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'I ',II,I~ 16 flODYOPL':; - DUC~IAINE

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11'1' CHAPTER 4

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THE USUAL WARNINGS: ON DOCTORS, DRUGS AND THE FDA

CAN I :\SSlJ\-IE that most readers of this bopk are healthy, phys­ically acrive and (I hope) not overweight? Good! However. I must warn you about the temporary changes to your metabo­

1\,1'1II{,II , 1111,

lism that ,he BODYOPUS DiCl will cause. Yl'ur blood pressure may decrease. Your blood sugar levels

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11

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will radically plummet over 5 days. Your body v,rill produce fat byprodu<:ts thar slighlly acidify the bloml. If yon aren't careful, some minerals, notably potassium, calcium and magnesium, will be excreted rapidly. In hal climates, you might dehydrate

II' 1'1'III easily. Alrhough these negative effects are possible, I am coo­"inced thaI the net health gains 0utweigh the risks.

11'1'1:I II, \.1ost of the "diny lricks" and shonculs I will discuss art' considered incorrect by dogmatic MDs, the AMA and the FDA.

I

I 1'\" '1 11

1

1 1

, I Quick, easy fal loss is considered unnecessary by rhe American Medical Club.

I 'II I ,I, 'I'I II', To the arhletically inclined and the life extensionisLs. the

FDA is an adversary To improve your meraholisrn with prescrip­

'I' 'I11,1 ' ,II' ,

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tion drugs, unapproved foreign drug.,;; or grealer-than-rrcognized amount" or nutrients, is an arouow; task. The FDA considers Ihis

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19 BODYOFUS - DUCHAlt';El8

practice frivolous, unnecessary and possibly dangerous. All of the drugs you'll encomHer in chis book have been

used by athletes and life c](tensionist<;, along with millions of mdi1'lary people h\ing outside the Uniteu Stales. All or these slibstances ;.lrc effective, non-toxic and henign in eHeer and sIde

effect. ::-.Jane or drugs or nl1Tnt>nIS 1"1\ mention are illegal to use,

possess or import. Although the FDA tries to interfere with their importaUon, distribution and transportation, they cannot "ban"

drugs. Only Congress and the DEA haH, the dULhori.\v to uu this. Some drugs arc illegal in certain states, but this varies,

Perhaps the word. "drug" makes you antsy. In BODYOPCS, "drug" is uot a fOUT-letter word. The legal and sciemific defini­tion or ~he (erm "tlru~" i.-; (lH~ (chemical or nutrient) substance that infiuences the metabolism in a dis.cernible way. [n the

United StaleS, there are three broad categories of drugs, Over_rhe_counter (OTC) drugs can be purchased any~

where, from drug stores 10 gas stations. OTC drugs are milu

wedieations [or minor ailments. Prescription drugs are more potenl medicat10ns that

require a doctor's authorization. They are dispensed from phar­macies, dooors' offices, hospio;als and dinit:s. Prescription drugs have traveled througr. the labyrilltlline FDA testing process. Once <l tlwg is approved, rhe FDA has little, if any, cOnLnl\ over

what a doctor prescribes it for. Some prescription drugs Lhal have dependency potential at

re(reationa: purposes are nnde.r [he control of the DEA. Most of lhese drugs are labeled "narcolies.~ Sometimes dnlgs are reclas­

silied as narcotics because of political pressure. For example. anabolic sterojus were fairly ordinary prescription dtug.... until they were Scheduled in 1990. Steroids are called "n<lu.;olics··

BODYl'['US - Dt'CHA1NE

even though they don't cause dependence and arec', used recrt'­ationally.

Recteational drugs are considered to be dang~rous and withont mcdical purpose. fOL Lilt:: mu"L pan, these drug~ are not manufactured by legitimate drug companies, nor can they be prescribed by doctors. However, there ate always cxceplior.s. For example, COcaine is still used in the g>llIzt> p:1.cking after rhinoplasty. Marijuana is used oceasionally in chemmherapy and with glaucoma patients.

Of course, the rest of the world doesn't have :0 follow the FD& rules. You'll fiml a plethora 01 effective and "afe drugs (both OTC and prescription) thai are similar, if not identical, to

the FDA-approved ones in this country, ~1any of the~(' foreign drugs <lre as effective and safe as the CS vn"iun". There are highly rotent (etgo, desirahle) metabolic aids that for one rea­son or ~uother will ne....er be approved and sold in thc United States.

Every American adult can import foreign non-FDA. approved urugs fat personal use, as long as Lhe dtugs are not DcA-Scheduled. Of course, the FDA tries to make it difficnlt. There are rules and loopholes. and Cl1stoms Alcrt Bulletins an' not furnished to private ciri:ens. The mastet list 01 Customs Alert Bulletins. wh\ch is sha~d between the FDA and (he Cus­toms Sl'rvicf", is constantly being updated, Howeya, you UUl

fmd gonu bOOKS on importing urugs fat personal use in the health section of most bookstores. Many longeVity alld exercise magazines contain advertisements fot books that list foteig~

mail-order wmpanies. Even FDA-approved prescription drug.'i ate cheaper when purchased outside the fDA-Ar-.L4. Pharma­ceutical Buying Club.

]11 the FDA'~ \-iew, the innocuous health lood store sellin,?;

11\ -.

20 21 BODYOPliS - DCCHAl:'lEBODYClPU5 - DUCHAll\r.

herbs, vit3mins, minerals and amino acids is a dangerous unreg­ulated pharmacy. Remember, any substance that changes the body is a drug. The FDA views herbs and large amounts of nutrients as toxic, hannful and candIdates for future removal.

There arc two broad L,negories of substances in heallh food stores. Vitamins, mlnerals, amiuo acids, proleins, carbo­hydrates and [ats are nutrients, the minor and major foods needed for life. In addilion, the FDA maintains (he GRAS list

(things that are Generally Recognized As Safe), which contains a vast array (and this list is puhlished) of chemicals. This list includes herbs and food additives (stabilizers, foaming agems, ful"vorings), the various brie-a-brae necessary to manufacture modern processed foods. Often barh research and folklore will sugges l the use of GRAS ingredients in a purified form or large

doses to cause a drug-like action. The second calq~ory consistS of uon-GRAS drug-like

chemicals. ~on-GRAS suhs\anc6 are nol supposed to be sold 10

the public, bUl they are. Confnsed? You should be. The rules don't have to be logical In fact. many of them go against valid medieal research and plain common sense. for example, chromium is a lrace mineral deemed essential to nonnal health (and nrst place at {he car show). Various chehues of chromium are sold in health food stores - legally, of course. Large doses act like insulin, making chromium beneficial to diabetics and

athletes alike. Vanadium, in a more soluhle form called vanadyl suUaLe, is

even more efTective_ Vanadyl sulfate might be necessary for human life; scieutists and the FDA aren't too sure. Vauadyl sul­fate is not on Ihe GRAS list and. techni.cal\.y; according to FDA rules, shouldn't he ingested at all. However, many health food stores and mail-order compame<; do setl vanady\ sulfate in vari­

ous forms. Is this a violation of fDA pc)licy? Yes. Has the FDA curtailed its sale by enforcing the drug labeling and transporta­tion la""-'S? :--.Jo. Cal1 they banish vanadyl from health food stores? Yes. \Vill they? No one knows. but I wouldn't be snrprised.

ThIS example illustrates how an il1nocuous and popular item can become enmeshed in (he bewildering maze of approved and non-approved dmgs, l1uLrient and nOI1-l1utrient GR.AS items. The simplest nutrients can tangle up with laws (civil and criminal). rules. regulaLlons and simple naticmal agency grudge matches.

All of rhe drugs and subsLances mentioned in BODYOPUS are remarkably (even st:lnlingly) efTeel.ive, safe, health-promot­ing and legal to buy and use. Al1abolic steroids are, in most instances, illegal to possess and buy, but they will occasionally be discussed simply because they have historically been the most dramatiC ami-catabolic drugs.

Now. lets discuss docrors: MDs and DOs. I've alway'S had a problem v.'ith doctors, but it would be stupid for me to say that doctors are adversaries like the fDA. Physicians are essen­tial 10 main win al1d restore proper health - at least the pre­vailil1g normal, status quo types of health thaL most physicians buy into with membership in the American Medical Club

Doclors are necc>;sary to cure or alleviate moderate 10 severe ailments, al1d (J would hope) to prevcnt future health prohlems. Unfortunately, because of high medical C05[S or lack of insurance (or both) most people uon'l ....ish lheir doctor when they appear and feel ~healthy:" If I guessed that you spent more time aud money on things like hair, skin and naib than on med­ical tare. would I he right?

lndi.... iduals who are physically fit and nUlritiol1ally selec­tive are surprisingly cavalier IOwards their medical upkeep.

23

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,IIII B{)/)'.'oP,;~ - DUCHAII\E22

111 They see a doctor w~el1 Slllncthing i" (usually very) ....,ong. Reg­'I, "\1\1I il uhn exacise, good nutrition, n..-oirl:mcp of lobacco and alcohol,I, 'I

'I ill blah, blah, blah. We know the drill. All of these good habits will

I\1 11 I help you to a'-'aid many health problems and feci bella th;m

i 1111: mJny sedentary people do However .. A snarl physician would ten you lbal a feeling of hlness is

I '1 1

11: nm an accurate indication of good health. Athlcles wi1l some­

times [oohsh1,y ignore woss signs of abuse - aches, pains, IIII

II minor illJuries. tiredness - as jU~~ part of the tralning. Often. I1 1

I1

[hey (NSS over [rom admirable discipline w plain slUhbornnc~­1111 i 1 \ Re,gu]ar vi"ilS \0 a donor nre just as important for athleres. You

I III don't gc'_ any waivers just hecausc you appear to be healthier

lhan more sedentary people. I I~ I in (rpng to pursue sUiJra-heahh, bodybuddt:r:i and liff'

extensicnisLs ~ill ha.. e problems with docwrs. Dealing with a 11111' general practitioner can be a supremely lrustratmg experience.I ,I" There's one basic re("'lIrring problem. A confrontation arises

lI II

because the patient asks the donor for help in lmpr(/\!;ng his metabolism, perhaps o~ fortifying or replacing hormones.dl

IIl adding drugs or mcgauosing on unusual nurriems. 1n the physi­I I cian's mind, the pursuit of thiS goal IS unnecessary, uuwise,

(potenlially:' unheahhy and, most importantly, immoral as

1\ American medicine defilles ""haL docLors should be domg with' I , , , II'I patients,

I ' It dODT\'t help matters that Ihe concepts of supra~health, athletic perfonnance and longeviry are not Laught ill ally med­

ical srhoo1 that I am aware of. You won't find these specialists IIII

IIII

listed in the Yellow Pages. Spans medicine specialists devote

most of their tim~ to trCil[i.ng injuries.I "I~I With so many uocrors m the pbone hook, you'd think that

the IllW of averab':es woulu enable you tu find u sympathetic,

I '1IIi~ Ii

B(lDYOPUS - DiJCH .... I>lE

enlightened physicIan willing to work with you to achieve the Platonic ideal of supra-he31rh. Be\\iare: "sympaheric" doesn't necessarily mean qualifted. It's disappointing that most of the dOctors that have helped me with my bodybUilding ende:nmrs over the last twenty years have been - well- benign quacks. Yes, Ihey were 'Willing lO help. They wrote appropnutc pre­scripIicHlS and were concerned With my progress - but they didn't understand what tbey were doing and why. Looking back to some: of those consultations I think, "I can't belie..-e that a uoctor conld have said that! I was SO gullible to have believed him."

