Boost Your Anabolic Hormone Levels - Naturally!

Anabolic steroid use appears to be on the rise. With the great increase in modern recombinant DNA technology, steroids such as growth hormone, growth factors and testosterone-based analogs have become increasingly more available and affordable. Despite their renewed popularity however, anabolic steroids are illegal and have negative effects on health, reproductive status and even personality. In response, this article aims to provide some basic information on anabolic steroids and how to boost the body's own production levels naturally, using exercise.

What is an anabolic hormone?

The definition of anabolic is "to build up"- therefore anabolic steroids are hormones that cause increases body and muscle size. Actually, not all "anabolic steroids" are steroids but they are all hormones. An example of an anabolic steroid hormone is testosterone and its analogs. An example of an anabolic polypeptide/non-steroid hormone is growth hormone. Basically, hormones are chemical messengers released from certain tissues into the blood in response to a stimulus. Their role is essentially to help the human body adapt and remain in a state of balance or "homeostasis". While the body is quite efficient at regulating its anabolic state on its own ? the temptation exists to use large quantities of anabolic hormones to magnify the results. As recently as 15-20 years ago, growth hormone had to be extracted form the pituitary glands of cadavers. Now however, modern science is able to manipulate the DNA of bacteria to produce large quantities of the hormone. Steroid use has always been rife in bodybuilding arena, but with peer pressure and ever-increasing expectations of sport performance, anabolic steroid use has become commonplace in sports too - even among high school age athletes.

How do I boost my levels of testosterone and growth hormone?

It is possible to increase anabolic hormone production naturally however - the simplest method of doing this is by regulating the intensity of the weightlifting session. This is achieved by manipulating volume (sets and reps), load (%1RM*) and rest periods. Evidence indicates that exercises that recruit large muscle groups (legs and back) in exercises such as squats and deadlifts and that are performed with high intensity and moderate volume boost serum testosterone concentrations. Therefore the exerciser should use heavy loads (85-95% 1 RM) and multiple sets/exercises separated by short rest periods (30 ?60s). Testosterone, the male sex hormone is responsible for the increased muscle mass and strength observed in men. This steroid hormone operates both on a gene level to increase muscle protein production (increased gene transcription). It is also suspected to work on the central nervous system, allowing greater muscle activation by motor neurons, resulting in greater force production. (It is unlikely that herbal testosterone "precursors" such as tribulus terestris have a large impact on production - the exerciser should save his time and money and devote more effort into sensible eating and exercising according to these guidelines.)

Human growth hormone (HGH) is a polypeptide (non steroid) hormone released form the pituitary gland at the base of the brain, and its release similar to testosterone, is dependent on the level of "stress" experienced by the body. Its main functions are to increase the transport of amino acids over cell membranes and to increase the synthesis of muscle protein, connective tissue (e.g. collagen) bone and cartilage thus directly causing "growth". It also is responsible for increasing the level of glucose and fatty acids in the blood, and therefore has a direct body-fat reducing quality. Studies involving the release of growth hormone during exercise indicate that a typical bodybuilding program of multiple sets (higher volumes) of moderate intensity (e.g. 10RM) separated by short (1 min.) rest periods produce the largest increases. Many of the actions of growth hormone are actually mediated by another hormone called IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor-1) released by the liver and other organs in response to HGH. The release of this powerful stimulator of muscle growth has been shown to increase in response to the consumption of a carbohydrate and protein supplement before and immediately after a weightlifting workout.

In conclusion, it is hoped that this article has demonstrated that there are alternatives to using illegal and health threatening anabolic steroids. The human body is a marvel at adapting to stresses such as exercise and weightlifting without the need for external hormone administration. This article has highlighted that is in fact possible to manipulate the body's own natural production of the same substances simply by regulating the intensity of the weightlifting session.

*1RM = the maximum amount of weight that can be lifted with good form for a single repetition.

