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Introduction to Anabolic-Androgenic steroidsLike most people, you more than likely think of powerful, muscle building anabolic steroids when you hear the word “steroid“. But there are many types of steroids,Simply email Samsmith05 at protonmail dot com to purchase steroids, affordable and legit sources. In fact, a steroid is just an organic compound that includes all different types of hormones and even one of the most well known vitamins (Vitamin D) is in fact a steroid.When it comes to bodybuilding and athletic performance, we mainly talk about steroids in the form of anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS). These steroids include both natural and synthetic androgens which are derived from or based on testosterone.The anabolic component relates to the promotion of muscle growth, while the androgenic aspect relates to the stimulated development of male attributes that testosterone is responsible for.Below are some of the most common AAS you will come across with their anabolic/androgenic values:COMPOUND ANDROGENIC VALUE ANABOLIC VALUETestosterone 100 100Sustanon 250 100 100Dianabol 40-60 90-210Anadrol 50 45 320Deca-Durabolin 37 125Proviron 30-40 100-150Masteron 25-40 62-130Superdrol 20 400Halotestin 850 1900Primobolan 44-57 88Equipoise 50 100Turinabol None 100+Trenbolone 500 500Anavar 24 322-630Winstrol 30 320Clenbuterol* N/A N/A* Clenbuterol is a beta-adrenergic agonist, not an anabolic–androgenic steroid (AAS).Editor’s Note: For real, NO-BS information on cycling steroids from someone who explains it based on first hand experience be sure to check out Straight From the Underground (my recommended underground steroid handbook). Everything in this book is a real-life experience, not theory.Injectable and Oral SteroidsSome steroids come in an injectable form only, while others are available as an oral form. Very few, such as Winstrol, can be injected or taken orally.Understandably, if you’re new to using steroids then starting with injections is going to seem daunting; you may even want to avoid it altogether and select only those steroids which are orals. But this does limit you to a small number of steroids like Anavar and Dianabol.Oral steroidsOral forms are taken by mouth. They include:Methandrostenolone (Dianabol, Danabol, Metandienone) or Dbol – The primary areas where Dianabol excels is for mass and strength building. Dbol gives you the type of strength that is unreal. It’s often used at the beginning of a bulking cycle to bring about fast results early on.Oxandrolone (Anavar, Oxandrin) or Var – One of the best anabolic steroids for cutting overall. It’s known for its powerful effect on fat burning and metabolic activity, ultimately helping you obtain a lean, hard and ripped physique. Usually stacked with Winstrol or testosterone.Oxymetholone (Anadrol, A bombs, A50) or Drol – Anadrol is one of the most powerful steroids for raw strength and mass gains and quoted as having triple the anabolic power of testosterone. Most people will combine Anadrol with slow acting injectable steroids in a stack.Methasterone (Superdrol, Methyldrostanolone) or SD – it is a versatile steroid that fits well into both bulking and cutting cycles, having great benefits for building muscle, cutting and toning, hardening the physique, and boosting strength and overall performance.Stanozolol (Winstrol) or Winny – Despite its negative effect on the liver, oral Winstrol is often the first choice particularly for those new to steroids. It’s a well known steroid for its ability to boost fat loss while helping retain muscle, and will also help you recover faster.Methenolone Acetate (Oral Primobolan) or Primo – Unlike many other oral steroids, Primobolan doesn’t come with the high risk of liver toxicity and its mild anabolic effects make it an ideal choice for women who can see excellent results at low doses.Halotestin (Fluoxymesterone) or Halo – The main use for Halotestin is to experience a substantial increase in strength. Halotestin excels at boosting strength significantly and for that reason it can be valued by competitive strength athletes.Turinabol (Oral Turinabol) or Tbol – Turinabol is particularly beneficial for enhancing performance rather than acting as a mass gaining steroids, although it can provide some moderate clean gains in mass.Mesterolone (Proviron) – Proviron is rarely used to give you direct results itself, but instead to work with the other compounds you’re using. It is very useful as both a mild and effective aromatase inhibitor during a cycle, or to use as a powerful muscle hardener towards the end of a hardcore cutting cycle.Clenbuterol or Clen – Not a steroid but a stimulant, Clenbuterol has a reputation as one of the best fat burners around, so we know this is the main area it excels at. Used often by women.Cytomel T3 (Liothyronine Sodium) or Triiodothyronine – It is a synthetic form of a thyroid hormone called T3. Athletes and bodybuilders use Cytomel to promote fat loss by providing the body with an additional source of the thyroid hormone to stimulate the metabolic rate.Injectable steroidsInjectable forms include:Nandrolone Decanoate (Deca-Durabolin) or Deca – Perfect for bulking and strength, Deca is well known for its power in stimulating massive gains in lean muscle mass. The nitrogen retention from Deca is great and it gives your muscles a nice, full look. It also directly contributes to the repair and recovery of muscle tissue and joint pain.Nandrolone Phenylpropionate (NPP) or Durabolin – NPP is considered an excellent mass building steroid. Although gains are not as rapid and extreme as some other compounds, they are slow and steady. NPP also helps you retain lean muscle mass when cutting and during the off season.Methenolone Enanthate (Primobolan Depot) or Primo – Just like oral Primobolan, Depot isn’t a mass gaining steroid but provides the most benefit during cutting cycles where you need to retain maximum muscle while burning fat and eating a lower calorie diet. It is one of the best suited steroids for females.Masteron (Drostanolone, Dromostanolone) – Masteron is put to best use in a cutting cycle. Masteron gives you a granite hard look, it’s very effective when getting ready for competitions and it’s something that is mild enough to be used in longer cycles.Testosterone (Cypionate / Enanthate / Propionate) – Testosterone is considered the base of each steroid cycle, whether you’re cutting or bulking. It’s basic, it works, and it’s rarely faked. A great choice for beginners (first cycle).Sustanon 250 (contains four esters of testosterone: propionate, phenylpropionate, isocaproate and decanoate) – Sustanon 250 is a group of both slow and fast acting esters and that makes it useful for contributing to muscle building, fat loss, energy and strength by providing critical testosterone support during a steroid cycle.Human Growth Hormone (HGH) – not actually a steroid, HGH has been the hot topic for the past few years. HGH will reverse the aging process, improve sleep, build new muscle tissue, regenerate tissue, and heal the body.Trenbolone (Trenbolone Enanthate – Trenabol; Trenbolone Acetate – Finajet, Finaplix) or Tren – considered a steroid on steroids, Tren will give you crazy strength and also help with getting harder. It’s something that can be used for building up or cutting down.Parabolan (Trenbolone Hexahydrobenzylcarbonate, Hexabolan) or Tren Hex – it is a versatile steroid that is useful for a range of goals but not surprisingly is prized for its mass gaining benefits and the fact you can gain mass without water retention.Boldenone Undecylenate (Equipoise) or EQ – a very versatile steroid and can be used when bulking up or cutting down. It works extremely well for both. It’s slightly similar to Deca but it holds much less water and I get better vascularity from it. Usually stacked with testosterone.Stanozolol (Winstrol Depot) or Winny – an oral and injectable steroid that works for both cutting and bulking cycles as it increases muscle mass and hardens the appearance of the body. Usually stacked with Deca, EQ, Primo, Anavar, testosterone, Trenbolone, and Masteron.One of the big downsides to oral steroids is their toxicity to the liver. The level of liver toxicity differs between steroids, dosage, duration of use and your individual response.Choosing injectable steroids opens up your choices to a wider range of products. Oral steroids are generally taken daily due to their shorter half life, while an injection might be once or twice weekly.Which Steroid Compound to Use for My First Cycle?Remember, when it comes to steroids, beginners have one simple rule: KISS, or “Keep It Simple Stupid”. I believe KISS applies to all steroid cycles. Below is a brief summary of the most popular anabolic-androgenic steroids which may (or not) be suitable for your first steroid cycle:TestosteroneThere are several testosterone esters including Enanthate, Cypionate, Propionate and Undecanoate. You don’t need a chemistry degree to work out which one is the best option for you, but it does help to know the differences between them.Testosterone Enanthate is a hugely popular steroid and comes in dozens of brand names. It’s used for treating low testosterone and provides all the effects you’d expect from a test booster: muscle and strength gains along with enhancing male sex characteristics.Its use by athletes focuses on its ability to boost muscle growth, help burn fat and speed up recovery. Testosterone Propionate is ideal for shorter cycles as it is slow release with a short half life.There’s little difference between Cypionate and Enanthate with the most notable being that Cypionate has a longer half life. With such similar characteristics, both Testosterone Enanthate and Cypionate are generally considered interchangeable. All of these testosterone derivatives are injectable. If you are thinking of running a Testosterone cycle then take a look at my full Testosterone cycle guide.Sustanon 250Sustanon 250 is a popular synthetic testosterone androgen-anabolic steroid often medically used as an injection to treat the problem of low testosterone in men.There are four testosterone ester compounds in Sustanon 250 (Testosterone Propionate, Phenylpropionate, Isocaproate, Decanoate) and all these active substances become testosterone once in the body once Sustanon 250 is injected.Because testosterone is an androgen, this steroid brings about effects of increased masculinization but in men this can result in hair loss due to excess DHT. But it also stimulates red blood cell production which is a critical aspect of muscle growth.Bodybuilders use Sustanon 250 to gain bulk and muscle mass, improve recovery, increase stamina and energy, and to retain a heightened anabolic state. If you’re interested in running a Sustanon 250 cycle, take a look at my Sustanon 250 cycle guide.Dianabol (Methandrostenolone)Dianabol is the most well known of the Methandrostenolone group of steroids and was the first ever androgen and anabolic steroid steroid to become available way back in the 1950s where it was used for increasing muscle mass and strength – just as it continues to be used today.It is very effective for bulking and gaining mass during short time periods. Dianabol can also increase levels of estrogen because it can aromatize, which brings some potential side effects like gynecomastia (increased breast tissue) and fluid retention. For more information see my in-depth Dianabol cycle guide.Trenbolone (Tren)This is an AA steroid that’s used in the livestock industry to increase muscle growth in cattle. Only some esters of Tren are available with Trenbolone itself not available. In veterinary use the ester Trenbolone Acetate is used, while other Trenbolone esters include Enanthate and Hexahydrobenzylcarbonate (Parabolan).Trenbolone Acetate is considered the fastest acting form that is favored by bodybuilders with noticeable effects and progress coming on within days and with no fluid retention, compared with Trenbolone Enanthate which can take several weeks to start kicking in.Trenbolone is consider one of the most powerful steroids which has shown to be up to five times stronger and more effective than testosterone itself. Click here for my full Trenbolone cycle guide.Winstrol (Stanozolol)Stanozolol is a synthetic AA steroid which is a derivative of dihydrotestosterone (DHT).It’s notable for its power to increase strength, but it’s no slouch in the muscle growth department either and a benefit is that it doesn’t aromatize so is less likely to have you experiencing things like water retention.The modified DHT that was formed into the synthetic Stanozolol has its anabolic properties increased – for muscle and strength gains, and it’s androgenic properties reduced. Winstrol is the most well known brand of Stanozolol and is used both orally and as an injectable. If you’re interested in running a Winstrol cycle, take a look at my complete Winstrol cycle guide.Deca-Durabolin (Nandrolone Decanoate)Nandrolone decanoate is one of the most widely used androgenic-anabolic steroids. Studies have proven that Nandrolone brings about significant muscle mass increases in male bodybuilders.Deca-Durabolin is the most well known brand of Nandrolone Decanoate and is used by intramuscular injection.Deca has relatively weak androgenic effects but very strong anabolic effects which gives it a reduced risk of side effects compared with some other steroids. If you are interested in a Deca-Durabolin only cycle, then check out my complete Deca-Durabolin cycle guide.Anadrol (Oxymetholone)Used medically to treat osteoporosis, anemia and wasting syndrome, Oxymetholone is also used as an AA steroid by bodybuilders for its ability to boost muscle growth and strength by increasing testosterone levels plus improving recovery and stamina by reducing or delaying fatigue as a result of increased red blood cell production getting more oxygen to the muscles. Its use as a treatment for anemia is a testament to its ability to improve red blood cell count.Anadrol is one of the most well known brand names of Oxymetholone and is a popular oral steroid known for its ability to deliver hardcore strength and mass gains very quickly. Anadrol has a reputation as one of the most powerful and effective anabolic steroids with excellent anabolic effects and weaker androgenic effects. Click here to check my full Anadrol cycle guide.Clenbuterol (Clen)Clenbuterol is a stimulant that has some similar properties to anabolic steroids and was originally developed to treat breathing disorders, but has become popular amongst bodybuilders and athletes to reduce body fat and grow muscle due to its similar effects to drugs like ephedrine.It’s mainly used as a fat burner and to help increase muscle definition because of its potential to increase thermogenesis and metabolism. Clenbuterol is popularly used during cutting cycles to maximize fat loss. Check out my complete Clenbuterol cycle guide here.Anavar (Oxandrolone)Anavar is the well known brand name of Oxandrolone and is an androgen and anabolic steroid medically used for promoting weight gain after illness or injury, as well as for other conditions like osteoporosis and anemia.When it comes to bodybuilding, Oxandrolone is popular because it’s highly anabolic and minimally androgenic therefore it’s often chosen by those not wanting to use some of the more powerful steroids out there, including by women.Anavar does not require injections and is taken orally as a tablet, which is another attractive benefit for those new to using steroids. If you’re interested in running an Anavar cycle, check my full Anavar cycle guide.Proviron (Mesterolone)Mesterolone, under the brand name Proviron, dates way back to the 1930s when it was developed by a pharmaceutical company. This anabolic androgenic steroid is a useful cutting steroid for those who know how to make the most of this unique compound.While it can be used for mass gains, this steroid is mostly used in cutting cycles. Proviron is derived from dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and is used as an oral steroid.One of the downsides and reasons that this is not a widely used steroid is that compared with other oral compounds, Proviron has lower bioavailability. Proviron has relatively weak androgenic and estrogenic effects compared with other steroids, and can actually provide some mild anti-estrogenic benefits.Mesterolone is unlikely to play a star role in any stack, but one big benefit it can have even in a bulking stack is to increase the amount of free and available hormones from other steroids in the stack because this compound binds strongly to SHGB which can boost circulating free testosterone.Proviron is useful for cutting as not only can it help harden the muscles, but can also enhance that same effect from the other steroids in your stack. It also encourages fat burning thanks to its androgen receptor binding.Being quite anti-estrogenic, Proviron discourages water retention. This steroid comes with low side effect risks, with some androgenic effects being the main concern including the usual culprits like acne and hair loss in some individuals. The most serious potential side effect of Proviron relates to cholesterol and those with high cholesterol are advised to avoid this steroid. For more information check my in-depth Proviron cycle guide.Masteron (Drostanolone)Masteron was originally developed as a breast cancer medication. Bodybuilders make use of the compound Drostanolone as a powerful cutting steroid, especially those people involved in competitions where it is very popular in preparation cycles. This is another DHT derived steroid, but unlike Proviron, Masteron is injectable.There are two esters available, with propionate being more commonly used and more available than enanthate. As you might expect from a breast cancer drug, Masteron holds some valuable anti-estrogenic properties so estrogen related side effects are not a concern with this steroid. Without the worry about water retention, Masteron makes for an excellent cutting steroid with the ability to harden the physique.While not considered to be a bulking or muscle gain steroid, Masteron can improve strength exceptionally well making this a popular steroid with athletes who want both the performance enhancement and fat cutting benefits without building mass. Masteron is a steroid made for people who have already done considerable work in getting lean and toned, with this compound aiding in the final stages before competition where maximum hardness and detailed fat loss is required.Androgenic side effects like hair loss and acne are still possible with Masteron, but are considered mild compared with other steroids. Masteron is also usable by women when careful attention is paid to dosage to avoid virilization. The downside of Masteron also relates to cholesterol and the way this steroid decreases HDL and increases LDL, meaning your cholesterol levels must be monitored and maintained as well as possible through the diet and cardio exercise. For more information check my in-depth Masteron cycle guide.Halotestin (Fluoxymesterone)Halotestin is a unique testosterone-derived steroid in that it is extremely powerful with a sky high anabolic rating, has had many medical uses from muscle wasting to breast cancer, but is not mainly used by bodybuilders or athletes for bulking or cutting. It is mostly valued for its ability to provide incredible strength increases mostly through its activity on red blood cells.Despite the anabolic power of Fluoxymesterone, this is not known to be effective in humans and as a result we don’t get the muscle building effect from this steroid that you might otherwise expect of such a potent compound. What it can do however is boost fat loss and greatly increase performance.Despite the potentially very powerful benefits, Halotestin is not a very widely used steroid and this is mainly because of its quite extensive side effects. Aggression is a real issue with this steroid, so for those men who have a tendency towards a short fuse this is a steroid to avoid completely. Other men might be able to channel the heightened aggression and energy into workouts but this is a serious side effect that needs to be considered.For people who have a specific need for the specialized benefits that Halotestin can provide, it’s a steroid considered potent for short term use where you have a specific goal at the end, making it usable mostly by strength athletes and power lifters. There are no estrogenic side effects with Halotestin but strong androgenic effects are possible in men and the strong androgenic nature of this steroid make it unsuitable for use by females. For more information read my in-depth Halotestin cycle guide.Primobolan (Methenolone)Methenolone is a DHT derived steroid which is available in both oral and injectable forms, with the injectable known as Primobolan Depot. The injectable version is considered much more powerful than the oral form and as such is more popular amongst bodybuilders and performance athletes.The most beneficial effects of Primobolan include its ability to boost nitrogen retention and keep the body in an anabolic state, but despite this it is not considered as a mass building steroid. Primobolan is at its most valuable when used in a cutting cycle with enhanced nitrogen retention helping to retain muscle, and the potential for excellent fat loss through the process of lipolysis.One of the several medical conditions this steroid was used to treat was AIDS due to Primobolan positive effect on the immune system, making this a unique trait of this steroid.Strength enhancement is another effect of Primobolan, making this steroid useful for athletes outside the bodybuilding sphere. This can translate into boosted speed and power, as well as endurance and muscle recovery. Male athletes can benefit from these positive effects without the concern of gaining excess muscle which may not be desired physically or aesthetically.Primobolan is one of the few steroids that is highly usable by females in either oral or injectable form. While men are unlikely to see noticeable mass gains with this steroid, women will be more sensitive to the anabolic effects and can see some gains in weight.There are no estrogenic side effects with Methenolone making it a good cutting steroid without