Alcohol + cycles

[Mike1011]

I'm a pretty avid drinker, and it has always been a chore to go long periods without going out on the town.

How will alcohol affect my cycle and gains?

[HawaiianPride.]

It empty calories, interrupts the Krebs cycle, impairs fatty acid oxidization, interferes with carb utilization, reduces test, increases estrogen, and impairs protein synthesis. Read on...




"Quote:
Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2003 Dec;285(6):E1205-15. Epub 2003 Aug 26.

Alcohol impairs leucine-mediated phosphorylation of 4E-BP1, S6K1, eIF4G, and mTOR in skeletal muscle.
Lang CH, Frost RA, Deshpande N, Kumar V, Vary TC, Jefferson LS, Kimball SR.

Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033, USA. [email protected]

Abstract
Acute alcohol (EtOH) intoxication impairs skeletal muscle protein synthesis. Although this impairment is not associated with a decrease in the total plasma amino acid concentration, EtOH may blunt the anabolic response to amino acids. To examine this hypothesis, rats were administered EtOH or saline (Sal) and 2.5 h thereafter were orally administered either leucine (Leu) or Sal. The gastrocnemius was removed 20 min later to assess protein synthesis and signaling components important in translational control of protein synthesis. Oral Leu increased muscle protein synthesis by the same magnitude in Sal- and EtOH-treated rats. However, the increase in the latter group was insufficient to overcome the suppressive effect of EtOH, and the rate of synthesis remained lower than that observed in rats from the Sal-Sal group. Leu markedly increased phosphorylation of Thr residues 36, 47, and 70 on 4E-binding protein (BP)1 in muscle from rats not receiving EtOH, and this response was associated with a redistribution of eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF) 4E from the inactive eIF4E. 4E-BP1 to the active eIF4E. eIF4G complex. In EtOH-treated rats, the Leu-induced phosphorylation of 4E-BP1 and changes in eIF4E availability were partially abrogated. EtOH also prevented the Leu-induced increase in phosphorylation of eIF4G, the serine/threonine protein kinase S6K1, and the ribosomal protein S6. Moreover, EtOH attenuated the Leu-induced phosphorylation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). The ability of EtOH to blunt the anabolic effects of Leu could not be attributed to differences in the plasma concentrations of insulin, insulin-like growth factor I, or Leu. Finally, although EtOH increased the plasma corticosterone concentration, inhibition of glucocorticoid action by RU-486 was unable to prevent EtOH-induced defects in the ability of Leu to stimulate 4E-BP1, S6K1, and mTOR phosphorylation. Hence, ethanol produces a leucine resistance in skeletal muscle, as evidenced by the impaired phosphorylation of 4E-BP1, eIF4G, S6K1, and mTOR, that is independent of elevations in endogenous glucocorticoids."

[Dizz28]

Alcohol prevents protein synthesis. It also dehydrates you, is full of crap calories, gives you hangovers effecting your appetite and energy levels, enhances aromatization. Can also severely damage your liver if you are taking orals.

That being said, I drink while on as long as I'm not taking orals

People dramatize alcohol consumption on cycle..

[Mike1011]

i wont be taking orals.

are there others who drink while on cycles. and by drink i dont mean casuals, i mean going out and drinking a mickey pre drink and doubles at the bar.

[Big]

sounds to me like you're an alcoholic, with a poor diet as listed in your other thread, yet you want to take steroids? why not stop drinking, fix your diet, and put things in a proper order?

[HawaiianPride.]

If you absolutely MUST drink while on a cycle... then at least take L.N.'s tips on the matter.

* Consume about 50g of slow digesting protein (casein) before you begin to drink. Since I doubt you will want to fix a chicken breast while your kicking it with your buddies, the slow digesting protein will help keep you out of catabolism while you drink.

* Take a vitamin an hour before you drink. Many vitamins are not absorbed while you drink and thus taking a vitamin before you drink gives your body a chance to absorb these vitamins before the alcohol is introduced.

* Consume a lot of water before, during, and after you consume alcohol. I would recommend drinking 32 oz before you begin, an oz of water for every oz of alcoholic beverage you consume, and then 32 oz of water again after you finish.

IMO, if your on a cycle, drop the stupid habit. And if you can't, then you shouldn't be cycling, nor should you be in the world of fitness and health care period.

[Mike1011]

i'm getting answers now, i dont plan to take them until ive fixed everything, as stated in my shelf life thread. diet is already better.

thanks guys

[JBarron]

God, I remember my first cycle, I went on a bachelor party to chicago, and of course drank.... I mean it's a bachelor party.

