Bodybuilding Article 20

Welcome to Bodybuilding Article 20 in our comprehensive series. The safety concerns surrounding use of anabolic steroids have led many bodybuilders to try prohormone supplements instead. But are they any safer and do they deliver the same anabolic effects? Since this article was published prohormones have been banned - I have left this page up for information purposes only.

Bodybuilding article 20 will contend that the safety concerns relating to prohormone use are similar to those of steroids. And don't forget, you can get the best deals on a huge range of bodybuilding supplements at Bodybuilding.com

Are prohormones a safe alternative to anabolic steroids?

Steroid prohormones such as androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) have become popular in recent years as safer alternatives to anabolic steroids, but two questions need to be answered:

1. Are they effective in stimulating muscle growth?

2. Are they safe to use?

The theory behind prohormones is that they are building blocks for testosterone and are converted into testosterone by the body. Very little definitive scientific research exists to back up the claims of prohormone manufacturers. The difficulty seems to be that the minimum dosage levels recommended by manufacturers appear to be insufficient to stimulate a measurable clinical reaction. Many users point to the effectiveness of prohormones when doses that exceed recommended levels are taken, hence the difficulty for researchers - do you subject human participants to potentially dangerous doses?

Safety concerns are similar to those that relate to steroids. Some studies report that side effects can include acne, production of estrogen, development of breast tissue in males and development of masculine features in females.

At the time of writing some doubts surround the future of prohormones as health authorities may consider selective banning of some products.

Note to publishers

Don't forget to check out this week's recommended bodybuilding article entitled What causes muscle growth? 1. Stimulus - exercise is needed to make the muscles work, use energy and cause microscopic damage to the fibers. 2. Nutrition - after intense exercise the muscles need to replenish their stores of fuel. 3. Rest - it is during the rest or recovery phase that the muscles repair the microscopic damage and grow. Muscle size increases due to hypertrophic adaptation and an increase in the cross section area of individual muscle fibers. Intensive exercise impacts more on the strength influencing fast twitch type II fibers, therefore the increase in muscle size is accompanied by greater strength. . . . For the best supplement deals currently available, shop at Bodybuilding.com

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