Carbs, Insulin, and Bodybuilding. How does it work?

The role of insulin is a current topic reverberating through gyms everywhere. Insulin is a hormone best known for its role in glucose metabolism. In an attempt to provide some clear scientific information to our trainers, this article will discuss the different classifications of carbohydrates, and how the body regulates blood glucose levels. Practical applications to bodybuilders will close out the article.

Carbohydrates 

Carbohydrates provide direct energy for the human brain, central nervous system, and muscle cells in the form of glucose (blood sugar). Carbohydrates can be broken down into simple carbohydrates or complex carbohydrates.

Simple Carbohydrates are sugars, organic compounds whose bonds are easily broken down by digestion. Sugars are classified as monosaccharides (mono = one), or disaccharides (di= two). Monosaccharides include glucose, galactose, and fructose. Disaccharides are two monosaccharide units linked together and include maltose (two glucose units), sucrose (fructose plus glucose), and lactose (galactose plus glucose). Your body only has the ability to absorb monosaccharides into the blood.

Complex carbohydrates are defined as polysaccharides (poly = many) that are found in starch and fiber. Starches are polysaccharides humans can digest, but must be broken down into monosaccharides before they can be taken into the blood. Polysaccharides are either linear (amylose-polymer of 400 to thousands of glucose) or branched (amlyopectin-polymer containing hundreds of glucose). Glycogen (stored glucose within the muscle), is similar in structure to amylopectin, and will be discussed later in bodybuilding applications. Cellulose is fiber within vegetables which humans are unable to break down and absorb into the blood.

How the Body Uses Carbohydrates 

The body, after digestion and absorption through the walls of the small intestines, can put glucose to work in three ways.
It can burn the glucose immediately within mitochondria, releasing carbon dioxide, water and energy.

If the glucose is not needed immediately, it is converted by the liver or the muscles into glycogen. Muscle glycogen provides energy only to muscles. Liver glycogen can supply energy to any part of the body.

Any glucose left over after glycogen saturation is converted to fat by the liver, and stored in adipose tissue around the body. The degree and pattern of fat buildup depends on an array of factors, but are primarily linked to whether a person consistently consumes more calories than are burned through activity.

Blood-Sugar Connection 

The body's natural regulatory system automatically maintains close control over the level of blood glucose. The body has approximately 20 grams of blood borne glucose circulating continuously. If blood sugar increases then the pancreas releases insulin. If this level is too low than glucagon is released.

Pancreas
Monitors blood glucose concentrations If blood glucose level is too high Insulin is released... If glucose level is too low Glucagon is released

Signals Signals

Fat and muscle cells to Absorb glucose liver to break down glycogen and release glucose to the blood
thus lowering blood glucose to normal levels thus raising blood glucose to normal levels
Happens right after a meal Happens between meals
Note: Muscle glycogen does not provide glucose to the blood. Muscle glycogen is used only by muscle tissue.

Bodybuilding Applications 

It is important for bodybuilders to understand that when insulin levels are high your body will store excess glucose as bodyweight. Unfortunately, your body does not care if it is muscle weight or fat weight. It is important to realize the difference in carbohydrates and their use by muscle tissue. Enzymes within muscles readily metabolize starch, which is broken down into usable glucose. The liver has the intermediary enzymes to convert glucose, fructose, galactose, amino acids, and other metabolites for its glycogen stores. Since your muscles have the ability to store 250 to 400 grams of glycogen and your liver only has the ability to store 100 grams of glycogen, it is advisable to keep a high proportion of your carbohydrate calories from complex sources. As mentioned earlier, muscle glycogen is only used by muscle tissue. Since muscle glycogen is similar to an amylopectin as in starch, it is logical to supply your body with complex carbohydrates to replenish muscle glycogen stores.


At first glance carbohydrates and insulin can be a confusing topic and if left to the rhetoric of the average gym can spawn into a deluge of misinformation. We hope that the article served to clarify some of the confusion surrounding carbohydrates and insulin. 

Dianabol Dosing

Dianabol is a fast acting steroid and can withstand oral ingestion due to it being a 17-alpha-alkylated anabolic steroid surviving the ‘first pass’ through the liver and becoming active in the bloodstream. Once there is begins its positive effects, which are increasing nitrogen retention, protein synthesis, limiting catabolic hormones and protein turnover/breakdown. It is a dose dependent steroid, where larger doses exert more extreme positive and negative effects. It does have a toleration dose of around 150-200mg, where it will no longer exert positive effects, just increase stress on the body by increasing side effects. Doses this high are not suggested and are used by extremely experienced individuals. These doses are termed as abuse by many and will bring a long list of side effects, some temporary and others permanent.

