Androstenedione as a dietary supplement
Androstenedione is a hormone naturally produced by the adrenal glands, ovaries, and testicles, functioning as a precursor to both testosterone and estrogen. As a dietary supplement, it is often promoted for its potential to enhance sports performance, increase muscle mass, boost energy levels, and improve sexual function. However, scientific evidence supporting these claims is largely inconclusive, with studies indicating that androstenedione does not significantly increase testosterone levels or improve athletic performance in men. Instead, it has been noted to raise estrogen levels, which may lead to undesirable effects, especially in men, such as the development of feminine characteristics.
The typical dosage recommendation for androstenedione is 100 milligrams taken twice daily with food. Despite its usage in fitness circles, it is classified as an anabolic steroid and is banned in many sports due to concerns about safety and potential side effects. These side effects can include hormonal imbalances, increased risk of certain cancers, cardiovascular issues, and negative impacts on sexual health, including loss of libido and priapism. The complexity of androstenedione's effects on both men and women highlights the importance of caution and informed decision-making when considering its use as a supplement.
Androstenedione as a dietary supplement
DEFINITION: Natural substance used as a dietary supplement for specific health benefits.
PRINCIPAL PROPOSED USE: Sports performance enhancement, increase muscle, boost energy, enhance sexual function
Overview
Androstenedione is a hormone produced naturally in the body by the adrenal glands—ovaries in women and testicles in men. The body first manufactures dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), then turns DHEA into androstenedione, and finally transforms androstenedione into testosterone, the principal male sex hormone. Androstenedione is also converted into estrogen.
Some athletes use androstenedione because they believe it can build muscle and increase strength. However, the scientific evidence supporting these claims is inconclusive. Furthermore, androstenedione supplements may cause positive urine tests for illegal steroid use because they commonly contain a contaminant (19-norandrostenedione). Many sports organizations ban androstenedione, which can cause serious side effects.
Sources
Androstenedione is not an essential nutrient because the body manufactures it. It is found in meat and some plants, but supplements are needed for a therapeutic dosage.
Therapeutic Dosages
The typical recommended dose of androstenedione is 100 milligrams two times daily with food.
Therapeutic Uses
Androstenedione is said to enhance athletic performance and strength by increasing testosterone production, thereby building muscle. However, in double-blind studies, when androstenedione was given to men, it did not alter total testosterone levels or improve sports performance, strength, or lean body mass. It did, however, increase estrogen levels, an effect that would not be considered favorable. Some evidence suggests that androstenedione does raise testosterone levels in women, which is not likely to produce favorable results, and it could cause harm. The most consistent effect of androstenedione is to increase estrogen levels. Other suggested uses for androstenedione are to improve energy levels and fight fatigue. Because of its interaction with hormones, it is also offered that androstenedione could be used to treat erectile dysfunction or low libido. No scientific studies have supported these claims.
Safety Issues
Androstenedione is an anabolic steroid and is banned in all sports. There are concerns that androstenedione, like related hormones, might increase the risk of liver cancer and heart disease. In support of this last consideration, there is some evidence that androstenedione can adversely affect cholesterol levels. In addition, because androstenedione may raise testosterone levels in women, it could cause women to develop facial hair and other male-pattern appearance changes.
According to one case report, the use of androstenedione was associated with loss of libido and decreased sperm count in a twenty-nine-year-old bodybuilder. While a single case report does not prove cause and effect, androstenedione’s apparent ability to raise estrogen levels in men would be consistent with these symptoms. These findings also contradict theories on androstenedione's ability to treat male sexual dysfunction.
Another case report suggests an additional potential complication with the use of androstenedione. A man who was using androstenedione to improve his physique experienced priapism (painful continuous erection) for more than thirty hours, requiring emergency care. Previously, also while using androstenedione, he had experienced an episode lasting two to three hours that spontaneously resolved itself. It is not certain that androstenedione was the cause, but this appears to be the most likely possibility.
Other potential side effects of androstenedione supplementation include an increased risk of breast, prostate, and pancreatic cancers; cardiac issues; hormonal imbalance; aggression; and sex-specific changes in secondary sexual characteristics.
Bibliography
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