When first developing ostarine, it was investigated as
a possible anabolic treatment for muscle-wasting diseases. Ostarine showed
excellent potential in increasing lean body mass. This would indicate a wide application
in treatment for the increased lean body mass in those suffering from any type
of muscle wasting. (Vasilev et al., 2024)
1. Introduction
When referring to ostarine in this article, we are
going to be talking about it in the form that can be found on the black market
or is illegal for human consumption. Ostarine can be found in some stores that
sell supplements. It is important to distinguish that this kind of ostarine is
not intended for human use and is often known as "gray market
ostarine" to imply that it is not illegal for sale.
Ostarine is the trademarked name for a selective
androgen receptor modulator (SARM) that is not approved for human use or
consumption in the U.S. or in any other country. A SARM is a compound that is
intended to function similarly to anabolic steroids but with a reduced
potential for androgenic side effects. Ostarine is the most well-known and
extensively studied SARM available. It is also the most widely used. The
World Anti-Doping Agency banned it because of its frequent use by athletes.
1.1 Definition of ostarine
The definition for the product Ostarine is a SARM,
meaning Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator. It's also known as MK2866.
Ostarine has a high bioavailability of 1446%, which makes it very effective. It
has a half-life of roughly 24 hours.
Ostarine is a non-steroidal compound being studied to fight muscle-wasting conditions and osteoporosis. It has tissue-selective anabolic effects on the body. Ostarine is effective in maintaining and increasing lean body mass.
It's often compared to the anabolic steroid Anavar on various parameters.
Ostarine is versatile and can thus achieve a wide range of
results. Ostarine is very anabolic. The thing that makes Ostarine more popular
than other SARMs is that it's side-effect-free. Ostarine is very mild in nature
and has virtually no side effects. People often jump to the conclusion that any
compound that is anabolic or androgenic will result in hair loss and acne.
Ostarine has been shown to provide and enhance joint healing abilities compared to other
compounds.
2. Exploring the Benefits of Ostarine for Optimal Results
2.1 Factors contributing to the enhancement of muscular
hypertrophy
It has been found that muscle fiber growth occurs when
the fibers experience some form of overload, which will cause disruption to the
cell structures. For muscle growth to occur, there must be muscle overload.
This can be achieved through the high mechanical loading that occurs during
resistance exercise. This is evident through long-term studies that involve
intense resistance exercise, whereby type 1 and type 2 muscle fiber areas were
shown to increase by 30–50% after less than 1 year of intense resistance
training. This is also supported by the research, which shows that an increase
in muscle cross-sectional area can be seen in up to 20% of athletes after just
5–16 weeks of resistance training.
Fiber damage occurs as a result of the muscle force
generated during the eccentric phase of resistance exercise; thus, high force
is essential in creating muscle hypertrophy, particularly in type 2 fibers.
This is supported by research that investigated low- and high-force muscle
contractions, which concluded that high-force contractions are necessary to
cause hypertrophy occurring due to structural damage to actin and myosin
filaments. In particular, it is evident that, at a molecular level, alterations
in muscle protein turnover occur as a result of resistance exercise and muscle
overload.
There must be a sufficient volume of overload to
promote the muscle growth response; this requires high-intensity training with
a high volume, i.e., sets and reps. The exact volume required for the muscle
growth response is still unknown; however, high-volume, high-intensity training is likely needed. Additionally, some factors determine whether resistance exercise can induce hypertrophy in a muscle.
Studies have shown that older adults experience a lower increase in muscle mass
due to a slower rate of conversion of muscle fibers into Type 2 fibers, lower
satellite cell activity, and lower testosterone levels compared to younger
individuals. So, it is likely older adults would need to take these factors
into account when considering resistance exercise as a method of muscle growth.
2.2 Enhanced athletic performance
There is a sound reason as to why Ostarine is the most popular SARM. The primary use of MK-2866 is to prevent muscle wastage- muscles begin to deteriorate as the body ages and during times of great duress, such as a severe injury. Ostarine has proven to provide a dramatic improvement in such cases. Ostarine has also shown noticeable nutrient partitioning effects among users, another reason why it can be of great help when cutting or recomping.
