Synthetic or natural steroids in sport – what you need to know

Steroids are organic compounds, more specifically lipids, that occur naturally in the body and perform the function of hormones. Steroids are the male and female sex hormones – androgens and estrogens. Another type of steroids are corticosteroids, which are made in the adrenal gland and have a key role in metabolism. Steroids are also found in plants – they are called phytosterols or herb steroids.

In sports, the most popular are anabolic-androgenic steroids, which are synthetic substances.

Basically, anabolic means using the body’s energy to stimulate growth and constructive metabolism.

Organic anabolic steroids, such as the male sex hormone testosterone, are responsible for potency, strength, endurance, muscle mass and libido. When the body produces less testosterone, there is a decrease in energy, muscle mass and sex drive in men.

And of course, synthetic substances are developed to compensate for it.

What are synthetic steroids?

Synthetic steroids are synthetic testosterone or substances that mimic its functions.

They were synthesized in the 1930s for the purpose of hormone therapy for diseases such as impotence, anemia, cancer, and later AIDS. Subsequently, synthetic steroids become widely used by bodybuilders because they allow the accumulation of significant muscle mass, combined with training and a proper diet.

An interesting fact is that today synthetic anabolic steroids are used not only by bodybuilders and by people with medical diagnoses. According to statistics, about 1 million people in England use anabolic steroids solely for aesthetic purposes. This includes youths and teenagers who want to be more attractive, as well as mature men who want to look younger and fitter.

However, abuse of these substances can lead to permanent health problems. Long-term use of synthetic testosterone causes hormonal imbalance and cardiovascular disease, raises cholesterol, damages the liver and reduces the body’s ability to produce proteins and hormones on its own. Synthetic anabolics are addictive, because your body stops functioning normally if you stop them.

What are natural steroids?

They are mostly herbal steroids which, unlike synthetic ones, are organic compounds derived from plants. There are different types of plant steroids. One of the most popular are furostanol steroid saponins, with the most bioactive representative being protodioscin, and ecdysteroids with their varieties – hydroxy-ecdysterone, beta-ecdysterone, alpha-ecdysone, etc.

Furostanol saponins – protodioscin

According to studies, protodioscin increases the synthesis of Luteinizing hormone from the pituitary gland, and it regulates the secretion of testosterone in men.* The active substance, which is found in high concentration in the Bulgarian herb Tribulus Terrestris, activates the androgen cell receptors, regulates hormonal balance, supports positive nitrogen balance and protein synthesis in the muscles, and has been proven to enhance sexual desire and support the natural production of sex hormones.*

Phytoecdysteroids

Ecdysteroids are extracted from spinach, quinoa or leuzea. They closely resemble testosterone in structure and function, but unlike it, they do not have the negative side effects of synthetic steroids.* Ecdysteroids have been shown to increase muscle mass and strength in people who train regularly.* Despite the absence of harmful effects, their inclusion in the list of prohibited substances for professional athletes has been discussed for several years, the reason being precisely their high efficiency.

The most concentrated form of ecdysteroids is turkesterone. It is an anabolic hormone that is synthesized naturally in the adrenal gland. Turkesterone stimulates the growth of muscle tissue, reduces body fat, increases strength, endurance and bone density.* Turkesterone is extracted from plants such as Ajuga turkestanica, Vitex, Triticum aestivum and Rhaponticum acaule.

Synthetic or plant steroids?

Many people combine both. After taking synthetic anabolic steroids, the body needs recovery. Then many bodybuilders turn to herbal steroids, which regulate the hormonal balance and compensate for the lack of strength and sexual weakness after a cycle with synthetic testosterone.*

Plant steroids are preferred by people who are strongly against synthetics, as well as by professional athletes (excluding bodybuilders) who cannot afford synthetic anabolics because of doping tests.

Yet synthetic or herbal steroids?

We support any decision as long as it is informed and well-dosed. The important thing is to observe your body to find out how it reacts to everything you take, and ultimately – to comply with it.

VemoHerb Bulgarian Tribulus

Increases strength and muscle growth*
Increases energy during daily workouts*
Helps the body rid itself of toxins accumulated during physical overworks*
Decreases fat levels while building muscles*
Enhances sexual desire*
Supports the natural production of sex hormones*
The only original Bulgarian Tribulus extract, standardized to 60% furostanol saponins (protodioscine)!

VemoHerb Ecdysterone

Stimulates protein synthesis*
Promotes fast muscle growth*
Positively influences the endurance, reflexes and physical condition of athletes*
It can be used as muscle building (anabolic) stimulant and adaptogen*
Increases protein synthesis, muscle growth, strength, endurance*
Improves muscular strength and stamina*

VemoHerb Bulgarian Tribulus + VemoHerb Ecdysterone

The combination of VemoHerb® Bulgarian Tribulus and VemoHerb® Ecdysterone increases energy during daily workouts and increases muscle growth and strength.*

VemoHerb Turkesterone

Supports the gain of lean muscle mass*
Contributes to faster exercise recovery*
Stimulates protein synthesis*
Powerful adaptogen properties for quicker adapting to stress and fatigue*
Antioxidant activity*