Deca (nandrolone decanoate) is the most popular anabolic steroid among experienced bodybuilders. Anyone who has thought about a course of anabolic steroids has heard about it. Initially, deca was used for medical purposes in a number of diseases, including: anemia, as an aid to preserve muscle mass in cancer patients (except prostate cancer) and in HIV and AIDS patients, in the treatment of osteoporosis, severe injuries, burns. The pharmacy brand is known to everyone as “Retabolil”. In the USA, better known as Deca-Durabolin, it is also available in the form of phenylpropionate. The information is provided for informational purposes only. Contains personal experience, as well as the experience of athletes .
According to some reports, the use of Deca can be detected even after 24 months from completion of the course, if we are talking about doping control.
Historical excursion
Nandrolone (19-testosterone), classified as an anabolic steroid, was synthesized in the fiftieth year of the last century. The structure of all anabolic androgenic steroids is similar to the structure of testosterone (male sex hormone). However, artificial analogs are much better at building muscle mass (anabolic effect). Nandrolone is a classic representative of anabolic steroids. Conducted studies have proven that in terms of the time of action on cellular receptors, which play an important role in the course of anabolic processes, it is superior to substances with a similar formula. This was the reason for the success of nandrolone. In Hungary, nandrolone decanoate was produced under the name "Retabolil". In the US and Western countries it is known as Deca-Durabolin. One ampoule of retabolil contains fifty milligrams of the active substance. The effect after using nandrolone lasts two weeks. The properties of nandrolone determine its use in recovery from injuries, treatment of dystrophy, in the postoperative and post-infarction periods. When the drug enters the female body, an increase in hemoglobin and a decrease in calcium loss from bone tissue are observed. For people whose activities involve constant physical activity (circus and ballet performers), a busy work schedule (show business stars), a course of injections is sometimes simply necessary and becomes a way out of a difficult situation. Many doctors, biologists, and physiologists consider the concept of the IOC (International Olympic Committee), which has declared a real war on doping, to be incorrect and, to some extent, criminal. The fact is that the prohibition of nandrolone by this organization, which supposedly guards the health of athletes and fair competitions, leads athletes to search for alternative options, which consist in the use of little-studied drugs that are more toxic and harmful to health.
Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics
Pharmacodynamics
Anabolic agent. When compared to testosterone , the latter has stronger, longer-lasting anabolic and lower androgenic properties. Activates regulatory genes in the cell nucleus by reacting with specific receptor proteins on the cell walls of target organs and synthesizing the protein receptor-nandrolone , transporting the latter into the cell into the hyaloplasm , from where it moves into the nucleus. The androgenic effect is to stimulate the biosynthesis of nucleic acids and structural proteins, improve oxidative phosphorylation and tissue respiration in striated muscles with the accumulation of ATP and creatine phosphate . Improves the fixation of Ca ions in bones, increasing bone weight in osteoporosis , increasing appetite and muscle mass.
Accelerates the growth of male genital organs and the development of secondary male sexual characteristics. Stimulates androgen-dependent glands (genital, sebaceous), in high doses causes suppression of Leydig cells and reduces the biosynthesis of endogenous sex hormones due to inhibition of the pituitary gland's release of follicle-stimulating and luteinizing hormones.
The anabolic effect is realized through the activation of recovery processes in the epithelium , bones and muscles as a result of increased biosynthesis of protein and cell organelles. Increases the absorption of amino acids from the intestines. Stimulates the production of erythropoietin and anabolic phenomena in the bone marrow, which, when administered together with iron supplements, has an antianemic effect. Inhibits the synthesis of some plasma coagulation factors in the liver, corrects the blood , enhances the reabsorption of sodium and water in the kidneys, causing peripheral edema . It is effective in women with disseminated breast carcinoma.
Pharmacokinetics
When administered intramuscularly, it is slowly absorbed (the half-life at the injection site is approximately 6 days), creating a therapeutic concentration in the blood for a long period. The half-life for absorbed nandrolone decanoate is 4.5 hours.
