How many of you have done bridged cycles?

[Thunder Monkey]

Something like dbol @ 10mg /day during 10-12wks of PCT?

How did it work for you?

Besides Dbol, what else have you bridged with?

Thanks,
TM

[redz]

Not worth it imo.

[hankdiesel]

cholesterol levels, test levels, liver........none of these will ever normalize. I think this pracice could cause health problems latter in life.

[T_Own]

i'm sure people do it but the risks outweight the benefits in my mind. anavar or proviron would probably be slightly better choices if you're set on it

[SilverTest]

first of all there is nothing that proves that being on all the time with reasonable dosages

will screw your health( i am talking about inject NOT orals)

There are people on this board who are doing it , i hope that they chime in for their

input .

Bridging with 10 mg of dbol is worthless , it doesn't do anything , and screws your liver

and your cholesterol etc .... , and proviron dont do anything as bridging , its not anabolic at all.

If you decide to bridge , just go with test dude , 100-200 mgs per week of test E should do

plenty , you wanna do something do it the right way.

This is called cruising , followed by heavy dose "blast" cycles.

[hankdiesel]

You are saying that staying on injectable steroids year-round has no adverse health effects. I know what cruising is and just because people on this board do it doesn't mean it's totally safe. I believe if you are lowering your hdl and raising your ldl on a permanent basis it will lead to health problems later in life.....hardening of your arteries is just one that comes to mind.

[redz]

The adverse affect is that having children will become more difficult when cruising all the time. I wouldnt advise cruising unless the babies are out of the way.

[Thunder Monkey]

Thanks for your input all... I was curious about this because I read this on dbol :

In order to successfully bridge between cycles (and this means using a low dose of AAS…in this case dbol), you need to recover your natural hormonal levels to pre-cycle levels or to within acceptable parameters, and then you start your next cycle. The idea here is that you won’t lose any gains, but rather a low dose of an AAS will help you maintain them. Typically, you’d use around 10mgs/day of dbol and combine it with an aggressive Post-Cycle Therapy (PCT) course of Nolvadex (and/or Clomid) and HCG. This would give you full androgen replacement from the Dbol and a shot at recovering your natural hormonal levels via the other stuff you are taking. Remember, the 100mg/day dose of dbol in the study we looked at earlier did not suppress Test, LH, or FSH to a degree that would make recovery impossible…and certainly not with 1/10th that dose in conjunction with an aggressive PCT.

It sounded interesting. As far as cruising goes, I'm done with kids for sure. I have twin boys what more could I ask for and I'm 34 y/o. But I doubt I will try any bridging or cruising as what you've all said about hdl/ldl over the long term is true. I agree I don't want artery issues later in life from ldl plaque buildup etc..

TM.

[WARMachine]

Never used anything except Anavar and winny for bridges...

Both were good, the Var gained more. The winn caused severe joint pain.

[SilverTest]

You are saying that staying on injectable steroids year-round has no adverse health effects. I know what cruising is and just because people on this board do it doesn't mean it's totally safe. I believe if you are lowering your hdl and raising your ldl on a permanent basis it will lead to health problems later in life.....hardening of your arteries is just one that comes to mind.

There are studies that actually state that testosterone LOWERS not increase

your cholesterol .

AND testosterone is actually good for your heart and arteries , people who

have a high test level have more elasticity in their arteries , especially in the

heart , its good for the arteries , not the other way around.

And no fertility is not an issue , let me ask you something , when you do a

cycle , how much is your sperm count after your cycle ? yes , most of the

time its very very very low . So its not different at all really , staying longer

does not mean you will take longer to recover dude . when you are shutdown

, you are shutdown . You cant be MORE shutdown cs you are totally are on

cycle. Staying on for longer dont make you more shutdown , its not logic what you are saying , think about it.

what makes you people think that you will not recover ?

[SilverTest]

Look guys , what i am saying is that nothing is really 100% sure , not even your standard

cycling , some say it raise cholesterol , some say it lowers it , some say its good for the

heart , others say its bad ....etc ..etc , its your decision in the end of the day.

I would personally just go on the cruise , get blood work done and see how i do , if

it screws up my chol levels etc ... i will simply stop it .Try and see what works for you

and your body .

[WARMachine]

There are studies that actually state that testosterone LOWERS not increase

your cholesterol .

AND testosterone is actually good for your heart and arteries , people who

have a high test level have more elasticity in their arteries , especially in the

heart , its good for the arteries , not the other way around.