Users have noted better endurance and stamina with
MK-2866, making it the SARM of choice for recompiling. Whether it is the nutrient
partitioning effects or an increase in strength and endurance, osteoporosis
gives users the edge to stick to their diet and exercise plans, which in itself
often produces better results.
Whether it is the nutrient partitioning effects or an
increase in strength and endurance, osteoporosis gives users the edge to stick
to their diet and exercise plans, which in itself often produces better
results.
Although there are no official dietary guidelines when researching Ostarine, users have experienced the best results when taking the SARM with a diet high in proteins. Ostarine has a 24-hour half-life, meaning it only needs to be dosed once a day. The recommended dose for cutting is 10–20 mg a day for 6–8 weeks.
The leaner the user is, the more pronounced the
effects of Ostarine will be. The recomposition effect of losing fat and gaining
muscle will be most obvious for users who lift weights and have some prior
experience with training and dieting. The above-stated dosage and time frame
will also apply for recomping, the only difference being diet. It is
recommended that Ostarine be used for shorter cutting periods of 4–8 weeks, as
the results may plateau if used for longer periods.
(Rey2022).
Due to Ostarine's half-life of 24 hours, it is best to
take the compound at the same time every day to try and keep levels of the drug
steady. Ostarine is non-methylated, so it is not liver-toxic, and a dose of
15mg a day has been shown to provide anabolic effects over 8 weeks. Remember, these are only guidelines, and the best way to find out what
Ostarine can do for you is to try it for yourself. Ostarine may have decreased
natural levels of testosterone in some users in very high dosages, so it is
recommended that a mini PCT be taken after an 8-week cycle. Ostarine will be
very effective in maintaining muscle and strength in an environment where
catabolism is present if dosed correctly.
2.3 Improved bone strength
Ostarine has undergone 4 phases of testing and is a
very potent and anabolic agent to build muscle, as osteoblasts (bone-building
cells) are androgen receptors found on the surface of bone-building cells.
During the 4th phase of testing, researchers saw that osteoclasts also could improve mineralization and collagen synthesis. This is easily the
most anabolic effect of Ostarine, and now there is clinical data to support it.
This is very good information for those individuals who are suffering from bone
diseases, as osteoporosis and other SARMs can be treatments for osteoporosis.
It can also be a hormone replacement therapy for men with low testosterone and
a solid protocol for women who are likely to suffer from bone diseases.
There are a lot of positive and beneficial effects
of MK-2866. As it is anabolic on muscle and also on bone,
it can be a very solid treatment option for those suffering from many diseases.
Ostarine is an awesome compound because it's so mild, so it's a great option
for those who are looking to avoid TRT or HRT. This is also a good compound for
women and those who are looking to enhance their overall health, muscle, and
bone strength without having to be concerned with the deleterious side effects
of steroids.
3. Side effects and potential risks associated with ostarine
3.1 Hormonal imbalances
The effect of ostarine on hormonal imbalances is one
of its unique features. Unlike anabolic steroids or exogenous testosterone,
ostarine cannot convert to estrogen or
dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Therefore, it will not affect the aromatase enzyme
or hormone levels.
This is because ostarine is a very
anabolic compound with a good amount of androgenic activity. This means it will
cause muscle growth and not have the side effect of causing water retention.
Thus, users who have diseases that cause fluid retention or high blood pressure
can benefit from ostarine, e.g., those who are in the early stages of heart
disease.
A decrease in estrogen levels can also be very
beneficial for long-term health benefits and the prevention of diseases such as
prostate cancer and gynecomastia. Ostarine's ability to prevent the catabolism
and muscle wasting effects that are caused when a user is in a negative
hormonal balance makes it a very good compound to use in HRT (hormone
replacement therapy) as part of TRT (testosterone replacement therapy).
Ostarine can be very effective. It's taken orally, and it can help in the
maintenance of bone and muscle health.
The versatility and safety of ostarine make it a
powerful and very good compound to use to prevent muscle wasting and fight
disease.
3.2 Investigation on the Potential Hepatotoxicity of Ostarine
There are drugs out there that can cause an increase
in muscle mass but can be harmful to the liver in the process. As previously
mentioned, Ostarine has few side effects compared to current therapies on the
market to increase muscle mass. Anabolic steroids are one example of this.
Although effective in increasing muscle mass, they are harmful to the liver.
