|
by Patrick Arnold
Pat is responsible for launching several major product and innovation in the prohormone industry
through LPJ Research and
Ergopharm, including the first to release androstenedione, 1-AD, 6-OXO, 4-androstenediol, and 19-norandrostenediol. In addition, he is responsible for bringing innovative delivery systems to the prohormone market including HPB cyclodextrin, bioadhesive technology for sustained release, and sustained release sprays.
Publication Date: October 11, 1999
Ipriflavone
What is the difference between ipriflavone and isoflavone? I keep
hearing isoflavone used with soy products and ipriflavone used in
body building "stacks", but I still don't know the difference. I can
find almost nothing on ipriflavone on the net or anywhere. I am most
interested in what ipriflavone is. Can you help me??
Isoflavones are a class of compounds with certain basic chemical
structural similarities that occur naturally in plants. There are
literally thousands of different isoflavones. Two important ones
occur in soybeans, Daidzen and Genistein. These are estrogenic
isoflavones.
Ipriflavone is a synthetic isoflavone (7-isopropoxyisoflavone).
Supplement companies are selling it now with the mistaken belief
that it is naturally occurring but to date this compound has never
been identified in nature. Ipriflavone is a non-hormonal anabolic
agent that exerts effects on bone mineral and protein metabolism
SSRI and p450 Cytochrome
Pat according to a DR Eugene Shippen a number of drugs interfere
with the p450 liver enzyme system. This will cause a build up of
estrogen and may be significant in the development of male
menopause. Among the drugs that whack p450 are the SSRI's.
Unfortunately I have to take Zoloft to combat OCD. My test levels
are low and my estrogen levels are high. 300 to 525 ng/dl test, 12.3
to 17.0 free test and 44 pg. of estrogen out of 9 to 44 pg. range.
Any thoughts on this as I am 41 years old and getting fatter and
weaker in the gym. thanks bill
There are a multitude of cytochrome P450 enzymes that effect all
different kinds of metabolic steps. Whether Zoloft affects one that
participates in estrogen metabolism is unknown to me, there was
nothing on medline indicating this
Precursor Compounds
Dear Patrick,
I wanted to get your thoughts on the benefits (or lack of)
tapering doses of precursor compounds at the end of moderate length
cycles (4 weeks). Specifically I was interested in your views on the
effect tapering off would have on retention of gained mass. From my
limited understanding of these materials, it seems it might be
beneficial to use a "kite" cycle (rather than a diamond) where you
ramp up quickly but taper down over the last two weeks of a four
week cycle. I also wanted to sincerely thank you for sharing your
time and expertise.
From my personal observations of steroid users and prohormone
users there is minimal if any benefit from tapering as opposed to
stopping cold turkey
Andros
I’m 28 years old and have just started taking 200mg of
19-Norandrostenedione, 200mg of 19-Norandrodiol, 200mg of
Androstenedione, and 3 capsules of Chrysin. Is this a good cycle? Or
is there a better cycle to maximize my gains? Any comments would be
helpful - either negative or positive?
A couple of comments. Drop the androstenedione and replace it
with androdiol (4-androstenediol). A-dione is not that effective and
raises estrogen too much. If you find you have problems with
estrogenic effects (i.e. bitch tits) even after this substitution
then drop the norandrostenedione. I would also trash the chrysin, it
does not seem to work and a study recently done on rats shows that
it indeed has not effect on serum estrogens.
Which Book?
Mr. Arnold,
I am interested in purchasing a book on steroids. What they do,
how to use them, how to come off them etc... I've been to the
Mesomorphosis book store and there are quite a few books, which do
you recommend. i.e. Dan Duchaine’s book or the world anabolic
review, etc.?
Those laymen books are pretty good for giving real world
information but they are often way off when it comes to scientific
facts. The best books for the science of anabolic steroids are
Vida's "Androgens and Anabolic Agents", and Kochackian's
"Androgenic/Anabolic Steroids". These are available in most college
medical and/or science libraries.
Prohormones???
Mr. Arnold:
I am 22 years old & 6' tall. I have been retired from competitive
athletics for about 2 years and have recently begun slight running
and weightlifting again. When I was competing at NCAA/National level
was 170 lb., 4.2% body fat and some-what well defined. Now, after
about 2 years of doing nothing things have changed. I stopped
pre-Olympic training because of shoulder injury, no motivation and
overall burnout. I look at my self and % fat, strength, muscle mass
etc. is not the same. I want to start rebuilding these past 2 lost
years. I am 185 lb. and % body fat has greatly increased and
replaced lean muscle mass "space." I am looking at prohormones to
help me quickly loose % fat and rapidly increase strength and lean
muscle mass. What do you suggest I use? (Diol Stack?, Andro Stack?,
etc???) How much of it (mg/day)? In combination with something else
such as Chrysin? Any suggested dietary and workout (lifting/cardio.)
regiments/suggestions would also be greatly appreciated. Please
educate me and help me feel good about by self again. Thank you for
you time and suggestions.
Prohormones will not help you lose fat, however they may help you
spare lean muscle tissue while dieting. You may want to try a
combination of androdiol and norandrodiol and start at around 200mg
each a day. You can work your dosages up until you find that the
stuff is working for you. Also if you can handle thermogenic
products then these will give you much assistance in losing fat.
I won't comment on training regimens, you should know enough
about this already. Lift weights and keep the cardio to a reasonable
level (3 times a week or so).
Safe Dosage of 19-norandrostenediol.