water retention. However strong androgenic side effects are possible, and women are advised to retain a low dose and short duration of use of this steroid. Click here for my full Primobolan cycle guide.Equipoise (Boldenone)This is a veterinary steroid used on debilitated horses to increase appetite and improve body and muscle condition. It is an injectable steroid that is long acting, has excellent anabolic properties and low androgenic activity.For the human bodybuilder, this is a steroid that provides great benefits in the areas of strength and lean mass, although mass gains can be slow and not at the level of more powerful bulking steroids. Those wanting moderate mass gains rather than extreme ones will enjoy Equipoise for this purpose.Some users of Equipoise report an increase in appetite while others experience no change to the appetite, indicating that effect is highly individualistic. Equipoise excels at cutting and is excellent at helping retain lean muscle and provide a general improvement in body conditioning. Strength improvements is an area that Equipoise provides great benefit, as is muscle endurance and recovery.While these are very useful for athletes, the downside of Equipoise is its long detection time of five months. Side effects to expect with this steroid include testosterone suppression, mild negative impact on cholesterol, and relatively low risk of androgenic effects in men like hair loss and acne.Equipoise has a low level of estrogenic activity so these side effects should be easy to control, but can include water retention and gynecomastia particularly when the steroid is used at higher doses. Equipoise can be used by women at low doses with low risk of virilization effects. Check out my complete Equipoise cycle guide.Turinabol (4-Chlorodehydromethyltestosterone)This steroid is similar in its structure to Dianabol as it is a chemical combination of Dianabol and Clostebol. It is more mild in its effects than Dianabol. Also known as Oral Turinabol, this steroid has a low androgenic rating and does not aromatize.This is a steroid that is not highly valued by bodybuilders, but more so by performance athletes thanks to Turinabol’s ability to enhance muscle endurance, strength and recovery. Noticeable gains in speed and power can be expected with this steroid, making it desirable for sports athletes which is why this steroid is notorious for its past use by East German Olympic athletes in the 1970’s and 1980’s.Turinabol provides its performance enhancing effects by increasing red blood cell count which gets more oxygen and nutrients to the muscles; further boosting their endurance and power. Increasing protein synthesis and nitrogen retention result in heightened anabolic activity so lean muscle is retained.Side effects of Turinabol include a high risk of negative impact on cholesterol and suppression of natural testosterone production. Androgenic are unlikely but possible and can include acne and baldness. Water retention and other estrogenic side effects are not an issue with this steroid, making it useful as part of a cutting cycle. Check out my complete Turinabol cycle guide.Steroids Half-Lives? What is a Half-Life?The elimination half-life of any drug or substance, including steroids, is a measure of how long it takes for a 50% reduction of the steroid concentration to remain in the blood or body. Knowing the half life of a steroid you’re taking makes it easy to plan your cycles, know which steroids to use and how long you should use them for.It will also allow you to know what’s happening in your body if you’re faced with substance testing. The half life of a steroid remains the same no matter what your dosage is or how long you’ve been using it. The following is a list of the most popular anabolic steroids and their half-lives:COMPOUND ACTIVE HALF-LIFE DETECTION TIMEAnadrol 8 to 9 hours 8 weeksSustanon 250 15-18 days 3 monthsDeca-Durabolin 15 days 18 monthsDianabol 4.5 to 6 hours 6 weeksAnavar 9 hours 3 weeksWinstrol 9 hours 3 weeksWinstrol Depot 1 day 9 weeksTestosterone Cypionate 12 days 3 monthsTestosterone Enanthate 10.5 days 3 monthsTestosterone Propionate 3-4.5 days 2 weeksTestosterone Suspension 1 day 1-2 daysTrenbolone Acetate 3 days 5 monthsTrenbolone Enanthate 8 days 5 monthsClenbuterol 1.5 days 4-6 daysProviron 12 hours 5-6 weeksMasteron 3-4 days 3 weeksSuperdrol 6 to 8 hours 8-10 weeksHalotestin 9.5 hours 2 monthsPrimobolan Oral 2-3 days 4-5 weeksPrimobolan Depot 10.5 days 5 weeksEquipoise 14 days 4-5 monthsTurinabol 16 hours 11-12 monthsArimidex* 2-3 days 2 weeksClomid* 5-7 days 2 monthsLetrozole* 2-4 days 2 weeksNolvadex* 7-14 days 2 monthsNote: Clomid (Clomiphene Citrate), Nolvadex (Tamoxifen), Arimidex (Anastrozole) and Letrozole (Femara) are ancillaries usually used during a post-cycle therapy (PCT).Half life length can vary considerably between different steroid types. For example, Deca-Durabolin has a long half life of 15 days, while Winstrol has a very short half life of just 9 hours. Steroids with a longer half life take longer to withdraw from compared to those with shorter half lives.Cycling, Stacking, and Pyramiding SteroidsThese are three of the usage methods or patterns that can be applied to steroid use. The one you select will depend on what goals you have, with bodybuilders and athletes requiring different methods to achieve the maximum possible effect.Cycling SteroidsCycling is used by people who know exactly what they want to achieve and when, as well as when they want to be steroid-free when it comes to being tested.Cycling is essentially an on-off strategy and one of the big reasons it’s done is to avoid the diminishing effects of steroids after they’ve been continually taken for around two months, where muscle gain can start to slow. Cycling requires a plan as you’ll be deciding how long you want to take the steroid for, and how long the break in between will be when you stop using it.A cycle can range anywhere from a few weeks up to several months of usage, followed by a period of time with either no steroid use at all, or using at a lower dosage. Your cycle length will depend on your experience with steroids, which steroid you’re taking, and what goals you’re trying to achieve.Stacking SteroidsBulking, cutting, strength and performance are the big reasons that anyone uses anabolic steroids.You might have one or more of these goals, but ultimately what you want to achieve from your steroid cycles is going to determine what you take and how you take them. Bulking and cutting while retaining muscle mass are two areas I focus on below with these steroid stack examples.As you would expect, added benefits like increased strength, endurance and performance are going to come with the use of these compounds which is ultimately what helps you break through all your plateaus and previous records at the gym once you’re on a cycle.More experienced steroid users might try stacking and as you might guess, this involves using more than one type of steroid at a time. Combining two or more steroids that each have different actions or effects on the body is one way of attempting to achieve a much more powerful result.One of the main steroid stacking strategies is to stack a short acting and long acting steroid, or to combine oral and injectable steroids in a stack. Stacking steroids comes with greater potential results but also with increased risks, and these also need to be considered.Pyramiding SteroidsJust like the shape of a pyramid, this method is centered on beginning with a low dose and gradually increasing your steroid dosage so that your peak dose is in the middle of the cycle. This is the top of the pyramid, after which you then begin gradually decreasing the dosage until you get back to zero.Unlike cycling where you might abruptly stop using steroids completely at the end of a cycle, pyramiding allowed you to slowly taper off. One of the main reasons users choose the pyramid method is to help adjust to higher doses while trying to avoid overloading the natural hormone system of the body and giving it time to readjust when the dosage is lowered in the second part of the pyramid.Cycle LengthHow long should you run your steroid cycles for? This will depend on several factors but the main ones are going to be which steroid compound (or compounds) you want to use, and what your overall goals are (plus if you expect to be faced with any sort of drug testing at any stage).Short Cycles (2-4 weeks)Lasting just two or three weeks, a short cycle can be useful at two extreme ends – either for getting very rapid gains by essentially blasting the body with very high doses (not recommended for any beginner), or if you’re happy with some steady but slower gains without overloading your body with substances.The benefit of the latter is, when done with 3 or 4 weeks off cycle, a short and steady cycle reduces health and side effects risks to the lowest possible level.Medium Cycles (6-8 weeks)A 6 to 8 weeks cycle is useful for gaining lean mass or cutting over a moderate period of time where you put in serious diet and gym work, while allowing to run around 3 cycles per year with adequate time during the off cycle period without the risk of diminishing gains which can happen if you’re cycle extends for too long.This time frame also reduces side effects, although this will heavily depend on what compounds you’re using. Medium cycles do restrict you to making the gains you want during these few weeks so you’ll be fairly limited to faster acting compounds. Testosterone propionate injections are often the ester of choice for a medium cycle.Standard Cycles (10-12 weeks)Lasting from 10 to 12 weeks, standard cycle lengths are suited to new steroid users as well as those with more experience, with benefits for both bulking and cutting depending on you goals and which steroid compounds you’re using.This period of time is considered optimal because it allows you to make gains for the longest possible time, until you reach the point where gaining muscle starts to diminish and plateau, and potentially stop altogether. This eliminates any wasting of time (and steroids) if your body is not going to make gains – instead allowing you to go off cycle and clear your system in preparation for the start of the next cycle.Long Cycles (3-9 months)This is only recommended for long-time, highly experienced or older users who have no concern about natural testosterone levels. Some people believe that very long cycles ranging from 3 to 9 months can bring about permanent gains.Testosterone enanthate or cypionate are the compounds most commonly used in a long cycle. As expected, the heightened risk of serious side effects of these extra long steroid cycles makes it a strategy that shouldn’t be taken lightly.Beginner Steroid CycleWhich compounds to use for my beginner steroid cycle?Selecting a shorter half life steroid as your first makes it easier to get over any initial side effects when the steroid eliminates from your system sooner. Striking a balance between effective results and mild side effects is important for a beginner. That means keeping the dosage moderate and carefully considering which compounds to use first.The biggest factor you’re probably thinking about is “Do I go orals or injectables?“.Orals are no doubt much less daunting than injecting for the first time, but it does significantly limit the compounds you’ll be able to use, plus how long you’ll be able to use it. While orals are easier to take, they come with toxic side effects to the liver so.Whichever form you decide to use for your beginner cycle, your next step is to figure out which steroid compounds you’re going to kick things off with. Here are some of my favorite cycles for beginners:Testosterone only cycleTestosterone only cycle will help keep your testosterone levels up if you’re going to be using other steroids in your cycle that can suppress test levels. The goal of using Test enanthate is to retain your testosterone levels at the highest possible level throughout your cycle, so dosage across the cycle can vary but as a beginner you’ll be looking at using up to 500mg each week. This compound boosts production of red blood cells and gives noticeable gains in muscle mass and endurance.Dianabol only cycleDianabol only cycle is a common beginner choice because it’s an oral compound, so it’s simple to take and helps you avoid injecting. You’ll only be doing a 6 week cycle on Dianabol to avoid liver toxicity. You will also need to watch out for androgenic side effects and considering taking aromatase inhibitor drugs alongside it to reduce estrogen and minimize these side effects. A big benefit to Dbol as a beginner cycle choice is its very short half life, so if you change your mind it won’t take long to exit your system.Nandrolone only cycleA cycle of Nandrolone for your first beginner attempt puts you in a class of steroids that are very popular but does require intramuscular injections. As a beginner cycle, you will want to start at a half dose twice a week, then increase the dose to the full level of 200mg as a weekly injection.Beginners need to remember that steroids are not going to build muscle or give you massive strength on their own: your results will come down to your dedication in the gym, to your diet and how hard you’re willing to train to get the absolute maximum results your body is capable of with the use of steroids.Side effects from your first steroid cycleIt’s really important to play close attention to how you’re responding to the effects of steroids after you start taking them.You’ll soon notice which, if any, particular side effects are going to start causing issues for you, and it won’t necessarily be the same effect that you’ve heard of someone else experiencing with the same steroid: every person is different.It’s the androgenic type side effects from some steroids that you’ve probably heard about often: oily skin, acne, anger issues. Not everyone will experience these side effects, with some guys being more prone to them.If you’ve never had acne in your life you’re less likely to get it after using steroids compared with someone who had massive breakouts in his teens. The same goes with baldness and whether there’s a genetic predisposition for it in your family history.Advanced Steroid CycleAdvanced cycles are only to be considered if you’ve been doing less powerful cycles for some time and have got a comfortable grip on what effect certain steroids have on your body, and have gained the confidence that you’re ready to move up the ranks to a more advanced user of steroid compounds.A more advanced steroid cycle might consist of several steroid compounds; in essence a stack that is used on a cycle schedule. A common example of this could be combining Testosterone (cypionate or enanthate), Deca, Dianabol and Anavar.Consider this advanced bulking cycle: A 16 week cycle consisting of 1000mg of Testosterone weekly, 600mg of Deca weekly, 70mg of Dianabol per day for the first 5 weeks, which is then stopped and substituted with Anavar from week 6 to 16 at 100mg daily. As with all cycles, post cycle therapy is critical.Common Side Effects of Steroid UseThere’s no denying that using any steroid is going to put you at risk of some side effects. You can reduce the risk of unwanted side effects by using steroids in lower doses, however there is no way to completely eliminate both the mild and potentially dangerous risks involved in using anabolic steroids. Some of the common side effects people experience include:Fluid retentionDue to the quick increases in muscle gain that anabolic steroids product, soft or bloated looking muscle can occur because of fluid retention. Water retention can also make your face look bloated.Acne and oily skinIf you were prone to acne before starting steroids, you’re more likely to experience this as a side effect in addition to acne related conditions like oily skin as well as noticeably more oily hair. The acne can become severe for some people. The skin’s oil glands are more susceptible to infection and inflammation because of the steroid’s effects on the sebaceous glands.Mood swings, irritability and angerHeavy use of anabolic steroids is known to heighten the risk of negative emotional and behavioral changes like aggressiveness and mood swings. This has been linked to the term “roid rage” and can, in severe cases, has a disastrous effect on personal relationships, employment and other aspects of life.Sleep difficultyResearch has found that many people who use anabolic androgenic steroids reporting experiencing a sleep disorder, and one sleep study showed that steroid users are prone to reduced efficiency of sleep and alterations to normal sleep patterns.Premature baldnessUsing androgenic steroids can induce male pattern baldness in young guys who are predisposed to it – so if your dad has a receding hair line then you’re at a higher risk of this side effect no matter how young ,Mood swings, irritability and angerHeavy use of anabolic steroids is known to heighten the risk of negative emotional and behavioral changes like aggressiveness and mood swings. This has been linked to the term “roid rage” and can, in severe cases, has a disastrous effect on personal relationships, employment and other aspects of life.Sleep difficultyResearch has found that many people who use anabolic androgenic steroids reporting experiencing a sleep disorder, and one sleep study showed that steroid users are prone to reduced efficiency of sleep and alterations to normal sleep patterns.Premature baldnessUsing androgenic steroids can induce male pattern baldness in young guys who are predisposed to it – so if your dad has a receding hair line then you’re at a higher risk of this side effect no matter how young you are.GynecomastiaOtherwise known as the dreaded man boobs or simply as gyno, this is an enlargement of the breast tissue in males. A method of reducing or eliminating the risk of gyno when using steroids is to make use of anti-aromatase and anti-estrogen substances. Once gynecomastia is allowed to develop, you can’t reverse the effects except with surgery, so it’s critical you get on top of any signs of breast enlargement as soon as you notice it, including sensitivity and itching of the area which are usually the first noticeable signs.Testicular atrophyNo guy wants shrunken testicles, but this is a real side effect risk with some anabolic steroids because of the massive boost of synthetic testosterone you’re getting, which tells the body it doesn’t need to keep producing testosterone the natural way – via the testicles. So they start shrinking. It’s not just the size that reduces though, with sperm count also decreasing bringing about reduced fertility. This is one of the most dreaded of all side effects from steroid use.The most severe side effects that heavy and long term users of steroids are at risk of can extend to liver damage, kidney cancer, stroke and heart attack.COMPOUND SIDE EFFECTS GAINS*Testosterone Edema, acne, hair loss, gyno Moderate-HighSustanon 250 Acne, liver, nausea, gyno Moderate-HighDianabol Hair loss, edema, gyno, liver ModerateAnadrol 50 Liver, edema, gynecomastia Moderate-HighDeca-Durabolin Slight edema Moderate-HighTrenbolone Oily skin, acne, hair loss Moderate-HighAnavar Liver damage Low-ModerateWinstrol Liver damage ModerateClenbuterol Insomnia, headache, nausea ModerateHalotestin Liver damage Low-ModeratePrimobolan Depot Testicular atrophy Low-ModerateNote: “Gains” defines how much muscle mass you’ll put on.If you’re a male in your late teen and early 20s who is still physically developing you have a higher risk of negative side effects like acne and scarring, stunted growth, stretch marks and aged skin.Stopping the use of a steroid cycle or quitting steroids altogether can bring about depression, tiredness, weight loss and loss of strength while your body takes several months to build testosterone levels back to where they naturally should be.Post Cycle Therapy (PCT) After Your First CycleBeginners might overlook the necessity of PCT after a steroid cycle, but post cycle therapy is just as important as the cycle itself. Steroids cause havoc with the body’s natural processes, including testosterone and other hormone production, so once you come off a cycle you need to encourage your body to begin producing hormones naturally again, without relying on artificial steroids.PCT is important both for preventing steroid side effects as well as for helping maintain the muscle gains you’ve made during your cycle. But when to start your PCT protocol after ceasing your cycle? Here is a quick reference table:COMPOUND WHEN TO START AFTER LAST ADMISSION DURATION OF PCTTestosterone Enanthate 2 weeks 3-4 weeksTestosterone Cypionate 2 weeks 3-4 weeksTestosterone Propionate 3 days 3 weeksTestosterone Suspension 6-8 hours 3 weeksSustanon 250 3 weeks 3-4 weeksWinstrol 12 hours 2-3 weeksDianabol 6-8 hours 3 weeksTrenbolone Acetate 3 days 4 weeksDeca-Durabolin 3 weeks 4 weeksSuperdrol 6-8 hours 3 weeksAnavar 8-10 hours 2-3 weeksAnadrol 8-9 hours 2-3 weeksPrimobolan Depot 2 weeks 3 weeksEquipoise 17-21 days 3 weeksPCT usually lasts between 3 to 6 weeks or a little longer. These are some of the most common PCT drugs people use for their post-cycle therapy:Clomid PCT: 50mg/day for 3 weeks (or 100mg/day first 10 days, then 50mg/day for 10 more days)Nolvadex PCT: 40mg/day week 1-2 and 20mg/day week 3-4Making PCT a critical part of every steroid cycle is a habit you will need to get into, starting from your very first cycle as a beginner. These and other PCT drugs come with their own potential side effects so always do your research before deciding which ones to use. Check out my full comprehensive PCT cycle guide to fully understand what is required for a productive post cycle therapy.Common Q&A Related to Your First Steroid CycleWhen you’re new to steroids you are likely to have a lot of questions. Below are some of the most common questions I see being asked by people considering using steroids for the first time.What are anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS)?These are steroids which are synthetic derivatives of testosterone which give similar effects to that male hormone. Because testosterone is so critical in the process building of muscle and strength, taking AAS substances substantially boosts your ability to gain muscle mass, burn