Anavar (Oxandrolone), an oral steroid, undoubtedly is the popular anabolic steroid preferred and consumed by most of the bodybuilders. Although mild and taken as a weak steroid, it is misunderstood in the fitness world. Optimum utilisation of the compound is important to know in order to avail its maximum benefits.
Chapter 1: Development
Initially, in 1960, Anavar based Oxandrolone was produced by Pfizer, the biggest pharmaceuticals or drug company today. It was produced chemically in which the main motive was to cure those patients suffering from wasting disease that holds muscle. Around the late 80s, the steroid was trademarked by Savient pharmaceutical and they named it Oxandrin. It was approved by the FDA for Turner Syndrome and hepatitis. In modern days, certain autoimmune issues like AIDS can be benefitted with its use. It is generally prescribed in United States and because of advancement in other drugs, it is rarely prescribed.
Chapter 2: Post Golden Age Bodybuilding
It is still not clear as who came up with the idea of using Anavar (Oxandrolone) as a performance enhancement. However, during the 1980s, it came up with a better reputation especially because of its dry properties. As aromatase inhibitors didn’t exist at that time, bodybuilders looked for such steroids that provided beneficial results without creating estrogenic risks. This was the reason why Anavar became so popular during that era.
Chapter 3: Paper Ratio
One feels quite hesitating to talk regarding the ratio of anabolic to androgenic. This is because it is cannot be transferred to real practice. On paper, Anavar (Oxandrolone) has strong anabolic to low androgenic ratio pertaining to 425 to 20. Testosterone has a ratio of 100 to 100. In the real world, it is expected to kick anabolic with a least androgenic activity so that it can be made mild enough so that females too can use it.
Chapter 4: Science Behind The Steroid
Anavar contains DHT (Dihydrotestosterone) derivative steroid that contains extra atom. The main role of this atom is to replace carbon2 within a-ring. It further helps in preventing metabolic breakdown and enhances anabolic activity. In medicine, its end result is good as muscle wasting drug and in the fitness community, it has dry and hard results. Apart from DHT, it even contains 17 alpha alkylated steroids means containing methyl group. It is attached in order to prevent the liver from destroying the steroids. The limiting factor is that it is toxic for the liver. However, it is quite less as compared to other oral steroids viz superdol and halotestin.
Scientists even noticed that it decreases certain glucocorticoids which eat the muscle mass especially when one is stressful. Like other steroids, one might expect to boost nitrogen retention of muscles which prevents it from losing back.
This point is a bit misleading as none of the steroids can help burning fat. However, Anavar (Oxandrolone) has the impression of burning fat due to 2 factors:
It does not convert into estrogen thereby keeping the gains dry.
Thyroid binding globules declines in number which further helps in speeding up the thyroid.
However, only depending upon these steroids might not work well for burning fats. An appropriate diet can only burn fats. Anavar (Oxandrolone), however, is a better option when one is undergoing strict dieting especially at the time of deficit as it prevents loss of muscles.
Chapter 6: DHT and SHBG
Already mentioned earlier, Anavar (Oxandrolone) is a DHT derivative which does not convert into estrogen in the body. Hence, one would not experience certain estrogenic problems like high blood pressure, water retention, bloat or gynecomastia. However, when the level of DHT increases, it has few negative impacts like dry joints, enlarged prostate and head hair loss. As compared to other steroids of the same class, Anavar is pretty mild which does not lead to such negative impacts.
The binding ability of Anavar (Oxandrolone) with SHBG (Sex hormone binding globulin) is the amazing trait of the steroid. It further increases the ratio of free testosterone and helps the other steroids, if you are taking, work better.
Most of the bodybuilders claim that Anavar (Oxandrolone) is either a waste or it is weak. Because of this, they increase their dosage in order to see the desired results. This is the most misleading point and one should correct one’s mentality first. Remember, it does not convert into estrogen and hence one might not fill muscles heavy up with water nor the weight scale would move up by 10 to 15 pounds. If you want to increase the weight scale, then don’t consider it in your first place.
In order to get good and clean gains, 30-60 mg per day would be enough. Appropriate dosage for females is 5 to 15 mg per day. One should generally take the dosage for 4 to 8 weeks and pay keen attention of the blood working. At approx 7 week mark, one should check the liver health.
Chapter 8: Half-life and Detection
The half-life of Anavar is nearly 8 to 10 hours. However, the dosage of approx 1 to 2X per day would be fine. Usually, the detection time is 3 weeks and is quite good for those who have already tested the line.
Read More About How Safe Is Anavar Steroid Here
Although Anavar (Oxandrolone) is pretty mild, one should not take it lightly. Most of the masters of Science assure that it is not suppressive which isn’t true at all. One should not forget that it is a hormone and should expect to have pituitary shutdown which is quite less than the other steroids. Hence, it is recommended to go for a full post cycle therapy.
I already mentioned earlier that Anavar is a liver toxic. Hence, one should consider N2guard for liver support and avoid other types of drugs or alcohol.
One of the major complaints we have regarding Anavar (Oxandrolone) is that it causes muscle pumps. Muscles pumps are not at all a bad thing; however, it often becomes a nuisance if you are trying cardio or high repetitions in gyms. In both situations, back bumps can really be hectic. Hence, taking taurine which is already included in N2guard would be a better option.
Chapter 10: Stacking and Expected Result
There is not an appropriate answer to the very old question “How much would I gain with the particular dosage?” However, the below tips would help you use Anavar as per your goal.
Powerlifters
As per my recommendations, I would prefer 50 mg a day in combination with 250 mg a week Trenbolone. With this simple stack, even I was able to hit the personal records on almost all the lifts.
Recomping
In order to get lean muscle mass gain and burning fat in a deficit amount, 40-60 mg a day along with 150 mg a day Testosterone and 500 mg a week Primobolan would be the ideal option.
Bodybuilding
Those who are doing bodybuilding can include 40-60 mg a day into any stack they choose for boosting the muscle gain and it does not add much side effects.
Females
With SARMS or Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators, 10 mg LGD (Anabolicum/Ligandrol) and 20 mg Cardarine (GW501516), 5 to 15 mg of the steroid should be taken. One would definitely experience good muscle gains and even fat loss.
Chapter 11: Cost and Availability
Undoubtedly, Anavar (Oxandrolone) is really expensive and even hard to find. However, within hundreds of dollars, one can get a 6-week dosage of steroid. This is the reason why it is generally faked. It is very important to do lots of homework in order to find a reliable source. In order to find an approved source, one might check out at certain forums.