And no fertility is not an issue , let me ask you something , when you do a

cycle , how much is your sperm count after your cycle ? yes , most of the

time its very very very low . So its not different at all really , staying longer

does not mean you will take longer to recover dude . when you are shutdown

, you are shutdown . You cant be MORE shutdown cs you are totally are on

cycle. Staying on for longer dont make you more shutdown , its not logic what you are saying , think about it.

what makes you people think that you will not recover ?

Would love to see those? Have a link?

I know mine was raised after my cycle. So...

[Thunder Monkey]

Never used anything except Anavar and winny for bridges...

Both were good, the Var gained more. The winn caused severe joint pain.

Would mind posting an example of your Var Bridge during PCT?

When did you start and stop?
Did you go low dose for your entire pct or did you go like +60mg Var/day?

Thanks,
TM

[SilverTest]

Ok check this out , and the studies are listed in the bottom.

The Positive Effects of Testosterone on the Heart
by Doug Kalman MS, RD

Steroids will cause your kidneys to implode, your heart to blow a ventricle, and your liver to squirt out of your arse, fly across the room, and knock the cat off the futon. We read it on the Internet and saw an after school special about it, so it must be true, right?
Actually, the more you learn about steroids, the more you come to realize that, like all drugs, there's a difference between their intelligent use and outright abuse. In this article, Doug Kalman takes a look at the effects of Testosterone on the heart. What he found may surprise you.

Over the years we've all heard the repeated mantra that anabolic steroids are bad for the heart. Some physicians will tell you that gear raises your risk of heart disease by lowering your good cholesterol (HDL) and raising your bad cholesterol (LDL). In fact, as some docs will tell you, steroids are known to even induce cardiac hypertrophy (enlargement of the heart). And since you can't flex your heart in an effort to woo women, who'd want that?
But, as in every story, there's more than one side. In fact, let it be said, the dangers of steroids are overstated and, hold onto your seats, may even be good for the heart. Let's examine some of the scientific studies on the positive effects of Testosterone on the heart.

What are the cardiovascular effects of steroids ?
Cardiologists at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Australia recruited both juicing and non-juicing bodybuilders for a study. Each bodybuilder had various aspects of the heart measured (carotid intima-media thickness, arterial reactivity, left ventricular dimensions, etc.). These measurements indicate whether bodybuilding, steroid usage or both affect the function, size, shape and activity of the heart.
The doctors found some obvious and not so obvious results. Predictably, those bodybuilders who used steroids were physically stronger than those who didn't. What was surprising was that the use of steroids was not found to cause any significant changes or abnormalities of arterial structure or function.
In essence, when the bodybuilders (both groups) were compared with sedentary controls, any changes in heart function were common to bodybuilders. The take home message from this study is that bodybuilding itself can alter (not impair) arterial structure/function and that steroids do not appear to impair cardiac function. (1)

Does MRFIT need a T boost?
A famous cardiac study was published about 10 years ago. It soon became on ongoing study known as the Multiple Risk Factor Intervention Trial (MRFIT). The present study examined changes in Testosterone over 13 years in 66 men aged 41 to 61 years. The researchers determined if changes in total Testosterone are related to cardiovascular disease risk factors.
The average Testosterone levels at the beginning of the study were 751 ng/dl and decreased by 41 ng/dl. Men who smoked or exhibited Type A behavior were found to have even greater decreases in T levels. The change in Testosterone was also associated with an increase in triglyceride levels and a decrease in the good cholesterol (HDL).
The authors concluded that decreases in Testosterone levels as observed in men over time are associated with unfavorable heart disease risk. (2) Sounds to me like a good reason to get T support/replacement therapy in the middle age years!
In a similar study, researchers in Poland examined if Testosterone replacement therapy in aging men positively effected heart disease risk factors. Twenty-two men with low T levels received 200 mg of Testosterone enanthate every other week for one year. Throughout treatment, Testosterone, estradiol, total cholesterol, HDL and LDL were measured.
The researchers determined that T replacement returned both Testosterone and estradiol levels back to normal and acceptable levels. They also found that T replacement lowered cholesterol and LDL (the bad cholesterol) without altering HDL (the good cholesterol). Furthermore, there was no change in prostate function or size.
The take home message from this study is that T replacement doesn't appear to raise heart disease risk and it may actually lower your risk. (3) It appears that more physicians should be prescribing low dose Testosterone to middle age and aging men for both libido, muscle tone and for cardiac reasons.