David Petersen is a Personal Trainer/Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and the owner and founder of B.O.S.S. Fitness Inc. based in Oldsmar, Florida. More articles and information can be found at http://www.bossfitness.com

NOTE: You're free to republish this article on your website, in your newsletter, in your e-book or in other publications provided the article is reproduced in its entirety, including this note, author information and all LIVE website links as above.

In The News:


pen paper and inkwell


cat break through


Monster Triceps

They make up the biggest trio in bodybuilding.No, not Arnold,... Read More

Abdominal Exercises For Beginning Bodybuilders.

The abdomen contains the muscles that most beginners struggle with... Read More

An Amazing Technique That Can Make Your Gains Skyrocket While Others Have Reached A Sticking Point!

If you clearly understand and apply the principles involved in... Read More

Muscle And Fitness -- The Third and Final Key To Successfully Achieving Your Fitness Goals

Before delving into Muscle And Fitness ? The Second Key,... Read More

How to Gain Weight and Build More Muscle!

For many thin guys around the world, gaining weight without... Read More

Bodybuilding Sins That Cause Back Pain and Missed Workouts: Part 3

Welcome to article number 2 in our series "Bodybuilding Sins... Read More

Questioning Proper Abdominal Training

Q: I've heard you mention that you don't need tons... Read More

Machine Exercises That Suit Beginners

The aim for beginners to weight training must be to... Read More

Successful Body Building Routine

There are some major key parts to a successful body... Read More

Barbell Exercises That Suit Beginners

The aim for beginners to weight training must be to... Read More

Water Makes Muscles More Elastic?!

Before you say, "yeah, yeah, yeah I know to drink... Read More

The Default Rep Range

I had an hour long conversation with Pavel Tsatsouline on... Read More

How to Lose the Most Fat and Build the Most Muscle in 30 Days

A lot can happen in 30 days.The dream of everyone... Read More

The Role Of Whey Protein In Achieving Significant Muscle Gain

Most bodybuilders would agree that supplementing with whey protein is... Read More

Use This Quick Muscle Building Program for Fast Results

Quick muscle building is the goal of every underweight guy... Read More

Maximize The Windows of Opportunity For Explosive Muscle Growth

You have two main windows of opportunity when your training.... Read More

Glucosamine Review and Potential Benefits

Something interesting happened as my triceps workouts continued in their... Read More

Exercise The Right Way - The Back Squat

Other articles in this series looked at a number of... Read More

Gaining Muscle Mass

This article will discuss how to gain weight naturally muscle... Read More

Re-ignite Your Chest Training Progress

Effective Chest Training, Like Everything Else, Begins With The Proper... Read More

How Do I Gain Weight?

Try asking people how to gain weight and you'll likely... Read More

Exercise The Right Way - The Hammer Curl

Other articles in this series looked at a number of... Read More

Always Shock Your Muscles For Maximum Growth

Always try to "trick" your muscles into growth. You never... Read More

Exercise The Right Way - The Leg Curl

Other articles in this series looked at a number of... Read More

Deep Muscle Soreness And Body-Shock Fatigue

In my experience there are two distinct types of muscular... Read More

Train for the Look You Want

So the Olympics are almost upon us. While you have... Read More

Exercise The Right Way - The Lying Triceps Extension

Other articles in this series looked at a number of... Read More

Bodybuilding: Effective Ways To Handling Criticism

It's important to set the way we'll respond to different... Read More

Know Your Muscles - The Chest And Upper Back

Becoming familiar with the muscles that make up your body... Read More

Exercise The Right Way - The Barbell Bent-Over Row

Other articles in this series looked at a number of... Read More

Get A Grip! Get More Out Of Your Biceps Curls

Would you like to know how to get more out... Read More

Want to Do Everything Better? Build A Strong Core

Core strength and stability is increasingly recognized as a vital... Read More

Weight Lifting 101

WHY WEIGHT LIFTING?What's the one thing that you can do... Read More