Antioxidants During a Steroid Cycle

           Steroids are synthetic hormones designed for clinical use in managing various chronic diseases. Anabolic-androgenic steroids, derivatives of the male hormone testosterone, are used by athletes in sports. The aim in such instances is to boost muscle mass and increase performance and endurance. Also, they shorten recovery time between exercises. Inappropriate use of steroids is associated with several adverse effects. Their correct use is recommended to limit such outcomes, and antioxidants can help you.

              Due to the varied uses and different desired outcomes, patterns of use have been established; cycling, stacking, and pyramiding. The steroid cycle refers to a pattern of steroid use intending to build body or muscle mass. Here, anabolic androgenic steroids are used in six to twelve weeks, followed by an off phase of several months. Pyramiding generally involves gradually increasing the dose of the steroids to a maximum level, followed by dose reduction. Another pattern is stacking, where various steroid combinations include other supplements.

Steroids in Sports

            Athletes' desired outcomes categorize steroids as either bulking steroids- used to increase muscle mass or performance steroids- aimed to increase strength and endurance. Or cutting steroids- used to reduce weight (cut fat). Delivery routes are based on user preference and desired outcome. It can be oral, implants, injections, and creams or gels. They bind to the androgen receptors in the body, resulting in molecular interactions with the cell DNA. The ultimate result is to increase protein synthesis and subsequent cell growth.

Related Article:: How Can Steroids Affect Athletes – Benefits and Side Effects of Steroids

            Cycles for anabolic steroid use depend on the physical state of the user. Beginners and experienced users have different cycles. This limits the chances of developing adverse outcomes; for instance, it lowers the risk of suppressing one's hormone production. Also, it enhances higher efficiency and safety. An example of a steroid cycle for beginners includes turinabol 30-50mg/day for 9 weeks, testosterone enanthate 500mg/week for 8 weeks, and Dianabol 30-50mg/day for 6 weeks. Experienced athletes' cycle contains a combination of steroids, for example, nandrolone decanoate +sustanon, trenbolone enanthate plus testosterone, and boldenone plus testosterone enanthate.

Related Article:: 10 Steroid Cycles for Different Goals (Newbie, Bulking, Cutting, Strength)

What are Antioxidants?

          Antioxidants are substances or elements that inhibit or reduce cell damage due to free radicals, reactive oxygen species, and other unstable molecules resulting from chemical reactions or physiological changes in the body. During a steroid cycle, antioxidants play a role in scavenging free radicals and other unstable compounds produced by skeletal muscles during exercise.

• The roles played by these antioxidants include;
• Prevent oxidative stress.
• Reduce exercise-induced muscle damage.
• Increase muscle endurance.
• Shorten the recovery time after exercise.
• Counteract neutrophil inflammatory response.

The roles listed above are discussed in detail as follows. Later, I will discuss various classes and types of antioxidants available.

Antioxidants Counteract the Effect of Oxidative Stress.

          Antioxidants cushion the oxidative stress sequelae. Physical exercise increases the production of reactive oxygen species, nitrogen species, and free radicals and their accumulation within the muscle mass. A sustained balance between oxidation and reduction is important in maintaining muscle physiology. These reactive oxygen species comprise superoxide anions, hydroxyl radicals, and peroxyl radicals.

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         Oxidative stress results from an imbalance between free radical production and the eliminating of physiological antioxidants. This imbalance with increased radical levels accounts for oxidative damage. Stress-sensitive signal pathways are activated, which play a role in the pathogenesis of chronic conditions such as cardiovascular conditions, metabolic syndrome, and insulin resistance.

           Physical exercise's physiological importance in maintaining normal body function and health is accompanied by oxidative stress induction. During physical exercise, there is an increased demand for oxygen in the muscle tissue. It is estimated that oxygen uptake by the muscles increases by 10-20 folds. This increased influx in active skeletal muscles increases the formation of reactive oxygen species and free radicals. Their effect is to oxidize macromolecules, DNA, amino acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and proteins.

Basis of Antioxidants

        The oxidized molecules form the basis for the development of chronic diseases. Reactive oxygen species accumulation results in muscle dysfunction and damage, prolonging recovery time. Antioxidants must counter these effects by eliminating formed reactive oxygen species and free radicals.

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          Increased muscular activity is accompanied by increased metabolic rate and increased oxygen consumption by muscle fibers. This results in a subsequent temperature increase and reduced cellular muscle mass pH. These changes enhance free radicals' formation and accumulation in the muscle cells. Antioxidants protect the body from oxidative damage by reactive oxygen species and free radicals. Antioxidants protect against muscle damage.

