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Chemical Enhancement: The Truth - Part 2
37 Facts You Need to Know
Second of a three-part series
Muscular Development covers the bodybuilding industry better than anyone else on the planet, because we educate readers on how to build muscle, burn fat and enhance performance through all means possible. Chemical enhancement is no chump-change player in your bodybuilding goals. Every month, our team of doctors, researchers, industry experts and insiders gives readers the cold, hard truth— cutting-edge research and authoritative information about supplementation that’s scientifically sound— not broscience or schmoe science. Knowledge is power, and armed with the truth, our readers can decide how far they want to take their bodybuilding endeavors.
In the first part of this three part series MD presented the first 12 facts on chemical enhancement. In this second part we present facts 13-24 that every bodybuilder should know. Part 1 was posted on Monday, September 26, and Part 3 will be posted Monday, October 10.
13. Intense Training and Clenbuterol Linked to Rhabdomyolysis
Many popular cross-training and boot camp-type programs have been linked to an increase in overtraining conditions causing severe damage to muscles. Rhabdomyolysis (rhabdo) is muscle destruction triggered by trauma or excessive training that results in the muscle contents emptying into the bloodstream, which can result in kidney failure and death. A study led by Nicole Grimmer from the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston reported the case of a bodybuilder who developed rhabdo from heavy training and taking clenbuterol— a beta-2 agonist with muscle-building effects. His creatine kinase level was 122,933 units per liter of blood (U/L). Creatine kinase is a marker of muscle destruction. Normal levels are 171 U/L. Clenbuterol is linked to heart muscle damage. This case study showed that it might also be linked to skeletal muscle destruction. Rhabdo, a formerly rare condition, has become commonplace with the popularity of high-volume training to failure. Athletes should always remember that the primary purpose of training is to improve function and appearance. Performing macho workouts and taking drugs like clenbuterol that hampers cell function is counterproductive and potentially deadly. (Journal of Emergency Medicine, Published online Oct 5, 2015)
14. Growth Hormone Interferes With Heart Muscle Adaptation to Weight Training
Recreational levels of weight training improve heart function by increasing the strength of contraction and possibly by increasing the size and capacity of the left ventricle (pumps blood into circulation). Brazilian researchers, in a study on rats, found that resistance exercise improved calcium metabolism in heart muscle by increasing the calcium transport gene expression. Calcium triggers muscle contraction in the heart— greater calcium release leads to stronger contractions. Resistance-trained rats given growth hormone did not experience these positive changes in heart muscle calcium metabolism. In humans, growth hormone has a protective effect on the heart following heart attack. Excessive growth hormone levels seen in acromegaly (oversecretion of growth hormone) lead to enlargement of the heart and heart failure. The effects of supplemental doses of growth hormone in the human heart are largely unknown. (Arquivos Brasileiros de Cardiologia, published online December 8, 2015)
15. Testosterone Supplements Improve Body Composition and Blood Sugar Control
Prescriptions for testosterone for middle-aged and older men have tripled in the last decade. Clinics treating “low T” have sprung up in cities and hamlets across America. Testosterone supplements have been controversial since the hormone was synthesized in 1934. Experts still argue about its risks and benefits. Italian researchers combined the results of 59 studies on testosterone supplements using a technique called meta-analysis. The studies involved more than 3,000 patients (average age 62) who used a variety of drugs and doses. Testosterone supplementation caused decreases in bodyweight, waist circumference, total fat, blood sugar and insulin resistance, and increased lean mass. Testosterone had no effect on blood fats (cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL) or blood pressure. The positive effects were greater in younger men. Testosterone supplements have positive effects in middle-aged and older men. (European Journal of Endocrinology, published online November 4, 2015)