What about younger men?
It's been long established that men have a higher risk of heart disease. One of the risk factors implicated is Testosterone. Reportedly, the recreational use of Testosterone can alter lipoprotein levels and, in fact, case reports exist describing bodybuilders who've abused steroids and have experienced heart disease or even sudden death. But the question remains, is the causal association one of truth or just an association?
To answer this, researchers at the University of North Texas recruited twelve competitive bodybuilders for a comprehensive evaluation of the cardiovascular effects of steroids. Six heavyweight steroid-using bodybuilders were compared with six heavyweight drug-free bodybuilders.
As expected, the heavy steroid users had lower total cholesterol and HDL levels as compared to the drug-free athletes. What was unexpected was that the steroid users also had significantly lower LDL (the bad cholesterol) and triglyceride levels as compared to the non-steroid users. In addition, the juicers also had lower apolipoprotein B levels (a marker for heart disease risk). Thus, the authors concluded that androgens do not appear to raise the risk of cardiovascular disease. (4) The take home message from this study is that the negative cardiac side effects of steroids are most likely overstated.
In a little more progressive study, researchers at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Boogie Down Bronx (the BDB to those in the know) examined Testosterone as a possible therapy for cardiovascular disease. (5) The researchers note that T can be given in oral, injectable, pellet and transdermal delivery forms. It's noted that injections of Testosterone (100 to 200 mg every two weeks) in men with low levels of T will decrease total cholesterol and LDL while raising the HDL.
In fact, Testosterone therapy has been found to have antianginal effects (reduces chest pain). Low levels of Testosterone are also correlated with high blood pressure, specifically high systolic pressure. The researchers determined that returning T levels back to normal and even high-normal levels have positive cardiovascular effects and should be considered as an adjunctive treatment for maintaining muscle mass when someone has congestive heart failure.

Putting it all together
Strong research demonstrates that the risks of negative cardiovascular effects of steroids are overstated. In fact, a recent paper published in the Canadian Journal of Applied Physiology questioned the whole risk of using steroids. (6) Joey Antonio, Ph.D. and Chris Street MS, CSCS published strong data showing that the risks of steroid use are largely exaggerated, much like scare tactics used by your parents while you were a kid. Of course, it goes unsaid that abuse of anything will lead to unwanted consequences.
We know that as we age, circulating Testosterone levels naturally decrease. For most people the Testosterone decrease goes from high-normal to mid to low normal. Data shows that there's an inverse relationship between T levels and blood pressure as well as abdominal obesity (that paunch we see on so many middle age males).
Testosterone replacement lowers abdominal obesity and restores Testosterone back to normal levels. Restored Testosterone is correlated with better mood, better muscle tone, stronger sex drive, lower cardiovascular disease risks, stronger bones and better memory. It's important to note that while conservative use gives a pronounced positive health benefit, higher doses may not necessarily lead to further health benefits.

What to do
If you see your body composition changing (your gut starts looking like your Uncle Lester's), your strength or muscle tone diminishing despite your hard training and good diet, and your sex drive not matching up to TC's columns, have your Testosterone levels checked. The acceptable normal range for Testosterone to physicians is 300 mg/dl to 1100 mg/dl. Yes, that's a pretty wide range.
In the clinic, we see people with the complaints consistent with "andropause " (a term for male menopause) and/or increased cardiovascular risk having Testosterone levels between 300 mg/dl and 550 mg/dl. Bringing it up to the mid to high-normal level is what gives the health and "youthful" benefits. Traditionally 200 mg/dl of supplemental Testosterone given every one to two weeks improves body composition, lowers total cholesterol and LDL, while raising HDL.
It appears that supplemental T is a healthier and safer way to go than many of the drugs used to treat poor lipid profiles. The data presented in this article applies for males over 35, not those who are 18. If you think that you can benefit from Testosterone therapy look for physicians who market themselves as "anti-aging" or "longevity physicians" as well as the more progressive endocrinologists or cardiologists.
Long story short, used intelligently, Testosterone is good medicine!

About the author: Douglas S. Kalman MS, RD is a Director for Miami Research Associates (MiamiResearch.com) a leading pharmaceutical and nutrition research organization in Miami, Florida. Doug is also a national spokesperson for the American College of Sports Medicine and according to his latest test has high T levels. Doug can be reached at [email protected].