I'm still cautiously optimistic aboul the p05sibilil)' of find­ing an American MD who 1S a supra-health expert. I:'s an eco­nOllll( prohlml. Yon'll probahly nerd In visit a doCIOr'; olTice far away from home, and "shopping" for docLors isn't free. Office vi~it~ ll..'~t mOlley eve!1 if yuu lIcw~r phIl w corne back. Gee used to wasting a lOL of time en isolated visils unlil yon find an

acceptahle pbysician. Networking can help. but don't limit your­self to just like-minded friends. In many instancrs, nutritionists and chiropractors are the most qualified proresslonals. Try to

find a compromise of two, or eyell three, lIledlcal prufes~i()nab

working together. Many MDs now recommend nutritionisL5, and some states allow chiropractors to order blood tesLs.

I'm ashamed to say Iha[ I've had to use tWo MDs who wrrr not working together. I (rusl my local physician fur regular health maintenance, She's been marvelous at it. Dnl ~!Lerlt::.. er I

tried discussing bodybuilding or longeviLY drugs with her, jts

like I became Sat.an. So 1 just use another dOelor, one of the benign quack types, \0 write out the unusual American pre­scrip[iDns.

A national lisl of supra-health professionals is sorely

III I

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~i'1111111"I' 11111111, 11,1

11 , BOD,OPUS - Dt.:CHAINE

1'1 ,1, 24

"i III ' needed, but it won't happen until we an get together - bouy­

'I" 1 ,1 ""

1 builders, life extensionisL<; and 'smart drug" people. 1\'1,11,1 BODYOPCS involves drugs, doctors and the FDA. I've

always aspired to optimize bodies beyond what nm be accom­I 11'1 1'

I, 'I plished v.ith prudent eating and caUtious, moderate exercise, beyond the idea of "excellent health~ for hoth the general pop­II' "I \1'I ulation and the American medical profession.

111\111111 What would be the highest stan&ard? 1 won't accept the old excuse of "good genes." An enhanced metabolism altai.ned through manipulation with nutrients, other suhstances (GRAS

II 111111

111I111I11 or not) and prescription drugs (approved or not! is my ambition 11,11 1

11 and talent. 11

1111 [ hope that we're in agreement on the ideal - superior

IIII"II'!' health, longevity, vigor and aesthetics. Is lhat too much to ask II I" 11'1 [or? I hope not. Other diet and exerrise programs \\-ilh the best

11111111I111 of intentions can ultimately damage the body. All melabolic aids 1 1,11 I _vitamins, minerals, amino acids, chemicals, recognized phar­1

maceuticals _ are, to put it blnntly, drugging the body. As dis­1111111 \1 11 tasteful as the label o[ "drug" is to Americans. they do improve

. 1 1

our lives. We can't cheat death, but the quality of an aging body III' can be influenced.

II II In this book, you'll encounler idcas that can change your 1

1

1 body into something you thought wasn't possible, even when

11 '111 you've tried almost everything else. In this uncharted territory,

the legal, moral and social status of many of the methods andI,ll substances recommended is constantly in flux. For example, at

I ' Iill this particular moment lhe FDA is expending tremendous effon ',' ,I to control the sale of vitamins, minerals and amino acids. Many I 'II

of the innocuous bUl 'viral heallh food items of lOday could be I"

the prescription drugs l)r tomorrow. (Hands up, amino junkies!) Reauiug this information is one thing, but pUlting it into

BODYOPU5 - Dt:CHAINE 25

practice is something else. Rememher, a smart physician is not some traitor to the cause. Before you begin a diet and exercise program, even if you've been exercising regularly and feel fine, book an office visit. The uoctor may roll his eyes when you relate your mission, but don't make this metabolic adventure a secret from him. The most prudent thing to do \hlUld be [Q pur­chase: an additional copy of this hook for your physiuan, We might convert him!

None of the foreign drugs suggesteu are illegal III pllssess However, some individuals become so frustrated with US Cus­roms' confiscations of their foreign mail-order drugs that they act deceptive and sneaky The recommendations in DODYOPlJS are not illegal, but fraudulent behavior and smuggling Qre, Find the applicable regulations and follow lhem. FDA-granled priv­ileges are not ideal, but the alternative is a new policy of,1O priv­ileges. The FDA can change its rulings overnight. Take it from someone who knows: I uon't recommend the criminal flip side

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174 BODYOPUS - DUCHAINE

My final advice with clenbuterol? Try it infrequently - just don't get married to it.

CHAPTER 27

ANTI-ESTROGENS

ANTI-ESTROGEN USE is amazingly common in bodybuilders, not \ only in America but around the world. Outside of this subcul­

ture, it is virtually unknown. Over 14 years ago, I postulated that one anti-estrogen, Nolvadex, might help prevent breast cancer. I was also alarmed (back in 1982) by the amount of estrogenic substances in common foods, like wheat germ oil. Now mainstream science has caught up to me; there are clini­cal trials using Nolvadex in women at a high risk for breast can­cer. A recent study finally conceded that estrogenic compounds

~in common foods affect metabolism adversely in both men and [)women. Back in 1980, all of the doctors thought I was com­i, pletely nuts to worry about estrogen in seemingly healthy male and female bodybuilders.

I believe that I was the first person to use anti-estrogens on bodybuilders, first with women and later with men. Back in 1981, I noticed that female bodybuilders were not successful at stripping away lower body fat. NoW; we have a pretty good idea why women have trouble losing lower body fat, which you learned about in the last few chapters. Back then, I was still groping for an answer. I saw that it was women who had the

177 176 BODYOPUS - DUCHAiNE

lower fat problem, not men. I reasoned that it must be estrogen that caused the problem. Even today, many physicians hold this assumption.

I was able to persuade my female training partner to try Nolvadex, but I had a damned hard time trying to convince a physician to write a prescription for it. Back then, Nolvadex was only used on late-stage breast cancer tumors. The MDs had no idea what I was gibbering about. I persevered, and finally got a prescription through the shabbiest of methods, involving a gonzo male bodybuilder, a lonely doctor, and the ruse: "Doc! I gotta have cancer either in my testicles or my prostate and you gotta check it out ... " Need I elaborate?

Nolvadex was a good newslbad news kind of thing. When taking 40 mg of Nolvadex per day, we saw discernible overall fat loss, tightening of the physique and a small reduction in lower body fat. The bad news: it did not make a dramatic difference in the lower body It was, in my mind, a disappointment. Over the next few years women tried larger dosages (up to 60 mg a day) along with other anti-estrogens like Proviron. Although the anti-estrogens did make a difference in overall fat loss, the lower body fat problem did not get solved.

Male bodybuilders started using Nolvadex and Proviron to combat the aromatization (estrogen conversion) of high dosages of anabolic steroids. Higher estrogen in males was claimed to

promote gynecomastia, the creation of small benign tumors in the breast area, which is partially true. Estrogen was also being blamed for increased water retention and fat accumulation, which is also partially true. Men blamed estrogen completely because male bodybuilders are unusually sensitive about having any female hormones at all.

After 12 years, Nolvadex is still being used by both male

BODYOPUS - DUCHAINE

and female bodybuilders. It must be working; bodybuilders will qUickly abandon a drug if there is no bang for the buck. I've dieted with and without Nolvadex, and I lost fat faster with

r, Nolvadex. Anti-estrogens are currently a matter of economics. You have encountered many more potent dieting drugs in this book. Clenbuterol and yohimbe are more cost-effective, too. However, anti-estrogens can be of value in some capacity: Let's discuss the popular ones in use in bodybuilding.

NOLVADEX (TAMOXIFEN CITRATE)

Both women and men use 20 to 40 mg per day while diet­ing. While Nolvadex is a prescription drug in America, it is over­

. the-counter in Mexico. Nolvadex works in hoth sexes, even if It you aren't using anabolic steroids. It has a perceptible but not!' ~ dramatic effect on fat loss. Some women have reported gains in Vstrength and muscle preservation. Nolvadex works by binding \' the estrogen receptor so that the estrogen in the blood has no , place to roost.

To a layperson, Nolvadex's effects are subtle, but many dieters swear by it; it has a cultish quality about it. High dosages

':c'{over 40 mg) haven't proven to work visibly better. Most female jbodybuilders use it infrequently, so it doesn't cause any notice­t'able bone density loss. But really, how could we tell? ~I Although Nolvadex has been almost a dieting tradition in !':"bodybuilding, I hope that Nolvadex use in women will decline 'now that yohimbe is recognized as a better way to reduce lower ibody fat. Women at very low body fat levels (under 10 percent)

! Usually have a problem with maintaining facial fat, the old SUck-face problem. Nolvadex exacerbates this effect. Besides, at very low body fat levels, women produce very little estrogen anyway Women who have a problem with excessive gauntness

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178 BODY OPUS - DUCHAINE

in the face would look better without Nolvadex. Women who have high body fat levels will find Nolvadex to be worthwhile. I know it "works," and so do thousands of bodybuilders. But don't try to explain it to your doctor unless you enjoy the MD­dangerous-ineffective-crazy song and dance.

I've also found Nolvadex to be useful in women with sys­temic lupus. Is there any research on this? No, but my personal experience shows it to be true. Middle-aged men who have higher than normal estrogen from too much body fat or too lit­tle testosterone have found Nolvadex to be a good adjunct to Proscar (the prostate drug). Nolvadex may also help counteract the recent rise in environmental estrogens. Perhaps in another 12 years or so, mainstream doctors will get the message.

That Nolvadex does have a noticeable effect on dieting is a given in the bodybuilding world. Beyond the obvious effect, there's a lot of mystery about this drug. Bodybuilders have been using Nolvadex for 12 years, but nobody has adequately explained why it "works," myself included. Some postulate that it works by reducing the amount of thyroid-binding albumin associated with high estrogen levels. Nolvadex is also anti-cata­bolic, which is most noticeable in women who are not using

steroids. The nagging mystery in my mind is the relationship

between estrogen and high amounts of A2 adrenoreceptors in lower body fat. It's given that women have more A2 receptors. The question in my mind is: when did this adrenoreceptor ratio start? Is it genetic, set before birth? Or does it start in puberty? Pre-adolescent girls have a fat distribution similar to boys the same age. Women who have Cushing's Syndrome (excess corti­sol), have a curious migration of body fat from the lower body to the upper body. To make it more interesting, fat cells have

BODYOPUS - DUCHAINE 179

almost no estrogen receptors, although they can convert andro­gens to estrogens.

