9 medical Condition for putting on weight

Most people put on weight because they eat and drink more calories than they burn through everyday movement and body functions.

But in some cases, your weight gain may be due to an underlying health condition. Here are 9 medical issues that can cause weight gain.

Underactive thyroid

An underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) means your thyroid gland is not producing enough thyroid hormones, which play a central role in regulating your metabolism. Although an underactive thyroid can occur at any age and in either sex, it is most common in older women.

"Without enough thyroid hormone, the body's metabolism slows down, which can lead to weight gain," says dietitian Catherine Collins. The condition is usually treated with daily hormone replacement tablets, called levothyroxine.

Diabetes treatment

Weight gain is a common side effect for people who take insulin to manage their diabetes. Insulin helps to control your blood sugar level. Some people with longstanding diabetes tend to eat more than they need to prevent low blood sugar, also known as a "hypo" or hypoglycaemia.

"Excessive snacking to prevent a hypo contributes to an excessive calorie intake and overall weight gain," says Collins, who recommends becoming an "expert patient" by attending a diabetes education course such as DESMOND for people with type 2 diabetes or DAFNE for type 1 diabetes, to help make your diabetes fit your lifestyle – not the other way round.

Ageing

People begin to lose modest amounts of muscle as they get older, largely because they become less active. Muscles are an efficient calorie burner, so a loss of muscle mass can mean you burn fewer calories. If you're eating and drinking the same amount as you always have and are less physically active, this can lead to weight gain. "To reduce muscle loss, you should stay active and try to do regular muscle-strengthening exercises.

Steroid treatment

Steroids, also known as corticosteroids, are used to treat a variety of conditions, including asthma and arthritis. Long-term use of  corticosteroid tablets seems to increase appetite in some people, leading to weight gain. "The higher the dose and the longer you are on steroids, the more weight you are likely to put on, "This is because steroids make you feel hungry, affecting the areas in the brain that control feelings of hunger and satiety."

She says that being extra careful about what you eat during your steroid course will help prevent you from eating more than usual.

It's not a good idea to reduce or stop your steroid treatment midway. If you're worried about weight gain.

Cushing's syndrome

Cushing's syndrome is very rare, affecting around 1 in 50,000 people, and is caused by high levels of the hormone cortisol. It can develop as a side effect of long-term steroid treatment (iatrogenic Cushing's syndrome) or as a result of a tumour (endogenous Cushing's syndrome).

Weight gain is a common symptom, particularly on the chest, face and stomach. It occurs because cortisol causes fat to be redistributed to these areas. Depending on the cause, treatment typically involves either reducing or withdrawing the use of steroids, or surgery to remove the tumour.

Stress and low mood

People respond differently to stress, anxiety and depressed mood. Some people may lose weight, while others may gain weight. "People can turn to food as a coping mechanism," says Collins. "It can lead to a vicious circle. Weight gain from depression can make you more depressed, which can lead to further weight gain. If you know you're an emotional eater, you need to find other forms of distraction, such as exercise or a hobby, calling a friend, going for a walk or having a soothing bath.

Tiredness

Some studies have shown that people who sleep less than 7 hours a day are more likely to be overweight than those who get 9 hours of sleep or more. It's not clear why, but one theory is that sleep-deprived people have reduced levels of leptin, the chemical that makes you feel full, and higher levels of ghrelin, the hunger-stimulating hormone.

"If you're always feeling tired, you are more likely to reach for high-calorie snacks to keep your energy levels up throughout the day and do less physical activity, which means you burn fewer calories.

Fluid retention

Fluid retention (oedema) causes parts of the body to become swollen, which translates into weight gain. This gain is caused by fluid accumulating in the body. Some types of fluid retention are common – for example, if you're standing for long periods or are pre-menstrual. The swelling can occur in one particular part of the body, such as the ankles, or it can be more general.

"More severe fluid retention can also cause breathlessness," says Collins. "If you notice you have swollen ankles during the day, have to get up to pee overnight, and have to sleep on a few pillows to avoid breathlessness, you should see your GP, as these examples of fluid retention can indicate heart or kidney problems that need assessment."

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) 

PCOS is a common condition that affects how a woman's ovaries work. Symptoms can include irregular periods, trouble getting pregnant, excess hair and weight gain. The exact cause of PCOS is unknown, but it's thought to be hormone-related, including too much insulin and testosterone.

