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Androstenedione
Ever since Mark McGuire credited
androstenedione as helping him hit all those home runs a few years ago, people have been using it to increase muscular strength and size. Androstenedione is a hormone made primarily within the adrenal glands, which sit on top of your kidneys. It turns out that androstendione is just one chemical step from testosterone. Thus, the theory is that if you supplemented with androstenedione, your testosterone levels would be elevated and this would lead to bigger, stronger muscles. So much for
theory, what say the evidence? It turns out that over the last few years, studies have been published with some interesting results, which we will review now.
In one study, 10 male strength trainers supplemented with 200 mg of androstenedione for two days while performing a strength training program at an intensity of 80% 1RM. The results indicated that while androstendione levels increased, there was no change in testosterone levels. Another find from this investigation
was that estrogen levels increased 83%! This makes perfect sense in light of the little-mentioned fact that androstendione is one chemical step from both testosterone and estrogen!
In another recent study, 20 male strength trainers supplemented with 300 mg of androstenedione for 8 weeks while performing a total body strength training program. This study found similar results —no change in testosterone levels and an
increase in estrogen. In addition, no significant increase in strength or alteration in body composition was observed following androstendione use. Another finding from this study was that HDL ("good" cholesterol) decreased during androstendione use.
In another recent study, 50 male strength trainers received 200 mg of either androstenedione or its kissing cousin, androstenediol for twelve weeks. All continued to strength train during the investigation. The
results indicated that both androstenedione and androstenediol increased estrogen levels. Neither group showed significant increases in strength or body composition. Both androstenedione and androstenediol also decreased HDL levels. So, based upon these recently published studies, androstendione, at the dosages used, does not seem to promote enhancements of strength or muscle growth or decrease body fat.
There are many unknowns when it comes to androstendione
use. For one thing, what are the long term cardiovascular consequences from using andro? It seems clear that andro decreases HDL. A low HDL level is one contributing factor to heart disease—the number one killer of Americans.
It also seems clear that androstenedione and probably androstenediol raise estrogen levels. This, in theory, could limit muscle growth and strength development.
Lastly, androstenedione is a hormone. Hormones can and do exert potent and far
reaching effects in the body. Nobody knows what happens after using andro for long periods of time. Likewise, nobody knows if it's safer to cycle andro—a common practice among users.
There are products on the market today that are chemical modifications of androstenedione and androstenediol. These products are usually touted to be more effective and safer alternatives. As such they usually cost a pretty penny. I suggest before using any such product, that you
call the manufacturer and ask for "published peer-reviewed studies" on the product before you plunk down your hard earned money on something that might turn out to be worthless or potentially harmful. About the author: Joe Cannon, MS, CSCS, is an exercise physiologist, personal trainer, writer and health educator. He is the author of Nutritional Supplements: What Works and Why. A Comprehensive
Review from A to Zinc and Nutrition Essentials, a Guidebook for the Fitness Professional. For more information visit his official website www.Joe-Cannon.com or drop Joe an email directly at JoeCannon@rcn.com | |
