Amozoc
Veteran
- Aug 6, 2016
- 453
- 2
How to get the most bioavailability (BV-the extent to which a compound can be used by the body) from your oral steroids is a common point of discussion. After all, anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) are expensive— and for most users, illegal too. Being able to use the least number of pills to achieve your goals makes a lot of sense on more than one level. With that said, this is also an area that lacks consensus. With just a small number of relevant studies, we’re all doing a lot of speculating. Take with meals … take on an empty stomach … take with fats … avoid fats … there are many ideas. Crazy as it sounds, getting the most “bang for your steroid buck” has not been a big focus of the pharmaceutical industry. A new study is sure to stoke the fire of debate.
The paper in question looked at the use of oxandrolone in newborn infants following surgery for congenital heart disease.1 The study was very interesting, as it found oxandrolone to be safe and effective for diminishing muscle wasting following surgery. This is serious problem for this fragile neonatal population, potentially making oxandrolone a lifesaver here. Anyway, the finding relevant to our BV discussion involved the way the steroid was administered. In this case, the researchers prepared the drug in an oral solution, with either a water base or mixed with MCT (medium-chain triglycerides). In doing so, they noticed a significant BV advantage in one: when the steroid was dissolved in MCT oil. In fact, oxandrolone mixed with MCT remained more effective at half the dose!
This result seems to contradict recommendations to take oral steroids on an empty stomach. Instead, it suggests that for maximizing bioavailability, we might want to take them with a fatty meal, or even crushed and mixed with a small shot of MCT oil. Of course, there is reason to be cautious with this information. This was a small study. It also involved a very young group of ill patients, which may not relate fully to the effects noted with healthy adults. Without the benefit of additional larger adult studies, we really can’t draw conclusions yet. However, it certainly does provide reason enough to think about this subject again. Perhaps “oral oils” would be best after all? We’ll see.
Sent from my iPhone 7 Plus
The paper in question looked at the use of oxandrolone in newborn infants following surgery for congenital heart disease.1 The study was very interesting, as it found oxandrolone to be safe and effective for diminishing muscle wasting following surgery. This is serious problem for this fragile neonatal population, potentially making oxandrolone a lifesaver here. Anyway, the finding relevant to our BV discussion involved the way the steroid was administered. In this case, the researchers prepared the drug in an oral solution, with either a water base or mixed with MCT (medium-chain triglycerides). In doing so, they noticed a significant BV advantage in one: when the steroid was dissolved in MCT oil. In fact, oxandrolone mixed with MCT remained more effective at half the dose!
This result seems to contradict recommendations to take oral steroids on an empty stomach. Instead, it suggests that for maximizing bioavailability, we might want to take them with a fatty meal, or even crushed and mixed with a small shot of MCT oil. Of course, there is reason to be cautious with this information. This was a small study. It also involved a very young group of ill patients, which may not relate fully to the effects noted with healthy adults. Without the benefit of additional larger adult studies, we really can’t draw conclusions yet. However, it certainly does provide reason enough to think about this subject again. Perhaps “oral oils” would be best after all? We’ll see.
Sent from my iPhone 7 Plus