Most user’s don’t use Dianabol as a standalone stack because of its ability to lower natural testosterone levels and cause side effects. It can be taken alone and the user can just get on with the lowered sex drive, loss of energy and confidence, but this is not an optimal way to stack it. It is stacked with other steroids, such as Deca-Durabolin, Testosterone Enanthate and other estered testosterone based steroids used for 4-6 weeks at the start, mid cycle or end leading to post cycle therapy.

Dianabol is a relatively safe androgen when used in safe effective doses in males. The user should start on a small dose of 15-20mg every day and adjust this comparing gains and side effects experienced. Below are examples of how Dianabol should be used in a steroidal cycle.

 Using Dianabol as an introduction to anabolic steroids is not necessarily a bad idea but it has to be done correctly and the dose needs to be correct and other medications can be taken to limit the damage it may cause.

First off, Dianabol will inhibit the body’s own natural (endogenous) testosterone production. Because it’s a steroid, it will cause leutinizing hormone and follicile stimulating hormone to decline, thus testosterone production. This can’t be avoided and larger doses of Dianabol will cause more inhibition. Dianabol taken alone will not cause complete cessation of natural hormone output, simply put as “shutdown”, even in large doses. So we need to expect a drop in libido if using it alone. What the user of Dianabol can do is to use herbs, such as Tribulus to increase sex drive during this period.

Dianabol aromatases and increases estrogen, thus causing estrogen related side effects. These include acne, gynecomastia, water retention, hypertension and mood swings. This can be limited with the use of aromatase inhibitors, such as Exemestane and/or Anastrozole.

 Because Dianabol is hepatoxic to the liver, its use should be limited. For first time users 4-6 weeks is suggested at 15-20mg every day. This will limit the estrogen increase and also reduce the amount of HPTA inhibition Dianabol causes when taken alone.

Intermediate users or those wishing to use Dianabol with other anabolic steroids need to take more precautions. As Dianabol should be used with a form of injectable testosterone, an aromatase inhibitor is more important as the testosterone preparation will also cause estrogen levels too climb. We have already discussed the dangers of having too high an estrogen level, so it should be controlled with the needed drugs. Intermediate users often use around 30-50mg every day, splitting the dose due to its short half-life of 8 or so hours. More advanced bodybuilders, power lifters or steroid users exceed the 100mg every day mark, but this is a very large dose and for the experienced only.

Dianabol can be used to “kick start” a steroidal cycle for the first 4-8 weeks, waiting for the longer esters to become fully active in the blood, can be used alone as a cycle or can be used at the end of a cycle leading to coming off of anabolic steroids. It is not suggested that Dianabol is used as a “bridge” in between steroid cycles. This idea was thought of a long time ago so has been around for decades. The reasoning behind it was that that the Dianabol dose would be small enough not to impact natural testosterone production and given in the morning upon awaking, this is when testosterone is at its highest. Unfortunately, this is using bad logic, because the 10mg dose of Dianabol will do hardly anything positive. It will not increase nitrogen retention and protein synthesis, which are the two main pathways Dianabol operates. But it will reduce circulating levels of total and free testosterone, impairing the post cycle therapy period, prolonging the users recovery time and being generally, counterproductive.

Dianabol dosing for women should be low due to its androgenic component. Dianabol is both an anabolic and androgenic anabolic steroid, so will give females side effects even in low doses. Dianabol is not advised for women, due to the high instances of virilisation that may occur, which often mean permanent side effects. If women do choose to use Dianabol, 5mg every day is suggested, but even at that dose, the positive impact its use will yield are minimal.

Guidance of a physician is suggested at any dose.

Cytomel (liothyronine sodium) for weight loss

Cytomel is a synthetic thyroidal hormone designed to increase the metabolic rate in the cells. On Cytomel, the cell's mitochondria will take in more nutrients and burn them quicker. Bodybuilders use this compound to burn off fat and give them a more chiseled look. Although reports of natural thyroidal hormones shutting down from taking synthetics are often exaggerated, it is recommended that users take some time off from them to allow the body to go back to natural production for at least three to four months a year.

