Androstenedione - The Ultimate Bodybuilding Supplement?

Androstenedione, or Andro as most of you know it, is the one of the hottest products on the market today. It has been around for decades but not used nearly as much as today. The main reason for the ‘andro’ hype? Mark McGwire. Ever since McGwire admitted using androstenedione as a supplement, people everywhere want it. Andro is sold legally in the United States, and should increase testosterone levels. It is banned , and is considered a steroid in Canada. Testosterone is produced in your body, it is produced in the testicles, and is the reason for growing facial and pubic hair, developing a deeper voice, makes you feel horny, and lets you have erections. Andro is also developed in the body, but is converted to testosterone.

Andro is considered a safe steroid replacement, but society feels anything that gives an athlete an edge, should be banned, and in my opinion it soon will be. It is already banned by the U.S Olympic committee and by the NFL. Andro comes in 50 and 100 milligram capsules, and is used in some mixtures, known as “steroid cocktails.” Reports have shown an increase in testosterone levels by up to 400% within 45 minutes of usage.

It is naturally produced in the adrenal glands, ovaries, and testes and can be converted directly by the liver into testosterone. Supplements of "andro" are considered to be "dietary supplements" because it is found in meats and some plant extracts (Scotch pine pollen for one). An increase in testosterone is an increase in energy, strength, and neuron firing thus increasing athletic performance. Increase in testosterone starts about 15 minutes after intake. The peak in testosterone after intake is about an hour to an hour and a half. But the increase in testosterone levels do not last long. They usually return to normal 2-3 hours after taking andro.

19-Norandrostenedione, has basically the same actions but is believed to be more easily utilized and have less potential side effects. Androstenedione and 19-Norandrostenedione are basically the same molecules with the only difference being the 19-Nor does not have a carbon at the 19th position of the molecule. In the liver, androstenedione is converted into testosterone whereas the 19-Nor is converted into nor-testosterone (often referred to as Nandrolone). The Nandrolone, like testosterone, has an anabolic effect (helps increase size and strength), but with less androgenic side effects such as deepening of the voice, body and facial hair increase, acne, etc.). Another reason why some prefer the 19-Nor over the regular androstenedione is because the body does not convert Nandrolone into estrogen compounds as readily as it does the excess testosterone in the body when taking the androstendione.

Andro is not a steroid, it is not as powerful in developing muscle, and side effects aren’t as bad. Some side effects that can happen are, deepening in voice, more body hair, possibly acne, and it is believed that the liver can be damaged. But, like other drugs and steroids, the side effects won’t be as bad if taken properly, if abused, more side effects can be expected.