Andro

Dear Dr. Dean Could you comment on this article by Leisa Pichard.Andro or androstenedione is a prehormone or an inactive forerunner to another hormone—in this case testosterone. Manufacturers claim that this supplement increases testosterone levels and helps build muscle mass. Some athletes use andro in order to mask anabolic steroid use; some sports have banned its use altogether. Now theres good reason — even if youre not a competitive athlete — not to use andro. According to a study published in the November Archives of Internal Medicine andro doesnt increase testosterone levels in the blood and it may change HDL (good cholesterol) and LDL (bad cholesterol) levels. Researchers at East Tennessee State University observed 50 men aged 35 to 60 during a 12-week period of physical training. Some received no supplements and others received either androstenedione or a variant called androstenediol. Researchers found that men taking the supplements achieved the same increases in strength as the men who took nothing. In addition they found that those not taking the supplement had improved cholesterol levels (as an indication of heart disease risk) by 12.3 percent while those taking the supplement increased their risk of heart disease by 5.2 to 10.5 percent.Those who insist on taking andro despite the new findings are well advised to monitor cholesterol levels.

Thanks for sending this article. Although I had seen it I appreciate input from sharp-eyed readers as you. Although the reported results are provocative I have known of more results that are positive. Andro may not be good for muscle building. That doesnt mean it doesnt have other beneficial physiological effects. Anabolic steroids when used for muscle building are generally taken in higher than physiologic (normal) doses. At these doses a number of adverse effects (similar to those reported in the article) are known to commonly occur. I believe andros effects are more subtle than just building muscles. The study reported on oral androstenedione only. Also the participants took the supplement around the clock. VRPs andro products are a combination of androstenedione and androstenediol. Each of these substances is converted to testosterone via different pathways. AndroSpray furthermore is a sublingual product avoiding the first-pass metabolism by the liver that is experienced by all oral products. Also VRP does not recommend taking these products around the clock (as in the study) but at times of day that will mimic normal body cycles (i.e. at night and/or in the early morning). Also I usually recommend dosages in the range of 50-200 mg/day. The article while interesting and adding somewhat to our knowledge of the metabolism of androstenedione does not change my opinion of the benefits of these supplements. Ward Dean MD