Cytomel is the popularly recognized brand name for the drug liothyronine sodium. This is not an anabolic steroid but a thyroid hormone. It is used medically to treat cases of thyroid insufficiency, obesity, certain metabolic disorders and fatigue. Specifically this drug is a pharmaceutical preparation of the natural thyroid hormone triiodothyronine (T-3). When administered, Cytomel increases the patient’s metabolism. The result is an increased rate of cellular activity (noted by a more rapid utilization of carbohydrates, fats and proteins). Bodybuilders are particularly attracted to this drug for its ability to burn off body excess fat.

Most often utilized during contest preparation, one can greatly decrease the amount of stored fat without being forced to severely restrict calories. To this end Cytomel is commonly used in conjunction with Clenbuterol and can produce extremely dramatic results. This combination has become very popular in recent years, no doubt responsible for many “ripped” on-stage physiques. It is also noted by many that when thyroid hormones are taken in conjunction with steroids, an increased anabolic effect can be seen (noticeably greater than if the steroids are used alone). This is likely due to faster utilization of proteins by the body, increasing the rate for new muscle accumulation.

Caution should be taken if one is considering using this drug. Cytomel comes with an extensive list of warnings and precautions which are not to be ignored. Side effects include, but are not limited to, heart palpitations, agitation, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat, sweating, nausea, headaches, and psychic/metabolic disorders. It is a powerful hormone, and one that could potentially alter the normal functioning of the body if misused.

When taking Cytomel, one must remember to increase the dosage slowly. Generally one 25mcg tablet is taken on the first day, and the dosage is thereafter increased by one tablet every three of four days for a maximum dosage of 100mcg. This will help the body adjust to the increased thyroid hormone, hopefully avoiding any sudden “shock” to the system. The daily dose should also be split evenly throughout the day, in an effort to keep blood levels steadier. Women are more sensitive to the side effects of Cytomel than men, and usually choose not to take no more than 50mcg daily.

It is important to stress that a cycle should last no longer than 6 weeks and it should never be halted abruptly. As slowly as the dosage was built up it should also be lowered, one tablet every 3-4 days. Taking Cytomel for too long and/or at too high a dosage can result in a permanent thyroid deficiency. After doing such, one might need to be treated with a drug like Cytomel for life. It is also a good idea to first consult your physician and have your thyroid function tested. An undiagnosed hyperfunction would not mix well with the added hormone. An athlete should also be sure never to purchase an injectable form of the drug. It is generally an emergency room product, much too powerful for athletic use.

Since T-3 is the most powerful thyroid hormone athletes are using, this is generally not the starting point for a beginner. Before using such a powerful item, it is a good idea to become familiar with a weaker substance. The highly popular Triacana is very mild, allowing the user much more latitude (from severe side effects) than Cytomel. An in-between point is Synthroid (synthetic T-4), still weaker in action than Cytomel. Once the user is ready however, the fat burning effect of this hormone can be extremely dramatic. 

Arimidex: How Bodybuilders Prevent Estrogen Side-Effects with Anastrozole

Anastrozole is an oral aromatase inhibitor manufactured by the Zeneca Pharmaceuticals and approved for use in the United States in 1995s. It is a prescription drug and this means it is a licensed medicine and you need a written prescription from a medical practitioner in order to obtain one.

It is primarily prescribed for adjutant therapy of postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive early breast cancer. Adjutant therapy is the treatment given in addition to the patient’s primary treatment (surgery with or without radiation) to prevent cancer cells from multiplying.

Oftentimes, Anastrozole is compared to Nolvadex (tamoxifen citrate) as these two drugs are purposely for the reduction of estrogenic activity in the body to halt or delay the progression of cancer. However, Anastrozole is reportedly a more effective drug in combating estrogen-related concerns. This is because as an aromatase inhibitor it blocks the aromatase enzyme, thereby preventing the production of estrogen. Nolvadex, on the other hand, only hinders the action and not the production of this hormone. This is why Anastrozole is considered as the second-line defense against breast cancer. When advanced breast cancer has progressed following treatment of Nolvadex, Anastrozole is usually prescribed. In cases of advanced breast cancer in postmenopausal women, however, Anastrozole is approved for initial use rather than as a second-line defense.

