SARMS vs Steroids
What Are SARMs?
SARM supplements or Selective androgen receptor modulators are a class of androgen receptor ligands that bind with androgen receptors and impact protein synthesis. SARMs are much more selective that influences the protein synthesis to start producing more muscles.
Their greater selective and safer mode of action allowing them to be used for more uses than the uses of anabolic steroids.
SARMs signifies a new era of tissue-selective androgens that have the potential for safe clinical applications to treat and possibly cures several diseases, such as aging, muscular dystrophy, cancer cachexia (loss muscle mass), osteoporosis (bone weakness), hypogonadism, sexual dysfunction, BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia), prostate cancer, and breast cancer, sarcopenia, and Alzheimer’s disease.
New SARMs (SARMs for sale) have a significant impact on muscle growth and fat loss. New SARMs (SARMs for sale) work selectively which makes them safer alternatives and this is something bodybuilders and gym lovers has been long waiting for.
Types of SARMs:
There are different types of selective androgen receptor modulators available. Some of the most commonly used SARMs include:
Ostarine:
Ostarine is also known as Enobosarm or MK-2866. Ostarine is an orally bioavailable, nonsteroidal SARM that is known for stimulating testosterone production and increase lean muscle mass (total body mass). Ostarine decreases in total fat mass with no difference in total body weight.
Ostarine is declared as best SARM with great results. Ostarine is often stacked with other SARMs for a heightened benefit.
It is also used for therapeutic purposes such as muscle wasting, skeletal muscle deficits, cancer-related cachexia, breast cancer, and non–small cell lung cancer.
Ligandrol:
It is also known as LGD-4033/VK5211. Ligandrol directly targets the androgen receptors in the muscles and bones. That is why it is extremely effective for increasing vascularity, enhancing performance, muscle bulking, muscle hardening, gaining size, and enhancing recovery after an extreme workout routine.
It is so effective that you will be able to notice the difference after using it for a short period of time (7 to 14 days). Fitness lover are advised to take between 5 mg and 10 mg daily for 6 to 10 weeks, greater than 10 mg increases the risk of testosterone suppression.
Similar to ostarine, Ligandrol is frequently stacked with other SARMs for a bigger benefit.
Testolone:
It is also known as RAD-140. It is used to gain lean muscle mass and strength in the gym and physical training center. 5 mg to 30 mg per day of Testolone is recommended for 8 to 16 weeks. Testolone is also used for the treatment of muscle wasting and breast cancer.
Andarine:
It is also known as GTx-007 or S-4. It is a muscle-boosting supplement that evokes weight loss and promotes muscle building and repair. However, it is comparatively weaker than other renowned SARMs, so it is commonly stacked with other SARMs.
- General: 25 mg per day
- For modestly boosting strength and lean mass: 50 mg per day
- For bulking: Andarine (50 mg) stack with Testolone (10 mg) daily for 8 to 12 weeks
- For strength: Andarine (50 mg) stack with Ligandrol (10 mg) daily for 2 to 3 weeks
- For cutting: Andarine (25 mg) stack with Cardarine (20 mg, a non-SARM, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-delta agonist) daily for 12 weeks
The following substances are also sometime marketed as SARMs but these are NOT SARMs:
- Cardarine - also known as Endurobol or GW501516. It increases strength and endurance and ultimately increase performance.
- Ibutamoren - also known as Nutrabol or MK-667. It is actually a growth hormone secretagogue.
- Stenabolic or SR9009. Similar to Cardarine, increases endurance and performance
- YK-11
What Are Steroids?
Steroids are synthetic hormones that work much in the same manner as SARMs but they are totally different on the molecular level. Steroids do not work directly as SARMs do, meaning SARMs are extremely selective. They interact with brain receptors to produce more androgen hormone which is responsible for the maintenance and development of muscles. Steroids send a bundle of mixed signals to the receptors that keep confusing the brain and causing numerous side effects. Consequently, it can harm any organ which is hard to predict. More serious health issues related to steroids include liver damage and many cardiovascular complications such as the increased risk of heart attack and blood clots, as well as gingivitis, renal issues, and psychiatric issues.
It also leads to physical changes that are not desirable, such as
In Men: Enlarged prostate, shrinking of the testicles, breast development (gynecomastia), acne, and hair loss.
In Women: Increased clitoral size, increased body hair growth, and acne.
These side effects are caused by using synthetic hormone injections improperly.
Hence it proved that anabolic steroids may help with muscle gain but at a dangerous cost.
Anabolic steroids are illegal in many countries as well as sporting federations. However, many bodybuilders use anabolic steroids to increase muscle growth, muscle mass and help in training recovery.
What’s the difference? SARMs vs STEROIDS
References:
SARMs functions and clinical/therapeutic applications
Molecular Interventions
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2072877/
Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care: May 2009 - Volume 12 - Issue 3 - p 232-240 doi: 10.1097/MCO.0b013e32832a3d79
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2907129/
Sexual Medicine Reviews - Volume 7, Issue 1, January 2019, Pages 84-94
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2050052118301100?via%3Dihub
Ostarine:
Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle 8(5):675-680 DOI:10.1002/jcsm.12247
The Lancet Oncology. 2013 Apr;14(4):335-45. doi: 10.1016/S1470-2045(13)70055-X. Epub 2013 Mar 14.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4898053/
Current Oncology Reports. 2016 Jun;18(6):37. doi: 10.1007/s11912-016-0522-0.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27138015/
Calcified Tissue International volume 107, pages593–602 (2020)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7593387/
Ligandrol (LGD-4033):
The Journals of Gerontology: Series A, Volume 68, Issue 1, January 2013, Pages 87–95, https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/gls078
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4111291/
Testolone:
Endocrinology, Volume 155, Issue 4, 1 April 2014, Pages 1398–1406, https://doi.org/10.1210/en.2013-1725
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3959610/
Hepatology Communication. 2020 Jan 3;4(3):450-452. doi: 10.1002/hep4.1456. eCollection 2020 Mar.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32140660/
ACS Med Chem Lett. 2011 Feb 10; 2(2): 124–129. Published online 2010 Dec 2. doi:10.1021/ml1002508
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4018048/
Andarinet S-4
Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care: May 2009 - Volume 12 - Issue 3 - p 232-240 doi: 10.1097/MCO.0b013e32832a3d79
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2907129/
Current Osteoporosis Reports volume 12, pages142–153 (2014)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4083371/
Drug Discovery Today Volume 12, Issues 5–6, March 2007, Pages 241-248
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2072879/
Steroids:
StatPearls Publishing; 2021 Jan-.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482418/
Healthcare 2021, 9(1), 97; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare9010097
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7832337/
Sports Medicine volume 34, pages513–554 (2004)
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15248788/
J Sports Sci Med. 2006 Jun; 5(2): 182–193. Published online 2006 Jun 1.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3827559/
British Journal of pharmacology
Volume154, Issue3 Special Issue: Themed Section: Drugs in Sport: Guest Editors: Professor JC McGrath and Professor DA Cowan june 2008 Pages 502-521
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2439524/
British Heart Foundation Laboratories, Royal Free & University College Medical School, Rayne Building, 5 University Street, London WC1E 6JF, UK; h.montgomeryucl.ac.uk
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1768197/
Drug and Alcohol Dependence Volume 98, Issues 1–2, 1 November 2008, Pages 1-12
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2646607/
Cureus. 2020 Jul; 12(7): e9333.
Published online 2020 Jul 22. doi: 10.7759/cureus.9333
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7444848/
