Equipoise(Boldenone Undecylenate) by QD Labs for Safer Muscle Development

Equipoise (Boldenone Undecylenate) is a testosterone derivative wherein a double bond was added between the 1 and 2 carbons of the naturally-occurring hormone. Designed as a longer-lasting injectable alternative to the widely popular orally-administered Dianabol, Equipoise shares the strong anabolic effects of testosterone but is much less androgenic. Equipoise is a decent steroid that is quite popular for bodybuilders.

Because of the double bond, Boldenone Undecylenate offers unique characteristics that are not found in Equipoise steroids bottleother steroids. For one, it resists conversion by the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme, but the small quantities that is nonetheless converted produces a very potent derivative, dihydroboldenone, which is roughly 7 times as anabolic as testosterone. The effect of Boldenone Undecylenate is not mediated by dihydroboldenone, though, which led to the conclusion that it works by upgrading the androgen receptor thereby allowing the hormones to exert a greater anabolic effect, as proven in the case of strong androgenic drugs like anadrol.

The appetite-enhancing property of Equipoise is also well-known among users. This increase in appetite aids the muscle-building process, as high nutritional intake hastens protein synthesis that is known to be the primary cause of muscle mass buildup -  as more protein molecules are made available to the muscular system, the faster the body heals torn muscle fibers. Equipoise also increases nitrogen retention in the muscles, which further aids protein synthesis.

Another unique property of Boldenone Undecylenate is its very slow rate of aromatization (conversion to estrogen), which goes as slow as half of the rate for testosterone. This results in very insignificant estrogenic side effects to users, even in fairly high doses and in longer periods. Thus, this is a safe alternative to testosterone, as estrogenice side effects such as oily skin, acne, and gynecomastia for men and development of male sexual characteristics in women are rarely reported. The low androgenic effect is the reason why many male and female bodybuilders and athletes prefer to use this compound, alone or stacked with other drugs.

Many steroids cause increases in the red blood cells (RBCs) but Equipoise does it better than most (with the exception of erythropoietin or EPO, which is precisely designed to raise erythrocytes). More RBCs equate to more oxygen in the blood, which in turn increases stamina that translates to better speed, endurance and strength. Also, better glycogenolysis (repletion of glycogen lost during exercise) is observed during use of Eq.

The slow but constant muscle buildup one gets from Equipoise is due to the undeclynate ester that is used, which, with 11 carbons, is longer than the decanoate ester used in Deca Durabolin. Thus, the effect of the drug is felt for a longer time than ordinary testosterone (it stays active for more than four weeks). For this reason, use of the drug by tested athletes is not advised, as it is detectable in doping tests for a long time. Still, with so many benefits one gets from using Equipoise, the limited side effects, including its low toxicity on the liver, and high availability, countless enthusiasts, male or female, favor it over other steroids.

Users usually stack boldenone with testosterone ester like enanthate or cypionate for good gains in a bulking cycle. For those who favor Deca Durabolin, adding a little Boldenone Undecylenate will improve appetite and vascularity. For cutting cycles, stacking Eq with Trenbolone, Stanozalol or Testosterone propionate would give muscle hardness and strength, and increase muscle definition. The use of ancillary drugs such as anti-aromatases or anti-estrogens is seldom required when using Boldenone Undecylenate.

10 common anabolic steroid myths

Anabolic steroids, in actual fact, greatly increase endurance by creating a greater count of red blood cells. Red blood cells are one of the most important physiological components for athletes – especially endurance athletes. These cells are responsible for carrying oxygen to the body’s tissues (including muscles). On a quick note, blood doping, the practice of increasing the number of red blood cells in the bloodstream, is illegal, however altitude training, the practice of training for several weeks at high altitudes too ultimately increase the red blood cell count too, is legal.

1. Women Will End Up Looking Like Men Yes, women take anabolic steroids too, whether they are supreme athletes, bodybuilders or recreational users. But just like men, women can select the types of anabolic steroids they take so they don’t end up looking like a line-backer. Women do however suffer more side effects than men by way of clitoral enlargement, a deepening of the voice and hair growth in unwanted places, however they are reversible once the cycle is over.

2. Anabolic steroids are a Quick Fix In actual fact, athletes will testify that more intense training and regime dieting is required in order to reap the full benefits that anabolic steroids have to offer. The fact is, anabolic steroids are not a magic pill or chemical that will instantly shape, define or provide your body with the athleticism you yearn for. A healthy lifestyle that combines a healthy diet, with a recommended 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep will compliment the intense training an athlete will punish his or her body through. If anabolic steroids were the magic peel that many people make them out to be, anyone could be the supreme athlete.

3. Liver Damage anabolic steroid users will be quick to tell you that injected anabolic steroids are a better method of taking the drug than oral digestion. If taken orally, the steroid must pass through the liver and could cause high levels of toxicity, however, this is not the case with all orally ingested anabolic steroids. Yet why should anabolic steroids take such a bad rap in terms of liver side effects when millions choose to kill their liver with alcohol and various forms of prescription drugs, all of which are legal? Such a stigma exists about anabolic steroids whereby communities look down on those that take them, but why does the same stigma not exist for alcohol, even if it may be just social drinking?

4. Penis Shrinks  - No, your penis will not shrink. Your testicles might though. This is a common occurrence amongst anabolic steroid users however it is reversible – in other words, as soon as the cycle is concluded, your testicles will return to their normal size. Men, if you don’t want your significant other finding out about your anabolic steroid usage, blindfold your partner.

5. Depression - The media has built this one up a lot. Misinformation is being exploited. Every report that has linked steroids with depression has been purely anecdotal, and in most cases, the individual has had previous mental imbalances. Similar to myth #1, increased testosterone levels have been proven to increase positive moods and decrease stress.