For those male bodybuilders who use steroids, Anastrozole can be effective drug in combating excess estrogen. It is usually taken with Nolvadex to ensure estrogen-related side effects are avoided. If used with such drugs as Propecia (finasteride), it results to more ideal outcome. With Anastrozole preventing estrogen production and with finasteride preventing testosterone conversion to DHT (dihydrotestosterone), you have an efficient duo in eliminating these hormones’ (estrogen and DHT) undesirable effects, as far as bodybuilding is concerned. Propecia is a specific inhibitor of the 5a-reductase, the enzyme responsible in testosterone conversion to DHT. Propecia reduces the serum concentration of DHT and thereby reduces unwanted androgenic effects like male pattern baldness.

If you’re using highly aromatizable steroids, such as testosterone, you can achieve impressive muscle gains with decreased possibility of water retention and gynecomastia if you stack it with Anastrozole. The result is a more ripped and defined physique.

It is wrong to think, however, that estrogen and its effects (particularly water and fat retention) are absolutely detrimental to bodybuilding. Remember that this hormone is also responsible for muscle strength and gains. Consequently, it minimizes the occurrence of injury as it improves the ability of muscle fibers to withstand contractile tension or stress. Notice that one of the side effects of Anastrozole use (as mentioned below) is the likely occurrence of fractures, a major drawback of this drug. This is because when Anastrozole effectively blocks the formation of estrogen, it effectively blocks the benefits of this hormone as well. This is why many still decide for estrogen receptor antagonists like Nolvadex and Clomid because these drugs allow some estrogen activity in the body.

Further, aromatase inhibitors like Anastrozole have the tendency to completely suppressed estrogen activity, including its positive effect on cholesterol levels in the body. Anastrozole is known to decrease HDL (high-density lipoprotein), or what is commonly known as the ‘good’ cholesterol.

Dosage

Daily dosage for males is from 0.5mg to 3mg. For women, a maximum dosage of 1mg per day is enough to combat estrogenic side effects. Because Anastrozole has a short active life, dosages are usually taken two to six times a day at equal intervals. During PCT, athletes normally start with higher dosage then implement a progressive decrease in dosage. The PCT protocol typically runs for seven to 14 days.

In clinical studies, it has been observed that a daily dose of 1 mg of this drug results to more than 80% of estrogen suppression.

Steroid Cycle Length and PCT for Beginner and Advanced Bodybuilders

A steroid cycle means the consistency or timetable of an person’s steroid use. Various anabolic steroids range in half-life, and therefore people commonly use each steroid at different time intervals. Many people also take numerous types of steroids at the same time, called “stacking”.

Anabolic steroid cycles are employed for following reasons:

• To enhance muscle size and strength.
• To enhance a leaner and ripped physique.
• To enhance athletic performance.

What is PCT?

PCT (Post Cycle Therapy) is a must right after steroid cycles, it does HypothalamusPituitary Testicular Axis (HPTA) back into making its own endogenous testosterone production. After you come off a anablic steroid cycle, the exogenous testosterone is declining down and after a few weeks you have reduced levels of testosterone as the endogenous production is in fact halted.

You need to inject HCG (Pregnyl) 200-300 IU every 3 days in last 4-5 weeks of your cycle also take any of Arimidex, Letrozole, Nolvadex or Proviron through the cycle beginning from usually week 3. And for pct nolvadex or clomid is recommended. Usually 3 weeks for pct is enough. Start pct for long acting injectable steroids 2 weeks after your lost shot and for tablets wait for few days.

Beginner Steroid Cycles

Novice bodybuilders and athletes who’ve never experimented with steroids before and have no clue how to start must keep one thing in mind – keep it as simple as possible. Never start off with complicated steroid stacks. It’s always best to seek out advice from a experienced user as anabolic steroids are very potent and some of their side effects are permanent. There’s no way for a newbie to know how his/her body is going to respond to a steroid cycle. Also, keep the dosage as low as possible – just enough to see obvious benefits. You may wish to start off with hormones which are currently familiar to your body and so primary male hormone testosterone is the best choice.