          During the steroid cycle, muscular activity increases with increased exercise levels. During this activity, muscle fibers stretch as a result of repeated use. Repeated contractions and relaxation create tension in skeletal muscles, causing the fibers to lengthen. Physical exercise increases oxygen influx within the muscle tissue. These active muscle fibers increase in size approximately by 100-200 folds. Normally, muscle fibers are adaptive to the level of stress experienced.

          However, increased activity increases the production and accumulation of free radicals and reactive oxygen species. Their formation rate exceeds that of clearance by available antioxidants, both exogenous and endogenous systems. Their formation plays a role in muscle damage during physical activity. Antioxidants remove the reactive oxygen species, thus halting further muscle damage. A study by Cian McGinley et al. 2009 evaluated vitamin C and E's role in preventing muscle damage due to ROS due to exercise among sportspersons.

New studies on Antioxidants

           The study used various supplementation mechanisms with variations in dosing, timing, and duration. The study's outcome showed that antioxidants reduce oxidative stress with a minimal role in preventing muscle damage. A similar study by Vilma Simoes Pereira et al. in 2015 aimed to find the effects of supplementation with dietary antioxidants on recovery following exercise-related muscle damage.

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           Dietary supplementation of phytochemicals has been shown to reduce the effects of eccentric muscle damage due to exercise. Another study explained the findings above, emphasizing that the correct dosage and requirement should be provided to avoid toxicity or causing further muscle damage. An individual estimated requirement must be provided for muscle tissue's effective functioning and a better outcome.

Role in Modulating Inflammatory Response.

            During the steroid cycle, individuals are involved in strenuous physical exercise. This activity alters the skeletal muscle state by increasing the length and that of tendons. This is a result of the adaptive activity of the muscle tissue to exercise, as discussed above. In the process, there is a muscle injury, which will trigger an inflammatory response. Muscle damage also results from the thermal effects and ischemia/reperfusion. Neutrophil leads to the accumulation of reactive oxygen species, thus increasing the burden of oxidative stress in the muscle cells.

              Neutrophils are increased in circulation during exercise. Their increase subsequently increases the level of neutrophils associated with reactive oxygen species and corresponding oxidative stress. Another source of neutrophils during exercise is suggested to be the effect of free radicals on leucocytes, where they damage the DNA. A study confirmed that antioxidants modulate the neutrophil inflammatory response to exercise-induced stress.

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           In that study dated December 7th, 2020, three groups were studied for 21 days. One group was on the antioxidant-supplemented beverage, and the others acted as control groups. Blood samples were drawn at the end of the exercise, and plasma and neutrophils were separated. Plasma creatinine kinase and myoglobin levels have elevated a confirmation of muscle damage due to exercise.

              After measuring plasma oxidative bio-markers, it was found that it increased in all the groups, not on antioxidant supplements. On measuring neutrophil antioxidant enzymes, there was a notable increase in the control groups, confirming that the activity was reduced in the supplemented group. The activity of myeloperoxidases was increased significantly among the control groups. On the other hand, enzyme levels were elevated among those on antioxidant supplements. This confirmed the role of antioxidants in modulating inflammatory responses induced by exercise.

Increase muscle endurance and recovery and reduce recovery time.

            Selected antioxidants have been shown to increase muscle endurance by reducing the delayed onset of muscle soreness. Polyphenols and other commercial antioxidants have been shown to have a moderate to good effect in lowering the delayed onset of muscle soreness. Other antioxidants have been shown to affect post-exercise muscle recovery positively. The ROS-scavenging effect of antioxidants reduces the number of free radicals and reactive oxygen species in skeletal muscles during exercise. These changes reduce muscle damage and thus increase muscle endurance during exercise. The formation of free radicals within the skeletal muscle has beneficial effects—the produced reactive oxygen species act as signaling pathways to enhance muscle protection from further physical stress.

Antioxidants

              As defined above, they are free radical scavenging molecules. The overall effect of this function in to protect the cells from oxidative stress-induced damage. Their interaction with free radicals results in a chemical reaction that stabilizes these free radicals. In other words, the molecules can prevent oxidation or limit oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation refers to a chemical reaction that involves the transfer of electrons from one compound or element to the other (oxidizing agent).

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              These reactions act as a source of free radicals, which start a chain of other harmful reactions to the cells. Antioxidants are mostly reducing agents in nature, thus preventing oxidation reactions by them getting oxidized in the process. A lack of antioxidants in the body or their limited availability will result in an oxidative stress state. This state is associated with a series of reactions that damage the cells and compromise function. Free radicals are associated with the pathogenesis of chronic diseases, for instance, cardiovascular diseases and cancers. Supplementation of antioxidants is beneficial because it provides the body's optimal physiological function and improves health.

             Antioxidants can be endogenous or exogenous. Physiological antioxidants are naturally present in the body and comprise superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase. Exogenous antioxidants must be provided through an antioxidant-rich diet, synthetic antioxidants, and other supplements. Examples include thiols, vitamins C, E, and A, and polyphenols. Antioxidants can also be grouped as: 1. Natural antioxidants (primary), and 2. Synthetic antioxidants (secondary).