6. Stunted Growth It -  has been suggested that anabolic steroid use in teenagers leads to the premature closure of the growth plates. Once again, there is no scientific proof to prove this claim. One needs to merely look at Arnold Schwarzenegger, who admitted taking anabolic steroids from a very young age to see that steroids do not stunt your growth. That’s not to say that Arnold should be taken as 100% proof, but that coupled with no hard scientific data to prove such a claim should make this a myth.

7. Increased Chance of Prostate Cancer - Evidence has shown that men with higher levels of testosterone are at no greater risk of developing prostate cancer than men with low testosterone. Similar to myth #2, prostate cancer is largely a genetic predisposition. What should be pushed is more human studies on the use of anabolic steroids rather than rats so that the data is clear, not skewed, and so that these myths can be cleared up and rectified, and if there are any true dangers, they should be identified, not laughable fallacies.

8. Steroids Cause Baldness - Baldness is genetically determined. Increased levels of testosterone by way anabolic steroids will not cause baldness, but it has been argued that it could speed up the process. This side effect is enough to steer many people away from using steroids however there are ways of preventing this. Hair loss shampoos are recommended as a precaution for any cycle. As a general rule of thumb, athletes in their 20s, especially those who use the drug for pure aesthetic reasons, should think twice about taking steroids as their bodies are already producing large quantities of testosterone, more than what will ever be produced during a specific period in their life. It should be a decision that is seriously considered sometime into their 30s if they still feel inclined to experiment with the drug. The health benefits of such can be amazing

9. Roid Rage -  Best described in the documentary “Bigger, Stronger, Faster*,” steroids will only amplify personality characteristics that the individual already has. The only studies to have come from steroids are those performed on rats. The difference between humans and rats? We have a better capacity to control aggression. Caffeine and other stimulants have also been included within literature as stimulants that lead to higher levels of aggression, but should coffee be blamed for all outbursts by coffee drinkers? It also has been suggested that estrogen in fact is to blame for increased levels of aggression. Testosterone on the contrary makes males feel positive and motivated.

Misinformation is skewing the truth. Controlled human studies should be performed in order to put to bed all the myths and fallacies that surround anabolic steroid use and in order to take away the stigma associated with the use. Anabolic steroids have their place within sports and other recreations. But just like any other drug, they should not be abused. Be safe.

Effects of Anabolic Steroids

Lets say you are one of those guys who have a very serious approach to the gym life, you are health and you have been training for ages and the last 6-12 months you've "hit the wall" (you don't see any changes in your physique or results) but you still feel the need to to put on some muscle mass and you've probably tried all kind of natural supplements with no dramatic changes so you finally ended with the idea of running a steroids cycle.

Also before beginning you should remember that steroids are a sacrifice, you sacrifice a part of your health to achieve your goal, that's why the first 2 point you need to check before beginning a cycle is your health and your goal.

Begin with a general test of your health condition, check the functions of the main organs - your heart, liver, kidneys, adrenal glands, pituitary gland, sexual function - If they have shown any malfunction then stay away from steroids, I hope you are smart enough to understand that your health is more important than your look; also make a general blood test and check your male hormones levels.

Finally, if your doctor made a general conclusion and it says that you are healthy you can go to the next step - formulate your goal, as this will determine the needed effect of anabolic steroids used in your cycle.

The most common goals are : bulking (gain massive muscle in a short time), cutting/lean muscle (burning fat, getting more ripped and getting more defined muscle structure).

I wouldn't like to overload your mind with scientific descriptions of effects of anabolic steroids, you can find all them on Wikipedia or any steroids site, I am giving you a short and simple description of the steroids effect and tell you at least what to expect from them.

So, functionally the effect of anabolic steroids has 2 action fields:

• anabolic effect steroids increase protein absorption in cells, which causes the buildup of tissue, especially muscular tissue.
• androgenic effect, this effect is related to the fact that steroids are synthetic hormones and taking them will develop and maintain your masculinity so your strength, hair growth, vocal cords enlargement etc.

Each steroidal product has the androgenic/anabolic ratio, it can be 50/50, 70/30, 40/60 etc. what means that the product is XX percents androgenic and YY % anabolic, what can be understood that the product is mainly supposed for strength and has more virilizating characteristics or for building muscles.
One point here should be especially mentioned - as higher the androgenic rate of a steroid as more estrogen-related side effects it has because as more androgenic is a steroid as more it suppresses your natural testosterone production.

I don't want to bore you with detailed description of all the effects of anabolic steroids because I am sure you won't that load of info and quit reading after the first 5 minutes, you are an athlete, not a swot, so I decided o list the most used anabolic steroids and their effects.

Methandienone (Dianabol) - the most famous oral steroid, it's the choice of 87% of beginners - gives massive gains in a short time, the drawbacks are the high liver toxicity, rather high water retention what results in hard-maintainable gains.

Stanozolol (Winstrol) - available in injectable and oral form - mostly has cutting/ lean muscle effect, gives strength and endurance

Turanabol (Tbol) - used for lean muscle cycles, adds muscle hardness and strength, rather inoffensive

Anapolon (oxy) - the most potent and the most anabolic oral steroid, also the most toxic, gives massive water retention, be careful with it.

Anavar (Oxan) - has one of the most inoffensive effects of anabolic steroids, promotes fat burning processes, adds muscle definition

Halotestin - has more androgenis effects and close to none anabolic, is mostly used by lifters and MMA fighters, increases strength and aggression

Primobolan (oral and injectable version) - very mild and inoffensive effects of anabolic steroids, more used in cutting cycles, adds muscle hardness and doesn;t have a pronounced androgenic effect.

Testosterone Enathate - the most used injectable steroid, it is mostly used for bulking but you should know that any testosterone may be used both for bulking and cutting, it all depends on your diet and routine.

Testosterone Cypionate - has similar effects of anabolic steroids with testosterone enanthate, a beginner wouldn't notice the difference but it is said that it retains less water.