They can cause liver damage, such as peliosis hepatitis, a condition where
liver and sometimes splenic tissue is replaced with blood-filled cysts, hepatic
tumors, or toxic hepatitis. Anabolic steroid-induced liver damage may often go
away after terminating the use of the steroids, but in some cases, it is
untreatable. If given the choice between steroids and osteoclasts, with results
showing that osteoclasts are not harmful to the liver, any user would prefer
osteoclasts to increase muscle mass.
3.3 Suppression of natural testosterone production
This compound can lower testosterone by a significant
amount. Ostarine is very suppressive at higher doses. A drop of as much as 50%
can be expected at the higher end of the ostarine dosing range. The extent of
suppression is also dose-dependent. Light doses of ostarine may only lead to
mild reductions in endocrine function. More significant doses of ostarine will
lead to a significant loss of natural testosterone production. The length of
use can also impact the extent of suppression. Ostarine should not be used for
long periods; as a general rule of thumb, a 4-week cycle is the safest
way to use this compound without the risk of a significantly prolonged
suppression of testosterone.
Recovery of testosterone levels without the assistance
of medication can take a good length of time after a high suppression cycle.
For this reason, ostarine can be a poor choice if the user wishes to bridge
between cycles, as bridging with ostarine in an attempt to maintain muscle mass
while recovering natural testosterone levels will prove to be very
counterproductive. Avoiding the use of ostarine in this manner and using it
only as a means to improve muscle mass and strength during the final (cutting)
phase of a cycle, followed by post-cycle therapy, would be the ideal way
to utilize the compound.
4. Legality and regulations surrounding ostarine
4.1 Legal status
Ostarine has been classified as an investigational new
drug. Despite being used for testing purposes, it has been utilized by many
individuals for its anabolic effects. However, despite being a drug for
testing, it has been used by many individuals for its anabolic effects.
Ostarine is not yet FDA-approved, so it is still, to this day, classified as a
research chemical. This means there is limited information on the long-term
effects and what happens if used for an extended period. Research has
so far shown it is an effective treatment for reducing body fat, and it could
be used in the future for the treatment of obesity. However, as of today, there
are no human trials.
As with all performance-enhancing drugs, Ostarine is
banned in professional sports, and there have been several high-profile
cases with athletes testing positive for Ostarine. Michelle Jenkins tested
positive for Ostarine, which she claimed to have unknowingly taken through a
contaminated supplement. Even UFC champion TJ Dillashaw tested positive for
Ostarine in early 2019. Due to its anabolic effects, prostaglandin is
particularly popular among athletes for bulking during the off-season. However,
given the legal implications, it is not a risk worth taking for anyone in a
professional capacity.
4.2 Sporting Organization Policies
Sports organizations around the world have also taken
notice of Ostarine, and they have also taken steps to curb the use of the
substance by their athletes. Ostarine is on the list of substances banned by
the World Anti-Doping Agency, and other sports organizations have also followed
suit. Due to its performance-enhancing attributes, ostarine is considered to be
on par with anabolic steroids, and for that reason, athletes testing positive
for ostarine can face the same penalties as those who test positive for
anabolic steroids.
.png "The use of ostarine is very controlled for sports organizations")
Ostarine has already made headlines for being found in
the testing of competitive bodybuilders and strongmen, and these athletes are
not exempt from Ostarine's ban in any sports organization, although they are
more likely to fly under the radar in comparison to top-level professional
athletes. Due to the problems, it has caused for athletes in the past and the
potential for damage to the integrity of the sport because of the prevalence of
PEDs, sports organizations are likely to continue the ban on Ostarine for the
foreseeable future.
References
Vasilev, V., Boyadjiev, N., Hrischev, P., Gerginska,
F., Delchev, S., Arabadzhiyska, D., Komrakova, M., Boeker, K.O., Schilling,
A.F. and Georgieva, K., 2024. Ostarine blunts the effect of endurance training
on submaximal endurance in rats. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Archives of
Pharmacology, pp.1-10. springer.com
Rey, R.A., 2022. Recent advancement in the treatment
of boys and adolescents with hypogonadism. Therapeutic Advances in
Endocrinology and Metabolism, 13, p.20420188211065660. sagepub.com
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