered online). However there is little reason to be concerned about muscle loss because when fat is available for energy, such as following HGH Fragment 176-191 injections, protein and therefore muscle mass are spared.

Adding CJC-1295 DAC

You can add CJC-1295 DAC at 2mg once per week (or 300mcg each day along with your HGH Fragment 176-191 injections - they can be mixed in the same syringe without any issues). You should take a break from CJC-1295 DAC every few months to give your pituitary gland a rest at which time you can continue to use HGH Fragment 176-191 on its own.

Muscle Building

Growth Hormone (GH) exhibits its muscle building effects mainly after its conversion to IGF-1 (Insulin-Like-Growth Factor). This makes IGF-1 an ideal choice of peptides for muscle building, especially since the IGF-1 LR3 version has an extended half-life which allows it to remain active in the muscles for many hours to complete its muscle building stimulatory effects. Likewise, if injected after a workout, the IGF-1 variant Mechano Growth Factor (also known as MGF or IGF-1e) is known to multiply muscle cells and contribute to muscle development. Furthermore, since IGF-1 is a by-product of GH, any peptide which increases levels of GH in the body such as a GHRP product or CJC-1295 product will obviously lead to increased lean muscle mass.

Diet Considerations

For Growth Hormone (GH) to perform its anabolic (muscle building) affects it requires the presence of the body's most anabolic hormone: insulin. This is in contrast to GH related fat loss which requires insulin to be absent. However, since GHRP and fast-acting GHRH (Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone) products still need time to stimulate the body to release GH from the pituitary gland, the insulin spike must come after the injection and not before, otherwise the GH release will be blunted.

The only exception to this is of course CJC-1295 DAC since it's long-half life and continual release of GH means it is not affected by food timing.

To get the most out of your peptide usage for muscle building, the following guidelines should be followed:

• If injecting just a GHRP or GHRH product on their own, avoid eating/drinking anything high in fat for 3 hours before your injection and anything high in carbohydrates for 2 hours before (i.e. always do your injection on an empty stomach), otherwise the amount of GH release they cause may be significantly blunted leading to poor results. 
• If injecting both a GHRP and GHRH together (e.g. 100mcg of both GHRP-6 and Modified GRF 1-29) studies have proven that their ability to release GH returns to full-strength as little as 1 hour (60 minutes) post-meal. This gives users greater flexibility with their meal timings, especially since consuming sufficient calories is so critical to building muscle. 
• Whether injecting GH peptides alone or along with others, always wait at least 20 minutes after your injection before consuming anything. Once at least 20 minutes has passed, consume a food/beverage high in protein and/or carbohydrates to stimulate an insulin spike (if you inject in the morning and around your workout, this meal/shake should be high protein and high carbohydrates, if you inject at night this consumption should be protein only as protein is sufficient enough to spike insulin, but without the negative impact on fat gain which carbohydrates can contribute to).

Sample Peptide Cycles

Beginners

1. CJC-1295 DAC at 2mg per week or;
2. GHRP Product  at 200mcg once per day.

Intermediate

1. GHRP Product at 200mcg (2 times per day) or; 
2. GHRP Product at 200mcg + CJC-1295 DAC at 100mcg per day (2 times per day).

Advanced

1. GHRP Product at 200mcg + CJC-1295 DAC at 100mcg (2 times per day) + IGF-1 at 50mcg after workouts or; 
2. GHRP Product at 200mcg + Mod. GRF 1-29 at 100mcg (2 times per day) after workouts.

Example Injection Routines

Beginners

CJC-1295 DAC

• 2mg taken once per week, at any time of day.

GHRP + GHRH (once per day)

• Inject your dosage (ensuring you have not consumed any food/beverages for at least 1 hour before, an optimal time would be first thing in the morning). 
• Ingest a protein only or protein and carbohydrate meal afterward to create an insulin spike. 
• Do weight training in the hours afterwards.

