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.
They make up the biggest trio in bodybuilding.No, not Arnold,... Read More
The abdomen contains the muscles that most beginners struggle with... Read More
If you clearly understand and apply the principles involved in... Read More
Before delving into Muscle And Fitness ? The Second Key,... Read More
For many thin guys around the world, gaining weight without... Read More
Welcome to article number 2 in our series "Bodybuilding Sins... Read More
Q: I've heard you mention that you don't need tons... Read More
The aim for beginners to weight training must be to... Read More
There are some major key parts to a successful body... Read More
The aim for beginners to weight training must be to... Read More
Before you say, "yeah, yeah, yeah I know to drink... Read More
I had an hour long conversation with Pavel Tsatsouline on... Read More
A lot can happen in 30 days.The dream of everyone... Read More
Most bodybuilders would agree that supplementing with whey protein is... Read More
Quick muscle building is the goal of every underweight guy... Read More
You have two main windows of opportunity when your training.... Read More
Something interesting happened as my triceps workouts continued in their... Read More
Other articles in this series looked at a number of... Read More
This article will discuss how to gain weight naturally muscle... Read More
Effective Chest Training, Like Everything Else, Begins With The Proper... Read More
Try asking people how to gain weight and you'll likely... Read More
Other articles in this series looked at a number of... Read More
Always try to "trick" your muscles into growth. You never... Read More
Other articles in this series looked at a number of... Read More
In my experience there are two distinct types of muscular... Read More
So the Olympics are almost upon us. While you have... Read More
Other articles in this series looked at a number of... Read More
It's important to set the way we'll respond to different... Read More
Becoming familiar with the muscles that make up your body... Read More
Other articles in this series looked at a number of... Read More
Would you like to know how to get more out... Read More
Core strength and stability is increasingly recognized as a vital... Read More
WHY WEIGHT LIFTING?What's the one thing that you can do... Read More
It is a well-established fact that calories control everyone's bodyweight.... Read More
In my 3 decades of training experience I have identified... Read More
Weight training is one of the best ways to shape... Read More
Wouldn't it be great if you could get rid of... Read More
Ah summer time, it's one of my favorite seasons and... Read More
Until I started following a routine to eat, my gains... Read More
I know what many of you are thinking reading the... Read More
The outer triceps is an awesome muscle. It sticks out... Read More
Becoming familiar with the muscles that make up your body... Read More
Other articles in this series looked at a number of... Read More
As Purposeful Primitives we understand the need practice two distinct... Read More
Deadlifts are a very potential muscle-building exercise, that will rejuvenate... Read More
Tip #1: The *Brazilian move*.The good thing about this move... Read More
What helps make comedy also builds muscle?This is key to... Read More
Becoming familiar with the muscles that make up your body... Read More
There seems to be much confusion amongst trainers and trainees... Read More
Success came to me at an early age. However, it... Read More
First off I want to mention that, for most people,... Read More
You have two main windows of opportunity when your training.... Read More
Other articles in this series looked at a number of... Read More
You can only build muscle tissue if you can generate... Read More
Other articles in this series looked at a number of... Read More
In my experience there are two distinct types of muscular... Read More
By definition, Lucid Dreaming means "conscious awareness during the dream... Read More
You may be wondering, "How can I possibly do resistance... Read More
Core strength and stability is increasingly recognized as a vital... Read More
Are you looking for a simple and effective way to... Read More
You've decided to join a gym, but you're not sure... Read More
Other articles in this series looked at a number of... Read More
Resistance is NOT futile! When it comes to changing your... Read More
Let's face it, most guys who start lifting want two... Read More
The Pulldown is an excellent exercise for working the Latissimus... Read More
Get Fit At Home With Ailsa : Get Rid of... Read More
Muscle Building & Bodybuilding |