"Women with PCOS typically put on weight around their waist. "The more weight you put on, the more insulin you produce, which can cause further weight gain. Weight loss through dietary changes and exercise, and in some cases medicine such as orlistat, will help to break the cycle."

6 Reasons Why Everyone Should Take Nutritional Supplements

In a perfect world, imagine you get plenty of sleep, stay hydrated, and eat all your fruits and vegetables. Why does my body need supplements? I have all the vitamins and nutrients I need, right? or Wrong. These 7 powerful reasons show that you need to take dietary supplements, no matter how healthy your lifestyle may be.

1) Filling That Nutritional Gap

90% of people don't get the recommended amount of important nutrients from food alone. Most of us fail to meet dietary recommendations due to strict dieting, poor appetite, or changing nutritional needs. Supplementation is intended to bridge the nutritional gap, so that we maintain the proper balance of nutrients from food and supplementation. This will enhance the nutrient density of your diet and make sure you are obtaining the right amount of nutrients tailored to your dietary needs.

2) Nutrient Absorption Declines With Age

As you age, malabsorption becomes a problem because your body doesn’t have the same capability to break down and absorb nutrients as it used to. The production of digestive enzymes, which breaks down and absorbs nutrients from your food, naturally begins to decline the older you get. You may also be taking more medications than you did when you were younger. Most modern medications actually deplete essential nutrients. Supplements can help restore this imbalance.

3) Avoid Harmful Chemicals

Warning! Pesticides and herbicides used to farm our food, chemicals found in our water supply, and external environmental issues like pollution drastically increase our need for extra vitamins and minerals. These harmful chemicals create free radicals that attack our digestive and immune system. Supplements like antioxidants help fight those free radicals.

4) Exercise Increases Nutrient Needs

Are you an athlete or do you exercise frequently? Athletes require a lot of energy and nutrients to stay in shape. As you exercise, your body uses up the energy and nutrients that have been stored in your body. It is vital to replenish these essential nutrients, fuel your energy levels, and promote recovery after an intense workout. That’s why athlete’s diets include TONS of carbs and protein. Taking protein powder is a quick and easy way to get the required calories instead of having to eat a big bowl of pasta and chicken.

5) Poor Eating Habits

Erratic eating habits, eating processed junk food, and stress contribute to poor digestion, making it difficult for our bodies to extract all the nutrients it needs from food. While supplementation cannot replace a poor diet, it can help prevent the damage poor eating habits are causing. 

6) Prevent Expensive Health Issues

Healthcare providers are encouraging people to look for disease prevention instead of disease treatment. Taking daily supplements, getting regular exercise, and making frequent trips to the doctors are important for preventing costly health issues from arising in the future.

Why A Cheat Meal Is Important For You

Cheat meals are a sigh of relief for people who are on a strict diet routine. These meals do not have an adverse impact on your fitness goals if taken in regulated quantities. Not only do they provide you with a break from the extremely strict diet routine, they also give your body metabolism a boost for the coming week of deprivation. These deprivations can make your taste buds long for some more of your favorite unhealthy treats but, nevertheless, they are going to do no harm to your workout progress. And this result is backed by research!

Research shows that cheating on your meals energizes you from within and also aids weight loss. Here's why you should take cheat meals once a week:

1. It boosts your metabolism

Due to the change in calorie intake, cheat diets elevate the metabolism. The set metabolism of the body is reset.

2. The feel-good factor

Admit it, food makes you happy. Where most people would be relishing your favorite unhealthy foods in front of you, the taste that you will be enjoying at the end of the week, on your cheat day will be so much better. So yes, sit back and be patient, your cheat day will come soon.

3. It releases insulin

Usually, your body would say no to easy digestion of fatty foods and saturated fats. But on your cheat day, that does not happen. Digestion is improved on these days due to the increase in insulin levels.

4. Enhances muscle formation

Cheat meals improve muscle synthesis. When your body extracts energy from the cheat meal and uses that. It does not take energy from the fat stored in your body. As a result, muscle formation is improved.