fat, and recover faster. The androgenic side of some of these steroids can result in masculinizing side effects which is why advanced users aim to use steroid types that have more powerful anabolic effects, and reduced androgenic effects.Is it safe to inject steroids? Does it hurt?Maintaining common sense hygiene and safety practices ensures you won’t be risking your health with any sort of infections when using steroid injections. When it comes to the best location for your injections – as a beginner it’s often recommended to start at one of the biggest muscles – the buttock area. The top right or left area is the gluteus maximus muscle and is going to be the least painful location. To avoid pain and irritation, rotate your injection sites each time and don’t inject into the same muscle without letting it recover.How to inject steroids?Steroids are injected intramuscularly – directly into the muscle – and not intravenously. Learning how to inject steroids properly and safely is critical if you are to gain confidence in using this form of androgen and anabolic steroid.Like doing anything for the first time, injecting steroids will take some time to become used to. But you can significantly decrease your risks of having anything going wrong just by following some basic safety and common sense procedures, by taking your time the first few times. It won’t be long until you feel confident with injecting.Hygiene is critical: wash your hands, only used new and sterile needles and clean the injection site with an antibacterial cleanser both before and after injecting. And it goes without saying – don’t share needles.Steroids are injected straight into your muscle. Choosing the best muscle or the one you are most comfortable with is something you’ll want to think about as there are pros and cons to selecting various muscles.The glutes are large muscles with less nerves and are a popular newbie choice, despite the fact you need to twist to get into position – after a few times this will become easier. Other muscle injecting sites include the thigh which is easily accessible, plus the deltoids, triceps and biceps. Injection sites should be rotated so each location can recover.You might feel tense on your first few injection attempts, but it’s important to remain calm and allow the muscle to relax. Once you’ve drawn up your measured dose into the syringe, place it over your injection site.You’ll want to be sure you haven’t hit a vein and the best way to do that is to pull back on the plunger to see if any blood is extracted. If so, try another spot (using a new needle if you wish). Once you’re happy with the location, push down on the syringe plunger at a steady pace: not too fast.Once you’ve removed the needle, swab the site for a for a minute and ensure it’s kept clean. The better your injecting technique becomes, the less risk of soreness you’ll experience. For more information read my in-depth steroid injections guide.What age should I start using steroids?Many people think it is a waste to begin using steroids use below age 30, and particularly below age 25 because natural testosterone levels are so high during this time that you should be making the most of it. Older guys who are seeing a natural decrease in testosterone as they age will often turn to steroids to maintain the positive benefits of testosterone – including gaining muscle, but most also note a significant boost in all over mental and physical well being so long as the steroids are not abused.What should my diet and training be like when I’m on a steroid cycle?Plenty of protein is a must while on a cycle since steroids boost protein synthesis which in turn is what builds muscle. You want to maintain your fuel and never allow the muscles to become depleted. The better you eat while on a cycle, the better your results will be.The same goes for your training: while on a cycle your body is ready to be pushed to the maximum limit. Your gains will come on thick and fast, but only those who are dedicated to lifting the heaviest weights and pushing through the toughest reps until absolute muscle exhaustion will reap the maximum potential benefits that can be had by using steroids.What is an ester?Ester is a chemistry term relating to the modification of compounds. This gives us varying forms of similar steroids: for example, there are multiple types of testosterone esters which are very similar in chemical structure, but with slight differences which are enough to give each ester a different effect on the body. There are dozens of testosterone esters but only a few are commonly used by AAS users.Should I take anti-estrogen drugs with steroids?Some steroids can increase the female hormone estrogen by bringing about an imbalance in hormones that leads to the aromatase enzyme converting too much testosterone into estrogen, causing distressing side effects. For this reason, users of steroids that are known to have this effects will make use of anti-estrogen drugs known as aromatase inhibitors. Many of these are cancer medications made for women and are not always simple to get your hands on.What is gyno?Short for gynecomastia – male breast growth which is a common side effect of some steroid use. If too much estrogen conversion happens, gyno comes about and it’s not reversible besides with surgery like liposuction. This swelling of the breast tissue is one of the most visible and embarrassing potential side effects of steroid use and undoubtably one that guys to great lengths to try and prevent. Anadrol and Dianabol are two of the steroids known to come with a higher risk of gyno development.Will steroids give me acne or make me bald?Male pattern baldness and acne type skin conditions are certainly two possible side effects of anabolic steroid use. Out of the two, acne is considered the more common side effect, with baldness being higher risk if your male ancestors passed on baldness genes.Acne comes about due to increased activity of the oil producing sebaceous glands thanks to the androgen effects of some steroids. One study found that over 40% of anabolic and androgenic steroid users experienced acne, particularly on the face and back. The good news is that acne can disappear once you stop the steroid, however baldness is more permanent.Will steroids affect my sex drive?A boost of the libido is common when using AAS compounds. Many guys notice a concerning drop in their sex drive after stopping steroids. This is due to the body’s natural testosterone production being significantly reduced or stopping altogether, which is why post cycle therapy is so important once you come off a steroid cycle as you aim to get your natural hormone levels back to normal. For more information see my erectile dysfunction treatment guide.How fast do anabolic steroids work?Every steroid is different when it comes to how quick you can start seeing results, and your training and diet regime will play a significant role in how big you’re going to get and how fast you’ll get there. Injectable steroids naturally work much faster than orals like Dianabol. For most steroids you are looking at a few weeks, which is why you need to stick to a recommended cycle length according to which AAS you’re going to use.What happens when you stop taking steroids?Although anabolic steroids are not drugs that brings about physical addiction, users can experience mood swings, anxiety, depression and other negative effects when stopping steroid use due to a sudden hormonal imbalance and low testosterone. Steroids with a longer half life take longer to withdraw from. This is why it’s critical to work on restoring the natural hormone balance after using AAS compounds.If you'd like more real, NO-BS information on using steroids be sure to check out Straight From the Underground (my recommended underground steroid guide). Everything in this book is a real-life experience, not theory.

Ibuprofen is used to relieve pain from various conditions such as headache, dental pain, menstrual cramps, muscle aches, or arthritis. It is also used to reduce fever and to relieve minor aches and pain due to the common cold or flu. Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It works by blocking your body's production of certain natural substances that cause inflammation. This effect helps to decrease swelling, pain, or fever.No,it won’t stop you getting a cold.The old joke about colds is if you go to the Doctor it will take a week to get well,if you treat it yourself,it will take only 7 days.The following article by a Doctor gives some insight into what he believes is a common food that is aggravating Common Cold conditions,and a simple remedy found in most people’s kitchen cupboard that will alleviate some of the worst symptoms of a head cold in about 4 hours when used as directed.After this article,which is quite a long and involved read for the uninitiated,I have included another article about Iodine.Iodine the AntisepticIodine is by far the best antibiotic,antiviral and antiseptic of all time.Dr. David DerryINSTANT CURE OF THE COMMON COLDby Walter LastThere is an intimate connection between lactose as in milk products and the common cold. Earlier biochemists must have known something that modern biochemists have forgotten and the medical profession has never known when they named oxidized galactose 'mucic acid'. I found this out 30 years ago while researching health problems related to lactose.Lactose or milk-sugar consists of one molecule each of glucose and galactose linked together. Glucose, of course, is our main muscle fuel. Babies need galactose as an important building block of the brain, the central nervous system and several proteins. Because of our bigger and more complex brain mother's milk is even higher in lactose than animal milk to ensure that the baby obtains sufficient galactose.In later life, very little galactose is needed and this can easily be synthesized from other sugars. Therefore, most of the ingested galactose is converted to glucose in the liver and used as body fuel. However the amount that can be converted is rather limited, even in a healthy liver.This conversion is a slow and complex process requiring four different enzymes. One of these enzymes is sometimes missing from birth, giving rise to a condition known as galactosaemia. In this case continued milk-feeding leads to a build-up of galactose in the baby and causes cataracts, cirrhosis of the liver and spleen, and mental retardation.If the liver is not healthy or fully functional, it is even less able to convert galactose. This fact has sometimes been used as a clinical liver-function test. If galactose is injected into someone with a defective liver, most of the galactose will be unused and will show up later in the urine.Mucic AcidUnfortunately, under normal conditions only part of the galactose is expelled with the urine. If there is a deficiency of protective antioxidants, then the rest is mainly oxidized to galactaric acid, commonly known as mucic acid. Mucic acid is dangerous to health because it is insoluble. The body cannot let it build up in vital areas and block organ functions or blood circulation. Therefore, it forms the mucic acid into a sticky suspension in water, called mucus.Thus mucic acid is a main component of pathogenic (disease-producing) mucus. This is very different from endogenous mucus which the body secretes to protect the surface of its mucous membranes, or which is produced in response to the irritation caused by microbes and inflammations. Mucus can also be produced due to high fat levels in the lymph fluid, and may be noticed as a 'lump' in the throat. But none of these have the acid-irritating properties of mucic acid.The really important difference between mucic acid and endogenous mucus is as follows: endogenous mucus is produced on the outside of the mucous membranes to protect them from damaging environmental influences, while mucic acid is dissolved in the lymphatic fluid. It accumulates on the inside of the mucous membranes and wants to get out.It is the chief function of the lymphatic system to remove a dangerous substance such as mucic acid from areas of vital importance and transport it to the organs of elimination. It is too dangerous to dispose of through the kidneys, or with bile through the liver, as it would block their outlets, but it has a special affinity for the mucous membranes that line the insides of our body openings. Of prime importance, are the lungs, the respiratory tract and the hollow head spaces, the sinuses and the Eustachian tube (a passage between the mouth and the inner ear).Mucic acid may also accumulate in these hollow spaces and block their outlets until external factors help to sensitize the mucous membranes sufficiently to allow the mucus to pass through. This is relatively easy in young individuals and those who are over-acid or with a poor sugar metabolism as they have high levels of histamine and inflammatory adrenal hormones. Even minor irritations of the mucous membranes, be it from cold air, dust, air pollution, pollen or germs, will sensitize these to let some of the mucic acid flow out.Such mucus cleansing may be experienced periodically as a cold, hay fever, wet cough or running nose. In others, the accumulation of mucus, which provides a favourable breeding ground for germs, causes chronic infections in specific areas such as the sinuses, the middle ears, the respiratory tract and the lungs. This may result in a permanent trickle of mucus through the affected mucous membranes.With a high lactose intake, the lymph channels and lymph glands are usually congested with mucic acid as well. This allows influenza and other infections to spread from the sensitized mucous membranes into the mucus-filled hollow head spaces and into the lymphatic system, causing lymph gland swellings and inflammations.I have found in many people that the number of colds, influenza and other respiratory infections can be varied at will from none to several per year just by varying the lactose intake. Mucic acid congestion is also the dominant cause of ear infections or glue ear and hearing problems, mainly in children, and especially in Aboriginal children who seem to be inherently very low in the liver enzymes required to convert galactose to glucose.A friend described to me her visit to an Aboriginal school in Central Australia: " Pretty much all the children had glue ear, and thick green running noses; as they didn't own hankies it was very obvious. In every classroom the teacher was provided with a special microphone as at least 80% of the children were believed to have hearing loss. It was very sad to see - and preventable if they were allowed to return to the bush and their bush food!!! Many processed foods these days have hidden skim milk added, even to things that don't need it - you have to read the fine print."In most cases it is not a lactose allergy but a galactose overload that is responsible for this excessive mucus. While in the case of those suffering from cow's milk allergy somewhat more lactose may be tolerated when it comes from goat's milk, in most individuals the lactose in goat's milk or in tablets will be equally as mucus-forming as that from cow's milk. If commercial products with added lactase (the lactose-splitting enzyme) are being used by lactase-deficient adults, then this is likely to generate more mucic acid congestion and other health problems in these individuals.The Common ColdIt is generally said that without treatment the common cold lasts on average 7 days and with treatment it lasts about one week. This light-hearted quip hides the enormous health damage caused by the common cold, or more specifically by its treatment. It is estimated that the common cold accounts for about 40% of time taken off work and millions of school days missed by children each year. But this is only the tip of the iceberg. The main damage is caused by antibiotic treatment. While not as excessively used at present as it was in the past, it is still quite common despite the medical knowledge that it is not effective against viruses that cause the cold. The rationale used to be that patients wanted something to be done, and also that it may prevent a potential bacterial co-infection of the lower respiratory tract.As the common cold is the most frequent infectious disease in humans with the average adult contracting two to four infections a year and the average child getting between 6–12 colds, it is obvious that this amounts to a huge overall prescription of antibiotics. I regard this widespread use of antibiotics as a main cause of diseases in our society (see www.health-science-spirit.com/medicaldisease.html). This is due to the disruptive influence of antibiotics on our intestinal flora with a resulting overgrowth of pathogenic microbes, especially Candida and other fungi. These factors are the basic underlying cause impairing our immune system, and leading to asthma, allergies and autoimmune diseases as well as contributing to the development of cancer, especially of the blood and lymph system.According to medical theory, the nasal mucus congestion of the common cold is caused by the rhinovirus, and elaborate rituals have been devised to stop or minimize its transmission between individuals. Once I was warned by a friend, who was a medical doctor, not to come close as she had a cold. I told her that is not how it works and that I cannot "catch" her cold. To prove it I asked her to blow her nose and give me the wet tissue. I then wiped that into my nostrils, and sure enough, I did not catch her cold. I also believe that when we cannot catch a cold, we cannot catch influenza either. In the 30 years since I became aware of mucic acid I have not had influenza.The only commercial remedy that has shown a real effect in shortening the common cold is zinc, and most effective is zinc acetate as patented by George Eby (www.coldcure.com). Each lozenge releases 18 mg of zinc and needs to be dissolved in the mouth. You can make zinc acetate by dissolving zinc oxide in vinegar. But there is a non-commercial remedy that is even more effective than zinc lozenges, and that is the sugar cure.The Sugar CureKeep a teaspoonful of sugar in the mouth and move it around slightly until it is dissolved after a minute or two, then spit it out and take another teaspoonful. Fine sugar is best for this purpose as it dissolves faster. Continue with this for several hours until the cold symptoms, such as mucus congestion of the nose and sinuses, have disappeared and you can easily breathe through the nose. This also tends to remove any headaches and other discomfort.I have found that a heavy cold can be stopped in about 4 hours using this method - a light cold may require less time. For influenza or other persistent mucus congestion this may have to be repeated for several days. The sugar draws mucus dissolved in lymph fluid into the mouth and so gradually clears the head spaces. As a precaution, if you feel that you are susceptible to getting colds, or if you have a runny nose or other congestion of head spaces, you may use the sugar cure for one or two hours and repeat it once a week or as required.Sugar held in the mouth does not damage the teeth as it is too concentrated for bacterial activity, just like pure honey applied to wounds. It is only after one stops the sugar cure, and remaining sugar gets sufficiently diluted in the mouth that it will encourage bacterial growth, but by then one can rinse the mouth with water. Someone who cannot or does not want to use sugar may also try salt instead, or mix salt with sugar, or use honey.The effectiveness of the sugar cure shows that it is not the rhinovirus that is the main factor in triggering a cold but rather the presence of mucic acid congestion. This is also confirmed by findings that some individuals are carriers of this virus without getting a cold, while in others cold symptoms may be triggered by cold air without the presence of viruses.While antimicrobial treatment may ease any symptoms attributable to the virus, as with zinc acetate, it does not stop the typical mucus discharge of a cold until the congestion has been cleared. Nevertheless, with a heavy cold, influenza and other respiratory infections it may be beneficial, in addition to the sugar cure, to use an antimicrobial such as MMS or Lugol's solution for a day or two before switching to high doses of vitamin C.Using the sugar cure periodically is especially important for elderly individuals who are or have been regularly using milk products and now have a respiratory disease, hearing problems such as deafness, or eye diseases such as cataracts or glaucoma, or poor blood circulation to the brain and dementia, or a combination of any of these. As they are no longer protected by frequent colds they either need to avoid lactose-containing products or regularly use the sugar cure. With chronic congestion of the head spaces and respiratory system it is advisable to use in addition other home remedies for draining mucus, such as postural drainage, nasal irrigation and steam inhalations.Related DiseasesMucic acid is the underlying cause of some related diseases, especially affecting the respiratory tract, the sinuses, and the inner ears. In this context frequent colds may be seen as a safety valve which prevents or averts more serious health problems due to the accumulation of mucic acid.Asthma and sinus congestion seem to result mainly from a combination of mucic acid accumulation and sensitivity to moulds as caused by intestinal dysbiosis (overgrowth of the intestinal tract with pathogenic microbes). I remember a patient who was fond of yogurt and, for health reasons, prepared it from skim-milk powder. This produces yogurt with a much higher lactose content than yogurt from full-fat milk. When I persuaded her to use somewhat less yogurt and prepare it only from whole milk without additional skim-milk powder, her asthma disappeared for good. The asthma-causing skim-milk yogurt provided approximately 50 grams of lactose per day, while she was asthma-free on whole-milk yogurt with about 5 to 10 grams of lactose daily.Lung irritation caused by accumulated mucic acid also means that the lungs are more prone to be affected by food allergies and chemicals. This could result in inflammatory swellings of the bronchial tubes. The mucic acid sensitized mucous