Download Muscular Development-#10

QUESTION:
I’ve heard that a lot of top level bodybuilders are using a drug called CYTADREN
in an attempt to achieve that much sought-after “dry” look on stage. What exactly does
CYTADREN do and is it safe to use?
ANSWER:
CYTADREN is a drug that inhibits the production of all steroidal hormones in the
body (That’s right, ALL steroidal hormones!). This extensive list of hormones includes
testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, aldosterone, cortisol, DHEA, and several others.
CYTADREN also inhibits the production of certain blood-clotting factors thus essentially
leaving the user vulnerable to possible extensive “bleeds”. Why a dieting bodybuilder
would want to inhibit the production of testosterone (the main muscle-building hormone
in the body) is unknown to me. Why a bodybuilder would use a drug like CYTADREN
to inhibit estrogen production when they could just as easily use an aromatase- inhibiting
drug like Arimidex is beyond my comprehension. Why a bodybuilder would want to
suppress ALL the aldosterone production in their body when it’s commonly known that
aldosterone regulates sodium balance (which, in turn, regulates water balance) in the
body is also a mystery to me.
However, probably the most menacing side-effect of CYTADREN use is the
suppression of cortisol. While sounding like a favorable effect for the anabolically
inclined individual, the total suppression of cortisol is a very dangerous scenario. For
instance, if a CYTADREN-using bodybuilder were to tear a pectoralis muscle, they
would have to contend with two very dire problems. First of all, they would have
extensive bleeding due to CYTADREN’s anti-clotting effect. Secondly, they would have
to undergo corrective surgery to repair the torn pectoralis muscle. Whenever an
individual is put under anesthesia, it is extremely important for the cortisol-release
mechanism to be working at full efficiency for, if, during the corrective surgery
procedure, blood sugar was to drastically fall, it is cortisol’s job to raise blood sugar by
converting amino acids in the liver into glucose (gluconeogenesis). Without cortisol, a
fall in blood glucose levels could be a tragic, if not fatal, occurrence. In the best-case
scenario, the individual could wind up in a coma. In the worst case, they could DIE.
Considering the severity of negative side-effects while utilizing the anti-steroidal drug
CYTADREN, it becomes readily apparent that this is one pre-contest drug that should be
avoided at all costs.
QUESTION:
What is EPO and does it have any applications in the bodybuilding world?
ANSWER:
EPO is an abbreviation for the protein hormone known as erythropoeitin (Brand names: Epogen,
Eprex, Procrit, Epoetin alfa. Erythropoetin is a naturally occurring hormone that is secreted by the kidneys
and that acts on the bone marrow to stimulate production of new red blood cells. Recombinant EPO (brand
names mentioned above) is a synthetic version of this hormone and is used to treat anemia (low red blood
cell numbers) associated with HIV infection, AZT therapy, or people in chronic kidney failure.
EPO’s side effects can include chest pain, swelling due to retention of fluid, fast heart beat,
headache, high blood pressure, increase in number and concentration of circulating red blood cells, seizures,
shortness of breath, skin rash, pain in joints, diarrhea, nausea, fatigue, or flu-like syndrome after each dose.
EPO is yet another synthetic protein hormone (like GH and IGF-1) that is being used by athletes in
an attempt to gain an “edge” over the competition. EPO is mostly used by runners, swimmers, cyclists, and
triathaletes because, to these athletes, an increase in red blood cells (RBC) means more oxygen is being
delivered to the muscles. More oxygen means the athlete has better endurance and can compete at a much
higher performance level.
Pitfalls of EPO use occur when extreme athletes (like marathon runners and cyclists) start to
become dehydrated during their long and arduous races. As the liquid portion of the blood is diminished (via
sweating) the blood of the EPO user can become very “thick” and “viscous” which can ultimately lead to
blood clots. If these blood clots occur in the coronary arteries of the heart or the carotid arteries of the brain,
acute heart attacks or strokes can spontaneously occur while the athlete is still racing. It is for this reason
that athletes who use this synthetic protein hormone be extremely careful when administering EPO.
For the competitive bodybuilder, who already has elevated RBC counts from the anabolic steroids
they take, it is nearly suicidal to take synthetic EPO (especially considering the fact that bodybuilders
severely dehydrate themselves the day of their contests). Extremely high RBC numbers combined with very
little intravascular water translates into a very high certainty for “trouble”.
QUESTION:
A friend of mine gave me some “blue” winstrol tabs he claims came from CHINA. He says that they
contain 50mg of stanazolol per pill. Is there any reality to this scenario?
ANSWER:
As of late, there has been an abundance of new generically labeled (i.e. no label) anabolic steroids
and growth hormone coming into the country from China. There are many “chemical” brokers on the
internet who will send essentially any raw material, through the mail, to this country. The winstrol tabs you
speak of appear as small, blue, round, pills. If you let the pills dissolve on your tongue, they taste very bitter
(implying that there is definitely something “strong” in there). While I haven’t seen any lab analyses of these
particular pills, most of the generic drugs coming in from China seem to be very reputable at the moment. In
my experience, most Chinese supplements tend to be “overdosed” (rather than underdosed). They seem to
take pride in the supplements they ship out and they obviously greatly desire the repeat business.
Another interesting drug coming directly from China is generically labeled growth hormone (GH).
I’ve seen various strengths ranging from 2mg (5IU) all the way up to 5mg (12IU). Most users report
excellent pricing on this particular GH and many users are also reporting extreme potency (to the point of
some users having to cut their daily dosages in half). This comment would lead my to believe that the
Chinese are making these particular products stronger than label claims.
QUESTION:
I’m confused as to which SUSTANON 250 is the best product to use. Some of my friends tell me
that the Russian (CYTOHOH) Sustanon is the best while others say the REDIJECT Sustanon from Mexico is
best. Help clarify the confusion once and for all.
ANSWER:
First off, all SUSTANON 250 is made by ORGANON (they have the name, SUSTANON,
trademarked). What this means is that every single version of SUSTANON 250 (whether it be NILE
SUSTANON from Egypt, SUSTANON 250 from Pakistan, REDIJECT SUSTANON from Mexico, or CYTOHOH
SUSTANON 250 from RUSSIA) is exactly the same in both contents and potency. Case Closed!