Everything You Wanted to Know About Prohormones
The very term ‘Prohormones,’ has been creating a huge furor. Athletes and bodybuilders swear by muscle gains offered by pro hormones and they state that the product is completely legal as well. For novices like you and me, this is a little confusing. We know that a Prohormone is nothing but material that converts to a hormone in the human body. Furthermore, recent regulations have prohibited the use and sale of pro hormone inside the US. So what is a pro hormone and can it be used by you and me?
Lets Find Out
What Are Legal Prohormones (PH)?
In simple terms, legal prohormones are nothing but precursor or pre-synethesized versions of testosterone. Once you take the product, it is converted to active testosterone in the human body. Most PH products are modified or analog products of common steroid anabolics like Winstrol, Trenbolene, Anadrol, Dianabol, Turnibol, Anavar, etc. As you are adding an active hormone to your diet, you are supplementing the body’s natural production of testosterone. This increased amount of testosterone will naturally increase muscle bulk, muscle mass, increased sex drive, increased focus, endurance and strength. However, at the same time, it also produces adverse effects in the body like headaches, hair loss, acne, testicular shrinkage, and gynecomastia. However, most of these side effects can be controlled by using prohormone supplements in a smart and controlled manner.
Which Are The best prohormone Products For Me?
There is no such thing as the ‘best prohormones’ for a single person. Every individual body is different and body goals will vary as well. We would recommend that you read up on all the different products available on the market and then make an informed decision. To help you out, we’ve created a short list of the best prohormones on the market.
· 1-Androsterone or 1-Andro — 3b-hydroxy-androst-1-ene-17-one — This product is considered one of the most popular and effective PHs on the market at present. A recent study has shown that the product could cause an increase of 10 pounds of muscle mass in 30 days if the user followed a stringent diet and workout routine. 1-Andro is so effective as it is converted enzymatically to 1-Testosterone. This conversion results in an anabolic effect that is twice the effect of normal testosterone. As a result, this is considered to be one of the most popular supplements on the market for anyone who wants to start with PHs.
· 5-DHEA or Dehydroepiandrosterone / dehydroepiandrostenedione — 3b-hydroxy-androst-5-ene-17-one — This supplement was considered one of the most powerful PHs on the market. A study carried out by the University of California stated that the hormone casused increased muscle mass, and better muscle functioning. At the same time, it also seemed to control cortisol secretions, boosts testosterone release and reduce supplement based side-effects. It is still considered an extremely powerful supplement and it is commonly used nowadays as well.
· 4-Androsterone or 4- Andro – 3b-hydroxy-androst-4-ene-17-one — Although there are many products on the market, 4-Andro is still considered one of the oldest and best PH products available for bodybuilders. Unlike 1-Andro, 4-Andro requires a two-step conversion process to make it effective in the body. As a result, 4-Andro does take more time to work but it is just as effective as 1-Andro.
· 7-Keto-DHEA — Also known as 7-oxo DHEA, the hormone does not add muscle mass but it decreases fat in the body by increasing metabolic rate. It also seems to decrease the formation of cortisol resulting in an effective fat-burning action that is non-hormonal based.
· BOLDIONE or 1,4-DHEA — 3b-hydroxy-androsta-1,4-diene-17-one – Commonly known as androstadienedione, this PH was very popular with users due to its rapid action on muscle mass. Boldione converted estrogen roughly half as compared to testosterone and 1-Andro. As a result, it produced very little estrogen buildup in the human body. to However, it was banned in 2012 and manufacturers were inundated with requests for a modified version. Happily, a new DHEA- approved version is ready for marketing in 2016 and it is considered just as effective as Boldione.
· EpiAndro or Epiandrosterone, or 3β-androsterone — 3b-hydroxy-androstane-17-one — Epiandrosterone is a steroid hormone with a mild amount of androgenic activity. The hormone is metabolized to Stanolone in human body which is a form of testosterone. An increased amount of EpiAndro will result in fat loss, better muscle mass, and bulkier muscles. It also seems to boost sex drive considerably.
· 5aOHP — 17beta-{1-Ketoethyl}-androstane-3-one, 17a-ol — This anabolic steroid is similar in action to Winstol. It converts to Stanolone in the body and provides muscle mass without increasing aggression. This PH is recommended for people who want to achieve a lean look without the hair loss associated with stronger PHs.
· Androst 3 5-dien-7 17-dione — Also called as “Arimistane” or “Erase, ” this is not traditionally a PH product. However, it does seem to regulate cortisol levels and this results in weight loss, muscle mass formation and better overall health as compared to other PH products.
· 1,4-OHP or OHP-dione — 17beta-{1-Ketoethyl}-androsta-1, 4-diene-3-one, 17a-ol — 1,4 OHP – This product converts to Boldenone or Equipoise in the human body and it is an incredibly effective PH. Its major action is recovery and joint repair and it also helps you build lean muscle mass. The PH is highly anabolic and low androgenic in nature causing an increase in muscle vascularity and appetite. Due to the increased appetite, building muscle mass is also easier with OHP-dione.
· 6-Keto-Progesterone — This completely new PH is quite similar in character and structure to 17a-hydroxyprogesterone (or 17-HP.) The exact method of action is not known but the product does seem to influence muscle formation and muscle mass development. For most advanced bodybuilders, this is the PH of choice as it combines with nearly every product on the market quickly.
As you can see, these are just a few of the most common products on the market. At the time of writing, it may be possible that a few of these products are banned from retail sale but you will always find other combinations or stacks that are just as effective as these above-mentioned products. Don’t be afraid to compare rates and features. If you are novice, remember to start with the simplest PH rather than the strongest prohormone. Once you get the hang of the product, you can then increase or decrease the cycle to suit your individual needs. Make sure you supplement the PH supplements with the inter and post cycle medications. These medications are necessary to wean your body off the supplement and to deal with the side effects of PH stacks.
Frequently Asked Questions About PH
Now that you know a little about the action of PHs and the different products available, here are a few commonly asked questions you should read up on.
· How do I take PHs? – Most PHs have strictly set manufacturer’s dosing instructions on the pack. Make sure you follow the instructions to get the best results.
· What are cycles? – A cycle refers to the amount of time that you have to take the PH. The most common cycles vary from 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 6 weeks, 8 weeks, etc. However, we do not recommend you extend your cycle more than 8 weeks. You will also have to increase/decrease/taper your dose according to dosing instructions.
· What are cycle support supplements? – Most PHs have a few side effects. These effects can be controlled with the use of cycle support supplements. Most manufacturers have specific cycle support supplements like Liv 52 that are liver and heart protective. You can use these or make your own cycle support supplements.
· What are the types of prohormones for sale available? – Most manufacturers make oral tablets or powders that are easy to consume. However, you will also get injectable PHs, and inhaled versions. We recommend that check the manufacturer’s instructions before use. Please note that oral versions are usually the best as they are metabolized faster in the human body.
· Who can use PHs? – Anyone over the age of 21 can use PHs. These hormones influence growth and they should not be taken before the age of 21 to prevent interfering with a growing human body.
Conclusion
Almost everyone has different requirements for their body. As a result, it becomes difficult to promote any one product over another. The best way to buy prohormones is by reading prohormone reviews online. Most consumers (athletes and bodybuilders) are willing to share their feedback and guidance online through websites and forums. Google the product as well to check manufacturing information and ingredient details. Once you have this information, you can decide on where to buy the product and how to use it. You should also know that your yearly expenses for PH and supportive supplements may range anywhere from $200 to $2000. Make sure you budget for this by checking online websites. When you buy prohormones online, you can buy in bulk and ask for a discount as well.