References:
1) Sader MA, Griffiths KA, McCredie RJ, et al. Androgenic anabolic steroids and arterial structure and function in male bodybuilders. J Am Coll Cardiol 2001;37(1):224-230.
2) Zmuda JM, Cauley JA, Kriska A, et al. Longitudinal relation between endogenous testosterone and cardiovascular disease risk factors in middle aged men. A 13 year follow-up of former Multiple Risk Factor Intervention Trial participants. Am J Epidemiol 1997;146(8):609-617.
3) Zgliczynski S, Ossowski M, Slowinska-Srednicka J, et al. Effect of testosterone replacement therapy on lipids and lipoproteins in hypogonadal and elderly men. Atherosclerosis 1996;121(1):35-43.
4) Diekerman RD, McConathy WJ, Zachariah NY. Testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin, lipoproteins and vascular disease risk. J Cardiovasc Risk 1997;4(5-6):363-366.
5) Shapiro J, Christiana J, Frishman WH. Testosterone and other anabolic steroids as cardiovascular drugs. Am J Ther 1999;6(3):167-174.
Reply With Quote

[WARMachine]

Oh i mis-read your first post bro.

I usually run a bridge inbetween oral and injectible cycles.


Ill usually finish a cycle, then end PCT. And within a week or two ill do 75mgs ED of Var for 10wks.

Take off another 4, and begin another cycle.

[SilverTest]

Would love to see those? Have a link?

I know mine was raised after my cycle. So...

by the way , what was your cycle man ?

[WARMachine]

Last one was Test and Tren .

But before that, my every first one, i used Test E and Dbol .

I had bloodwork done 4 weeks after the cycle ended.

[SilverTest]

thats it , maybe it was the dbol or tren , dont blame test man .

check this out too , i cant seem to find the studies tonight its getting late here ,

when i find them i will post them.

http://www.vrp.com/articles.aspx?ProdID=art326&zTYPE=2

[SilverTest]

hey check this one its really good , its full of studies :

http://www.totalityofbeing.com/Frame...tosterone.html

[WARMachine]

thats it , maybe it was the dbol or tren , dont blame test man .

check this out too , i cant seem to find the studies tonight its getting late here ,

when i find them i will post them.

http://www.vrp.com/articles.aspx?ProdID=art326&zTYPE=2

Umm yeah ok bro...

Ive read countless studies saying the exact opposite of what that one is saying. A lot of these studies also show men trying to get their level within normal range. Low Test levels are just as high a risk factor as high test.

And for the record, my bro used Test only. His LDL was high as well.

[LATS60]

What is it with all these studies mate?????
Is there a point? Is it something to do with bridging/cruising/test/ is good for you, or not bad.

[LATS60]

PS, my LDL is always low.

[Thunder Monkey]

Oh i mis-read your first post bro.

I usually run a bridge inbetween oral and injectible cycles.


Ill usually finish a cycle, then end PCT. And within a week or two ill do 75mgs ED of Var for 10wks.

Take off another 4, and begin another cycle.

Thanks for posting your info bro. I might try this with Var, I have quite a bit of it on hand, but have not worked into any cycles yet.

[Thunder Monkey]

I had bloodwork done during week 10 of 12 on my last cycle of Test-E only 500mg/wk.

Here's my some of my levels:
HDL 13L Ref(>=40)
LDL 63 Ref(<130)
TOTAL: 88L Ref(125-200)

Testosterone :
Free: 1410.4
Total: 3474
Estradiol 91H Ref(13-54)

as you can see I had very low Cholesterol from Test-E only. The doc was a little worried about my HDL being so low. PCT is now over and levels are back to normal range of 40-50s.

Test seems to lower my Cholesterol vs being off cycle.

TM

[sergioitalian]

what makes you people think that you will not recover ?

That's one of the points, is it fine to stop once a year instead of cycle once a year ?
I mean, women take pill and they keep on going for years.

On the other side, keep on "juicing" is it functional for hormonal absorption ?








I forgot, hi everybody, first post, Sergio from Italy, 40 years old.

[MercyDog]

10mg. more than likely will not keep you up to size unless your not very big to begin with. At 40y.o. you have alot of other opions you could consider, money may also be an issue with some.

[T_Own]

Thanks for posting your info bro. I might try this with Var, I have quite a bit of it on hand, but have not worked into any cycles yet.

at that dose its more of a separate cycle than a bridge. a bridge would be a low dose, 10mg or so, but 75 is up there

[jimmyinkedup]

There are studies that actually state that testosterone LOWERS not increase

your cholesterol .

