It seemed like an eternity: the prohormone bill dragged through the House of Representatives and the Senate until it finally reached the desk of President George W. Bush. On one fateful day, and with one decisive pen stroke, prohormones were banned. The public didn't debate, there was no balanced opposition to the claims of special-interest groups, and the bill passed to the praise of all. Prohormones were forever sent into oblivion.
Now, athletes are searching for legal alternatives. But, do alternatives exist, and, if so, are the results obtained from these alternatives similar to prohormones?
First, the bad news: prohormones are gone. Do not expect to find them on the black market because anabolic steroids already occupy this spot - and they are more effective than prohormones ever were.
Now, the good news: legal prohormone alternatives exist, and the results obtained are similar to prohormones.
Read on to learn about these alternatives.
About The Alternatives
Bodybuilding science is founded on innovation. Here are some innovative products that you can use to gain "prohormone-like" results.
| PRODUCT |
WHAT IT DOES |
| Creatine Ethyl Ester (CEE)
*studies given on creatine monohydrate. Benefits believed to be same for Creatine Ethyl Ester.
|
Boosts testosterone
Increases lean muscle mass1
Improves power generation
Enhances exercise performance2
Enhances muscle recovery
|
| Nitric Oxide (NO2) |
Improves power generation
Increases energy levels
Enhances exercise performance
Enhances nutrient delivery to muscle tissue
Increases muscle pumps
|
| Tribulus Terrestris |
Increase free form testosterone levels
Stimulate leutenizing hormone secretion
Increases feelings of well-being
Improves muscle density
Increases lean muscle mass
Increases strength
Increases muscle recovery
|
| Glycocyamine |
A creatine pre-cursor
Helps support creatine production
Increases muscular strength
Increases lean muscle mass
|
| Creatine Alpha-Ketoglutarate
Ecedysterone
|
Increases testosterone levels
Helps with fat loss
Increases feelings of well-being
|
| Glutamine |
Enhances nitrogen retention
Maintains the free amino acid pool
Increases growth hormone levels
Helps with fat loss
Increases lean muscle mass
Increases strength
Protects the immune system
|
| Ipriflavone (7-isopropoxy-isoflavone)
Methoxyisoflavone (5-methyl-7-methoxy-isoflavone)
|
Increases muscle mass
Increase strength
Increases energy levels
Enhances recovery
Anti-catabolic
Promotes weight gain
Can suppress cortisol
|
| ZMA |
Supports health prostate function
Supports maximum testosterone levels
Enhances recovery
Preserves lean muscle mass
Increases strength
|
| Chrysin |
Moderately inhibits estrogen function
Indirectly increases testosterone levels
May increase strength
May increase lean muscle mass
|
| 6-OXO |
Suicide inhibitor of estrogen
Changes testosterone: estrogen ratio
Increases lean muscle mass
Helps with fat loss
Increases muscle strength
Increases feelings of well-being
|
| 7-KETO DHEA |
Is a hormone precursor
Can help to increase testosterone levels
Can increase strength
Can increase muscle tone
Can improve mood
Can help with fat loss
|
| Arginine Alpha-Ketoglutarate (A-AKG) |
Nitric Oxide precursor
Increases nitric oxide levels
Increases muscle pump
|
| Arginine HCL |
Can cause massive increases in nitric oxide production, which dramatically increases blood flow and nutrient delivery. |
| Avena Sativa |
Boosts active testosterone levels
Protects the immune system
|
| LongJack / Tongkat Ali |
Can boost sexual function3
Can boost athletic performance4
Boosts testosterone production
Enhances muscle tone
Increases strength
Increases muscle mass
|
| HMB |
Can increase lean muscle mass
Can help with fat loss
Helps to reduce LDL cholesterol levels
|
| Glutamine Alpha-Ketoglutarate |
Is a glutamine precursor that enters the muscle cell for superior absorption and cell volumization. |
| Arginine Ethyl Ester |
Increased delivery of NO2
Enhances muscle pump
Enhances delivery of nutrients to muscles
Increased strength
Increased focus
Increased recovery
|
| Rhodiola Rosea |
Helps to prevent over-training
Increases feelings of well-being
|
| 4-Hydroxy Isoleucine |
Helps regulate blood sugar
Helps protect the brain
May help in fat loss
|
| Vitex Agnus Castus |
Can increase in male prolactin levels5 |
| Schizandra |
Enhances sexual activity
Enhances energy
Stimulates immune function
Can enhance recovery
|
Using any one of these supplements will give you great results, but even greater effect may be seen by using a combination of products at the same time.
The Alternative Products
Here is a listing of some prohormone alternative products that contain some of the ingredients listed above, and that have been used by athletes with positive results:
| PRODUCT |
WHAT IT DOES |
| SportLab Nitrovol |
Will help to improve power generation, strength, energy levels, pump, exercise performance, and exercise recovery.
Will also build lean mass and enhance immune function.
|
| SportLab Plasmavol system |
Supplement system that has been shown to maximize muscle pump, increase nitric oxide levels, boost strength, endurance and muscle mass, and energy levels.
Also speeds delivery of nutrients to muscle so that you recover faster after exercise.
|
| Nutrabolics AE2 |
Will sustain the delivery of Nitric oxide to muscle tissue, providing enhanced focus, energy, strength levels, and exercise performance.