Testosterone Blends (sustanon) - are mixes of testosterone of different esterification levels, it is mostly used for bulking, giving rather massive muscle gains in a rather short time.

Testosterone Propionate - fast acting/ short ester testosterone, used for cutting, it kicks in 24 hours after you injected (e.g. testosterone enathate or cypionate kicks in after2 weeks), but it is needed to inject it each other day.

Boldenone undecylenate - used mostly for bulking, it increases endurance, strength, vascularization and increases appetite, so it would be a good add-on to any bulking cycle.

Trenbolone Enanthate - has more androgenic effects, mostly used for cutting, increases aggression and fat burn processes, not for beginners

Trenbolone Aceate - fast acting trenbolone, also used for cutting but it has a shorter half-life so you need to inject it each other day

Masteron propionate and enanthate - adds muscle definition and muscle hardness.

Clenbuterol - it's not considered a steroid but it very often used in cutting cycles due to it's thermogenic effect, it burns the fat rather fast

I hope you've reached the end of this list and it was useful, but I am sure you can't build your cycle by yourself even after reading all this, that's why you need a real advice, so don't hesitate to contact us, trust me a ton of reading won't replace an active and real communication.

As a conclusion I would like to remind you that steroids are synthetic hormones so taking any steroids will upset the balance of your natural hormone levels and besides the effects of anabolic steroids described above you can meet some side effects of anabolic steroids such as acne, low sex drive, oily skin, gynecomastia, liver damage and so on, but if you remember at the beginning of this article I told you that steroids are a sacrifice, so you are the one who decides....

Injections & Infections

Infection can be a potential complication of any injection, due to the very nature of traversing the protective barrier of the skin when injecting. It is imperative to inject under strict sanitary and sterile conditions, to avoid transmitting infectious organisms/ foreign particles into the body. Common infective complications of those injecting Anabolic Steroids include cellulitis and abscesses.

Cellulitis
The word 'cellulitis' literally means inflammation of the cells (not to be confused with cellulite - the lumpy fat often found on thighs, and buttocks). It generally indicates an acute spreading infection of the skin (dermis and subcutaneous tissues) resulting in pain, erythema (redness), oedema, and warmth of the affected area.

Cellulitis can spread in the skin and involve the lymphatic system causing lymphangitis. Swollen glands (lymphadenopathy) may also be present. It can be caused by many different types of bacteria, but the most common are Streptococcus and Staphylococcus aureus. Specific oral antibiotics are given to control the infection, and analgesics may be needed to control pain. Elevating the infected area to minimize swelling and resting until symptoms improve, aid recovery which usually takes 7 to 10 days. In severe cases the patient may need to be hospitalized and receive antibiotics through the veins (intravenously).

Abscess
An abscess is a localized collection of pus in any part of the body, usually caused by an infection. Abscesses occur when an area of tissue becomes infected and the body is able to 'wall off' the infection to keep it from spreading. During this process 'pus' forms, which is an accumulation of fluid, living and dead white blood cells, dead tissue, and bacteria or other foreign invaders or materials.

The majority of abscesses are septic (i.e. caused by an infection) but sterile abscesses can also occur which are not caused by germs but by non-living irritants such as drugs. If an injected drug, especially oil based ones such as many anabolic steroids are not fully absorbed, it stays where it was injected and may cause enough irritation to generate a sterile abscess. Sterile abscesses are quite likely to turn into hard, solid lumps as they scar, rather than remaining pockets of pus.

Superficial abscesses are readily visible and are red, swollen, painful and warm. Abscesses in other areas of the body may not be obvious and may produce only generalized symptoms such as fever and discomfort. A sterile abscess may cause only a painful lump, for example deep in the buttock where a shot was given. If the abscess is small (less than 1 cm or less than a half-inch across), applying warm compresses/hot soaks to the area for about 30 minutes 4 times daily can help.

A culture or examination of any drainage from the lesion may help identify what organism is causing it. Most will continue to get worse without care. The infection can spread to the tissues under the skin and even into the bloodstream, resulting in septicaemia which can be very serious and life threatening. Unlike other infections, antibiotics alone will not cure a well developed abscess. In general an abscess must open and drain in order for it to improve. Sometimes draining occurs on its own, but generally it must be cut open by a doctor in a procedure called incision and drainage.

Once the sore has drained, the doctor will insert some packing into the remaining cavity to minimize any bleeding and keep it open for a day or two. With time the cavity will heal and one can expect to be out of action for a number of weeks. The healing process will involve scar tissue formation, and this may lead to a residual weakness in that muscle.

Searching the literature I found a number of cases of abscess complications, a few of which are mentioned below to highlight the pitfalls which should be avoided.

Two cases of thigh abscesses were discovered in male and female professional weight lifters who injected a veterinary preparation of stanozolol contaminated with Mycobacterium smegmatis.

A staphylococcal abscess occurred in a 24-year-old bodybuilder who reported, for financial reasons, reusing needles on multiple occasions.

Two case reports of staphylococcal gluteal abscesses developed in young bodybuilders 18 and 21 years of age. The steroids were injected by other weight lifters who were not familiar with sterile injection technique.

Pectoral and deltoid abscesses were reported in a 20-year-old anabolic steroid injector who had injected his anabolic steroid preparation and then returned the needle to the vial to inject into another muscle group. The patient was thought to have contaminated his multi-dosage vial with skin flora and subsequently spread the infection.

A counterfeit anabolic steroid preparation contaminated with Pseudomonas spp was responsible for a deep gluteal abscess in one anabolic steroid injector.

HIV Infection

The risk of contracting human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or other blood borne diseases is rare. However there have been cases reported in the literature of this occurring. Three separate cases of HIV infection occurred in male, heterosexual bodybuilders who shared needles that were used for anabolic steroid injection on multiple occasions. One of the individuals who was diagnosed with HIV infection also acquired hepatitis B through shared anabolic steroid needles.