AND testosterone is actually good for your heart and arteries , people who

have a high test level have more elasticity in their arteries , especially in the

heart , its good for the arteries , not the other way around.

And no fertility is not an issue , let me ask you something , when you do a

cycle , how much is your sperm count after your cycle ? yes , most of the

time its very very very low . So its not different at all really , staying longer

does not mean you will take longer to recover dude . when you are shutdown

, you are shutdown . You cant be MORE shutdown cs you are totally are on

cycle. Staying on for longer dont make you more shutdown , its not logic what you are saying , think about it.

what makes you people think that you will not recover ?

I always thought it not that u r more shut down - obviously when u are shut down u r shut down whether u r taking 200mgs test/week or 1000mgstest/week - u r shut down. HOWEVER the longer you remain shut down the more difficult it becomes to restart natural test production to pre cycle levels - thats always been my concern. And i have done long cycles (16weeks) where i needed to be more agressive and longer in duration as far as pct compared to an 8-10 week cycle...which kind of proved that fact to me. So for me i think that makes sense. So low dose test "cruising" which is supressive even at a lower dose like you suggest would make it harder imo to restart natural production as opposed to say var. just my thoughts.

[WARMachine]

True IMO ^^^

But again, those who continue to crusie, often are on HRT anyway.

Making recovery not a factor.

[SilverTest]

humm..... so the take home messages are in my opinion :

- Test will lower cholesterol in some users , so get blood work done always and work

from there , there are numerous things you can do to adjust your cholesterol levels.

- Some people recover fast , others dont , either way , you should recover no matter

what the length , the glands are there , just sleeping , in some people take longer to

wake up thats all , i for one recover VERY fast , i am talking about a few days man and

my nuts are back being big and test levels raging, really i shit you not.

[Mulciber]

policosanol........ yepper.. lol


DRveejay's comprehensive ASSAULT on cholesterol! from ************
Cholesterol...the “other” silent killer all members should be concerned with!

WHAT IS CHOLESTEROL
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like compound that belongs to a class of molecules called steroids . It's found in many foods, in your bloodstream and in all your body's cells. If you had a handful of cholesterol, it might feel like a soft, melted candle. Cholesterol is essential forFormation and maintenance of cell membranes (helps the cell to resist changes in temperature and protects and insulates nerve fibers)
Formation of sex hormones (progesterone, testosterone , estradiol, cortisol)
Production of bile salts, which help to digest food
Conversion into vitamin D in the skin when exposed to sunlight.

Excess cholesterol in the Blood collects on the walls of certain blood vessels decreasing their ability to provide proper blood flow to the tissues fed by these blood vessels. For example, a heart attack occurs when the heart receives insufficient blood flow. High levels of cholesterol also increase the risk of high blood pressure, stroke, and circulation problems.
Cholesterol can be affected by consuming foods high in fat, but the body also synthesizes cholesterol. Some people that adhere to a low fat diet still have high cholesterol levels because their body synthesizes an excess amount. There are several forms in which cholesterol is present in the body, LDL (the harmful form) and HDL (the helpful form). Depending on the relative levels of these forms, along with the concentration of triglycerides (another type of body fat), certain drugs are more effective then others in correcting the abnormalities. For example, a person with elevated LDL levels and normal triglycerides may be treated with different medications than someone with only elevated triglycerides.

Drveejay’s RULES to improve over-all Lipid Profiles.

RULE # 1) Eat a High Fiber Diet

HIGH FIBER DIETS are great for reducing cholesterol levels and reducing soft arterial plaque. Water soluble fibers (guar gum, citrus pectin, locust beans, etc.) are very viscous, slimy and sticky. Bacteria in the large bowel breakdown the water soluble fibers into short chain fatty acids. It is the fatty acids we believe are responsible for lowering LDL-C and interfere with the adhesive characteristics of plaque promoting regression of atherosclerosis (blockage). It also poses qualities which enable lowering LDL (Bad) Cholesterol thereby reducing total cholesterol, improves GI Motility, and improves Glucose Tolerance.

RULE # 2) Avoid Fats and Carbs in the same meal. This one’s kind of a no-brainer! As fatty acids and carbs compete as energy sources. Gluconeogenesis mediates and prioritizes this competition in favor of carb utilization. The fatty acids that are NOT needed at this time facilitate cholesterol synthesis and lipogenesis (not in the absence of carbs!). This is a recipe for disaster.