Intermediate

GHRP + GHRH (twice per day)

• Inject your GHRP + GHRH peptides together in the same syringe (ensuring you have not consumed any food/beverages for at least 1 hour before, an optimal time would be first thing in the morning). 
• Ingest a protein only or protein and carbohydrate meal afterward to create an insulin spike. 
• Do weight training in the hours afterwards. ◦at least 1 hour after your dinner (or last meal of the day), take your second GHRP + GHRH injection. 
• If you are trying to control your body fat then have a protein only meal 20-30 minutes afterwards, otherwise a protein/carbohydrate meal will create a better insulin spike.

Advanced

GHRP + GHRH + IGF-1

Follow the same routine as shown above for "intermediate" persons. However, as soon as possible after your weight training you should also inject  50mcg of IGF-1 LR3 preferably into a muscle (although due to the long half-life of both products, sub-q injections are also acceptable). If injecting intramuscularly, you should make sure that the muscle you are injecting into is not covered by a thick layer of fat. Usually due to the length of insulin syringe needles, injections are therefore limited to the biceps for most persons.

While GHRP + GHRH can be injected each day with great benefit, even if you don't do weight training on that day. On the other hand, IGF-1 LR3  should be reserved for post-workout only.

Anti-Aging

For the Anti-Aging crowd, we recommend choosing only 1 peptide, rather than a combination. The reason for this is that as you get older your GH levels decline rapidly and therefore you will benefit from any kind of GH increase meaning there is no need to overdo things with multiple peptides. If you wish to use more than one peptide, we recommend cycling a GHRP product every 3-6 months with CJC-1295 DAC for two reasons.

The first reason is that CJC-1295 DAC is a GHRH (growth hormone releasing hormone) acting directly at the pituitary, while GHRP products indirectly stimulate GH by causing the release of Ghrelin. Rotating the products would therefore ensure one method of GH stimulation does not get "worn out" from repeated exposure to the peptides. The second reason is that even though CJC-1295 DAC has been proven safe in much higher dosages than we recommend, since it causes a continual GH release (GH bleed) no one can be certain how continual use would affect the pituitary in the long-term, so it's a case of being "better safe than sorry" and never using it for longer than 6 months at a time without a break.

Diet Considerations

For CJC-1295 DAC there are no particular diet restrictions that need to be followed due to its long half-life. For GHRP products the following should be observed as insulin and fatty acids can blunt the release of GH in the body and therefore make your injections less effective:
•Avoid eating/drinking anything high in fat for 3 hours before your injection and anything high in carbohydrates for 1-2 hours (always do your injection on an empty stomach). •Wait at least 20 minutes after your injection before eating/drinking anything with calories.

Injection Amounts

1. CJC-1295 DAC taken at 2000mcg (2mg) once per week or; 
2. GHRP Product (GHRP-2, GHRP-6 or Ipamorelin) taken at 200mcg per day.

Example Injection Routines

CJC-1295 DAC

• 2mg taken once per week, at any time of day.

GHRP-2, GHRP-6 or Ipamorelin

Example 1 - Night Time Injection (recommended to reduce possible tiredness during day).

• Ensure you have an empty stomach (i.e. 2-3 hours since your last meal). 
• Inject your GHRP peptide and go straight to bed.

Example 2 - Morning injection

• Take your injection of the GHRP product first thing in the morning at 100mcg. 
• Wait at least 20 minutes before having breakfast or any beverages (including coffee/tea).

Letrozole by QD Labs

Letrozole is a type II (non-steroidal) third generation aromatase inhibitor. Clinically it is used to treat postmenopausal women with either estrogen receptor positive or estrogen receptor unknown breast cancer.

In women, tumors that contain estrogen receptors are classified as estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) tumors. For Letrozole to be prescribed, a given tumor must have been diagnosed as estrogen receptor positive or estrogen receptor unknown.

In the world of bodybuilding it is used to reduce or eliminate excess estrogen caused by the use of aromatizing steroids.