Properties of nandrolone
The structural difference between nandrolone and testosterone is the absence of methyl group 19 in the first molecule, which became the reason for the spread of the name 19-nortestosterone. This gave the substance the ability to better stabilize androgen receptors. In other words, the duration of action of nandrolone increases approximately two to three times compared to the duration of action of testosterone, and the longer the receptor remains activated, the more protein is synthesized by the cell. There is also a negative point: free nandrolone degenerates into dihydronandrolone (DHN), which is two to three times less effective than nandrolone, impairs the ability of nerve fibers to transmit signals, which negatively affects neuromuscular stimulation and libido. True, nandrolone is not so active in the prostate and skin, so athletes taking this drug are less susceptible to acne, prostate hypertrophy, and baldness.
The effect of aromatase on the course of nandrolone is not so significant. But as a result of a chemical reaction, estrogen is still produced, albeit in small quantities. We should not forget about the progestogenic activity of 19-nortestosterone. Those whose total dose of the drug exceeds six hundred milligrams per week put themselves at risk of developing gynecomastia.
Course “Deca + Sustanon + Methane”.
The “Deca + Sustanon + Methane” course is one of the most powerful effective courses, which has been a leader among representatives of various sports for many years. The cycle is designed to increase muscle volume, strength, endurance, and speed. In two months, adherents of this course managed to gain up to 12 kg of quality mass. The recommended period for using the combination is 2 months + 1 week (methane solo) + 3 weeks PCT (Clomid).
Drug dosages:
1. Deca - 200 mg once a week. 2. Sustanon - 250 mg once a week. 3. Methane - 30 mg daily (10 mg three times a day).
- From the first to the eighth week - Deca (200 mg, once a week) + Sustanon (250 mg, once a week) + methane (30 mg daily - 10 mg three times a day).
- Ninth week - methane solo (30 mg daily - 10 mg three times a day).
- Tenth week - PCT (Clomid - 50 mg - in the morning, daily).
- Eleventh-twelfth week - PCT (Clomid - 50 mg in the morning, every other day).
All the indicated dosages of drugs are recommended, they are suitable for most bodybuilders. When drawing up a course on your own, you must remember that the rate of sustanon should not exceed 250-1000 mg per week, the rate of deca should not exceed 200-800 mg per week, the rate of methane should not exceed 20-40 mg per day. A personal trainer or sports doctor will help you create a course taking into account your individual characteristics. Seek help from specialists.
Application
The choice of method of administration of the drug is determined by genetic differences. For some, nandrolone is simply a miracle cure. Others, whose body does not interact well with the “long esters” of nandrolone, risk developing health problems. This result is due to the presence of a large amount of 5-alpha reductose in muscle fibers, when it is possible to replace 19-nortestosterone with phenylpropionate, or increased sensitivity to progesterone. In the second case, the way out is to use nandrolone together with stanazolol or to prevent the weekly dose from exceeding three hundred to four hundred milligrams. For athletes who do not have the characteristics described above, the use of nandrolone will greatly facilitate weight gain. The purpose of testosterone and nandrolone is to activate satellite cells and increase IGF-1, stimulating muscle hyperplasia, but the dosage of the latter should exceed six hundred milligrams per week. Based on the properties of nandrolone, which can retain water, its use during “drying” before competitions is inappropriate.
Previously, there was an opinion that the retention of fluid in the body under the influence of nandrolone is one of the factors for the accumulation of water in the joint capsules, which is why the joints experience a beneficial effect. In fact, the mechanism of functioning of 19-nortestosterone is somewhat more complicated.
