Monthly Archives: April 2016

Buying Steroids in South Africa

Steroid, testosterone

Anabolic Steroid abuse is a major concern in South Africa,  and gyms have a zero tolerance policy towards steroids, however, there does seem to be a secretive steroids black market in South Africa.

If you talk to many well build body-builders, they will initially deny any steroid use, but as you get to know them, they start to open up about their past Steroid or performance enhancing drug use.

From News24:

“Types of steriods

In the fitness industry, the most commonly used oral anabolic steroid is Dianabol, aka Dbols, which helps users build mass in a relatively short time. It costs around R400 for 60 capsules.

The most commonly used injectable is Test Prop (Testosterone Propionate) which, according to steroid.com, promotes nitrogen retention in the muscle, and the more nitrogen the muscles hold, the more protein the muscles store. It goes for around R380 for 10ml.

One extremely dangerous steroid that some used is called Tren (Trenbolone Enanthate), which is in reality intended for livestock and referred to as the ‘greatest performance enhancing drug on earth’.

Directions for use would say ‘use 1ml for 100kg of cattle’. It is often used for its alleged fat-burning properties as well as reputed powerful muscle building, strength increasing and “hardening” qualities.

Clomid is another popular drug that’s used in post-cycle therapy, ie to ‘put you back to normal’. “

I tend to disagree with some of the content in the article.

“But in the fitness and sports world it is readily available, once you’ve found a seller.

One user (who requested to remain anonymous) told Health24 that there are always steroid pushers at the gyms, especially the larger ones.

They may approach you in the locker room and comment on your physique, thereby striking up a conversation.

Depending on your response, they may offer suggestions of how you can bulk up easier.”

This information is false, fake, a fantasy. I have never been approached by anyone and if I question anyone whom I suspect is taking Steroids, they will deny steroid use – outright! It takes them time to open up to you  once you get to know them.

“It’s also not unheard of for personal trainers to supply those they are training with illegal steroids. “

Rubbish. Personal trainers would be taking a huge risk if they do supply Steroid to anyone.  Personal trainers push a person hard to do their best, they will train a person to breaking points.

“They are also readily available online, although for every real supplier there are about 10 who run online scams and the buyer will most probably end up with a container of chalk rather than any performance-enhancing drugs.”

True, from what I understand, even the products purchase from sellers may be fake or dangerous. People are landing up at doctors with high blood pressure and other complications.

Jealous snitches and supplier rivalry

The biggest danger for a steroid user is jealous gym “friends” or rivalry between suppliers.   You might find the police waiting outside the gym because a rival supplier snitched on their competition. Unfortunately, the user will be in the firing line and will get caught along with the supplier.

A gym “friend” is also your competitor,  and unless you truly know the person, it is to be assumed that they will use the gym’s anonymous tip lines when they become jealous of your easy gains. Or it may just be religious beliefs or perhaps just moral guilt.

Side effects of steroid use

The side effects are quite sever and may include, among others:

  • Aggression – Roid rage
  • Acne
  • Body and facial hair
  • Abnormal breast development
  • Baldness
  • Increased blood pressure and strokes
  • Heart attacks
  • Male infertility
  • Loss of libido
  • Liver problems
  • Hepatitis
  • Liver cancer
  • Mental health problems, including depression, concentration and aggression.

In women, the above and also include:

  • menstrual irregularities

5 Ways to spot a steroid user: look for a distended gut/stomach,  disproportionate upper body development, gynaecomastia (man boobs),  acne,  stretch marks and a sudden increase in muscle mass.

The saddest part of steroid use is the rapid loss of muscle mass when the user gets off steroids. It may take several weeks to lose all the gains, but it is guaranteed that the muscle will disappear compared to a natural body builder. Natural builder will maintain muscles for years, whereas steroid users will lose it all.

Bottom line: Don’t use steroids.

Steroid users

Vitamins

Vitamins for skin, hair and nails

Suppliments, , ,

Vitamin supplementation is not required if you have a varied and healthy eating plan which consists of grains, meat, vegetables and fruits.

If you have good nails, skin and hair, then supplementation is not required.

If you get painful muscles cramps or spasm, then you may try vitamins and minerals  supplementation for several weeks, however, abnormal mineral ratios may also cause spasm and cramps. So overdoing is not going to be helpful.

If you have a great varied diet, you can still supplement but you can take the lowest dosage or half dosages (such as one tablet a day instead of two tablets), or you can skip a day between supplementation.

This not only saves you money, but should be sufficient to make up any shortfall.

When to take full dosages

Grey hair, dry or falling hair is a common problem many body builders and fit individuals tend to have due to the higher demands on their body for vitamins and minerals.

Eating a high protein, low fat diet may also lead to some vitamin deficiencies, especially if grains or fats are eliminated from the diet.

Taking a  multi-vitamin assists greatly in keeping vitamins in check, but sometimes taking extra precautions may be needed to healthy skin and hair.

Vitamin B tends to be one of the important vitamins for most individual in maintaining good health, and is sometimes lacking.

Which foods contain  Vitamin B ?

The different types of vitamin B come from different types of foods. Vitamin B12 is found primarily in meat and dairy products. B7 and B9, and, to some degree, B1 and B2 are found in fruits and vegetables.

Vitamin B boost every now and again may correct the balance, but an excessive Vitamin B-Complex intake is also capable of causing “burning muscles” or chronic muscle
tension.  It is not necessary to overdose, keep the dosages down to the recommended minimum as your body does not require a constant dosages if you are eating well.

A good balanced, and varied, diet a complete diet consisting of meats, grains, fruits and vegetables is required to get all your vitamins.

  • Vitamin B12 is found primarily in meat and dairy products, so strict vegetarians are at risk for a deficiency.
  • Vitamin B6 can be found in fish, poultry, liver, potatoes, and non-citrus fruit.
  • Most people get B1 from breakfast cereals and whole grains. B2 also can be found in whole grains, as well as in milk, eggs, and dark green vegetables.
  • Vitamin B9 can be found in many foods, from meats to grains to citrus fruits.

If you are a vegetarian or on a strict or specialized diet, supplementation may be required to meet vitamin requirements.

Which vitamins you need to look at if your skin, hair or nails are becoming problematic:

  • Biotin: The #1 B vitamin for hair growth.
  • Zinc: When we are deficient in zinc, our hair loses its colour, leading to gray hair.
  • Vitamin D: Opens follicles for hair to grow.
  • Vitamin E: Gives hair shine, bounce and growth.
  • Niacin: Increases circulation to allow hair growth.
  • Magnesium: Gives stronger hair.
  • Iron: Encourages hair growth.
Table of vitamins - set of food icons organized by content of vitamins
Table of vitamins – set of food icons organized by content of vitamins