Letrozole is known as a type II aromatase inhibitor, meaning, in simplest terms that it attaches to the aromatase enzyme and prevents it from converting androgens to estrogen. In slightly more complex terms, estrogens are produced by the conversion of androgens through the activity of the aromatase enzyme, and letrozole actually inhibits the production of estrogens in by competitive, (reversible) binding to the heme of the relevant cytochrome P450 unit.

Letrozole is currently the most powerful aromatase inhibitor available. In women with breast cancer, it has been shown to reduce estrogen levels by 98% or more. However, it’s use and benefits are not limited to eliminating estrogen in women.

In one male test subject Letrozole was able to reduce estrogen levels to undetectable levels, and in another clinical study done on both young and elderly men, intravenous administration of Letrozole lowered Estrogen by 46% in the young men tested, and 62% in the elderly subjects. Because estrogen is part of the negative feedback loop of the HPTA, Letrozole (and other anti-estrogens) are able to raise testosterone in male subjects. Letrozole was studied in men, and found to significantly increase LH levels to a 339 and 323% in the young and the elderly, respectively and Testosterone by 146 and 99%, respectively. Letrozole was also able to produce a peak LH response to Gonadatropin Releasing Hormone equal to a 152 and 52% increase from baseline in either young or older men, respectively. In a similar study 0.02 mg of Letrozole increased testosterone by 45% after 2 days. That same twenty micrograms of Letrozole was also enough, in one study done on men, to reduce estrogen levels by roughly a third.

Letrozole has a 2-4 day half-life, and it needs to be taken for up to 60 days to get a steady blood plasma level. Letrozole was used in a rodent study to effectively destroy (benign) breast tissue tumors, which may potentially indicate its use in males attempting to remove gynecomastia (aka gyno). As estrogen is also a factor in stopping linear bone growth, Letrozole is currently being examined for potential use in delay of growth seen in children.

In the world of bodybuilding where more is often thought to be better, Letrozole stands almost alone as an exception to that rule. Estrogen is necessary for healthy immune function, healthy cholesterol levels, joint health, cognitive function, and even aids in muscle growth. In my own experience as well as the experience of many bodybuilders and athletes I’ve worked with, Letrozole simply causes estrogen to be reduced to levels too low to function properly. Personally, I suffered a near career-ending knee injury while using 2.5mgs a day of this stuff, and had one of the worst (and longest) bout with the flu I’ve ever had. In my own particular case, I had been using it to eliminate gyno (which it did). I started at a dose of 2.5mgs/day and reduced it by 25mgs every week until the gyno showed no signs of coming back. Unfortunately, this compromised my immune system and joint integrity.

For most recreational steroid users, Letrozole is going to be too harsh, and cause too many problems. Still, people can use it effectively if they don’t use the manufacturer’s clinical dose (2.5mgs) and instead keep their dose to .25-1mg. There are, however, better choices for an anti-estrogen. I should mention that using Letrozole at such a low dose does happen to make it a very good economic choice compared with other aromatase inhibitors.

For pre-contest bodybuilders, Letrozole is almost a necessity to eliminate water retention and achieve the ripped look necessary to compete in today’s bodybuilding world. However, in my experience, it is only necessary to be used for the last 4-6 weeks, to eliminate excess estrogen and water retention. After using Letrozole I recommend staying away from any estrogen suppression for at least a month to try to normalize the body.

Oxydrolone (Oxymetholone) by Alpha Pharma

Oxydrolone (Oxymetholone) is a synthetic steroidal drug available as a tablet. it is a potent oral anabolic and androgenic drug.

Oxydrolone (Oxymetholone) is an anabolic steroid. It improves nitrogen balance when the diet is sufficient in calories. The actions of anadrol are similar to testosterone and can cause serious impairment in sexual and physical growth when given to children. Children who have taken this drug develop grotesque physical features and usually have disordered sexual function.