Pat,
I've read that taking more than 500mg/day of prohormones can
severely stress the kidneys. Is this true? I'm a 35 year old male
and been working out for about 2 years. I'm currently stacking
Androdiol and 19-norandrostenediol, combined dosage is 600mg/day
(300mg each). Can I safely increase the 19-norandrostenediol dosage?
Thanks!
Bob Long
The kidney toxicity rumor is complete bullshit with no basis
whatsoever in fact. I believe you can safely increase the 19-nordiol
dosage if you feel you want to.
Creatine and Metformin
I was thinking that metformin + creatine would be a good idea.
(especially during the loading phase). I wasn't going to use it for
a long time. Maybe just during the loading phase. 500-850 mg of
metformin 2 times a day.
p.s.- I have a biochemistry and pharmacology background so don't
hold anything back.
Metformin plus creatine is a horrible idea for two reasons. One
is that the two together will probably lead to diarrhea. The second
is that Metformin interferes with the absorption of carbohydrates
and will decrease insulin levels leading to much less uptake of
creatine.
Arimidex
Dear Arnold,
In a nutshell, I am 33 years old and after surgery to remove a
brain tumor, I couldn't eat for 6 days. During this time I lost 27
pounds of, I'm assuming, lean muscle mass. First off, does a
traumatic event like this, coupled with catabolic drugs (Decadron)
set up a hormonal environment that tends to stay with the body long
after the treatment? If so, can it be overcome? And second, what are
the lab rats finding is the optimum dosage and length of use for
Arimidex? I have been on it for roughly 6 weeks following a "cycle"
and it seems as if my testes are just staying small. I thought
anastrozole would help the HPTA and not hinder it....right?
Thanks, Brent
You should be able to bounce back from your catabolic
catastrophe. It may take a bit of time to completely readjust your
metabolism and hormonal state but there is no reason why you should
not return to an anabolic state if you do the right things.
Sometimes testosterone production can go up without noticing a
large increase in testicular size. I do not know why this is but it
could be due to the fact that although your Leydig cells (test
producing) are coming back your Sertoli cells (sperm producing) are
not. Sertoli cells are influenced by follicle stimulating hormone
FSH. However aromatase inhibitors are supposed to stimulate both LH
and FSH. I don't know the explanation I guess
Prohormone Possibility
Dear Patrick
I know that the early research was done by East Germans.
Notwithstanding, they did much research on anabolics, specifically,
oral Turinabol. Through this research they discovered a truly novel
Turinabol analog (a.k.a. Substance XII) The generic name for this
compound is 4-chlor-1-dehyrdro-17 alpha-methyltestosterone,
4-chlor-17-alpha-methyl-11- beta-hydroxy-1, 4-androstandien-3-on or
11-beta hydroxy oral Turinabol. Getting to the point; Is it feasible
to produce the hormonal precursor (prohormone) to this drug? Your
prompt response would be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Jim
That steroid is a 17alpha-alkylated steroid and these are not
naturally occurring. Nor are chlorinated steroids. If I were to
produce a prohormone to this steroid and tried to sell it as a
supplement I would be breaking the law.
Dosages
Would it be better to take 3 doses of 200 mg of androdiol or 6
100 mg doses. I thought it would be better to take 6 100 mg doses so
the elevation of test is more steady through out the day?
I am without a doubt convinced that it would be better to take 3
doses of 200mg. Higher dosages result in liver overload and much
less breakdown of prohormone resulting in good increases in serum
testosterone. Lower dosages are effectively handled by the liver and
proportionally much less testosterone is seen. Also, higher dosages
give higher peak concentrations and baseline levels are returned to
much later than with small doses.
Question
Hi. I'm a 19 year old college student who has been an avid lifter
for at least the last 2 years. Although this doesn't exactly qualify
me as an experienced lifter or bodybuilder, I do consider myself
relatively knowledgeable about sports nutrition and training. What
I’m not totally clear about prohormones. I mean, I have read up on
all the supposed benefits of their usage as well as the biochemical
basis for their effectiveness, but I just need to know the bottom
line. How effective are they and are they REALLY safe? I know you
don't condone the use of anabolic steroids but you still honestly
discuss them. I'm looking for a similar candor if you will. I want
to know what you personally think is the best pro-hormone out there.
Also if their are any real long-term problems associated with usage.
For instance I have read that taking androstenedione/diol can cause
DHT related problems (prostate enlargement, acceleration of male
pattern baldness, etc.) but I’ve also read that taking the nor-androstenedione/diol
counterparts doesn't cause these types of problems. But do the nor-androstenedione/diol
products cause any liver damage short or long term or do they have
any repercussions on sexual function? I actually have a few bottles
of 19-norandrostenedione and the diol version, but am wondering
whether I should use them or not. I have no problem disposing of
them if they cause any real health problems. Thanks.
I have seen no evidence of any serious health problems associated
with prohormones. They appear to be essentially free of liver
toxicity. The only concern may be one that is seen with many
androgens and that is a slight reduction in High Density
Lipoproteins (HDL)
Concerns that are not of an immediate health threat include
partial shutdown of the HPTA (the feedback loop of testosterone
production) and possible estrogenic side effects such as
gynecomastia (bitch tits). The HPTA shutdown can be controlled if
one uses reasonably short cycles (6 weeks or less) and the
estrogenic effects can be minimized if one sticks to diols instead
of diones.
I know of no clear cut evidence that indicates that increased
testosterone levels when one is younger will lead to an increased
risk of prostate cancer.
Some find that norandrogens decrease their libido but this is not
necessarily the case across the board.
|
