Are you a bodybuilder or strength athlete that continues to sustain injuries during training? Have you noticed signs of androgen deficiency caused by your lifestyle? Perhaps you just want to build bigger muscles without the negative side effects of anabolic steroids.
To do this, you need to understand the role of androgens in the body, and why you may need to rethink your approach to muscle mass. Keep reading to learn more about this system, and the very important role of the androgen receptor in your health and fitness journey.
Types of Androgens
Androgens (like testosterone and DHT) are the male sex hormones responsible for the development of the male reproductive system and a male’s secondary sexual characteristics. There are a handful of significant androgens that are responsible for major sexual and metabolic functions in the body. These include:
- Testosterone – the major androgen in men
- DHT – important for development, but can later cause male pattern baldness and enlarged prostate
- Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) – the precursor to testosterone, is anti-inflammatory and plays a role in the health of the nervous system
- Androstenedione (A4) – often taken as a supplement for muscle building
- Androstenediol (A5) – has effects on estrogen receptors as well as androgen receptors
These hormones communicate with the androgen receptors in order to perform their respective functions. They affect both primary and secondary sex characteristics.
Secondary sex characteristics include facial and chest hair, increased body hair, a masculine pelvic build (not rounded hips like the female body), a muscular upper body build, and the natural ability to produce muscle mass at a faster rate than females can.
What Are Androgen Receptors?
Androgen receptors are found within the cells of the male reproductive tissue. Androgens communicate with these receptors in order to perform their functions. They are important because of their impact on:
- Bones
- Muscles
- The prostate
- Adipose tissue
- Reproductive systems
- Cardiovascular systems
- Immune systems
- Neural systems
Rather than just being responsible for sexual function, androgens are needed at an optimal level to maintain bone density and muscle mass, produce red blood cells, and regulate mood.
How to Increase Androgen Receptors
Lower levels of male sex hormones (especially testosterone) mean that a man is experiencing an androgen deficiency. Causes of androgen deficiency usually include hormonal imbalances systems in the body, nutritional deficiency, and the use of anabolic steroids.
“Low T” usually displays these symptoms:
- Decreased sexual desire
- Erectile dysfunction
- Fatigue
- Loss of muscle mass
- Increased fat gain
- Anemia
- Osteoporosis
Supplementing with androgen boosters or treatments that increase androgen receptors can enhance these secondary sex characteristics and protect the body from androgen deficiencies and negative side effects from anabolic steroids.
Need a dependable fix for your symptoms? Buy Ostarine because it prevents hair loss, prostate complications, and other adverse side effects that accompany anabolic steroids.
Your Androgen Receptor Questions and More
Think you have a grasp on the androgen receptor and its role in the body? Don’t stop here.
The most successful athletes are the ones who are the most curious. Keep reading on all things health and fitness related in our blog.
