Originally Posted by
MS_PHARM
Funny thing is that studies cited here (cattle bulking) resulted in lowered BF when extra E2 was added, some LBM elevation as well (increased extracellular water retention to consideration, +33% more proteins deposition - sure, funny as hell). Take into account that cited cattle wasn't treated with SERM, and cattle in general doesn't count energy intake (elevated E2 may caused elevated food consumption during the study).
Low-dosed tamoxifen (10-20 mg/ED) reduces hepatic IGF-1 levels by 30-50%. It's a lot. However, elevated E2 increases local (autocrine & paracrine) IGF-1 secretion and it's receptors, but nobody says it happens in a linear fashion. As previously mentioned, elevated E2 results in more water retention (hydrated state = anabolic state, we don't go into the details here), increased glucose uptake (GLUT4 transport activation), increased glucose utilization in myocytes (G6PD concentration goes up, pentose recuperation pathway rate elevates), AR stability (and/or density) gets better (so more AR-agonists complexes are formed), 5-HT & NA & GLU neural pathways are sustained or even intensified (good and bad sides), blood lipids profile improves, bones & connective tissue condition as well, etc.
All this is conducive to development of muscle tissue. Basing on my knowledge (MPharm) and a little of experience, conclusion is always the same - looking for a sweet spot for E2 level during bulking phase is crucial. You let it go up too much - you are bloated as hell (BP goes over 140/100 & your apetite goes down), forget about any libido, your foggy mind won't let you train hard, you'll be forced to use SERMs (another sides, like mentioned IGF-1 concentration reduction), etc. You let it go down too much - throw your bulking phase into the trash, there's nothing to talk about. You say you are a freak - that's your thing, however BB process can be pleasant where sides are reduced to proverbial "5%" & steady satisfactional improvements take place (in another words - you can achieve your goals in a slower pace and the trip is more comfortable). It's a marathon, is that how you like to say?
To sum up a topic I'd like to congratulate all participants of the discussion, your knowledge and experience is invaluable.