What Are SARMs?
SARMs and Why They’re Being Used as Steroid Alternatives
SARMs stands for selective androgen receptor modulators. SARMs are highly selective in their nature. They selectively target muscle and bone tissue in the body, causing steroid-like benefits without the side effects of anabolic steroids. They do not target the liver, hair or the prostate in the same way anabolic steroids do. SARMs are not steroids.
To maximize the physical benefits of SARMs, proper nutrition and intense training are optimal. Strength gains can be seen in as little as 2 weeks. Body composition changes can be noticed in 2-3 weeks depending on the individual’s diet & training. The most effective SARMs cycles are done over a period of 60-90 days, for most fitness goals. This is because SARMs need about 2 weeks to fully kick in, and studies show that the body begins to adapt after about 90 days. Therefore, cycling off for a period of about 3-4 weeks is the typical procedure in the sport & fitness community.
SARMs increase muscular size by causing an increase in lean muscle mass. Studies show that they increase muscular mass over 12 weeks (Dubois et al, 2015). The results depend on that the SARM and the dose. Studies also show they can boost sex drive as well as testosterone without that the steroid-like side effects. Many more studies published on NCBI show SARMs such as MK-2866 & TEST MAX RAD-140 essentially cause no androgenic side effects, and their effects on prostate weight are insignificant. This may indicate their tolerability by females as they do not cause androgenic side effects such as an increase in body hear, a deepening of the voice, aggression, etc. MK-2866 (Ostarine) is currently undergoing clinical trials to treat stress urinary incontinence in women (2018). TEST MAX RAD-140 is also undergoing clinical trials to treat breast cancer in women (2018).