Look Your Best with Deca

Deca-Durabolin (Nandrolone Decanoate), more affectionately known as Deca in bodybuilding and athletic circles, is another 19-nortestosterone drug, which means that it is a testosterone altered at the 19th carbon atom (nandrolone). It thus shares many of the characteristics of nandrolones, such as good binding with the Androgen Receptor (AR) making it a class I, fat-burning steroid and minimal androgenic effects. Next to the pioneering steroid Dianabol, Deca-Durabolin is considered the most popular drug for bodybuilders, as it has been used in bulking and cutting cycles.

The removal of the 19th carbon atom notwithstanding, nandrolones are much like testosterone in its anabolic and androgenic effects. Aside from being a strong AR agonist, nandrolones stimulate decanon-AR mediated responses such as increased protein synthesis which is responsible for the anabolic (muscle building) properties of the drug. New muscle is produced when the tube-like fibers in the muscle are broken (during training) which protein synthesis heals quickly and effectively by attaching protein molecules to the torn fibers. When compounds like nandrolone are present in the system, the stimulated fibers seek out every stray protein molecule, causing muscle mass buildup.

Deca also doesn't aromatize (convert to estrogen through the aromatase enzymes) like other nandrolones. Non-aromatization results in poor androgenic properties, which means there are minimal virilizing effects which are common from pure testosterone, like deepening of voice, oily skin, hair loss, acne and facial/body hair growth. In the human body, nandrolones convert to dihydronandrolone (DHN), a substance that has merely 20% potency compared to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the compound that results from aromatization of testosterone. It is for this reason that nandrolones are well-favored by bodybuilders, as the risk of gynecomastia for men and musculinization for women is minimal. However, when taking Deca alone, men run the risk of testicular atrophy, as the drug lowers luteinizing hormones secreted in the pituitary gland and may thus suppress or halt production of natural testosterone in the body.

Another characteristic in favor of Deca is its low toxicity to the liver. Being an injectable, it doesn't affect the liver as much as altered 17-carbon drugs like Dianabol do. Besides, it has been shown that Deca increases bone mineral content and collagen [1] [2], and some reports indicate increase in the water content of connective tissues, all of which help in alleviating joint pains, particularly after training. Nandrolones are also one of the few drugs that won't negatively affect the body's lipid profile (cholesterol) and is therefore safe to use for extended periods.

Deca is normally used with testosterone or its derivatives to add high-quality muscle mass in bulking cycles or to develop well-defined muscles in cutting cycles. The addition of testosterone is necessary to prevent erectile and sexual dysfunction associated with the suppression of luteinizing hormones. Current recommended dosage of Deca for a bulking cycle is up to 600mgs/week for a 12-16 weeks extended duration, together with 400mgs/week of testosterone and an anti-progestorenic drug such as Cabergoline. For a cutting cycle anabolic steroids like 400mgs/week of Deca and 400mgs/week of testosterone are ideal for 12-16 weeks. Of course, one must use ancillaries such as anti-progestorenic. For best results, stacking Deca with Masteron (drostanolone propionate) is well-advised for cutting cycles, as these drugs complement each other well in their anabolic effects and Masteron eliminates the need for anti-estrogen ancillaries.