Oxydrolone (Oxymetholone), is sold under the pharmaceutical name Oxymetholone, and has a half life of about 8-10 hours. This means it remains in your body for 2-4 times longer. The reason it stays in the body longer is because of its affinity for fatty tissues where it gets stored. Biochemical analysis have shown that Anadrol can be detected in the body for up to 2 months after the last dose. Because of this long half life, it is not the preferred drug of choice by many body builders. Most experts recommend it as an off season drug to build the body.

In clinical medicine, Oxydrolone (Oxymetholone) has been indicated in the treatment of anemias from a variety of different causes. The most common anemia treated with Oxydrolone (Oxymetholone) is iron deficiency anemia, acquired aplastic anemia, congenital aplastic anemia, myleofibrosis and the anemia caused by the use of immunosuppressive drugs. Oxydrolone (Oxymetholone) is not a replacement for iron, blood transfusion, vitamin, folic acid or other nutrients. It is only used to treat these anemias after they have failed to respond to all other supportive measures.

The drug has also been recommended for the treatment of wasting seen in HIV patients and in individuals with severe osteoporosis. However, because of the greater awareness of its potential side effects, most physicians do not prescribe it.

The dose of Oxydrolone (Oxymetholone) is based on body weight. In both adults and children this is about 1.5-2mg/kg (50-200mg/week). When Oxydrolone (Oxymetholone) is administered to treat any of the above medical disorders, its response is never immediate and may take a minimum of 2-3 weeks. In some patients a slightly lower dose is required to maintain its benefit when treating aplastic anemias. Oxydrolone (Oxymetholone) is only available as a tablet and never given intravenously.

Before one use Oxydrolone (Oxymetholone) there are a few things you should know. Oxydrolone (Oxymetholone) is a potent steroid and is associated with a fair number of side effects which include:

• jaundice
• possibility of liver cancer
• enlargement of penis if taken before puberty
• testicular atrophy and low sperm count if taken after puberty
• impotence, painful penile erections
• in women- clitoral enlargement, menstrual irregularities
• lack of sleep
• gynecomastia- breast enlargement
• deepening of voice
• excessive hair growth
• general fatigue
• swelling of the body
• high sugars

Contraindications

• cancer of the prostate
• male breast cancer
• female breast cancer
• pregnant females
• those with liver problems
• those who have allergies to the drug

Oxydrolone (Oxymetholone) is a very widely used drug among athletes and bodybuilders. It a very powerful anabolic steroid and relatively inexpensive.

When Oxydrolone (Oxymetholone) is taken orally, it gradually starts to increase weight gain. The results are typically seen after 3-4 weeks. While there are claims in cyberspace that weight gain can occur in 1-2 weeks, these are completely false. The drug acts slowly. To maintain the weight gain most athletes have to take it for at least 3-6 weeks. Many athletes also recycle the drug with growth hormone and thyroxin. One major side effect of Oxydrolone (Oxymetholone) is that it also causes water retention. However, most athletes claim that this excess water helps cushion the joints against injury. The other feature about Oxydrolone (Oxymetholone) which has been widely reported is that it does help the body recover much faster after an injury.

Because of it potent side effects and the potential for causing cancer in the liver, its usage should be limited. Many body builders recycle the drug every few months to maintain the bulk. The Oxydrolone (Oxymetholone) is substituted with other anabolic steroids.

Recent reports indicate that Oxydrolone (Oxymetholone) can also have unpredictable effects on the brain. Oxydrolone (Oxymetholone) has been known to affect the psyche after prolonged use. Many reports of spontaneous anger, irritability and violence have been reported in individuals who take this drug for prolonged periods.

The dose for bodybuilding is empirical. Most experts in bodybuilding recommend starting off at 50 mg daily for 2-3 weeks and then gradually increasing it to 75 mg if no response is seen. However, it is highly recommended that the drug not be taken for more than 6-8 weeks at a time.

Detection

Oxydrolone (Oxymetholone) is now banned by all sporting organizations and is regularly tested for in athletes. Positive tests usually mean suspension of the athlete. Oxydrolone (Oxymetholone) and its metabolites can be easily identified in the urine for 20-45 days after the last dose.

