If you wanted to know what Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator or SARMs are, how they actually work, how effective SARMs are or if you wanted to know if these are dangerous, you have come to the right place as this article will reveal to you the information you are looking for that will satisfy your curiosity and elevate your know how.
You are probably watching your macros and your calories. You are giving your workout everything you have got. Or maybe, you are spending small fortune into your workout supplements and this is not enough. The needle is not just moving as fast as you would want.
There may be an instance that you have contemplated on resorting to steroids. You are familiar on how steroids work however, you also know about the health risks and side effects and you end up realizing that you’re not yet prepared to take the plunge.
Until finally, you have come across SARMs and you cannot help but wonder and begin to ask, “Is this really the holy grail of body building supplements? Can these really help you successfully lose fat and gain muscles in a manner that as effective as the steroids and without any side effect? Are SARMs legal and cheap?
There are many individuals who claim that SARMs are ultimate supplements for all those health conscious bodybuilders and numerous athletes are also sharing their praises and high marks for muscle building and performance enhancement purposes. These definitely sound too good to be true but what does science really say?
In this article, we are going to dig deeper and get into the bottom of all of these.
What are SARMs? How Do They Really Work?
Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator or SARM is a drug that is chemically the same as anabolic steroids. Few SARMs are now available in the market. Some of these are stronger and have higher risks of unwanted side effects than the others.
More popular ones include the following:
- MK-2866 or GTx-024 (Ostarine)
The MK-2866 or GTx-024 (Ostarine) is a particular type of SARM. This is an experimental drug developed in 2009 by Gtx Company in their effortt of fighting muscle wasting illnesses. As with many other performance-enhancing drugs, the MK-2866 accidentally became side effect of the free aid for muscle and body builders. Overall, MK-2866 is a great SARM recommended for those who wanted to build and preserve lean muscle mass.
The MK-2866 provides you with great benefits such as boosting lifting strength, increase lean muscle mass gain, increase lifting endurance and improve joint healing ability. There are also benefits of this drug as compared to other SARMs. MK-2866 lacks androgenic properties in the prostate, colon tissues and heart. Metabolite MI that interferes with vision isn’t found in MK-2866.
Just like other types of SARMs, this drug binds into the androgen receptors but doesn’t convert dihydrotestosterone or DHT to estrogen. The estrogen conversion is the primary issue linked with steroids usage as this can result in numerous side effects like hair loss, increased body fat and man boobs.
MK-2866 increases nitrogen nutrition and protein synthesis. These are the major building blocks for the muscle mass. Specifically, MK-2866 targets the muscle and bone receptor cells. It is for this reason that this drug has higher metabolic impacts in the body.
The LGD-4033 Ligandrol is a type of non-steroidal SARM that was initially discovered by Ligand Pharmaceuticals and presently under the development by Viking Therapeutics. The LGD-4033 selectively binds into specific androgen receptors found in the muscles. The Androgen Receptors or ARs are said to be pervasive in the human body nevertheless, Ligandrol is not compatible with the ones found in one’s eyes or in androgen-rich organs. This substance can actually be taken orally since this is receptor selective in nature.
The LGD-4033 also delivers great benefits such as boosting muscle growth, increasing anabolic activity and energy production, no steroid side-effects, injections not included. In terms of supplements, there are many different choices available. If you are into a product that can give you the assurance of quick results with minimal side effects, Ligandrol might just be your best bet. This is true most especially if steroids are big “No” to you.
This is also a SARM that includes impeccable oral bio-availability. The LGD-3303 drug is categorized as selective agonist especially designed for androgen receptor. This drug has both androgenic and anabolic effects and presently, this is being researched as possible solution for osteoporosis treatment. This drug is also considered the most potent Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator or SARM recommended for bodybuilders who wanted to achieve bulk muscles.
- GSX-007 or S-4 (Andarine)
GSX-007 or S-4 (Andarine) was exclusively developed by GTX Inc. for treatment of muscle wasting, prostate enlargement, BPH and osteoporosis. This belongs to class of drugs known as Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator or SARM. These days, this drug is being sold and used as research chemical used by athletes seeking to get all strength benefits as well as lean muscle gains without actually experiencing harsh side effects.
