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What is a natural steroid?

Natural steroids typically refer to compounds found in plants, herbs, and other natural sources that mimic human hormones or steroids. Supporters of natural steroids claim they act in the body like anabolic steroids. These are compounds that build and repair muscle by increasing the production of testosterone.

medicalnewstoday.com - Natural steroids: Do they exist and safety concerns

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Read on to learn about what natural steroids are and common examples. This article also covers potential safety concerns, benefits and risks of these substances. Natural steroids are compounds that mimic the steroids that human bodies naturally produce, such as the hormones testosterone, progesterone, and cortisol. The body naturally produces steroids, such as the hormone testosterone, to build muscle tissue, among other important bodily processes. Natural steroids typically refer to compounds found in plants, herbs, and other natural sources that mimic human hormones or steroids. Supporters of natural steroids claim they act in the body like anabolic steroids. These are compounds that build and repair muscle by increasing the production of testosterone. Natural steroids may also be called legal steroids, and businesses often sell them as a mixture of ingredients.

Compounds with some preliminary evidence to support them include the following.

Creatine

Several studies have found that using creatine for 5–7 days can significantly increase:

strength

power

work involving multiple sets of maximal-effort muscle contractions

sprinting and soccer performance

No other compounds are approved by the FDA or backed by substantial human studies. However, some compounds may help build muscle or improve athletic endurance and resiliency.

Ashwagandha

Withania somnifera, or ashwagandha, is a herb used in Ayurvedic medicine for rejuvenation, revitalization, and longevity. A 2018 study gave healthy males a 500 milligram (mg) dose of ashwagandha daily for 12 weeks, while the participants performed progressive overload resistance training 4 days per week. The people who took ashwagandha experienced greater improvements in lower and upper body strength, as well as favorable body mass distribution compared with those in the placebo group.

Tribulus terrestris

Compounds found in Tribulus terrestris called steroidal saponins could weakly mimic the effects of testosterone and related hormones. This may improve muscle function and testosterone levels. However, a 2020 study concluded that scientists need to do more research to understand whether Tribulus terrestris is safe and has a therapeutic effect.

DAA

Limited research proposes that D-aspartic acid (DAA) may have a role in the production and release of testosterone. However, most of these studies showing that DAA enhances testosterone levels have been in animals. More human studies are needed to support their findings.

Vitamin D

Healthy circulating vitamin D levels are essential for bone health.

Recent research suggests it may play a role in muscle health, and that there is a link between vitamin D deficiency and a loss of muscle strength and mass. However, researchers need to investigate this potential connection further. A 2017 study found that adult females with moderate body compositions and lower body fat levels tended to have higher levels of circulating active vitamin D.

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The researchers conclude that vitamin D may contribute to muscle health indirectly by acting on fatty tissues. Scientists need to perform more studies to see whether this connection applies to wider populations.

Zinc

Zinc is an essential trace element known to help control muscle growth and repair. To date, researchers have focused mainly on how zinc affects muscle regulation. The substance may have links to age-related muscle loss, also called sarcopenia. A 2018 review found that only an observational study suggested a correlation between zinc intake and physical performance in older adults. With this in mind, experts need to conduct more studies before they can determine zinc’s role in physical performance.

Magnesium

Magnesium is an important part of different enzymatic reactions that impact muscular performance during exercise. Researchers believe the mineral may also help maintain muscle integrity during strenuous activities. A 2019 study found that taking 400 mg of magnesium per day for 3 weeks helped reduce muscle damage in 18 male professional cyclists.

DHEA

Dehydroepiandrosterone is a precursor molecule that the body converts into the hormones testosterone and estradiol. These increase protein production and consumption, in turn, increasing muscle growth and strength.

Ginseng

Some studies have found that ginseng may help prevent certain conditions, such as diabetes or aging, trigger muscle loss. One 2017 study found that treating muscle cells with black ginseng extract promoted muscle-specific gene expression and cellular differentiation. This helped the muscle cells grow larger, wider, and thicker, and enhanced cellular activity.

Fenugreek

Researchers need to find out more about this herb.

One study in male mice showed that fenugreek extract boosted endurance and fatty acid use during exercise. The research also suggests fenugreek may have fat reducing properties. Compounds in fenugreek extract may increase testosterone levels by blocking the body from converting it into other sex hormones.

Safed musli

Safed musli is a medicinal plant used in traditional Indian medicine to treat male sexual disorders, most likely by increasing testosterone levels. More studies on safed musli are needed to understand whether it may also improve muscle mass, repair, endurance, or strength.

5-alpha-hydroxy-laxogenin

medicalnewstoday.com - Natural steroids: Do they exist and safety concerns

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