Oxymetholone is a very powerful anabolic steroid of immense capabilities. Generally a bulking steroid, as size promotion is its primary purpose it does possess secondary characteristics well-suited for cutting as well but only in very specific cases and for the average man this type of use will never be implored. As a powerful steroid most will find Oxymetholone is best used during a bulking cycle at the front end as a kick start to the overall cycle. The most common practice is a 4-6 week run of Oxymetholone at a dosing of 50mg per day and for many this will be all the Oxymetholone they will ever need. However, for those who want a little more and these individuals always exist, 100g per day for the same time frame can be successfully administered but there are some important notes. It is important to understand how your body reacts to this steroid before you ever begin a 100mg dose; further, understand the possibility of negative side-effects increase dramatically when the dosing is increased.

While 100mg a day will prove to be the maximum dosage that can be safely used, assuming the individual knows what they’re doing, beyond 100mg will often prove to be a waste as Oxymetholone has been shown to possess a fast diminishing rate when you go past the 100g mark. This simply means doses of 150mg or 200mg and beyond will not produce results greater than 100mg or at least at any noteworthy affect. The same can also be said of total duration; past the 6 week mark the benefits of Oxymetholone supplementation will begin to largely fade. While an individual may indeed pack on as much as 20-30lbs with the steroid the first 4-6 weeks such massive increases will not occur past the 6 week mark.

As is with all anabolic steroids Oxymetholone does carry with it the possibility of negative adverse side-effects and with this steroid they can be very severe; especially when responsible use is thrown to the wind. Oxymetholone is one of the most hepatic oral steroids on the market; as a 17-aa steroid it is very toxic to the liver but while this is the case with all 17-aa steroids it is more so here. Granted, with responsible use liver damage will often be reversed when use is discontinued but this is assuming responsible sue was implored. Further, as it is well-known for, Oxymetholone can greatly cause a massive buildup in water retention, so much so that for many the effect can be unbearable. For this reason the use of an aromatase inhibitor (AI) is highly advised. Further, the use of an AI will aid in the prevention of Gynecomastia as well, another possible side-effect due to use. It is important to note, regarding water retention more often than not its unbearable nature is brought on by excess carbohydrate consumption. Excess carbohydrates will cause bloat, Oxymetholone will cause bloat; couple the two factors together and you often have a mess. Learn to control your eating and this problem can be largely avoided when responsible use is followed.

As is easy to see, by its very nature Oxymetholone serves the primary role of increasing size, however, many competitive bodybuilders supplement with the steroid at the end of a contest prep cycle in order to fill out more efficiently. One must have a full understanding of the steroid to pull off such use without excess water retention being a problem but as the steroids effect on carbohydrate consumption is so pronounced it can have a positive effect when used properly for this purpose.

Regardless of your purpose for use it is very important you ensure you are healthy enough for use to begin with. Oxymetholone can severely increase blood pressure and if your blood pressure is already high you cannot use this steroid and if you are predisposed to such a condition you are highly advised to stay away. As with most anabolic steroids supplemental testosterone is very important for the male users as Oxymetholone will suppress natural testosterone production. For the female this is a steroid we cannot recommend as virilization can be very problematic when supplemental Oxymetholone is part of the female athlete’s plans.

Gain Muscle and Lose Fat with a Two-Week Alternating Steroid Cycle Program

Q: “I’d like to do 2-on, 4-off cycles and add serious strength while improving body composition. My goal is to gain 25 lb of muscle and drop 25 lb of fat over the next 6 months or so. I’m new to anabolic steroid use. I have 5 years of strength training gains have been slow lately. I’d like a periodized program. Can you suggest an outline?”