Also enhances muscle pump and delivers nutrients to recovering muscle tissue.
|
| Nutrabolics NOZ |
Increases lean muscle mass gains, improves power generation and enhances exercise performance.
Speeds recovery from exercise by increasing nitric oxide levels, allowing for a greater pump and increased delivery of nutrients to muscle tissue.
|
| Nutrabolics HydroTest |
Contains ingredients proven to dramatically boost free testosterone levels and enhance performance. |
| Labrada SUPER CHARGE! |
Will send energy levels through the roof, as well as increase strength, endurance and focus. Will dramatically enhance muscle pump and will help you build muscle and recovery from exercise. |
| BBS MuscleJack |
Contains ingredients proven to dramatically boost free testosterone levels and enhance performance.
Can also improve libido, and will also protect the immune system from stress through the inclusion of antioxidants.
|
| Biotest Alpha Male |
Increases free-testosterone levels, levels of circulating leutenizing hormone, boost libido, and helps you gain muscle-mass!
It also helps you recover quickly from intense exercise, and it protects you immune system and supports healthy joint function.
|
| Nutrex Vitrix |
Contains tribulus terrestris at a concentration of 20% protodioscin. This percentage has been proven to boost your testosterone levels and help you build muscle. |
| Higher Power DHEA |
DHEA is used to produce almost half of your body's testosterone. DHEA is essential for good health and muscle building, but declines as you age. DHEA is a hormone that helps maintain testosterone levels so you can gain muscle, lose fat and get into your best shape ever. |
| Ergopharm 6-OXO |
6-OXO is the famous estrogen "suicide inhibitor" that dramatically lowers estrogen, thereby boosting testosterone levels and enhancing sex drive. |
| BSN CellMass |
Contains Creatine Ethyl Ester Malate, a new and exciting creatine derivative. The ingredients in CellMass can enhance your workouts, give you greater pumps and help you put on muscle faster than ever before. |
| ALRI Cr2 |
Is a Creatine Ethyl Ester HCL product that will help you gain muscle, reduce body fat and send your strength levels through the roof. |
| Legal Gear Product X |
Is a non-hormonal anabolic that contains ingredients believed to increase strength and lean muscle mass. May also help with fat loss and recovery from exercise. |
Each of the products in this chart contain one or more of the ingredients listed in the first chart. They are known to work well and may offer you "prohormone-like" results.
The recommendations in this article are so made under the following assumptions:
- You are eating correctly
- You are exercising correctly
- You are recovering correctly
- You are using fundamental supplements like protein and multivitamins
Final Thoughts?
Prohormones are banned. If you didn't beat the prohormone ban, the alternative supplements listed can help you build as much muscle, if not more muscle, than prohormones ever did. Best of all, the alternatives are legal and have been proven to work.
References
- Racette SB. Creatine supplementation and athletic performance. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2003 Oct;33(10):615-21.
- Chwalbinska-Moneta J. Effect of creatine supplementation on aerobic performance and anaerobic capacity in elite rowers in the course of endurance training. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2003 Jun;13(2):173-83.
- Ang HH, Lee KL, Kiyoshi M. Eurycoma longifolia Jack enhances sexual motivation in middle-aged male mice. J Basic Clin Physiol Pharmacol. 2003;14(3):301-8.
- Ang HH, Cheang HS. Effects of Eurycoma longifolia jack on laevator ani muscle in both uncastrated and testosterone-stimulated castrated intact male rats. Arch Pharm Res. 2001 Oct;24(5):437-40.
- Merz PG, Gorkow C, Schrodter A, Rietbrock S, Sieder C, Loew D, Dericks-Tan JS, Taubert HD. The effects of a special Agnus castus extract (BP1095E1) on prolactin secretion in healthy male subjects. Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes. 1996;104(6):447-53.
Disclaimer
The information provided in this publication is for educational and informational purposes only and does not serve as a replacement to care provided by your own personal health care team or physician. The author does not render or provide medical advice, and no individual should make any medical decisions or change their health behavior based on information provided here. Readers are encouraged to confirm the information contained herein with other sources. Readers and consumers should review the information in this publication carefully with their professional health care provider.
The information in this or other publications authored by the writer is not intended to replace medical advice offered by physicians. Reliance on any information provided by the author is solely at your own risk. The author does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, products, medication, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be presented in the publication. The author does not control information, advertisements, content, and articles provided by discussed third-party information suppliers.
Further, the author does not warrant or guarantee that the information contained in written publications, from him or any source is accurate or error-free. The author accepts no responsibility for materials contained in the publication that you may find offensive. You are solely responsible for viewing and/or using the material contained in the authored publications in compliance with the laws of your country of residence, and your personal conscience. The author will not be liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, exemplary, or other damages arising from the use of information contained in this or other publications.
Copyright ? Clayton South, 2005 All rights reserved.
Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means (electronic mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise), without the prior written permission of the copyright holder and author of this publication.
claytonsouth@bodybuilders.com
Recommend this article to a friend by e-mail here!
Visitor Reviews Of This Article!
Read Visitor Reviews - Write Your Own Review
Back To Clayton South's Main Page
Back To The Articles Main Page.
Related Articles
5-AA
Transdermals
Which Supplements?
