People who work very hard to build perfectly toned and muscular bodies in the gyms either for just keeping themselves happy or for bodybuilding competitions or even athletes to perform better on the field – they all resorted to PED which is known as performance enhancing drugs. One of the most popular PED that can be bought as a supplement is definitely a prohormone. Now you might be wondering as to what is a prohormone? Approved hormone is nothing but a chemical compound which can also be called an over-the-counter androgen. Manufacturers make claims that their through hormone supplements helps in building muscles and burning fat faster. Just like steroids, most pro hormones are considered to be illegal in the United States of America.
Understanding prohormones
Our body converts prohormones using an enzymatic process Into anabolic hormones that helps kickstart protein synthesis and also stimulates muscle growth. These types of supplements are capable of producing expeditious results and this allows bodybuilders to shift from their body composition within a very short period of time. Bodybuilders are known to often build on their muscle by decreasing the fat percentage of the body at a much quicker space when they make use of prohormones. However any enhancements to or gains that are experienced from using prohormone or mostly short-term and always come with a price.
Prohormone supplements accelerate the testosterone levels in the body and this can lead to severe side-effects just like the ones that are produced by illegal use of anabolic steroids.
Legality status of Bro hormones
Certain athletic associations, for example IOC, the international Olympic Committee have apparently banned most of the prohormone supplements. If you fall under an athlete to compete at IOC or you are someone who needs to get a drug test, then you must know that you shouldn’t be using prohormones. One needs to always beware that there will be certain manufacturers who add prohormone mixtures to normal supplements without even disclosing it in their list of ingredients label.
Always remember that the FDA, the Food and drug administration regulates dietary supplements with a completely different joiner of requirements when compared to pharmaceutical drugs. Manufacturers are often responsible for their own evaluation of the labeling and safety of their products before they are marketed and this explains why most of the prohormone supplements are apparently technically legal despite the health risk involved.
Do they work? The prohormones?
There are a couple of clinical studies which have investigated how effective prohormones are. And here Are what these clinical studies have to say to us:
Enhanced performance and muscle mass
In a particular review about the effects of using prohormone supplements in humans that was published in the Canadian Journal of applied physiology, the researchers of this study claimed that prohormones might lead to certain physical or anabolic performance effects, however, they aren’t enough to make them worth it.
Following are the side-effects that were observed:
- Hormonal imbalance: Consuming 200 mg per day or greater aurally increased the testosterone levels in the body and this was also accompanied by certain increase in estrogen percentage as well – this means that breasts could develop.
- Decreased levels of HDL cholesterol: when a dosage of 300 mg on a daily basis was continued for almost 12 weeks, it had no effect on the body composition or even the physical performance. However, it costs a decrease in the high density lipoprotein, which is also called good cholesterol.
The evidence states that consuming over the counter through hormones orally are simply ineffective at increasing athletic performance or improving muscle mass. In addition, it poses risks and a lot of side-effects which are unfavorable.
Understanding side effects
Prohormones are apparently illegal, and it can cause a lot of harm than doing good to people if consumed on a regular basis. Let us understand the substantial damaging effects that it can cause if not consumed properly. Always remember that side-effects vary from one person to another because it differs from body to body. Here are some of the common side-effects that have been linked to usage of prohormone supplements: headaches, increase in heart rate, stomach pain, nausea, sleeplessness, fatigue, increase in anxiety levels, acne, hair loss, regular changes in moods accompanied with personality swing, aggressive behavior, testicular shrinkage, increase or decrease in the libido levels, and enlargement in female breast tissue, lack of motivation to perform activities that were earlier easy to do so.
Some of the long-lasting side-effects of using prohormones include irreparable liver, kidney damage, cardiovascular risk, and high cholesterol levels.
Who needs to avoid using prohormone supplement
As a result of lack of evidence, and the side-effects that it brings along with it, over the counter sold prohormone supplements should always be approached by taking caution. Anyone who is considering prohormones must and should always consult their health professionals before resorting to using them. True hormone supplements could be extremely dangerous for the following set of groups:
- Those who are under 18 years of age
- Women who are breastfeeding
- Those who want to lose weight
- Those who want to become pregnant or are already pregnant
Always remember that the most efficient way for stimulating muscle growth would be to start with moderate to high intensity activities with respect to muscle training such as bodyweight training or lifting weights. And always seek advice from a registered dietician or a healthcare professional.