Primary antioxidants (free radical scavengers)

             These antioxidants stabilize free radicals. They achieve this by breaking the chains of lipid radicals and converting them to a non-radical state or stable form. This group comprises antioxidants derived from phenols and secondary aromatic amines. Their structure makes them available in different molecular weights. They are further grouped as either mineral antioxidants, vitamin antioxidants, or phytochemicals. The mineral antioxidant serves as co-factors to enzymes involved in the anti-oxidation process. They comprise selenium, iron, zinc, magnesium, and copper.

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          Their availability plays a bigger role in macromolecules' metabolisms, such as proteins and carbohydrates. Vitamins and antioxidants are vitamins that act as reducing agents. This comprises vitamins B, C, and E. Antioxidants that cannot be grouped as minerals or vitamins fall in the phytochemical category, including flavonoids. They are phenol compounds responsible for the coloration of plants, i.e., fruits and vegetables or seed leaves.

           The most active in this group are catechins found in green tea and sesamol. The fat-soluble color of vegetables and fruits forms carotenoids. An example is beta-carotene, which is found in carrots in the body. It serves as a source of vitamin A in case of deficiency. Tomatoes have lycopene as an antioxidant, while dark green vegetables have zeaxanthin.

Secondary Antioxidants (peroxidase scavengers)

            Unlike primary antioxidants, these function by reducing or decompressing hydroperoxides into stable compounds before transforming into active free radicals and stopping the chain reaction. The action can be combined with primary antioxidants for synergism and effective oxidative stress management. Examples include; Nordihydro garlic acid, tertiary butyl hydroquinone, butylated hydroxytoluene, propyl gallate, metal chelating agents, and butylated hydroxyanisole.

Sources of antioxidants.

               The leading source of antioxidants is fruits and vegetables. Antioxidants are also available in nuts, grains, and animal proteins. Alpha-tocopherol is found in sunflowers, almonds, corn, broccoli nuts, and mangoes. Vitamin A-rich foods include liver, sweet potato, carrot, milk, egg yolk, and cheese. Ascorbic acid is found in most fruits and vegetables.

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          Color-containing fruits and vegetables, especially oranges color, are rich in beta-carotene. Green vegetables have an abundance of lutein and zeaxanthin. Tomatoes and their products contain high levels of lycopene. Mineral antioxidants are provided as supplements or other available in plants and animals, for example, selenium (rice and wheat).

Properties of antioxidants

            Antioxidants used mostly are phenol compounds, either monohydroxyl or polyhydroxy. Due to their low activation energy, they are not reduced (they would not donate hydrogen). As a result of this stabilization, it prevents the formation of other free radicals. A free radical chain reaction is minimized by donating hydrogen by the antioxidant. The intermediate antioxidant free radical does not oxidize due to its stability, thus preventing free radical chain reaction propagation. The resultant antioxidant radical can also react with lipid-free radicals, and a complex compound is formed, which is stable, thus preventing further damage by such radicals.

Examples of antioxidants

            Vitamin E (tocopherol): this is a fat-soluble antioxidant. Among the eight members of this group, alpha-tocopherol is the most important. It is the most lipid-soluble and enhances the membranes' protection from lipid-related free radicals resulting from lipid peroxidation chain reaction. The intermediate of this reaction, oxidized alpha-tocopherol, can be recycled to its original form using other antioxidants, e.g., vitamins A and C.

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            Vitamin C has reducing properties, can neutralize reactive oxygen species, and plays a vital role in cancer prevention. Its reaction with glutathione within the cell maintains it in a reduced state.

            Glutathione is synthesized in the cells from amino acids. It can be maintained within the cell in either reduced or oxidized states mediated by enzymes such as glutathione reductases. It maintains the cell in its redox state, and due to its high concentration, it is the most vital cellular antioxidant. The cysteine group has reduction properties in its structure and can be oxidized reversibly.

Adverse effects of antioxidants

• Toxicity in case of antioxidant overdose.
• Reactive oxygen species (ROS) regulate cell adhesion, and their elimination compromises this.
• ROS regulates the MAPK pathway for DNA repair. antioxidants actions will inhibit DNA repair and apoptosis
• Immune system activation depends on ROS, and so does inflammatory response induction.
• ROS plays a role in killing phagocytosed microbes by macrophages. Their elimination by antioxidants will impair this role.
• Activation of the extracellular microbes depends on superoxide and nitric oxide, which eliminate antioxidants.

Conclusion

         Contrary to what many people think about antioxidants, they’re, in fact, beneficial to a bodybuilder or any other fitness enthusiast during a steroid cycle. However, it would help if you regulated it to reap the full benefits.