The drug does not cause an additional influx of water into the joint capsules. Thanks to nandrolone, water simply does not leave them. This process is explained by the fact that nandrolone is a very strong progestin, having a fifth of the power of progesterone, and can be converted into estradiol, which is responsible for retaining water in tissues. Assessing the properties inherent in nandrolone, one cannot fail to note its superiority over other drugs that have antiestrogenic (drostanolone) and antiprogestagenic (stanozolol) activity. Composing a cycle of trenbolone, stanozolol, drostanolone can cause harm to joints during intense training. Do not forget: if a certain concentration of estrogens and progestins is exceeded in the blood plasma, then an anti-inflammatory effect is observed. Nandrolone has progestogenic activity, the ability to convert into estradiol, which determines the possibility of a beneficial effect on joints. In this regard, nandrolone is significantly superior to oxymetholone, methandrostenolone, and testosterone.
Nandrolone not only affects the increase in muscle mass. When taking it, strength indicators increase significantly. Most athletes, whose weekly dose is at least four hundred milligrams, confirm this. True, there is one very important negative factor: the suppression of endogenous testosterone production by 19-nortestosterone leads to a deterioration in the conductivity of nerve fibers and impaired erectile function. Not everyone is ready to sacrifice their intimate life. The way out of the situation is seen in using some strong androgen, for example, testosterone, in combination with nandrolone.
Course “Deca + Winstrol”.
The “ Deca + Winstrol ” course is ideal for bodybuilders of any level: both beginners and experienced. Over the entire period, athletes manage to gain up to eight kilograms of good muscle mass, significantly increase endurance, speed, and strength. Recommended period of use is 2 months.
Drug dosages:
1. Deca - 200-400 mg once a week (2 ampoules). 2. Winstrol (injections) - 50 mg per day.
Or
1. Deca - 200-400 mg once a week (2 ampoules). 2. Winstrol (tablets) - 50 mg per day.
The indicated dosages are advisory in nature; specialists in sports pharmacology advise seeking help from a personal trainer or sports doctor so that you can create an individual course. The optimal individual dosage depends on gender, physical characteristics, age, health, sports experience and experience with AAS use.
What results should you expect after completing the Deca + Winstrol course?
1. Qualitative increase in muscle mass, increase in muscle volume and density. 2. Increased performance and strength indicators. 3. Reduction of fat layer. Subcutaneous fat is converted into energy under the influence of these two steroids. 4. Favorable effect on metabolic processes in the body. 5. The recovery period after serious physical activity is reduced. 6. The immune system is strengthened. An athlete can consolidate the results obtained with the help of a special diet, taking drugs from the sports nutrition series, a healthy lifestyle and good sleep.
Side effects
There are usually no serious side effects when using the deck. However, when the weekly dosage exceeds four hundred milligrams, it is not uncommon for blood pressure to increase. Against the backdrop of deteriorating blood clotting, this leads to nosebleeds, poor wound healing, overworking of the sebaceous glands, acne, and severe headaches. The maximum increase in dose is fraught with disruption of the testicles, which begin to produce less testosterone, which causes a delay in the release of gonadotropins by the pituitary gland.
The high progestogenic activity of nandrolone leads to erectile dysfunction and gynecomastia.
Interaction
Deca-Durabolin enhances the effect of indirect anticoagulants, oral hypoglycemic drugs, insulin, and antiplatelet agents.
Deca-Durabolin weakens the effect of growth hormone and drugs based on it.
Glucocorticosteroids, sodium-containing drugs and food, Corticotropin , mutually enhance the effects of fluid retention, stimulate the development of edema and acne.
Co-administration with hepatotoxic drugs increases the likelihood of liver dysfunction.
Dosage methods
Achieving a noticeable effect from taking nandrolone is possible at dosages of two hundred milligrams per week and above. Some professional athletes prescribed a daily dose of eight hundred milligrams. How practical this is these days is difficult to say. Indeed, recently there has been a tendency to abandon nandrolone decanoate. World-class bodybuilders consider this drug to be exhausted and obsolete. However, people who do not think about sports achievements and simply want to have a beautiful body can be advised to set an upper limit for themselves of one gram of nandrolone per week.