A: Your goal should be obtainable. One suggestion is:

Weeks 1 and 2: No anabolic steroids, no PCT. Training is with relatively high reps, using weights of about 60-70% 1RM, with week 2 using more weight than week 1. Volume is what you’ve found suitable long-term for natural training at this rep range. Calories are at for example 12 cal/day per pound of lean body mass, with protein of about 1 g/day per pound of LBM. However, if you can lose fat at for example 2-3 lb/week with more calories than this, then allow more calories. You can consider having up to two non-consecutive days per week where calories are very low but protein remains close to the above, if needed.

Weeks 3 and 4: Short-acting anabolic steroids are used, with dosages typically at about 150 mg/day total use, except that a Trenbolone/Dianabol cycle can use doses as low as 50 mg/day each. An anti-aromatase or a SERM is used to control estrogen, except if in the individual case this is known to be unnecessary. Training uses weights such as about 75-85% 1RM.

Week 4 should be heavier than week 3. Volume should be about 30% higher than what you’d find optimal short-term when training naturally. Calories will be about 1000 per day higher than your maintenance, and protein will be about 100 g/day higher than your usual. Aim to gain one to two pounds of fat over these two weeks.

Week 5: PCT begins. Training uses same weights as week 4, but volume should be reduced by about 50% or even more. Many exercises can be just one set. Make the negatives easy. Leave at least one rep in reserve on all sets. You may drop various smaller exercises. If you have specialized techniques such as Westside-style speed work, this is a good week for it. Calories should be your usual maintenance.

Week 6: PCT continues. Training continues to use the same weights as week 4. You can however do maximal reps in your final work set each exercise, and if you like, re-introduce some smaller exercises. For volume, use your optimal long-term natural-training amount for this rep range. Evaluate whether you need to cut during this week or can afford maintenance calories.

For several cycles to come, following cycles typically can increase in weight by 5% or a little more, while maintaining same reps and sets. Later, increases could be as low as 1% per cycle. This may sound low, but the resulting about-8% per year is more than most do, once advanced.

Dark Chocolate Lowers Blood Pressure

For people with hypertension, eating dark chocolate can significantly reduce blood pressure. Researchers writing in the open access journal BMC Medicine combined the results of 15 studies into the effects of flavanols, the compounds in chocolate which cause dilation of blood vessels, on blood pressure.

Researchers from the University of Adelaide, Australia, to conduct the analysis. She said, “Flavanols have been shown to increase the formation of endothelial nitric oxide, which promotes vasodilation and consequently may lower blood pressure. There have, however, been conflicting results as to the real-life effects of eating chocolate. We’ve found that consumption can significantly, albeit modestly, reduce blood pressure for people with high blood pressure but not for people with normal blood pressure.”

The pressure reduction seen in the combined results for people with hypertension, 5mm Hg systolic, may be clinically relevant — it is comparable to the known effects of 30 daily minutes of physical activity (4-9mm Hg) and could theoretically reduce the risk of a cardiovascular event by about 20% over five years.

The researchers are cautious, however, “The practicability of chocolate or cocoa drinks as long-term treatment is questionable,” said Dr Ried.

Thin Skin to Reveal Your Muscular Definition

Water weight. Water retention. Subcutaneous fluid. Thick skin. However you wish to describe it, the thin layer of fluid which obscures hard-won muscle development on an otherwise well-defined physique can spoil a bodybuilder’s chances of competitive success. Dieting down only to arrive onstage looking ‘smooth’ is one barrier to victory all bodybuilders must avoid.

Our bodies have a natural tendency to store water directly beneath our skin for hydration purposes, just as carbohydrates and fats are sequestered away for future energy demands. Stored with this subcutaneous water are ions (or electrolytes), charged particles which play a vital role in strengthening our immune system, and aiding water and nutrient storage. Though due to a host of factors (including menstruation, certain medications, lymphatic congestion, and, in extreme cases, kidney failure), water retention can be excessive and pose health concerns, a certain amount of subcutaneous fluid is to be maintained at constant levels (where it nourishes cells before being returned to surrounding capillaries).

