Also Known As:
4-Androstenedione
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Variations:
4-Androstenedione
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Related
Items: |
Type:
Pro-hormone |
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WHAT IS 4-AD?
4-AD has recently increased in popularity since the decline of the original
pro hormone androstenedione. The Andro range of prohormones have become less popular in recent times due
to the findings of a trial showing that serum testosterone levels were not
increased, and that estrogen levels in certain tissues could be increased from
oral use of Androstenedione. Not really an ideal product for a bodybuilder or
performance athlete!
Two variations, 4-AD and 5-AD, however still show promise. They are highly
unlikely to increase estrogen levels and are likely to be effective orally.
HOW DOES 4-AD WORK?
Like androstenedione, 4-AD is metabolically converted to testosterone quite
efficiently via an enzyme named 3-beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. Research
has shown 4-AD to convert three times the rate to testosterone as
androstenedione. Simply because of the structure of 4-AD it cannot drectly
aromatize (the biological process that converts androgens into estrogens) into
esterone as androstenedione could easily do. However it is worth noting that
whenever and however you increase levels of testosterone you run a small risk of
increasing estrogen levels.
4-AD appears to be the most logoical legal method to directly increase
testosterone levels. However this substance tends to retain many of it's
androgenic properties.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ANABOLIC AND ANDROGENIC
Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone which is manufactured in the
lydig's cells of the testes at varying amounts throughout a persons life -
typically between 2.5mg and 11 mg for a male and about 1/4 of a mg for women
daily. Increasing in boys during puberty and tapering off to lower amounts later
in life. Androgenic properties of this hormone include a deepened voice, body
and facial hair growth, increased oil output by the subaceous glands,
development of sexual organs, maturation of sperm and an increased libido. These
being the main underlying effects differenciating men from women, whose primary
sex hormone is estrogen which has very different effects upon the body.
The anabolic effects of testosterone produce growth promoting changes such as
an enhanced rate of protein synthesis which leads to accumulation of muscle
tissue and increased calcium retention in bones. Testosterone also increases the
production rate of red blood cells. which increases the transport of oxygen
around the body.
Hormones are secreted and are circulated around the body via the blood
stream. Once they find receptor sites for their hormone they interact with that
specific cell and cause the desired cellular effect by passing on the message to
the cells nucleus. Once this operation is complete the testosterone molecule is
freed up to circulate once more in the blood stream. If you imagine a lock and a
key, we liken hormone and receptor sites to this principle. Only the specific
key will lock into the specific key hole. With testosterone this typically means
the androgen receptor sites located at several body tissues including skeletal
muscle tissue.
Testosterone has a strong anti-catabolic effect. Cortisol - the bodies
primary stress hormone sends the opposite message to muscle cells - to release
protein. This is the bodies usual response to maintain homeostasis -
equilibrium. Our bodies don't typically like change - this is why is often hard
to loose fat and hard to gain muscle. However anything that allows a lower
catabolic environment and a higher anabolic enviornment is the key to increasing
muscle and burning fat.
ANDROGENS AND ATP
As well as increased protein synthesis a higher androgen level enhance
production of creatine phosphate which plays a vital role in the production of
the muscles primary fuel for contraction - ATP (adenosine tripohosphate). As
muscles are stimulated to contract ATP is broken down into ADP (adenosine
diphosphate), which releases energy. The cells then undergo a process using
creatine phosphate to rapidly restore ADP to it's original structure in order to
replenish ATP concentrations. During periods of intense training however this
process is not fast enough to compensate and ATP levels will be lowered causing
the muscles to fatigue and less able to effort a strenous contraction. With
increased levels of CP available to the cells, ATP is replenished at an enhanced
rate and the muscle is both stronger and more enduring. This is another reason
for increased strength from a substance that increases testosterone.
SIDE EFFECTS FROM 4-AD BASED PRODUCTS
As stated earlier 4-AD converts directly into testosterone. With this being
the case we find relatively few side effects however it should be noted that a
few symptoms such as increased aggression and oil output by the skin may be
noticed. It is possible to experience esticular atrophy (shrinkage), hair loss
and prostate enlargement if very large doses were consumed continuaslly for a
long period time, however very unlikely this may be. It should also be noted
that due to the androgenic masculinising effects of this compound, 4-AD is not
suitable for women.
HOW MUCH AND WHEN?
Effective dosages of 4-AD are generally regarded as being around 50mg - 100mg
per day (although the cyclodextrin versions require dosages of only around a
tenth of this).
4-AD is best taken first thing in the morning to coincide with the bodies
natural high levels of hormone. It is also suggested that taking them around 60
minutes before training is advantageous, both for strength and coinciding with
natural hormone highs achieved during brief intense training.
A NOTE ON CYCLODEXTRINS
Cyclodextrin based 4-AD has become very popular. A cyclodextrin is a
form of carbohydrate bound to fat soluble compounds, that can be absorbed
through the cavity membrane under the tongue, transporting whatever it has been
bonded with straight into the blood stream. This technique is used in the
medical world for drug transportation. Cyclodextrins therefore cause the 4-AD to
bypass the digestive system, resulting in a 900% better absorption rate.
Allowing smaller doses to be taken to give a good effect.
CHECK WITH A PHYSICIAN
As with any prohormone an alteration of ones own endocrinal system may be
altered. For this reason it may be of importance for some to do a little extra
research into these compounds before taking them or even checking with a
physician to have a checkup or blood chemistry analysis before embarking a
course of prohormones.
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