Always begin with small dosages and basic stacks. This leads to less dilemma and very little unwanted side effects. Furthermore, with simple steroid stacks, it will be easy to figure out causes of problems easily. In truth, for beginners, small dosages are sufficient to see significant results. You can start only with testo and move onto stacking it with Dianabol and Winstrol. It always helps to supply exogenous testosterone to the body when utilizing suppressive anabolic steroids. For an example a beginner can begin with injectable Testosterone 250 mg each week for 8-10 weeks, then for the up coming cycle you can throw some Dianabol 20-30 mg daily in the first 6 weeks.
For beginners 400 mg testosterone weekly is the up limit. You should always use oral steroids no more than 6-7 weeks as they are really harsh on the liver and kidneys.

Advanced Steroid Cycles

After having a few simple cycles with good success and not many side effects, you can go forward to advanced steroid cycles for improved results. Females should be cautious about moving forward to advanced cycles as steroids can impact ladies very diversely and with more severity. Females really should stick to simple, basic cycles. Women should use mild stuff like Primobolan Depot and Anavar. Most guys are completely pleased with using basic cycles with testosterone only however, many want greater results. This is when extra preparations can be stacked and dosages can be increased.

Steroid cycles are often broken down into bulking and cutting periods. The steriod stacks changes for these phases and you need to make sure you stack steroids based on how they match each other. There are several popular bulking and cutting cycles followed by most users and certain widely favored steroid stacks. It’s always best to stick to these.

There is no need for mega doses, for example 1 gr testosterone weekly is enough how experienced you are. If you can’t make progress over that dose then it is time to give some long break. Your body get used to gear so you will just stress your body and damage your organs.

Steroid cycle length

There isn’t a fixed length for anabolic steroid use and cycle length differs with the individual users, the dosages and the stacks being used. Nevertheless, most agree that a steroid cycle under 8 weeks will not be efficient as the body requires time to adapt and it takes time for results to show up. It’s best to start with an 8 week steroid cycles and then increase the timeframe based on the results. Steroid cycles should last beyond 16 weeks as after that point, added steroids won’t cause any progress and could lead to side effects. You should wait at least 12 weeks before starting a new cycle, longer better.

Trenbolone Information

Trenbolone is a highly androgenic steroid, with binding to the Androgen Receptor (AR) in the region of three times as high as testosterone. It does not aromatise and so is not subject to estrogenic side effects. In addition to high androgenicity, it is also extremely anabolic too, thus is very good at building muscle mass, and retaining muscle mass in a calorie deficient mode. It is also thought that trenbolone inhibits cortisol production directly through the glucocorticoid receptors. Trenbolone is often found to be a body transforming drug, and also can aid a little in fat loss. This may be due to the very strong binding of trenbolone to the AR, which has been postulated to be one mechanism that results in the activation of fat loss pathways, possible through direct binding to fat cells' ARs. This makes trenbolone a favourite among bodybuilders for cutting, and in addition to these benefits, trenbolone usually results in large increases in strength due to its high androgenic effects. Trenbolone although not converted to estrogen, does have progesteronic effects.

Typically today underground labs produce trenbolone acetate as 75g/ml or 100mg/ml. It is often recommended first-time users of Trenbolone to use the faster acting acetate in case the side effects become too much for the user, they can then come off of the steroid very quickly and it is out of the system much quicker than, for example, the enanthate ester. For the novice user, 75mg or 100mg every other day (eod) is advised, however due to the acetate ester being even shorter than a propionate ester and the half life 1 day or less, to both reduce sides and aid gains, it is advisable that the user (if they can bear every day injections) injects Trenbolone acetate every day (ed), at 37.5-50mg ed.

More advanced users may find that taking the Trenbolone to amounts over 500mg per week has very desirable effects on strength and body composition, however note that the side effects will also increase with the increase in dose. Due to the negative effect that Trenbolone has on libido, it is not generally recommended to take Trenbolone without testosterone. However, one can take Trenbolone for short periods without testosterone and introduce an aid such as Proviron to help with the libido issues, along with proper extensive post cycle therapy (PCT) for recovery. A typical test-free cycle with Trenbolone may include something like 600mg Primobolan per week, 400mg Trenbolone enanthate per week, for 10 weeks, PCT starting 2 weeks after last injections. The enanthate ester and other similar esters of trenbolone can be injected twice per week. Below are some example cycles using trenbolone:

Novice: 

• Testosterone propionate 100-150mg eod, 6-8weeks
• Trenbolone acetate 75-100mg eod, 6-8 weeks, PCT 4 days after last prop injection.

