17 alpha alkylation refers to the addition of an alkyl group (either a methyl or ethyl) to the alpha position of the 17 carbon in the steroid backbone. Since the addition is typically a methyl many people call this change methylation. By adding this methyl group at the 17a position the major route of androgen deactivation is avoided. The additional methyl stops the oxidation of the steroid to a 17-keto steroid. This allows a large part of the steroid to avoid the first pass metabolism and degradation in the liver.

Examples of 17a methylated steroids are methyltestosterone. Oxymetholone and Norethandrolone (Nilevar). Some 17a methylated designer steroids are Superdrol, Halodrol and Phera-Plex.

Methylation or 17a alkylation is a very effective way to make steroids orally active. Unfortunately it does suffer from some drawbacks as well. 17a methylated steroids are all toxic to the liver to some extent. By avoiding the first pass metabolism the liver is not allowed to do its job properly and has to work harder to metabolize the compounds. An increase in liver enzyme values is not unusual when using 17a methylated steroids.

Jaundice is not uncommon and should be watched for when using methylated steroids or designer supplements. Usually this condition is only seen in individuals who are predisposed to liver problems. The danger in 17a alkylated steroids is not trivial, however since they are very potent anabolic agents, and in the case of the designers the only legal route available, many continue to use them.

Becoming aware of the dangers associated with the use of methylated steroids is the first step in responsible use. Liver protection should also be used any time a 17a alkylated steroid is used. And smart bodybuilders will also keep tabs on their liver enzyme values through frequent bloodtests.

I do not condone the use of these 17a methylated steroids, nor would I recommend that anyone use them. The potential toxicity and dangers represented are not worth the benefits gained. Everyone is different and you should learn as much as you can about any substance you are considering taking so that you can make an educated and informed decision.

That being said, many people use these and consider them safe for short periods of time i.e. 3-4 weeks.

Lean Extreme works by controlling the concentrations of cortisol in your body. Cortisol is a stress hormone that is necessary for many bodily functions, including immune response, inflammation, and moving nutrients and hormones into the bloodstream. Unfortunately cortisol is also responsible for helping to release enzymes that promote the breakdown of muscle tissue for energy, storing abdominal fat, increasing appetite, decreasing thyroid function and a host of other detrimental effects.

Weight training causes a stress reaction in your body and causes cortisol release which is fine as long as cortisol is kept at minimal levels because it helps your muscles to adapt to the stress of training and grow bigger. However, if cortisol is unchecked it can lead to increased abdominal fat and decreased strength. Exactly what we DON’T want.

7-OH™ helps prevent cortisol concentrations from becoming excessively high, thereby reducing the potential effects of diminishing strength and in-gym performance, excessive abdomen fat accumulation and muscular growth plateaus.

Lean Extreme will make keeping the muscle you gained and the fat loss you earned through the proper and disciplined combination of weight training, nutrition, rest, and cardiovascular exercise a simple endeavor. And, it will make reaching the next level of fitness easier than you ever imagined.

To summarize, Lean Xtreme can assist your pursuit of lean mass and low body fat by controlling cortisol, thereby:
- Reducing the potential of storing abdominal fat, or assisting its removal if dieting.
- Preventing declining in-gym performances.
- Reducing muscle breakdown for energy and assist in maintaining gains made during an androgen cycle.

Lean Extreme 7-OH is 7-hydroxy-DHEA (both alpha and beta isomers)

Phera-Plex is the end result of over one year of development by Designer Supplements. The active ingredient is a pheromone with considerable anabolic activity. Designer Supplements has succeeded in making this pheromone orally bioavailable and more effective.

Phera-Plex is a highly androgenic legal steroid. So users will experience increased strength, increased vascularity and pumps, a hardening of their muscles, an ability to focus more clearly and increased libido. Negative side effects such as loss of hair or prostate problems appear to be minimal for most users although I can report that I have had some prostate sensitivity after about 4 weeks of Phera-Plex usage, but this was not a problem because it went away almost immediately after stopping Phera-Plex.

The active ingredient does not convert to estrogen so no negative effects such as gyno will be experienced and since Phera-Plex is more androgenic than anabolic users do not experience increased aggression. As long as you do not have problems with androgenic legal steroids you should feel great while on Phera-Plex.

For most people 10-20mg daily will be an effective dose, making Phera-Plex quite cost effective as well. Remember as with all legal steroids more will not always be a good thing. There is a point of diminishing returns with the gains as well as a point where the side effects tend to multiply. So, start with 10mg and ramp up slowly.

You really don’t want to run Phera-Plex for longer than 4 weeks because of it’s androgenic side effects. If you want to run a full 8 week cycle you can stack Phera-Plex with Superdrol. This works very well due to Superdrols anabolic to androgenic ratio. Run Phera-Plex for 3 weeks at full dose, then overlap with Superdrol for 2 weeks with both at a medium dose. Finally finish up with Superdrol for 3 weeks at a full dose.

As with all legal steroids make sure to run a complete post cycle therapy following to bring your natural testosterone production back to normal.

Since Anabolic Xtreme has stopped manufacturing Phera-Plex you will find it very difficult to purchase. However, tomorrow I will discuss alternative products using the same active ingredient for the same great results.

2-ene (17a-Methyl-etioallocholan-2-ene-17b-ol) 10mg

Your body has both bound and free testosterone, but only the free testosterone is active. No matter what your total testosterone levels are only the free testosterone is of any benefit to you for building additional muscle.

The body controls the amounts of bound and free testosterone through a protein called Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG). SHBG binds your testosterone so that it is not free and able to help you with your muscle building goals. ActivaTe acts as an SHBG inhibitor, which leaves more of your testosterone unbound. This leads to more muscle, improved recovery and increased focus during your workouts.

Additional benefits include:

• Increased blood sugar and insulin control for general health and fat loss
• Nitric Oxide (NO) boosting
• Supports a healthy prostate
• Anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory behaviour
• Supports healthy cholesterol levels

I have tried ActivaTe and I really like this product. It does exactly what it is claimed. It has helped me to add lean mass and decrease my bodyfat. In addition, there is a noticable boost in libido when taking ActivaTe. A really nice little side effect in my opinion. Best of all it does not mess with your hormones and there is no need for post cycle therapy. I have used ActivaTe twice and willl continue using it. It is that good! Next time I may try what Designer Supplements calls their NHA stack combining ActivaTe with Rebound Reloaded and Lean Extreme.