This drug was originally designed to be used in shrinking tumor size found in breast, colon and prostate. Also referred to as GW-501516 (Cardarine), this drug is legendary to athletes and in the sport realm.
You are probably wondering about the reasons behind these alpha numeric names. Well, it is because SARMs have not been approved yet for medical uses therefore pharmaceutical marketers are not yet working on their names.
Understanding How SARM Works
To fully understand how these particular drugs really work, you first need to look and observe the physiology of hormones. These hormones are known as the chemical messengers used by the body when communicating with the cells.
You can also think of these hormones are the outgoing mails containing important instructions and as soon as they reach the cells’ mailboxes-which are known as hormone receptors-commands are carried out.
Androgens pertain to hormones responsible of producing masculinity including facial hair, deeper voice, lower fat levels in the body and more. Testosterone is the most widely known androgen but there are still more other androgens.
The androgens are known to exert their effects into the human body in three major ways:
- Bind to the androgen receptors of your cells.
- Convert to Dihydrotestosterone Hormone or DHT which eventually binds to the androgen receptors.
- Convert to Hormonal estradiol (estrogen) that binds into a different type of receptors on the cells (estrogen receptor)
Under normal situations, your body generates androgen production carefully depending on sensitive feedback mechanisms in order to avoid imbalances. The moment you introduce anabolic steroids to your body although your cells are flooded with androgens, numerous available receptors ended up fully saturated.
This delivers extraordinary powerful messages to all the cells that are listening which include the muscle cells. These cells grow hastily in response. These sound like good times to weightlifters however, there are certain liabilities.
Research reveals that some side effects of using steroids are reversible and some are not. Also, permanent damages can be possible. For example, reversible changes include cysts, acne, testicular atrophy or shrinking, oily skin and hair, bad cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, low sperm count, increased aggression and more.
The irreversible damages are liver disease, heart dysfunction, male pattern baldness, and gynecomastia. Another main downside of steroids is risk of psychological and biological addiction. One study has discovered that about 30% of individuals using steroid have developed dependence syndrome. If you take time to speak honestly to drug users, you will hear about their highly addictive properties. For years, scientists are trying to develop steroids as well as steroid-like drugs that are not as detrimental to the health of the people as well as their overall well-being. Supplement marketers claim that Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator or SARM is just that.
SARMs are non-steroidal drugs especially designed to stimulate androgen receptors in bone and muscle cells, having minimal effects on the other body cells. In particular sense consuming regular anabolic steroids can seem like you are carpet bombing your own system with these known androgens. This easily gets the job well done however; it is sloppy and results to lots of collateral damages.
Taking SARMs is like drone striking the bad terrorists. This means that SARMs can actually tell the muscle cells to fully grow without actually all the mess and noise caused by the anabolic steroids. Theoretically speaking, SARM can truly accomplish this in two major ways:
- They have this special affinity for particular tissues like bone and muscle but not really for others like brain, liver and prostate
- They do not break down to unwanted molecules causing side effects like estrogen and DHT as easily.
The second point is truly significant.
One of the key characteristics of SARMs is that they are not easily converted to enzyme called 5-a reductase that converts testosterone to DHT- a known driver of numerous unwanted side effects linked to using steroids.
SARMs are resistant to enzyme aromatase that converts testosterone into estrogen. Finally, since SARMs are said to be less powerful than the regular steroids, they do not suppress the natural production of testosterone as heavily. This makes it easier for them to recover from.
Reasons Individuals Supplement with SARM
Originally, SARMs are developed for individuals with diseases like anemia, chronic fatigue, osteoporosis and muscle wasting. These were intended to be healthier alternatives to testosterone replacement therapy.
Now, many bodybuilders commonly take SARMs for one of the following two reasons:
- “Get their feet wet” with the use of anabolic drugs before going to the traditional steroid cycles.
- Increase the steroid cycle’s effectiveness without exacerbating the health risks or side effects.