Intermediate: 

• Testosterone enanthate 750mg per week, weeks 1-12
• Trenbolone enanthate 400mg per week, weeks 1-12
• Winstrol 50mg ed weeks, 8-14
• Primobolan 600mg per week, weeks 1-12
• Testosterone propionate 200mg eod weeks 1-12
• Trenbolone enanthate 400mg per week, weeks 1-10

Advanced: 

• Primobolan 600mg per week, weeks 1-10
• Trenbolone enanthate 400mg per week, weeks 1-10
• Testosterone enanthate 1000mg per week, weeks 1-12
• Trenbolone enanthate 500-700mg per week, weeks 1-12
• Anavar 80-100mg ed, weeks 1-14

Very advanced/pre-contest: 

• Testosterone propionate 100-200mg ed
• Trenbolone acetate 75-100mg ed
• Masteron 400-600mg per week
• Winstrol 50mg ed
• Primobolan 600mg per week
• Halotestin 10-20mg ed

Out of all the injectable steroids available, Trenbolone is the one that should be used with extreme caution and only after plenty of research into its side effects and common cycles have been carried out. Trenbolone side effects can be very bad to many users, so much so that they will not use it despite its very positive effects on the body and strength. Firstly, as Trenbolone is so androgenic, all side effects that are seen with strong androgens can be expected (if prone) with Trenbolone. If one is prone to male pattern baldness (MPB) than Trenbolone will likely speed this up. Some users find acne on Trenbolone worse than when on any other steroid. Certainly Trenbolone is not recommended for female users due to its strong androgenic properties and the common side effects that manifest themselves in females who use strong androgens.

Despite the fact that Trenbolone cannot aromatise, due to the progesterone route it can cause things like gynecomastia, but this will only really happen in the presence of estrogen. This does happen though in many users, as Trenbolone is usually stacked with a testosterone, which obviously can and will convert to estrogen. Gynecomastia from Trenbolone can be quite bad many will find, however if you do not suffer from this than other estrogenic side effects should not be of worry, as Trenbolone does not cause any water retention or similar, but in fact often gives a hardened look and feel to the muscles.

Trenbolone also seems to give many users poor sleep patterns and insomnia. In addition, it can cause severe sweating in many, both during the night time and also just from doing the smallest of activities such as walking up stairs, etc. It also can impair to a certain degree, cardiovascular function, which means that it is not ideal for use in those who regular partake in such sports or activity that require a decent level of cardiovascular fitness.

Trenbolone also increases blood pressure in many users, some to such a degree that they have to cease using it. Thus it is recommended that one who wishes to use Trenbolone, invests in a blood pressure monitor so they can regularly measure their blood pressure and keep an eye on it throughout the cycle.

Many people claim that Trenbolone has a negative effect on the kidneys. There are many of these claims certainly across the Internet since its use has become more widespread. However, there is no real evidence for these claims, and certainly I have seen many long-term users of Trenbolone have kidney function tests that are well within the normal range. Perhaps the reason for this theory is the fact that when using Trenbolone, many find that their urine can become a much darker more orange-brown colour. However, this is due to the fact that Trenbolone undergoes very little modification or breakdown and is excreted as a rust-coloured oxidised form in the urine. In addition to this, any damage to kidney may not even be directly due to the Trenbolone, but more to do with the increased sweating and water loss from excessive body heat whilst on trenbolone, without the sufficient addition of water intake. Thus it is recommended if running trenbolone to keep the water intake high.

As Trenbolone is such a strong steroid, it is very harsh on the HTPA axis and will shut down the body's natural testosterone production very easily and, for many, very harshly. It is comparable to 'deca dick' that people can experience with Deca Durabolin, and longer cycles may need to include the use of HCG to restore one's own natural production of testosterone. Recovery from cycles containing trenbolone is not easy, and requires a very well thought out and stringent PCT routine and diet.

It has also been suggested through research that Trenbolone actually (although aiding slightly in fat loss) reduces endogenous T3 levels. Thus some advocate the use of 25mcg T3 throughout a trenbolone cycle. This writer does not personally think that this is necessary; however it is something that users may wish to consider when using Trenbolone, especially if their natural T3 production is on the lower side of the normal range. It is a very good idea to get blood work done both before and after any cycle including Trenbolone.