16. Testosterone Generates Excessive Reactive Oxygen Species
Testosterone replacement therapy is popular throughout the world. Several studies found a link between low levels of testosterone, heart disease and premature death. The effects of testosterone supplements on heart health are less clear. Several recent studies found an increased risk of heart attack and stroke in men receiving testosterone, but these studies have been severely criticized by most hormone specialists. A review of literature by Brazilian scientists concluded that testosterone metabolism generates high amounts of reactive oxygen species (free radicals) that could eventually cause deterioration of the heart muscle. These are highly reactive compounds that can damage cell membranes, DNA and heart muscle. These findings are based on animal studies, which might not apply to humans. Most long-term testosterone studies in humans show that the supplements have many benefits that improve the quality of life and reduce the risk of premature death. (American Journal of Physiology: Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology. Published online November 4, 2015)
17. Scientists Developing Long-Acting Growth Hormone
Growth hormone-deficient children and adults sometimes take daily subcutaneous (under the skin) injections. Treatment increases height (in children), improves body composition, increases bone density, attenuates cardiovascular disease risk factors and boosts physical fitness and the quality of life. Some GH manufacturers use pen devices that improve the convenience of daily injections. Unfortunately, compliance with daily injections is a problem because they are inconvenient, somewhat painful and distressing. Noncompliance decreases the effectiveness of the drugs and increases health care costs. Scientists are working on long-acting growth hormone preparations that will increase compliance and help patients cope with their reluctance to adhere to daily injection schedules. (Growth Hormone & IGF Research, 25: 201-206, 2015)
18. Thiazide Diuretics Increase Blood Sugar
Many bodybuilders have high blood pressure, and some are treated with thiazide diuretics such as chlorthalidone or hydrochlorothiazide. Both drugs reduce systolic blood pressure (top blood pressure number) by 12 millimeters of mercury. High blood pressure increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, impotence and premature death, so treatment is imperative. Thiazide diuretics increase blood sugar, which could promote abdominal fat deposition, abnormal blood fats and type 2 diabetes. Chinese researchers found that reducing the dose of the thiazide diuretic reduced blood sugar levels and still lowered blood pressure. (Journal of Hypertension, published online September 23, 2015)
19. Testosterone Supplements Do Not Accelerate Cardiovascular Disease
Atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) did not progress in men with low or subnormal testosterone levels treated with supplemental testosterone for three years— according to a study led by Shalender Bhasin from Harvard Medical School, and colleagues. Aging men (average age 67.6) received testosterone gel or placebo (fake testosterone) daily for three years. The dose was adjusted so that blood levels of testosterone were between 500 and 900 nanograms per 100 milliliters of blood (normal levels for young men). The testosterone supplements did not cause changes in the thickness of the coronary or carotid arteries or in blood vessel calcium deposition. Hormone replacement therapy does not accelerate coronary artery disease in aging men. (Journal American Medical Association, 314:570-581, 2015)
20. Long-Term Clenbuterol Use Decreases Muscle Efficiency
Some bodybuilders use clenbuterol to build muscle and cut fat. The drug is a beta 2-agonist used to treat asthma and other lung diseases. Studies in humans and racehorses show that clenbuterol increases muscle mass and decreases fat. However, the drug is linked to heart failure in racehorses, and often has severe side effects in human athletes. A French study showed that while clenbuterol causes hypertrophy, muscle force does not keep pace with the increase in muscle surface area. The capacity of muscle to contract and relax is reduced, particularly in fast-twitch muscle fibers. The researchers concluded that chronic clenbuterol use results in reduced muscle contractile efficiency and impairs the capacity of the muscles to relax. (The Journal of Physiology, published online February 27, 2015)
