MuscleMeds

In pursuit of the ideal physique, an alarming number of individuals, including non-competitive bodybuilders, resort to the use of Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS). Recent surveys have shed light on the widespread use of steroids among non-competitive bodybuilders worldwide, indicating a concerning trend that extends beyond the realm of professional sports and bodybuilding.   According to a survey referenced in the Journal Of The Royal Society Of Medicine, a significant percentage of non-competitive bodybuilders utilize AAS to enhance the aesthetics of their physique, raising pertinent concerns regarding the associated health risks and adverse effects on liver health. This phenomenon warrants closer examination, particularly considering the lack of professional oversight and education among this demographic.   Unlike professional bodybuilders who often undergo rigorous monitoring and possess some level of education on minimizing health risks associated with steroid usage, non-competitive individuals may lack access to such resources. Surveys have revealed alarming patterns of AAS usage, with dosages exceeding medical recommendations by substantial margins.   "Of the 500 AAS users who participated in the survey, 78.4% (392/500) were noncompetitive bodybuilders and nonathletes; 59.6% (298/500) of the respondents reported using at least 1,000 mg of testosterone or its equivalent per week."   These types of numbers far surpass any medically advised limits and predisposing users to a mirage of health concerns and complications.   One of the most significant concerns regarding anabolic androgenic steroid usage is its detrimental impact on liver health and function. High doses of anabolic steroids can lead to elevated liver enzymes and various liver complications, including hepatocellular carcinoma, hepatic adenoma, and vascular changes such as peliosis hepatis. The elevation of liver enzymes, including ALT, AST, and ALP, serves as a warning sign of potential liver damage and underscores the importance of addressing this issue.   Recognizing the critical role of liver health in overall well-being, it becomes imperative to explore strategies for mitigating the adverse effects of AAS on the liver. While the risks associated with anabolic steroids usage cannot be eliminated, certain measures can help minimize harm.   MuscleMeds, a renowned name in the realm of sports nutrition, has taken proactive steps to address this issue with their latest development, Liver Detox & Defend a fast acting, clinically dosed liver support formula. This comprehensive all-in-one solution helps combat the adverse effects of AAS, alcohol, and certain medications on liver function and health with efficacious backed dosages of KaraLiv™️ Milk Thistle, and NAC. KaraLiv, the latest clinical backed research ingredient for supporting healthy liver function, has been shown to support healthier liver function & supports ALT, AST, and ALP liver enzyme levels in just 28 days!   By harnessing the power of the latest natural ingredients and cutting-edge research, MuscleMeds aims to provide individuals with a potent tool to safeguard their liver health amidst the challenges posed by the rise of anabolic steroid usage.   The widespread use of AAS among non-competitive bodybuilders underscores the need for increased awareness and proactive measures to mitigate the associated health risks. Understanding the negative impact of AAS on liver health and adopting new innovative solutions like MuscleMeds Liver Detox & Defend can help individuals protect their overall health markers across the board as they strive towards their health and fitness goals   Shop MuscleMeds Liver Detox and Defend

Written by Aaron Wellman, PhD. with over 25 years of experience in football strength and conditioning. Former National Football League (NFL) strength and conditioning coach and current college senior assistant athletic director for Indiana University. Explosive Power Development for Athletes  Power is most easily understood as the speed of movement against a given resistance and is arguably the single best measure of an athlete’s overall performance.  While the ability to move heavy loads, commonly referred to as ‘strength’ is vitally important, the ability to move loads quickly is equally important, particularly for athletes.  To be powerful, both force and velocity components must be developed.  