It is interesting to note that these cases were predominantly from the 1980's and possibly the drug culture was different at the time, being much more underground. From my own experiences with steroid users and confirmed by research, sharing needles has never been prevalent in bodybuilding culture in the UK, compared with other drug users.

With needles being cheap to buy and available for free at needle exchanges, there really shouldn't be a risk of contracting blood borne infections by sharing injecting equipment. Unfortunately amongst a minority, there is still a trend to reuse needles and syringes and this should be actively discouraged in order to avoid the complications highlighted in this article.

Precautions to take:

• Inject under strict sanitary conditions
• Use correct injection technique
• Avoid sharing or reusing needles
• Ensure medication is legitimate

Default Low Testosterone Symptoms and Treatment

Low testosterone is a problem that affects millions upon millions of men; while many women suffer from low testosterone too it is primarily a condition that affects the male gender. As millions of men suffer the vast majority hasn't a clue; their quality of life has greatly diminished yet they are often completely unaware of the problem.

There are many causes of low testosterone such as being overweight, physically inactive and even years of anabolic steroid abuse but the number one cause is simply age.As we age our natural testosterone production declines, regardless of how remarkable and superior we may be this decline will occur; how fast the decline occurs can be dependent on many factors. Again, body-weight or more specifically body-fat ratios of an unhealthy range, inactivity and most importantly genetics all play a role.

For most men, testosterone levels will begin to decrease dramatically in their 40's and drop faster and faster each and every year; while age 40 and beyond is a common place to see dramatic drops many men in their 30's often have a problem and far more than you might expect.As testosterone is an essential hormone, one of the most important hormones we produce many problems can begin to occur as our levels go down. Such problems will not only affect our physique but our sexual function, mental clarity and simply our overall quality of life. For many men the symptoms of low testosterone start out very mild; it is rare for a man's testosterone to drop dramatically all at once; it's usually a slow and gradual process. As this occurs so slowly many men become accustomed to the problems and symptoms; in-fact, they get a little lethargic about it. The good news is there is a remedy for low testosterone symptoms; no, we cannot cure low testosterone but we can treat it and the process is very simple.

Low Testosterone Symptoms:

While low testosterone symptoms may appear very slowly, they can be very problematic and bothersome to say the least. Low testosterone itself is not a life-threatening condition, as we examine the symptoms we cannot call any of them fatal. However, as we will see, if the condition is ignored low testosterone can be a gateway to many far more serious complications; many of which can be life-threatening indeed.

Such Symptoms include:

• Loss of Libido (mild to severe)
• Erectile Dysfunction
• Loss of Strength
• Loss of Muscle Tissue
• Increased Body-Fat (often despite diet & exercise)
• Depression
• Decreased Energy
• Lethargy or Lack of Will
• Increased Irritability
• Insomnia
• Loss of Focus (mental clarity)
• Weakened Immune System (generally when levels are extremely low for a long period of time)

These are the common low testosterone symptoms, and as lethargy is one of them it's no surprise so many men ignore the problem. Regardless it's hard to put a positive spin on any of the above symptoms and as mentioned if low testosterone is ignored it can lead to many far more serious conditions such as:

• Diabetes
• High Cholesterol
• Loss of Memory (Alzheimer's has been linked to low testosterone)
• Anxiety
• Hair-Loss (not very serious but not welcomed)
• Osteoporosis (Loss of Bone Mass & Density)
• Infertility
• Polyuria (Frequent Urination)
• Aches, Pains & Sores (often of a constant nature for no apparent reason)

Determining if you have Low Testosterone:

If you suffer from low testosterone, the first step is examining the general low testosterone symptoms listed above. You do not have to suffer from the entire list; if left ignored you more than likely will at some point but initially most physicians will want to examine you if you show two or more. Most commonly one of the two will be sexually related; erectile dysfunction or decreased libido plus another from the list; in any case, to determine your condition blood work will need to be done, and your testosterone levels will be checked via this route. In truth, if you suffer from any of the low testosterone symptoms, especially those of a sexually related nature the odds are strong you suffer from low testosterone but the blood work is still necessary to make an absolute determination.

Low Testosterone Treatment:

There are several options available to treat low testosterone. Some physicians will begin by prescribing SERM's or AI's that greatly stimulate the release of Luteinizing Hormones (LH) and Follicle Stimulating Hormones (FSH). Both LH and FSH, two pituitary derived hormones, are essential to testosterone production with a strong emphasis on LH. Without LH and FSH, there is no testosterone. If it is determined that your LH levels are low there is a chance your doctor may take the SERM or AI route, but in most cases this will be inefficient.There is truly only one definite way to treat low testosterone, and that is with anabolic androgenic steroids; specifically the anabolic steroid testosterone. While this may surprise you it shouldn't; after all, if you're deficient in testosterone it only makes sense to give your body what it needs. The reason many physicians take alternate routes to begin with is due to a misplaced fear revolving around anabolic steroids. Most general practitioners know very little about anabolic steroids, as until recent years it has been something that was rarely discussed in medical school, but times are changing. You've seen the commercials talking about "Low-T" and treatment of the condition. Low-T refers to low testosterone, and the treatment they're speaking of is the anabolic steroid testosterone. To get the best help you can get, you are encouraged to seek out hormone specialist such as an endocrinologist but the best option of all is seeking out a Hormone Replacement Clinic (HRT). HRT clinics specialize in conditions of this nature, and you will get the best advice and treatment.To treat your low testosterone symptoms most effectively, as mentioned you're going to need testosterone. Most commonly you have four options for treatment of this nature:

• Transdermal Patches
• Transdermal Gels 
• Subcutaneous Implant 
• Injectable Testosterone

Transdermal Patches: A patch you place directly on your skin that absorbs testosterone into the body. This is the mildest form of treatment and will not fully recover most men. Many men may also find the patch leaves skin irritation behind.

