Everything You Need to Know About Anabolic Steroid Use and Liver Protection

 

Many people are eager to start an anabolic steroid cycle and many others prefer to use oral steroids rather than injectables. But what many people looking to start an oral anabolic steroid cycle don’t know is that their liver plays a crucial role in the metabolism of the steroids they intend to use.

In this article, you will learn how your liver can be affected by anabolic steroids as well as effective liver protection supplements that you can use during your steroid cycle. Additionally, we will explain how you can protect your liver health even when using steroids.

Anabolic Steroids and Your Liver Health: What You Need to Know

As we have already mentioned, your liver functions by metabolizing oral anabolic steroids with high hepatotoxicity, such as methyltestosterone, L'halotestin (fluoxymesterone), the methyltrenbolone, L'anadrol (oxymetholone), the Winstrol and the Dianabol.

This hepatic metabolism can put a strain on your liver, especially if you are on a heavy cycle of oral steroids or using high doses of potentially hepatotoxic C17-alpha alkylated oral anabolic steroids.

C17-alpha alkylated oral steroids tend to increase liver enzymes and hepatotoxicity in your liver because the organ is unable to effectively process the active compounds before they reach your bloodstream.

Elevated liver enzymes caused by oral steroid hepatotoxicity are a red flag that, if left unchecked, can lead to liver damage. If your liver is exposed to long-term stress, you can increase your risk of developing cholestasis, fatty liver disease, and even more serious liver health conditions like cirrhosis of the liver.

The ideal supplement for liver protection during an oral steroid cycle

If you choose to do an oral steroid cycle or stack, you may want to consider including liver supplements in your cycle. Liver supplements help regulate liver enzyme levels and, in fact, liver supplements will help significantly reduce the risk of liver fatigue and damage.

Here are five (5) liver supplements you should consider using while using oral steroids.

#1. Alpha Lipoic Acid or ALA

Alpha-lipoic acid, also known as ALA, can support liver health by regulating free radicals and detoxifying the liver. Additionally, ALA mimics antioxidants like glutathione and vitamin C to protect, preserve, and improve the health of your liver.

#2. LIV-52

LIV-52 is a supplement of liver protection Naturally formulated, very popular in the bodybuilding community. LIV-52 protects your liver from the harmful effects of oral steroids by detoxifying your liver and reducing liver enzyme levels.

#3. N-acetylcysteine or NAC

N-Acetylcysteine, also known as NAC, is a powerful antioxidant supplement for liver protection and acts as a precursor to the antioxidant glutathione.

NAC helps neutralize the damaging effects of free radicals in your liver and reduce oxidative stress.

#4. Silymarin – Milk Thistle

Silymarin, commonly known as milk thistle, is very beneficial for the liver. First of all, milk thistle has very powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Milk thistle therefore detoxifies your liver, increases its glutathione levels and helps repair damage to liver cells.

Milk thistle is gentle on the liver and bodybuilders often use this supplement before, during and after their respective steroid cycles.

#5. Tauroursodeoxycholic acid or TUDCA

Tauroursodeoxycholic acid, also known as TUDCA, is another popular liver supplement that you should consider getting before you start using oral steroids.

TUDCA is a bile acid derivative that helps detoxify the liver by significantly reducing the buildup of highly toxic bile acids common with oral steroid use.

TUDCA has been shown to be particularly effective in preventing and treating cholestasis, a liver condition caused by excessive accumulation of bile acids in the liver due to obstruction of the flow of bile acids from the liver.

#6. Desmodium

Desmodium adscendens (Desmodium) is a herb with powerful anti-inflammatory properties that can really help protect your liver from potential damage caused by oxidative stress, especially when you are on a cycle of anabolic steroids with high hepatotoxicity. Desmodium is also able to promote the repair and regeneration of damaged liver cells.

#7. Glutathione

The human body naturally produces glutathione, but you can also take this supplement to help detoxify and protect your liver from the dangers of free radicals produced during your anabolic steroid cycle.

Glutathione has very strong antioxidant properties that help get rid of harmful toxins while helping to repair liver cells damaged by oxidative stress.

#8. Curcumin

Curcumin is an active compound in turmeric, but this anti-inflammatory compound is available in supplement form that supports liver health. When taken during your oral anabolic steroid cycle, curcumin helps stabilize and curb the drastic elevation of ALT and AST liver enzymes.

Additionally, curcumin is known to slow and even stop the progression of liver fibrosis caused by the effects of anabolic steroid use.

Natural Ways to Protect Your Liver Health During an Oral Steroid Cycle

In addition to using liver protection supplements, there are lifestyle choices you can make that will go a long way in protecting your liver health. One such lifestyle change is simply drinking enough clean water every day.

You will be able to properly flush out harmful toxins from your liver if you drink enough water every day. Ideally, you should drink between 3 and 4 liters of clean water per day. You can also drink more water depending on your activity level.

Once you have your water intake sorted out, the next thing you need to pay attention to is your diet. You should try as much as possible to maintain a diet rich in leafy green vegetables, such as kale and spinach.

These leafy green vegetables contain abundant chlorophyll and this compound is known for its ability to promote liver detoxification.

If you're consuming leafy greens, you shouldn't ignore the importance of cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cauliflower, as they can also help detoxify your liver.

Don't forget antioxidant-rich berries, like cranberries and blueberries, which can protect you from free radicals and damage caused by oxidative stress.

Finally, include fatty fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, in your diet if you want to protect your liver from inflammation and oxidative stress.

Other Ways to Protect Your Liver During an Oral Anabolic Steroid Cycle

Protecting your liver health with liver protection supplements, proper hydration, and diet may not be enough to allow you to successfully complete your oral steroid cycle without having to worry about your liver health.

During your anabolic steroid cycle you should avoid consuming caffeine, energy drinks and alcoholic beverages, as well as sugary, refined, processed, fatty or fried foods.

Additionally, an important thing to do before, during and after your steroid cycle is to monitor your liver enzyme levels. This can be done by having blood tests to check the status of the liver enzymes Alanine Aminotransferase or ALT and Aspartate Aminotransferase or AST.

Elevated ALT and AST liver enzyme levels are often a sign of liver stress or possible liver injury from steroid use. You can have your ALT and AST liver enzymes tested four (4) or six (6) weeks after starting your steroid cycle.

In addition to having liver enzymes tested, you should also take a cautious approach when using steroids. You can avoid stacking multiple oral steroids, for example, and you can follow a short steroid cycle with a low to moderate dosage plan.

It is also advisable to put in place a protocol of post cycle therapy (PCT) before you even start a cycle. If you are unsure about the safety of your cycle, you can talk to a professional here even.

Conclusion

Don’t take your liver health for granted. Make sure you adopt a policy of including liver protective supplements, especially in your oral steroid cycle or stack. You should also maintain a healthy lifestyle when on a steroid cycle, characterized by proper hydration, a decent diet with foods that help detoxify your liver, regular liver tests, and a PCT plan.