Don’t believe that just because these sports supplements are legal that they are completely safe. There is most definitely a level of danger and potential for harm in many of them. Some to a greater degree than others. But by educating yourself you can minimize any potential problems you might run into.

Methylated oral supplements are known to be toxic to your liver. At various times the conversion of hormones into less and/or more substances causes the production of free radicals. YOu also have to understand that the liver does numerous tasks (packaging of HDL/LDL/ etc…, serves as the main glucose buffer, converts lactic acid to an important fuel rather than a toxic substance, etc…the list goes on and on) so by stressing the liver you can easily effect other areas…

Learn more about methylation

So in the process of oxidation, reduction, and hydrolysis which converts toxic chemicals into less toxic chemicals the risk of increased free radical products which can easily damage liver tissue is raised. This in turn can cause a host of problem with the above mentioned tasks that the liver can perform.

Unfortunately, there are few outward signs of liver damage. You will very rarely have pain and the one obvious sign, which is jaundice, does not appear until the liver is damaged almost to the point of failure. So, it is important that two things be done to protect your liver. Remember you have only one liver.

First, bloodwork should be done both before and after any cycle to determine beginning and ending values and to see how much (or hopefully little) damage is being done. It will also help you to know how well your body tolerates these compounds as everyone responds differently.

Here is a list of values that should be tested including their normal readings.

Secondly, you should be taking supplements to protect your liver and improve liver function. At the very least these should be taken 4 weeks prior to beginning any oral methylated supplement as well as during the entire cycle. At best you should be taking these liver protectants year round.

Here are the supplements that will help with liver function and support:

1. Alpha Lipoic Acid – Medical reports verify that this will help to improve liver function. Dosage while taking legal steroids should be 1 gram per day. A more potent form of ALA is K-R-ALA. You can find K-R-ALA in Glucophase XR by Designer Supplements.
2. N-Acetyl Cysteine – Supports liver function and production of L-glutathione
3. L-glutathione – Natural protein that helps protect cells from free radicals
4. Milk Thistle – Herbal supplement for maintaining and restoring healthy liver function
5. Vitamin C – Helpful anti-oxident vitamin
6. Vitamin E – Helpful anti-oxident vitamin
7. Drink plenty of water to help flush your system (always a good idea)

There are other substances that are known to cause liver damage most notably alcohol and acetaminophen (Tylenol). So, it is best to avoid both of these as well when using any of the new legal steroids.

The active ingredient, or liver-protecting compound in milk thistle is known as silymarin. This substance, which actually consists of a group of compounds called flavonolignands, helps repair liver cells damaged by alcohol and other toxic substances. Silymarin also keeps new liver cells from being destroyed by these same substances, reduces inflammation (important for people with liver inflammation or hepatitis), and has potent antioxidant effects.

Recommended dose for liver protection: 120 mg silymarin (about 2 capsules), two times daily.

Side effects from milk thistle happen only rarely, but may include stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, rash or other skin reactions, joint pain, impotence, and anaphylaxis (a life-threatening allergic reaction that causes throat tightness, shortness of breath, and, possibly, loss of consciousness.) The last two reactions listed are extremely rare.

* Alkaline Phosphate (normal range: 25 – 150 umol/L)
* GGT (normal range: 0 – 65 IU/L)
* SGOT (AST) (normal range: 0 – 40 IU/L)
* SGPT (ALT) (normal range: 0 – 40 IU/L)
* Total Protein (normal range: 6.0 – 8.5 g/dl)
* Albumin (normal range: 3.5 – 5.5 g/dl)
* Globulin (normal range: 1.5 – 4.5 g/dl)
* Albumin/Globulin Ratio (normal range: 1.1 – 2.5)
* Bilirubin, Total (normal range: 0.1 – 1.2 mg/dl)

Here are the values that should be tested for lipid (chlesterol) values:

* Total Cholesterol (normal healthy range 100 – 199 mg/dl)
* HDL (normal range: 40 – 59 mg/dl)
* LDL (normal range: 0 – 99 mg/dl)
* Triglycerides (normal range: 0 – 149 mg/dl)
* C-reactive protein (< 2.0 mg/l)
* Homocycteine (normal range: 6.3 – 15 umol/L)

Additional values that should be tested for are major hormone values, thyroid function, kidney function and prostate function:

* Testosterone (normal range: 300 – 1200 ng/dl)
* Free testosterone (normal range: 8.7 – 25 pg/ml)
* IGF-1 (normal range: 109 – 284 ng/ml)
* Estradoil (normal range: 5 – 53 pg/ml)
* DHEA/DHEA-s (normal range: 120 – 520 ug/dl)
* T4 (normal range: 4.5 – 12 ug/dl)
* T3 (normal range: 2.3 – 4.2 pg/ml)
* TSH (normal range: .350 – 5.500 uIU/ml)
* Creatinine (normal range: 0.5 – 1.5 mg/dl)
* BUN (normal range: 5 – 26 mg/dl)
* Creatinine/BUN ratio (normal range: 8 – 27)
* PSA (normal range: 0.0 – 4.0 ng/dl)

You can get bloodwork done online discreetly and inexpensively.

Direct Labratory Services Inc.

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