Effect of Nandrolone

According to the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) system of nomenclature, the anabolic steroid has the name 17b-hydroxy-19-nor-4-andro-sten-3-one, and can occur naturally in the body, albeit in minute quantities. Structurally, it's very similar to Testosterone, the male hormone that was recently the buzz word in sports bulletins after Floyd Landis, the Tour de France winner, tested positive for excessive levels. Nandrolone is a modification of testosterone (carbon atom removed from the 19th position). With an Anabolic/Androgenic ratio: 125:37, meaning it is highly anabolic (muscle building) and moderately androgenic (male characteristics). Due to Nandrolones chemical structure it only aromatizes (converts to estrogen) slightly, at about 20% the rate of testosterone when it interacts with the aromatase enzyme. Ergo, estrogenic effects are not a major concern with its use. Of note, however, is that Nandrolone is a progestin with a binding affinity of 20% to the progesterone receptor (PgR), so side effects are still possible, though rare. One of the most popular anabolic steroid used in bodybuilding cycles, Nandrolone is also (medically) used to treat severe debility or disease states and refractory anemias. It promotes tissue building processes, reverses catabolism (muscle destruction) and stimulates erythropoiesis (red blood cell production). This makes it a very useful drug to treat wasting disorders such as advanced H.I.V. and also, makes it highly sought after by bodybuilders and athletes.

Nandrolone is most commonly found with a Cypionate, Decanoate or plenylpropionate ester. Briefly explained, the ester determines how much of the given hormone is released over a period of time. Longer esters such as Decanoate peak slowly and can keep stable blood plasma levels up to ten days, shorter esters such as the phenylpropionate peak more rapidly but the half-live is shorter. Shorter esters usually release much more active hormone per mg than longer esters, and of course, allow the drugs effects to leave your system more quickly. Surprisingly NPP (Durabolin) and ND (Deca) release almost the same amount of active nandrolone per 100mgs: 69% and 65% respectively; this does not correlate exactly though because blood levels of Nandrolone are much higher (about doubled) post NPP usage compared to the same 100mg dose of ND. NPP also has more distinct advantages over ND. One of the most common complaints about adding ND (Deca) to a cycle is the water retention that accompanies its use. Gains from NPP are reported to be "clean" with minimal water retention and fat gain. While ND is usually used in "bulking" cycles, NPP is used in "cutting" cycles although either drug can be used in either regard. Being an oil based anabolic it is injected intramuscular (into the muscle), many users inject it ED or EOD, however NPP can administered E4D without problems.

NPP and Nandrolone in general, has a number of benefits for athletes, it increases levels of serotonergic amines in the brain, these chemicals contribute to aggressive behavior, this could help athletes to train harder and improve speed and power. Nandrolone also increases levels of IGF-1 in muscle tissues. This may be another way that makes Nandrolone highly anabolic. NPP also benefits the athlete by increasing the number of androgen receptors (AR) one study showed that nandrolone given to rats at a dosage of 6mg/kg of body weight combined with muscle functional overload (muscle functional overload gives a similar effect to resistance training) had a 1,300% increase in AR protein concentrations. There is a direct link to muscle growth and AR levels. NPP also seems to be a promising fat loss agent, men given the drug had reduced levels of subcutaneous (under skin) adipose(fat) tissue, visceral (gut) fat loss was not as good however. The fat loss effect seems though to be dose dependant, in one study NPP at a daily dose of or 10mg per kg of body weight the 10mg dose had the greatest effect on fat loss, thus displaying a dose respondent curve with NPP. The more you use, the more results you'll get, with regards to this drug.

NPP is used to treat anemia by stimulating red blood cell production and an increase in RBC count can improve endurance during exercise via better lactic acid clearing and oxygen delivery. The blood is also better enabled to carry nutrients to muscle tissue to aid in repair, administration also increases the rate of muscle glycogen repletion after exercise helping the athlete dramatically improve recovery after strenuous physical exercise. Athletes who require a high level of endurance in their chosen sport can benefit from the use of NPP. A favorite with bodybuilders who suffer with sore joints, NPP can also improve collagen synthesis, which may improve joint function and alleviate joint pains.

Nandrolone Side Effects:
Although many Nandrolone lovers claim that it is one of the safest anabolic steroids, if not the safest. It does have side effects that can be bothersome in hypersensitive individuals, such as acne, excitation, insomnia, nausea, diarrhea and bladder irritability. More serious (and common) side effects include testicular atrophy (shrunken balls), impotence and gynecomastia. Nandrolone use has been shown to be safe and easy on the lipid profile, often improving HDL Cholesterol. Impotence can be offset by stacking the Nandrolone with a higher testosterone. Nandrolone also causes the "shut down" (total stoppage) of endogenous (natural) testosterone production. Thus an exogenous (outside) source must be provided, the increased prolactin levels from the use of a progestinic steroid contribute to HPTA shut down and testicular atrophy which can be treated with a combination HCG (a female hormone that acts like LH when introduced into the male body) and Bromocriptine (a dopamine receptor agonist that, among other things, can lower prolactin levels.) Besides using Bromcriptine to lower prolactin levels, the anti-estrogens Fulvestrant or Letrozole on be taken to down regulate the progesterone and estrogen receptor.