Clenbuterol: How anti-asthmatic drug become popular among bodybuilders
The development of the drug Clenbuterol was conducted solely with the goal of obtaining a medication for asthma. This medication was successfully tested, began to be used for its intended purpose. But soon enough it demonstrated the properties and qualities, due to which it became much more widespread. Along with asthma therapy, Clenbuterol is often taken by bodybuilders.
The principle of Clen action
There are two types of andrenoreceptors in adipose and muscle tissues - alpha and beta. Excitation of the first group of receptors becomes the cause of active accumulation of body fat, and the second group, on the contrary, sets up the body in such a way that fat begins to be used as an energy source, and its breakdown rate increases sharply. Clenbuterol is a beta 2-agonist. It excites beta-type andrenoreceptors. Its use triggers the mechanism of biochemical reactions that enhance lipolysis - the breakdown of fats into components.
In addition to burning fat, taking the drug has an accelerating effect on metabolism, increasing its speed by about 20-30 percent. This allows you to get another indisputable advantage during the drying period. When using Clenbuterol, lipoprotein lipase is more active, which prevents the formation of fat in the body. The use of this tool stimulates the function of the thyroid gland to increase the production of hormones, which are fat burners. These properties of Clenbuterol perfectly help to get rid of excess body fat.
Produced in tablet form, this drug becomes an excellent assistant for every athlete during the drying period, it speeds up metabolism, secretion of hormones synthesized by the thyroid gland. These and other effects allow you to lose body fat against a background of dietary nutrition, implying a deficiency of calories consumed.
Misconceptions about the Clenbuterol
There are many myths regarding Clenbuterol. One of the most common misconceptions was the assignment of an anti-catabolic - anabolic effect to the drug. It did not appear from scratch.
This was facilitated by conducting tests with animals. However, even huge dosages of more than 1 milligram administered daily to horses caused a similar effect in some individuals and only to a small extent.
Experimental tests of Clenbuterol in animals have nothing to do with the effect of the drug on the human body. A dosage of 1000 mcg (1 mg) may be given to horses. For humans, it is lethal. And even if Clenbuterol has an anabolic effect in large doses, then, unfortunately, for an athlete who uses the drug in small quantities, it does not matter. Therefore, taking a medication for an anti-catabolic effect is devoid of any meaning.
Clenbuterol acts exclusively as a fat burner, prescribed for asthma. It does not have any other influences; it is suitable for use during the drying period. If there are any other properties attributed to Clenbuterol, then their influence is negligible, completely invisible to the athlete. In contrast, Clenbuterol has proven itself as a fat burner only on the positive side. You should not treat it as a “miracle” remedy, which in itself eliminates fat deposits. It has a fat-burning effect only with well-designed training and diet.
Clenbuterol effects
The drug speeds up metabolism, helps the body begin to use fat as a source of energy, given that it does not get enough calories with food. It is necessary to remember about individual features. Properly constructed regimen, training, diet sometimes do not allow the athlete to fully experience the effects of Clenbuterol. The rationality of taking these pills during the drying period allows us to evaluate only constant monitoring of the achieved results.
The main thing, in the pursuit of effect, do not forget about caution.
Along with tablets, Clenbuterol can also be purchased in syrup form. The composition of the latter includes sugar. This makes him not the best choice for an athlete. Preference is best given to tablets.
In animal experiments, it was shown that large doses of Clenbuterol can be toxic to the myocardium and testicular tissue.
Beta 2 receptors are also found in the kidneys, due to which there is an increase in renin secretion, which subsequently leads to the elimination of potassium from the body, therefore, additional intake of asparkam is considered appropriate.
Possible side effects of taking Clenbuterol
Like any medication, the use of Clenbuterol can have some negative effects. They are not so significant if the athlete strictly complies with the daily norm.
Side effects from taking the drug for a bodybuilder are as follows:
- nausea that occurs in 3% of athletes;
- indigestion observed in 5%;
- increased blood pressure and heart rate, manifested in 6% of cases;
- causeless feelings of anxiety and insomnia, which is observed in 7% of athletes;
- increased sweating, manifested in 10%, and trembling with convulsions observed in 20% of cases.
Many negative consequences, based on the frequency of occurrence, manifest themselves almost always. Do not worry too much about these risks, since they are observed only in the first days after the start of Clenbuterol use, and then pass away. The presence of negative effects is a consequence of the reaction of the body to an increase in the rate of metabolic processes.
Another effects
To get the maximum benefit from this drug, to reduce all risks to zero, two conditions must be observed. Firstly, do not exceed the recommended daily intake (up to 120 micrograms), starting with minimal dosages. Secondly, use some concomitant drugs during the drying period.
As you can see, many side effects of clenbuterol can be prevented with ketotifen and bisoprolol (metoprolol). Also, it should be noted that most side effects are especially pronounced only at the initial stages of the course, and after a few days they subside or completely disappear.