Power is defined as the product of force and velocity: Power = Force x Velocity  Or, another way to think of this is: Power = Strength x Speed  A “Force-Velocity” continuum exists where certain exercises will be more force-dominant, while others will be more velocity-dominant based on the load utilized and their nature of execution. For example, a barbell squat with a heavy load (i.e., >80-90% of 1 RM) would constitute a “force-dominant” exercise, while a squat jump using only the weight of the barbell (45lbs) would fall much further down the continuum towards the “velocity” end. Because power is the product of force multiplied by velocity, improving either of these components may lead to increased power production and thereby the explosiveness of the athlete (3).  Therefore, all points of the force-velocity curve should be trained to maximize the explosiveness of an athlete.       *Image property of PERCH Fit  Absolute / Max Strength  Absolute/Max strength is the maximum amount of force that may be produced in a specific movement. This zone is typically associated with intensities > 90 % of 1RM.  Exercises associated with Max Strength: Squats, Deadlifts, Presses at > 90% 1 RM.  Accelerative-Strength  This training zone lies between max strength and strength-speed and falls into the higher intensity zone of peak power production. Training in the Accelerative-Strength zone typically results in lower absolute forces than the maximal strength zone, but results in higher movement velocities.  Exercises associated with Accelerative-Strength: Olympic Lifts at 80-90% of 1 RM  Strength-Speed   Strength-Speed refers to moving relatively heavy loads as fast as possible. This zone resides toward the strength side of the peak power zone.   Exercises associated with Strength-Speed: Barbell Squats with Band Tension at ~ 50-60% of 1 RM   Speed-Strength  Speed-Strength refers to moving at very high velocities with the maximal load possible. Peak forces are typically lower than strength-speed exercises, due to the increased movement velocity  Exercises associated with Speed-Strength Exercises: Weighted Squat Jumps, Single Leg Box Jumps      Max Speed  Max Speed is simply the maximum movement velocity an athlete is able to produce through a specific movement, and by nature, the lower peak forces are generally associated with these movements.  Exercises associated with Max Speed Exercises: Bodyweight Jumps, Plyometrics, Sprinting.     When designing an athletic training program to increase power, it is important to consider what specific physical qualities need to be developed. Each training zone of the force-velocity curve will result in a specific physiological adaptation and therefore a determination of individual needs is recommended. If an athlete possesses high force/strength capabilities (i.e. has a High 1RM Squat Max), but low velocity/speed (i.e. Low Vertical Jump), then spending time at the maximal velocity and speed-strength zones may be of greater benefit for the athlete.  A program aimed at improving athletic power would be incomplete without at least a brief discussion on the importance of nutrient intake, particularly in the pre- and post-workout window. Net increases in protein synthesis leads to increases in muscle cross-sectional area, resulting in the potential for greater force production.  Growth hormone is a potent anabolic hormone influencing muscle growth. Consuming a protein and carbohydrate supplement 2-hours pre- and immediately post-exercise has been shown to result in a 14-fold increase in growth hormone levels following resistance training sessions (2).  Cortisol, on the other hand, is a catabolic hormone, generally thought to inhibit muscle growth by decreasing protein synthesis, resulting in the break down of muscle protein (1). Elevations in this hormone are often linked to stressors including intense exercise, overtraining, and inadequate recovery resulting from poor nutrient intake, lack of sleep, etc. (4).   The good news for hard-training athletes is protein and carbohydrate supplementation not only dramatically increases the post-exercise growth hormone response, but also decreases cortisol levels over the course of consecutive training days (2).    This is precisely why we recommend athletes consume a high-quality, easily digestible protein and carbohydrate formula like CARNIVOR LEAN MEAL, for those athletes looking to maintain weight and gain lean muscle mass, or CARNIVOR MASS for those needing higher caloric intake for increased weight gain.     References:  Burger ME. Neuromuscular and hormonal adaptations to resistance training: Implications for strength development in female athletes. Streng Cond J 2002; 24 (3): 51-9  Kraemer W, Volek J, Bush J, et al. Hormonal responses to consecutive days of heavy resistance exercise with or without nutritional supplementation. J Appl Physiol 1998; 85 (4): 1544-55).    Stone, M.H., (1993). Literature review: Explosive exercises and training. National Strength and Conditioning Association Journal, 15(3), pp.7-15  Urhausen A, Kindermann W. Diagnosis of overtraining: What tools do we have? Sports Med 2002; 32 (2): 95-102 