I don't yet have answers to these questions. All I can say is: I took 10 mg daily of Nolvadex for close to 2 years straight. I was significantly leaner, especially in the lower body. When I didn't use Nolvadex, I was fatter. Nolvadex didn't do a Svengali transformation, but good things happened.

TESLAC (TESTOLACTONE)

Nolvadex is an after-the-fact anti-estrogen; it blocks estro­gen that is already in the bloodstream at the receptor in the tar­get tissue. It is a good choice for women who have naturally high ovarian estrogen production.

In men, however, estrogen is usually elevated through aromatization of testosterone, naturally occurring or from ana­bolic steroids. Most of this conversion occurs in the muscle cells, but fat cells convert more androgens as men age.

There are some excellent reasons to control androgen aromatization. Obviously, an androgen (natural or synthetic) is no longer an anabolic substance once converted to estrogen. In addition, low estrogen will guard against fat accumulation.

Men's breast tissue, like women's, has numerous estrogen receptors. The most benign symptom of men with high estrogen

. (other than making Floyd look bewitching) is a slight swelling of the breast tissue. As the symptoms become more extreme, hard lumps develop which must be removed with surgery.

.',Whenever men's estrogen levels are higher than normal,

iii the number of androgen receptors in the prostate increases. This sensitizes it to minute amounts of dihydrotestosterone, and

ii' causes enlargement. Although Nolvadex is an effective estrogen . , antagonist and can be used in these circumstances, it doesn't

181

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i

180 BODYOPUS - DUCHAINE BODYOPUS - DUCHAINE

work at the source. In theory, a drug that inhibits the conversion Proviron is not recommended for women because it has of androgens to estrogen would be a good idea. Translating the androgenic side effects. For the athlete without anabolic steroid idea to reality has been a frustrating process. supplementation, Proviron will cause a drop in testosterone

Teslac, for example, would seem to be a perfect aromatase because it blocks natural testosterone at the receptor level. And, inhibitor. It blocks both the conversion of testosterone to estra­ of course, it is a felony to possess and use Proviron without a diol and the other androgens (notably androstenedione) to the valid foreign prescription. Proviron has recently fallen out of less potent estrone. Teslac has been available since the 1950s favor, not so much because it doesn't work, but because it does and has FDA approval for tumor reduction in breast cancer. As not achieve the effects as elegantly as Teslac does. a bonus in men, Teslac raises testosterone. With all of the advan­tages, you'd think that it would be used as often as Nolvadex. In CYTADREN (AMINOGLUTETHIMIDE) fact, Teslac is rarely used. Why? Cytadren also causes aromatase inhibition, and has been

The first problem is cost. The recommended dosage, 5 successfully used in post-menopausal women and breast cancer tablets per day, costs $25! In addition, Teslac is not available in patients. It is still the wild child drug, enticing yet uncontrol­Mexico. Although various cheap European generics are listed in lable; you need too high a dosage to achieve the effect. the Merck Index, none have actually been produced.

If I had been writing this book a few years ago, I would CONCLUSION have been concerned about Teslac's high cost and lack of avail­ The effectiveness of these anti-estrogens has not changed ability. However, with today's new fat loss alternatives, Teslac is over the years, only our perception of it. Back in the mid-1970s, no big deal. The effect of excess estrogen has been magnified out anabolic steroids were the mainstay of dieting, then thyrOid hor­of proportion. RedUcing estrogen does have a discernible effect, mone and mild diuretics at contest time. but after considering all of the other drugs available, anti-estro­ Nolvadex was introduced to bodybuilders in 1981. It gens are pretty low on my list of Diet All-Stars. seemed glamorous and mysterious because it was new and vis­

ibly effective. It developed a cult-like follOWing. Many female PROVIRON (MESTERONE) athletes who would not consider using anabolic steroids or thy­

Proviron is another aromatase-inhibitor. This non-FDA­ roid hormone, embraced Nolvadex with no ethical qualms. Per­approved androgen is much cheaper than Teslac. Proviron binds haps they embraced it not for its phYSical effects, but because it at the androgen receptors, with a higher affinity than either . fulfilled an emotional-sexual agenda. It's not that they wanted to testosterone or dihydrotestosterone. It has no anabolic proper­ be more like men (as anabolic steroids would do), but to con­ties. trol a previously uncontrollable estrogenic destiny. I know

Is this a problem? For the steroid-using male athlete, no. female athletes who are dependent on Nolvadex - not because However, aside from this small group, Proviron has problems. of its physical effects, but because they dread the estrogenic

182 BODYOPUS - DUCHAINE

rebound when they stop taking it. After stopping Nolvadex, a woman can expect fat accumulation, water retention, emotional depression and physical weakness - which are a supreme test for some women's self-esteem.

In the grand hierarchy of diet drugs, anti-estrogens are now considered below average. Certainly, you will get better effects with c1enbuterol, yohimbe, ephedrine and phenformin. After all of these, choose Nolvadex or Teslac. Although anti-estrogens can be helpful for a variety of other maladies, they are an unnec­essary luxury for dieters.

CHAPTER 28

APPETITE SUPPRESSANTS

CONTEST BODYBUILDERS are at their physical zenith. After viewing such perfectly lean, tanned, shaven and groomed bodies, an "out­sider" assumes that such divine-looking specimens must have tremendous discipline and resolve. You might think that the bodybuilders who have made it to contest-ready shape were suc­cessful because of will power and fortitude in the face of hunger, suffering and anxiety. However, many people who call them­selves bodybuilders don't always "make it" to single-digit lean­ness, for the same reasons that normal people fail at dieting ­

"~i they succumb to hunger and anxiety. Other problems - thyroid !)hormone, adrenoreceptor ratios, and so forth - are never actu­~ally encountered.

The picture of the rigidly disciplined, stoic bodybuilder, } semi-starving his body into submission is appealing to many,

but there's a dirty little secret among a good number of com­petitors who did "make it." A number are complete fuck-ups! If they had to get by on willpower, they'd be at the Mr. Couch Potato contest instead of the Mr. Olympia.

Whenever I have a choice in the matter, I'd rather coach an athlete who doesn't need to use appetite suppressants. However,

185

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184 BODYOPUS - DUCHAINE

I've had experience with a number of them from mild to wild, either personally or through my athletes. Most of these drugs are not dangerous or life-threatening, although, like most diet pills, they can cause dependency. But you already knew that.

Anorectics are not a free ride; they will eventually exact a price for their effects. For that matter, ephedrine, ampheta­mine's better-behaved cousin, causes the same dependence prob­lems on a small scale.

Two of the thermogenic agents, ephedrine and c1enbuterol, blunt hunger quite well because they slow gastric emptying. Because the food sits in the stomach longer, the body is fooled into thinking you are eating enough. This "side effect" has been a pleasant surprise to many people.

All of the other really effective anorectics are DEA-sched­uled prescription drugs. Prescriptions for DEA-scheduled drugs cannot be refilled without a doctor's authorization, which shows how people's opinion of diet pills has changed over the years. During the 1970s, diet pills, even Schedule II amphetamines, were freely given by regular doctors to non-obese dieters. Dur­ing World War II, amphetamines were openly given to military personnel, with no prescriptions or doctors around.

The new Puritan morality is being applied to anorectic drugs for dieting. It's hard to convince a doctor to write a pre­scription for diet pills unless you are morbidly obese.

There may have been a time when too many people were dependent on diet pills. However, I think that the recent over­reaction to anorectics is somewhat extreme. There are a number of bodybuilders who need anorectics; without them they would never get into contest shape. These athletes are not absolute fuck-ups. They train hard and sacrifice much of the personal and financial lives to pursue their seemingly frivolous endeav-

BODYOPUS - DUCHAINE

ors. On contest day they are transcendent, a shining zenith of ~ elusive physical god-like perfection. The audience, the photog­

raphers, the judges and the sports historians don't care how such perfection was arrived at.

Ironically, the most accessible anorectics, cocaine and methamphetamines, are now street drugs simply because real

,; doctor-prescribed anorectics are no longer easy to find. I wish it 'were different, and as a personal prejudice I've avoided even

learning about the street anorectics. However, I do have experi­ence with the FDA-approved (albeit Scheduled) anorectics. To avoid any mention of them would be to avoid my personal responsibility to make such knowledge available, even though such things are now in disfavor.

I'll tell you flat out that I am not an Anorectic Guru. I'm I" sure that many obesity specialists could teach me a lot. How­, ever, I do know more than the usual pedestrian diet expert, and

how many doctors specialize in the use of anorectics for healthy athletes?

It is against Federal law to import anorectics unless you leave the country, get the drugs with a foreign prescription, and hand carry them back. Diet pills are Scheduled because they have the potential for abuse and dependence. I will limit this

~,discussion to the least controlled category, Schedule IV drugs. lFor reference, anabolic steroids are Schedule III because they {supposedly have more potential for dependency. Go figure. ~ With all of these dire warnings out of the way, I'd like to it

pstart this discussion with the most valuable anorectic of all. For the life of me I cannot understand why it's Scheduled. Sixty-five percent of the adult population is overweight, and a truly ben­eficial drug is locked away in the Scheduled category where doc­tors tread too lightly.

187 BODYOPUS - DUCHAINE186

Pondimin (fenfluramine) is available in America in 20 mg tablets, and in 75 mg capsules and a transdermal patch in Europe. Pondimin is unique because it is not a central nervous system stimulant. All of the other appetite suppressants try to

mimic the action of amphetamine. Daytime appetite is usually not the problem. By keeping

busy and using thermogenic drugs like ephedrine and clen­buterol, appetite is reasonably controlled during the day. Because you must time the dosages of thermogenic drugs to wear off by evening (so you can sleep), they can't help you at

night. The elegance of Pondimin is that it is a central nervous sys­

tem depressant. Pondimin will not keep you awake at night ­quite the opposite. In addition, research has not shown it to have the dependence hazards of the other anorectics.

Most American bodybuilders don't use Pondimin while dieting because they are unfamiliar with its unique properties and American MDs are usually hesitant to prescribe such a drug to an obviously non-overweight person. In Europe, the capsules are extremely popular, used at night after taking ther­mogenic drugs during the day.

I don't have as many nice things to say about the other anorectics. All of the other prescription anorectics are deriva­tives of the "gold standard" of the anorectics, amphetamine, which is a popular street drug. Amphetamine is still an FDA­approved drug, but is quite restricted because it's Schedule II. All of the lesser anorectics try to generate the same appetite sup­pression without the extreme side effects of amphetamine.

The problem with these stimulants is that you are so, well, stimulated - euphoric, energetic and without fatigue. People don't use them infrequently as they should, but constantly, until

rt

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they are physically and mentally exhausted. When you stop using these anorectics, you crash, becom­

ing overwhelmingly tired, lethargic and depressed. You feel like a zombie for at least 2 weeks, and frequently more.

These dramatic side effects are not a mystery, but are cer­tainly hard to control. Even the most educated, savvy and ratio­nal athlete will overtrain while on these diet drugs. If you are using them with ephedrine and clenbuterol, the hazards of ele­vated blood pressure and heart rate are compounded.