Have your cheat meal without any guilt, be it a bowl of hot chocolate, a brownie or a cheese burst pizza, just take it. Nevertheless, rest of the week is all about shedding those extra kilos 

9 scientific ways to drop fat

While there are endless diets, supplements, and meal replacement plans claiming to ensure rapid weight loss, most lack any scientific evidence. There are, however, some strategies backed by science that do have an impact on weight management.

These strategies include exercising, keeping track of calorie intake, intermittent fasting, and reducing the number of carbohydrates in the diet.

In this article, we consider nine effective methods of weight loss.

1. Trying intermittent fasting

Intermittent fasting (IF) is a pattern of eating that involves regular short-term fasts and consuming meals within a shorter time period during the day.

Several studies have indicated that short-term intermittent fasting, which is up to 24 weeks in duration, leads to weight loss in overweight individuals.

The most common intermittent fasting methods include the following:

• Alternate day fasting (ADF): Fast every other day and eat normally on non-fasting days. The modified version involves eating just 25–30 percent of the body's energy needs on fasting days.
• The 5:2 Diet: Fast on 2 out of every 7 days. On fasting days eat 500–600 calories.
• The 16/8 method: Fast for 16 hours and eat only during an 8-hour window. For most people, the 8-hour window would be around noon to 8 p.m. A study on this method found that eating during a restricted period resulted in the participants consuming fewer calories and losing weight.

It is best to adopt a healthy eating pattern on non-fasting days and to avoid over-eating.

2. Tracking your diet and exercise

If someone wants to lose weight, they should be aware of everything that they eat and drink each day. The most effective way to do this is to log every item that they consume, in either a journal or an online food tracker.

Researchers estimated in 2017 that there would be 3.7 billion health app downloads by the end of the year. Of these, apps for diet, physical activity, and weight loss were among the most popular. This is not without reason, as tracking physical activity and weight loss progress on-the-go can be an effective way of managing weight.

One study found that consistent tracking of physical activity helped with weight loss. Meanwhile, a review study found a positive correlation between weight loss and the frequency of monitoring food intake and exercise. Even a device as simple as a pedometer can be a useful weight-loss tool.

3. Eating mindfully

Mindful eating is a practice where people pay attention to how and where they eat food. This practice can enable people to enjoy the food they eat and maintain a healthy weight.

As most people lead busy lives, they often tend to eat quickly on the run, in the car, working at their desks, and watching TV. As a result, many people are barely aware of the food they are eating.

Techniques for mindful eating include:

• Sitting down to eat, preferably at a table: Pay attention to the food and enjoy the experience.
• Avoiding distractions while eating: Do not turn on the TV, or a laptop or phone.
• Eating slowly: Take time to chew and savor the food. This technique helps with weight loss, as it gives a person's brain enough time to recognize the signals that they are full, which can help to prevent over-eating.
• Making considered food choices: Choose foods that are full of nourishing nutrients and those that will satisfy for hours rather than minutes.

4. Eating protein for breakfast

Protein can regulate appetite hormones to help people feel full. This is mostly due to a decrease in the hunger hormone ghrelin and a rise in the satiety hormones peptide YY, GLP-1, and cholecystokinin.

Research on young adults has also demonstrated that the hormonal effects of eating a high-protein breakfast can last for several hours.

Good choices for a high-protein breakfast include eggs, oats, nut and seed butters, quinoa porridge, sardines, and chia seed pudding.

5. Cutting back on sugar and refined carbohydrates

The Western diet is increasingly high in added sugars, and this has definite links to obesity, even when the sugar occurs in beverages rather than food.

Refined carbohydrates are heavily processed foods that no longer contain fiber and other nutrients. These include white rice, bread, and pasta.

These foods are quick to digest, and they convert to glucose rapidly.

Excess glucose enters the blood and provokes the hormone insulin, which promotes fat storage in the adipose tissue. This contributes to weight gain.

Where possible, people should swap processed and sugary foods for more healthful options. Good food swaps include:

• whole-grain rice, bread, and pasta instead of the white versions
• fruit, nuts, and seeds instead of high-sugar snacks
• herb teas and fruit-infused water instead of high-sugar sodas
• smoothies with water or milk instead of fruit juice

6. Eating plenty of fiber

Dietary fiber describes plant-based carbohydrates that it is not possible to digest in the small intestine, unlike sugar and starch. Including plenty of fiber in the diet can increase the feeling of fullness, potentially leading to weight loss.

