March/April 2004 Volume I, Issue 4
Compound Of The Month
Deca-Durabolin(nandrolone decanoate) By Scorpio
One of the most commonly abused anabolic steroids is nandrolone
decanoate, known by the brand name Deca-Durabolin. Deca is an ester
of the 19-nortestosterone rather than an ester of testosterone.
19-nortestosterone is a chemically modified variant of testosterone, has a
slightly different molecule, and has a different effect on the body.
5-alpha reductase is the enzyme responsible for
converting testosterone into its more androgenic metabolite, dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Excessive DHT has been
implicated in some of the side effects of many steroids, hair loss and prostate
enlargement.19-nortestosterone interacts with the enzyme 5-alpha reductase, however rather than becoming a more androgenic
steroid, it becomes less androgenic therefore lowering the side effects.
19-nortestosterone can still be subjected to other enzymes, including aromatase, the enzyme responsible for converting
testosterone into a estrogenic hormone, which causes feminizing side effects,
however the effects are not as severe with a 19-nortestosterone.
19-nortestosterone with it’s low androgenic properties
and decreased estrogenic properties, makes it a great AAS for use in cycles
designed to moderately increase muscle mass.
Deca has been considered a less risky alternative to
testosterone esters and orals, and has been used in a number of therapeutic
trials. For instance, weight loss due to aids, cancer or lung problems, male
contraception, and bone loss in post-menopausal woman.
Deca-Durabolin is a brand name of Organon
Company, the manu-facturer of the drug containing the
substance nandrolone decanoate.
Although nandrolone decanoate
is still contained in many generic compounds, almost every athlete connects
this substance with Deca--Durabolin.
Most common are the administrations of 5 0 mg/ml and 100 mg/ml. Deca-Durabolin is the most widespread and most commonly
used injectable steroid. Deca's
large popularity can be attributed to its numerous possible applications and,
for its mostly positive results. Deca-Durabolin
causes the muscle cell to store more nitrogen than it re-leases so that a
positive nitrogen balance is achieved. A positive ni-trogen
balance is synonymous with muscle growth since the muscle cell, in this phase,
assimilates (accumulates) a larger amount of pro-tein
than usual. The same manufacturer, however, points out on the package insert
that a positive nitrogen balance and the protein--building effect that
accompany it will occur only if enough calories and proteins are supplied. One
should know this since, otherwise, satisfying results
with Deca cannot be obtained. The highly ana-bolic effect of Deca-Durabolin
is linked to a moderately androgenic component, so that a good gain in muscle
mass and strength is obtained. At the same time, most athletes notice
considerable water retention which, no doubt, is not as distinct as that with injectable testosterones but which in high doses can also
cause a smooth and watery appearance. Since Deca also
stores more water in the connective tissues, it can temporarily case or even
cure existing pain in joints. This is especially good for those athletes who
complain about pain in the shoulder, elbow, and knee; they can often enjoy
pain-free workouts during treatment with Deca-Durabolin.
Athletes use Deca, depending on their needs, for muscle
buildup and in preparation for a competition.
Deca is suitable, even above average, to develop
muscle mass since it promotes the protein synthesis and simultaneously leads to
water retention. The optimal dose for this purpose lies between 200 and 600
mg/week. Scientific research has shown that best results can be obtained by the
intake of 2-mg/pound body weight. Those who take a dose of less than 200
mg/week will usually feel only a very light anabolic effect which, however,
increases with a higher dosage. Most male athletes experience good re-sults by taking 400 mg/week. Steroid novices usually need
only 200 mg/week. Deca works very well for muscle
buildup when combined with Dianabol and Testosterone.
The famous Dianabol/ Deca
stack results in a a fast
and strong gain in muscle mass. Most athletes usually take 15-40 mg Dianabol/day and 200-400 mg Deca/week.
Even faster results can be achieved with 400 mg Deca/week
and 500 mg 5ustanon 250/week. Athletes report an enormous gain in strength and
muscle mass when taking 400 mg Deca/week, 500 mg Sustanon 250/week, and 30 mg Dianabol/day.
Deca is a good basic steroid which, for muscle
buildup, can be combined with many other steroids.
A conversion into estrogen, that means an aromatizing process, is possible with
Deca-Durabolin but occurs at a lower rate than ex:
testosterone. During competi-tions with doping tests Deca must not be taken since the metabo-lites
in the body can be proven in a urine analysis up to 18 months later. The risk
of potential water retention and aromatizing to estro-gen
can be successfully prevented by combining the use of Proviron
with Nolvadex. A preparatory stack often observed in
competing athletes includes 400 mg/week Deca-Durabolin,
50 mg/day Winstrol, 228 mg/week Parabolan,
and 25 mg/day Oxandrolone.
Although the side effects with Deca are relatively
low with dosages of 400 mg/week, androgenic-caused side effects can occur. Most
problems manifest themselves in high blood pressure and a pro-longed time for
blood clotting, which can cause frequent nasal bleed-ing
and prolonged bleeding of cuts, as well as increased production of the
sebaceous gland and occasional acne. Some athletes also re-port headaches and
sexual overstimulation. When very high dos-ages are
taken over a prolonged period, spermatogenesis can be in-hibited
in men, i.e. the testes produce less testosterone. The reason is that Deca-Durabolin, like almost all steroids, inhibits the
release of gonadotropins from the hypophysis.
Women with a dosage of up to 100 mg/week usually experience no major problems
with Deca. At higher dosages androgenic-caused virilization symptoms can occur, including deep voice
(irreversible), increased growth of body hair, acne, increased libido, and
possibly clitorihypertrophy. Women
who experience disturbance even at a weekly dose of only 50 mg/week of Deca-Durabolin, are often better off taking the
earlier-mentioned and faster-acting Durabolin. Unlike
the long-acting Deca, when Durabolin
is administered once or twice weekly in a dosage of 50 mg, no concentration of undesired amounts of androgens occur. Since
most female athletes get on well with Deca-Durabolin
a dose of Deca 50 mg +/week is usually com-bined with Oxandrolone 10 mg
+/day Both compounds, when taken in a low dosage, are only slightly androgenic
so that masculinizing side effects only rarely occur.
Deca, through its increased protein synthesis, also
leads to a net muscle gain and Oxandrolone, based on
the increased phosphocreatine synthesis, leads to a
measurable strength gain with very low water retention. Other variations of
administration used by female athletes are Deca and Winstrol tab-lets, as well as Deca
and Primobolan S-tablets.
A great disadvantage of Deca-Durabolin is its high
price. In the
Reference-Anabolic review