Beta 2 receptors are also found in the kidneys, due to which there is an increase in renin secretion, which subsequently leads to the elimination of potassium from the body, therefore, additional intake of asparkam is considered appropriate.
Clenbuterol slightly increases insulin secretion. Acting on intestinal receptors, it causes its relaxation, which may affect its function: incomplete digestibility of food, diarrhea, flatulence, dysbiosis.
The information in some instructions about bronchospasm after cancellation is relevant only for people with asthma, in whom the reaction of the bronchial tree is increased.
Caffeine, yohimbine, thyroxine and other stimulants significantly increase the frequency of side effects.
Clenbuterol for weight lost
The course of taking Clenbuterol tablets should be no more than 1.5 months (6 weeks). After 14 days, downregulation of the receptors occurs. This means that the effectiveness of the drug is significantly reduced. Avoid this allows the concomitant use of Ketotifen. Its daily dosage varies from 1 to 2 micrograms. This drug not only prevents the decrease in the effectiveness of Clenbuterol, but also allows you to easily transfer the first days of the start of the course when side effects are manifested.
Clen courses
The duration of the course of Clenbuterol is usually 2 weeks, then addiction (tolerance of the receptors) is developed and the effectiveness decreases. After which it is necessary to take a 2-week break using ketotifen, without it, the break is useless, and then repeat the course; without ketotifen, the break should be significantly longer.
The need for a break was scientifically substantiated back in 1990: desensitization of beta-adrenergic receptors develops due to phosphorylation of receptors and other biochemical modifications at the level of secondary messengers (kinases, G-proteins, etc.). It takes several days to update these structures.
The duration and effectiveness of the course of clenbuterol, as was said, can be increased by the inclusion of ketotifen. Sometimes, to prevent adaptation of the receptors, a pulse course is recommended - 2 days of admission, 2 days of rest, but this scheme is less effective.
Do not forget to take enough protein, BCAA and other cortisol blockers during the cycle, this will greatly improve the result. Follow an appropriate diet for weight loss or drying.
In 2010, a study was conducted that revealed a synergistic effect when combined with anabolic steroids, which confirms the advisability of including the drug at the end of the AS course. Many experts do not recommend combining the drug with anabolic steroids, since the risk of heart hypertrophy increases.
Solo course
Clenbuterol begins to be taken with small doses, increasing the daily rate by 20 mcg, reaching the optimum. Dosage increase is carried out in the first six days of the beginning of the course:
- 20 mcg on the first day;
- 40 mcg on the second day;
- 60 mcg on the third day;
- 80 mcg on the fourth day;
- 100 mcg on the fifth day;
- 120 mcg on the sixth day.
Achieving the maximum dosage is optional. You can stop at 80 mcg. You need to focus on your personal feelings.
Clenbuterol + ketotifen course
Ketotifen is an antiallergic drug with a unique ability to restore the sensitivity of beta-2 adrenergic receptors to clenbuterol. This property has been repeatedly proven in studies involving not only patients with asthma, but also isolated lymphocytes. The mechanism of this effect, obviously, is associated not with histamine receptors, but with the inhibition of phosphodiesterase, which regulates the cAMP-dependent metabolism of all cells, which allows extrapolating the results obtained in the work with lymphocytes to adipose tissue.
Similar effects of receptor resensitization were observed in ketotifen and in relation to other beta-agonists, which is confirmed by a large number of studies.
With the help of ketotifen, you can speed up the process of losing weight or drying by 10-20 percent and extend the course to 8 weeks. In addition, ketotifen will help eliminate mental agitation, tremor of the extremities, insomnia and heart palpitations.
- 20 mcg Clenbuterol - day 1
- 40 mcg Clenbuterol - day 2
- 60 mcg of clenbuterol - day 3
- 80 mcg Clenbuterol - day 4:
- 100 mcg clenbuterol + 1 mg ketotifen - day 5
- 120 mcg of clenbuterol + 2 mg of ketotifen - day 6-27
- 80 mcg clenbuterol + 2 mg ketotifen - day 28
- 50 mcg clenbuterol + 1-2 mg ketotifen - day 29
- 33-35 mcg clenbuterol + 1 mg ketotifen - day 30
- at least two weeks off
Ketotifen is taken at night, clenbuterol in the morning. The dose distribution is the same as in the previous example.
Combination: To maximize the effectiveness of the course, Clenbuterol is combined with thyroxine. However, in this case, the risk of side effects increases.
Clenbuterol Reviews
Taking Clenbuterol tablets during the drying period, athletes notice a significant increase in the speed of the fat burning process. Athletes feel vigor, higher concentration during training. This is especially valuable if you follow a low or carbohydrate-free diet.
This preparation helps athletes speed up the drying process. Judging by the reviews of Clenbuterol, side effects also make themselves felt. In the early days, convulsions and trembling appear in almost everyone, including athletes who are taking the course for the first time. The initial weight after discontinuation of the drug, if proper nutrition is observed and after the end of the dose, is not returned.