RULE #3) Eat a diet RICH in ***** 3 Fatty Acids Fish oil supplements are dietary supplements that contain oil from cold water fish such as mackerel, salmon, black cod, albacore tuna, sardines, and herring. The active ingredients in fish oil supplements are essential fatty acids known as *****-3 fatty acids. They typically include eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
Fish oils are noted for their effects in people with high cholesterol and heart disease. Medical research supports that large amounts of fish oil—five to 20 grams daily—may lower the amount of triglycerides, or dissolved fat, in the blood. For more...http://www.dcnutrition.com/fattyacids/.

RULE#3) LOWER SATURATED FATSNot all saturated fat is linked to elevated cholesterol levels; only a subset of saturated fatty acids have this effect. The effect of saturated fat intake on cardiovascular disease incidence is only mediated through its effect on raising LDL levels. If cholesterol levels are controlled for, then saturated fat has no independent effect. What this means is that if the LDL and HDL levels are adequate, then adjustment of saturated fat intake will have little benefit. This is an important concept because earlier; it was thought that saturated fat intake was an independent factor, but more recently, it has become accepted fact that much of this effect was due to failure to account for fiber intake which typically declines as saturated fat intake increases.

RULE #4) AVOID TRANS FATTY ACIDSFinally, the role of trans fatty acids needs clarification. Trans fatty acid, although they are technically classified as polyunsaturated fats because of their chemical structure, in general behave more along the lines of saturated fats with regard to their effects on cholesterol. In addition to this property, they also appear to have negative effects on hormonal regulation by interfering with eicosanoids due to their similarity with polyunsaturated fats. Since nutrition labels typically do not list trans fatty acid amounts, look for term "partially hydrogenated" to disclose its presence

RULE #5) RUN nolvadex with every cycle (w/ or w/out other anti-E’s)The selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) act like estrogen in bone and cardiovascular tissue and block estrogenic effects in the breast SERMs decrease LDL and cholesterol levels. GREAT TRICK when used with highly androgenic gear!


RULE #6) USE LIVER DETOXIFIERS year round even if NOT on orals! (Ala, thistle, tylers, liv 52, NAC, etc) are NO-BRAINERS here. Enabling your liver to function optimally, proper cholesterol metabolism and emulsification can take place.


RULE #7) EXERCISE (cardio/whatever) just be sure to “stay active” other than JUST bodybuilding. Cardiovascular exercise is GREAT for keeping the heart healthy and strengthening circulation.“Reducing the risk of heart attack and other complications of heart disease, cholesterol-lowering drugs are good, but a combination of medications, diet and exercise is better, new research suggests. In a study of people with heart disease, those who took cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins, stuck to a very-low-fat diet and exercised regularly were 67% less likely to have a heart attack or stroke or to die during the 5-year study than people who only took statins.”SOURCE: Journal of the American College of Cardiology 2003;41:263-274.
For MORE...: http://www.lbl.gov/Science-Articles...rs-runners.html

Drveejay’s SUPPLEMENT LIST (in order of importance)

SUPP # 1) Policosanol It is a natural supplement derived from sugar cane. The main ingredient is octacosanol. Octacosanol is an alcohol found in the waxy film that plants have over their leaves and fruit. The leaves and rinds of citrus fruits contain octacosanol, and so does wheat germ oil.

Policosanol has been shown to normalize cholesterol as well or better than cholesterol-lowering drugs, without side effects such as liver dysfunction and muscle atrophy.Efficacy and safety have been proven in numerous clinical trials, and it has been used by millions of people in other countries. Policosanol lowers harmful LDL-cholesterol and raises protective HDL-cholesterol. HDL-cholesterol removes plaque from arterial walls.

Policosanol also inhibits the oxidation of dangerous LDL-cholesterol4 which promotes the destruction of blood vessels by creating a chronic inflammatory response. Oxidized LDL can also provoke metalloproteinase enzymes. These enzymes promote blood vessel destruction, partly by interfering with HDL’s protective effect. Studies show that rats treated with policosanol have fewer foam cells, reflecting less inflammatory response causing less blood vessel destruction.

Healthy arteries are lined with a smooth layer of cells so that blood can race through with no resistance. One of the features of diseased arteries is that this layer becomes thick and overgrown with cells. As the artery narrows, blood flow slows down or is blocked completely. Policosanol can stop the proliferation of these cells in much the same was as lipid-lowering drugs.