21. Deca Shrinks Blood Vessel Network in the Penis
The corpus cavernosum is one of two sponge-like regions of erectile tissue in the penis that hold most of the blood during an erection. These structures prevent compression of the urethra (urine channel) when the penis gets hard. Anabolic steroids can decrease the size of this important blood vessel network— according to a study on rats by researchers from Rio de Janeiro State University in Brazil. The rats were injected with high doses of Deca-Durabolin (nandrolone decanoate) weekly for eight weeks. The size of the corpus cavernosum was reduced by 12.5 percent in older rats and 10.9 percent in younger rats compared to a control group. High doses of anabolic steroids promote structural changes in the penis. (Acta Cirurgica Brasileira, 30: 478-483, 2015)
22. Chronic Exposure to Growth Hormone Accelerates Testicular Aging
Athletes taking growth hormone for sustained periods may be shortening their reproductive life span— according to a study from Pomeranian Medical University in Poland. Men can father children at any age, but the reproductive capacity is greatest when they are young adults. During middle and old age, sperm counts and sperm quality decline, which decreases fertility rates and the genetic quality of the sperm. The study compared genetically altered animals that produce high levels of growth hormone with animals that have normal growth hormone levels. Exposure to high growth hormone levels accelerated testicular aging and altered the hormone systems that control testosterone production in the testes. (Folia Histochemica et Cytobiologica, published online September 8, 2015)
23. Low Testosterone Is a Risk Factor for Metabolic Syndrome
The metabolic syndrome is a group of symptoms linked to poor metabolic health that include high blood pressure, insulin resistance, abnormal blood fats, abdominal fat deposition and type 2 diabetes. The metabolic syndrome is linked to an increased risk of heart attack, stroke and poor blood sugar regulation. French researchers found that low testosterone was an independent predictor of metabolic syndrome and whole-body inflammation. Many recent studies have found a link between low testosterone levels and coronary artery disease. This study found that low testosterone was a sign of poor metabolic health and inflammation, which are also risk factors for heart disease. (Annales d’Endocrinologie, 73: 260-263, 2015)
24. Injected Testosterone Triggers Most Cardiovascular Side Effects
Low testosterone in aging men is linked to premature death, heart disease, erectile dysfunction, depression, decreased muscle and bone mass, and decreased energy levels. This has triggered an avalanche of testosterone prescriptions that produced revenues of $2.4 billion in 2013 and projected revenues of $3.8 billion by 2018. Some experts are concerned about the cardiovascular safety of testosterone. A study led by J. Bradley Layton from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found that some types of testosterone are safer than others. Researchers studied cardiovascular side effects in more than 500,000 men prescribed testosterone injections, patches or gels. Men taking injections had a higher risk of heart attack, angina (chest pain), stroke, hospitalization and death. The study did not assess whether testosterone supplementation was an appropriate medical treatment for every patient. (Journal American Medical Association Internal Medicine, 175: 1187-1196, 2015)
37 Facts You Need to Know
Second of a three-part series
Muscular Development covers the bodybuilding industry better than anyone else on the planet, because we educate readers on how to build muscle, burn fat and enhance performance through all means possible. Chemical enhancement is no chump-change player in your bodybuilding goals. Every month, our team of doctors, researchers, industry experts and insiders gives readers the cold, hard truth— cutting-edge research and authoritative information about supplementation that’s scientifically sound— not broscience or schmoe science. Knowledge is power, and armed with the truth, our readers can decide how far they want to take their bodybuilding endeavors.
In the first part of this three part series MD presented the first 12 facts on chemical enhancement. In this second part we present facts 13-24 that every bodybuilder should know. Part 1 was posted on Monday, September 26, and Part 3 will be posted Monday, October 10.
