1-Androstenediol (1-AD)
Synonyms: 5alpha-androst-1-en-3,17-diol, 1-AD
1-Androstenediol (1-AD) is an anabolic pro-steroid structurally related (but not identical) to 5-androstenediol. It is one of the many byproducts of the body's normal processing of steroid hormones. In the body 1-AD is converted into 1-Testosterone.
1-AD was discovered in the 1940s and a metabolic study was published in 1972. Aside from these studies, 1-AD received little attention until recently.
In the 1990s governments worldwide tried to eliminate access to anabolic steroids, thereby creating not only a thriving black market, but a strong incentive to find alternative muscle-building enhancers. This led to the rediscovery of 1-AD and 1-Testosterone by chemist Patrick Arnold – compounds that (in some countries, at least) were not covered by existing anti-steroid laws.
The known facts about 1-Androstenediol:
It is an orally active, naturally occurring prohormone.
Oral bioavailability appears to be higher than most anabolic prohormones, but has not yet been measured quantitatively.
Does not convert to estrogens in the body – hence, won't cause breast enlargement or estrogen-related water retention.
Conversion to DHT is low or zero. Therefore, 1-AD is not likely to cause acne, scalp hair loss, or body/facial hair growth.
The liver converts 1-AD to 1-Testosterone, which is a very potent anabolic steroid. This conversion could be called "activation", but 1-AD also has anabolic action of its own. The figure of 154% refers to this action. The inactivation of both 1-AD and 1-Testosterone, prior to their elimination from the body, also takes place in the liver, so claim 9 is not entirely accurate.
1-AD is non-toxic with short-term use – long-term studies have not been done.
1-AD, both on its own and through its metabolite 1-Testosterone, increases muscle mass and strength without causing significant water retention in the muscles. In this sense it "hardens muscles".
In the absence of long-term studies, we have only short-term studies and anecdotal reports to go on, and these support none of the negative claims.
Supplements with this ingredient:None (for now)
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