With all of these caveats, I will briefly highlight the three anorectics most commonly used by bodybUilders.

TENUATE (D1ETHYLPRION)

Tenuate is available in 20 mg tablets that are active for a few hours. The 75 mg Tenuate Dospan tablet is a longer-acting (about 6 hours) version. Tenuate is less offensive than the other anorectics. One doctor friend of mine used to call it "the next step up from caffeine." The advantage, in my mind, is the short duration of the 25 mg tablets. Most people aren't hungry all day long, and Tenuate can be used only during the problem times.

Tenuate's main failing is that the anorectic effects attenuate rapidly, in about 2 weeks or less. At this point, most people either double the dosage or add another anorectic. As you can imagine, both courses of action can accelerate abuse and depen­dence.

THE PHENTERMINES

Fastin and Ionamin are both phentermines. Fastin (phen­termine hydrochloride) is a 30 mg capsule that has a duration of 10 to 12 hours. Ionamin (phentermine resin) supposedly lasts

f longer and has a milder effect. ;'~'.

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I mention the phentermines for a number of reasons. Ion­amin (regular is 15 mg; "forte" is 30 mg) is the anorectic of choice for European bodybuilders. Fastin, for some reason, is the number one choice for American bodybuilders. As anorec­tics go, they both have an acceptable balance of effectiveness and side effects.

The phentermines have recently been mentioned in the mainstream press, as noted obesity specialists are now vigor­ously (and this is unusual) advocating a long-term therapy of one of the phentermines during the day and Pondimin during the evening hours. Obese patients have had significant fat loss with this combination when all other traditional methods have failed.

The mechanism behind anorectics' action is still some­what unexplained. Users of these drugs lose more weight than would be predicted from a simple absence of calories. Some of it is excess heat production caused by adrenergic stimulation. However, there is a further mystery calorie debit that is not accounted for. Some postulate that the missing calories are due to increased glucose uptake in the brain.

I don't advocate any anorectics besides Pondimin. How­ever, some athletes diet for a living, and hundreds of thousands of dollars can depend on as little as 5 pounds of extra body fat. The diet battle takes place at the refrigerator and pantry door. As the nutritionist-coach is out of sight most of the time, anorec­tics are necessary tools. Are these winners "fuck-ups"? History and the engraved trophy will never tell.

CHAPTER 29

TRICKS OF THE TRADE

\ IF DIETING IS AN ART, then competition bodybuilders are the master craftsmen. Competition bodybuilders use a bewildering variety of drugs: prescription, over-the-counter and non-FDA­approved. Although I have excluded most anabolic steroids, the list of dieting drugs in the next chapter contains 50 different drugs! I have personally tried almost every drug on list over the past 12 years. Some of the drugs are only used for bodybuilding competitions, and are of no use to the everyday dieter. Others have become cultural icons, worshipped in the same way that some life extensionists worship their drugs.

I've listed them first by the name that most people use, whether it is the American trade name or the generic name. I haven't differentiated between vitamins, minerals, over-the­counter, prescription or non-fDA-approved drugs. My list con­tains the dieting uses for the drug, which may be very different from the original approved use. I've included a few items that don't directly affect fat loss, such as diuretics, because some ath­letes (and dancers, actors, models and jockeys) will want to use them for rapid and temporary weight loss. I've also included each drug's legal status, although this may change. Ephedrine

190 BODYOPUS - DUCHAINE

may be reclassified from over-the-counter to prescription, or herbs and amino acids may be restricted by the FDA.

For further information on FDA-approved drugs, particu­larly on side effects and contra-indications, check the Physicians' Desk Reference. In addition, you can find more information on some of the drugs, including important basic research, in the

Merck Index. Finally, I will warn you that many of the drugs have no

published research on dieting or weight reduction uses. Of course, this is not a shopping list. I might find some of these choices to be effective while dieting, but I can't tell you what to do. I have included some drugs that you might consider creepy because they have some kind of stigma. Remember, it's better that you learn about them from me than some word-of-mouth thrice removed anecdote.

It would be nice if I could advise you to discuss these choices with your physician. Unfortunately, that's going to be a problem. Most doctors are totally unfamiliar with the use of drugs for dieting. At the very least, you should tell your physi­cian which drugs you are using. Be prepared for the usual spiel about avoiding all frivolous medications. Remember, my per­sonal comments are only to be used as illuminating notions, not

instructions.

CHAPTER 30

THE "TOP 50" DIETING DRUG LIST

FOR EACH DRUG LISTED, I've included 8 lines of information about availability and use, and then a paragraph with my per­sonal observations.

The first line is the most commonly used name for the drug among athletes. This can be the generic or the trade name, depending on which is easiest to pronounce.

The generic name is listed next. As I mentioned, sometimes the popular name and the generic name are the same.

The third line lists the type of drug, which is not neces­sarily the approved use. For example, clenbuterol, an asthma medication, is listed as a thermogenic/anti-catabolic agent.

The fourth line, "How Supplied," will tell you what sizes are available and in what form.

The fifth line, "Used For," is used primarily to separate highly specialized drugs, like diuretics and blood conditioners, from the drugs dieters could use every day.

The sixth line contains the legal status of the drug. I use the following acronyms for drugs:

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RAAD is my personal acronym for Recognized As A Drug.

FDA if the drug is an FDA-approved medication.

Non-FDA includes prescription drugs that are not approved by the FDA and available in other countries.

Rx means that you need a prescription from a doctor.

OTC is short for over-the-counter.

If I mention that the drug has a Customs Alert status, then American citizens need a prescription to import these drugs legally.

Nutrients will either be labeled GRAS (Generally Recog­nized As Safe) or left blank.

I've also included information about DEA scheduling. Ana­bolic steroids and appetite suppressants have been assigned to a control number. Steroids are C-III. Appetite suppressants vary from C-IV (Tenuate) to C-II (amphetamines).

The sixth line has information about availability, which necessarily subjective. Obviously, all GRAS nutrients have an Excellent (E) rating. Good (G) availability indicates that the drug is generally available on the black market, or that it would not be too difficult to find a doctor to write a prescription. Fair (F) availability indicates that you would need to travel to bring the drug back. A Poor (P) rating means that the drug is virtu-

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ally impossible to obtain, even in other countries. Next, I list my opinion of the drug's cost-effectiveness.

The lowest rating is one star (*). Four stars (****) is excellent. For the drugs that can cause dependency, such as anorectics or injectable painkillers, I thought it best to simply not rate (NR) them.

This Top 50 Diet Drug List is specific to North America. I have done my best to specify availability by region.

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ALDACTAZIDE

Generic name: Spironolactone and hydrochloro­thiazide

Type of drug: Diuretic, oral How supplied: Tablets: 25 mg/25 mg, 50 mg/50 mg Used for: Bodybuilding, competition specialty only Legal status: RAAD, FDA, Rx Availability: Fair Cost-effectiveness: *

This odd diuretic combines an aldosterone antagonist (spironolactone) with a traditional thiazide diuretic. It is often found rather than chosen. Competition bodybuilders looking for a mild diuretic usually find this one instead of a better one. I don't personally work with this diuretic, but since the "dried­out" look is in vogue in current bodybuilding competitions, a

diuretic may be better than no diuretic. Some athletes confuse this drug with Aldactone, which is

milder because it has no thiazide in it. This mistake has dehy­drated many unsuspecting bodybuilders who assumed that the two drugs have the same intensity of action. Spironolactone is the potassium-sparing part, but because it is combined with thi­azide, the pill is not totally potassium-sparing.

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ALDACTONE

Generic name: Spironolactone Type of drug: Diuretic, oral How supplied: Tablets: 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg Used for: Bodybuilding competition, specialty only Legal status: RAAD, FDA, Rx Availability: Good Cost-effectiveness: **

Aldactone, the weakest of the prescription diuretics, works by antagonizing aldosterone, the hormone that regulates sodium in the body. Because both aldosterone and androgens are steroid hormones, Aldactone is also a slight androgen antagonist. As a mild and potassium-sparing diuretic, it is especially popular with female bodybuilders.

If bodybuilders were satisfied with Aldactone's subtle results, it would be a good choice. However, many bodybuilders want more diuresis and make the mistake of combining it with other, more powerful, diuretics. For mild diuresis, Diamox is a better choice although it is harder to find. Overdosing on Aldac­tone can result in too much potassium in the blood.

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BUPRENEX (TEMGESIC IN MEXICO)

Generic name: Buprenorphine hydrochloride Type of drug: Analgesic, oral and injectable How supplied: Tablets: .2 mg; Ampoules: .3 mg/cc Used for: Anti-catabolic bodybuilding specialty

drug Legal status: RAAD, FDA, Rx, C-Y, Mexican Rx

Availability: Poor Cost-effectiveness: NR

Buprenex is one of those secret drugs that some body­builders use and don't discuss. It's considered a non-narcotic analgesic, mimicking the effects of morphine. In addition to its pain-relieving properties, it appears to act as a mild anti-cata­bolic, diuretic and anorectic.

Because of its unusual scheduling (C-V is subject to only state and local restrictions), Buprenex is not as popular as Nubain and Stadol, which are also non-narcotic analgesics. The Mexican version, Temgesic, requires a doctor's prescription. Because of its long duration, Buprenex is the best of the non­narcotic morphine analogues.

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CARNITINE

Generic name: Same Type of drug: Nutrient, quasi-amino acid derivative How supplied Tablets; capsules; powder (varies) Used for: Dieting, fat burning

, Legal status: GRAS limbo Availability: Excellent Cost-effectiveness: *** (for ketogenic diets)

Carnitine is a natural substance produced in the muscle cells that helps the body utilize fats in the mitochondria. In

"I; addition, carnitine is used by the liver to convert fatty acids into ketones. Once present in the bloodstream, ketones will lower cortisol levels and reduce catabolism. Red meat is the best nat­ural source for carnitine. However, daily dosages of the con­centrate can be as high as 5 g. Carnitine is an ideal supplement for low-calorie, very low-carbohydrate diets, and highly recom­mended for BODYOPUS. Carnitine's legal status is in limbo, as availability is Widespread, but it is not on the GRAS list.

~ I.