Policosanol also inhibits the formation of clots, and may work synergistically with aspirin in this respect. In a comparison of aspirin and policosanol, aspirin was better at reducing one type of platelet aggregation (clumping together of blood cells). But policosanol was better at inhibiting another type. Together, policosanol and aspirin worked better than either alone.
Thromboxane is a blood vessel-constricting agent that contributes to abnormal platelet aggregation that can cause a heart attack or stroke. Significant reductions in the level of thromboxane occur in humans after two weeks of policosanol.

www.lifeextension.com/references.)

SUPP # 2) Red yeast rice. It is one of the better studied of these cholesterol-lowering supplements. There have been a number of clinical studies both in China, where it originated, and in the United States, showing that people who consume this red yeast rice along with a sensible diet can see a reduction in their cholesterol levels. It’s pretty powerful stuff because it contains a chemical called lovastatin. The same active ingredient found in a popular prescription drug used to lower cholesterol. That similarity has caused the FDA to take action against one company (go figure!). Red yeast rice also seems to have very few side effects.

SUPP # 3) Phyto-Sterol Complex It is 100% vegetable derived and provides naturally-occurring sterols including: Beta Sitosterol, Campesterol, and Stigmasterol. Similar in action to the SERMS (nolvadex) Phytoestrogens are plant substances that have weak estrogenic activity in some tissues and block the effects of estrogen in others. They are found in herbs and plant foods, especially soybeans. Soybeans are rich in isoflavones, particularly genistein and daidzein. The FDA stated that foods containing soy protein included in a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of CHD by lowering blood cholesterol levels. The FDA has authorized use of labeling health claims about the role of plant sterol or plant stanol esters in reducing the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) for foods containing these substances. This interim final rule is based on FDA's conclusion that plant sterol esters and plant stanol esters may reduce the risk of CHD by lowering blood cholesterol levels.

SUPP # 4) Vitamin E (tocopherol). It seems to interfere with the liver's ability to make cholesterol. Vitamin E is an anti-oxidant that protects cell membranes and other fat-soluble parts of the body, such as LDL Cholesterol (the “bad” cholesterol), from damage. Only when LDL is damaged does cholesterol appear to lead to Heart disease and vitamin E is an important antioxidant protector of LDL. Several studies have reported that 400 to 800 IU of natural vitamin E per day reduces the risk of heart attacks.

SUPP # 5) Lecithin It is a lipotropic (a fat emulsifier). Its primary function is to metabolize fat and cholesterol, so that it does not settle in the artery wall or in the gall bladder. Many of the positive effects of lecithin consumption are based on the fact that lecithin is a major source of choline. Choline is a lipotropic substance… As choline increases fat metabolism it has been shown that it lowers blood cholesterol.

Other “Maybe’s” with “good potential”

Garlic I’m slowly becoming skeptical after reading MANY well documented studies conveying that Garlic/Allicin is “decent at first” but essentially USELESS After 90 days! But until I read more CONCLUSIVE evidence, I will not totally dismiss its benefits. Here’s ONE example: http://www.berkeleywellness.com/htm...GarlicPills.php

Guggul Is a resin from the guggul tree, has been used for more than 2,000 years in India to treat a range of disorders. In the 1980s, an extract of the resin--dubbed gugulipid--began to be marketed as a cholesterol-lowering agent. The plant compound's mode of action is quite different from that of cholesterol-lowering statin drugs. This means that it or other compounds that work similarly could potentially be used in combination with statins. Some of guggul's active components, guggulsterones, work by blocking a substance that stops the body from getting rid of cholesterol. Statins, on the other hand, block the body from making more cholesterol.In addition to lowering cholesterol, guggul has anti-inflammatory activity. The dosage of guggulsterones is 25 mg two or three times daily. Most extracts contain 2.5–5% guggulsterones and can be taken daily for 3 to six months as a cholesterol lowering agent.

Alfalfa leaf Animal studies show that alfalfa leaf reduces blood cholesterol and plague deposits on artery walls.

Green barley has been used for centuries because of its high content of vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, enzymes, chlorophyll, various antioxidants, and many unknown natural substances with powerful properties. Has been shown to lower LDL (bad cholesterol) levels. Known to lower blood sugars and insulin levels in clinical studies.

Selenium It is the oxidized form of low-density lipoproteins (LDL, often called "bad" cholesterol) that promotes plaque build-up in coronary arteries. Selenium is one of a group of antioxidants that may help limit the oxidation of LDL cholesterol and thereby help to prevent coronary artery disease.

