akn
Musclechemistry Member
Chesticles and Doltish Behavior
Nitro' from "American Gladiators" told Fox News that steroids gave him 'Man Boobs,' shrank his privates and turned sex into a painful experience. "Man boobs, breast-chesticles is what they're called on the street. Gynecomastia is the scientific name. No matter what you call it, I [had] it," Danny Lee Clark, who was 'Nitro' on the smash reality series, reveals in his memoir, Gladiator: A True Story of 'Roids, Rage and Redemption. Where does one start with this? Mmm... OK, so Mr. Clark had been using steroids for 20 years. Count 'em, 20 friggin' years. That's two decades; that's back when Madonna dressed like a gypsy and most kids had actually heard of Prince, before he renamed himself (what was that name again?). Don't you think that the wise thing to do is go to a physician to make sure your gonads aren't shriveling into dust and your pecs aren't turning into 'breast-chesticles?' What the F? The one thing Mr. Clark is certainly guilty of is being dimwitted about what happens when you abuse a drug for two decades. Like any drug, it's all about dose and duration. If you were to take 600 mg of testosterone enanthate for 10 weeks, every other year, I'd speculate the most that would happen is that you'd be bigger, faster and more powerful than a locomotive. OK, maybe not a train, but you'd be stronger than your average househusband in Cleveland grilling steaks for the wifey and kids. But if you're a complete dolt and choose to do a 20-year cycle, then 'breast-chesticles,' well, that's your fate.
Low Testosterone Is No Christmas Present
Unlike Mr. Chesticles in the story above, someone who tells you that you have low testosterone is certainly the bearer of bad news. It would be like Santa Claus appearing at your doorstep, saying you've been naughty instead of nice, and giving you keys to your brand-new Ferrari; oh yeah, the Ferrari is on an iceberg off the coast of the Tierra del Fuego. Go get it; it's yours. Yeah, that would suck. Well, having low T is indeed very, very bad. For instance, you've all heard of the Metabolic Syndrome, right? It's considered the most important public health threat of the 21st century; OK, at least by a few alarmist physicians. This syndrome is characterized by a bunch of bad things including increased central abdominal obesity, elevated triglycerides, reduced high-density lipoprotein, high blood pressure, increased fasting glucose and hyperinsulinemia. These factors increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and/or type 2 diabetes. Scientists have found that reduced androgen levels associated with hypogonadism or androgen deprivation therapy increase cardiovascular risk factors and produce marked adverse (that means bad, very bad) effects on cardiovascular function. The Metabolic Syndrome has been associated with hypogonadism and erectile dysfunction (ED), and the Metabolic Syndrome may be considered a risk factor for ED.1 Also, low testosterone precedes elevated fasting insulin, glucose and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1C) values and may even predict the onset of diabetes. Bottom line is this: having low T is associated with the Metabolic Syndrome, diabetes, increased deposition of visceral fat, and a whole host of bad things.2 What's the cure? A little T and a lot of exercise.
No 'Girlie Men' Apply
This was a fascinating study in that it examined the human face. Yes, the male face, specifically. For instance, in many non-human species, relationships have been demonstrated between androgens and the size of sexually dimorphic male traits. It is often assumed that a similar relationship exists for human male faces. So that's what these eggheads sought to determine. Researchers indeed found that after experimentally determined success in a competitive task, men with a more masculine facial structure show higher levels of circulating testosterone than men with less masculine faces. Yes, guys like Richard Simmons would likely be lower on the T scale while those like Charlton Heston would be on the high side. In this study, participants randomly allocated to a 'winning' condition, and testosterone was elevated relative to pre-task levels at 5 and 20 minutes post-task. In a control group of participants who were allocated to a 'losing' condition, there were no significant differences between pre- and post-task testosterone. An index of facial masculinity based on the measurement of sexually dimorphic facial traits was not associated with pre-task (baseline) testosterone levels, but was associated with testosterone levels at 5 and 20 minutes after success in the competitive task. These findings indicate that a man's facial structure may afford important information about the functioning of his endocrine system.3
Miracle Drug For Burn Victims