Fiber-rich foods include:

• whole-grain breakfast cereals, whole-wheat pasta, whole-grain bread, oats, barley, and rye
• fruit and vegetables
• peas, beans, and pulses
• nuts and seeds

7. Balancing gut bacteria

One emerging area of research is focusing on the role of bacteria in the gut on weight management.

The human gut hosts a vast number and variety of microorganisms, including around 37 trillion bacteria.

Every individual has different varieties and amounts of bacteria in their gut. Some types can increase the amount of energy that the person harvests from food, leading to fat deposition and weight gain.

Some foods can increase the number of good bacteria in the gut, including:

• A wide variety of plants: Increasing the number of fruits, vegetables, and grains in the diet will result in an increased fiber uptake and a more diverse set of gut bacteria. People should try to ensure that vegetables and other plant-based foods comprise 75 percent of their meal.
• Fermented foods: These enhance the function of good bacteria while inhibiting the growth of bad bacteria. Sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir, yogurt, tempeh, and miso all contain good amounts of probiotics, which help to increase good bacteria. Researchers have studied kimchi widely, and study results suggest that it has anti-obesity effects. Similarly, studies have shown that kefir may help to promote weight loss in overweight women.
• Prebiotic foods: These stimulate the growth and activity of some of the good bacteria that aid weight control. Prebiotic fiber occurs in many fruits and vegetables, especially chicory root, artichoke, onion, garlic, asparagus, leeks, banana, and avocado. It is also in grains, such as oats and barley.

8. Getting a good night's sleep

Numerous studies have shown that getting less than 5–6 hours of sleep per night is associated with increased incidence of obesity. There are several reasons behind this.

Research suggests that insufficient or poor-quality sleep slows down the process in which the body converts calories to energy, called metabolism. When metabolism is less effective, the body may store unused energy as fat. In addition, poor sleep can increase the production of insulin and cortisol, which also prompt fat storage.

How long someone sleeps also affects the regulation of the appetite-controlling hormones leptin and ghrelin. Leptin sends signals of fullness to the brain.

9. Managing your stress levels

Outdoor activities can help with stress management.

Stress triggers the release of hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol, which initially decrease the appetite as part of the body's fight or flight response.

However, when people are under constant stress, cortisol can remain in the bloodstream for longer, which will increase their appetite and potentially lead to them eating more.

Cortisol signals the need to replenish the body's nutritional stores from the preferred source of fuel, which is carbohydrate.

Insulin then transports the sugar from carbohydrates from the blood to the muscles and brain. If the individual does not use this sugar in fight or flight, the body will store it as fat.

Researchers found that implementing an 8-week stress-management intervention program resulted in significant reduction in the body mass index (BMI) of overweight and obese children and adolescents.

Some methods of managing stress include:

• yoga, meditation, or tai chi
• breathing and relaxation techniques
• spending some time outdoors, for example walking or gardening

7 Shortcuts to Transform Your Body Fast

We’ve all been there: A big event or vacation is mere weeks away, and the goal of getting in shape just hasn’t happened. And while you can’t lose a pants size or develop six-pack abs overnight, there are some tweaks you can make to your daily routine that will quickly help you look your best.

By now, everyone knows that crash diets don’t work (and some are downright dangerous). But the good news is, some of the “get into shape quickly” tips actually work. Use these tips and tricks to see a noticeable difference.

The difference between weight loss and fat loss

By now, you’ve probably heard that the scale is not an effective measure of your progress. Muscle weighs more than fat, and building muscle often makes you look slimmer, despite what the scale says. So if you’re trying to slim down, focus more on the way your clothes fit than what the scale says.

Consider these ideas as a healthy jump start to quickly lose a few pounds.

If you want to transform your body, say no to high calorie processed foods. Even if you keep your calories low, a meal from a drive thru has enough additives and sodium to cause some serious bloat. Plus, these foods can zap your energy and leave you too fatigued to exercise.

2. Make a pitcher of detox water.

If anyone understands weight loss, detox water is simply a mixture of 64 ounces of filtered water, lemon juice, natural cranberry juice, and dandelion tea. Drink 64 ounces of her diet drink for seven days and you can lose up to five pounds of water weight.