The next day, I had bitch titties, lol They weren't sore or anything, just looked like gyno, it went away the next day though. Must of been the increase of estrogen from the alcohol.

[HawaiianPride.]

Your estrogen levels were certainly elevated during that time. I'm not against drinking, I just don't condone the use of habitually using it, especially while on a cycle.

[Dizz28]

sounds to me like you're an alcoholic, with a poor diet as listed in your other thread

Mike, I would rethink both your views on drinking and steroid use in this case. Neither are beneficial when done simultaneously without moderation.

The harm done will outweigh any minimal benefits you might see. Choose one or the other

[JBarron]

Your estrogen levels were certainly elevated during that time. I'm not against drinking, I just don't condone the use of habitually using it, especially while on a cycle.

Yup, it scared the shiit out of me, haven't drank since then

[sprinter911]

I don't drink at all while cycling for the reasons stated above. I used to go out a lot but it really is counter productive if you train seriously

[Gsxr84]

honestly i think its rather useless to be an avid drinker and be using gear.

[Jfew44]

The only noticable effect it has on me is my appetite and workout the next day. That and it makes me want to eat like shit that night. I stay away on cycle. Too much money spent to basically waste it by going out and getting hammered and feeling like crap the next day.

[sprinter911]

Great point Jfew. A lot of people eat like total crap while or after getting tipsy. You simply don't have the same discipline you do when not drinking. The key to success is self discipline

[Dan111]

this is a link to a thread to another forum that pertains to this subject and is an interesting read

http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showth...hp?t=125550503

Whenever I do drink, I actually drink exactly what this guy does. Grain alcohol mixed with Powerade zero. So just cause you drink, doesn't mean you HAVE to drink a ton of beer with empty calories which will definitely affect your physique.

I have no cycle experience, but I don't plan on drinking on cycle when the time comes, try to cut out the habit before you start using any AAS.

[scotty51312]

Jumping in here. I'm not an "avid" drinker. But do consume about 4 glasses of red wine a week no more than once glass per night. Is this really counterproductive to my "on" time?

[noMuscles]

I notice he writes he thinks that the body *may* burn fat when drunk that's why people crave fatty foods....

[HawaiianPride.]

Jumping in here. I'm not an "avid" drinker. But do consume about 4 glasses of red wine a week no more than once glass per night. Is this really counterproductive to my "on" time?

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/red-wine/hb00089

[themoreyouknow]

sounds to me like you're an alcoholic, with a poor diet as listed in your other thread, yet you want to take steroids? why not stop drinking, fix your diet, and put things in a proper order?

LOL thats terrible.

But yeah, I dont find it necessary to drink in excess while on cycle, its counterproductive to what you're trying to accomplish.
Then again, im home in bed at 1030 some Friday nights so I can lift Saturday morning lol

[AlphaMaleDawg]

the effects of alcohol are greatly exaggerated. There have been recent studies shown that they don't affect gains like originally thought. It's good to limit yourself, but if there is a huge party you have been waiting all year for, don't deprive yourself of a great time. Just don't eat drunk pizza or mcdonalds and keep your diet super clean otherwise. And don't do this more than once per week, maybe twice if you really can't help yourself

[AlphaMaleDawg]

and OP, this isn't the right forum to ask this question. Most members here don't drink so of course you will get negatively biased opinions

[HawaiianPride.]

the effects of alcohol are greatly exaggerated. There have been recent studies shown that they don't affect gains like originally thought. It's good to limit yourself, but if there is a huge party you have been waiting all year for, don't deprive yourself of a great time. Just don't eat drunk pizza or mcdonalds and keep your diet super clean otherwise. And don't do this more than once per week, maybe twice if you really can't help yourself

Got any links?

[scotty51312]

Good article. Thanks pride.

[Jfew44]

the effects of alcohol are greatly exaggerated. There have been recent studies shown that they don't affect gains like originally thought. It's good to limit yourself, but if there is a huge party you have been waiting all year for, don't deprive yourself of a great time. Just don't eat drunk pizza or mcdonalds and keep your diet super clean otherwise. And don't do this more than once per week, maybe twice if you really can't help yourself

It also depends on the individual. I can't drink and not have it affect my gains. I do have a friend who can get wasted 3 nights/week and still make incredible gains. Either way it's better to avoid empty calories and feeling like shit.

[ty357]

Well everyfriday and saturday i go out with the fellas and have some drinks. Even while on cycle. And i kept my gains and had no ill effect. Maybe its because i dont drink to get drunk. Just my 2cents

[Mike1011]

thanks guys.