Numerous bodybuilders also believe that SARMs are helpful especially in terms of cutting for these help retain the lean mass but do not increase the water retention.
How Well Do SARMs Work?
Studies revealed that SARMs are not as powerful and effective for muscle building as the traditional steroids however, they are surely more effective than any natural you can take such as creatine. These are also popular among athletes for the reason that these are harder to detect during drug testing.
SARMs-Are They Safe?
The non-steroidal SARMs have just been around for couple of decades and sadly, still lack soli human research. We are clueless on the exact process of how these work as well as their potential side effects for long term. This is somehow a legitimate cause of concern.
But here is what we know so far…
SARM suppresses the appetite for your natural testosterone production.
One of the major selling points for these drugs is the claim that these do not blunt the body’s testosterone production. It’s a lie. These drugs actually do.
As an example, one study wherein 3 male subjects taking 3-milligram of SARM ostarine every day for 86 days experienced 23% drop in free testosterone. There is also a 43% drop in the total testosterone level. The same effects were observed in the said study as well as with Ligandrol drug. Truth is, SARMs have been investigated as male contraceptive for the reason that these drugs lower follicle stimulating and luteinizing hormone that reduces sperm count as well as the testosterone level. All this is not really surprising if you consider basic physiology in play.
When androgens are introduced into your body, this recognizes the spike then responds through reducing its very own production. The more amounts of SARMs taken the more effects you can possibly experience.
SARMs are not completely free from risks and side effects but the point is, these are very minimal on small doses. Bodybuilders do not usually take small dose though that is why, they often experience side effects linked with steroid use including hair loss and acne. SARMs are easier to recover from as compared to regular steroids.
It can be recalled that these do not convert to DHT or estrogen in exactly the same way the steroids do. This means that they also do not impact your system negatively. SARMs are also not as anabolic as the pure testosterone although there is not enough available research to know or explain this exactly.
SARMs might raise risks of cancer.
Various large trials on SARM Cardarine need to be cancelled since this was causing a cancerous growth in the intestine of mice. You have probably heard about this and that doses that were administered were higher than fitness folks would ingest but this is not true.
Rodents actually eliminate drugs from their bodies faster than humans do therefore; they need to receive higher drug dosage to notice similar effects. In such case mentioned above, mice were given about 10 mg for every kilogram of cardarine every day wherein , when adjusted based on human metabolism, results to 75mg per day for a man weighing 200 pounds. Explore around different bodybuilding forums and you will quickly learn that many bodybuilders take more than that considerably.
Granted, you cannot still extrapolate rodent research to humans, despite sharing about 98% of their DNA, we are not big mice in the first place. It is therefore not clear if a particular drug or other SARMs do actually increase risks of developing cancer.
Also, there is evidence that SARMs might inhibit particular kinds of cancer so, we just really do not know yet.
Are SARMs Legal?
Yes, these drugs are definitely legal to purchase over the counter or online. For now, there’s a reason behind the legal loophole as these drugs are offered or sold as experimental chemicals that are not really intended for human consumption.
If you are an athlete, you need to keep in mind that SARM is not permitted in majority of sports. These drugs have been banned by The World Anti-Doping Agency and International Olympic Committee is supposed to gear up to also test for them.
Given the steroid legislation history, it is perhaps just a matter of time before SARMs can be banned altogether.
Bottom Line
Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator or SARMs provides good benefits of anabolic steroids with minimal short-term side effects. These drugs are not as effective as steroids however; these certainly boost the growth of muscles more than the natural supplements readily available in the market today.
These drugs appear safer too but do not really mean that these are safe to take at all times. Research clearly reveals that these drugs suppress natural production of testosterone and impact the endocrine system negatively. There is also evidence that these drug increases the risks of cancer. Furthermore, it’s not clearly stated if there are long term effects linked to SARM use, nevertheless, given the nature of these drugs, there are most likely.
So if you wanted a recommendation, stay away from these drugs as much as possible. For personal opinion, the risks outweigh the benefits and these are not necessary in building strong , lean and muscular body that you can be proud of.