Nandrolone decanoate has a fairly long half-life, so it is advisable to stick to one injection per week. True, there is another opinion. Many people believe that to maintain stable hormone levels, it is better to introduce long-lasting drugs into the body more often.
How to combine Deca with other steroids
It’s not so often that you meet people who choose nandrolone as the only steroid in their cycle. Rather, this is the lot of testosterone and trenbolone. Usually drugs that are synergists are combined. The regimen of taking nandrolone with methandrostenolone is considered effective. Even greater effectiveness is achieved by those who include testosterone in the complex with nandrolone (the ratio of nandrolone to testosterone is 1:2). The second method is also a kind of insurance against problems with potency. A combination of the three drugs listed above is the best option for those who want to gain weight in the shortest possible time.
It is worth warning zealous followers of dubious ideas who take everything they are told on faith. The use of nandrolone with other progestins (anadrol, trenbolone) is dangerous and can lead to negative consequences and cause a long-term withdrawal from anabolic steroids.
special instructions
During treatment, it is necessary to regularly monitor the level of calcium, hematocrit, cholesterol, glucose, hemoglobin in the blood, serum phosphorus and liver function indicators.
During treatment, it is necessary to ensure that adequate amounts of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, minerals and vitamins enter the body.
of virilization develop, therapy should be discontinued.
The drug suppresses lactation .
The use of anabolic steroids to improve athletic performance can be harmful to health and is unacceptable.
In the cold, the medicine solution becomes cloudy; in this case, it must be warmed until the crystals are completely dissolved and only then used.
Accelerated growth of tubular bones can be detected in children during the treatment period and within 6 months after completion of the drug. In this regard, it is recommended to conduct an X-ray examination in children and adolescents every six months.
of anabolic steroids in elderly patients can cause prostate hyperplasia.
The advisability of using anabolic steroids for the treatment of osteoporosis is unclear due to the lack of evidence of effectiveness and the high risk of severe side effects.
Use of deck by women
In the middle of the last century, nandrolone found wide use in the treatment of women. Moreover, representatives of traditional medicine considered it a fairly effective drug. Then athletes paid attention to 19-nortestosterone and actively used it until the nineties, until studies conducted by Heinonen and Goossens cast a shadow on the drug. The first experiment involved women taking fifty milligrams of nandrolone decanoate every three to four days. As a result, half of the subjects began to experience the phenomenon of virilization. The second experiment did not lead to the same. True, nothing was reported regarding the magnitude of the doses. Of course, women taking one hundred milligrams of nandrolone decanoate per week raises questions, but limiting the dose to thirty milligrams administered once every two weeks can be considered acceptable. This fact was proven by an experiment that took place in 1996, when no virilization phenomena were recorded with a similar method of administration. Dear ladies who have nevertheless chosen Deca as a means to achieve their goal, I would like to advise not to rush to extremes and start with a dose of fifty milligrams once every ten days, gradually increasing it to seventy-five to one hundred milligrams in the same period of time. The first signs of virilization should be a signal to stop taking the drug.
Course "Deca + methane".
The “ Deca + Methane ” course is one of the most popular among athletes. The combination of these two drugs allows you to get high-quality muscle growth and an excellent increase in strength and endurance in a short time (6 weeks). The course is only suitable for athletes who already have experience in taking sports pharmacology. Usually it is recommended to take methane “in a slide” - that is, use a gradual increase and/or decrease in dosage during the cycle (this allows for a smooth entry/exit from the AAS cycle). The recommended period of use of the combined course is 1.5 months (deca + methane) + 2 weeks methane solo.
Drug dosages:
1. Deca - 200 mg once a week. 2. Methane (tablets) - 30 mg daily.
From the first to the sixth week you need to take methane + deca. Seventh, eighth week - methane solo (30 mg daily). Experts do not recommend exceeding the indicated dosages of drugs. Increasing the amount of steroids will lead to side effects, but it will not be possible to accelerate muscle growth, increase muscle volume and strength indicators.