13. Intense Training and Clenbuterol Linked to Rhabdomyolysis
Many popular cross-training and boot camp-type programs have been linked to an increase in overtraining conditions causing severe damage to muscles. Rhabdomyolysis (rhabdo) is muscle destruction triggered by trauma or excessive training that results in the muscle contents emptying into the bloodstream, which can result in kidney failure and death. A study led by Nicole Grimmer from the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston reported the case of a bodybuilder who developed rhabdo from heavy training and taking clenbuterol— a beta-2 agonist with muscle-building effects. His creatine kinase level was 122,933 units per liter of blood (U/L). Creatine kinase is a marker of muscle destruction. Normal levels are 171 U/L. Clenbuterol is linked to heart muscle damage. This case study showed that it might also be linked to skeletal muscle destruction. Rhabdo, a formerly rare condition, has become commonplace with the popularity of high-volume training to failure. Athletes should always remember that the primary purpose of training is to improve function and appearance. Performing macho workouts and taking drugs like clenbuterol that hampers cell function is counterproductive and potentially deadly. (Journal of Emergency Medicine, Published online Oct 5, 2015)
Recreational levels of weight training improve heart function by increasing the strength of contraction and possibly by increasing the size and capacity of the left ventricle (pumps blood into circulation). Brazilian researchers, in a study on rats, found that resistance exercise improved calcium metabolism in heart muscle by increasing the calcium transport gene expression. Calcium triggers muscle contraction in the heart— greater calcium release leads to stronger contractions. Resistance-trained rats given growth hormone did not experience these positive changes in heart muscle calcium metabolism. In humans, growth hormone has a protective effect on the heart following heart attack. Excessive growth hormone levels seen in acromegaly (oversecretion of growth hormone) lead to enlargement of the heart and heart failure. The effects of supplemental doses of growth hormone in the human heart are largely unknown. (Arquivos Brasileiros de Cardiologia, published online December 8, 2015)
15. Testosterone Supplements Improve Body Composition and Blood Sugar Control
Prescriptions for testosterone for middle-aged and older men have tripled in the last decade. Clinics treating “low T” have sprung up in cities and hamlets across America. Testosterone supplements have been controversial since the hormone was synthesized in 1934. Experts still argue about its risks and benefits. Italian researchers combined the results of 59 studies on testosterone supplements using a technique called meta-analysis. The studies involved more than 3,000 patients (average age 62) who used a variety of drugs and doses. Testosterone supplementation caused decreases in bodyweight, waist circumference, total fat, blood sugar and insulin resistance, and increased lean mass. Testosterone had no effect on blood fats (cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL) or blood pressure. The positive effects were greater in younger men. Testosterone supplements have positive effects in middle-aged and older men. (European Journal of Endocrinology, published online November 4, 2015)
16. Testosterone Generates Excessive Reactive Oxygen Species
Testosterone replacement therapy is popular throughout the world. Several studies found a link between low levels of testosterone, heart disease and premature death. The effects of testosterone supplements on heart health are less clear. Several recent studies found an increased risk of heart attack and stroke in men receiving testosterone, but these studies have been severely criticized by most hormone specialists. A review of literature by Brazilian scientists concluded that testosterone metabolism generates high amounts of reactive oxygen species (free radicals) that could eventually cause deterioration of the heart muscle. These are highly reactive compounds that can damage cell membranes, DNA and heart muscle. These findings are based on animal studies, which might not apply to humans. Most long-term testosterone studies in humans show that the supplements have many benefits that improve the quality of life and reduce the risk of premature death. (American Journal of Physiology: Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology. Published online November 4, 2015)
Growth hormone-deficient children and adults sometimes take daily subcutaneous (under the skin) injections. Treatment increases height (in children), improves body composition, increases bone density, attenuates cardiovascular disease risk factors and boosts physical fitness and the quality of life. Some GH manufacturers use pen devices that improve the convenience of daily injections. Unfortunately, compliance with daily injections is a problem because they are inconvenient, somewhat painful and distressing. Noncompliance decreases the effectiveness of the drugs and increases health care costs. Scientists are working on long-acting growth hormone preparations that will increase compliance and help patients cope with their reluctance to adhere to daily injection schedules. (Growth Hormone & IGF Research, 25: 201-206, 2015)
18. Thiazide Diuretics Increase Blood Sugar