membranes of asthmatics also react strongly to air pollutants such as smoke, pollen and sulphur dioxide. Mucus congestion in the lungs allows bacteria to infiltrate. Some strains of these bacteria convert sugars into alginic acid - another type of sticky mucus. Commonly, where there is intestinal dysbiosis combined with Candida overgrowth, the linings of the lungs can become sensitized to airborne moulds. Also dead teeth may induce mucus congestion. With all lung diseases mucic acid congestion must be strictly avoided.A runny nose can usually be stopped simply by avoiding milk and yogurt. The same underlying cause may lead to hay fever in certain individuals, with pollen taking on the role of the rhinovirus in irritating the mucous membranes inside the nose. In this case the sugar cure may need to be used repeatedly even after avoiding lactose intake.Influenza is similar to a heavy cold, but with a much stronger viral infection. I believe the main reason for this stronger infection is the overacidity and more extensive mucus congestion of the lymph system which now provides a breeding ground for the influenza virus. A main effect of this is the depletion of the body stores of vitamin C which then causes the feeling of exhaustion along with muscular aches and pains. Therefore, in addition to the sugar cure, use 10 grams or more of vitamin C and, in case of vomiting and diarrhoea, plenty of juices or other fluids that supply potassium and sodium. With all infections it also helps if there is a good supply of the minerals magnesium, selenium, iodine, and zinc.Leukaemia may well be another consequence of a lymphatic system that is badly congested with mucic acid. It is especially striking that the incidence of leukaemia among 2-3 year olds is 4 times greater than that of 1 year olds and nearly 10 times greater than that of 19 year olds (http://seer.cancer.gov/publications/childhood/leukemia.pdf). This closely matches the use of cow's milk for these age groups as well as the reduced need for galactose as children grow older.A key problem with cow’s milk may be the lack of enzymes due to pasteurization. It may not be a coincidence either that Nathan Pritikin, famous for his much-publicized diet to prevent cardiovascular diseases, developed leukaemia. The original Pritikin diet was very high in skim-milk products. I suspect that mucic acid also contributes greatly to lymph cancer. Galactose overload is also linked to cancer of the ovaries.Leukaemia stands in between the acute mucus-related infections of childhood and the chronic degenerative diseases that commonly develop with advancing age. Because our metabolism and immune system slow down as we become older, our mucous membranes tend to become rather insensitive. As a result, mucus release through colds and runny noses becomes rare, and most of the mucic acid remains stored in the body. This may then lead to respiratory disease, deafness, cataracts and possibly dementia.Even infants may develop cataracts when they cannot convert galactose to glucose. Therefore, galactose overload is also an important cause of cataracts in adults. Besides cataracts, there are other diseases that are usually considered to be typical for the aging body, but that may occur prematurely in infants with galactosaemia. These include liver degeneration, edema and reduced memory, dementia or senility, the latter being equivalent to mental retardation in infants with galactosaemia.Mucus congestion may also contribute to degenerative lung diseases such as emphysema. Sometimes the lungs simply fill up with mucus. A young man once died in my presence because his lungs and breathing passage were filled with sticky mucus. He literally drowned in it. With each breath I could hear the air bubbling up through the mucus. Not surprisingly, he was of indigenous (Maori) descent.The Medical Hygiene HypothesisModern medicine has invented the hygiene hypothesis to explain the greatly increased incidence of infections, allergies and autoimmune diseases in contemporary society. This says that the reason for this dramatic increase is our rather sterile way of living, with children being no longer exposed to the full range of environmental microbes so that they can build up an immunity to them in early life. While there is some truth to this, the main reason is more likely to be iatrogenic - caused by the medical system.When the intestinal flora of a baby or its mother has been damaged by antibiotics or by being raised on pasteurized milk, then the immune system is so compromised that exposure to a lot of different pathogenic microbes will only make the condition worse. Therefore, the massive amounts of antibiotics used over the decades in the treatment of the common cold and related respiratory infections will be a key reason for the present steep rise in allergies and autoimmune diseases. This goes hand in hand with the medical promotion of pasteurized cow’s milk, and especially of high-lactose skim milk products, as desirable food.In contrast, the success of the sugar cure in protecting us from the common cold and possibly influenza and respiratory infections shows an important principle of natural medicine: if we remove the cellular metabolic waste on which infectious microbes thrive, then they cannot take hold in a body and cause an infection. Alternatively we may say infections are nature's attempt to heal the body by using microbes to reduce its cellular waste piles.How much Lactose is Safe to Use?Most of the world's adult population - with the exception of the Caucasian race - cannot split lactose into its two components - glucose and galactose. Commonly after the age of three, production of the lactose-splitting enzyme lactase declines, and this can cause indigestion and diarrhea if the diet contains appreciable amounts of lactose. This condition is known as lactose intolerance. However smaller spaced-out amounts may still be tolerated as intestinal bacteria may split or digest some of the ingested lactose.Lactose intolerant people can tolerate lactose better if fermented milk is used, as in the form of yogurt or kefir, where the lactose is partially split by lactic-acid bacteria. Alternatively, a lactose-splitting enzyme or lactase is now commercially available and may be added to milk. However, lactose intolerance is only a minor problem compared to the much more serious health problems caused by galactose. Lactose intolerance actually appears to be a wise precaution of nature rather than a regrettable accident, because it helps to protect us from the great danger of galactose overload as most Caucasian adults and older children who can digest lactose are unable to use galactose efficiently or dispose of it safely.In societies that traditionally used milk products, individuals were protected from galactose overload by a series of defences. Commonly lactose content was reduced by fermenting, and making cheese and quark and butter while discarding most of the whey. These individuals had an intestinal flora that converted much of the ingested galactose into energy. They had strong liver enzymes to convert any absorbed galactose into glucose. Finally, on a traditional diet they would have had sufficient antioxidants to minimize the formation of mucic acid, and instead would just discharge any surplus galactose with the urine.Most of these protective defences are greatly reduced or no longer available in modern society. Therefore, preventing excessive mucus accumulation in the body is much easier than trying to remove it afterwards. It is a sensible precaution to reduce your intake of lactose to an amount that does not cause mucus congestion or related problems. See Table 1 for the lactose content of some common dairy products.TABLE 1: LACTOSE CONTENT OF DAIRY PRODUCTSbutter0.5%cheese, quark, cottage cheese0.1 - 4%goat's milk4.3%cow's milk4.9%yogurt and ice-cream (with skim-milk powder)5 - 25%skim-milk powder52%whey powder70%With a lactose content of 52 per cent in skim-milk powder, you may now realize how dangerous is the current fad of using low-fat ice-cream, yogurt, cottage cheese and so forth, instead of full-fat products. Such low-fat foods are made from skim-milk powder and may contain three to five times as much lactose as the equivalent full-fat foods. Skim-milk powder is also commonly added to a wide variety of processed foods, such as bread and other baking products, sausages and margarine. Therefore read the label and avoid foods that list 'non-fat milk solids' as one of the ingredients.I estimate that the average daily amount of lactose that healthy Caucasian adults with good liver functions can handle without the danger of long-term galactose overload is less than 10 grams, or the equivalent of a glass of milk. The liver will be able to convert a larger amount of galactose into glucose if lactose is ingested in several spaced-out amounts rather than in one single lot. However, those who are prone to mucus problems or who are afflicted with a galactose-related disease do well to have a much lower or near zero lactose intake.The traditional way of reducing the lactose content of milk products is by fermenting with lactic acid bacteria. This converts part of the lactose to lactic acid. The increasing acidity now precipitates most of the protein, mainly casein, which forms into curd on top and clear watery whey underneath the curd. The whey contains most of the remaining lactose together with some dissolved whey protein and the growth factor IGF-1. IGF-1 is implicated as a promoter of tumour growth, and especially of hormone-sensitive tumours (e.g. breast, ovary, uterus, prostate).If the curd is well drained and preferably pressed down, then it contains very little lactose and IGF-1, as in cheese and fermented cottage cheese, generally called quark. However in Anglo-Saxon countries commercial cottage cheese is not fermented and often made from skim milk, and therefore with a higher lactose content. However there is no problem in using skim milk or skim milk powder when making properly fermented quark. Even commercial yogurt may be made "safe" by fermenting it at home in a yogurt-maker until curd and whey separate, and then use only the pressed curd or quark.While animal milk is the highest food source of galactose, there are also some other somewhat surprising sources as can be seen in Table 2. These may perhaps explain the incidence of colds in societies that are not normally using milk products, although western-style processed food containing lactose now seems to be worldwide.TABLE 2: GALACTOSE CONTENT OF SOME FOODSDried Figs4100 mg/100 gHoney3000 mg/100 gCelery850 mg/100 gBeets/Beetroot800 mg/100 gGrapes400 mg/100 gThere is also the possibility that other factors may predispose us to catching a cold by providing a suitable breeding ground for the rhinovirus. A possible candidate is the combination of over-acid tissue and lymph fluid with sensitivity to fungi or moulds. This should be addressed if we want to improve our health. Nevertheless, I am confident that for most individuals in western societies the key to the prevention of the common cold and related diseases is by avoiding mucic acid formation through the tight control of lactose ingestion.HOMEBODYDISEASESHEALING FOODENERGIESEMOTIONSMINDSPIRITUALITYIf you are interested in a natural antibiotic,this article is worth a look at.Iodine the AntisepticIodine is by far the best antibiotic,antiviral and antiseptic of all time.Dr. David DerryIODINEBring Back the Universal Nutrient MedicineInternational Medical Veritas AssociationMedical textbooks contain several vital pieces of misinformationabout the essential element Iodine, which may have causedmore human misery and death than both world wars combined.Dr. Guy AbrahamThe present situation we find ourselves in at the very beginning of the 21st century demands that we quickly reengineer medicine, not only mainstream allopathic but all the branches and alternatives. Consciousness is just forming around the conclusion that the majority of humans today are suffering from chronic poisoning. It is not just the fact that the tide of toxic chemicals is rising and accumulating in our cells and blood streams, wrecking physiological, emotional and mental havoc, but there is also a sheer drop in the quality and quantity of key nutrients being consumed. Iodine is a perfect example, in today’s world the last thing you want to be short on is iodine.Iodine is detected in everyorgan and tissue in the body.We might debate about the optimum dosage but we should find quick agreement that iodine is absolutely necessary for a healthy thyroid as well as healthy ovaries, breasts and prostate. Beside the greater risk for breast cancer in iodine deficient women, there is convincing evidence that iodine deficiency increases also the risk of thyroid cancer. These are just a few of the reasons to become interested in iodine. In an age of increasing toxic exposures we all need more not less iodine because it has very specific protective effects against several common poisons like fluoride, bromide, and to a lesser extent it helps eliminate lead and mercury from the body. Dr. Sebastiano Venturi, in Evolution of Dietary Antioxidants: Role of Iodine, makes it clear that iodine is a crucial antioxidant and apoptosis-inductor with anti-tumoral and anti-atherosclerotic activity. When we supplement with iodine we will see increased antioxidant activity [i] and immune system function [ii].Iodine, Cancer and Fibrocystic DiseaseSeveral studies have demonstrated a relationshipbetween low iodine intake and fibrocystic disease of thebreast (FDB), both in women and laboratory animals. [iii]Dr. David Derry said, “Lugol's solution is an iodine-in-water solution used by the medical profession for 200 years. One drop (6.5 mg per drop) of Lugol's daily in water, orange juice or milk will gradually eliminate the first phase of the cancer development namely fibrocystic disease of the breast so no new cancers can start. It also will kill abnormal cells floating around in the body at remote sites from the original cancer. Of course this approach appears to work for prostate cancer as prostate cancer is similar to breast cancer in many respects. Indeed, it likely will help with most cancers. Also higher doses of iodine are required for inflammatory breast cancer. As well we know that large doses of intravenous iodine are harmless which makes one wonder what effect this would have on cancer growth.”Because iodine deficiency results in increased iodine trappingby the thyroid, iodine deficient individuals of all agesare more susceptible to radiation-induced thyroid cancer.Iodine plays a crucial role in the body’s elimination system by inducing apoptosis, or what is called programmed cell death, and this is vital because this process is essential to growth and development and for destroying cells that represent a threat to the integrity of the organism, like cancer cells and cells infected with viruses.Women with goiters (a visible, non-cancerous enlargement ofthe thyroid gland) owing to iodine deficiency have been foundto have a three times greater incidence of breast cancer.A high intake of iodine is associated with a low incidence breastcancer, and a low intake with a high incidence of breast cancer.Dr. Donald Miller Jr.Iodine is a very important primary nutrient in regards to people’s health and healing. So essential is iodine for life that those who are deficient in it suffer from a wide variety of afflictions (including cancer) that are difficult to trace back to this trace mineral. Iodine used to be considered much more importantly, so much so that up until 20 years ago, it had been routinely added to bread as a supplement. "Just how likely is an iodine deficiency in cancer? In an in-house study, 60 cancer patients (various types) were given the iodine-loading test and then measured for urinary excretion. All 60 patients were found to be seriously deficient in body stores of iodine and some had great excesses of bromine. The best case excreted only 50 percent of the load and the worst excreted only 20 percent (that means they were retaining a very high 80 percent). Folks, these are some serious numbers. One hundred percent of these cancer sufferers were deficient in iodine! I assure you the problem is population wide," writes Dr. Robert Rowen.60 million mainland Japanese consume a daily averageof 13.8 mg of elemental iodine, and they are one of the healthiestnations based on overall well being and cancer statistics. [iv]Iodine is available in small amounts in some salts but health officials do not consider that most of the iodine evaporates while sitting on the kitchen table. In the United States 45 percent of American households buy salt without iodine and over the last three decades people who do use iodized table salt have decreased their consumption of it by 65 percent. Americans are consuming less iodine when in reality they need much more.Iodine the AntisepticIodine is by far the best antibiotic,antiviral and antiseptic of all time.Dr. David DerryThe antiseptic properties of iodine are used to sterilize every surface and material in hospitals. Iodine is an excellent microbicide with a broad range of action that includes almost all of the important health-related microorganisms, such as enteric bacteria, enteric viruses, bacterial viruses, fungi and protozoan cysts.[v] The minimum number of iodine molecules required to destroy one bacterium varies with the species. For H. influenzae it was calculated to be 15000 molecules of iodine per cell. When bacteria are treated with iodine, the inorganic phosphate up-take and oxygen consumption by the cells immediately ceases. [vi]Though iodine kills all single celled organisms such as these it is not exploited for internal use by modern day physicians to combat internal infections, which of course is a great mistake. Dr. Derry says iodine is effective “for standard pathogens such as Staphylococcus, but also iodine has the broadest range of action, fewest side effects and no development of bacterial resistance.” Some doctors have reported that it is excellent for the treatment of mononucleosis.Iodine is able to penetrate quicklythrough the cell walls of microorganisms.Iodine is a deadly enemy of single cell microorganisms thus it can be our best friend. Iodine was not available to these life forms at the beginning of evolution and it was not until seaweed concentrated it did it become involved in higher life forms. It is for this reason that the simplest level of life cannot tolerate iodine. Iodine kills single celled organisms by combining with the amino acids tyrosine or histidine when they are exposed to the extra-cellular environment. All single cells showing tyrosine on their outer cell membranes are killed instantly by a simple chemical reaction with iodine that denatures proteins. Nature and evolution have given us an important mechanism to control pathogenic life forms and we should use it and trust it to protect us in ways that antibiotics can’t. As we shall see directly below, so powerful is iodine in a protective sense that it also helps us rid the body, not only of harmful chemicals and heavy metals, but also rids the body of abnormal cells meaning it qualifies as an anticancer agent.Elemental iodine is a potent germicide with a wide spectrum of activity and low toxicity to tissues. A solution containing 50 ppm iodine kills bacteria in 1 min and spores in 15 min. It is poorly soluble in water but readily dissolves in ethanol, which enhances its antibacterial activity. Iodine tincture contains 2% iodine and 2.4% sodium iodide (NaI) dissolved in 50% ethanol; it is used as a skin disinfectant. Strong iodine tincture contains 7% iodine and 5% potassium iodide (KI) dissolved in 95% ethanol; it is more potent but also more irritating than tincture of iodine. Iodine solution contains 2% iodine and 2.4% NaI dissolved in aqueous solution; it is used as a nonirritant antiseptic on wounds and abrasions. Strong iodine solution (Lugol’s solution) contains 5% iodine and 10% KI in aqueous solution. Iodophores (eg, povidone-iodine) are water-soluble combinations of iodine with detergents, wetting agents that are solubilizers, and other carriers. They slowly release iodine as an antimicrobial agent and are widely used as skin disinfectants, particularly before surgery.Medical iodophobia has reached pandemic proportions.It is highly contagious and has wreaked havoc on thepractice of medicine and on the U.S. population.Dr. Guy AbrahamAccording to current W.H.O. statistics more than 3 billion people in the world live in iodine deficient countries and it is known that deficiencies of selenium, vitamin A and iron may exacerbate the effects of iodine deficiency. In the analysis of ‘National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys’ data of moderate to severe iodine deficiency is present now in a significant proportion of the U.S. population, with a clear increasing trend over the past 20 years, caused by reduced iodized table salt usage [Vii].Along with magnesium and selenium, iodine is one of the most deficient minerals in our bodies. Iodine is essential for the synthesis of thyroid hormone, but selenium-dependent enzymes (iodothyronine deiodinases) are also required for the conversion of thyroxine (T4) to the biologically active thyroid hormone, triiodothyronine (T3). Selenium is the primary mineral responsible for T4 to T3 (thyroid hormones) conversion in the liver. (Selenium is absolutely essential in the age of mercury toxicity for it is the perfect antidote for mercury exposure. It is literally raining mercury all over the world but especially in the northern hemisphere. And of course with the dentists poisoning a world of patients with mercury dental amalgam and the doctors with their mercury laden vaccines, selenium is more important than most of us can imagine. One must remember that mercury strips the body of selenium for the selenium stores get used up quickly because of its great affinity for mercury).Iodine is the agent which arouses (kindles) and keeps going theflame of life. With the aid of our thyroid, in which the iodine ismanifesting, it can either damp this flame or kindle it to a dissolute fire.Scholz 1990.Symptoms of iodine deficiency include muscle cramps, cold hands and feet, proneness to weight gain, poor memory, constipation, depression