Inositol-Hexaniacinate is a form of Vitamin B-3 (but more superior). It assists in the breakdown and utilization of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. It also reduces serum lipids. Unlike niacin which may cause flushing, headaches, and stomachaches, Inositol-Hexaniacinate is almost always safe although some rare liver problems have occurred at amounts in excess of 1,000 mg per day. Due to possible hepatotoxic effects, I do NOT recommend straight Niacin. High doses of Niacin can also be responsible activating peptic ulcers, impairing glucose tolerance, and precipitating gouty attacks. And many niacin-takers suffer from flushing, headaches, nausea, heartburn, and diarrhea. There are better choices—above.

[SilverTest]

^^ good post!! very helpfull thanks man.

[sergioitalian]

humm..... so the take home messages are in my opinion :

- Test will lower cholesterol in some users , so get blood work done always and work

from there , there are numerous things you can do to adjust your cholesterol levels.

- Some people recover fast , others dont , either way , you should recover no matter

what the length , the glands are there , just sleeping , in some people take longer to

wake up thats all , i for one recover VERY fast , i am talking about a few days man and

my nuts are back being big and test levels raging, really i shit you not.

Suppose you want cycle and cruise all year long, is it wort it use HGH or Cryptocure every once in a while ?
Or is it just better stop after a year, 2-3 months and recovery all your natural functions ?

[SilverTest]

well , it depends on your goals , if you have the monetary mean s, i would run a

moderate dose of HGH year long especially if you are 30 and above in my

opinion it would be good for you overall.

On the other hand , yes man you can take an off time whenever you feel right bro.

At the time you feel that you need to come off , just come off , do a very good pct,

do blood work , and in that off time you can stay shooting HGH until you get on again,

it will keep you lean and protect from muscle loss , strengthen the tendons and

ligaments...etc

[Bossman]

Ive decided, in part due to my age, that I will cruise between cycles with low dose test. I simply shoot 50mgs Test Prop EOD when cruising. I don't lose my gains and to some extent, I still feel like Im on. I compete, and Im still making improvements at 45. I dont know how long I have so time is important to me, hence the cruising. When I finally stop competing (dont know when) I will most likely be on HRT. Im ok with that.

[SilverTest]

Ive decided, in part due to my age, that I will cruise between cycles with low dose test. I simply shoot 50mgs Test Prop EOD when cruising. I don't lose my gains and to some extent, I still feel like Im on. I compete, and Im still making improvements at 45. I dont know how long I have so time is important to me, hence the cruising. When I finally stop competing (dont know when) I will most likely be on HRT. Im ok with that.

shit man , how can you tolerate cruising on a fast acting ester ,

thats tough man.

[sergioitalian]

well , it depends on your goals , if you have the monetary mean s, i would run a

moderate dose of HGH year long especially if you are 30 and above in my

opinion it would be good for you overall.

On the other hand , yes man you can take an off time whenever you feel right bro.

At the time you feel that you need to come off , just come off , do a very good pct,

do blood work , and in that off time you can stay shooting HGH until you get on again,

it will keep you lean and protect from muscle loss , strengthen the tendons and

ligaments...etc

Good.
Is it completely safe in your opinion use HGH, or it can be related to hypothalamus inhibition ? I remember long discussion Test-LH-hypothalamus related.

[SilverTest]

I never read that anywhere , there are no dangers to use hgh for about 4 ius daily or

one day on one off year round IMHO.

I believe everything u use in moderation will result in very few side effects if any.

I would use 4 iu's if i had the monetary means to do that.

[Bossman]

shit man , how can you tolerate cruising on a fast acting ester ,

thats tough man.

Im no *****.

Seriously, whats wrong with it? 1/2 cc EOD. Shit, I can't even tell Im shooting 1/2cc.

Sorry, didnt know I couldn't say p u s s e e

[sergioitalian]

Suppose you want cycle and cruise all year long, is it wort it use HGH or Cryptocure every once in a while ?
Or is it just better stop after a year, 2-3 months and recovery all your natural functions ?

Good.
Is it completely safe in your opinion use HGH, or it can be related to hypothalamus inhibition ? I remember long discussion Test-LH-hypothalamus related.

Pardon me, my bad, I'm not confident with the language, I meant HCG , gonadotropin.
Is it worth it use gonadotropin every once in while if you cruise or is it just better stop at the end and wait to normalize levels?