Victor Martinez warns of the serious health impact caused by the steroid substance Norethandrolone (sold as Nilevar and Pronabol)
In the latest episode of the Generation Iron Podcast, hosts Victor Martinez, Ehsan Farahi, Edwin Mejia Jr., and Vlad Yudin discuss a variety of intriguing topics including the impact of steroids on mental health, high-rep workouts for fat loss while maintaining muscle, and warned of the dangers behind steroids like Nilevar and Pronabol.
Victor Martinez wants you to know that not all steroids are created equal. When discussing steroid use in bodybuilding, it’s easy for the causal or mainstream audience to assume “steroids” are all one singular drug. But the reality is that steroids are a wide variety of different substances. While the use of steroids recreationally is always a risk – some substances are far more dangerous than others, some will help you bulk, some will help you cut, some will have you retaining water, and so on.
That’s why this week Victor Martinez focuses on the steroid called Norethandrolone – which is likely more publicly known by its brand names Nilevar and Pronabol. Though Victor is not a medical professional – he shares some anecdotal insight into this steroid and warns against any bodybuilder or individual using it. Why does this substance hold a higher health risk? Let’s dive in to find out.
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The Dangers of Nilevar and Pronabol
The GI crew delve into the topic of Nilevar and Pronabol, which are brand names for the steroid Norethandrolone. Victor and Ehsan categorize these steroids as part of the “deca” family, highlighting that the key difference is their oral form, which can be particularly harmful to the liver.
While it may have been used in the past for various medical conditions, it’s essential to understand that using Norethandrolone, or any anabolic steroid, without proper medical supervision and prescription can lead to serious health consequences. Here are some of the potential health effects and risks associated with Norethandrolone use:
- Liver Damage: One of the most significant risks of Norethandrolone is its potential to cause liver damage. As an oral steroid, it is processed by the liver, and prolonged use or high doses can strain the liver, leading to conditions such as hepatotoxicity. This can manifest as jaundice, liver inflammation, or more severe liver disorders.
- Cardiovascular Issues: Anabolic steroids like Norethandrolone can adversely affect cardiovascular health. They can lead to an increase in blood pressure, cholesterol imbalances, and an elevated risk of heart disease. Users may experience an increased risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular events.
- Hormonal Imbalances: Norethandrolone use can disrupt the body’s natural hormonal balance. It can lead to changes in testosterone levels, potentially causing testicular atrophy (shrinkage of the testes) and infertility. In females, it may cause masculinizing effects like facial hair growth and voice deepening.
- Musculoskeletal Issues: Paradoxically, while steroids like Norethandrolone can enhance muscle growth, they can also weaken tendons and ligaments, increasing the risk of injuries. Users may also experience muscle cramps and joint pain.
- Skin and Hair Problems: Like most other steroids, Norethandrolone can cause skin issues such as acne and oily skin. Hair loss, known as male pattern baldness, is also a potential side effect, especially in individuals genetically predisposed to it.
- Endocrine Disruption: The use of Norethandrolone can disrupt the endocrine system, affecting the proper functioning of various glands and hormones. This disruption can have cascading effects on the body’s overall health and metabolism.
While Victor Martinez has been open about his own past steroid use, he cautions against using Norethandrolone due to their quick results and potential for serious side effects. Victor states that steroids like dianabol or anadrol, despite the potential long-term issues with all steroids, are the most commonly used for a reason.
Victor emphasizes that these substances were used in the past, leading to adverse effects, and have since been abandoned by bodybuilders for safer options. He discourages young bodybuilders from attempting to be “trendsetters” by experimenting with such drugs, as history has shown the risks involved.
RELATED: An Investigation Into Modern Bodybuilding, Health, & PED Use
Can You Overdose on Steroids?
Vlad raises the question of whether one can overdose on steroids in a single use scenario. Victor explains that no such proof exists, but he advises against excessive use of steroids, as excessive consumption of anything, even water, can be detrimental to health.
While it may be unfortunate that steroids have been made extremely taboo by the media. Victor Martinez also believes that it is foolish to believe steroid use is 100% safe. He encourages common sense when using a powerful drug like steroids. Just because you may not be able to overdose on steroids, doesn’t mean you should overdo it to find out.
Steroids and Depression
Vlad Yudin asks whether steroids can cause depression. Victor Martinez suggests that steroids can indirectly contribute to depression, as the highs experienced while using them can lead to extreme lows when discontinuing the drug. Steroids provide rapid recovery, significant body changes, and increased testosterone levels, which can make users feel like superheroes. Consequently, the transition off steroids often results in feelings of depression.
Ehsan brings up a tragic incident reported by Generation Iron involving a bodybuilder who took steroids and subsequently harmed himself and his family. The discussion highlights the potential risks when individuals with existing mental health issues use steroids.
Combining Peptides, SARMs, and Steroids
Ehsan inquires about the safety of combining peptides, SARMs, and steroids. Victor acknowledges that peptides can be beneficial when used responsibly, and recommends obtaining a full blood panel to assess their suitability. He also believes that, when combined correctly, peptides, steroids, and other substances can yield remarkable results for bodybuilders.
But what is most important is to work with medical professionals to ensure you are being as safe as possible. While fringe bodybuilders such as Tony Huge my enjoy using their own bodies as experiments, Victor Martinez doesn’t suggest you do the same. For substances such as peptides, there are now legal clinics that can run a full diagnostic on your blood – and while they cannot give you legal steroids, they can advise how to best move forward with your current situation.
High-Rep Workouts and Fat Loss
The GI crew also answer another fan question regarding high-rep workouts for fat loss while preserving muscle. Can a person burn fat without burning away any muscle by specifically focusing on supersets, dropsets, and giantsets in a workout?
Victor Martinez agrees that incorporating supersets can help elevate the heart rate, aiding in weight loss. However, he emphasizes the importance of including cardio in the workout routine for a balanced approach. Victor also underscores the significance of maintaining a healthy diet to complement the weight loss plan. Without the right diet, the exercise will be a massive uphill battle when it comes to weight loss.
It should also be noted that it is nearly impossible to prevent losing muscle while focusing on weight loss. The effects can be minimized – but the delicate balance of cutting weight while keeping muscle is part of the challenge of bodybuilding. It’s what makes professional bodybuilding such a challenging sport. So this should be kept in mind when aiming to burn fat after building a bulked up muscular physique.
Wrap Up
The Generation Iron Podcast delved into various aspects of bodybuilding, including the risks associated with steroids like Nilevar and Pronabol, the potential impact on mental health, and the acceptance of bodybuilding in different countries. The hosts stressed the importance of responsible use of substances and maintaining a balanced approach to fitness and nutrition.
You can watch the full episode of the Generation Iron Podcast above. Don’t forget to check back every Tuesday for new episodes only on the Generation Iron Fitness Network or wherever podcasts are downloaded.