and headaches, edema, myalgia, weakness, dry skin, and brittle nails. Sources include most sea foods, (ocean fish, but not fresh fish, shellfish, especially oysters), unrefined sea salt, kelp and other sea weeds, fish broth, butter, pineapple, artichokes, asparagus, dark green vegetables and eggs. Certain vegetables, such as cabbage and spinach, can block iodine absorption when eaten raw or unfermented and are called goitrogens. But eating fish won't give you iodine in mg amounts. To get 13.8 mg iodine, you would have to eat 10-20 pounds of fish per day. [viii]Iodine is needed in microgram amounts for the thyroid,mg amounts for breast and other tissues, and canbe used therapeutically in gram amounts [ix]Dr. David MillerInorganic non-radioactive iodine/iodide is an essential nutrient, not a drug. Therefore, the body has the metabolic mechanism for using inorganic iodine beneficially, effectively and safely. Iodine is as safe as magnesium chloride with a track record of 180 years of use in medicine. Published data confirms its safety even when used in pulmonary patients in amounts four orders of magnitude greater than the US RDA [x]. When patients take between 12.5 to 50 mg of iodine per day, it seems that the body becomes increasingly more responsive to thyroid hormones [xi]. Optimal intake of iodine in amounts two orders of magnitude greater than iodine levels needed for goiter control may be required for iodization of hormone receptors [xii].Iodine helps us utilize our proteins properly. In all likelihoodan iodine deficient person will remain protein deficient.Dr. Bryce VickeryIodine is the essential ingredient in thyroid hormone synthesis. So if deficient, protein synthesis will be disturbed. Thyroid hormones have two major physiological effects. They increase protein synthesis in virtually every body tissue and increase oxygen consumption dependent upon Na+ -K+ ATPase (Na pump). The thyroid gland needs iodine to synthesize thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), hormones that regulate metabolism and steer growth and development. Thyroid hormones are essential for life as they regulate key biochemical reactions, especially protein synthesis and enzymatic activities, in target organs such as are the developing brain, muscle, heart, pituitary and kidney[xiii]; thus iodine is critically important to the developing fetus.Iodine transport damage can be corrected, in part, by administrationof reasonably high doses of ascorbic acid or more natural Vitamin C.The thyroid hormones are synthesized in the follicular cells of the thyroid. The first step to hormone synthesis is the import of iodide into the follicular cells. Thyroid hormone regulates mitochondrial protein synthesis through the stimulation of synthesis of mitochondrial protein synthesis modulators, and that the tissue specific modulators (stimulatory in liver and inhibitory in kidney) can be produced by the hormone. [xiv] Whole body iodine sufficiency is a critical means to counter the side effects of thyroid hormone medications (Synthroid, etc.). Long-term use of these drugs is associated with depletion of thyroid and tissue iodine levels, as well as increased rates of cancer. All thyroid patients should be on iodine therapy.Iodine is a powerful primary nutrient with broad medicinal effects and a hundred years ago it was used universally by most doctors. From 1900 to the 1960s almost every single U.S. physician used Lugol (iodine) supplements in his or her practice for both hypo and hyperthyroid, as well as many, many other conditions all with excellent results. In fact, iodine was considered a panacea for all human ills. The Nobel laureate Dr. Albert Szent Györgi (1893 - 1986), the physician who discovered vitamin C, writes: "When I was a medical student, iodine in the form of KI (potassium iodide) was the universal medicine. Nobody knew what it did, but it did something and did something good.” Today we know what iodine does and how much it can help people but modern allopathic medicine is asleep at the switch letting people suffer and die for its lacking.Iodine is a gatekeeper of mammary gland integrity"Breast, ovarian, and skin cysts - In addition to fixing almost all cases of breast cysts, iodine also has a remarkable healing effect on ovarian cysts,” says Dr. Robert Rowen. Though few know it swollen ovaries is a condition analogous to goiter, when the thyroid swells in response to iodine deficiency. Goiters often also result in a hormonal imbalance leading to hypothyroidism. In the case of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) the starvation of the ovaries causes them to become cystic, swollen and eventually unable to regulate the synthesis of their hormones leading to imbalances and infertility. Russian studies when investigating Fibrocystic breast disease also discovered that the greater the iodine deficiency the greater the number of cysts in the ovaries. Since 1928, the iodine concentration in the ovary has been known to be higher than in every other organ except the thyroid. Dr. Browstein has found in his research with high doses of iodine that cysts on the ovaries became smaller and began to disappear. He also found that libido in women and men increased.It takes 20 to 40 times the amount of Iodine needed to controlbreast cancer and fibrocystic disease than it does to prevent goiter.In sufficient amounts iodine can not only adjust a dysfunctional thyroid, it can assist with a host of glandular imbalances as well as a wide assortment of internal as well as external bacteria, fungi, and virus's. Iodine has many non-endocrine biologic effects, including the role it plays in the physiology of the inflammatory response. Iodides increase the movement of granulocytes into areas of inflammation and improve the phagocytosis of bacteria by granulocytes and the ability of granulocytes to kill bacteria [xv].Dr. Robert Rowen informs that iodine reduces the activity of lipoprotein(a). When elevated, this protein can lead to excessive blood clotting and vascular disease. Iodine has been used successfully in headaches, keloid formation, parotid duct stones, and Dupuytren's and Peyronie’s contractures. Doses up to six times the RDA have been used safely for months to combat the excessive mucous in chronic lung diseases. He also states that Iodine is found in large amounts in the brain (including the parts of the brain associated with Parkinson’s disease) and the ciliary body of the eye, a possible factor in glaucoma."One 1860 French physician mistakenly gave a tincture of iodine when he meant to give digitalis to a woman with Grave’s Disease. She recovered within three weeks. When he discovered his mistake, he switched to digitalis, and her symptoms came back. He switched back to the iodine and achieved a remission," reported Dr. Rowen.The occurrence of iodine deficiency in cardiovascular disease is frequent. The thyroid hormone deficiency on cardiovascular function can be characterized with decreased myocardial contractility and increased peripheral vascular resistance as well as with the changes in lipid metabolism. A study done with 42 patients with cardiovascular disease were divided into 5 subgroups on the ground of the presence of hypertension, congestive heart failure, cardiomyopathy, coronary dysfunction and arrhythmia. When urine concentrations were tested the most decreased urine iodine concentration was detected in the subgroups with arrhythmia and congestive heart failure. An elevated TSH level was found by 3 patients and elevation in lipid metabolism (cholesterol, triglyceride) associated with all subgroups without arrhythmia. The researchers concluded that iodine supplementation might prevent the worsening effect of iodine deficiency on cardiovascular disease. [xvi]Iodine made its leap into medical history when a Swiss physician, Dr Jean François Condet announced that iodine could reduce goiters (enlarged thyroids). At this moment, modern medical science was born because for the first time we have a specific disorder that is relieved by a specific treatment. It is most ironic to note that the very first step of allopathic medicine was into nutritional not chemical medicine with iodine being a common mineral from the sea.The required daily amount (RDA) of iodine is just enough to keep our thyroidsfrom expanding, like the RDA of vitamin C today which is just enough to keep usfree of scurvy, but not enough to prevent pre scurvy syndromes or Cardiovascular Disease.“We placed am 83-year-old woman on ortho-iodo supplementation for six months at 50 mgs of elemental iodine daily. She experienced a tremendous increase in energy, endurance, well being, and memory. At six months all her skin peeled off and was replaced by new, younger-looking skin. She was flabbergasted and amazed at her new appearance. In our experience older women (especially over 65) noticed a major difference both physically and mentally,” wrote Dr. Guy Abraham, an endocrinologist who today is providing the backbone of the movement back toward the use of iodine as an essential safe and effective medicine.Breast tissue has an affinity for iodine.Iodine deficiency causes fibrocystic breast diseasewith nodules, cyst enlargement, pain and scar tissue.Drs. Abraham, Flechas and Brownstein tested more than 4,000 patients taking iodine in daily doses ranging from 12.5 to 50 mg, and in those with diabetes, up to 100 mg a day. These investigators found that “iodine does indeed reverse fibrocystic disease; their diabetic patients require less insulin; hypothyroid patients, less thyroid medication; symptoms of fibromyalgia resolve, and patients with migraine headaches stop having them.” We can expect even better results when iodine is combined with magnesium chloride.Most physicians and surgeons view iodine from a narrow perspective and this is one of the greatest tragedies of allopathic medicine. Most health officials are chemical terrorists in disguise as they ignore the toxic buildup going on in the general population and they have no intention of informing them what they can do about it. Mercury is a perfect case in point. Mercury is toxic from whatever source it arrives into our bodies but doctors and dentists still insist on using it, which puts us solidly in the modern age of medical and dental barbarism. We like to think we are an advanced race of intelligent beings but lo and behold we find what are supposed to be the best and most intelligent of us poisoning young and old alike with mercury. It is beyond criminality what they are doing and what they are denying.On top of everything these same health officials do not even have an understanding of the basic medicines already in use, like iodine, magnesium chloride, and sodium bicarbonate, all emergency room substances that save peoples’ lives everyday. To most doctors iodine is an antiseptic that disinfects drinking water and prevents surgical wound infections, and the thyroid gland needs it to make thyroid hormones and that’s it. But Dr. George Flechas relates that many of his diabetic patients need lowering of insulin dosage and diabetic drugs after repletion of iodine deficiency and others have observed the same thing. Something is dangling itself before our very eyes, a medical mystery that will enlighten us about our ignorance about how important minerals are for life. Both general and medical scientists can explain why diabetics and others benefit so greatly from heavy iodine supplementation, but will allopathic medical officials listen? Don’t count on it.Iodine is utilized by every hormone receptor in the body.The absence of iodine causes a hormonal dysfunction thatcan be seen with practically every hormone inside the body.Dr. George FlechasThis, in part, would already start to explain why Dr. Flechas sees such dramatic results with his diabetic patients. Why would many people who take iodine report that they have a greater sense of well-being, increased energy, and a lifting of brain fog? They feel warmer in cold environments, need somewhat less sleep, improved skin complexion, and have more regular bowel movements. The most obvious answer is that iodine is a tracemineral used to synthesize hormones and is a mineral that is very important to how hormones function at the hormone receptor sites.Thyroxin and Triiodo-thyronine stimulates and maintains normal heart rate, blood pressure and body temperature. [xvii] "Despite the general medical dependence upon special hormone tests, such as TSH, etc, temperature appears to be much more accurate for assessing thyroid function. During the past decade, I have noticed that 90% of individuals have a temperature BELOW normal. The oral temperature before getting out of bed in the morning should be 97.6 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. Mid-afternoon the temperature should be 98.6. Temperature is the simplest measure of basal metabolic rate, the key function of the thyroid gland," said Dr. Norman Shealy, who suggests iodine dosages of 1500 micrograms daily 4 to 6 weeks. If basal temperature comes to normal, lower iodine dosage to 600 mcg daily.Iodine's ability to revive hormonal sensitivity seems to significantly improve insulin sensitivity. Dr. Flechas said, “It was while treating a large 320-pound woman with insulin dependent diabetes that we learned a valuable lesson regarding the role of iodine in hormone receptor function. This woman had come in via the emergency room with a very high random blood sugar of 1,380 mg/dl. She was then started on insulin during her hospitalization and was instructed on the use of a home glucometer. She was to use her glucometer two times per day. Two weeks later on her return office visit for a checkup of her insulin dependent diabetes she was informed that during her hospital physical examination she was noted to have FBD. She was recommended to start on 50 mg of iodine (4 tablets) at that time. One week later she called us requesting to lower the level of insulin due to having problems with hypoglycemia. She was told to continue to drop her insulin levels as long as she was experiencing hypoglycemia and to monitor her blood sugars carefully with her glucometer. Four weeks later during an office visit her glucometer was downloaded to my office computer, which showed her to have an average random blood sugar of 98. I praised the patient for her diligent efforts to control her diet and her good work at keeping her sugars under control with the insulin. She then informed me that she had come off her insulin three weeks earlier and had not been taking any medications to lower her blood sugar. When asked what she felt the big change was, she felt that her diabetes was under better control due to the use of iodine.”Increased metabolic rate increases the need for iodine.If a person is not getting enough iodine and areon thyroid meds they will become more deficient.Dr. Fletchas [xviii] reported that two years later and 70 pounds lighter this above patient continues to have excellent glucose control on iodine 50 mg per day. “We since have done a study of twelve diabetics and in six cases we were able to wean all of these patients off of medications for their diabetes. The range of daily iodine intake was from 50 mg to 100 mg per day. All diabetic patients were able to lower the total amount of medications necessary to control their diabetes.”A lack of iodine in the skin manifests as very dry skinand skin that does not sweat when an individual becomes hot.Dr. Jorge D. FlechasEveryone agrees that a lack of iodine in the diet causes a spectrum of disorders that includes, in increasing order of severity, goiter and hypothyroidism, mental retardation, and cretinism (severe mental retardation accompanied by physical deformities). Iodine deficient humans, like endemic cretins, suffer physical, neurological, mental, immune and reproductive diseases. Iodine is important in the proper function of the nervous system and Dr. S. Cunnane [xix] suggests that “iodine is the primary brain selective nutrient in human brain evolution.”Iodine deficiency is a major cause of under-functioning intellect [xx]. Dr. Flechas agrees, “In newborn children iodine is responsible for the development of the babies’ I.Q. Recent research shows iodine deficiency is felt to be the source of attention deficit disorder in children.” “We have an absolute epidemic of autism in this country,” said Representative Dan Burton (R-Indiana). “Parents and doctors are struggling to find appropriate treatment options.” What help iodine can be to neurological damaged children has not been explored yet but iodine and magnesium logically should be some of the first things parents should reach for. We certainly will find science to create a foundation for the use of iodine before, during and after pregnancy.Deficiency of iodine seems to cause more damage in developing embryos and in fact, in pregnant women iodine deficiency causes abortions and stillborns [xxi]. It is not cretinism alone that holds risks from deficiency, but the very survival of the infant itself. Adequate iodine may also provide protection from infection and vaccine damage. In a study done on 617 infants between the ages of 6 weeks and six months, in an iodine deficient area, it was shown that with the addition of 100 mg of iodine oil to the diet of newborns, that the death rate of infants was markedly lower than for those without any supplementation. [xxii]Magnesium and iodine deficiencies are thecauses of autoimmune thyroiditis, not excess iodide.Iodine deficiency poses significant additional reproductive risks, including overt hypothyroidism and infertility. Hypothyroidism causes anovulation, infertility, and gestational hypertension. [xxiii] Adequate tissue iodine helps guide estrogen into friendly pathways that support proper function of female sex hormones. Iodine contributes to the formation of testosterone. In women this supports healthy sex drive. In men, testosterone is vital to function.Iodine is my drug of choice. I use it for everything. I raise my kids andnow my grandkids on iodine. My son was due to have his tonsils removedand I decided to paint his tonsils and he has never been had any moreproblems with his throat. I took a spray bottle and poured some iodine into thebottle and sprayed his tonsils. As you may know iodine dries quickly, so hedidn't really swallow any. It worked within 24 hours after spraying the throat.According to Dr. John Myer iodine has a marked effect on muscle contraction directly. It relieves cramps of the leg muscles known as ‘charley horses’. It also relieves pain in the pericardium, which he believes is similar contraction of the heart muscles, and it has a remarkable effect on muscle energy and contraction of all muscles of the body. Dr. Myer also asserts that iodine plays a decisive and critical role in the lymph system and in the lymph glands. Swollen sub maxillary glands known as ‘waxen kernels’ to our parents and grandparents, will soften and regress within minutes after allowing iodized lime to dissolve in the mouth.Iodine is a very effective method for water purification. Its action is dependent on the concentration of iodine, the water temperature and duration of contact. For example, a concentration of 8 mgs per liter at 20 degrees centigrade will destroy all pathogens if left for 10 minutes. Lower concentrations and lower water temperatures require a longer duration of action. Iodine tablets were developed during World War II to disinfect small amounts of water for emergency or temporary use. A few drops of tincture of iodine or iodine tablets are popular with campers and the military for disinfecting water. An iodine residual of 0.5 to 1.0 mg/l should be maintained and iodine at this level gives the water little or no iodide taste or odor.When one combines the intake of iodine with other minerals (Iodine in combination with selenium increased the activities of type 1 deiodinase (D1) and glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) [xxiv] one can expect strong and positive changes in cell physiology. Iodine with magnesium, with the help of natural chelation will resolve tough, stubborn problems that resist other treatments. Dr. Linus Pauling's 'orthomolecular medicine,' which refers to the concept of creating the optimal molecular environment in the body ('orthomolecular' means 'the right molecules') should have become the foundational stone for medicine but was replaced by a system that massively destroys peoples’ life and health with pharmaceutical poisons. Allopaths live with the illusion that the dose makes the poison meaning they are always assuming that there is too little poison in their medicines to do harm. We are just beginning to find out how tragically wrong they have been and the staggering cost in terms of lives lost because of this mistake.Iodine and/or selenium deficiency may modifythe distribution and the homeostasis of other minerals. [xxv]Running our bodies without sufficient minerals is like running a car without oil. Our engines of cellular life begin to seize up especially quickly today because of all the impurities in our food, air, water and medical and dental drugs and substances. Minerals are powerful medicines exactly because they directly touch upon and effect vital body physiology.One might go as far as imagining that there might even be a conspiracy to keep us iodine deficient, because if we are iodine deficient our will to resist is diminished, our apparent intellect, energy and vitality are all diminished and we are significantly more vulnerable to thyroid malfunction, endocrine/hormonal imbalances, breast cancer, ovarian cancer and prostate cancer. Many fine physicians are wondering why the RDA for iodine would be set so low, and why would many of the former sources of iodine be diminished or removed and replaced with things like bromides and fluorides that deplete iodine and offer no worthwhile compensation for the replacement?Dr. Daniel H. Duffy uses some very harsh but deserved words while asking some clear questions about iodine. “Isn’t it odd that the government dispenses Iodine to protect against radioactive iodine resulting from a nuclear disaster when the medical quacks are dumping the same type of radioactive iodine into patients with thyroid problems in a stupid attempt to ‘cure’ thyroid ‘disease’ caused by a lack of elemental iodine in its natural