This is a question we’re asked on an almost daily basis.
Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) work by increasing the rate of protein synthesis within cells, enhancing muscle mass and strength. The first steroid, Dianabol, was developed and released into the market in the late 1950s and has been followed by several hundreds of compounds since then. All steroids have varying degrees of potency as well as potential side effects, so research is vital to determine which compound(s) would be best for you or your desired goals. While each steroid possesses its unique properties, they all fall under one of five categories: 1.) Androgens – such as testosterone, 19-methyl testosterone, drostanolone propionate. 2.) Ketosteroids – such as oxandrolone, mesterolone, fluoxymesterone. 3.) 19-Nortestosterone (19-nor) – such as nandrolone decanoate , trembolone acetate . 4.) Estranes – such as estradiol valerate , dienogest , levonorgestrel . 5.) Others – such as oxymetholone clostebol acetate.
Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) work by increasing the rate of protein synthesis within cells, enhancing muscle mass and strength. The first steroid, When it comes to androgens, we need to consider how androgenic a compound is. Simply put, androgenic properties determine how strong an effect a drug will have on your body’s ability to produce testosterone for natural muscle growth and strength. Because androgenic AAS can cause an increase in cortisol, we need to consider another factor: “cortisol-blocker” content (or lack of it). Cortisol is a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal gland that increases blood sugar (glucose) levels, elevating insulin levels; insulin is the primary driver for body fat storage; elevated cortisol also interferes with your body’s ability to recover from training, thus slowing muscle growth. To make matters worse, AAS like nandrolone and stanozolol bind tightly to sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) – a glycoprotein created in the liver – reducing the amount of testosterone available for use at any given time. SHBG also can bind with progestins or estrogens.
At this time, testosterone is generally considered the “king” of steroids in terms of potency and efficacy. However, when you consider that one injectable mg of nandrolone can be as much as ten times more anabolic than one injectable mg of testosterone, the answer becomes clear: nandrolone would be most effective for bodybuilding purposes. While most effective when injected once per week, most competitive bodybuilders prefer to split their weekly dosage into 2-3 injections throughout the week due to its long half-life (17 days). At a half-life of 17 days, it would take approximately three weeks for serum levels to drop by 50% after only one injection. If, for example, you decided to inject twice per week with 100mg per injection, within one week, your serum levels would be reduced by approximately 36%, which is enough of a reduction in the amount of circulating steroid to hinder strength and recuperation potentially.
For anabolism purposes, nandrolone can be stacked with any number of compounds, including testosterone, trenbolone, boldenone, methenolone, stanozolol, etc. It may also be used with clomiphene citrate or tamoxifen citrate for anti-estrogen purposes.
If a non-aromatizing androgen such as nandrolone were administered at higher doses, the result would be an increase in cortisol production. This can lead to muscle wasting and fat accumulation over time, using the minimum amount necessary for positive results. In addition, individuals with existing or pre-existing cardiovascular problems should avoid using nandrolone due to its strong ability to increase blood pressure levels.
In conclusion, if you’re looking for sheer power out of your steroids, mainly when gains are concerned, nandrolone is definitely what you’re after.