Enduring months of monastic eating and training only to be hampered by a substance that is essential to life is one irony that is not lost on the scores of bodybuilders who falter due to the ubiquity of water retention. This is why physique athletes will spend the final days before a big show (or photo shoot) endeavoring to flush this water from beneath their skin, in particular from the lower abdominal region, where it is more likely to accumulate.

Banish water from beneath your skin and arrive onstage at your very best. In the following article I will take you through the water-shedding steps I use to get my bodybuilding athletes into supreme contest shape.

Top six steps for addressing water retention

First get lean
Before seeking to specifically eliminate subcutaneous water you must be sure that it is water you are dealing with, and not actual body fat. Though both are definition obscuring, one is more easily remedied than the other (no prizes for guessing which). To determine in a very unscientific manner whether you are holding water or fat, pinch a small amount of the excess away from your body and let it return to its original position: if it ripples like water then it is likely to be, you guessed it, water, not fat.

So get to work carving the excess adipose from your physique, to where you are holding no more than 6% body fat; only then will you have a true indication of how much final-stage water depletion is necessary. This is the most important step as not only can you not deplete what you cannot properly see, but any subcutaneous water elimination is simply a waste of time if you arrive onstage with rolls of fat hanging off your glutes.

Hydrate
Similar to the effect calorie restriction can have on dampening our metabolic response, and thus curtailing the fat burning process, poor hydration can cause us to hold excessive amounts of water under our skin. People often think they must withhold water consumption in order to prevent it from being stored subcutaneously. This is a myth that must be destroyed. In fact, the opposite is true: the body holds water, a precious resource, as a survival response to its limited supply; limit its intake and the body will release anti diuretic hormones which will enable it to hang for dear life to all the fluid it can store.

By drinking plenty of fresh, clean water on a daily basis (a gallon, or more, most days), our body gets to work rapidly releasing water (both that which is consumed and that which is stored) through urine and sweat.

Since muscle tissue consists of over 70% water, water restriction may cause our muscles to look flat and may even lead to severe cramping. Instead of limiting water intake pre-contest, manipulate carbohydrates and use the tips below to flush water from beneath the skin, not from the muscles where it promotes fullness and a shredded appearance.

Limit sodium consumption
Commonly found in rock salt, the chemical element sodium plays an important role in maintaining the fluid balance of our cells; for the proper functioning of our cells we need between 2000 and 2500mg of sodium per day, which it not hard to achieve given it is included naturally in many of the foods we consume and added in abundance to other less healthful nutrient options.

However, because any excess sodium is held in our skin cells where it attracts water, the more we consume beyond the above recommended allotment, the greater our chances are of experiencing excessive water retention. As your contest (or shoot) approaches, gradually eliminate added sodium (which can also be found in most condiments and sauces) from your diet.

Sodium manipulation can, however, be used to the more advanced-competitor’s advantage. For 10-2 days out from a contest, salt all meals. Doing this will help some sodium and water to be excreted from under the skin, though a thin layer of water will remain. To transfer all subcutaneous water to our muscle cells, to create greater fullness, all dietary sodium must be completely eliminated during the final two days (as well as regular salt, this includes egg whites, protein shakes, sauces and other condiments so check all labels to ensure no sodium passes your lips).

Supporting the sodium manipulation process is water loading/depletion where, from days 10-2, water intake is increased by 1-2 liters (if you consume two liters per day on average, drink 4-5 liters); halve this amount two days out and on the day of the contest, drink around 500mls, total. By loading, then depleting (but not entirely cutting), your water intake you can trick your body into sucking any remaining fluid from beneath your skin and into your muscles. Experiment with this process 2-3 weeks out from your show to see how this approach works for you.