state found in nature? Nature’s iodine protects our thyroid glands from taking up biologically destructive, radioactive iodine, yet the medical quacks use similar radioactive iodine to destroy our thyroid glands? Why did doctors quit using Lugol’s solution, the sure cure for thyroid disease? Why did the medical quacks bring in anti thyroid drugs and goitrogens to kill the thyroid gland when iodine was being used so successfully for so long?”President Franklin D. Roosevelt once said, “Nothing in Government and politics happens by accident, you can bet if something happened it was well planned.” J. Edgar Hoover said: “The individual is handicapped by coming face-to-face with a conspiracy so monstrous he cannot believe it exists.” When it comes to iodine suspect the worst from top government health officials who only seem to want to poison the public. What can one say about an FDA that, for example continues to assert the safety of aspartame when scientists around the world are finding it to be the worst food additive ever used? Now that there is an iodine revival going on expect the FDA to clamp down on its availability.Orthoiodo-supplementation should be partof a complete nutritional program,emphasizing magnesium instead of calcium.Dr. Guy AbrahamOrthoiodo-supplementation employs elemental iodine supplements until the thyroid gland and all other iodine-sensitive sites in the body have reached iodine sufficiency. In reality there is no reason to fear iodine if approached with reason and a slight bit of caution [xxvi] for it will stimulate a detoxification process of heavy metals especially of halogens. All doctors used iodine a hundred years ago and the best ones are still using it today.Every 17 minutes, every drop of blood in our body flushes throughour thyroid, and if our thyroid has an adequate supply of iodine, blood-bornebacteria and viruses are killed off as the blood passes through the thyroid.We are just beginning to rediscover the amazing curative powers of iodine. While it may not be the panacea that old-timers have claimed it to be when used alone, when combined with magnesium chloride, ALA, and in the special case of cancer, with sodium bicarbonate, we will find something quite extraordinary. Survival Medicine for the 21st Century contains a revolutionary protocol for breast cancer that includes magnesium chloride, iodine and sodium bicarbonate. These three emergency room medicines when combined and used correctly will revolutionize the field of oncology but will threaten the pharmaceutical industry whose profits will suffer enormously from the widespread use of these inexpensive, safe and effective nutritional medicines.The medical truth is obvious and as plain as day, but most of the time it does not line up with conventional thinking. But given time medical science will catch up to the obvious. As you will see in Transdermal Magnesium Therapy, the research is already there showing magnesium chloride to be the number one heavyweight champion of the medical world able to save lives with a single bound in emergency situations and it, along with other basic nutritional substances concentrated for medical purposes are the answers we are looking for to protect ourselves and loved ones in the age of toxicity that we are all unfortunately passing through.Mark Sircus Ac., OMDDirector International Medical Veritas AssociationDr. Sircus | International Medical Veritas AssociationMagnesium Articles, Dosages, Benefits, Uses and [email protected] Medical Veritas AssociationCopyright 2007 All rights reserved.IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: This communication is intended for informational purposes only. Nothing in it is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice.COMMENT by WALTER LASTIncrease iodine remedies slowly while monitoring your wellbeing. According to present medical warnings iodine can suppress thyroid functions. However, the dose needed to suppress thyroid functions is about 750 mg of iodine, while one drop of Lugol's has only 6.5 mg iodine.Saturated solution of potassium iodide (SSKI) has been used as an emergency treatment for hyperthyroidism because high amounts of iodide temporarily suppress secretion of thyroid hormones from the thyroid gland. The dose for this are 5 drops of SSKI with 250 mg iodine as iodide three times daily. The recommended dose for thyroid protection from radioactive contamination is 100 mg iodine/day. Two drops of SSKI or a standard 130 mg pill may be used daily in nuclear accidents to block the uptake of radioactive iodine.The main causes of suppressed thyroid functions are Candida, mercury and fluoride. Until the 1970's Fluoride was prescribed by doctors as thyroid-suppressing medication for patients with an over-active thyroid !Some symptoms of under-active thyroid functions include fatigue, underweight or overweight, constipation, fuzzy thinking, dry skin, low blood pressure, fluid retention, depression, and slow reflexes. When using high-dose iodine supplements then watch out for signs of over-active thyroid functions. These include anxiety, insomnia, rapid weight loss, diarrhea, high pulse rate, high blood pressure, sensitivity or bulging eye and vision disturbances.Iodine supplements tend to normalize over-active thyroid conditions, including autoimmune conditions and thyroid cancer. However, if the size of the thyroid is increased as with goiter, then additional iodine will initially cause an overstimulation. To normalize thyroid size and functions the iodine dose needs to be increased only very slowly and temporarily decreased when overstimulation occurs, and after a while slowly increased again.Another problem is that iodine is a heart stimulant, and if you are using thyroid medication, or other stimulant drugs in addition, then that may be too much stimulation and heart palpitations may develop. In this case you need to reduce some of these stimulants sufficiently to rectify this problem.According to my experience and understanding the greatest benefit of high iodine intake is its effectiveness in killing Candida and other fungi and microbes. This may also be a reason for its effectiveness with breast cancer and fibrocystic disease in breasts, ovaries and uterus. The secret of this success may be the fact that both iodine and fungi have an affinity for the mucous membranes. By keeping the mucous membranes healthy iodine greatly helps to overcome autoimmune diseases, sinus problems, asthma, lung cancer, and other lung problems, and also intestinal diseases, including inflammatory conditions, and cancers. Studies indicate that the best iodine supplement is one that includes molecular iodine, which breast tissue prefers.The common use of iodine as an antimicrobial agent is 4 x 6 to 8 drops or 3 x 10 drops of Lugol’s solution for 3 weeks, see the Ultimate Cleanse. The FDA recently banned the sale of more than 30 ml of Lugol’s solution, but in the US you can still obtain Iodoral (iodine tablets) and a 2% iodine solution, and take five times as many drops as stated for Lugol’s solution, but make sure you use a water-based iodine solution, not iodine in alcohol which may cause reactions. Iosol, an iodine/ammonium iodide remedy has 1.8 mg of iodine/iodide per drop. The TGA in Australia does no longer allow Lugol's and similar iodine solutions to be used as remedies. You may still obtain Lugol’s solution from aquarium supplies and for water purification, see www.strideintohealth.com.You may monitor your thyroid function by checking your temperature before getting up in the morning. Measuring under the tongue is more reliable than in the armpit. Women before menopause measure in the first half of the cycle before ovulation and best in the first week after the start of a new period. The temperature should be 36.5ºC (97.6ºF) or higher, otherwise the thyroid is likely to be under-active. However, be sure that you do not have a raised temperature due to a healing reaction or an infection.For another excellent article see Iodine for Health by Donald W. Miller. A paragraph from this article reads:“More than 4,000 patients in this project take iodine in daily doses ranging from 12.5 to 50 mg, and in those with diabetes, up to 100 mg a day. These investigators have found that iodine does indeed reverse fibrocystic disease; their diabetic patients require less insulin; hypothyroid patients, less thyroid medication; symptoms of fibromyalgia resolve, and patients with migraine headaches stop having them. To paraphrase Dr. Szent-Györgi, these investigators aren’t sure how iodine does it, but it does something good.”REFERENCES[i] Saker KE, Fike JH, Veit H, Ward DL (2004) Brown seaweed-(Tasco) treated conserved forage enhances antioxidant status and immune function in heat-stressed wether lambs. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl). 88:122-30.[ii] Saker KE, Allen VG, Fontenot JP, Bagley CP, Ivy RL, Evans RR, Wester DB (2001) Tasco-Forage: II. Monocyte immune cell response and performance of beef steers grazing tall fescue treated with a seaweed extract. J Anim Sci 79:1022-31[iii] Ghent, W., et al, Can. J. Surg., 36:453-460,1993.Eskin, B., et al, Biological Trace Element Research, 49:9-19, 1995.[iv] Abraham, G.E., The historical background of the iodine project. The Original Internist, 12(2):57-66, 2005.[v] http://www.ispcorp.com/products/pharma/content/brochure/pvpiodine/antiact.htmlTable 4: Microbiological Efficacy Activity of PVP-Iodine versus Bacteria, Yeasts and Molds, Actinomycetes and RickettsiaORGANISMS (NO. of STRAINS)RANGE OF PVP-I IN ppm AVAILABLE IODINECONTACT OF KILL TIME IN SECONDSProteus (41)100 - 250015 - 180Staphylococcus (36)66 - 250015 - 80Pseudomonas (36)25 - 250015 - 900Streptococcus (25)200 - 250015 - 30Escherichia (23)200 - 250030 - 120Salmonells (9)1000 - 250015 - 60Candida (8)3.75 - 250010 - 120Serratia (6)200 - 250060 - 120Spores-Baccillus; Clostridium (6)100002 - 5 HoursTrichomomonas (5)400 - 250030 - 60Enterobacter (4)1000 - 250060Klebsiella (4)500 - 250060Clostridium (4)100030 - 60Shigella (3)1000 - 250060Corynebacterium (3)250060Diplococcus (3)1000 - 250060Mycobacterium (3)1000 - 250060 - 120Bacillus (3)7.5 - 250010 - 30Sarcina (2)500 - 250060Trichophyton (2)100060Aspergillus (2)100030Mima (1)250060Herella (1)250060Edwardsiella (1)250060Citrobacter (1)250060Providencia (1)100060Acienetobacter (1)3.7510Epidermophyton (1)100060Microsporum (1)100060Pencillium (1)100030Nocardia (1)250060[vi] STERILIZATION ACTION OF CHLORINE AND IODINE ON BACTERIA AND VIRUSES IN WATER SYSTEMS; JOHNS HOPKINS UNIV BALTIMORE MD SCHOOLOF HYGIENE AND PUBLIC HEALTH; Final rept. 1 Jul 1962-30 Jun 1966; http://stinet.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=AD0476804[vii] Hollowell JG, Staehling NW, Hannon WH, et al. (1998) Iodine nutrition in the United States. Trends and public health implications: iodine excretion data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys I and III (1971-1974 and 1988-1994). J Clin Endocrinol Metab 83: 3401-3408[viii] The iodine content of most foods depends on the iodine content of the soil in which it was raised. Seafood is rich in iodine because marine animals can concentrate the iodine from seawater. Certain types of seaweed (e.g. wakame) are also very rich in iodine. Processed foods may contain slightly higher levels of iodine due to the addition of iodized salt or food additives, such as calcium iodate and potassium iodate. Dairy products are relatively good sources of iodine because iodine is commonly added to animal feed in the U.S. In the U.K. and northern Europe, iodine levels in dairy products tend to be lower in summer when cattle are allowed to graze in pastures with low soil iodine content . The table below lists the iodine content of some iodine-rich foods in micrograms (mcg). Because the iodine content of foods can vary considerably, these values should be considered approximate; http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/minerals/iodine/FoodServingIodine (mcg)Salt (iodized)1 gram77Cod3 ounces*99Shrimp3 ounces35Fish sticks2 fish sticks35Tuna, canned in oil3 ounces (1/2 can)17Milk (cow's)1 cup (8 fluid ounces)56Egg, boiled1 large29Navy beans, cooked1/2 cup35Potato with peel, baked1 medium63Turkey breast, baked3 ounces34Seaweed1 ounce, driedVariable; may be greater than 18,000 mcg (18 mg)[ix] Iodine Metabolism; http://iodine4health.com/overviews/clinicians/miller_clinician.htm[x] The RDA limits for vitamins and minerals were established after World War II. One of the last essential elements included in the RDA system was iodine, established in 1980 and confirmed in 1989. The RDA for iodine was based on the amount of iodine/iodide needed to prevent goiter, extreme stupidity and hypothyroidism. The optimal requirement of the whole human body for iodine has never been studied. Therefore, the optimal amount of this element for physical and mental wellbeing is unknown. Based on demographic studies, the mainland Japanese consumed an average of 13.8 mg daily and they are one of the healthiest people on planet earth. One tablet of Iodoral contains 12.5 mg iodine/iodide, an amount very close to the 13.8 mg average intake of mainland Japanese.[xi] Abraham, G.E., Flechas, J.D., Hakala, J.C., Orthoiodosupplementation: Iodine sufficiency of the whole human body. The Original Internist, 9:30-41, 2002.[xii] Abraham, G.E., Flechas, J.D., Hakala, J.C., Orthoiodosupplementation: Iodine sufficiency of the whole human body. The Original Internist, 9:30-41, 2002.[xiii] http://www.moh.gov.my/opencms/export/sites/default/moh/download/16_chat.pdf[xiv] Nippon Naibunpi Gakkai Zasshi. 1985 Nov 20;61(11):1249-58.Induction of cytosolic proteins controlling mitochondrial protein synthesis by thyroid hormone.[xv] Stone OJ (1988) The role of the primitive sea in the natural selection of iodides as a regulating factor in inflammation. Med Hypotheses. 25:125-129[xvi] [Iodine deficiency in cardiovascular diseases]; Molnar I, Magyari M, Stief L.Orv Hetil. 1998 Aug 30;139(35):2071-3.[xvii] http://www.sirinet.net/~jgjohnso/endoreview.html[i][xviii] Orthoiodosupplementation in a Primary Care Practice; Jorge Fleches, M.D.http://www.optimox.com/pics/Iodine/IOD-10/IOD_10.htm[xix] Cunnane SC (2005) Survival of the Fattest: The Key to Human Brain Evolution. World Scientific Publishing Company (Hardcover)[xx] J Clin Endocr and Met 1998; 83:3401-08[xi] Dunn JT, Delange F (2001) Damaged reproduction: the most important consequence of iodine deficiency. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 8:2360-3[xxii] Infant Survival Is Improved by Oral Iodine Supplementation; Cobra et al; The Journal of Nutrition Vol. 127 No. 4 April 1997, pp. 574-578 http://jn.nutrition.org/cgi/content/abstract/127/4/574[xxiii] Damaged Reproduction: The Most Important Consequence of Iodine Deficiency; Dunn and Delange 86 (6): 2360. (2001) http://jcem.endojournals.org/cgi/reprint/86/6/2360[xiv] Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, People's Republic of China. Biol Trace Elem Res. 2006 Summer;111(1-3):229-38.[xxv] Tissue distribution of Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn, the essential trace elements associated with oxidant and/or antioxidant processes, was examined in iodine- and/or selenium-deficient rats. Biol Trace Elem Res. 2003 Dec;95(3):247-58 Entrez Pubmed[xxvi] Iodine therapy is not as completely free from side effects as magnesium is but compared to medical treatments, thyroid drugs, and all the rest, iodine is very safe. Simply proceed with caution, follow directions vigilantly, and carefully monitor your results. It is always best to use a high quality iodine supplement and to start with low dosages and work the dosages up slowly.HOMEHEALING FOODSBODYDISEASESENERGIESEMOTIONSMINDSPIRITUALITYDisclaimer: The aim of this web site is to provide information on using natural healing methods in the treatment of illness and health improvement. The author cannot accept any legal responsibility for any problem arising from experimenting with these methods. For any serious disease, or if you are unsure about a particular course of action, seek the help of a competent health professional.

Hey, I’m Juice and I consider myself just a regular mid-30s guy who happens to have a big interest in steroids and what they can (and can’t) do for us. I’ve been involved in learning everything there is to know about steroids for most of my adult life, and my goal is to help others like you learn about your first steroid cycle.As a beginner to steroid cycling, just email highlytrip at protonmail dot com to buy steroid, affordable and legit source. it’s critical that you’re well informed about what you should and shouldn’t be doing. This guide is intended for informational purposes only and does not take the place of professional medical advice.My guide has been broken down into the following sections:Table of ContentsIntroduction to Anabolic-Androgenic steroidsInjectable and Oral SteroidsWhich Steroid Compound to Use for My First Cycle?Steroids Half-Lives? What is a Half-Life?Cycling, Stacking, and Pyramiding SteroidsCycle LengthBeginner Steroid CycleAdvanced Steroid CycleCommon Side Effects of Steroid UsePost Cycle Therapy (PCT) After Your First CycleCommon Q&A Related to Your First Steroid CycleIntroduction to Anabolic-Androgenic steroidsLike most people, you more than likely think of powerful, muscle building anabolic steroids when you hear the word “steroid“.But there are many types of steroids – in fact, a steroid is just an organic compound that includes all different types of hormones and even one of the most well known vitamins (Vitamin D) is in fact a steroid.When it comes to bodybuilding and athletic performance, we mainly talk about steroids in the form of anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS). These steroids include both natural and synthetic androgens which are derived from or based on testosterone.The anabolic component relates to the promotion of muscle growth, while the androgenic aspect relates to the stimulated development of male attributes that testosterone is responsible for.* Clenbuterol is a beta-adrenergic agonist, not an anabolic–androgenic steroid (AAS).Editor’s Note: For real, NO-BS information on cycling steroids from someone who explains it based on first hand experience be sure to check out Straight From the Underground (my recommended underground steroid handbook). Everything in this book is a real-life experience, not theory.Injectable and Oral SteroidsSome steroids come in an injectable form only, while others are available as an oral form. Very few, such as Winstrol, can be injected or taken orally.Understandably, if you’re new to using steroids then starting with injections is going to seem daunting; you may even want to avoid it altogether and select only those steroids which are orals. But this does limit you to a small number of steroids like Anavar and Dianabol.Oral steroidsOral forms are taken by mouth. They include:Methandrostenolone (Dianabol, Danabol, Metandienone) or Dbol – The primary areas where Dianabol excels is for mass and strength building. Dbol gives you the type of strength that is unreal. It’s often used at the beginning of a bulking cycle to bring about fast results early on.Oxandrolone (Anavar, Oxandrin) or Var – One of the best anabolic steroids for cutting overall. It’s known for its powerful effect on fat burning and metabolic activity, ultimately helping you obtain a lean, hard and ripped physique. Usually stacked with Winstrol or testosterone.Oxymetholone (Anadrol, A bombs, A50) or Drol – Anadrol is one of the most powerful steroids for raw strength and mass gains and quoted as having triple the anabolic power of testosterone. Most people will combine Anadrol with slow acting injectable steroids in a stack.Methasterone (Superdrol, Methyldrostanolone) or SD – it is a versatile steroid that fits well into both bulking and cutting cycles, having great benefits for building muscle, cutting and toning, hardening the physique, and boosting strength and overall performance.Stanozolol (Winstrol) or Winny – Despite its negative effect on the liver, oral Winstrol is often the first choice particularly for those new to steroids. It’s a well known steroid for its ability to boost fat loss while helping retain muscle, and will also help you recover faster.Methenolone Acetate (Oral Primobolan) or Primo – Unlike many other oral steroids, Primobolan doesn’t come with the high risk of liver toxicity and its mild anabolic effects make it an ideal choice for women who can see excellent results at low doses.Halotestin (Fluoxymesterone) or Halo – The main use for Halotestin is to experience a substantial increase in strength. Halotestin excels at boosting strength significantly and for that reason it can be valued by competitive strength athletes.Turinabol (Oral Turinabol) or Tbol – Turinabol is particularly beneficial for enhancing performance rather than acting as a mass gaining steroids, although it can provide some moderate clean gains in mass.Mesterolone (Proviron) – Proviron is rarely used to give you direct results itself, but instead to work with the other compounds you’re using. It is very useful as both a mild and effective aromatase inhibitor during a cycle, or to use as a powerful muscle hardener towards the end of a hardcore cutting cycle.Clenbuterol or Clen – Not a steroid but a stimulant, Clenbuterol has a reputation as one of the best fat burners around, so we know this is the main area it excels at. Used often by women.Cytomel T3 (Liothyronine Sodium) or Triiodothyronine – It is a synthetic form of a thyroid hormone called T3. Athletes and bodybuilders use Cytomel to promote fat loss by providing the body with an additional source of the thyroid hormone to stimulate the metabolic rate.Injectable steroidsInjectable forms include:Nandrolone Decanoate (Deca-Durabolin) or Deca – Perfect for bulking and strength, Deca is well known for its power in stimulating massive gains in lean muscle mass. The nitrogen retention from Deca is great and it gives your muscles a nice, full look. It also directly contributes to the repair and recovery of muscle tissue and joint pain.Nandrolone Phenylpropionate (NPP) or Durabolin – NPP is considered an excellent mass building steroid. Although gains are not as rapid and extreme as some other compounds, they are slow and steady. NPP also helps you retain lean