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CLENBUTEROLCHROMIUM (SPIROPENT AND NOVEGAM IN MEXICO)

Generic name: Varies according to accompanying Generic name: Samebonding compound Type of drug: B2 adrenergic agonist (asthma drug)

How supplied: Tablets; capsules (varies) Type of drug: Nutrient (essential mineral)

How supplied: Tablets: 20 mcg; syrups; others

Used for: Insulin agonist, repartition agent Used for: Thermogenic, anti-catabolic agent

Legal status: GRAS limbo in some forms Legal status: RAAD, non FDA, Alert Availability: GoodAvailability: Excellent Cost-effectiveness: ****Cost-effectiveness: ****

This is a potent, although problematic, fat burner. Clen­

gistically with insulin. Although foods such as brewer's yeast or Chromium is an essential trace mineral that works syner­

buterol, unlike natural adrenaline, is tailored to affect only the

cinnamon are good sources of chromium, most athletes choose B2 adrenoreceptor. Its major effects are bronchial dilation and

to supplement chromium in tablet or capsule form. increased heat production in the mitochondria of muscle and possibly brown fat. Chromium's two forms are chromium picolinate (which

contains a non-GRAS bonding compound) and chromium Clenbuterol's major problem is the rapid attenuation of its

polynicotinate. Daily dosages as high as 1 mg (1000 mcg) have effectiveness after a few weeks of use. Clenbuterol actually has

been reported. Chromium repartitions the body by causing glu­ fewer side effects than ephedrine. Although there is no law in

cose disposal into muscle cells instead of fat cells. America making it illegal to use or import clenbuterol, it is on

Chromium picolinate, which is patented by the US Depart­ the Customs Alert list, with instructions to be disallowed and

ment of Agriculture, is only available from one source, Nutrition mailed back to the country of origin or destroyed. In summary,

21 of San Diego, California. Many dieters are chromium-deficient. clenbuterol is an instant-gratification fat burner, but there are thermogenic agents that have less side effects or slower attenu­ation of effects.

201

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CLOMID CREATINE MONOHYDRATE (OMININ AND SEROFENE IN MEXICO)

Generic name: Same Generic name: Clomiphene citrate Type of drug: Nutrient

Ovulation stimulator, anti-estrogen Type of drug: How supplied: Tablets; capsules; powder; liqUid (varies) How supplied: Tablets: 50 mg Used for: Strength, energy substrate replacement Used for: Men only; anti-estrogen and testosterone Legal status: GRAS limbo

elevation Availability: Excellent Legal status: RAAD, FDA, Rx Cost-effectiveness: **** Availability: Fair Cost-effectiveness: ** (for men) The primary energy source for muscular movement and

heat production is adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP is made Clomid, which induces ovulation, is a popular oral fertil­ through a process that directly involves creatine phosphate.

ity drug for women. Clomid was originally developed as an Common wisdom says that red meat imparts strength. Specifi­as asestrogen antagonist, but was not popular the safer cally, meat's creatine content is the energy substrate. Creatine

Nolvadex. Clomid is a useful drug for men because it stimulates supplementation provides energy without calories, fat or cho­testosterone secretion and works as an estrogen antagonist at the lesterol. same time. For many men Clomid has worked better than Creatine's drawback is the amount needed to duplicate the human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) injections in starting results of the research studies. Optimal dosage is 30 g per day up testosterone production, probably because it is easier to .(the equivalent of 10 pounds of beeD, usually taken in 5 g serv­administer than HCG. ings, 6 times per day. Despite the cost, inconvenience and the

Clomid is obscenely expensive in the United States and dirt fact that it tastes like sand, creatine is a worthwhile supplement cheap in Mexico. For the quickest response, use 100 mg per day if you have the patience to keep taking it. It will be more bene­(2 tablets). However, even at high dosages, Clomid does not ele­ ficial to dieters who do not consume beef. Lower dosages (6 g vate serum testosterone to dazzling levels. Athletes with low \ a day) can be effective after a loading phase. testosterone will find Clomid will not boost natural testosterone into even the middle of normal range.

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CYTADREN

Generic name: Aminoglu tethimide

Type of drug: Anti-cortisol

How supplied: Tablets: 250 mg

Used for: Anabolic steroid replacement, anti-estrogen

Legal status: RAAD, FDA, Rx

Availability; Poor Cost-effectiveness: *

Since many of the benefits of anabolic steroids come from their anti-catabolic action, bodybuilders have become inter­ested in drugs developed for Cushing's Syndrome, such as Cyta­dren. Cytadren inhibits cortisol secretion at the adrenal glands. While it has helped Cushing's Syndrome patients, it has been a disappointing performance drug. Anabolic steroids block corti­sol from its receptors, but at the same time proVide some of the anti-inflammatory properties of cortisol.

By reducing cortisol at the source, Cytadren does nothing with the cortisol receptor, and has no anti-inflammatory prop­erties whatsoever. Overdoses of Cytadren will actually increase cortisol secretion. Low dosages will cause joint inflammation, without any anti-catabolic benefit. Cytadren is not an effective alternative to anabolic steroids, but might be useful as an

adjunct.

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CYTOMEL (CYNOMEL IN MEXICO)

Generic name: Liothyrine sodium Type of drug: T3 thyrOid hormone replacement How supplied: Tablets: 5 mcg, 25 mcg, 50 mcg Used for: Dieting and body temperature regulation Legal status: RAAD, FDA, Rx Availability: Good Cost-effectiveness: **

Cytomel is synthetiC T3 thyroid hormone. Most natural T3 is not made by the thyrOid gland, but is converted from T4 thy­roid hormone. In traditional thyroid replacement therapy, T4 is the best choice. However, athletes who have low T3 levels from faulty T4 to T3 conversion will not benefit from added T4. Both low-calorie diets and some thermogenic drugs can reduce avail­able T3.

" Cytomel supplementation can be beneficial, but it is nec­,~:essary to take blood tests to ensure that you maintain normal ,~

~:'thyroid gland function. Too much T3 will suppress the thyroid ,J,gland for up to 8 weeks. Mexican Cynomel is only available in 1"25 mcg amounts. ;',

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DHEA (ACRONYM FOR D1HYDROEPIANDROSTERONE)

General name: Type of drug: How supplied: Used for: Legal status: Availability: Cost-effectiveness:

same Adrenal androgen Capsules: 50 to 150 mg (varies) Dieting, repartitioning RAAD, non-FDA, C-III (!)

Poor

*

DHEA is a steroid which was Scheduled by the DEA in December 1994. DHEA, the most abundant androgen in the body, is produced in copious amounts by the adrenal glands of both men and women. If the supplement has anabolic or andro­genic effects, I haven't seen any signs of them. Obviously, the DEA differs in opinion.

DHEA is interesting because both geriatrics and the obese are usually DHEA deficient. Research indicates that DHEA accel­erates fat loss via an unknown mechanism. Many of these stud­ies were done with a surprisingly low 50 mg oral dose.

Besides the lack of substantial research, DHEA has a num­ber of problems. It's hard to find in America, quite expensive, and there's no consensus on the optimal dosage. Now, you must go out of the country to purchase it legally. Many dieters have tried the 50 mg size with no results.

,.

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DIAMOX

Generic name: Type of drug: How supplied:

Used for:

Legal status: Availability: Cost-effectiveness:

Acetazomide Quasi-diuretic Tablets: 125 mg, 250 mg; injectable: 500 mg Bodybuilding competition specific RAAD, FDA, Rx Poor

****

Diamox is not an ordinary diuretic. It was originally intended to be used to reduce edema in glaucoma patients and high elevation mountain climbers. Diamox is unusual because it seems to pull fluids out of the tissues before the kidney Injectable Diamox looks like a perfect candidate for one-time bodybuilding use because it is rapid and predictable. Since it is designed to reduce edema in the tissues, the fluid reduction doesn't lower blood pressure as radically as other diuretics do. Many bodybuilders may find that Diamox is the only diuretic they need for competition. Ultimately, however, Diamox has the same problem that all diuretics do - excreting fluids from the wrong tissues too rapidly There will be better "tools" available for contest bodybuilders in the immediate future.

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DYAZIDE

Generic name: Hydrochlorothiazide and Triamterene

Type of drug: Diuretic How supplied: Capsules: 25 mg, 50 mg

(tablets in Mexico) Used for: Bodybuilding competition specific Legal status: RAAD, FDA, Rx Availability: Fair Cost-effectiveness: **

Dyazide is the most popular diuretic among bodybuilding contest competitors. Dyazide is a mild potassium-sparing diuretic, which causes diuresis through sodium excretion. Since muscle tissue holds more potassium than sodium, bodybuilders favor Dyazide, hoping that muscle size will stay while "dropping water."

In reality, Dyazide is not a terribly effective diuretic. Most bodybuilders aren't happy with just 1 or 2 pills over the course of a day. After realizing that Dyazide is "weak," bodybuilders usually take more or use something stronger. Of course, high dosages will deplete potassium as Dyazide is not completely potassium sparing.

Dyazide is fine, I guess, if it makes you happy. However, Dyazide is slow, imprecise and not very controllable. There are better diuretics to use.

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EPOGEN AND PROCRIT (EPREX IN MEXICO)

Generic name: Epoetin Alpha or Erythropoietin Type of drug: Red blood cell booster How supplied Injectable: 2000, 3000, 4000, 10,000 IU Used for: Ergogenic aid (oxygen carrier)

. Legal status: RAAD, FDA, Rx Availability: Fair Cost-effectiveness: * (dieting) * * * (ergogenic aid)

This drug is used mostly in endurance sports, where it replaces the older blood doping trick. Epogen stimulates the production of red blood cells, which allows your blood to carry more oxygen. Epogen has had very limited use in the strength sports, as red blood cell count is usually normal to high in male weight trainers using anabolic steroids. However, in some cases, especially in women who are dieting too severely and (over) training, hematocrit will fall to an unacceptable level. Hemat­ocrit (blood cell percentage of total blood volume) should ide­ally be between 40 to 50 percent. Of course, athletes prefer numbers closer to 50 to achieve better energy, vascularity, "pumpability" and a healthier look. Contest bodybuilders who use diuretics should not use Epogen, because their blood will already be too viscous. By the way, Epogen is even more expen­sive than human growth hormone.

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EPHEDRINE (VARIOUS TRADE NAMES)

Generic name: Same Type of drug: Beta-adrenergic agonist How supplied: Tablets and capsules: 25 mg (GTC) Used for: Thermogenic agent Legal status: RAAD, FDA, GTC, Rx (50 mg) Availability: Excellent (for now) Cost-effectiveness: ***

Ephedrine is a refinement of Ephedra vulgaris, also known as Ma Huang, the Chinese energy herb. Ephedrine acts much like adrenaline (and somewhat like amphetamine). Ephedrine pri­marily stimulates B1 and B2 adrenoreceptors, but also affects the alpha adrenoreceptors. Ephedrine is an over-the-counter asthma medication in the United States, limited to one 25 mg size, although prescription ephedrine is available in a 50 mg tablet. This drug has been immensely popular with athletes and dieters because of its thermogenic effects and slight Bl agonist action. Although popular and legal, ephedrine is not a very elegant thermogenic agent. Its side effects include increased heart rate, blood pressure and risk of stroke. Actually, clenbuterol, which is more receptor specific, is more effective and has less side effects. If clenbuterol is available, ephedrine is not necessary.

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ESICLENE (ITALY ONLY)

Generic name: Formyldienolone Type of drug: Anabolic steroid How supplied: Injectable; tablets (varies) Used for: Temporary and locally injected cosmetic

muscle growth Legal status: RAAD, non-FDA, C-III, Alert Availability: Poor Cost-effectiveness: ***

Esiclene is one of those oddball Italian anabolic steroids coveted by contest bodybuilders. This injectable steroid is not a potent anabolic. However, it has the curious side effect of caus­ing so much irritation at the injection site that the muscle starts swelling. This temporary condition does not look puffy like reg­ular water retention. The muscle looks bigger and the skin is

" still thin-looking. Injections over several days will "bring up" an , underdeveloped muscle area. Esiclene works best in small mus­cle groups like calves, shoulders and arms.