It’s important to note that Jillian doesn’t recommend using this as a cleanse — this detox water is meant to be consumed with a healthy diet.

3. Eat breakfast like a king (or queen) and dinner like a poor person.

Late night eating can be detrimental to any diet, and research has shown that people who eat their largest meals later in the day have a harder time losing weight than people who eat their heaviest meals earlier in the day.

The body digests food more slowly at night, so go for something like a chicken salad with healthy fats (like avocado and olive oil) to keep you full and send you off to a sound slumber.

4. No to soda and alcohol

Your weekly wine and cola habit can be part of your healthy lifestyle in moderation, but for fast weight loss, you’re going to have to say goodbye. Cutting out soda helps you instantly cut calories and banish bloat — and since the carbonation can trick your body into thinking you’re full and lead to overeating later, you’ll be doing yourself a big favor.

If you’re a drinker, cutting out alcohol permanently isn’t a feasible solution. But since your frequent happy hour habit can wreak havoc on your weight loss, bid the bottle a temporary goodbye.

5. Exercise with weights and do cardio

Everyone has an opinion on which exercise method works best, and it seems as if there is a never-ending battle between cardio and weights. Cardio torches calories, and lifting weights builds fat-burning muscle. For best results, do both.

6. Try a challenging exercise you’ve never done before

Since humans are creatures of habit, it’s natural to gravitate toward the same treadmill or zumba class you’ve been going to for years. But if you want new results, try something new, and make it intense. and either way, you’ll notice a difference.

7. Prioritize sleep

A study at Columbia University showed that people who sleep less than seven hours per night gain more weight over time and struggle to slim down. As if that wasn’t reason enough to go to bed earlier, getting enough rest also curbs your late night snacking and leaves you feeling refreshed, which will really help your workouts. Getting enough sleep is just as important as eating right and exercising.

Nolvadex

Nolvadex (Nolva): This is one of the oldest and widely used SERMs on the market

Nolvadex is a type of drug known as Anti-Estrogens, a group which aims to reduce the overall levels of estrogens in the body.

However, not all drugs achieve this in the same way and contrary to popular belief, Nolvadex does not lower the amount of estrogen in the circulation. Aromatase Inhibitors work in this way, but Nolvadex does not belong to this subcategory of Anti-Estrogens. Instead, Nolvadex belongs to a type of drug known as Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERM).

SERMs do not act on the enzyme but instead block estrogen by occupying receptor sites in their place, preventing the hormone from binding.

Nolvadex, in common with other SERMs, has different actions in various parts of the body. Although the drug is strongly anti-estrogenic in breast tissue, it acts in a very different way in the liver, instead exhibiting an estrogenic effect.

Nolvadex is now considered a first line treatment for breast cancers which are responsive to estrogen.

History

Also known as Tamoxifen, Nolvadex was first created in 1962 and very quickly appeared as a prescription medicine. Physicians initially used this medication to treat infertility in women but soon realized that it also had a value in treating breast cancer too.

Although the potential benefits for breast cancer patients was known by 1971, the FDA didn’t provide a license to allow it to be used as a treatment for such until 1977. Eleven years later, in 1988, the FDA went one step further and approved the drug for use as a preventative treatment for individuals who were at a high risk of developing breast cancer.

Today there are many different generic versions of the drug available and it continues to be used for both fertility and breast cancer.

Benefits

Despite belonging to a group of drugs known as Anti-Estrogens, Nolvadex doesn’t always remove the effect of estrogen on the body.

In breast tissue it blocks the receptors, thus preventing the estrogen causing gynecomastia, however in the liver it exhibits an estrogenic effect. This can be protective and helps to counteract some of the stress that anabolic steroids put the liver under. The liver is instrumental in the balance of cholesterol within the body and Nolvadex can help to promote a healthier ratio between HDL and LDL. Cholesterol is normally affected in an adverse manner by anabolic steroids (although some are worse than others) so this action can be very helpful.

There’s also a major benefit for bodybuilders trying to achieve mass as Nolvadex can help to prevent the gains made being lost via catabolism. If a leaner, drier look is desired, catabolism can be a good thing as it breaks down fat and water, but for those looking for bulk, it can be a disaster. Using Nolvadex helps to prevent this.