Many bodybuilders have high blood pressure, and some are treated with thiazide diuretics such as chlorthalidone or hydrochlorothiazide. Both drugs reduce systolic blood pressure (top blood pressure number) by 12 millimeters of mercury. High blood pressure increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, impotence and premature death, so treatment is imperative. Thiazide diuretics increase blood sugar, which could promote abdominal fat deposition, abnormal blood fats and type 2 diabetes. Chinese researchers found that reducing the dose of the thiazide diuretic reduced blood sugar levels and still lowered blood pressure. (Journal of Hypertension, published online September 23, 2015)
19. Testosterone Supplements Do Not Accelerate Cardiovascular Disease
Atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) did not progress in men with low or subnormal testosterone levels treated with supplemental testosterone for three years— according to a study led by Shalender Bhasin from Harvard Medical School, and colleagues. Aging men (average age 67.6) received testosterone gel or placebo (fake testosterone) daily for three years. The dose was adjusted so that blood levels of testosterone were between 500 and 900 nanograms per 100 milliliters of blood (normal levels for young men). The testosterone supplements did not cause changes in the thickness of the coronary or carotid arteries or in blood vessel calcium deposition. Hormone replacement therapy does not accelerate coronary artery disease in aging men. (Journal American Medical Association, 314:570-581, 2015)
Some bodybuilders use clenbuterol to build muscle and cut fat. The drug is a beta 2-agonist used to treat asthma and other lung diseases. Studies in humans and racehorses show that clenbuterol increases muscle mass and decreases fat. However, the drug is linked to heart failure in racehorses, and often has severe side effects in human athletes. A French study showed that while clenbuterol causes hypertrophy, muscle force does not keep pace with the increase in muscle surface area. The capacity of muscle to contract and relax is reduced, particularly in fast-twitch muscle fibers. The researchers concluded that chronic clenbuterol use results in reduced muscle contractile efficiency and impairs the capacity of the muscles to relax. (The Journal of Physiology, published online February 27, 2015)
21. Deca Shrinks Blood Vessel Network in the Penis
The corpus cavernosum is one of two sponge-like regions of erectile tissue in the penis that hold most of the blood during an erection. These structures prevent compression of the urethra (urine channel) when the penis gets hard. Anabolic steroids can decrease the size of this important blood vessel network— according to a study on rats by researchers from Rio de Janeiro State University in Brazil. The rats were injected with high doses of Deca-Durabolin (nandrolone decanoate) weekly for eight weeks. The size of the corpus cavernosum was reduced by 12.5 percent in older rats and 10.9 percent in younger rats compared to a control group. High doses of anabolic steroids promote structural changes in the penis. (Acta Cirurgica Brasileira, 30: 478-483, 2015)
22. Chronic Exposure to Growth Hormone Accelerates Testicular Aging
Athletes taking growth hormone for sustained periods may be shortening their reproductive life span— according to a study from Pomeranian Medical University in Poland. Men can father children at any age, but the reproductive capacity is greatest when they are young adults. During middle and old age, sperm counts and sperm quality decline, which decreases fertility rates and the genetic quality of the sperm. The study compared genetically altered animals that produce high levels of growth hormone with animals that have normal growth hormone levels. Exposure to high growth hormone levels accelerated testicular aging and altered the hormone systems that control testosterone production in the testes. (Folia Histochemica et Cytobiologica, published online September 8, 2015)
The metabolic syndrome is a group of symptoms linked to poor metabolic health that include high blood pressure, insulin resistance, abnormal blood fats, abdominal fat deposition and type 2 diabetes. The metabolic syndrome is linked to an increased risk of heart attack, stroke and poor blood sugar regulation. French researchers found that low testosterone was an independent predictor of metabolic syndrome and whole-body inflammation. Many recent studies have found a link between low testosterone levels and coronary artery disease. This study found that low testosterone was a sign of poor metabolic health and inflammation, which are also risk factors for heart disease. (Annales d’Endocrinologie, 73: 260-263, 2015)
24. Injected Testosterone Triggers Most Cardiovascular Side Effects
Low testosterone in aging men is linked to premature death, heart disease, erectile dysfunction, depression, decreased muscle and bone mass, and decreased energy levels. This has triggered an avalanche of testosterone prescriptions that produced revenues of $2.4 billion in 2013 and projected revenues of $3.8 billion by 2018. Some experts are concerned about the cardiovascular safety of testosterone. A study led by J. Bradley Layton from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found that some types of testosterone are safer than others. Researchers studied cardiovascular side effects in more than 500,000 men prescribed testosterone injections, patches or gels. Men taking injections had a higher risk of heart attack, angina (chest pain), stroke, hospitalization and death. The study did not assess whether testosterone supplementation was an appropriate medical treatment for every patient. (Journal American Medical Association Internal Medicine, 175: 1187-1196, 2015)