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FASTIN (REDUCCING S IN MEXICO)

Generic name: Type of drug: How supplied: Used for: Legal status: Availability: Cost-effectiveness:

Phentermine hydrochloride Appetite suppressant Capsules: 30 mg Dieting RAAD, FDA, Rx, C-IV Fair NR

Fastin is an appetite suppressant and central nervous sys­tem (CNS) stimulant that also causes mild thermogenesis by stimulating systemic noradrenaline. This drug was very popular with bodybuilders in years past. All versions of Fastin are sup­posed to be timed-release, but the trade name and the generics seem to have different results. "Real" Fastin works gradually and evenly. All of the generics I tried peaked quickly and didn't last as long. You can feel the effects of Fastin for 8 to 10 hours; the generics only last for 6 hours.

Like all CNS stimulants, Fastin reduces fatigue, which can lead to overtraining. Cessation of use causes mental and physi­cal depression. Recently, scientists have become interested in Fastin as an under-prescribed drug for the obese.

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FERTODUR (MEXICO ONLY)

Generic name: Type of drug: How supplied:

I Used for: Legal status: Availability: Cost-effectiveness:

Cyclofenil Fertility/ovulation Tablets: 100 mg Testosterone elevation (men only) RAAD, non-FDA Fair

*

I've never understood the popularity of this drug. American male athletes have been using this drug over the last few years for its testosterone-stimulating effects. Cyclofenil is in the same class of drugs as Clomiphene (Clomid), but twice as much is needed (100 mg) twice as often. Clomid causes the same effect with only 50 mg. Clomid is widely available in Mexico, while Fertodur is harder to find. Both Clomid and Fertodur can be imported for personal use. For a short time Cyclofenil was sold openly via mail-order in the United States. It was technically illegal to do so, but for a while the FDA wasn't aware of its sales. Fertodur is not a bad drug, but it's not as good as Clomid. It's not any cheaper, either. Both drugs cause only minimal testos­terone elevation in men. Neither are potent enough to restore low testosterone levels. Think of Fertodur as an adjunct to nor­mal testosterone, not a replacement therapy.

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GHB (PROTOPRIN AND HUMATROp, SAIZEN (ACRONYM FOR GAMMA-HYDROXYBUTYRATE)

AND GENOTROPIN IN MEXICO)

General name: same

Generic name: Growth hormone (GH) Type of drug: Fatty acid derivative

Type of drug: Anabolic pituitary hormone How supplied: Powder; liquid (varies)

How supplied: Injectable (varies) Vsed for: Growth hormone stimulator, sleep aid Vsed for: Dieting, anti-catabolic, repartitioning Legal status: RAAD, non-FDA, Alert

Legal status: RAAD, FDA, Alert Availability: Poor

Availability: Fair Cost-effectiveness: ** Cost-effectiveness: **

GHB has caused a lot of controversy over the past few This is one of those "icon" drugs. GH is expensive and years, and the FDA has finally recognized GHB as an orphan

hard to find on the black market in America. This exclusivity drug. Before they decided on its status, they allowed its sale in has led to a kind of cult status; GH is immensely popular with health food stores and by mail order as a nutritional supple­athletes who can afford it because it cannot be detected on a ment.

urine drug test. GHB is a fatty acid derivative naturally produced in the A 4 IV vial averages $125. Potency varies (by brand name) human brain. Although it has drug-like action, it is not recog­

between 1 IV for each 10 to 16 pounds of lean body weight, nized as a hormone in the body. For a short time GHB was sold administered 3 times per week. If you do the arithmetic, you'll openly as a sleep aid (which it does quite well). Oral dosages see that a GH bill can be over $1000 per week. Top professional average 3 grams dissolved in liquid and cause sleep within 20 athletes (especially bodybuilders) who earn six figures a year ': minutes. GHB can probably raise growth hormone in individu­feel that this expense is justifiable. GH causes significant fat als who can still secrete GH with stimulus; however, this abil­reduction, but has less of an anabolic effect than steroids. How­ ity declines radically with age. It is popularly thought to be anti­ever, this small contribution can push a competitor beyond the catabolic although it raises cortisol. Go figure. Although the steroid plateau. French have done a lot of research on GHB for its potential to

increase longevity, GHB is no longer sold openly in America. Life extensionists are mourning its demise more than athletes.

Because it happens to be an absurdly simple compound to , mix up with two chemicals, GHB is now being used as a recre­

ational street drug.

GH

'"

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HCG (PREGNYL, GONAKOR, GONOPLEX IN MEXICO)

Generic name: Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) Type of drug: Fertility hormone How supplied: Injectable (varies) Used for: Testosterone elevator (men) Legal status: RAAD, FDA, Rx, Alert Availability: Fair Cost-effectiveness: *

HCG is an injectable fertility drug. Its primary use is to induce ovulation. In men, HCG has been used as an adjunct to anabolic steroid use (either concurrently or consecutively) to normalize testosterone secretion. The problem with HCG is not the drug itself, but faulty administration of too large and too fre­quent dosages. HCG has better potential than Clomid or Ferto­dur, but many athletes will prefer oral preparations, either because of convenience or because they have had good experi­ences with them in the past. Various preparations of HCG, some with B vitamins added in, are available in Mexico. HCG is not an estrogen antagonist; in fact, HCG will raise estrogen in men through higher gonadal estrogen secretion. Even optimal doses of HCG will not raise testosterone measurably in older men. Testicle function declines as men age, even with supple­mental stimulation.

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IONAMIN (DIMINEX IN MEXICO)

Generic name: Phentermine resin Type of drug: Appetite suppressant How supplied: Capsules: 15 mg, 30 mg Used for: Dieting, slight thermogenic effect Legal status: RAAD, FDA, Rx, C-IV, Rx Mexico Availability: Poor Cost-effectiveness: NR

Ionamin is the other appetite suppressant in the phenter­mine family. While Fastin has been the diet pill of choice for bodybuilders in America, Ionamin is the anorectic most often used by European athletes. Most athletes prefer the 30 mg size, called "forte" (strong) in Europe. Ionamin is supposed to be milder and work longer than Fastin. However, most athletes familiar with both say that Fastin has a harder and longer "kick" and Ionamin has a gentler and shorter activity. Some people who get too jittery on Fastin can tolerate Ionamin better. Ionamin has the usual side effects and dependency problems of prescription anorectics.

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LASIX (EDENOL IN MEXICO)

Generic name: Furosemide Type of drug: Diuretic How supplied: Tablets: 20 mg, 40 mg;

injectable: 2,4,10 ml Used for: Bodybuilding competition specialty drug Legal status: RAAD, FDA, Rx

Availability: Good Cost-effectiveness: ****

Lasix is the king of diuretics. Many athletes choose Dyazide instead because of Lasix's reputation of being harsh and potas­sium-robbing. In reality, large doses of Dyazide will also deplete potassium. I prefer to use Lasix (in a coach capacity) because of its speed and predictability. In addition, 1 always prefer to use injectable diuretics because they are more controllable and more precise than oral preparations. The beauty of Lasix is that a small intravenous injection will start working within 5 minutes and will peak within 30 minutes, which allows full fluid deple­tion in less than a day. When used synergistically with Mydox, Lasix can be given in low dosages.

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MAXIBOL (MEXICO ONLY)

Generic name: Dibencozide Type of drug: B-12 co-enzyme derivative How supplied: Capsules Used for: Anabolic (ha-ha-ha) Legal status: GRAS Availability: Excellent (American generics) Cost-effectiveness: ***

This is not an anabolic steroid, although many American bodybuilders have been fooled into believing that they were buying the similar sounding Maxibolan. Maxibol is a black-col­ored capsule containing the light-sensitive co-enzyme B-12, a more potent form of the familiar vitamin B-12. Even though Maxibol is listed in the Mexican drug registry as an "anabolic," it is not. Some athletes swear that dibencozide stimulates appetite and causes an energy burst, but this does not happen to everyone. I prefer the Maxibol brand over the generics because Maxibol is a quality product packed in black opaque capsules and foil wrap to protect it from light. Many generics look like they were made in a hurry and have been adulterated with light.

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MELADININA (MEXICO ONLY)

Generic name: Ammoidin Type of drug: Melanin enhancer How supplied: Tablets: 10 mg; cream: 4 mg/ml;

liquid: 7.7 mg/ml Used for: Tanning accelerator Legal status: RAAD, non-FDA Availability: Fair Cost-effectiveness: NR

Unfortunately, competition rules require bodybuilders to have a skin tan. I don't like the practice, and I wish that judges would not influence competitors to damage their skin this way All paint-on tans have an odd hue unless you have dark skin underneath. Meladinina creams and liquids are both popular melanin enhancers. While taking Meladinina, even normal expo­sures to UV light can cause severe burns. Individuals tend not to believe that Meladinina works so well and, of course, they get burned. I suppose that Meladinina is okay if used properly; it cer­tainly could drastically reduce tanning time. However, most users don't exercise restraint. Personally, I can't stand tanned skin - I like very white skin, with little blue veins. I also like long, long red hair. Ooo-la-Ia!

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MELLITRON (MEXICO ONLY)

Generic name: Metformin with clorpropamide Type of drug: Insulin agonist, glucose disposal agent How supplied: Tablets: 400 mg/125 mg Used for: Repartitioning agent, blood glucose

disposal agent Legal status: RAAD, FDA (Glucophage) Availability: Poor Cost-effectiveness: *

, Mellitron is classified as one of the biquides, a class of 1:,1rdrugs used as a glucose disposal agent for diabetics. Unfortu­f nately, Mellitron also includes a sulfonylurea drug that stimu­glates insulin release, which defeats the purpose of using met­!formin to lower insulin secretion.

Since the FDA has just approved metformin under the :1, trade name Glucophage, Mellitron is not a good choice. I pre­~dict that Glucophage and Debeone will be the next big "find" in ~Jhe bodybuilding world. Cannily used, these biquides can cause %greater glycogen supercompensation during carb-ups and also '!:lower blood glucose more quickly to induce ketosis. Metformin "'is also popular with life extensionists, as insulin levels tend to increase with age.

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MYDOX

Generic name: Metolazone Type of drug: Diuretic How supplied: Tablets: 500 mg Used for: Bodybuilding competition specialty drug Legal status: RAAD, FDA, Rx Availability: Fair Cost-effectiveness: ****

On its own, Mydox is not particularly fast-acting nor potent. A few years ago it would not have merited any attention. Now, however, bodybuilding contests require a more "dried out" look. Mydox is useful because it works synergistically with Lasix, making a smaller dose of Lasix work even more qUickly than a larger dose.

The same compound comes in a slower-acting form called Zaroxolyn, which is available in Mexico. Zaroxolyn is formu­lated in the following tablets: 2-1/2 mg (8-hour duration), 5 and 10 mg (24-hour duration). I prefer the shorter-acting Mydox because it will allow you to end the diuresis before bed on the night before the show.