Use in sport

Nolvadex can be used in tandem with anabolic steroids as a means of preventing and controlling gynecomastia. This enlargement of breast tissue can be permanent if not treated rapidly, and Nolvadex can be extremely potent so is a useful addition to any cycle.

Gynecomastia in males is caused by rising levels of estrogen which Nolvadex can help to reduce by blocking the receptor sites in the breast tissue. Although Nolvadex has an anti-estrogenic effect in the breast and can help to eliminate gynecomastia, its effect is not universal. For other estrogenic side effects such as bloating, raised blood pressure and acne, Nolvadex will be ineffective. This is because these estrogenic effects result from blood serum levels which Nolvadex has no impact on.

Because of its ability to prevent gynecomastia, Nolvadex is often taken during a cycle but it can be also included as part of PCT. When it’s used in this way, it has an effect on the pituitary gland, preventing it from recognizing the testosterone in the body and thereby allowing more to continue to be produced.

Dosage info

If Nolvadex is being used to prevent gynecomastia, a dosage of 20-80mg every day will produce optimum results.

When used for PCT, a slightly lower dose of between 10-40mg will suffice. This can be either every day, or every other day depending on the response.

Nolvadex should be used in PCT for at least 4-6 weeks, depending on the length of the steroid cycle.

It’s important not to dose the Nolvadex too high because this can have the opposite to the desired effect, decreasing the production of testosterone.

Half life

The half-life is generally considered to be between 5-7 days, although there have been reports that in some cases it may be as long as 14 days.

The drug can be detected within the body up to two months after use.

Side effects

Nolvadex is generally well tolerated but some of the side effects which can be experienced include:

• Muscle aches and cramps
• Reversible hair thinning
• Headaches
• Nausea
• Drop in libido
• Mood changes
• Fatigue
• Mood changes
• Blurred vision

Contraindications

There are some instances where the use of Nolvadex could cause significant problems and shouldn’t be taken without first taking medical advice from a physician.

Anyone with a history of any of the following may find that taking Nolvadex is not advisable:

• Eyesight problems
• Cataracts
• Stroke
• High levels of calcium in the blood
• Decreased white blood cells or platelets
• Deep vein thrombosis
Legal use

Nolvadex is only available with a prescription in the US, and cannot be freely purchased over the counter. Despite this it is not classified as a controlled drug by the Controlled Substances Act in the US.

This means that possessing Nolvadex is not a crime, nor is the buying, selling or use of it. There are therefore no fines or otherwise penalties for use of the drug, even if obtained without a prescription.

Canada and the UK adopt the same stance, but in other countries it is even more freely available and can be purchased over the counter.

An FDA ruling means that it’s possible to bring a 90 day supply of Nolvadex into the US without it being confiscated, providing it’s for personal use.

HCG

HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin): This powerful hormone helps boost testosterone once a anabolic steroid cycle ends

Found naturally in the body of both men and women, Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) is a peptide hormone which plays a number of different roles.

In women, HCG is vital in the early stages of pregnancy as it creates the right hormonal conditions to allow the egg to become implanted. In men, HCG acts as a form of Luteinizing Hormone (LH) which prompts specialist cells to release testosterone.

The presence of HCG was identified by scientists almost a century ago, in the 1920s, and since then it has been useful in a number of different applications therapeutically. For women, HCG has been used to treat ovarian and ovulation disorders while in men, it can be a pharmaceutical solution for undescended testicles.

As a hormone, HCG has a remarkable effect on the body and scientists are still discovering the full extent of its influence. In more recent years, it has been identified as a marker for certain types of cancer, for example.

However, HCG cannot help individuals to lose weight, despite the number of clinics which have claimed to be able to do so. This practice became so widespread that the FDA took action in 2011, describing these kind of HCG diets as unethical and fraudulent.

Beyond medicinal use, HCG is also very important for bodybuilders, used alongside anabolic steroids and other performance enhancing drugs which affect the production of testosterone. A sequence of reactions (described in more detail below) causes the body to recommence production of testosterone when HCG is taken. This means that it is often taken either during or following a cycle to support the body while it returns to natural testosterone production.

Using stacking

HCG is used for two different purposes: either during a cycle to reduce the effects of low testosterone (such as testicular atrophy) or as a means of kick starting PCT.

