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11/26/08
Whenever a person uses steroids, the person’s testosterone levels rise. The body has two responses to this action. First, the endocrine system halts natural testosterone production from the testes. Next, the body’s levels of estrogen production increase, as they must stay in line with the T-levels. This creates negative side effects, particularly one side effect known as Gynecomastia, or “gyno” for short. To combat this, most intelligent bodybuilders employ a technique known as post-cycle therapy, or PCT. This involves the use of several compounds, which block estrogen production in the body. Chrysin and Saw Palmetto are two such compounds.
Chrysin, most simply put, stops most of the negative effects of testosterone supplementation on the body. Chrysin tells the pituitary gland that estrogen levels aren’t so high – so the pituitary doesn’t halt testosterone production. This is very useful for young male bodybuilders who are wary of steroid use, as they don’t want to malfunction their body’s own natural ability to maintain normal T-levels. Gynecomastia, bloating, and other side effects of high estrogen levels are significantly reduced, as Chrysin has been shown to raise testosterone levels by about 30% when cycled maximally.
Saw Palmetto is an over-the-counter supplement, which many believe, assists in both overall health maintenance, as well as prostate health. For the bodybuilder, a side effect of natural saw palmetto is reduced estrogen levels as a result of slightly elevated testosterone levels. For the steroid user, saw palmetto can be useful when stacked with an AI and SERM for healthy post-cycle therapy to ensure estrogen levels stay in check. For the natural bodybuilder who doesn’t use steroids yet still suffers from Gynecomastia – which accounts for about one-third of cases – saw palmetto is very useful. If you are a natural and you have some nipple fat storage due to naturally high estrogen levels (common in endomorphs or those who have recently put on a great deal of mass), give saw palmetto a shot. It might solve the minor problem before it worsens with age.
Many bodybuilders tend to focus most of their mental energies upon obtaining steroids and creating the perfect stack to gain mass. They tend to forget that much of the damage done by steroids occurs after they have been used, in that “crash” period where the body’s testosterone levels drop and estrogen levels continue to remain high. AI’s like Chrysin and saw palmetto are useful for curbing the damage that can be incurred during this down time.
