Steroids - Articles

Deca is one of the most widely used anabolic steroids and the popularity is attributed to the fact that it exhibits many very favorable properties.  Is it very similar to testosterone structurally but lacks a carbon atom at the 19th position.  This fact causes it to exhibit much weaker androgenic properties than testosterone.  It will not break down into a more potent metabolite in androgen target tissues, which is a significant problem with testosterone.  Strong occurrences of acne, body/facial hair growth, oily skin and hair loss occur very rarely.  Also, because its nandrolone components are not processed into DHT the common harmful effts caused by anabolic steroids on the skin, scalp and prostate are lowered but not totally eliminated.  Larger doses of Deca still cause reduced libido and breast enlargement in males.  Other side effects include cardiovascular damager, erectile dysfunction and a number of ailments caused by lowered luteinizing hormones.

Deca, also referred to as Deca-Durabolin, is the commonly sold commercial steroid of Nandrolone.  Nandrolone is an anabolic steroid that may be present in the human body naturally.  It is usually found in very small quantities of less than 0.4 mg/ml.  In the past it was used in the treatment of post-menopausal women for osteoporosis, but is no longer recommended.  Nandrolone received FDA approval in 1983 for the positive effects of treatment for anemia, osteoporosis and some forms of neoplasia including breast cancer.  It is also used as a progestin-based contraceptive.  The effects include appetite stimulation, increased red blood cell production, enhanced bone density and muscle growth.

Due to these side effects, Deca has been used by various individuals and many abuse cases have been publicized.  It is reported in 2000 that Roger Clemens was injected by major league strength coach Brian McNamee.  Huge controversy arose when Greg Rudsedski tested positive for Nandrolone but was later cleared of all charges.  Barry Bonds is reported to have a regimen of banned steroids which was admitted to a teammate by his trainer at a 1999 spring training camp.  Pep Guardiola, current FC Barcelona football coach, tested positive in 2001 when he was a player.  In 2005 he was condemned to seven months imprisonment, making him the first football player to serve prison time for doping.  In 2006 he was declared not guilty due to lack of proof.

It is not known as a fast builder.  The muscle building effect of this drug is quite noticeable but not dramatic.  It is more suitable for cycles with longer duration due to the slow onset and mild properties.  An individual can expect to gain muscle weight at about half the rate of that equal amount of testosterone.  A slow, even gain of quality mass makes this most suitable with a cycle last eight to twelve weeks.  Deca is generally injected once of twice a week but remains active much longer.  Men generally receive a does ranging from 300-600 mg/week.  The optimal dosage appears to be 2mg per pound of lean body weight each week.  It is also a popular steroid for female bodybuilders.  Their dosage is much lower than their male counterparts at 50 mg/wk.  There is a light androgenic side effect that women are confronted with, occasionally virilization symptoms.

The low water retention and good effect of this drug are favorable aspects for use in pre-contest cutting stacks for those not worried about drug screens.  It can be used in combination with other drugs to enhance the muscularity and definition as well as an enhanced level of hardness and density to the muscles.  A urine test can indirectly detect Deca steroids when the sample is tested for traces of 19-norandrosterone.  Controversies about using urine tests to detect this steroid have arisen because a study has shown that the metabolite 19-narandrosterone also shows up abouve upper limits when a high-protein diet is used in combination.  Other false positives may arise from beef that is from steroid-treated cattle as well as taking the essential amino acid, lysine in large doses.  You should speak with your physician regarding the benefits and risks before starting any new medication or supplement.