muscle mass when cutting and during the off season.Methenolone Enanthate (Primobolan Depot) or Primo – Just like oral Primobolan, Depot isn’t a mass gaining steroid but provides the most benefit during cutting cycles where you need to retain maximum muscle while burning fat and eating a lower calorie diet. It is one of the best suited steroids for females.Masteron (Drostanolone, Dromostanolone) – Masteron is put to best use in a cutting cycle. Masteron gives you a granite hard look, it’s very effective when getting ready for competitions and it’s something that is mild enough to be used in longer cycles.Testosterone (Cypionate / Enanthate / Propionate) – Testosterone is considered the base of each steroid cycle, whether you’re cutting or bulking. It’s basic, it works, and it’s rarely faked. A great choice for beginners (first cycle).Sustanon 250 (contains four esters of testosterone: propionate, phenylpropionate, isocaproate and decanoate) – Sustanon 250 is a group of both slow and fast acting esters and that makes it useful for contributing to muscle building, fat loss, energy and strength by providing critical testosterone support during a steroid cycle.Human Growth Hormone (HGH) – not actually a steroid, HGH has been the hot topic for the past few years. HGH will reverse the aging process, improve sleep, build new muscle tissue, regenerate tissue, and heal the body.Trenbolone (Trenbolone Enanthate – Trenabol; Trenbolone Acetate – Finajet, Finaplix) or Tren – considered a steroid on steroids, Tren will give you crazy strength and also help with getting harder. It’s something that can be used for building up or cutting down.Parabolan (Trenbolone Hexahydrobenzylcarbonate, Hexabolan) or Tren Hex – it is a versatile steroid that is useful for a range of goals but not surprisingly is prized for its mass gaining benefits and the fact you can gain mass without water retention.Boldenone Undecylenate (Equipoise) or EQ – a very versatile steroid and can be used when bulking up or cutting down. It works extremely well for both. It’s slightly similar to Deca but it holds much less water and I get better vascularity from it. Usually stacked with testosterone.Stanozolol (Winstrol Depot) or Winny – an oral and injectable steroid that works for both cutting and bulking cycles as it increases muscle mass and hardens the appearance of the body. Usually stacked with Deca, EQ, Primo, Anavar, testosterone, Trenbolone, and Masteron.One of the big downsides to oral steroids is their toxicity to the liver. The level of liver toxicity differs between steroids, dosage, duration of use and your individual response.Choosing injectable steroids opens up your choices to a wider range of products. Oral steroids are generally taken daily due to their shorter half life, while an injection might be once or twice weekly.Which Steroid Compound to Use for My First Cycle?Remember, when it comes to steroids, beginners have one simple rule: KISS, or “Keep It Simple Stupid”. I believe KISS applies to all steroid cycles. Below is a brief summary of the most popular anabolic-androgenic steroids which may (or not) be suitable for your first steroid cycle:TestosteroneThere are several testosterone esters including Enanthate, Cypionate, Propionate and Undecanoate. You don’t need a chemistry degree to work out which one is the best option for you, but it does help to know the differences between them.Testosterone Enanthate is a hugely popular steroid and comes in dozens of brand names. It’s used for treating low testosterone and provides all the effects you’d expect from a test booster: muscle and strength gains along with enhancing male sex characteristics.Its use by athletes focuses on its ability to boost muscle growth, help burn fat and speed up recovery. Testosterone Propionate is ideal for shorter cycles as it is slow release with a short half life.There’s little difference between Cypionate and Enanthate with the most notable being that Cypionate has a longer half life. With such similar characteristics, both Testosterone Enanthate and Cypionate are generally considered interchangeable. All of these testosterone derivatives are injectable. If you are thinking of running a Testosterone cycle then take a look at my full Testosterone cycle guide.Sustanon 250Sustanon 250 is a popular synthetic testosterone androgen-anabolic steroid often medically used as an injection to treat the problem of low testosterone in men.There are four testosterone ester compounds in Sustanon 250 (Testosterone Propionate, Phenylpropionate, Isocaproate, Decanoate) and all these active substances become testosterone once in the body once Sustanon 250 is injected.Because testosterone is an androgen, this steroid brings about effects of increased masculinization but in men this can result in hair loss due to excess DHT. But it also stimulates red blood cell production which is a critical aspect of muscle growth.Bodybuilders use Sustanon 250 to gain bulk and muscle mass, improve recovery, increase stamina and energy, and to retain a heightened anabolic state. If you’re interested in running a Sustanon 250 cycle, take a look at my Sustanon 250 cycle guide.Dianabol (Methandrostenolone)Dianabol is the most well known of the Methandrostenolone group of steroids and was the first ever androgen and anabolic steroid steroid to become available way back in the 1950s where it was used for increasing muscle mass and strength – just as it continues to be used today.It is very effective for bulking and gaining mass during short time periods. Dianabol can also increase levels of estrogen because it can aromatize, which brings some potential side effects like gynecomastia (increased breast tissue) and fluid retention. For more information see my in-depth Dianabol cycle guide.Trenbolone (Tren)This is an AA steroid that’s used in the livestock industry to increase muscle growth in cattle. Only some esters of Tren are available with Trenbolone itself not available. In veterinary use the ester Trenbolone Acetate is used, while other Trenbolone esters include Enanthate and Hexahydrobenzylcarbonate (Parabolan).Trenbolone Acetate is considered the fastest acting form that is favored by bodybuilders with noticeable effects and progress coming on within days and with no fluid retention, compared with Trenbolone Enanthate which can take several weeks to start kicking in.Trenbolone is considered one of the most powerful steroids which has shown to be up to five times stronger and more effective than testosterone itself. Click here for my full Trenbolone cycle guide.Winstrol (Stanozolol)Stanozolol is a synthetic AA steroid which is a derivative of dihydrotestosterone (DHT).It’s notable for its power to increase strength, but it’s no slouch in the muscle growth department either and a benefit is that it doesn’t aromatize so is less likely to have you experiencing things like water retention.The modified DHT that was formed into the synthetic Stanozolol has its anabolic properties increased – for muscle and strength gains, and it’s androgenic properties reduced. Winstrol is the most well known brand of Stanozolol and is used both orally and as an injectable. If you’re interested in running a Winstrol cycle, take a look at my complete Winstrol cycle guide.Deca-Durabolin (Nandrolone Decanoate)Nandrolone decanoate is one of the most widely used androgenic-anabolic steroids. Studies have proven that Nandrolone brings about significant muscle mass increases in male bodybuilders.Deca-Durabolin is the most well known brand of Nandrolone Decanoate and is used by intramuscular injection.Deca has relatively weak androgenic effects but very strong anabolic effects which gives it a reduced risk of side effects compared with some other steroids. If you are interested in a Deca-Durabolin only cycle, then check out my complete Deca-Durabolin cycle guide.Anadrol (Oxymetholone)Used medically to treat osteoporosis, anemia and wasting syndrome, Oxymetholone is also used as an AA steroid by bodybuilders for its ability to boost muscle growth and strength by increasing testosterone levels plus improving recovery and stamina by reducing or delaying fatigue as a result of increased red blood cell production getting more oxygen to the muscles. Its use as a treatment for anemia is a testament to its ability to improve red blood cell count.Anadrol is one of the most well known brand names of Oxymetholone and is a popular oral steroid known for its ability to deliver hardcore strength and mass gains very quickly. Anadrol has a reputation as one of the most powerful and effective anabolic steroids with excellent anabolic effects and weaker androgenic effects. Click here to check my full Anadrol cycle guide.Clenbuterol (Clen)Clenbuterol is a stimulant that has some similar properties to anabolic steroids and was originally developed to treat breathing disorders, but has become popular amongst bodybuilders and athletes to reduce body fat and grow muscle due to its similar effects to drugs like ephedrine.It’s mainly used as a fat burner and to help increase muscle definition because of its potential to increase thermogenesis and metabolism. Clenbuterol is popularly used during cutting cycles to maximize fat loss. Check out my complete Clenbuterol cycle guide here.Anavar (Oxandrolone)Anavar is the well known brand name of Oxandrolone and is an androgen and anabolic steroid medically used for promoting weight gain after illness or injury, as well as for other conditions like osteoporosis and anemia.When it comes to bodybuilding, Oxandrolone is popular because it’s highly anabolic and minimally androgenic therefore it’s often chosen by those not wanting to use some of the more powerful steroids out there, including by women.Anavar does not require injections and is taken orally as a tablet, which is another attractive benefit for those new to using steroids. If you’re interested in running an Anavar cycle, check my full Anavar cycle guide.Proviron (Mesterolone)Mesterolone, under the brand name Proviron, dates way back to the 1930s when it was developed by a pharmaceutical company. This anabolic androgenic steroid is a useful cutting steroid for those who know how to make the most of this unique compound.While it can be used for mass gains, this steroid is mostly used in cutting cycles. Proviron is derived from dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and is used as an oral steroid.One of the downsides and reasons that this is not a widely used steroid is that compared with other oral compounds, Proviron has lower bioavailability. Proviron has relatively weak androgenic and estrogenic effects compared with other steroids, and can actually provide some mild anti-estrogenic benefits.Mesterolone is unlikely to play a star role in any stack, but one big benefit it can have even in a bulking stack is to increase the amount of free and available hormones from other steroids in the stack because this compound binds strongly to SHGB which can boost circulating free testosterone.Proviron is useful for cutting as not only can it help harden the muscles, but can also enhance that same effect from the other steroids in your stack. It also encourages fat burning thanks to its androgen receptor binding.Being quite anti-estrogenic, Proviron discourages water retention. This steroid comes with low side effect risks, with some androgenic effects being the main concern including the usual culprits like acne and hair loss in some individuals. The most serious potential side effect of Proviron relates to cholesterol and those with high cholesterol are advised to avoid this steroid. For more information check my in-depth Proviron cycle guide.Masteron (Drostanolone)Masteron was originally developed as a breast cancer medication. Bodybuilders make use of the compound Drostanolone as a powerful cutting steroid, especially those people involved in competitions where it is very popular in preparation cycles. This is another DHT derived steroid, but unlike Proviron, Masteron is injectable.There are two esters available, with propionate being more commonly used and more available than enanthate. As you might expect from a breast cancer drug, Masteron holds some valuable anti-estrogenic properties so estrogen related side effects are not a concern with this steroid. Without the worry about water retention, Masteron makes for an excellent cutting steroid with the ability to harden the physique.While not considered to be a bulking or muscle gain steroid, Masteron can improve strength exceptionally well making this a popular steroid with athletes who want both the performance enhancement and fat cutting benefits without building mass. Masteron is a steroid made for people who have already done considerable work in getting lean and toned, with this compound aiding in the final stages before competition where maximum hardness and detailed fat loss is required.Androgenic side effects like hair loss and acne are still possible with Masteron, but are considered mild compared with other steroids. Masteron is also usable by women when careful attention is paid to dosage to avoid virilization. The downside of Masteron also relates to cholesterol and the way this steroid decreases HDL and increases LDL, meaning your cholesterol levels must be monitored and maintained as well as possible through the diet and cardio exercise. For more information check my in-depth Masteron cycle guide.Halotestin (Fluoxymesterone)Halotestin is a unique testosterone-derived steroid in that it is extremely powerful with a sky high anabolic rating, has had many medical uses from muscle wasting to breast cancer, but is not mainly used by bodybuilders or athletes for bulking or cutting. It is mostly valued for its ability to provide incredible strength increases mostly through its activity on red blood cells.Despite the anabolic power of Fluoxymesterone, this is not known to be effective in humans and as a result we don’t get the muscle building effect from this steroid that you might otherwise expect of such a potent compound. What it can do however is boost fat loss and greatly increase performance.Despite the potentially very powerful benefits, Halotestin is not a very widely used steroid and this is mainly because of its quite extensive side effects. Aggression is a real issue with this steroid, so for those men who have a tendency towards a short fuse this is a steroid to avoid completely. Other men might be able to channel the heightened aggression and energy into workouts but this is a serious side effect that needs to be considered.For people who have a specific need for the specialized benefits that Halotestin can provide, it’s a steroid considered potent for short term use where you have a specific goal at the end, making it usable mostly by strength athletes and power lifters. There are no estrogenic side effects with Halotestin but strong androgenic effects are possible in men and the strong androgenic nature of this steroid make it unsuitable for use by females. For more information read my in-depth Halotestin cycle guide.Primobolan (Methenolone)Methenolone is a DHT derived steroid which is available in both oral and injectable forms, with the injectable known as Primobolan Depot. The injectable version is considered much more powerful than the oral form and as such is more popular amongst bodybuilders and performance athletes.The most beneficial effects of Primobolan include its ability to boost nitrogen retention and keep the body in an anabolic state, but despite this it is not considered as a mass building steroid. Primobolan is at its most valuable when used in a cutting cycle with enhanced nitrogen retention helping to retain muscle, and the potential for excellent fat loss through the process of lipolysis.One of the several medical conditions this steroid was used to treat was AIDS due to Primobolan positive effect on the immune system, making this a unique trait of this steroid.Strength enhancement is another effect of Primobolan, making this steroid useful for athletes outside the bodybuilding sphere. This can translate into boosted speed and power, as well as endurance and muscle recovery. Male athletes can benefit from these positive effects without the concern of gaining excess muscle which may not be desired physically or aesthetically.Primobolan is one of the few steroids that is highly usable by females in either oral or injectable form. While men are unlikely to see noticeable mass gains with this steroid, women will be more sensitive to the anabolic effects and can see some gains in weight.There are no estrogenic side effects with Methenolone making it a good cutting steroid without water retention. However strong androgenic side effects are possible, and women are advised to retain a low dose and short duration of use of this steroid. Click here for my full Primobolan cycle guide.Equipoise (Boldenone)This is a veterinary steroid used on debilitated horses to increase appetite and improve body and muscle condition. It is an injectable steroid that is long acting, has excellent anabolic properties and low androgenic activity.For the human bodybuilder, this is a steroid that provides great benefits in the areas of strength and lean mass, although mass gains can be slow and not at the level of more powerful bulking steroids. Those wanting moderate mass gains rather than extreme ones will enjoy Equipoise for this purpose.Some users of Equipoise report an increase in appetite while others experience no change to the appetite, indicating that effect is highly individualistic. Equipoise excels at cutting and is excellent at helping retain lean muscle and provide a general improvement in body conditioning. Strength improvements is an area that Equipoise provides great benefit, as is muscle endurance and recovery.While these are very useful for athletes, the downside of Equipoise is its long detection time of five months. Side effects to expect with this steroid include testosterone suppression, mild negative impact on cholesterol, and relatively low risk of androgenic effects in men like hair loss and acne.Equipoise has a low level of estrogenic activity so these side effects should be easy to control, but can include water retention and gynecomastia particularly when the steroid is used at higher doses. Equipoise can be used by women at low doses with low risk of virilization effects. Check out my complete Equipoise cycle guide.Turinabol (4-Chlorodehydromethyltestosterone)This steroid is similar in its structure to Dianabol as it is a chemical combination of Dianabol and Clostebol. It is more mild in its effects than Dianabol. Also known as Oral Turinabol, this steroid has a low androgenic rating and does not aromatize.This is a steroid that is not highly valued by bodybuilders, but more so by performance athletes thanks to Turinabol’s ability to enhance muscle endurance, strength and recovery. Noticeable gains in speed and power can be expected with this steroid, making it desirable for sports athletes which is why this steroid is notorious for its past use by East German Olympic athletes in the 1970’s and 1980’s.Turinabol provides its performance enhancing effects by increasing red blood cell count which gets more oxygen and nutrients to the muscles; further boosting their endurance and power. Increasing protein synthesis and nitrogen retention result in heightened anabolic activity so lean muscle is retained.Side effects of Turinabol include a high risk of negative impact on cholesterol and suppression of natural testosterone production. Androgenic are unlikely but possible and can include acne and baldness. Water retention and other estrogenic side effects are not an issue with this steroid, making it useful as part of a cutting cycle. Check out my complete Turinabol cycle guide.Steroids Half-Lives? What is a Half-Life?The elimination half-life of any drug or substance, including steroids, is a measure of how long it takes for a 50% reduction of the steroid concentration to remain in the blood or body. Knowing the half life of a steroid you’re taking makes it easy to plan your cycles, know which steroids to use and how long you should use them for.It will also allow you to know what’s happening in your body if you’re faced with substance testing. The half life of a steroid remains the same no matter what your dosage is or how long you’ve been using it.Half life length can vary considerably between different steroid types. For example, Deca-Durabolin has a long half life of 15 days, while Winstrol has a very short half life of just 9 hours. Steroids with a longer half life take longer to withdraw from compared to those with shorter half lives.Cycling, Stacking, and Pyramiding SteroidsThese are three of the usage methods or patterns that can be applied to steroid use. The one you select will depend on what goals you have, with bodybuilders and athletes requiring different methods to achieve the maximum possible effect.Cycling SteroidsCycling is used by people who know exactly what they want to achieve and when, as well as when they want to be steroid-free when it comes to being tested.Cycling is essentially an on-off strategy and one of the big reasons it’s done is to avoid the diminishing effects of steroids after they’ve been continually taken for around two months, where muscle gain can start to slow. Cycling requires a plan as you’ll be deciding how long you want to take the steroid for, and how long the break in between will be when you stop using it.A cycle can range anywhere from a few weeks up to several months of usage, followed by a period of time with either no steroid use at all, or using at a lower dosage. Your cycle length will depend on your experience with steroids, which steroid you’re taking, and what goals you’re trying to achieve.Stacking SteroidsBulking, cutting, strength and performance are the big reasons that anyone uses anabolic steroids.You might have one or more of these goals, but ultimately what you want to achieve from your steroid cycles is going to determine what you take and how you take them. Bulking and cutting while retaining muscle mass are two areas I focus on below with these steroid stack examples.As you would expect, added benefits like increased strength, endurance and performance are going to come with the use of these compounds which is ultimately what helps you break through all