Prohormones

In this lesson you will learn what prohormones are, what they do and what the side effects are. Prohormones (pro-steroids) are substances that are precursors to hormones. So instead of consuming the actual steroid, you consume a substance that turns into an anabolic hormone when it is digested. (an enzymatic process turns prohormones into a anabolic steroids) For a long time prohormones were allowed in sports. But when the american baseball player Mark McGuire announced that he had used the prohormone Androstendione, prohormone supplements started attracting more attention. Before they were banned in 2005, people thought they were innocuous performance enhancers like creatine or whey protein. Now prohormones are listed alongside anabolic steroids and its use is illegal. However, some actors, wrestlers and bodybuilders who don't care about their health and obviously don't plan to compete in events were blood tests are the order of the day still use prohormones. Find information about sports nutrition and drug abuse in sports at nutrition main. Because the effects of prohormones are similar to those achieved through synthetic anabolic steroids, prohormones are very popular among bodybuilding and strength sports.

Description: Prohormones

  • In most cases prohormones are precursors of anabolic steroids like testosterone,
    which are taken in order to boost the your hormone supply.
    Unfortunately the side effects can be very bad.
  • Common types of prohormones:
    • 4-androstenedione
    • 4-androstenediol (4-AD)
    • 19-norandrostenedione
    • 19-norandrostenediol
    • 1-androstenediol (1-AD)
    • 1,4-androstadienedione (1,4 AD)

Risks & side effects: Prohormones

  • The side effects of prohormones and anabolic steroids are the same. Typical side effects are: Acne, hair loss, breast tissue enlargement, and prostate swelling. If you are genetically predisposed to a side effect, for example baldness, the chance that you will lose your hair when you try prohormones is extremely high.
  • More side effects:
    • Acne
    • Hair loss
    • Breast tissue enlargement
    • Faster growth of tumors
    • Loss of vision
    • Prostate swelling
    • Heart problems
    • Liver damage
    • Increased chances of breast and lung cancer.
    • Reduced liver function.
    • Growth Stimulation of all internal organs.
    • Increase risk of a heart attack.
    • Increase risk of diabetes.
    • And much more ...

Effects: Prohormones

  • Increased hypertrophy -> more muscle mass
  • Increased strength
  • Increased endurance
  • Faster Recovery

Advice: Prohormones

  • Focus on the right nutrition instead of looking for silver bullets.
  • There is a reason why anabolic drugs are illegal. The use of prohormones can lead to serious health problems.
  • Since january 20, 2005 the use, sale, distribution and manufacture of prohormones as performance enhancer is illegal in US.
  • Prohormones are still used to treat diseases like osteoporosis, multiple sclerosis etc. (hormone replacement therapy)

Videos: Pro-Hormonas

  • None