How to protect your liver during Steroid cycle

Steroids are synthetic substances similar to the male sex hormone testosterone. They affect human bodies positively improving physical performance, increasing muscle growth, and bone strength.

The liver is called the chemical factory of the body as synthesis of muscle increasing proteins, and other essential compounds occur in the liver. From there, these building elements are transported to muscles and other parts of the body.

Sometimes steroids can lead to specific health problems including liver toxicity or damage. Liver toxicity may occur both directly and indirectly. Directly due to toxic effect of some steroids, or indirectly, as steroids may lead to over synthesis of particular substances causing overloading of the organ causing burnout effect.

Many athletes and bodybuilder, taking steroids for a long period of time, wonder how to protect their liver during the steroid cycle and decrease side effects caused by the use of steroids.

The tips are the following:

Avoid using alkylated steroids

Alkylated steroids or 17 alpha-alkylated-androgenic steroids (AAS) can be medically used for increasing weight and muscle growth. But they have been connected to hepatotoxicity because they are not able to eliminate toxins present in the liver, avoid breakdown of toxins into the liver and inhibit the excretory function of liver.

Taking alkylated steroids may be associated with fatty liver disease, hepatic tumors, chronic vascular injury, and acute cholestatic syndrome, etc. Existing liver disease may significantly contribute to hepatic dysfunction.

Proper dosing of AAS and monitoring of their usage reduces the risk of hepatotoxicity.

Use of non-alkylated steroids

Non-alkylated steroids belong to the newer type showing little association between their usage and liver side effects. Their better formula contains agents that are more soluble in lipids. This leads to a slower release of the steroid into circulation resulting in less harm to the liver.

Choose a short steroid cycle over a long one

Obviously, the short cycle causes less harm to our liver. If you still want to make your cycle longer, prefer injectable steroids to oral ones. Also, you may replace orals after a while. Search for the injectable solutions which have the same effects and make the substitution beginning with the seventh week of steroids usage.

Take breaks for steroids use

The long continuous cycle is not a good variant as it may cause severe liver damage. Besides, the more steroids you take, the more resistant your body become after a while. That’s why breaks are essential because they give the body the time to get back to its normal function and regenerate. And so do hormones and other vital organs. After some time, you can start using steroids again.

Just remember, that liver is excellent at regeneration, all it requires is frequent breaks from overload caused due to continuous use of steroids.

Use of hepatoprotective supplements

Some supplements can help restore and repair your liver during and after steroid usage. In addition, hepatoprotective supplements promote liver function and health, protect liver cells from damage, detoxify the liver, and improve blood flow from the organ. Some of them also cleanse the kidneys, regulate blood pressure and balance cholesterol level.

Today there are several products in the market. While choosing the supplement pay attention to the following characteristics:

• The product should be of high quality.
• It should not contain substances you are allergic to.
• The product should possess fewer side effects.

Proper taking of such supplements will help your body stay healthy and continue steroid cycling in the future. Some of the excellent liver supplements are those based on silymarin/milk thistle, and essential phospholipids, and so on.

Limit the fat in your diet

Eat a healthy diet when on steroids, avoiding fried foods, sweets, fast foods. Extra fat can lead to an increase in the risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Stay away from other toxins

Try to be cautious when drinking alcohol as it negatively affects your liver and does not help your liver process steroids. Also, avoid the products that can damage your liver like certain medications, products polluted with pesticides, and so on. Besides, do not smoke.

However, if you feel unwell, feel heaviness on the right side of your abdomen, it would be better to consult a doctor.