Everyone who comes to the gym and works hard, hopes for a return. In bodybuilding, the result is an increase in muscle mass. Stimulate the growth of muscle cells and contribute to an increase in the mass of muscle fibers, special substances synthesized by the endocrine glands. Increase the secretion of anabolic hormones allows a special diet and training.
Anabolic and catabolic hormones
Hormones are chemicals that have the ability to induce. Produced by the cells of any living organism to influence the processes in the cells of all parts of the body.
The properties of hormones are divided into two groups: anabolic and catabolic. The hormone, which has an anabolic effect, allows you to build muscle mass, and catabolic - break down the fat layer. Some hormones can be classified in both groups, such as growth hormone.
Anabolic hormones are divided into three largegroups:
- amino acid derivatives (e.g. adrenaline or tyrosine);
- steroid hormones (progestins, estrogens, testosterone, cortisone);
- peptide hormones (insulin).
Anabolic hormones
They are called chemicals that are produced by the endocrine glands, and the growth of muscle tissue depends on them. These biologically active substances are divided into two groups: steroids and polypeptide, or protein (for example, growth hormone or insulin).
Special training programs have been developed to increase the level of such hormones in the blood. How do they work? During intense physical exertion, the protein breaks down, in response, the body produces the lost protein. Due to this reaction, muscle mass increases. If the growth process slows down, you need to stimulate the synthesis of substances such as anabolic hormones. The list of such hormones includes insulin, somatotropin, testosterone and others.
Insulin
Insulin is an anabolic hormone produced by the pancreas. The substance helps to assimilate glucose and useful fatty acids. By letting glucose into the cell, insulin stimulates the synthesis of glycogen, and by letting in fatty acids, it receives its own human fats, which the joints need. Insulin skips amino acids to start intracellular protein synthesis. So it is insulin that is rightfully considered the main anabolic hormone.
However, physical inactivity, eating too muchthe amount of carbohydrates, and, as a result, being overweight increases the production of insulin. And since the hormone is involved in the synthesis of fats, fat will gradually accumulate in the body.
Overdose of insulin can be deadly as there is a risk of hypoglycemia. For an overdose to occur, at least a full insulin syringe must be injected, and 100 IU is considered the smallest lethal dose. But even lethal doses of insulin do not cause death if glucose enters the body in a timely manner.
Substances that stimulate insulin synthesis
Banaba leaf extract contains an acid that increases the sensitivity of body cells to insulin. You can enhance the effect of the supplement when taken together with ginseng. In medicine, banaba leaf extract is used in the treatment of diabetes. Take the substance immediately after intense physical activity, along with protein and carbohydrates (35-50 mg of the extract at a time).
Gymnema sylvestre plant extract has long been used to treat diabetes. The substance increases the amount of insulin produced, but does not deplete the gland responsible for its production. Take the extract slowly, in small sips for half an hour after training. It is more effective to take hymnem sylvester along with proteins and carbohydrates (400-500 mg).
Under the influence of alpha lipoic acid (ALA), the uptake of glucose by the muscles improves. Acid is taken immediately after exercise at 600-1000 mg. When you include animal proteins in your dietand vegetable origin, there is an increase in the production of a protein that has an anabolic effect. It is also effective to take essential amino acids dissolved in water (at least 20 g) during training.
Growth Hormone
Growth hormone (other names: GH, growth hormone, growth hormone, HGH, somatotropin, somatropin) is called a polypeptide hormone with anabolic action, it is synthesized by the anterior pituitary gland. Thanks to this biologically active substance, the body begins to actively use fat reserves, converting them into muscle relief.
The effectiveness of growth hormone decreases with age: maximum in early childhood and minimum in the elderly. Growth hormone production usually rises at night, about an hour after falling asleep.
Growth hormone preparations began to be used in sports after medicine. Despite the ban, sales of the chemical have increased.
The main reason for the popularity of somatropin is the practical absence of side effects and its high efficiency in the formation of relief, due to the ability to reduce the amount of subcutaneous fat and the ability to accumulate fluid in muscle cells. In addition to the high cost of the drug, the disadvantages include the fact that taking this hormone does not lead to an increase in strength indicators, does not increase productivity and endurance. Growth hormone stimulates a slight muscle gain (about 2 kg).
Substances that increasegrowth hormone production
Alpha-glyceryl-forforyl-choline (alpha-GPC) actively stimulates the production of its own GH in the body. In medicine, this supplement is used primarily for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Take alpha-GPC 600mg 60-90 minutes before workout.
Another compound is arginine and lysine. Substances stimulate the immediate production and release of growth hormone into the blood. Take a pharmacological agent in the morning on an empty stomach, in the afternoon before lunch and before bedtime (1.5 - 3 mg of each substance).
Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is an amino acid that is involved in the transmission of nerve signals. Usually drugs, the list of active ingredients of which include gamma-aminobutyric acid, are used in medical practice for the treatment of dementia. In sports, GABA is taken in significantly increased doses. Shown is the use of amino acids on an empty stomach an hour before bedtime or before training for 3-5 g.
Increases the secretion of growth hormone and melatonin, which is taken an hour before exercise at 5 mg.
Anabolic Steroids
Anabolic steroids are a group of pharmacological drugs that mimic the action of male sex hormones. The latter include, for example, testosterone and dihydrotestosterone.
Unlike peptide hormones, anabolic steroids easily penetrate the cell, where they start the process of formation of new protein molecules. Due to this, there is a significant muscle gain (7 kg per month), an increase in strength indicators,performance and endurance. However, in addition to anabolic effects, there is a significant percentage of androgenic ones: baldness, increased hair growth on the face and body, masculinization - the appearance of male secondary sexual characteristics in women, virilization - an excess of male hormones in women, testicular atrophy, prostate hypertrophy.
Testosterone
Testosterone is the main hormone in the male body. The substance affects the development of secondary sexual characteristics, the volume of muscle mass, sexual desire, self-confidence and the degree of aggression. A synthetic analogue of testosterone is officially banned in Russia, however, some substances and exotic plants can stimulate the production of their own testosterone in sufficient quantities.
The biologically active substance has a number of side effects, but if you do not abuse synthetic testosterone and do not exceed the recommended dose, you will not have to face them. Even excessive doses rarely lead to irreversible processes in the body. The media has exaggerated the dangers of taking substances such as anabolic hormones.
Drugs that stimulate testosterone production
Increases testosterone levels Damiana is a shrub from the Turner family. The preparation of the same name contains an extract of the leaves of the plant. The pharmacological agent stimulates the production of its own anabolic hormones in the body and blocks the synthesis of estrogens, unlike medicinal analogues, which increase the production of the latter. With an overdose, there is an almost narcotic euphoria and a significant increase in libido. Take the substance half an hour - an hour before the first meal, as well as before physical activity and sleep (50 - 500 mg each).
Another drug - "Forskolin" - contains an extract of an Indian plant called coleus forskolia. By influencing the production of its own anabolic hormones in the male body, the pharmacological agent stimulates the natural production of testosterone. Take Forskolin twice a day at 250 mg.
A strong antioxidant containing the natural pigment astaxanthin, which gives color to aquarium fish - "Astaxanthin". The substance is used in conjunction with the sou palmetto, which includes the fruits of the dwarf palm. With a one-time intake of these substances, natural testosterone is produced in the body. Take the drug once a day as a part of astaxanthin + saw palmetto (500 - 1000 mg of each component).
Anabolic hormones are produced naturally under the following conditions: a full eight-hour sleep, proper nutrition and maintaining the water-s alt balance of the body. Workouts should not exceed an hour of intense exercise.