Tren cough

The so called 'tren cough' or 'Fina cough' is well known amongst many Trenbolone users. Some users seem to get the cough following every injection; others never or extremely rarely will get the cough. Usually it is manifested upon injection, with a tightness in the chest, and a metallic taste in the back of the mouth, followed by an uncontrollable violent cough which can be quite frightening, as anyone who has experienced it will tell you, whether it's for the first time or not. There have been some very elaborate theories about the reasons for getting the cough from Trenbolone, some of which have had mechanisms involving molecules that only Trenbolone affects resulting in bronchioconstriction, etc. However, the fact remains that many users have also experienced the same cough from steroids such as equipoise and testosterone cypionate. In addition, these mechanisms that are proposed are highly unlikely to occur immediately upon injection, as that is too fast a timescale for the proposed mechanism. Thus it must be the result of something entering the blood stream and traveling to the lungs for the cough to be manifested that quickly.

This leads us onto the next theory suggested by many which is that Trenbolone is produced by many UGLs, and as such is made with higher percentages of Benzyl Alcohol (BA) than pharma grade products are, and it is the alcohol that is causing the reaction. The only problem with this theory is that Trenbolone is made by most UGLs with the same BA percentages as things such as Testosterone propionate, and Nandrolone decanoate. If it was purely the BA concentration, than we would expect to see the cough with these other products as well, which we do not. Thus, as we have eliminated the oil, solvents and carriers, it leaves us with the Trenbolone product itself as the potential culprit.

One thing that you notice about Trenbolone is that it is often a golden-brown / rust colour when in oil solution. If the hormone powder is refined to greater than 99.5% purity or so, then the colour of Trenbolone in solution actually gives a very light golden colour, much like other testosterone products; however, refining the hormone to this level of purity is extremely difficult. This is why there is colour variation from batch to batch with different underground labs; something as small as 0.1% purity can affect the colour of the final product.

As mentioned above when discussing kidney effects of Trenbolone, the oxidised Trenbolone is a rust colour – much like the colour seen of trenbolone in oil solution. What you also notice with steroids such as Equipoise and to a lesser degree, Testosterone Cypionate, is that these steroids too are hard to very highly refine and often a browny-rust colour, more so than products such as Testosterone Propionate, etc. It is very likely then that these oxidised particles get into the blood stream upon injection and this causes some sort of anaphylactic (allergic) reaction in the lungs as the particles react with the alveoli, perhaps. This seems to be confirmed by the fact that the darker the Trenbolone is the more likely one is to get a cough (personal and general experience). The best way to try and avoid this is to firstly inject very slowly and not move the needle around after aspirating, and also mixing the Trenbolone with another product such as test prop.

Cycling Steroids for Beginners

There is a lot of misunderstanding when it comes to cycling oral steroids. One of the biggest challenges is to properly combine steroids from different chemical structures, to make up a perfect cycle. That’s not always easy or even possible for new users. I find that 9 out of 10 newbies are completely lost when it comes to steroid cycles or even general steroid use. So let’s go over some simple facts.

Fact 1: If you run an oral cycle don’t stack more than 2 compounds together, you’ll need to be careful with your liver and kidneys suffering side effects. Side effects can be serious or mild, it depends how you approach your cycle.

Fact 2: Oral steroids are either 17aa or methylated to pass the liver and enter the bloodstream, which makes them liver toxic.

Fact 3: DHT related steroids, except anadrol, are usually best for cutting. Think: Stanozolol, Oxandrolone, and Primobolan. If stacked together, they produce the best results.

Let’s put together a 6 week winstrol and anavar cycle. This is a perfect cutting stack for beginners and it doesn’t yield a lot of side effects. Both of the orals have short a half-life, allowing for minimal problems and maximum results.

This is a simple cycle but very effective, you can expect a good about of bodyfat loss and muscle gain. Though, I suggest adding Clenbuterol to the mix if you really want to lean out. Use it 2 weeks on, 2 weeks off at 40-60mcg/day. Don’t go over 80mcg/day with Clenbuterol.

Do you need post cycle therapy (PCT)?

With this cycle, I suggest you just take a week off and run another cycle instead of doing PCT, what’s the point? It’s only a 6 week cycle. You should run cycles back to back for better results.

What kind of diet do you need during a cutting cycle?

Just like with all bodybuilding diets, protein is key. Your diet will need to be at least 50% protein, from high quality protein sources like steak, fish, eggs and quality supplemental protein powders: whey, caseinate, egg. Don’t eat junk or fast food.