Transdermal Gels: You simply massage the gel onto your skin; generally on the shoulders or upper-arms. Slightly more effective than transdermal patches, transdermal gels can be extremely irritating to the skin leaving rashes and even burns.

Subcutaneous Implant Pellets: Rapidly becoming one of the more popular low testosterone treatments, subcutaneous implant pellets are small rice sized pellets comprised of pure testosterone. The pellet is placed under the skin, generally in the upper thigh/hip region and the needed hormone is absorbed into the body. This is a fast and relatively painless procedure that only takes a few moments and can be enough treatment to last the individual as long as 6 months.

Injectable Testosterone: The only absolutely guaranteed remedy for low testosterone. Injectable testosterone is simply that; pure testosterone that is injected directly into the body, absorbed and used immediately. In most cases, application will be required once every week to once every 2 weeks depending on the specific injectable testosterone form used and the desired dosing prescribed by your doctor. Although injections may seem like a pain, when done properly they are painless and take only a few seconds.

Is Testosterone Safe?

This is a common question many men have; after all, you've been told all your life anabolic steroids are dangerous, and now you're being told to treat a low testosterone condition you not only need anabolic steroids but the primary anabolic steroid. Let's be clear, abundantly clear and allow the garbage to remain there; in the garbage. Testosterone is a hormone you naturally produce; it is not a foreign substance your body is unfamiliar with. If you suffer from low testosterone you are in need of one of the most important hormones the body produces; in your case, you're simply not producing enough. This means you are going to need exogenous testosterone; specifically synthetic testosterone that was not made by your body. The makeup of exogenous testosterone is the same as the testosterone you produce and once in the body the body will not distinguish between naturally produced and exogenous testosterone. Is it safe, absolutely and further, do you really want to suffer from low testosterone?

The Truth:

Low testosterone is a condition that while many suffer no one has to as a remedy is not only available but readily so. As we cannot cure low testosterone, once you begin treatment you will more than likely need it for the rest of your life; there are exceptions but very few and as age is the primary cause you are going to need therapy indefinitely. This may sound like a pain, but again we ask, would you rather seek treatment or would you rather suffer from low testosterone? Treatment for the condition is simple, fast and effective and will not alter your life in any annoying or time consuming manner. True, you will have to spend a little time at the doctor's office when determining your overall condition, but once this is determined you will be prescribed what you need, and you'll be on your way.

Testosterone Propionate Stack

As we all know, Testosterone was the first steroid to be synthesized. Now, it remains the gold standard of all steroids. First, we´ll discuss testosterone in general, and in depth, then we´ll examine exactly how (and what) the propionate ester is (together, Testosterone Propionate is often referred to as just "prop" or "test prop").

Testosterone´s anabolic/androgenic ratio is 1:1 meaning it is exactly as anabolic as it is androgenic. Actually, testosterone is the steroid which all anabolic/androgenic ratio´s are based on. If a steroid is 2:1, then it is, compared with testosterone's ratio, doubly as anabolic as it is androgenic. Hence, we see from testosterone´s ratio, it is both quite anabolic as well as androgenic.

So how exactly does testosterone build muscle? Well, testosterone promotes nitrogen retention in the muscle, and the more nitrogen the muscles holds the more protein the muscle stores, and the bigger the muscle gets. Testosterone can also increase the levels of another anabolic hormone, IGF-1, in muscle tissue. IGF-1 is, alone, highly anabolic and can promote muscle growth. It is responsible for much of the anabolic activity of Growth Hormone (GH). IGF-1 is also one of the few hormones positively correlated with both muscle cell hyperplasia and hyperphasia (this means it both creates more muscle fibers as well as bigger fibers). All of this leads me to speculate that for pure mass, IGF-1, GH, and testosterone would be a very effective combination. Testosterone also has the amazing ability to increase the activity of satellite cells. These cells play a very active role in repairing damaged muscle. Testosterone also binds to the androgen receptor (A.R.) to promote all of the A.R dependant mechanisms for muscle gain and fat loss, but clearly, as we´ve seen, this isn´t the only mechanism by which it promotes growth.

Testosterone has a profound ability to protect your hard earned muscle from the catabolic (muscle wasting) glucocorticoid hormones, and increase red blood cell production, and as you may know, a higher RBC count may improve endurance via better oxygenated blood. The former trait increases nitrogen retention and muscle building while the latter can improve recovery from strenuous physical activity, as well as increase endurance and tolerance to strenuous exercise.

Testosterone occurs naturally in both the male and female body, as insofar as drug testing for it, typical tests don´t work (i.e. testing for metabolites). Testosterone can be tested for on a testosterone/epitestosterone ratio, a failing result usually being anything over 6 to 1, but there are other more effective tests currently in use as well as being developed by the usual party-poopers in the IOC and FDA.

Testosterone, once in the body, can be converted to both estrogen (via a process known as aromatization) as well as DHT. Estrogen is the main culprit for many side effects such as gyno, water retention, etc...while DHT is often blamed for hair loss and prostate enlargement. Naturally there are ways to combat this, such as using an anti-estrogenic compound along with dosage testosterone, or even an estrogen blocker. DHT can be combated (on the scalp, to prevent hair loss) with compounds such as Ketoconazole shampoo (sold under the trade name Nizoral) as well as Finasteride. Interestingly, this shampoo can also be used topically to combat acne on the face (or even the back if you´re really flexible). Both of these methods for preventing hair loss and acne are reasonably effective. However, if you are not prone to hair loss, they may be wholly unnecessary. Male Pattern Baldness (MPB) is carried by the X chromosome, so if your mother´s family boasts men with full heads of hair, then you are probably safe (unless those full heads of hair are all mullets). Naturally, as with most other steroids, your lipid profile is going to suffer a bit while on testosterone as is your blood pressure. This, of course is nothing that can´t be controlled by watching your diet and doing your cardio, at least for the duration of the typical cycle (which for arguments sake, I´ll assume is +/- 12 weeks).