And not to pee of the parade of Mr. Chesticles (aka Nitro), there is ample evidence which proves that the proper use of androgens, in this case oxandrolone, has benefits for adults and kids who have suffered from burns. Yes, you read it right, kids! One study examined whether early oxandrolone treatment in severely burned adults was associated with improved outcomes during acute hospitalization. One-hundred and seventeen patients were included in this analysis. Mean patient age was 43 (age range, 18-86); 77 percent were male, with an average TBSA (total burn surface area) of 44 percent. Oxandrolone treatment did not impact the length of stay but was associated with a lower mortality rate. Examination of early oxandrolone treatment in this cohort of severely burned adults suggests that this therapy is safe and may be associated with improved survival. Another study determined the role of oxandrolone in pediatric patients with severe burn injury. Here's what the researchers found. Oxandrolone stimulates protein synthesis by binding to androgen receptors. Yep, we knew that. Oral oxandrolone with a dosage of 0.1 mg/kg twice daily increased protein synthesis, lean body mass accretion, and muscle strength; it improved serum visceral protein concentrations, promoted weight gain and increased bone mineral content. Remember, this is in kids. During the post-burn rehabilitation period, oxandrolone given at 0.1 mg/kg/day improved muscle strength, especially when combined with exercise. Based on clinical studies, oxandrolone 0.1 mg/kg twice daily is safe when given for up to 12 months.5 Certainly with kids, the risk of using any drug is tremendous; but there's just no reason for adults to NOT be given the option of taking oxandrolone to treat severe injuries such as burns. Now if we can use it to treat burns, why not use it to treat musculoskeletal injuries? Why do folks care so much if androgens are used at all? Jose Antonio, PhD, is vice president of the National Strength and Conditioning Association. He has a PhD in muscle physiology and is chief executive of the International Society of Sports Nutrition.
References:
1. Traish AM, Guay A, Feeley R, Saad F. The dark side of testosterone deficiency: I. Metabolic syndrome and erectile dysfunction. J Androl, 2009;30:10-22. 2. Traish AM, Saad F, Guay A. The dark side of testosterone deficiency: II. Type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance. J Androl, 2009;30:23-32. 3. Pound N, Penton-Voak IS, Surridge AK. Testosterone responses to competition in men are related to facial masculinity. Proc Biol Sci, 2009;276:153-9. 4. Pham TN, Klein MB, Gibran NS, et al. Impact of oxandrolone treatment on acute outcomes after severe burn injury. J Burn Care Res, 2008;29:902-6. 5. Miller JT, Btaiche IF. Oxandrolone in pediatric patients with severe thermal burn injury. Ann Pharmacother, 2008;42:1310-5.
Nitro' from "American Gladiators" told Fox News that steroids gave him 'Man Boobs,' shrank his privates and turned sex into a painful experience. "Man boobs, breast-chesticles is what they're called on the street. Gynecomastia is the scientific name. No matter what you call it, I [had] it," Danny Lee Clark, who was 'Nitro' on the smash reality series, reveals in his memoir, Gladiator: A True Story of 'Roids, Rage and Redemption. Where does one start with this? Mmm... OK, so Mr. Clark had been using steroids for 20 years. Count 'em, 20 friggin' years. That's two decades; that's back when Madonna dressed like a gypsy and most kids had actually heard of Prince, before he renamed himself (what was that name again?). Don't you think that the wise thing to do is go to a physician to make sure your gonads aren't shriveling into dust and your pecs aren't turning into 'breast-chesticles?' What the F? The one thing Mr. Clark is certainly guilty of is being dimwitted about what happens when you abuse a drug for two decades. Like any drug, it's all about dose and duration. If you were to take 600 mg of testosterone enanthate for 10 weeks, every other year, I'd speculate the most that would happen is that you'd be bigger, faster and more powerful than a locomotive. OK, maybe not a train, but you'd be stronger than your average househusband in Cleveland grilling steaks for the wifey and kids. But if you're a complete dolt and choose to do a 20-year cycle, then 'breast-chesticles,' well, that's your fate.
Low Testosterone Is No Christmas Present
Unlike Mr. Chesticles in the story above, someone who tells you that you have low testosterone is certainly the bearer of bad news. It would be like Santa Claus appearing at your doorstep, saying you've been naughty instead of nice, and giving you keys to your brand-new Ferrari; oh yeah, the Ferrari is on an iceberg off the coast of the Tierra del Fuego. Go get it; it's yours. Yeah, that would suck. Well, having low T is indeed very, very bad. For instance, you've all heard of the Metabolic Syndrome, right? It's considered the most important public health threat of the 21st century; OK, at least by a few alarmist physicians. This syndrome is characterized by a bunch of bad things including increased central abdominal obesity, elevated triglycerides, reduced high-density lipoprotein, high blood pressure, increased fasting glucose and hyperinsulinemia. These factors increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and/or type 2 diabetes. Scientists have found that reduced androgen levels associated with hypogonadism or androgen deprivation therapy increase cardiovascular risk factors and produce marked adverse (that means bad, very bad) effects on cardiovascular function. The Metabolic Syndrome has been associated with hypogonadism and erectile dysfunction (ED), and the Metabolic Syndrome may be considered a risk factor for ED.1 Also, low testosterone precedes elevated fasting insulin, glucose and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1C) values and may even predict the onset of diabetes. Bottom line is this: having low T is associated with the Metabolic Syndrome, diabetes, increased deposition of visceral fat, and a whole host of bad things.2 What's the cure? A little T and a lot of exercise.