Sweat it out
In conjunction with optimal water consumption we may also sweat to get tight and hard. Whether through intensive cardio, weight training, or time in the sauna, stored water, salt and ions are excreted whenever we sweat. Though we refer to it as water retention, a great deal of the puffiness associated with subcutaneous water storage is due to sodium ions trapped directly under the skin. Sweating forces these ions out first (which is why our sweat initially tastes salty) and accompanying them will be the excess water. Once our sweat begins to lose its salty taste we will know that the depletion of water retention is occurring. Be sure to consume plenty of water while sweating out the excess to stay well hydrated, and take a multi mineral supplement to replace any lost electrolytes excreted through sweat.

Fuel with fiber
As well as being excreted through sweat, water retention is also removed via the colon. The easier the ‘passage’, the more water we can eliminate. A clogged colon, however, may prevent the natural excretion of water. Thus, a diet comprised of sufficient fiber (supplementing with psyllium husk is an excellent way to drop excess water weight) may not only cleanse the intestinal tract to promote sound health and offset the occurrence of diseases such as stomach cancer, but may also help us to achieve shrink-wrapped skin come competition time.      

Try a natural diuretic
Whether synthetic or natural, diuretics increase urination to force more water from our system. For a healthy-functioning person, diuretics of any kind are largely unnecessary, though, as an adjunct to the methods listed above, one, or several, of the natural diuretics may accentuate final-stage water loss to ensure we achieve a shredded appearance.

While many good supplements have been used by serious competitors (which may include in them natural herbs such as dandelion root) simple foods like lettuce, spinach, asparagus, beets and pumpkin and good old coffee and tea may work just as well. Take note: diuretic use many cause dehydration so be sure to consume at least one gallon of water per day while using them and when employing any of the ideas outlined above.

The pre contest (or pre-photo shoot) intake or water should only be done in an attempt to saturate our muscle cells, to create a full and shredded appearance. Any excess must be eliminated. So to ensure conditioning is not a barrier to success for you, fully address any excess water retention before you next step onstage.

Water Weight: The Importance of Water for Muscle Growth

There are many things your body needs in order to put on lean muscle. The first important thing, of course, is a consistent weight training regimen. Then there’s following a proper nutrition plan and making sure your body is getting enough macronutrients (proteins, fats and carbohydrates), which are absolutely essential to putting on lean muscle. But for some reason, one of the most important things that a lot of people forget is probably the easiest one to remember…. Drink more water! We all know drinking water is important for our health in general, but what does it have to do with muscle growth?

I am sure we have all heard that saying, “That’s just water weight”, but what does it really mean? On average, the human body is made up of 60% water. That amount can vary depending on your age, sex and percentage of body fat. Muscle contains up to 75% water while fat only has about 10%. The reason muscle contains so much water is due to the presence of glycogen. Glycogen is a long branched chain of the simple sugar (glucose) that your body uses for energy.
The muscles store glycogen so that when they are called upon to work, the glycogen can be broken apart and used for fuel. Glucose, when bound together to form glycogen, uses a lot of water molecules that get bound up in the glycogen molecule. About 1-2% of skeletal muscle mass is glycogen. That may not sound like a lot, but when you take into consideration that the average adult male may have about 60 kilograms of muscle mass, that equates to up to 1.2 kilograms of glycogen.

When you exercise, you use this glycogen for fuel and when you eat, the glycogen is replenished. As you follow your training regimen and start to put on more muscle, your body will begin storing larger amounts of water and glycogen for future energy use. Often, when people first begin to exercise, they will notice an increase in body weight and become discouraged. But in reality, this is just water weight. If they stopped working out for a few days, the water would be lost.
Water and glycogen content in the muscle can change rather quickly while it takes considerable time for new muscle tissue to be laid down.
Not getting enough water? One easy way to remember to drink a little extra is by drinking a pre-workout sports drink prior to working out. Dehydration can have a major impact on your workout and result in fatigue and a loss in strength that you would normally have when properly hydrated.

Another way to get some extra water is by eating foods with high water content. Foods that are high in water content typically appear to look larger, require more chewing and break down slower, making you feel full faster. Foods that are high in water content may include fruits, vegetables, soups and broths, beans and oatmeal.