Both men and women need a certain level of naturally occurring steroids in the body to build muscles and increase bulk. This is even more important for people over the age of 25, since natural levels of testosterone in males and progesterone in females begin to decline after this age. Bodybuilders and other athletes have long used prohormones to encourage muscle growth and repair, but how effective are they? While some formulas claim to encourage healthy muscle growth and a steady supply of the essential hormone, many fail to produce results.

Used as a prohormone to testosterone, 4-androstenediol (4-AD) is designed to increase the natural production of testosterone throughout tissues in the body, making it easier to build muscle naturally. The 4-AD combination is used in many prohormone blends, but Advanced Muscle Science 4-AD is made with a proprietary blend and can be used both as a pre-workout stimulant and for its testosterone-enhancing effects.

Why Choose 4-AD?
4-AD contains high levels of the enzyme 3beta-HSD, offering a higher rate of conversion and delivery to the body. It contains more male characteristic-enhancing properties, and is considered to be more androgenic as a result. Providing a quick boost before a workout, 4-AD can start to convert hormones into testosterone in a relatively short period of time.

Who Uses Testosterone Supplements?
Testosterone boosters fall under the anabolic category for nutritional supplements and are often used by bodybuilders and other athletes who have rigorous training schedules. Products such as Advanced Muscle Science 4-AD can increase hormone production, encouraging muscle cells to grow and achieve a more “masculine” look. Female bodybuilders can also use 4-AD and other testosterone boosters to enhance their performance. The supplements can be a part of any weight-gaining and training program, but many experts continue to debate the real value and benefits of testosterone shots and supplements.

Still, stimulating testosterone levels with steroid hormones isn’t just for athletes. Many people who are at risk for Alzheimer’s disease may benefit from testosterone supplementation and increasing prohormones in the body to manage their condition. Researchers have discovered that testosterone can decrease the body’s levels of b-amyloid peptides, the precursors to plaque formation in the brain. When taken regularly, testosterone supplements may help limit the effects of Alzheimer’s and other debilitating health conditions.

What’s Inside
Advanced Muscle Science 4-AD contains 3a-hydroxyetioallocholan ethyl ester, ATD, beta-sitosterol, and quercetin. One capsule is the standard serving, and can be taken before a workout for its stimulant effects.

Supplementation Side Effects
The major steroid hormones, including cortisol, testosterone, progesterone, and estrogen, are all necessary for muscle growth. However, testosterone itself increases male hormonal levels with noticeable side effects. Common indicators of excess testosterone in the body include:

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  Increased aggression.

  
  


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  Facial and body acne.

  
  


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  Frequent breakouts and skin irritation.

  
  


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  Male pattern baldness.

  
  


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  An enlarged prostate in men.

  
  


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  Increased appetite.

  
  


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  Excess facial hair.

  
  


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  Deepened voice.

  
  

In general, men can adapt to these changes relatively easy, but women may have more difficulty keeping their hormonal levels in check without appropriate supplementation.

—Sabah Karimi