NARINGIN

Generic name: Same Type of drug: Xanthine extender How supplied: Tablets; powders Used for: Thermogenic enhancer (not) Legal status: Non GRAS Availability: ? Cost-effectiveness: ****

Remember the Grapefruit Diet which was supposed to burn the fat off with grapefruit? We smart-alecks had a good laugh about that one, but now we know it's true. The bitter com­pound naringin is concentrated in grapefruit flowers and rinds. When used with caffeine or theophylline, naringin will slow the breakdown of the xanthines in the liver. Because caffeine's metabolite, paraxanthine, is just as thermogenic as caffeine, naringin will not enhance caffeine's thermogenic effect. How­

,f ever, naringin will extend caffeine's stimulant effect. Unfortu­nately, you will not see a naringin pill on the market; the FDA disallowed these pills a few years ago because of drug-like claims on the label.

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NEUROFOR (MEXICO ONLY)

Generic name: Dibencozide Type of drug: B-12 co-enzyme How supplied: Injectable Used for: Anabolic (I wish) Legal status: Quasi RAAD, non-FDA, Alert Availability: Good Cost-effectiveness: **

Neurofor is the holy grail of dibencozides, a water-based injectable co-enzyme B-12. Only 10 percent of ingested B-12 makes it through the digestive system to the bloodstream. This is no big deal, as the RDA of B-12 is small and the vitamin can be stored in the liver. Athletes who want to really jack up their B-12 or dibencozide can just use some big doses in oral form.

Injection is a more elegant solution. Neurofor is produced by Roussell, the maker of quality oral dibencozide preparations. Personally, I never thought Neurofor was good for anything. However, there are plenty of track-and-field athletes who are convinced that Neurofor has anabolic and energizing effects. Bodybuilders who have used anabolic steroids don't rate Neu­rofor highly at all. Neurofor is foreign, odd, injectable, quasi­legal. Ergo, popular.

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NOLVADEX (TAMOXIL IN MEXICO)

Generic name: Tamoxifen citrate Type of drug: Estrogen antagonist How supplied: Tablets: 10 mg, 20 mg Used for: Dieting repartitioning agent Legal status: RAAD, FDA, Rx, Alert Availability: Good Cost-effectiveness: **

This oral anti-estrogen has been immensely popular among competition bodybuilders. It has a curious reputation, as some athletes feel that Nolvadex is ineffective, while others (usually people who have actually used the drug) think that Nolvadex is essential.

The truth, as I see it, is that Nolvadex works moderately well. When judged against clenbuterol or yohimbe, Nolvadex is not cost effective. However, it cannot be dismissed. Although other anti-estrogens, such as Teslac, would seem to be prefer­able, the availability and price of Nolvadex make it attractive. Nolvadex will definitely make a difference for women dieters.

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NUBAIN (NARCANTI, NALBU IN MEXICO)

Generic name: Nalbuphrine hydrochloride Type of drug: Mild pain killer How supplied: Injectable: 10 cc (20 mglml vial),

1 cc 00 mg ampoule) Used for: Dieting, anti-catabolic Legal status: RAAD, FDA, Rx, Mexico Rx

Availability: Fair Cost-effectiveness: NR

Nubain brings up a touchy subject among bodybuilders. Nubain is an injectable morphine-like analgesic (pain-killer) that is not narcotic and has no special scheduling other than being a prescription drug. Numerous top bodybuilders have used Nubain for pre-contest preparation. It has a range of attrac­tive effects - appetite suppression, cortisol reduction, pain control and sleep assistance. Basically, it makes the brutal pre­contest dieting and training easier.

Does it have problems? Nubain has remarkably few dele­terious physical effects, but it does have the potential to cause dependency. If it was as dangerous as morphine, it would have been Scheduled. However, remember that it can cause depen­dency in individuals who would have problems with any addic­tive drug.

OKG

(ACRONYM FOR ORNITHINE KETO-GLUTARATE)

Generic name: same Type of drug: Amino acid combination How supplied: Capsules, powders (varies) Used for: Anti-catabolic, energy substrate

replacement 'i, Legal status: GRAS

Availability: Excellent Cost-effectiveness: *

Every once in a while some odd nutritional compound descends out of hospitals and into the athletic nutritional sup­plement business. OKG is a combination of ornithine, an amino acid, and an amino acid derivative called keto-glutarate. OKG

"I has been shown to be anti-catabolic in bum patients and in geri­atrics recovering from surgery. OKG is supposed to boost growth hormone, raise insulin and replace diminished energy substrates.

Although it's effective at preventing muscle loss while diet­ing, the real question is: will you have the patience take 10 g of it every day? OKG is a totally obnoxious-tasting compound; 10 g cost about $3. Because of the cost and discipline involved, most people won't use OKG in the proper dosage in a consistent

i manner.

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PERVITIN (GERMANY ONLY)

Generic name: Amphetamine Type of drug: Appetite suppressant How supplied: Injectable Used for: Dieting, anti-fatigue agent Legal status: RAAD, non-FDA, C-II Availability: Poor Cost-effectiveness: NR

I wasn't sure I wanted to include Pervitin on this list. Pervitin is a creepy injectable amphetamine produced in Ger­many. Amphetamines are the most potent of the anorectics and easily cause addiction.

Pervitin is very popular in bicycle racing - which of course means that it is banned and tested for. European body­builders use it for dieting. It does everything you imagine, both bad and good - increases strength, eliminates fatigue and reduces appetite for 12 hours or more. Most athletes overtrain while using it.

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1 PHENFORMIN (DEBEONE AND FENFORMIN IN MEXICO)

Generic name: Same How supplied: Tablets: 25 mg; capsules: 50 mg Used for: Dieting, repartitioning agent Legal status: RAAD, special FDA, Alert Availability: Good Cost-effectiveness: ****

Whenever I write a new book I predict the next big drug for the athletic world. This time, I predict that phenformin (along with yohimbe) will be one of those neglected drugs that will be found to be immensely effective for a few specific pur­poses.

Phenformin is the most potent glucose disposal agent I know of (other than, of course, insulin). It serves the same pur­pose as chromium and vanadyl sulfate, but works through a more powerful mechanism. It has been used to manipulate blood glucose downward to cause ketosis, although it has not been its use in glycogen supercompensation has not been inves­tigated.

Perhaps phenformin works too well. It had FDA approval up until 1977, when it was voluntarily withdrawn because of some problems with blood acidosis. Physicians used to be able to obtain phenformin through the FDA for diabetic patients who could not administer insulin via injections (due to blindness or arthritis, for example), and needed an oral insulin replacement. Phenformin still has a future in athletics as most doctors will not prescribe Glucophage to non-diabetics and phenformin is over-the-counter in Mexico.

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PONDIMIN (DIOMERIDE IN MEXICO)

Generic name: Fenfluramine Type of drug: Appetite suppressant How supplied: Tablets: 20 mg; capsules: 15 mg;

transdermal patch Use for: Dieting, sleep aid Legal status: RAAD, FDA, Rx, C-IY, Mexico Rx Availability: Poor Cost-effectiveness: ****

I usually don't comment positively on diet pills. Even the milder ones mask fatigue too well and lead unwary athletes into overtraining. In addition, athletes who use caffeine, ephedrine and clenbuterol don't need another upper thrown into the mix.

However, Pondimin is so different and fills a need so well that I think it's a worthwhile dieting drug. Pondimin is an appetite suppressant that is not a stimulant. In fact, it has a slight depressive effect. Many dieters control appetite during the day with ephedrine and clenbuterol, but you can't use stimulants at night. Pondimin is perfect for night use because it significantly dulls your appetite while allowing you to sleep. Because Pondimin does not cause euphoria, the potential for abuse is quite low. I have tried both tablets and the capsules, and I pre­fer the capsules.

BODYOPUS - DUCHAINE

PROVIRON

Generic name: Mesterolone Type of drug: Androgenic steroid How supplied: Tablets: 25 mg

, Used for: Estrogen antagonist Legal status: RAAD, non-FDA, C-III, Alert Availability: Poor Cost-effectiveness: *

Proviron is an oral steroid that has no anabolic effects. Although I have excluded most steroids from this list, I have included Proviron because it gained a reputation in the early

I 1980s as an anti-estrogen. Proviron is similar to Teslac in that it I; is supposed to block the conversion of testosterone (or similar i,; synthetic steroids) into estrogen. The best drug for this purpose : is Teslac; Proviron has been chosen over Teslac simply because of availability and price.

I have found that Proviron has too many problems to make it worthwhile. It is now illegal to use. It has androgenic side

~ effects, especially in women. In addition, Proviron has a higher affinity to steroid receptors than anabolic steroids, including

~: natural testosterone. Proviron's net effect is to lessen the over­t; all anabolic climate in the body.

230 BODYOPUS - DUCHAINE

SLO-K

Generic name: Potassium chloride Type of drug: Essential mineral How supplied: Tablets: 600 mg (approx. 325 mg

potassium) Use for: Electrolyte replacement Legal status: RAAD(!), FDA, Rx Availabili ty: Good Cost-effectiveness: *

There are two instances in which you might need potas­sium supplementation. First, it can be used to replace potassium that has been excreted after using diuretics. Also, ketogenic diets (such as BODYOPUS) increase potassium excretion. In either case, you need to know how much potassium to replace. Serum potassium levels from a blood test are the only true measure. Too much potassium will cause irregular heartbeat, paralysis and cardiac arrest. Please refer to the section on diuretics for a more complete discussion of potassium.

Slo-K is not the best potassium preparation, but it's the most popular. I have no idea why. A much better potassium replacement is Polycitra-K, a liquid preparation that also lowers blood acid (which would be especially helpful to BODYOPUS dieters). Non-prescription potassium supplements are limited to 99 mg per pill.

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STADOL

Generic name: Butorphanol tartrate Type of drug: Pain killer How supplied: Injectable: 2 mg/cc (10 cc vial);

nasal spray Used for: Dieting, anti-catabolic Legal status: RAAD, FDA, Rx Availability: Fair Cost-effectiveness: NR

This injectable pain killer is related to Nubain and Buprenex. With athletes who use such drugs, Stadol is second in popularity after Nubain. Stadol is more potent milligram for milligram; 2 mg of Stadol has the pain suppression power of 20 mg of Nubain. Stadol will make you more lethargic than Nubain will. Recently, the bodybuilding community became aware of the veterinary version of this drug (trade name Torbugesic, which comes 10 mg/ml, in a 50 ml bottle).

232 BODYOPUS - DUCHAINE

SYNTHROID (TIROlDINE IN MEXICO)

Generic name: Levothyroxine sodium Type of drug: T4 Thyroid replacement How supplied: Tablets: 25 mcg to 300 mcg Used for: Thermogenic agent Legal status: RAAD, FDA, Rx

Availability: Good Cost-effectiveness: **

Synthetic T4 thyroid is the most popular thyroid replace­ment drug; it is uncommon to see physicians prescribe animal­derived thyroid preparations. Synthrotd lasts for a long time in the body, as most of the drug is bound to carrier proteins in the blood.

