Cutting cycle
The cutting cycle is the process of shedding excess body fat. Unlike ordinary people, for the athletes the process of losing weight is slightly different. I suggest analyzing the problems that bodybuilders face.
Please note that this article will be devoted to the analysis of drug support. This is not a call to action. This is fact-finding material. You can not take these drugs without consulting a doctor
The goal of the cycle for bodybuilders is not only to lose weight. Equally important is muscle preservation. A high-calorie diet during the bulking cycle leads to the accumulation of adipose tissue. Also, most steroids lead to excessive fluid accumulation.
Many muscle growth cycles include drugs that dry muscles. But they only slightly smooth the edematous effect of steroids.
Let's talk about the physiology of cutting
Why do athletes lose muscle mass? This is due to the limitation of energy intake. Testosterone production depends on several factors. The first is reverse regulation. When testosterone enters from the outside, our body stops working out endogenous testosterone. The second is the limitation of energy revenues. With insufficient calorie intake, testosterone production decreases. The body begins to secrete cortisol. The effects of cortisol are in many ways the opposite of testosterone. Cortisol has a particularly negative effect on nitrogen balance.
The concept of nitrogen balance should be known to every bodybuilder. Nitrogen is the main electrolyte of protein. Nitrogen balance is an indicator of protein balance. If it is neutral, then the amount of protein, and therefore muscle, is stable. If it is negative, then the protein is destroyed. Cortisol activates protein breakdown.
Therefore, it is recommended to increase protein intake and maintain training intensity. So we will shift the nitrogen balance to the neutral side. Unfortunately, these actions are not enough.
Without medication, it is almost impossible to maintain muscle volume. Therefore, I propose to talk about drugs that will help us. Then we discuss their combination.
Testosterone Propionate
As we recall, the amount of endogenous testosterone drops significantly. To maintain its amount, you need to take anabolic steroids. Almost all steroid drugs increase tissue edema. But there are exceptions.
Usually, Testosterone Propionate is taken as the second steroid on the course. It weakly increases strength and muscle growth. But it has an important advantage - it gives dry mass. Muscles are obtained in relief, excess fluid is removed. This is the perfect choice for the Cutting cycle.
Testosterone Propionate is a testosterone molecule with an attached ester propionate molecule. This drug was invented in the 30s of the last century. Today, its manufacturing technology is different. It has become more refined and causes fewer side effects.
The validity period of Test Prop is three days. To maintain a stable concentration of ego, it is recommended to introduce it every other day.
Do not forget about the rules for the safe use of anabolic steroids. It is subject to aromatization. This means that estrogenic side effects are possible. To prevent them, it is necessary to take drugs, which we will discuss further.
Stanozolol
Stanozolol is an anabolic steroid. Unlike testosterone propionate, it is not subject to aromatization. This is because it is a derivative of dihydrotestosterone.
This drug acts inside the cell. It passes through the cell wall and activates energy processes. A cell with a lot of energy synthesizes protein and other substances. This is called the activation of anabolic processes.
It is especially important to increase energy production in conditions of insufficient intake of calories.
An equally important function is an increase in the number of red blood cells.
The hematopoietic effect is associated with an increase in the synthesis of erythropoietin. Thus, we increase the delivery of oxygen to the tissues.
The third reason we included stanozolol in the course is globulin binding. Globulin is a transport protein. It carries substances in the blood. He is involved in the utilization of testosterone. By blocking globulin, stanozolol increases the bioavailability of testosterone. So we protect testosterone from destruction.
It also reduces the side effects of the aromatization of other drugs.
One of the benefits of stanozolol is the possibility of oral administration.
Trenbolone acetate
Trenbolone Acetate is an injectable form of trenbolone with a short half-life. This is a fairly powerful anabolic steroid with a wide field of application. In addition to the anabolic effect, trenbolone also has a fat-burning effect.
Adding an acetate molecule increases the effectiveness of trenbolone.
If we talk about endocrine effects, then we are interested in two of them. This is the production of an insulin-like growth factor and a decrease in cortisol levels.
Due to IGF, a significant decrease in the amount of fat occurs. Besides, IGF stimulates muscle hyperplasia. This increases the volume of the muscles. Please note that IGF does not affect strength indicators.
A decrease in cortisol concentration, in turn, shifts the nitrogen balance in a positive direction. This prevents the breakdown of already formed muscles.
It is worth noting that trenbolone does not aromatize, therefore, does not have estrogenic side effects.
Nolvadex
Nolvadex is a drug that is designed to fight estrogen. Since this cycle includes testosterone preparations, Nolvadex is required during the cycle. It was originally invented for the treatment of hormone-dependent breast cancer. It is quite effectively used today.
The mechanism of action is to block estrogen receptors. Nolvadex blocks estrogen receptors in all tissues, but for us, the most important point of application is the pituitary gland. He is responsible for regulating the production of all hormones, including testosterone. When estrogen acts on the pituitary gland, testosterone production in the testes decreases.
By blocking the estrogen receptors, we prevent the development of testicular atrophy. The severity of other side effects of aromatization is also reduced.
Since there is no direct blocking of the aromatase enzyme, the toxicity of anabolic steroids does not increase, which is also important.
HCG
HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) is a glycoprotein hormone produced normally by the placenta during pregnancy. The HCG molecule consists of two molecules linked together
The HCG produced by the placenta, similar in its function to the pituitary LH. It is necessary to maintain pregnancy. HCG is this hormone that two-strip pregnancy tests determine. But let's get back to bodybuilding.
HCG stimulates the synthesis of sex hormones in the ovaries and testicles. HCG Enhances the development of genital organs and secondary sexual characteristics.
It is used in medicine to reduce the function of the gonads in men and women, due to a violation of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. After intramuscular administration, the drug is well absorbed. The half-life is 8 hours.