No 'Girlie Men' Apply
This was a fascinating study in that it examined the human face. Yes, the male face, specifically. For instance, in many non-human species, relationships have been demonstrated between androgens and the size of sexually dimorphic male traits. It is often assumed that a similar relationship exists for human male faces. So that's what these eggheads sought to determine. Researchers indeed found that after experimentally determined success in a competitive task, men with a more masculine facial structure show higher levels of circulating testosterone than men with less masculine faces. Yes, guys like Richard Simmons would likely be lower on the T scale while those like Charlton Heston would be on the high side. In this study, participants randomly allocated to a 'winning' condition, and testosterone was elevated relative to pre-task levels at 5 and 20 minutes post-task. In a control group of participants who were allocated to a 'losing' condition, there were no significant differences between pre- and post-task testosterone. An index of facial masculinity based on the measurement of sexually dimorphic facial traits was not associated with pre-task (baseline) testosterone levels, but was associated with testosterone levels at 5 and 20 minutes after success in the competitive task. These findings indicate that a man's facial structure may afford important information about the functioning of his endocrine system.3
Miracle Drug For Burn Victims
And not to pee of the parade of Mr. Chesticles (aka Nitro), there is ample evidence which proves that the proper use of androgens, in this case oxandrolone, has benefits for adults and kids who have suffered from burns. Yes, you read it right, kids! One study examined whether early oxandrolone treatment in severely burned adults was associated with improved outcomes during acute hospitalization. One-hundred and seventeen patients were included in this analysis. Mean patient age was 43 (age range, 18-86); 77 percent were male, with an average TBSA (total burn surface area) of 44 percent. Oxandrolone treatment did not impact the length of stay but was associated with a lower mortality rate. Examination of early oxandrolone treatment in this cohort of severely burned adults suggests that this therapy is safe and may be associated with improved survival. Another study determined the role of oxandrolone in pediatric patients with severe burn injury. Here's what the researchers found. Oxandrolone stimulates protein synthesis by binding to androgen receptors. Yep, we knew that. Oral oxandrolone with a dosage of 0.1 mg/kg twice daily increased protein synthesis, lean body mass accretion, and muscle strength; it improved serum visceral protein concentrations, promoted weight gain and increased bone mineral content. Remember, this is in kids. During the post-burn rehabilitation period, oxandrolone given at 0.1 mg/kg/day improved muscle strength, especially when combined with exercise. Based on clinical studies, oxandrolone 0.1 mg/kg twice daily is safe when given for up to 12 months.5 Certainly with kids, the risk of using any drug is tremendous; but there's just no reason for adults to NOT be given the option of taking oxandrolone to treat severe injuries such as burns. Now if we can use it to treat burns, why not use it to treat musculoskeletal injuries? Why do folks care so much if androgens are used at all? Jose Antonio, PhD, is vice president of the National Strength and Conditioning Association. He has a PhD in muscle physiology and is chief executive of the International Society of Sports Nutrition.
References:
1. Traish AM, Guay A, Feeley R, Saad F. The dark side of testosterone deficiency: I. Metabolic syndrome and erectile dysfunction. J Androl, 2009;30:10-22. 2. Traish AM, Saad F, Guay A. The dark side of testosterone deficiency: II. Type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance. J Androl, 2009;30:23-32. 3. Pound N, Penton-Voak IS, Surridge AK. Testosterone responses to competition in men are related to facial masculinity. Proc Biol Sci, 2009;276:153-9. 4. Pham TN, Klein MB, Gibran NS, et al. Impact of oxandrolone treatment on acute outcomes after severe burn injury. J Burn Care Res, 2008;29:902-6. 5. Miller JT, Btaiche IF. Oxandrolone in pediatric patients with severe thermal burn injury. Ann Pharmacother, 2008;42:1310-5.
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