If the cause of reduced thyroid hormone levels is decreased output from the thyroid gland (which will be indicated by ele­vated thyroid stimulating hormone levels), then Synthroid is the right choice. However, if the T4 to T3 conversion process is the problem (if you have normal T4 levels and low T3 levels), T4 supplementation will not help.

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TENUATE

Generic name: Diethylpropion hydrochloride How supplied: Tablets: 25 mg, 75 mg (Tenuate Dospan) Used for: Dieting (appetite suppressant, anti­

fatigue) Legal status: RAAD, FDA, Rx, C-IV, Mexico Rx Availability: Poor Cost-effectiveness: NR

The problem with Tenuate, which is the mildest of the diet pills, is that many athletes start out with Tenuate with the best of intentions and later try to get it to do things that it is not intended for. Of the non-amphetamine anorectics, Tenuate's effects attenuate the fastest. Usually, the appetite suppressing effects peter out within 2 weeks. At the point, some athletes will double the dose or combine Tenuate with another anorectic, notably Fastin.

Tenuate's attraction is that it is one of the few CNS stimu­, lating anorectics that is available in a small, short-acting tablet;

25 mg only lasts a few hours. Because most people aren't hun­gry all day, Tenuate is useful in blocking hunger at specific times. Side effects and withdrawal symptoms are less apparent than with other anorectics.

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TESLAC

Generic name: Testolactone Type of drug: Anti-estrogen How supplied: Tablets: 50 mg Used for: Dieting, repartitioning agent Legal status: RAAD, FDA, Rx, C-III Availability: Poor Cost-effectiveness: ***

Teslac is rarely used as an estrogen antagonist in body­building, which is too bad because it has a lot of potential in this area. Teslac was developed in the 1950s, and currently only has one approved use in America - to combat breast cancer tumor growth in post-menopausal women, whose main source of estrogen is from the conversion of adrenal androsterone to estrone (the less potent of the three estrogens).

Teslac blocks the enzyme that causes this conversion. For athletes, Teslac would be an ideal solution to steroid aromatiza­tion. Teslac also stimulates testosterone production in men. Unfortunately, Teslac is expensive, with an average retail price of $5 per tablet at a daily dose of 5 tablets. Although I haven't found any way to get it more inexpenSively, someone eventually will. Teslac was recently reclassified as a Schedule III drug (the same category as anabolic steroids).

BODYOPUS - DUCHAINE 235

THEOPHYLLINE

Same CNS stimulant, methylxanthine, thermogenic agent Tablets; capsules; liqUids (varies) Synergistic with thermogenic drugs Fair

*

Both theophylline and caffeine are methylxanthines, and have a very similar chemical structure. In America, theophylline is used as an asthma medication, either alone (by prescription)

~!or with ephedrine (over-the-counter). All methylxanthines i;release fatty acids by inhibiting the enzyme that breaks down ticyclic AMP (cAMP) in cells. Theophylline allows cAMP to build i,lfup in the fat cells, so that stimulation by catecholamines (nora­~:p.renaline, ephedrine, clenbuterol, etc.) lasts longer. Theo­~iphylline's side effects include increased heart rate and blood ~I,',~I

"~,.pressure. Although theophylline probably works better with 'r~phedrine than caffeine, FDA regulations make caffeine and iptheophylline combinations easier to acquire. '·i"

237 236 BODYOPUS - DUCHA1NE

TICLlD

Generic name: Ticlopidine hydrochloride Type of drug: Blood platelet aggregation inhibitor How supplied: Tablets: 250 mg Used for: Bodybuilding diuretic adjunct Legal status: RAAD,FDA,Rx Availability: Good Cost-effectiveness: ****

This is one of the "insurance" drugs that should be used before you take diuretics. Ticlid keeps the solid parts of the blood cells from clumping together. In most healthy people, clumping is not a problem. However, extreme dehydration from diuretics will highly concentrate the solids in the blood. Hema­tocrit levels, which are usually between 40 to 50 (percent), can climb to above 70 (1) during a bodybuilding competition. Less blood fluid also independently reduces the slipperiness of the blood solids. To insure against blood clots, strokes and cardiac arrest, it is a good idea to use Ticlid and Trental for 2 weeks before contest diuretics are started. Of course, Ticlid is no guar­antee that a disaster won't happen. In addition, Ticlid increases the risk of bleeding from everyday cuts.

BODYOPUS - DUCHA1NE

THIOMUCASE (THIOMUCASE IN FRANCE, WYDASE IN AMERICA)

Generic name: Hyaluronidase Type of drug: Diffusing agent How supplied: Tablets; injectables; suppositories;

creams Used for: Fat cell reducer (ha-ha-ha) Legal status: RAAD, FDA, Rx, Alert, approved

for cosmetic use Availability: Poor (cream is OTC) Cost-effectiveness: *

This enzyme is used to allow fluids to spread out from an area that has been injected with another drug. American Wydase is approved only for this purpose. In France, however, Thiomu­case is marketed as a cream to remove cellulite. They reason that Thiomucase will repartition the excess water out of the fat cells. Some people have used Thiomucase wraps combined with mild electric current through the fatty areas. Bodybuilders who have used Thiomucase didn't find it to be effective. Thiomucase cream is approved in this country for cosmetic purposes, as long as it makes no claims to reduce fat, only to make the cellulite look better. Obviously, the FDA allows a bit of slack for cosmetic products.

239 238 BODYOPUS - DUCHAINE BODYOPUS - DUCHAINE

TRENTAL

Generic name: Pentoxifylline Type of drug: Blood viscosity conditioner How supplied: Tablets: 400 mg; injectable: 300 mg

(Mexico only) Used for: Diuretic adjunct Legal status: RAAD, FDA, Rx Availability: Good Cost-effectiveness: ****

Because diuretics thicken the blood, I recommend Trental and Ticlid as insurance against a blood aggregation disaster.

Trental differs from Ticlid in that Trental makes red blood cells more flexible and slippery, which allows blood to continue to flow even when hematocrit is stupidly high. It would be nice if bodybuilders didn't need to use these drugs, but strong diuret­ics are part of top male bodybuilding contests. Trental won't impart any better cosmetic "look." It's insurance. A live, vertical competitor always looks better than a dead, horizontal one.

TORBUGESIC

Generic name: Butorphoral tartrate Type of drug: Pain killer

Ii: How supplied: Injectable: 10 mglml (50 ml vials) Used for: Analgesic, anorectic, anti-catabolic,

sleep aid Legal status: RAAD, FDA, Rx (animal use only) Availability: Poor Cost-effectiveness: NR

Torbugesic is a concentrated form of Stadol. It is probably the most potent morphine analogue you can get without the special paperwork that is required for Scheduled drugs. Let me remind you that I don't recommend all of the drugs in this list. I have tried to include every drug I've been involved with so you know about them, not necessarily because they are wonderful.

You may have noticed that I do not rate anorectics and pain killers because they are often abused. I included Torbugesic, although, like Stadol, it has a high potential for dependency, because the markedly higher dosage makes it almost a different drug. This drug will make you extremely lethargic. Do some bodybuilders use it? Yes.

240 BODYOPUS - DUCHAINE

TRIACANA (FRANCE ONLY)

Generic name: Triac Type of drug: Quasi-thyroid (T3 type) How supplied: Tablets: 35 mcg; creams Used for: Dieting, thermogenic agent Legal status: RAAD, non-FDA, Alert Availability: Poor Cost-effectiveness: ***

Triacana is a T3-like drug which lacks the amino acid tail that natural thyroid hormones have. In France, Triacana is not used as a thyroid replacement, but as a dieting drug because it has a slight thyroid-hormone-like action. Supposedly, Triacana will not interfere with the body's natural thyroid production, although a high enough dose will cause TSH depression. Tria­cana is not as potent or effective as synthetic T3 (Cytomel), but it is mild enough that a small overdose will not cause major problems.

Triacana, which is also a mild thermogenic agent, is not a bad choice for a temporary dieting aid. As with any thyroid drug, you should get blood tests done before taking Triacana. Of course, since Cytomel is more effective, it should be used much more cautiously, and certainly along with blood tests.

BODYOPUS - DUCHAINE 241

TRISORALEN

Generic name: Trioxsalen Type of drug: Melanin enhancer How supplied: Tablets: 5 mg Used for: Tanning accelerator Legal status: RAAD, FDA, Rx

Availability: Poor Cost-effectiveness: **

Trisoralen is similar to Meladinina, although it is only available in oral form. Trisoralen has very specific directions. Two tablets should be taken 2 hours before UV radiation and for only 14 days (the bottles contain 28 tablets). Trisoralen is used by American bodybuilders to prepare for contests. Although tablets are convenient and neat, the cream and liqUid are much more effective. All forms increase your risk of skin burns. Many bodybuilders use 3 instead of 2 tablets - perhaps they figure that there is more skin to tan! Bodybuilders are eagerly looking forward to the yet-to-be-approved melanin boosters that will cause a tan without the use of UV radiation. As for me, I still prefer porcelain-white skin.

242 BODYOPUS - DUCHAINE

VANADYL SULFATE

Generic name: Same Type of drug: Mineral (nonessential) How supplied: Tablets; sublingual drops (varies) Used for: Dieting, glucose disposal Legal status: non-GRAS Availabili ty: Excellent Cost-effectiveness: ****

Vanadyl sulfate is a soluble form of vanadium. Scientists haven't determined if vanadium is essential, and for some rea­son it is not included on the GRAS list. Vanadyl sulfate seems transport glucose from the bloodstream across the cell mem­brane much like chromium. Unlike chromium, vanadyl sulfate does not require insulin to work its glucose trick.

Most athletes prefer vanadyl sulfate over chromium because it works better. Since chromium is essential, I recom­mend that you use both minerals daily. Vanadium is not present in large amounts in food, so it must be taken as a supplement. Oddly enough, vanadyl sulfate is still used for dyeing textiles and ceramics. Most health food supplements never fulfill expec­tations of drug-like action, but vanadyl sulfate is one of the two supplements that does. (The other is creatine monohydrate.) Money spent on vanadyl sulfate is money well spent.

BODYOPUS - DUCHAINE 243

YOHIMBE (DAYTO HIMBIN, YOCON, YOHIMEX IN AMERICA)

Generic name: Same Type of drug: A2 adrenergic antagonist How supplied: Tablets: 5.4 mg Used for: Fat loss (sort aD, penile erector Legal status: RAAD, FDA, Rx

, Availability: Good Cost-effectiveness: ****

Yohimbe is the concentrated extract of an African tree bark. Although yohimbe is prescribed for male impotence in America, it is one of the rare A2 adrenergic antagonists. Meta­bolic slowdown and accumulated lower body fat in women can be blamed in part on an excess of A2 receptors. Yohimbe is not a thermogenic agent, but a thermogenic extender. Yohimbe, by binding up the A2 receptors, should block the decrease in nora­drenaline production caused by extended dieting.