Steroid Alternatives

!±8± Steroid Alternatives

Steroids are not an option because you are a competitive athlete participating in a sanctioned sport that mandates drug testing, or you aren't fond about man boobs and shrunk junk, or because you actually respect the law. But with age testosterone does decline and that explosive strength and seemingly overnight transformation into the Incredible Hulk is now only a memory for many. Others want a little help to move with their goals and of course there is the hard gaining ectomorph who fears being mistaken for a flagpole on the beach come every summer. The most important step is a strong work ethic and training program, specific to you and your body. In addition to such a regimen there are an increasing number of products that actually deliver on their bold claims without setting off the pee detectors. Below are a couple natural alternatives to steroids:

Arachidonic acid (A.A.) is being blown up as if was the genome for Arnold Schwarzenegger, Dorian Yates, and Lee Haney fused. Arachidonic acid is an essential fatty acid located in the cellular membranes of the brain and muscles. A study at Baylor University opened the door for A.A. 31 male subjects were put on a resistance training program bench consisting of the following tasks: one-repetition maximum on bench press, leg press, and the Wingate anaerobic capacity sprint test. These were each performed after 0, 25, and 50 days of arachidonic acid supplementation. The subjects demonstrated greater peak power after just 25 days. BINGO! Not exactly... The study also reported that no significant gains in strength, size, or test levels. Molecular Nutrition's XFactor, Universal Nutrition's Animal Test, and Axis labs Hemodraulix all feature A.A and are all great natural alternatives to steroids.

Divanil is found in stinging nettle. One cannot get the same benefits from supplementing stinging nettle instead of divanil since the amount of stinging nettle one would need to ingest is unrealistic (think resveratrol supplements vs. drinking red wine). A familiar name, Dr. D (Dana Houser M.D.), tested divanil in 2007 using Activate Xtreme. His findings, which were confirmed both from personal observations and from a gauntlet of physiological tests, showed positive results for divanil despite his increased levels of dht after using Activate Xtreme. He tested Activate Xtreme's products more thoroughly, pinpointing divanil as being responsible for the gains he experienced. There have not been many other studies done on divanil so it is difficult to analyze it analytically. Most users have been satisfied with the divanil containing products: Activate Xtreme (Driven Sports), Animal Test (Universal Nutrition), Mass Addiction (Anabolic Addiction), Mass FX (Anabolic Extreme) and T Bomb II (MHP).

T Bomb II stands unique since it also stacks a zinc-magnesium-copper blend with other items like fenugreek, avena sativa, and mushrooms (cordyceps) in its blend. It all sounds like a salad but the reviews have been favorable. I'm not advocating its efficacy over the other companies but just noting it's additional use of more rare components. Tonkat Ali or Longjack Eurofloria has also finally been vindicated from the "no evidence group." Even still, the evidence pointing to increases in mass and strength from supplementing tonkat ali were conducted on a non-representative sample of the typical athlete. Many supplements use tonkat, but only a handful have garnered fair reviews. This could either be because of the blend or simply a condition of the number of people who tried a certain product and reported on it. Tonkat Ali is made by a myriad of companies. NOW Nutrition's TestoJack offers a great deal and adds ZMA to its blend. Xyience's Xtreme Test has garnered almost nothing but awful reviews but worked very well for me.

To round out the list of natural alternatives to steroids, I have to say something about Fizogen's offerings of 17-Bol and M1-Bol. Though the names and nomenclature sound like these are some kind of pro hormones they are not.17 Bol employs a trademark formula called "Cyclostanodrol." It's a plant sterol that scientists and non-pretentious companies like Universal Nutrition, call ecdysterone. But hell, cyclostanodrol sounds BAD ASS. Unfortunately, ass bad is more apropos. Users gave unfavorable reviews for the most part. Furthermore, ecdysterone has shown to be useful in clinical trials. Useful for lowering cholesterol not for raising test levels or for any anabolic activity it may provide.

Another option for natural alternatives to steroids an anti estrogen. Many in the sports world still see this as "cheating" since you are altering hormone levels even if it's not technically illegal. Hopefully, I'll write a future article discussing the benefits and pitfalls of products using aromatase inhibitors like 6 Bromo, 6-Oxo, Formestane, and ATD.