Unless you have a medical condition where you don’t have sufficient testosterone, then HCG will always be used in combination with other drugs and stacked.

If used during a cycle, HCG will be included in an anabolic steroid stack as a means of controlling the side effects caused by low testosterone. This may be with a single steroid or with a number of drugs in a larger stack.

When used as a means of kick starting PCT, HCG is very often stacked with Nolvadex and/or Clomid before being tailed off.

How it is administered

HCG is normally purchased in powder form. This must then be mixed with bacteriostatic water and refrigerated for up to 60 days. Any solution which has not been used within 60 days should be thrown away.

This liquid is administered via an injection, either intramuscularly or subcutaneously.

HCG dosage info

To avoid estrogenic side effects, it’s a good idea to stick to the lowest dose which is effective. The dosage depends on the way in which HCG is being used.

For bodybuilders using HCG during a cycle, to try and prevent testicular atrophy, a dose of around 250-500 IUs administered 2-3 times per week is usually effective.

When taken as a means of kick starting PCT, 500 IUs of HCG daily for around 10 days is required.

Half-life info

The half life of HCG is approximately 3-4 days.

Positive effects

When anabolic steroids are taken, the pituitary gland in the brain stops producing LH which in turns prevents the leydig cells from releasing any testosterone.

The HCG hormone can play a role in preventing testosterone levels from dropping by mimicking the action of LH within the body. This tricks the leydig cells into producing testosterone even in the presence of an anabolic steroid.

This isn’t a forever solution because it means that your body still won’t be producing any of its own LH, but it can help temporarily.

HCG shots are also useful for kick starting PCT after an anabolic cycle and bridging the gap while the effects of the steroids leave the body. This prevents the inevitable crash and also has the added advantage of allowing you to retain more of the gains provided by the steroids during the cycle.

Potential side effects

The HCG supplement is one of the best tolerated drugs on the market, providing you stick to the recommended dose. However, if you take too much you will cause a large spike in your estrogen and that can cause problems such as gynecomastia, bloating and raised blood pressure.

If side effects become a problem, then a small dose of an AI can help to counterbalance the estrogen.

Contraindications

Although HCG is generally regarded as one of the safest drugs, there are some instances when it’s too risky. Anyone with a history of any of the following conditions should refrain from taking HCG without consulting a physician first:

• Ovarian disorders
• Prostate cancer
• Brain lesion
• Testicular cancer
• Pituitary gland tumor
• Water retention
• Early onset puberty
• Blood clot
• Obstructed blood vessels

The drug has also not been proven to be safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women.

Is it safe for women to use?

HCG is not recommended for use in females and would not normally be required as within bodybuilding it is typically utilized in order to recommence testosterone production. This is not an issue for women.

Will PCT be required?

PCT is required following a cycle of anabolic steroids because they suppress the natural production of testosterone.

HCG is one of the drugs used as part of the initial part of PCT to enable the body to begin recovery and to act as a bridge for natural testosterone production to recommence. It’s not typically used alone, but prior to SERMs such as Nolvadex and Clomid. Research suggests that when PCT begins with HCG the recovery is far quicker than with SERMs used alone.

Use in sports

HCG is not a drug which is legal to use within sport, having been banned by the IOC. Therefore, any athlete using it should be aware of the risks of random drug tests and make sure it’s cleared from their system prior to any competitions.

Typical cost

It’s not difficult to buy HCG online but if you want a pharmaceutical grade, you can expect to have to pay significantly more.

The drug is available widely on the black market at a fraction of the cost but the quality may not be as good, certainly not pharmaceutical grade.

In general, you can expect to pay around $55 per bottle. This will come with just a small amount of powder in the bottle, and an extra bottle of bacteriostatic water which needs to be mixed in.

Legality of purchase and its usage in the US

HCG injections are approved by the FDA for use in humans to treat certain medical conditions, but only with a prescription from a qualified physician.

The drug cannot be prescribed for the purposes of supporting a bodybuilding program. This means that obtaining it without a prescription is against the law.

However, in certain states the law has been extended further and HCG has been classified as a controlled substance. This means that the potential penalty for possession is much higher, and could possibly even include a custodial sentence. The list of states who have classified HCG as a controlled substance is subject to change as the laws around anabolic steroids and ancillary substances are reviewed.

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