Anavar, one of the most popular anabolic steroids in history. One of the reasons for its massive popularity is that most people tolerate quite well to it. One of the few anabolic steroids relatively safely used by both sexes because it’s considered to be quite safe in terms of steroid side effects.
The actual product, called dihydrotestosterone derived anabolic steroid called oxandrolone. Oxandrolone was introduced in the 1960s under the widely used name Anavar by G.D Searle & Co it was initially presented as a product providing many therapeutic benefits.
Brief History
1989 saw the company seizing production of the compound as a result of FDA pressure that had anabolic steroids in its glare at the time.
Searle owned the sole licensing rights to the production of oxandrolone related products on the international stage, and as a result, this steroid almost became extinct.
Biotechnology Gen Corp reintroduced the oxandrolone hormone to the market under the trade name Oxandrin. Biotechnology Gen Corp, now known as Biotechnology Gen Corp. Held the monopoly for the production of oxandrolone products and as a result, prices went through the roof.
It was only thanks to a number of US-based pharmaceuticals that decided to manufacture generic oxandrolone which resulted in big price drops.
Despite all this, Anavar remains one of the most expensive anabolic steroids available today.
Features
Anavar is a distinct the dihydrotestosterone hormone that’s been altered structurally. The DHT has oxygen atom replacing the carbon-2 in the A-ring. This amendment skyrockets the hormones anabolic potential. There is also a second alteration in the 17th carbon position with the addition of methyl group allowing the hormone to be orally ingested, resulting in Anavar now classified as a C17-aa anabolic steroid.
In terms of its therapeutic properties, Anavar has shown to be quite effective in different treatments. It is commonly given to people experiencing severe weight loss as a result of surgery or infection. Anavar has been shown to be a strong counteragent to prolong exposure to corticosteroids, as well as alleviating osteoporosis symptoms because it has shown to increase bone density.
Popularity
Anavar is also very popular amongst performance athletes. It carries a massive anabolic dose of upto 6 times stronger than testosterone itself. Anavar’s official anabolic rating is 322 to 630, meanwhile testosterone is 100.
This indicates tremendous muscle building potential on the face of it; but in the real world its effects are more limited.
Anavar’s anabolic prowess means that it sits well in any cutting cycle and is extremely effective in enhancing athletic performance.
One of the main features offered by Anavar is its ability to skyrocket nitrogen retention in the muscles, whilst decreasing SHBG and hindering glucocorticoid hormones. The increased nitrogen retention helps to promote an anabolic atmosphere preventing the body switching into a catabolic state. The decrease the SHBG means more free testosterone roaming in the body, and this in turn provides a further anabolic boost allowing more free circulating anabolic steroids to travel, resulting in the steroids being more effective.
Inhibits glucocorticoid hormones which are essentially muscle wasting hormones, cortisol being the most famous one, often promote fat increase as well as deplete muscle tissue.
Increase the red blood cell count, especially useful when it comes to muscle endurance. According to some studies, Anavar also improves cardiovascular endurance.
An effective fat burning steroid that directly promotes lipolysis because it possesses the ability to bind itself to the androgen receptor resulting in the production of thyroid binding globulin, and the increase of thyroxine binding prealbumin.
The therapeutic effects of Anavar are clear to see:
Cutting
Anavar is a popular supplement often used in cutting phases for both males and females. Its powerful anabolic nature makes it one of the best steroids known to preserve lean tissue during those dieting phases.
Remember that for you to lose body fat, you must burn more calories than you consume. Ideally, you will lose the desired fat while maintaining all your muscle, but quite often, it doesn’t go as smoothly as the theory suggests. Depending on your diet, muscle loss can occur.
Muscle Growth
Oxandrolone does not aromatize, therefore it’s perfect to use during the off-season. Although water retention is possible, itis not as bad as you would get with some of the other steroids. In terms of gains, these will not be as significant as you’d expect with Dianabol for instance, but in gaining long-term solid lean tissue, it delivers the goods.
Athletic Potential
Anavar is a favorite amongst many athletes for a number of compelling reasons. Although it will increase strength levels, increases will not to be anywhere as near as what Dianabol offers.
Athletes prefer using Anavar because it doesn’t enhance too much mass which can sometimes be a major hindrance dependent on the sport.
Performance
Individuals who have used Anavar have noticed the remarkable recovery potential it provides. Also shown to enhance muscle endurance. Meaning that users will not ‘gas out’ as quickly as they normally do and they’ll be able to work out longer and harder than they normally do.
When compared to other dihydrotestosterone derived steroids such as Anadrol, Anavar is relatively safe. Although it is possible to experience side-effects they can be controlled. And if used responsibly, it is possible not to experience any side effects at all.
Here are the potential side effects to look out for:
Estrogenic Effects
Not known to carry any estrogenic side-effects. Therefore it does not aromatize and cannot trigger gynaecomastia nor can it cause water retention typically associated with rising estrogen levels. It is also totally progestin-free. One thing to note is that since Anavar does not cause water retention, this raises the risk of developing high blood pressure. Too much water in the body is usually the trigger for high blood pressure.
Androgenic Effects
Anavar is not a particularly potent androgenic steroid, although it does provide some androgenic activity. This activity has shown to trigger acne and accelerated hair loss in men.
Not unusual for 5-alpha reductase inhibitors used alongside Anavar to help counter androgenic side effects caused by steroid use.
Due to its androgenic nature, Anavar has shown to promote virilization symptoms in females resulting in a deep voice, body hair growth, and they enlargement of the clitoris.
Cardiovascular Effects
Oxandrolone, known to suppress HDL cholesterol and raise LDL cholesterol. Standard doses shown to suppress HDL cholesterol by as much as 30%. Performance doses are shown to suppress hasty cholesterol by as much as 50%.
Studies have shown that performance doses can increase LDL cholesterol by up to 30%. Individuals suffering from cholesterol issues are discouraged from using oxandrolone related products.
Effects On Testosterone
Anavar suppresses natural testosterone production; however, one of the milder steroid suppressants. Users encouraged to use exogenous testosterone alongside Anavar. Because failing to do this could result in low testosterone, which can present a whole host of new problems.
Studies have shown that high end performance doses can suppress serum testosterone by up to 50%.
Only when your Anavar cycle is complete and any leftover exogenous steroid hormones have left your system. Your body’s natural testosterone production will resume. The recovery will be slow at first and this is why some people turn to implementing a PCT (post cycle therapy) because this speeds up the recovery process.
Hepatotoxicity Effects
As with all C17-aa anabolic steroids, Anavar is extremely toxic to the liver. It causes an increase in liver enzyme values. Nevertheless, therapeutic doses may not increase his enzyme values very much. But performance doses tell a very different story!
People with liver problems discouraged from using Anavar or any other C17-aa anabolic steroids.
Recommended not to use oxandrolone for more than eight weeks and it should not be supplemented with any other C17-aa anabolic steroid simultaneously. It is recommended to use a liver detoxifier alongside the Anavar.
The therapeutic dose normally falls 5 – 10 mg a day. The performance enhancing dose falls 20 – 30 mg, but some athletes take between 40 and 50 mg because they find it more effective. Even 80 mg a day is not unheard of although this will increase the risk of side-effects.
A typical Anavar cycle is between six and eight weeks.