To combat the aromatization of  testosterone, you can simply take an aromatase inhibitor such as Arimidex. This and other Anti-estrogenic compounds are generally considered a must with testosterone doses over ½ a gram per week (500mgs). Also among side effects (as if acne and going bald aren´t enough) is increased aggression. For many, the increased aggression found from increased testosterone levels is often a bonus in the weight room as well as on the playing field. Let´s not get started on its benefits in the bedroom!

Testosterone is also a relatively safe steroid to use, with some studies showing no adverse effects from 20weeks at 600mgs/week! Personally, I have used up to 2 grams per week of various testosterone,  but now I prefer to keep my dose of it around ½ a gram.

Testosterone is usually attached to an ester.  The ester determines how long it takes your body to dispose of the steroid in question, and propionate is the shortest ester available with a testosterone base. There are enzymes, called esterases, in your body which have the function of removing the ester from steroids, and leaving you with just the steroid molecule with the ester cleaved off. Depending on how heavy the ester chain is, that determines how long it takes the esterase to remove it. And that amount of time determines how long the drug stays active in your body.

Check out this chart:

Chemical = Formula = Molecular Weight = Mg of testosterone
Testosterone (no ester) = C19 H28 O2 = 288.4mg = 100mg
Propionate = C3 H4 O = 56.1mg = 83.72mg
Cypionate = C8 H4 O = 124.2mg = 69.90mg

Here, we´re comparing testosterone with no ester (suspension) with Test Propionate and Cypionate (basically the longest vs. shortest esters available with testosterone).

So you see, the longer the ester on the testosterone is, the longer the steroid is active in your body, and the less actual test you get. This is because, for every 100mgs of Testosterone Cypionate you inject, only 69.90mgs of it is actually testosterone, the rest is the cypionate ester, which must be removed. On the other hand, with the propionate ester you´ll get 83.72mgs of testosterone! The advantage to longer esters is that they need to be injected less frequently (test prop needs to be injected every other day while you can shoot test cyp once a week). The disadvantage to long estered steroids is that they contain less actual steroid.

Also, as with most steroids, injected testosterone will inhibit your natural test levels and HPTA (Hypothalamic Pituitary Testicular Axis). A mere Hundred mgs of test/week takes about 5-6 weeks to shut the HPTA, and 250-500mgs shuts you down by week 2.

Realistically, every cycle should contain testosterone. Go back and read that sentence again. A beginners´ dose of testosterone (i.e. someone on their first or second cycle of anabolic steroids) would be in the 250-500mgs range. Though, realistically, I wouldn´t recommend much less than 400mgs of test per cycle for anybody, beginner or not. And guess what? The more you use the more results you get.

Testosterone Propionate Stack

What stacks well with Testosterone Propionate? Everything! Many people´s favorite´s are Eq (boldenone undeclyenate) or Deca (nandrolone decanoate), but really, anything will stack well with test prop. Tren (trenbolone acetate), Masteron, and/or Winstrol are also favorites for many on a cutting cycle, myself included. It´s important to remember that since test prop has such a short ester, most people stack it with other short estered drugs, the rational being that they need to endure frequent injections for the test prop to be effective, so they may as well be using other drugs requiring the same dosing protocol.

Finally, it´s worth noting that sometimes a strategy known as "frontloading" is employed with Testosterone Propionate, this is where double or triple the intended dose for the cycle is injected for the first two weeks, then the user switches to a longer ester. The reasoning behind this is presumably to get the blood levels of the drug up quickly in the hopes of seeing results more quickly.

Testosterone Propionate Profile

(Testosterone)
4-androstene-3-one, 17beta-ol
Testosterone base + Propionate ester
Molecular Weight (base): 288.429
Molecular Weight (ester): 74.0792
Formula (base): C19 H28 O2
Formula (ester): C3H6O2
Melting Point (base): 155
Melting Point (ester): 21C
Manufacturer: Various
Effective Dose (Men): 350-2000mg+ week.
Effective Dose (Women): 50-100mgs/week
Active life: 2-3 days
Detection Time: 2-3 weeks
Anabolic/Androgenic ratio:100/100.

Acne and Nutrition: Bodybuilding and Steroids. Side Effects and Acne

Acne is a multi-factorial disease. While each case is unique, you can greatly improve your chances of clear skin by eating whole foods; lowering inflammation and stress; getting a good fatty acid balance; and cutting down the worst offenders: wheat, sugar, and dairy.

What is acne? Our skin is the largest organ in our body, and it’s a complex ecosystem made up of several layers and components.

The skin is semi-permeable, meaning that although it’s mostly a barrier between us and our environment, some stuff can get in and out. Sweat glands and hair follicles provide openings.
Hair originates in follicles deep in the subcutaneous layer, the deepest layer below the dermis. These hair follicles are paired with sebaceous glands, which secrete sebum, an oily substance that lubricates both hair and skin. (This is why your hair gets greasy if you don’t wash it.) Human sebum is primarily composed of triglycerides (40-60%), cerides (19-26%), squalene (11-15%), and small amounts of cholesterol.

We have hair follicles and sebaceous glands all over our body, except for the palms of our hands and soles of our feet. Acne forms when pores become congested with old skin cells, which is more likely when the skin is oily and skin cells stick together. If we also have high levels of bacteria on the skin plus systemic inflammation, we have ourselves a full fledged acne party. Acne vulgaris is the form of acne most of us are familiar with and accounts for nearly all acne experienced.

What contributes to acne?