your plateaus and previous records at the gym once you’re on a cycle.More experienced steroid users might try stacking and as you might guess, this involves using more than one type of steroid at a time. Combining two or more steroids that each have different actions or effects on the body is one way of attempting to achieve a much more powerful result.One of the main steroid stacking strategies is to stack a short acting and long acting steroid, or to combine oral and injectable steroids in a stack. Stacking steroids comes with greater potential results but also with increased risks, and these also need to be considered.Pyramiding SteroidsJust like the shape of a pyramid, this method is centered on beginning with a low dose and gradually increasing your steroid dosage so that your peak dose is in the middle of the cycle. This is the top of the pyramid, after which you then begin gradually decreasing the dosage until you get back to zero.Unlike cycling where you might abruptly stop using steroids completely at the end of a cycle, pyramiding allowed you to slowly taper off. One of the main reasons users choose the pyramid method is to help adjust to higher doses while trying to avoid overloading the natural hormone system of the body and giving it time to readjust when the dosage is lowered in the second part of the pyramid.Cycle LengthHow long should you run your steroid cycles for? This will depend on several factors but the main ones are going to be which steroid compound (or compounds) you want to use, and what your overall goals are (plus if you expect to be faced with any sort of drug testing at any stage).Short Cycles (2-4 weeks)Lasting just two or three weeks, a short cycle can be useful at two extreme ends – either for getting very rapid gains by essentially blasting the body with very high doses (not recommended for any beginner), or if you’re happy with some steady but slower gains without overloading your body with substances.The benefit of the latter is, when done with 3 or 4 weeks off cycle, a short and steady cycle reduces health and side effects risks to the lowest possible level.Medium Cycles (6-8 weeks)A 6 to 8 weeks cycle is useful for gaining lean mass or cutting over a moderate period of time where you put in serious diet and gym work, while allowing to run around 3 cycles per year with adequate time during the off cycle period without the risk of diminishing gains which can happen if you’re cycle extends for too long.This time frame also reduces side effects, although this will heavily depend on what compounds you’re using. Medium cycles do restrict you to making the gains you want during these few weeks so you’ll be fairly limited to faster acting compounds. Testosterone propionate injections are often the ester of choice for a medium cycleStandard Cycles (10-12 weeks)Lasting from 10 to 12 weeks, standard cycle lengths are suited to new steroid users as well as those with more experience, with benefits for both bulking and cutting depending on you goals and which steroid compounds you’re using.This period of time is considered optimal because it allows you to make gains for the longest possible time, until you reach the point where gaining muscle starts to diminish and plateau, and potentially stop altogether. This eliminates any wasting of time (and steroids) if your body is not going to make gains – instead allowing you to go off cycle and clear your system in preparation for the start of the next cycle.Long Cycles (3-9 months)This is only recommended for long-time, highly experienced or older users who have no concern about natural testosterone levels. Some people believe that very long cycles ranging from 3 to 9 months can bring about permanent gains.Testosterone enanthate or cypionate are the compounds most commonly used in a long cycle. As expected, the heightened risk of serious side effects of these extra long steroid cycles makes it a strategy that shouldn’t be taken lightly.Beginner Steroid CycleWhich compounds to use for my beginner steroid cycle?Selecting a shorter half life steroid as your first makes it easier to get over any initial side effects when the steroid eliminates from your system sooner. Striking a balance between effective results and mild side effects is important for a beginner. That means keeping the dosage moderate and carefully considering which compounds to use first.The biggest factor you’re probably thinking about is “Do I go orals or injectables?“.Orals are no doubt much less daunting than injecting for the first time, but it does significantly limit the compounds you’ll be able to use, plus how long you’ll be able to use it. While orals are easier to take, they come with toxic side effects to the liver so.Whichever form you decide to use for your beginner cycle, your next step is to figure out which steroid compounds you’re going to kick things off with. Here are some of my favorite cycles for beginners:Testosterone only cycleTestosterone only cycle will help keep your testosterone levels up if you’re going to be using other steroids in your cycle that can suppress test levels. The goal of using Test enanthate is to retain your testosterone levels at the highest possible level throughout your cycle, so dosage across the cycle can vary but as a beginner you’ll be looking at using up to 500mg each week. This compound boosts production of red blood cells and gives noticeable gains in muscle mass and endurance.Dianabol only cycleDianabol only cycle is a common beginner choice because it’s an oral compound, so it’s simple to take and helps you avoid injecting. You’ll only be doing a 6 week cycle on Dianabol to avoid liver toxicity. You will also need to watch out for androgenic side effects and considering taking aromatase inhibitor drugs alongside it to reduce estrogen and minimize these side effects. A big benefit to Dbol as a beginner cycle choice is its very short half life, so if you change your mind it won’t take long to exit your system.Nandrolone only cycleA cycle of Nandrolone for your first beginner attempt puts you in a class of steroids that are very popular but does require intramuscular injections. As a beginner cycle, you will want to start at a half dose twice a week, then increase the dose to the full level of 200mg as a weekly injection.Beginners need to remember that steroids are not going to build muscle or give you massive strength on their own: your results will come down to your dedication in the gym, to your diet and how hard you’re willing to train to get the absolute maximum results your body is capable of with the use of steroids.Side effects from your first steroid cycleIt’s really important to play close attention to how you’re responding to the effects of steroids after you start taking them.You’ll soon notice which, if any, particular side effects are going to start causing issues for you, and it won’t necessarily be the same effect that you’ve heard of someone else experiencing with the same steroid: every person is different.It’s the androgenic type side effects from some steroids that you’ve probably heard about often: oily skin, acne, anger issues. Not everyone will experience these side effects, with some guys being more prone to them.If you’ve never had acne in your life you’re less likely to get it after using steroids compared with someone who had massive breakouts in his teens. The same goes with baldness and whether there’s a genetic predisposition for it in your family history.Advanced Steroid CycleAdvanced cycles are only to be considered if you’ve been doing less powerful cycles for some time and have got a comfortable grip on what effect certain steroids have on your body, and have gained the confidence that you’re ready to move up the ranks to a more advanced user of steroid compounds.A more advanced steroid cycle might consist of several steroid compounds; in essence a stack that is used on a cycle schedule. A common example of this could be combining Testosterone (cypionate or enanthate), Deca, Dianabol and Anavar.Consider this advanced bulking cycle: A 16 week cycle consisting of 1000mg of Testosterone weekly, 600mg of Deca weekly, 70mg of Dianabol per day for the first 5 weeks, which is then stopped and substituted with Anavar from week 6 to 16 at 100mg daily. As with all cycles, post cycle therapy is critical.Common Side Effects of Steroid UseThere’s no denying that using any steroid is going to put you at risk of some side effects. You can reduce the risk of unwanted side effects by using steroids in lower doses, however there is no way to completely eliminate both the mild and potentially dangerous risks involved in using anabolic steroids. Some of the common side effects people experience include:Fluid retentionDue to the quick increases in muscle gain that anabolic steroids product, soft or bloated looking muscle can occur because of fluid retention. Water retention can also make your face look bloated.Acne and oily skinIf you were prone to acne before starting steroids, you’re more likely to experience this as a side effect in addition to acne related conditions like oily skin as well as noticeably more oily hair. The acne can become severe for some people. The skin’s oil glands are more susceptible to infection and inflammation because of the steroid’s effects on the sebaceous glands.Mood swings, irritability and angerHeavy use of anabolic steroids is known to heighten the risk of negative emotional and behavioral changes like aggressiveness and mood swings. This has been linked to the term “roid rage” and can, in severe cases, has a disastrous effect on personal relationships, employment and other aspects of life.Sleep difficultyResearch has found that many people who use anabolic androgenic steroids reporting experiencing a sleep disorder, and one sleep study showed that steroid users are prone to reduced efficiency of sleep and alterations to normal sleep patterns.Premature baldnessUsing androgenic steroids can induce male pattern baldness in young guys who are predisposed to it – so if your dad has a receding hair line then you’re at a higher risk of this side effect no matter how young you are.GynecomastiaOtherwise known as the dreaded man boobs or simply as gyno, this is an enlargement of the breast tissue in males. A method of reducing or eliminating the risk of gyno when using steroids is to make use of anti-aromatase and anti-estrogen substances. Once gynecomastia is allowed to develop, you can’t reverse the effects except with surgery, so it’s critical you get on top of any signs of breast enlargement as soon as you notice it, including sensitivity and itching of the area which are usually the first noticeable signs.Testicular atrophyNo guy wants shrunken testicles, but this is a real side effect risk with some anabolic steroids because of the massive boost of synthetic testosterone you’re getting, which tells the body it doesn’t need to keep producing testosterone the natural way – via the testicles. So they start shrinking. It’s not just the size that reduces though, with sperm count also decreasing bringing about reduced fertility. This is one of the most dreaded of all side effects from steroid use.The most severe side effects that heavy and long term users of steroids are at risk of can extend to liver damage, kidney cancer, stroke and heart attack.COMPOUNDSIDE EFFECTSGAINS*TestosteroneEdema, acne, hair loss, gynoModerate-HighSustanon 250Acne, liver, nausea, gynoModerate-HighDianabolHair loss, edema, gyno, liverModerateAnadrol 50Liver, edema, gynecomastiaModerate-HighDeca-DurabolinSlight edemaModerate-HighTrenboloneOily skin, acne, hair lossModerate-HighAnavarLiver damageLow-ModerateWinstrolLiver damageModerateClenbuterolInsomnia, headache, nauseaModerateHalotestinLiver damageLow-ModeratePrimobolan DepotTesticular atrophyLow-ModerateNote: “Gains” defines how much muscle mass you’ll put on.If you’re a male in your late teens and early 20s who is still physically developing you have a higher risk of negative side effects like acne and scarring, stunted growth, stretch marks and aged skin.Stopping the use of a steroid cycle or quitting steroids altogether can bring about depression, tiredness, weight loss and loss of strength while your body takes several months to build testosterone levels back to where they naturally should be.Post Cycle Therapy (PCT) After Your First CycleBeginners might overlook the necessity of PCT after a steroid cycle, but post cycle therapy is just as important as the cycle itself. Steroids cause havoc with the body’s natural processes, including testosterone and other hormone production, so once you come off a cycle you need to encourage your body to begin producing hormones naturally again, without relying on artificial steroids.PCT is important both for preventing steroid side effects as well as for helping maintain the muscle gains you’ve made during your cycle. But when to start your PCT protocol after ceasing your cycle? Here is a quick reference table:COMPOUNDWHEN TO START AFTER LAST ADMISSIONDURATION OF PCTTestosterone Enanthate2 weeks3-4 weeksTestosterone Cypionate2 weeks3-4 weeksTestosterone Propionate3 days3 weeksTestosterone Suspension6-8 hours3 weeksSustanon 2503 weeks3-4 weeksWinstrol12 hours2-3 weeksDianabol6-8 hours3 weeksTrenbolone Acetate3 days4 weeksDeca-Durabolin3 weeks4 weeksSuperdrol6-8 hours3 weeksAnavar8-10 hours2-3 weeksAnadrol8-9 hours2-3 weeksPrimobolan Depot2 weeks3 weeksEquipoise17-21 days3 weeksPCT usually lasts between 3 to 6 weeks or a little longer. These are some of the most common PCT drugs people use for their post-cycle therapy:Clomid PCT: 50mg/day for 3 weeks (or 100mg/day first 10 days, then 50mg/day for 10 more days)Nolvadex PCT: 40mg/day week 1-2 and 20mg/day week 3-4Making PCT a critical part of every steroid cycle is a habit you will need to get into, starting from your very first cycle as a beginner. These and other PCT drugs come with their own potential side effects so always do your research before deciding which ones to use. Check out my full comprehensive PCT cycle guide to fully understand what is required for a productive post cycle therapy.Common Q&A Related to Your First Steroid CycleWhen you’re new to steroids you are likely to have a lot of questions. Below are some of the most common questions I see being asked by people considering using steroids for the first time.What are anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS)?These are steroids which are synthetic derivatives of testosterone which give similar effects to that male hormone. Because testosterone is so critical in the process building of muscle and strength, taking AAS substances substantially boosts your ability to gain muscle mass, burn fat, and recover faster. The androgenic side of some of these steroids can result in masculinizing side effects which is why advanced users aim to use steroid types that have more powerful anabolic effects, and reduced androgenic effects.Is it safe to inject steroids? Does it hurt?Maintaining common sense hygiene and safety practices ensures you won’t be risking your health with any sort of infections when using steroid injections. When it comes to the best location for your injections – as a beginner it’s often recommended to start at one of the biggest muscles – the buttock area. The top right or left area is the gluteus maximus muscle and is going to be the least painful location. To avoid pain and irritation, rotate your injection sites each time and don’t inject into the same muscle without letting it recover.How to inject steroids?Steroids are injected intramuscularly – directly into the muscle – and not intravenously. Learning how to inject steroids properly and safely is critical if you are to gain confidence in using this form of androgen and anabolic steroid.Like doing anything for the first time, injecting steroids will take some time to become used to. But you can significantly decrease your risks of having anything going wrong just by following some basic safety and common sense procedures, by taking your time the first few times. It won’t be long until you feel confident with injecting.Hygiene is critical: wash your hands, only used new and sterile needles and clean the injection site with an antibacterial cleanser both before and after injecting. And it goes without saying – don’t share needles.Steroids are injected straight into your muscle. Choosing the best muscle or the one you are most comfortable with is something you’ll want to think about as there are pros and cons to selecting various muscles.The glutes are large muscles with less nerves and are a popular newbie choice, despite the fact you need to twist to get into position – after a few times this will become easier. Other muscle injecting sites include the thigh which is easily accessible, plus the deltoids, triceps and biceps. Injection sites should be rotated so each location can recover.You might feel tense on your first few injection attempts, but it’s important to remain calm and allow the muscle to relax. Once you’ve drawn up your measured dose into the syringe, place it over your injection site.You’ll want to be sure you haven’t hit a vein and the best way to do that is to pull back on the plunger to see if any blood is extracted. If so, try another spot (using a new needle if you wish). Once you’re happy with the location, push down on the syringe plunger at a steady pace: not too fast.Once you’ve removed the needle, swab the site for a for a minute and ensure it’s kept clean. The better your injecting technique becomes, the less risk of soreness you’ll experience. For more information read my in-depth steroid injections guide.What age should I start using steroids?Many people think it is a waste to begin using steroids use below age 30, and particularly below age 25 because natural testosterone levels are so high during this time that you should be making the most of it. Older guys who are seeing a natural decrease in testosterone as they age will often turn to steroids to maintain the positive benefits of testosterone – including gaining muscle, but most also note a significant boost in all over mental and physical well being so long as the steroids are not abused.What should my diet and training be like when I’m on a steroid cycle?Plenty of protein is a must while on a cycle since steroids boost protein synthesis which in turn is what builds muscle. You want to maintain your fuel and never allow the muscles to become depleted. The better you eat while on a cycle, the better your results will be.The same goes for your training: while on a cycle your body is ready to be pushed to the maximum limit. Your gains will come on thick and fast, but only those who are dedicated to lifting the heaviest weights and pushing through the toughest reps until absolute muscle exhaustion will reap the maximum potential benefits that can be had by using steroids.What is an ester?Ester is a chemistry term relating to the modification of compounds. This gives us varying forms of similar steroids: for example, there are multiple types of testosterone esters which are very similar in chemical structure, but with slight differences which are enough to give each ester a different effect on the body. There are dozens of testosterone esters but only a few are commonly used by AAS users.Should I take anti-estrogen drugs with steroids?Some steroids can increase the female hormone estrogen by bringing about an imbalance in hormones that leads to the aromatase enzyme converting too much testosterone into estrogen, causing distressing side effects. For this reason, users of steroids that are known to have this effects will make use of anti-estrogen drugs known as aromatase inhibitors. Many of these are cancer medications made for women and are not always simple to get your hands on.What is gyno?Short for gynecomastia – male breast growth which is a common side effect of some steroid use. If too much estrogen conversion happens, gyno comes about and it’s not reversible besides with surgery like liposuction. This swelling of the breast tissue is one of the most visible and embarrassing potential side effects of steroid use and undoubtably one that guys to great lengths to try and prevent. Anadrol and Dianabol are two of the steroids known to come with a higher risk of gyno development.Will steroids give me acne or make me bald?Male pattern baldness and acne type skin conditions are certainly two possible side effects of anabolic steroid use. Out of the two, acne is considered the more common side effect, with baldness being higher risk if your male ancestors passed on baldness genes.Acne comes about due to increased activity of the oil producing sebaceous glands thanks to the androgen effects of some steroids. One study found that over 40% of anabolic and androgenic steroid users experienced acne, particularly on the face and back. The good news is that acne can disappear once you stop the steroid, however baldness is more permanent.Will steroids affect my sex drive?A boost of the libido is common when using AAS compounds. Many guys notice a concerning drop in their sex drive after stopping steroids. This is due to the body’s natural testosterone production being significantly reduced or stopping altogether, which is why post cycle therapy is so important once you come off a steroid cycle as you aim to get your natural hormone levels back to normal. For more information see my erectile dysfunction treatment guide.How fast do anabolic steroids work?Every steroid is different when it comes to how quick you can start seeing results, and your training and diet regime will play a significant role in how big you’re going to get and how fast you’ll get there. Injectable steroids naturally work much faster than orals like Dianabol. For most steroids you are looking at a few weeks, which is why you need to stick to a recommended cycle length according to which AAS you’re going to use.What happens when you stop taking steroids?Although anabolic steroids are not drugs that brings about physical addiction, users can experience mood swings, anxiety, depression and other negative effects when stopping steroid use due to a sudden hormonal imbalance and low testosterone. Steroids with a longer half life take longer to withdraw from. This is why it’s critical to work on restoring the natural hormone balance after using AAS compounds.