During the steroid cycle, the principle of negative feedback completely suppresses the synthesis of LH and FSH. The consequence of this is a complete cessation of endogenous testosterone production, impaired spermatogenesis, and a decrease in testicular size. Therefore, when exiting the steroid cycle, athletes use HCG to thereby restore the synthesis of endogenous testosterone.
Besides, HCG can be used for weight loss to preserve muscle mass. HCG programs the hypothalamus for the consumption of fat reserves. In this case, the muscles remain protected from catabolism.
Clomid
Clomid belongs to the group of antiestrogens. It is more selective than Nolvadex. If Nolvadex interacts with all estrogen receptors, then Clomid only binds to receptors in the hypothalamus and ovaries.
Today, Clomid is used to increase the chance of becoming pregnant. Also in men, it is used to treat oligospermia.
Clomiphene positively affects the concentration of gonadotropic hormones. Also, the drug can bind to estrogen receptors, so the amount of estrogen in the blood increases, but most of the hormone will be inactive.
In the first days after taking clomiphene, the amount of gonadotropic hormones increases to the maximum level, which in turn significantly increases the concentration of natural testosterone in the body. After 6 weeks of taking clomiphene in an athlete, endogenous testosterone returns to normal, and the level of gonadotropic hormones returns to its normal concentration.
YCZ
YCZ is a combination drug. It consists of two active substances - Clenbuterol and Yohimbine.
Clenbuterol is a medicine that is used to treat bronchial asthma. In recent years, Clenbuterol has found widespread use in bodybuilding and fitness due to its ability to burn fat. Therefore, athletes often use it for weight loss and cutting.
Clenbuterol belongs to the group of adrenergic agonists.
It activates beta-2-adrenergic receptors, as a result of which the sympathetic nervous system is activated and lipolysis is triggered.
Clenbuterol can bind to beta-2 receptors in the adipose tissue. After it binds to the receptor, a cascade of biochemical reactions is triggered. This leads to an increase in cAMP synthesis. cAMP, in turn, activates enzymes that release fatty acids from adipocytes.
Besides, Clenbuterol causes an adrenaline and norepinephrine surge. These hormones are called stress-hormones. They cause the body to spend energy and not accumulate it.
In addition to Clenbuterol destroying the already present fat, it also interferes with the deposition of a new one.
Clenbuterol also has a pronounced anti-catabolic effect, protecting muscles from destruction. This is true during weight loss and drying in bodybuilding.
Also, its effect on the bronchi is useful to us. It expands the bronchi and increases the flow of oxygen.
The second component, Yohimbine, is the main alkaloid of the Yohimbe tree. This tree grows in central Africa. Local tribes often used this in their rituals as a stimulant.
Yohimbine began to be studied as a tool for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, a stimulant of male potency, and for the treatment of impotence.
During the study, a decrease in patient weight was observed.
It turned out that Yohimbe alkaloids have a pronounced sympathomimetic effect on the human body.
Cytomel
Cytomel is the trade name for thyroxine. Thyroxine is the main thyroid hormone. Thyroxine is used in medicine to treat hypothyroidism. Bodybuilders and other athletes use it to reduce weight.
The biological effects of thyroxine are listed below:
• Acceleration of metabolism
• Strengthening heat production
• Fat Burning
• Stimulating effect on the central nervous system
• Suppression of appetite
• Reduced need for sleep
• Improving physical performance
In terms of effectiveness, thyroxine surpasses most existing fat burners, including pharmacological ones.
In fact, not bodybuilders were the first to use thyroxine for weight loss. He came to bodybuilding from fitness. Thyroxine has a powerful fat burning effect, increases calorie consumption and accelerates metabolism.
Thyroxine also affects the heart system. He speeds up the pulse. This speeds up blood circulation and increases the delivery of energy to tissues.
Cutting cycle table
Total 3 Prop, 1 win 50, , 4 Hcg, 1 Clom. 2 Tren A, 2 Novadex, 1 YCZ, 1 Cytomel
Now let's discuss the combination of these drugs
You need to start taking anabolic steroids from the very beginning of the cycle. A sharp calorie restriction will negatively affect testosterone levels. So we need to negotiate this effect.
Testosterone propionate should be taken every other day at a dose of 125 mg. The weekly dose should be 500 mg. As we remember, this will help us to increase the relief and prevent the destruction of muscles. Take testosterone propionate from the first to the sixth week of the cycle.
To enhance the effect of testosterone and prevent its destruction by globulin, we added Stanozolol. An injection of 1 ml per day is enough to achieve these goals. You need to take stanozolol a little longer - from the first to the seventh week of the cycle.
The last steroid on the cycle is trenbolone. It should be taken five days a week at 50 mg in the first two weeks. Then you should increase the dose to 100 mg in two weeks. And again, gradually reduce the dose to 50 mg in the fifth and sixth weeks of the cycle.
Clomid and HCG are required after such steroid loading. You need to start taking them from the eighth week.
HCG should be taken twice a week for four weeks. Dosage of HCG 2500iu at a time.
The starting dose of Clomid is 50 mg per day. After two weeks, it is necessary to increase the dose to 100 mg, and then at the twelfth week of the cycle to reduce to 50 again. This way we will prevent withdrawal symptoms.
Adrenergic drugs, YCZ and Cytomel, should be taken from the first day of the cutting cycle. We take Cytomel in a dosage of 50 mcg every day. A duration of seven weeks will provide a good effect on the one hand and, on the other hand, prevent negative reactions of a longer intake.
YCZ can be taken without danger to health for a little longer. Within nine weeks, 2 tablets should be taken every other day.
I repeat that the main thing during drying is still diet and exercise. But medical support will significantly improve the result!