MUSCLEMEDS IS EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THE RELEASE OF ITS NEW AROMATASE INHIBITOR AROMATEST! It’s no secret, testosterone is the holy grail for muscle building and male performance. That’s why bodybuilders and athletes are constantly seeking ways to increase testosterone. However, if you want to get the best results and build hard dense muscle, you should understand a process known as aromatization. WARNING: Increasing Testosterone Can Also Increase Your Estrogen! What is Aromatization? Aromatization is a process that converts testosterone into estrogen. The reason this process is called aromatization is because the chief enzyme involved in the conversion of testosterone to estrogen is called the aromatase enzyme. A shocking fact is 80% of the estrogen is men is derived from the aromatization of testosterone. Aromatization occurs when the body is attempting to maintain homeostasis (balance) between testosterone and estrogen, this is referred to your testosterone to estrogen (T:E) ratio. So, when you elevate your body’s production of testosterone or increase your testosterone levels naturally with testosterone boosting supplements it can lead to aromatization and increased estrogen. Athletes using androgenic anabolic steroids (AAS) often experience high levels of aromatization and conversion of testosterone to estrogen. This is not the desired effect you want as elevated estrogen can cause undesirable side effects such as increased body fat, water retention, low libido, and enlarged breast tissue, also known as gynecomastia.   So, wouldn’t it be great if you could reduce the aromatization of your testosterone to estrogen and boost your test levels higher? Many pro bodybuilders and athletic trainers are aware of how to avoid this by using aromatase inhibitors during their cycles. They know that to achieve a hard dense muscular physique, they must prevent the aromatization of testosterone to estrogen. Many bodybuilders use pharmaceutical aromatase inhibitors (AIs) to reduce this conversion and alleviate unsightly and problematic issues. But now, there is a natural solution AROMATEST, bodybuilding’s most powerful natural aromatase inhibitor! CUTTNG EDGE RESEARCH: AROMATEST COMBINES NATURE’S MOST POWERFUL AROMATASE INHIBITORS XN AND 8-PN WITH AN ADVAVNCED LIPOPHILIC DELIVERY SYSTEM! The medical research has proven the effectiveness of aromatase inhibitors for reducing the conversion of testosterone to estrogen, which has many positive benefits for men and especially for bodybuilders and athletes. MUSCLEMEDS researchers have spent the past several years working on the development of an efficacious natural aromatase inhibitor. They reviewed thousands of potential compounds and after years of research they have developed, AROMATEST, the powerhouse of natural aromatase inhibitors. AROMATEST is formulated with a proprietary prenylflavonoid extract of Xanthohumol (XN) and 8-prenylnaringenin (8-PN). Research shows these two natural compounds are the most powerful aromatase inhibitors. To further improve the potency and efficacy of these compounds, AROMATEST uses a super-bioavailable lipophilic delivery system making Its effectiveness unparalleled. Research shows it’s advanced delivery system provides superior bioavailability and efficacy, with 20x greater absorption. AROMATEST has also been shown to slow down the metabolism of testosterone keeping testosterone levels elevated for a longer period of time. Who Can Benefit From AROMATEST? AROMATEST can help a wide array of men. 1. Natural athletes looking to enhance testosterone and improve their T:E ratio can take AROMATEST. Also, natural athletes taking testosterone boosting supplements to boost test levels should also consider taking AROMATEST to prevent the conversion to estrogen. 2. Of course, as we have covered AROMATEST can be extremely beneficial for athletes using AAS to reduce the testosterone and other anabolic androgens they are taking from converting to estrogen during cycles. It can also be helpful for PCT (post cycle therapy) to help prevent off cycle crash often seen with the rapid unfavorable shift in T:E after a cycle.  3. AROMATEST can also benefit men over 40. As men age, their testosterone begins to decline and they experience an unfavorable shift in their T: E ratio. Many physicians are using aromatase inhibitors to help increase the production of testosterone, reduce the conversion to estrogen and improve the T:E ratio. AROMATEST offers men a natural alternative.     Now, you can experience for yourself how the top pro bodybuilders are able to build rock hard muscle. The key is to block testosterone’s conversion to estrogen with AROMATEST!   Build Muscle Reduce Body Fat Reduce Water Retention Increase Libido   Shop Now