[NMacFar]

sounds to me like you're an alcoholic, with a poor diet as listed in your other thread, yet you want to take steroids? why not stop drinking, fix your diet, and put things in a proper order?

[Big]

I'm not sure how I confused you, he stated that it has always been a chore for him to go without drinking, and stated that he didn't mean casual drinking, he meant drinking to get drunk, or at least that's what I got out of his posts. I was not posting to be mean, those are traits of alcoholism. as for his diet:

9:00 am : morning 2 eggs and 1/4 cup egg white

11:00 am : 1/4 cup cottage cheese + apple

12:30-1 pm : GYM

2:00 pm : sandwich

4:00 pm Shake or handful almonds

6:00pm : Chicken breast + 1 cup broccoli and assorted veggies or salad

8:00pm : 1/4 cup cottage cheese or shake

11:00pm bed

it seems to need some work. I simply feel that he needs to sort these things before a cycle, I apologize if that comes across as offensive, my post was made with the best interest of the OP in mind.

[dec11]

epic repost..............

on a serious note, booze is best avoided at all times if possible. i used to booze it up and boy am i glad and healthier now that ive given it the boot!

[HitIt]

epic repost..............

on a serious note, booze is best avoided at all times if possible. i used to booze it up and boy am i glad and healthier now that ive given it the boot!

me too.


and don't forget alcohol is a depressant. depressants and excercise probably not the best combo.

[deadkey]

Dont do it, hahaha, lets just say i met a dude sunday n almost beat his A** cuz he was drunk n on roids. it was at a concert n we all just happened to be moshing near him... he starts taking off his flip flops n tellin me to hit him once, lol then his girlfriend drags him out of their n me n my buddy went to find him hahahaha but he was gone lol. what he didnt know is that i was in a pit wid like 10 guys n half of us he was threatening were amatuer mma fighters haha

[NMacFar]

Dont do it, hahaha, lets just say i met a dude sunday n almost beat his A** cuz he was drunk n on roids. it was at a concert n we all just happened to be moshing near him... he starts taking off his flip flops n tellin me to hit him once, lol then his girlfriend drags him out of their n me n my buddy went to find him hahahaha but he was gone lol. what he didnt know is that i was in a pit wid like 10 guys n half of us he was threatening were amatuer mma fighters haha

[NMacFar]

I'm not sure how I confused you, he stated that it has always been a chore for him to go without drinking, and stated that he didn't mean casual drinking, he meant drinking to get drunk, or at least that's what I got out of his posts. I was not posting to be mean, those are traits of alcoholism. as for his diet:

9:00 am : morning 2 eggs and 1/4 cup egg white

11:00 am : 1/4 cup cottage cheese + apple

12:30-1 pm : GYM

2:00 pm : sandwich

4:00 pm Shake or handful almonds

6:00pm : Chicken breast + 1 cup broccoli and assorted veggies or salad

8:00pm : 1/4 cup cottage cheese or shake

11:00pm bed

it seems to need some work. I simply feel that he needs to sort these things before a cycle, I apologize if that comes across as offensive, my post was made with the best interest of the OP in mind.

Big, i'm not questioning you or your knowledge, I just think it's a bit extreme to call him an alcoholic. lol. I'm just saying!

[HawaiianPride.]

I'm a pretty avid drinker, and it has always been a chore to go long periods without going out on the town.

Avid = adj.
1. Having an ardent desire or unbounded craving.

The bold in the OP clearly states that he can't go a period of time without consuming some type of alcohol.
These are obviously signs of addiction, or damn near close to it.

[NMacFar]

Avid = adj.
1. Having an ardent desire or unbounded craving.

The bold in the OP clearly states that he can't go a period of time without consuming some type of alcohol.
These are obviously signs of addiction, or damn near close to it.

Or he likes to have one hell of a time!

And for the record, I'm not condoning this.

[HawaiianPride.]

True that..

Duly noted.

[manaja]

I dont drink anymore whilst on cycle and very rarely off cycle now....when I did drink on cycle , it made me feel ill ! once on Androlics I went out got drunk , over the next few days my poo was yellow...one good reason for me not drinking and doing orals anymore .

[dec11]

if you cant have fun without it then summit isnt right, stated by ex heavy drinker lol

[NMacFar]

I enjoy some drinks on the weekends, on or off cycle and i'm not afraid to admit it. However, I won't drink on Sundays because I like to stay 100% hydrated for the gym on Monday.

I feel fine and I never have a problem growing.