Thus, anything that clogs pores, and/or creates or worsens infection and inflammation, contributes. The major players in acne production are:

• Excessive sebum (oil) production by the skin
• Rapid division of skin cells
• Delayed skin cell separation and death
• Bacteria on the skin surface
• Inflammatory response

The food we eat and our body fat cells play a role in sebum production, hormones, and inflammation. Hormonal changes likely have the greatest influence on acne (think birth control medications, anabolic steroids and puberty).

Hormonal factors

Growth hormone and IGF-1

Acne during puberty is often associated more with growth hormone (GH) than with testosterone and estrogens. GH goes from the brain to the liver and triggers the release of Insulin Like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1). IGF-1 promotes skin cell growth/division, sebum production, efficacy of luteinizing hormone (LH) and the production of estrogens.

Insulin and glycemic response

A study described acne as “diabetes of the skin.” And as far as I’m concerned, everything from the 1950s was true.
High insulin levels and insulin resistance are associated with worse acne and more sebum (side note: more body fat can lead to more insulin resistance). Medications that lower insulin and control glucose often have the side effect of less acne.

Androgens

Acne severity doesn’t seem to correlate with total androgen levels in the body. Rather, androgens play a permissive role in priming or initiating acne. An example of this would be women with PCOS or someone starting a cycle of anabolic/androgenic steroids. These folks often experience a surge of circulating androgens and IGF-1, along with lower levels of sex hormone binding proteins.

Androgens can directly influence skin cells if the cells have high levels of androgen receptors. Also, androgens can increase growth and productivity of sebaceous glands.

Consuming a lot of food promotes androgen release in the body. Animal foods and saturated fats tend to get the biggest response. Lower fat, higher fiber diets can increase levels of sex hormone binding proteins, thus lowering free levels of circulating androgens.

Inflammation & stress

Acne is a type of of inflammatory disease. With acne, inflammatory hormones and cell signals are upregulated — the skin is a hive of inflammatory activity.

Our bodies secrete cortisol in response to stress. Evidence shows that people with acne have an over-active cortisol secretion system, one that is particularly expressed in the sebaceous glands.

Thus, stress (whether physical or general life stress) plus inflammation (whether existing or prompted by stress) make acne worse.

Nutrition: What makes acne worse?

Not enough antioxidant vitamins and minerals

Low levels of vitamin C and E, zinc, selenium, and carotenoids might contribute to acne. These nutrients help fight free radicals that break down skin elastin, produce collagen, and repair skin damage. The catch here is that you usually have to get these from whole foods for them to be of any benefit.

Processed foods

Data show a mixed relationship between processed foods and acne. Eat a big meal with lots of processed food and you have lots of insulin. Lots of insulin means lots of tissue growth and androgen production, which are both contributors to acne.

Foods that are highly processed and cooked often contain compounds that promote oxidative stress and inflammation (see All About Cooking and Carcinogens). Again, oxidative stress and inflammation almost always contribute to chronic disease.

Dairy

While there have been noted associations between dairy consumption and acne starting back in the 1800s, some data indicate no association. Milk provides a mix of growth factors, hormones and nutrients specific to offspring. As rapid growth ends and the youngster can feed themselves, milk consumption is stopped (well, not in humans).

Dairy foods produce a high insulin response, increase hormone levels in the body and alter inflammation – all factors that lead to unfavorable acne outcomes. Consuming cow’s milk can raise IGF-1 levels 10-20% in the body. IGF-1 from cow’s milk survives pasteurization and homogenization and digestion in our gut, and can enter the body as an intact hormone (cow and human IGF-1 share the same sequence).

The unfavorable associations between dairy and acne haven’t been noticed with fermented dairy products, maybe because bacteria in fermented dairy use IGF-1, leaving less for us to absorb. Some experts theorize that whey protein in particular may encourage acne, since it’s a strong promoter of insulin. A compound called betacellulin (which can be found in dairy foods) may increase skin cell division and decrease skin cell death – leading to worse acne.

Nutrition: What makes acne better?

Acne is a big deal. While genetics (mom seems to play a bigger role) and ethnicity contribute to acne, it appears that how we live each day matters too. In the U.S., people spend more than $100 million on over-the-counter products to fight acne. Yet many non-Westernized populations have no acne at all. So, you could spend a lot of money on drugs that have potentially dangerous side effects… or you could change your diet. Changing your diet is a heckuva lot cheaper and safer as a starting point.

Whole plant foods - Diets based around whole plants can lead to slightly lower IGF-1 levels and slightly higher IGF-1 binding protein levels (leaving less available IGF-1 circulating in the body). This might help reduce acne.

Calorie restriction - Less food coming into the body is associated with less sebum production.

Phytoestrogens - These substances, found in foods such as soy, may inhibit androgen-forming and acne-promoting enzymes, but don’t appear to play a major role in helping acne.

Cocoa - There doesn’t seem to be an association between chocolate (in its most unprocessed form) and acne. Studies show that dark chocolate can improve insulin sensitivity and improve blood flow to the skin and skin hydration. (Some manufacturers are even capitalizing on these studies by offering chocolate in skin products. The jury’s still out on whether this works, but it sure makes you smell tasty.)

Omega-3 fats - Skin levels of fatty acids might play a role in the development of acne. Furthermore, the pro-inflammatory Western diet (with lots of omega-6 fats) tends to negatively influence acne. Balancing fat intake and ensuring enough omega-3s seems to be important for overall skin health. 1 gram of EPA from a supplement (check your fish oil to see how much EPA is in it) might be useful for acne treatment.

GI health - As mentioned above, poor GI health is strongly correlated with acne. Whole foods, soluble and insoluble fibre, omega-3 fats, coconut, and Brassica vegetables (cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, kohlrabi, etc.) can have a beneficial influence on gut health, in part by improving gut motility. (See diagram below.) Fibre can also bind to and excrete excess hormones that contribute to acne.

Consider eliminating wheat, dairy, and sugar for a month to see if this helps. All of these things worsen GI tract problems, and acne is strongly connected to gluten enteropathy.

