Use of Anabolic Steroids

The use of anabolic steroids, although a sensitive topic, is one that's often misunderstood. The popular perception is that these compounds are used to promote massive increases in lean muscle tissue and dramatically increase strength. No one can deny, mass and strength increases are two of the primary reasons for the use of anabolic steroids; however, they are far from the only ones. There are actually several reasons to supplement with steroidal compounds. In fact, there are several possible reasons for those who are performance minded. It does, however, not end with performance based supplementation. The use of anabolic steroids in a therapeutic setting holds numerous possibilities. In the U.S., unfortunately, many of these possibilities are not accepted despite specific anabolic steroids being proven to be the best remedy for a specific condition. If not the best remedy, in many cases they are often welcomed additions to a total therapeutic plan. We want to take a look at the use of anabolic steroids in both general categories, performance and therapeutic, and in doing so lead you to an understanding of how valuable these hormones can be.

The Use of Anabolic Steroids – Performance:

When we think of the use of anabolic steroids, the first thing that normally comes to mind is a hulk like physique. Often we'll picture an individual who is more muscular than anything nature could create, and whose strength is also beyond human comprehension. Many people who are petrified of the use of anabolic steroids are for those very reasons. They assume if they supplement with anabolic steroids they will turn into such an individual. However, that's not how it works, in fact, that's not how it works at all. In order to gain a lot of mass, you have to choose steroids that are strong mass promoters. Not all anabolic steroids are well-suited for this purpose. Further, once the right steroids are chosen, you have to eat like you want to be big, but if you don't you shouldn't expect a lot of growth. While perhaps a slightly over simplification, it's not that far off base; anabolic steroids largely work directly with the food we eat. With that in mind, let's look at the use of anabolic steroids for the performance minded individual and see what can be obtained.

· Mass: By supplementing with the right anabolic steroids in conjunction with a total caloric intake that is above maintenance, you can receive a large buildup in lean muscle mass. More importantly, due to their metabolic enhancing traits, you will gain more muscle mass with less body fat accumulation that would otherwise occur during a growth phase. The use of anabolic steroids that meet this end with the most effectiveness include: Anadrol, Dianabol, Deca Durabolin (any Nandrolone), Testosterone (any form) and Trenbolone (any form).

· Strength: With excess calories strength will normally increase due to the use of anabolic steroids. However, even with maintenance levels calories and the right anabolic steroids, strength can increase significantly. The use of anabolic steroids that meet this end with the most effectiveness include: Anadrol, Anavar, Dianabol, Equipoise, Halotestin, Testosterone (any form), Trenbolone (any form), Turinabol and Winstrol.

· Fat Loss: The use of anabolic steroids, in most cases will improve the rate of fat loss. Most anabolic steroids will significantly improve the overall metabolic rate. Of course, in order to lose body fat you must be in a caloric deficit, but the use of the right anabolic steroids will enhance the rate of fat loss. Steroids that promote a lot of estrogenic activity are generally viewed as the least effective when it comes to losing body fat. However, this does not mean they cannot be effective during this phase of use. Testosterone is often important in any cutting plan at some level despite the potential estrogenic activity it can produce. The use of anabolic steroids that meet this end with the most effectiveness include: Anavar and Trenbolone (any form). Both of these steroids not only enhance the metabolic rate, but both have also been shown to actually burn body fat directly. Other steroids worthy of use during this phase include Masteron, Primobolan and Winstrol.

· Visual Conditioning: The use of anabolic steroids in this category goes hand-in-hand with fat loss. For the visual conditioning effects to be enjoyed you must be lean. This refers to traits like a harder physique, one that appears tighter and more vascular and generally more defined. The use of anabolic steroids will not promote such traits if the physique has a significant layer of body fat covering it. The use of anabolic steroids that meet this end with the most effectiveness include: Anavar, Equipoise, Masteron, Primobolan, Trenbolone (any form) and Winstrol.

· Endurance: The use of anabolic steroids will enhance muscular endurance. Simply put, your muscles will not tire out as fast. Most all anabolic steroids carry this trait to one degree or another.

· Recovery: The use of anabolic steroids will enhance the overall rate of recovery significantly. Simply put, your body will repair itself after it undergoes stressful activity faster than it would otherwise. Most all anabolic steroids carry this benefit to one degree or another, but Nandrolone based compounds may indeed be the most effective.

The Use of Anabolic Steroids – Therapeutic:

The use of anabolic steroids in a therapeutic setting has many possibilities. In the United States, the most common reason for supplementation is treating an androgen deficiency like low testosterone or andropause. To give you an idea of how valuable these hormones can be, the use of anabolic steroids have been proven to be effective for the treatment of the following conditions most commonly:

• Adolescent Growth Retardation
• AIDS
• Anemia
• Andropause
• Angioedema
• Burn Victims
• Cancer
• Chronic Malnutrition
• Convalescence
• Delayed Puberty
• Gastrointestinal Disease
• Geriatric Debilitation
• Non-Regenerative Anemia
• Obesity
• Osteoporosis
• Paraplegia
• Prolonged Corticosteroid Therapy
• Renal Insufficiency
• Severe Strength Loss
• Ulcers

The list above represents some of the primary purposes of the use of anabolic steroid in relations to beneficial therapeutic treatment. Some physicians, particularly those who work in anti-aging clinics or hormone replacement therapy clinics have also begun to use such hormones for total rejuvenation plans. Simply put, they are used to improve the effects of aging. Unfortunately, while this type of use has proven tremendously effective, it is a very touchy area of medicine in the U.S.