Whoever is in the obsession with having better physical performance, turns to steroids to gain a competitive edge, enhance muscle growth, and expedite recovery. However, many people do not know about steroids in detail and they possess doubts about how effective steroids and natural alternatives to steroids can be in their bodies, and this lack of reliance totally came from the lack of knowledge. And in this article, I have tried to cover all types of steroids which are widely used and also mentioned their effectiveness and a way to measure effectiveness.
How Many Types of Steroids Are There?
Steroids are organic molecules that naturally occur in the human body. These naturally occurring compounds have a course structure consisting of 4 interconnected Carbon atoms. Basically, there are 3 main types of steroids these are naturally occurring steroids and synthetic steroids, and natural alternatives.
● Naturally occurring steroids
These are steroids that naturally produce in human bodies and any other living organisms. and some examples of naturally occurring steroids include the following cholesterol, testosterone, estrogens, progesterone, and corticosteroids. These steroids serve vital functions in various physiological processes and are essential for the proper functioning of the body.
● Synthetic steroids:
These are artificially created steroids developed in Laboratories to function as naturally occurring steroids. Usually, these steroids are more reliable and highly effective and work better for muscle growth, muscle recovery, and athletic performance. One of the most used synthetic steroids is anabolic steroids. And Steelgear has enough stock of anabolic steroids for sale.
● Natural alternative to steroids:
Natural alternatives to steroids are made up of naturally occurring compounds and substances found in nature. For example, creatine, BCAAs, and herbal extracts these natural alternatives steroids are used as safer alternatives compared to synthetic steroids for better muscle growth, muscle recovery, and better physical performance.
Although natural alternatives to steroids are widely used as a safer alternative to synthetic steroids but the real questions are the following
• What are the types of natural alternatives to steroids?
• Are natural alternatives to steroids effective?
Now let’s see what the types are of natural alternatives to steroids.
1. Creatine:
If you are doing short-duration but high-intensity workouts then creatinine is the steroid you need. Creatine supplementation is known to enhance strength and muscle mass, making it popular among athletes and bodybuilders. Creatine plays a crucial role in the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Now this is what works as the primary energy source for muscle contractions during short-duration, high-intensity activities like weightlifting and sprinting. And this is also scientifically proven too. In 1928 Dr. Stotz, an American biochemist, independently investigated the role of creatine in muscle physiology. He studied the relationship between creatine and ATP production and how this steroid helps make ATP the muscle-building enzyme.
Natural source:
This naturally occurring compound is found in small amounts in certain foods such as red meat and different fishes and
2. Branched-Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs):
If you are doing exercise and don’t want to lose muscles during calorie-deficit situations and also want to reduce the chance of fatigue and increase muscle recovery, then this is the steroid you need. BCAAs, including leucine, isoleucine, and valine are essential amino acids that play a crucial role in muscle protein synthesis which helps preserve lean muscles and promote muscle recovery.
Natural Sources
BCAAs are found in various protein-rich foods, such as meat, fish, eggs, and dairy products. Additionally, they are available as dietary supplements in the form of powders, capsules, and liquids.
3. Beta-Alanine:
If you are an athlete and you face the constant chance of getting fatigued then this amino acid is your cure, it is believed to enhance endurance by reducing muscle fatigue during intense exercise, leading to better athletic performance. And it was proven In early 2000 when Dr. Roger Harris and his team conducted groundbreaking research that shed light on the potential benefits of beta-alanine supplementation for athletic performance.
Natural sources:
Poultry chicken, fish, red meat, and dairy products such as milk and cheese.
4. DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone):
These are the steroids that support your metabolism and weight balance, and it is naturally occurring steroids produced in adrenal glands. It is sometimes used as a natural alternative to synthetic anabolic steroids to promote muscle growth and strength.
Natural sources:
whole grains, lean proteins, healthy fats, fruits, and vegetables besides you will also need to have proper sleep and need to avoid excessive sugar.
5. Tribulus Terrestris:
If you want to increase your testosterone level and also want to improve your athletics athletic performance, then this herbal supplement is for you. Tribulus Terrestris is a plant-based supplement that has gained popularity as a natural alternative to anabolic steroids, particularly among athletes and bodybuilders so if you are one then you might know about this steroid alternative beforehand and how effective this plant-based supplement is besides there is research on its effectiveness. In the year 2007, a research was published called “The effect of five weeks of Tribulus Terrestris supplementation on muscle strength and body composition during preseason training in elite rugby league players”. This research showed how effective
Now you know about the most common natural alternative to steroids, now let’s see if steroid alternatives are effective or not.
A straight answer is the effectiveness of these alternatives may vary from person to person.
The effectiveness of natural alternatives to steroids can vary widely depending on many factors such as
- the specific supplement,
- individual response,
- goals of the user.
Besides, many studies have confirmed that the natural alternatives to steroids have less effectiveness in certain conditions compared with anabolic steroids which is a strong synthetic steroid supplement. But no matter what types of steroids you use for supporting your muscles or your athletic performance the performance will vary. And to know how effective the steroid is in your body you must follow some effectiveness measurement steps.
Now let’s see how you measure the effectiveness of natural steroid alternatives.
1. Set clear goals
This is the step where you define specific and realistic goals such as muscle growth and strength gains. For example, you can set the goal of gaining 1 pound of muscle per week.
2. Keep a journal
maintain a detailed journal to track your progress and regularly record every change and fix a baseline and the point of starting,
3. Monitor performance
observe the improvement of performance such as weightlifting capacity, muscle growth, and muscle recovery.
4. Assess body composition
Use methods like body measurements, body fat percentage assessments, or progress photos to track changes in body composition. Keep in mind that fluctuations can be influenced by factors beyond the supplement’s effects, such as diet and exercise.
5. Compare with baseline data
Now that you have a track record of your performance and a specified goal this part is to compare the result with your goals to find improvement and the rate of effectiveness.
Now that you know about natural alternatives and are still looking for more reliable and highly effective source of steroids, which will work better for muscle growth, muscle recovery, and athletic performance.