Pre/Probiotics - This might be of particular interest to anyone who has been using antibiotics for acne. Our gut is home to countless bacteria and if gut health is out of whack, this might have a negative influence on acne. Getting enough of these from foods and/or supplements can help to restore gut health and may reduce acne. Skin cells have also been found to act as immune cells that signal an over-active immune system. Inflamed skin means inflamed body, and probably inflamed gut.

Spices - Many spices (e.g.cinnamon, ginger, turmeric) and fresh herbs (e.g. basil, oregano, garlic) are anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and immune-boosting. Spices such as cinnamon can also help to regulate insulin.

Green tea - Green tea can suppress enzymes and androgens involved in acne formation. It’s also anti-inflammatory.

Walnuts/almonds - These nuts might help with blood/skin fatty acid status, and control blood sugar. Monounsaturated fats can be anti-microbial.

Dark green & purple vegetables/fruits - These contain acne fighting anti-oxidants and minerals that extinguish inflammation. They may also inhibit androgen-forming and acne-promoting enzymes.

Free-range organic (or pastured) eggs - Hens that receive nutritious feed (or even better, free-ranging pasture that includes bugs and other small animals) produce more nutrient-dense eggs (including beneficial vitamin A and omega-3 fatty acids) that may help to deter acne.

Tomatoes - These may lower IGF-1 in the body.

Resveratrol - Found in grapes, red wine, peanuts and mulberries.

Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) - Supplementation with pantothenic acid (500-1000 mg daily should be sufficient) can be quite effective, and a far safer alternative to commercial prescription medications such as oral contraceptives and retinoids.

Zinc & selenium - 6% of all zinc found in our bodies is in our skin. Selenium is a potent antioxidant. It’s best to get these in food format. High-zinc foods include seafood, wild game, red meat, and nuts. High-selenium foods include nuts (Brazil nuts in particular), fish, poultry, meat, and wild game.

Who doesn’t get acne?

Observing cultural shifts in diet can also clue us into what foods might be associated with acne. Acne doesn’t seem to appear in non-Westernized populations eating traditional diets. This includes Inuit, Okinawa islanders, Ache hunter-gatherers, Kitavan islanders, and rural villages in Kenya, Zambia and Bantu. Staple foods among cultures where acne is nearly absent include:

• tubers (e.g. taro, yam)
• fruit
• fish, seafood, and marine mammals
• coconut
• vegetables
• wild game
• groundnuts and tree nuts
• traditionally prepared (fermented or ash-treated) non-wheat grains such as millet, barley, maize (corn), or rice beneficial fungi, molds, and lichen

They don’t eat processed foods, sugars, flours or processed wheat, processed oils, nor much dairy. They also get plenty of vitamin D from being outside, and/or consuming the livers of marine animals.

Summary and recommendations

• Acne is complex, and each person is unique. However, there are common factors in cultures that don’t suffer from acne. Use these ideas as your starting point and our recommendations.
• They eat whole, unprocessed foods. All their nutrients come from these foods. They don’t supplement.
• They get outside and get sunlight (or, again, consume vitamin D in organ meats).
• They often eat fermented foods — foods that are high in beneficial probiotics for gut health.
• Except for the Inuit, they eat a lot of unprocessed and/or traditionally prepared plant foods, such as fresh or fermented vegetables and fruits, and grains that are soaked/sprouted/fermented.
• They often eat many fresh herbs and spices, as well as beneficial fungi.
• They eat a good balance of unprocessed fats.
• They eat plenty of omega-3 fatty acids from fish, wild game, and even insects and snails. They don’t consume a lot of omega-6s from vegetable or seed oils.
• They eat traditionally prepared ground nuts (e.g. peanuts) and tree nuts (e.g. walnuts, almonds).
• They don’t consume much dairy; if they do, it’s fermented and/or pastured.
• They eat as much as possible of any animals consumed: dark and white meat, organ meats, connective tissues, etc.

The value of self-experimentation

If you struggle with acne, keep a food diary. Look for connections between foods and breakouts — and don’t forget that it might take a day or more for foods to stimulate breakouts.

One good experiment is to try doing without wheat, dairy, and sugar for a month to see if it helps. These foods have the strongest associations with acne. Substitute tubers, fruit, and beans/legumes for carbohydrate instead. If that seems like too much, try just one thing at a time.

Other factoids

During times of hormonal fluctuation (like puberty) excess sebum production likely occurs to protect hair follicle growth. Our skin is replaced every 28 to 45 days. Sebaceous glands have receptors for neuropeptides, like endorphins. Histamines and anti-histamines may influence sebaceous gland function.

Environmental pollutants

Environmental pollutants might bump up IGF-1 levels. Pollution — which includes smoking — also increases oxidation. Smoking can also influence acetylcholine, and acetylcholine can influence sebaceous gland activity.

Natural topical treatments

The plant extracts from Azadirachta indica (Neem), Sphaeranthus indicus (Hindi), Hemidesmus indicus (Sarsaparilla), Rubia cordifolia (Common Madder) and Curcuma longa (Turmeric) seem to be anti-inflammatory and might suppress bacteria on the skin that promote acne. Same with topical tea tree oil.

If you’re looking for a cheap vitamin A cream, try egg yolk. Dab it on your skin and leave it for 10 minutes or even overnight. (Just remember to wash it off eventually.)

Chamomile and peppermint tea can soothe skin irritation. Make a strong solution of chamomile and peppermint, swish your face in it, and let it sit for a while on the skin. Plain oatmeal will also calm skin down. (Again, wash it off eventually unless you’re auditioning for a zombie movie.)

Fruit acids and enzymes can give you a natural “glycolic peel”. Next time you throw fruit in your Supershake, wipe your face with the pineapple or squished orange rinds. Seriously. Plain yogurt also works as a topical probiotic and exfoliating acid.