The Rising Tide of Anabolic Steroid Usage and the Role of Aromatase Inhibitors in Optimizing Gains
Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS) for decades have been popular amongst the bodybuilding community. In the golden area of bodybuilding back in the 70’, 80’s and 90’s the professional bodybuilders were more discrete and secretive about the use of steroids. You didn’t hear guys like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Tom Platz or Lee Haney talk about steroids. Today, athletes are a lot more open about their use of steroids. Some even talk about their entire off season and contest prep cycles on their social media and internet. With this ongoing cycle surge of social influence, the use of anabolic steroids among noncompetitive bodybuilders and average gym goers looking to gain muscle has exploded. Recent studies reveal that 78% of users who are on a steroid cycle or have used steroids in the past are those who don't compete! What's even more shocking is that 56% of these users are using higher dosages of AAS than ever before. The survey reported these users were using 1000mg testosterone per week. Other popular androgenic steroids are being widely used. With an increase of AAS users and these high dosage levels, many are unaware and unfortunately fall victim to the potential side effects from aromatization. Here, we'll take a dive into the science behind it, its impact on AAS cycles, and how adding an aromatase inhibitor to a steroid program can help users optimize their gains while minimizing the unwanted side effects of high levels of estrogen.
Anabolic Steroids, Aromatization, and the Estrogen Management
Before diving into how aromatase inhibitors work and the importance of stopping unwanted estrogen build up, it's important to understand how Anabolic steroids work. AAS, enhance muscle growth and strength by increasing the body's anabolic (tissue-building) and androgenic (male sexual characteristics) properties. These compounds work by binding to androgen receptors in the body, promoting protein synthesis and reducing muscle breakdown. However, what often goes unnoticed is that alongside the desired anabolic effects, these substances can also increase estrogen levels. Your body is always trying to maintain hormonal homeostasis (balance) so as you drive up testosterone levels by taking anabolic androgenic steroids your body goes through a process known as aromatization to also elevate estrogen. This process involves the aromatase enzyme and the enzymatic conversion of androgens, such as testosterone into estrogens, like estradiol. While estrogen is a vital hormone for both men and women, a large increase in its levels can lead to unwanted side effects. These include water retention, gynecomastia "man boobs", various mood swings, and increased body fat. Therefore, it's crucial to understand how to manage estrogen levels during a cycle to help mitigate these potential side effects. The goal is to increase testosterone to reap its muscle building benefits while keeping estrogen levels low.
Aromatase Inhibition for Enhanced Muscle Building
Experienced AAS users, pro bodybuilders and trainers are aware of how to avoid elevated estrogen by using aromatase inhibitors during a cycle. They know that to achieve a hard dense muscular physique and avoid the side effects of elevated estrogen such as gynecomastia and water retention, they must prevent the aromatization of testosterone to estrogen. Many more knowledgeable bodybuilders rely on the use of pharmaceutical aromatase inhibitors (Ais) to reduce this conversion and alleviate unsightly and problematic issues. But now, there is a natural solution AROMATEST, a potent aromatase inhibitor that can help AAS users optimize their cycles, making them more effective without the unwanted side effects. MuscleMeds AROMATEST combines nature's most 2 powerful anti-aromatase inhibitors, a proprietary prenylflavonoid extract of Xanthohumol (XN) and 8-prenylnaringenin (8-PN). To further improve the potency and efficacy of these two compounds, AROMATEST uses an active-bioavailable lipophilic delivery system making its effectiveness unparalleled with 20x greater absorption!
The Rising Role of Aromatase Inhibitors in Bodybuilding
As the use of anabolic steroids continues to grow, educating yourself is extremely important for optimal results and your health. If you are taking anabolic steroids or thinking about taking them, it is important to speak to your doctor first. As we covered in this article AROMATEST has the ability to help inhibit the conversion of testosterone to estrogen which can beneficial, In other articles we will be discussing how aromatase inhibitors and AROMATEST can also benefit natural athletes to help boost testosterone and reduce estrogen. Another new topic we will be covering is how aromatase inhibitors are now being prescribed by physicians to men over 40 to help restore the natural production of testosterone and lower estrogen. Over the past few years, the use of aromatase inhibitors in bodybuilding and the medical field has grown and with its benefits more and more men will be looking to use AIs as a way to improve male performance.
